Celebrity Role Models: Though Hard to Come By, They're Out There

If you haven't yet seen the footage of Miley Cyrus' performance at the VMAs then you probably haven't been near a TV or computer all day. The dreadful and horrendous performance that Cyrus and Robin Thicke put on last night is one that may just top Madonna and Britney Spears' kiss as well as Justin Timberlake's revealing of Janet Jackson's chest on stage. What happened last night left many people asking how Miley Cyrus could act in such a manner that would make those who grew up idolizing her as "Hannah Montana" wonder what they saw in her. Not only was credibility lost, but so was a little bit of faith in celebrities as a whole.

It has become that way in sports as well. This entire summer has been all about yet another performance-enhancing drug bust with Alex Rodriguez being the main perpetrator. The same A-Rod who was said to beat Hank Aaron's home run record the right way is now potentially, though not likely, facing a lifetime ban from the game.

Thinking back to being a kid that just ended my Little League career when the Mitchell Report was released and seeing my childhood idol Sammy Sosa be labeled a cheater was one of the more crushing blows I have dealt with while being a fan of baseball. It's never fun being lied to and it's never fun knowing that the excitement of someone's career was done with dishonesty and carelessness.

It is becoming tougher and tougher to find those celebrities that kids, teenagers, and adults can admire and hold on a pedestal. While not every singer prances around a stage with a foam finger between their legs and not every baseball player cheats, there comes a stereotype and collective skepticism whenever a situation such as these arise. Celebrities are constantly called in to question and must deal with more pressure in the public eye than most of them care to endure.

Yet there are people that handle themselves in a way that, like them or not, deserve respect and admiration. In the game of football Tim Tebow and Robert Griffin III have dealt with being in the spotlight nearly everyday this summer. With Tebow now a New England Patriot and RGIII recovering from a torn ACL, both have been egged on by reporters to say something negative or call someone out via interview. However, handling themselves with nothing but class, both athletes have turned away from these chances.

For Tebow coming off a frustrating stint with the New York Jets, reporters practically drooled over the chance to hear the goody two shoes Tebow speak his true thoughts on the Jets organization and head coach Rex Ryan. For RGIII, the questions early on were all about what he thought of head coach Mike Shanahan leaving him in late in the game when the Redskins appeared to have the game in the bag. Both deflected the negativity and failed to take advantage of the media's encouragement to speak ill of their head coaches.

The point is that even though our society has come to focus on the negative side of show business, there are those that represent the profession and sport in a way that we as fans and viewers can still admire and respect. While everyone is watching and waiting for the next athlete to slip up and make headlines on ESPN for weeks, there are athletes that we can be assured will never fill ESPN for negative reasons. Yes, role model-worthy athletes and celebrities are becoming hard to find, but they're most definitely not extinct.

A-Rod Drama Should End with Lifetime Ban

How will we remember Alex Rodriguez? Will it be for the towering home runs and flashy glove work on the left side of the infield? Or will it be for the contract, the steroids, the arrogance and the constant drama? With the latest developments out of the Bronx on A-Rod's quad strain and the Biogenesis scandal hovering over his head like a black rain cloud about to burst, something tells me we won't remember Rodriguez for what he did on the field. That's quite a shame because he is one of the best players to step foot on the diamond, but he created his own demise and everything that he will be remembered for was by his own doing.

Rodriguez says he's ready to play after suffering a quad strain, but the Yankees say he's not. Now A-Rod says the Yanks are doing all they can to keep him off the field. That's a storyline you don't hear everyday. However, Rodriguez attracts this type of drama and, again, it's his own doing. Getting a second opinion on an injury is fine, but A-Rod never told the Yankees and never actually saw the doctor in person. After creating a media firestorm two days ago, he then reiterated that he wanted to play and said, "Enough doctors...let's play."

There's a slight problem though. What if you aren't wanted? It sounds ridiculous that a team plagued with injuries to every superstar on the roster wouldn't want Alex Rodriguez, but it seems true. It makes perfect sense. Ryan Braun's lies came crashing down on him earlier this week and it's assumed that A-Rod won't be far behind and that would spell doom for the Yanks.

Despite all the injuries, New York is still very much in the AL East race and bringing Rodriguez back into the clubhouse could be disastrous for them. If he comes back now then the media is going to rush into that clubhouse and talk about the injury and the Biogenesis scandal and, instead of an asset, A-Rod becomes a distraction. Besides the scandal, the Yankees are smart for taking their time with him because he is a big investment. There's a lot of money left to pay A-Rod and the last thing the Yanks want is an injury that keeps him off the field for the entire season or longer.

The injury is just a small part of this drama though. The real focal point is the scandal and whether or not a suspension is coming A-Rod's way. If so, then he should be done. This isn't his first rodeo with PEDs and what's worse is that he once apologized for taking them then went around the country speaking out against PED use. Yet now these reports surface and Rodriguez is, once again, looking like a fraud. If he is found guilty that warrants a lifetime ban no question.

Can you blame the Yankees for not wanting this guy around? I don't want to jump to conclusions and say that he did or did not take PEDs and that a suspension is a sure thing, but Rodriguez did something to get his name brought up in those reports. That's enough for me. He was somewhere he shouldn't have been and dealing with people he shouldn't have been around. Despite all his great plays, clutch home runs and outstanding play, the Yankees are better off without him.

When that black rain cloud that is the Biogenesis scandal bursts and Alex Rodriguez has to face the media he will be a shamed man. There won't be any apologies this time because there won't be anything that can cover up this stain the second time around. All there will be is the remains of a fat contract for an arrogant, drama queen who just so happens to be one of the best players we have ever seen. But will we even remember his play?

Active MLB First Ballot Hall of Famers

It is a common understanding that Major League Baseball has the hardest Hall of Fame to be a member of and rarely do more than two or three players get in per year. Sometimes the Hall of Fame status is thrown around much too loosely. There are good players, there are great players, and then there are Hall of Fame players. It's an exclusive group, one that includes just 202 players and 289 members overall. Only once have there been three first-ballot nominees elected in the same year (1999), not including the first year in 1936. So it's rare that players be elected so soon after retirement. I recently read a blog post that listed Justin Verlander, C.C. Sabathia and Miguel Cabrera as first-ballot Hall of Famers. I scoffed at that simply because it's much too early to classify those players like that. Are they on the right track? Yes. But the road ahead is a long one. What a player does in the back half of his career will decide whether or not he is a Hall of Famer or not. Many have started out strong, only to fizzle out as their bodies grow older. The list of current first-ballot players is short in my mind. Here it is...


Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees
Current Season: 18th Year
Career Stats: .313 batting average, 3,222 hits, 1,828 runs, 346 steals, .382 OBP
Awards: '96 Rookie of the Year, 13-time All-Star, 5 Gold Gloves, 4 Silver Sluggers, 5 World Series
Derek Jeter has defined winning throughout his career. Perhaps the most respected man in the game of baseball, Jeter eclipsed the 3,000 hit mark last season with a 5-5 day that was capped off with a home run. In my mind, the 3,000 hit plateau should put a player in automatically considering that only 28 men have ever achieved the feat. However, that's not all there is to Jeter. He holds the record for career postseason hits with 191 in 152 games. Obviously the fact that he has played with the Yankees has helped his cause, but that is a record that may never be broken, especially when you consider that he is still building upon it. His defense has produced five Gold Gloves and has given us some of the most memorable highlights in baseball. His unbelievable flip against the A's and his headfirst dive into the stands behind third base will be shown forever. His class, records and winning ensure that he will be in Cooperstown as soon as possible.

Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Seattle Mariners
Current Season: 12th Year
Career Stats: .322 batting average, 2,544 hits, 441 stolen bases, 1,180 runs, .365 OBP, 100 assists
Awards: '01 MVP, '01 Rookie of the Year, 10-time All-Star, 10 Gold Gloves, 3 Silver Sluggers
Ichiro may have the most impressive resume when you consider he is only in his 12th full season and he missed about three or four seasons in his prime. He captured the league by storm in his first season, winning the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards. He has led the league in batting average twice, hitting an absurd .372 back in 2004. He has stolen 40+ bases five times and led the league in 2001 with 56. His outstanding arm has generated 100 assists from the outfield and counting. While he has not played on very many winning teams and the Mariners made the playoffs just once in the time he was there. While Jeter has played in 152 postseason games, Ichiro has played in just 10. Now a Yankee, he will most likely finish his career in pinstripes. At 2,544 hits he needs just 456 hits until 3,000. His 162 game average is 222 so if he keeps pace he will need just two seasons after this to reach the milestone.

Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
Current Season: 12th Year
Career Stats: .326 batting average, 2,193 hits, 1,353 runs, 469 home runs, 1,405 RBI
Awards: '01 RoY, 9-time All-Star, 3-time MVP ('05,'08,'09), 3 Gold Gloves, 6 Silver Sluggers, 2 WS
It's hard to believe Pujols is only in his 12th season because his numbers tell a much different story. He has a lifetime batting average of .326, is just 31 home runs away from 500, and could reach the 3,000 hit mark in about four years. If so, he would be only the fifth player to achieve both the milestones (Aaron, Mays, Murray, Palmeiro). Pujols is a three-time MVP, but perhaps more impressive is the fact that he has finished in the top ten of MVP voting every single year and finished top five in nine of those years. He hit at least .300 with 30 homers and 100 RBIs in his first ten seasons and last year came up a point and RBI shy. He is now in the American League and playing on one of the most exciting teams, the Angels. As he heads into the last stretch of his career he will cement himself as one of the greatest players of all-time.

Chipper Jones, 3B, Atlanta Braves
Current Season: 19th Season
Career Stats: .305 batting average, 2,693 hits, 1,600 runs, 1,609 RBI, 464 home runs, .405 OBP
Awards: '99 MVP, 8-time All-Star, 2 Silver Sluggers, 1995 World Series title
Chipper is probably the only player on this list that doesn't have the eye-popping statistic that ensures he will be enshrined. He will retire at the end of this season, his 19th in the league and with the Braves, and while he won't finish with either 500 home runs or 3,000 hits, he will be in an elite group of third basemen. Chipper has always been a hitter, batting over .300 ten times in his career and on his way to number eleven. He led the league in 2008 with an outstanding .364 average. He won the 1999 MVP award after batting .319 with 45 home runs and 110 RBI. He has a lifetime .305 batting average and has averaged over 30 homers and 100 RBIs in his career. If Chipper's numbers and lack of awards don't seem worthy of the Hall then consider this: while George Brett has more hits than Chipper, Jones has the same batting average as Brett and has more home runs, RBI, runs, and a better OBP.

Alex Rodriguez, SS/3B, New York Yankees
Current Season: 19th Year
Career Stats:.301 batting average, 2,872 hits, 1,878 runs, 1,937 RBI, 644 home runs, 314 stolen bases
Awards: 14-time All-Star, 3-time MVP ('03,'05,'07), 2 Gold Gloves, 10 Silver Sluggers, '09 WS title
There are two things that separate A-Rod from the rest of the players on this list: how great his numbers are and steroids. An admitted steroid user during his three seasons in Texas, Rodriguez does have a tainted career. However, I have included him on this list because he has still produced after the steroids. He was excellent before them and has been excellent after them. I think that guys like McGwire, Sosa and Palmeiro will find it hard to be elected, but A-Rod admitted it and, as far as we know, has stopped. Because of that, I think he will be elected. He definitely has the numbers. He has led the league in home runs five times and could eclipse 700 by the time it's all said and done (he needs 56). He has led the league in batting average once and RBIs twice. He has over 300 steals on top of all the hitting and he has a chance to finish with a .300+ batting average, 700 home runs, 2,000 RBIs, and 3,000 hits. Those are numbers that few men will ever achieve.

Mariano Rivera, P, New York Yankees
Current Season: 18th Year
Career Stats: 76-58 Win-Loss, 2.21 ERA, 608 saves
Awards: 12-time All-Star, All-time saves leader, 5 World Series titles
Domination. Mariano Rivera has dominated competition for 18 years now and has been a part of five Yankees World Series championship teams. He is the all-time leader in saves with 608 and that is a number that will continue to grow once he comes back from an ACL tear. He has been the closer for the best dynasty in awhile and even at the age of 42 he still dominates with his devastating cutter and nearly ensures a Yanks win once he comes out of the bullpen. He is the best relief pitcher of all-time and, as the game changes, he has set the standard for closers. For that reason he will be elected into the Hall as soon as possible.

The Next Three (Questionables)
Todd Helton, 1B, Colorado Rockies
Current Season: 16th Year
Career Stats: .320 batting average, 2,420 hits, 1,360 runs, 1,345 RBI, 354 home runs, .419 OBP
Awards: 5-time All-Star, 3 Gold Gloves, 4 Silver Sluggers
Helton has decent numbers, but they don't stack up to the players listed above. He is an above average fielder and can flat out hit the ball, but will voters hold the fact that he played in Coors Field against him? I don't think a player should be penalized for that, but it will definitely be a discussion among the voters. Helton lacks the accolades of other players in his era. Perhaps he will get in at some point, but not first ballot.

Paul Konerko, 1B, Chicago White Sox
Current Season:16th Year
Career Stats: .284 batting average, 2,142 hits, 1,088 runs, 1,314 RBI, 413 home runs
Awards: 6-time All-Star, 2005 World Series title
Konerko may not be a Hall of Famer at all, but he has been a steady player his entire career. He has been the face of the White Sox since Frank Thomas left and he was a key component of the 2005 World Series team. Konerko could play a few more years and potentially build on his numbers, which would make the discussion may be a little easier.

Carlos Beltran, CF, New York Mets
Current Season: 15th Year
Career Stats: .283 batting average, 2,025 hits, 1,247 runs, 1,233 RBI, 327 HRs, 303 stolen bases
Awards: '99 Rookie of the Year, 7-time All-Star, 3 Gold Gloves, 2 Silver Sluggers
Beltran has quietly put together a nice career and is having one of his best seasons for the Cardinals here in 2012. The 1999 Rookie of the Year for the Royals has three Gold Gloves to his name and surpassed the 2,000 hit mark this season. Were it not for injuries, we may be giving Beltran a closer look.

On the Right Track (Too Early to Tell)
Justin Verlander, P, Detroit Tigers
Current Season: 8th Year
Career Stats: 118-64 Win-Loss, 3.44 ERA, 1,367 SO
Awards: '06 Rookie of the Year, '11 Cy Young Award, '11 MVP, 5-time All-Star
It's a long road ahead, but Verlander averages 18 wins per season. At that pace, he will need to pitch nine more seasons like that to reach the 300 win mark. He has a Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and MVP trophy in his collection and has appeared in the World Series once as well. The 3,000 strikeout plateau is also one that could be attainable for Verlander. At the pace he is going he will need just eight more seasons to hit 3,000.

Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Detroit Tigers
Current Season: 10th Year
Career Stats: .317 batting average, 1,736 hits, 923 runs, 1,075 RBI, 304 home runs, .394 OBP
Awards: 7-time All-Star, 3 Silver Sluggers, 2003 World Series title
Cabrera is well on his way to the 500 home run mark and could reach it in about six seasons. 3,000 hits is a little bit more of a stretch but he is on pace to reach it in about seven seasons. Having Prince Fielder behind him in the lineup will help him greatly. Combine the hitting stats with the All-Star appearances and the Silver Sluggers and you may have a Hall of Famer in the making.

C.C. Sabathia, P, Cleveland Indians
Current Season: 12th Year
Career Stats: 187-99 Win-Loss, 3.51 ERA, 2,150 SO
Awards: 2007 Cy Young Award, 6-time All-Star, 2009 World Series title
Sabathia is in his 12th season but 300 wins may be a reachable goal. He is on pace to reach it in 2018 which will mean he would have to keep his 17-game win average going until his is 37 years old. That's not going to be easy. I think 250 wins is going to become the new 300 and Sabathia should achieve that. 3,000 strikeouts should be easier for the big lefty. He is on pace to reach that by 2016. If he can add another Cy Young to his collection that would help his case tremendously.

There are obviously several more players who could be added to the last list and maybe a few more on the Questionables list. I really don't think there's anybody else who is a lock right now though. The team listed next to the player is the one I think they will go in as for the Hall of Fame as of now. If you have any comments or arguments feel free to post below!

Jeter and Thome Approach Milestones Amid Fanfare

Milestones in baseball are something to cheer about most of the time. When a player passes 500 home runs, 300 wins, 3,000 hits or 4,000 strikeouts we all stop and think about the magnitude of that particular achievement. It really is unbelievable. Lately though we haven't been so impressed or happy with MLB players passing milestones due to steroid use. Barry Bonds broke arguably the most glorified record in sports when he passed Hank Aaron's 755 home run mark, but as a nation we could only frown upon his feat because of his alleged steroid use. Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were heroes in 1998 and they treated us to one of the most exciting summers ever yet they are villains now after their steroid use and embarrassing showings on Capitol Hill. The same can be said for several other hitters such as Rafael Palmeiro, Manny Ramirez and maybe even Alex Rodriguez. Thankfully the steroid era seems to be over and in 2011 two players who have remained clean and have always been fan favorites are chasing major milestones. Derek Jeter, the New York Yankee captain, is approaching 3,000 hits and Jim Thome, a rare home run hitter never linked to steroids, is coming up on 600 home runs.

For all kids who aspire to be a baseball player Derek Jeter is the prime example of how to play the game and how to behave off of it. Name the last time Jeter's name popped up in a police report that ESPN got a hold of....never. Name the last time Jeter ripped his team, teammates or organization publicly....never. He is the ultimate class act and he defines the Yankee way. He is currently 14 hits shy and would be the first Yankee to reach the hit milestone, an incredible accomplishment considering the hitters that have put on the pinstripes. Ruth, Gehrig, Dimaggio and Mantle were all short and when Jeter's playing days are over he must be considered one of the top three Yankee hitters of all time. That may sound absurd but the man knocks out hits and comes up in the clutch. We can cheer Jeter also because he a great man and he has always been a positive example on and off the field. His name has never come up in steroid talk nor does he have any legal blemishes. Every ball fan can stand and cheer when Jeter does reach 3,000.

The same can be said for Thome. He is a great example and he has been voted by his peers as one of the nicest guys in the game. When he does reach 600 home runs he will join Bonds, Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Ken Griffey, Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa in the club. Three of those players have used or allegedly used PEDs (Bonds, Rodriguez and Sosa) but Thome has never been linked to them despite playing the prime of his career in the Steroid Era. He has played for the Indians, Phillies, White Sox, Dodgers and Twins and been a clubhouse favorite at every stop. With the exception of Griffey's 500th and 600th home runs and Frank Thomas' 500th dinger, every home run milestone since 1998 has been tainted by steroids. That's seven players that reached the 500 mark and beyond with steroid use/suspicion. Thome's 500th homer was greeted with applause and his 600th should be an even happier occasion.

It's exciting to watch this unfold because for so long baseball fans have had to watch as a cheater rounded the bases in celebration and then lied when asked if steroids were of any help to reaching that milestone. Now don't get me wrong, I think all of those players were great and they definitely did have outstanding skills but when steroids aid a player's performance it makes that milestone less significant. 500 home runs has become a routine thing in baseball and that's sad. With Jeter and Thome, fans can cheer for both because both are clean and on top of that have always had a good reputation on and off the field. It's the perfect thing for the game of baseball as they exit the Steroid Era.

Jeter could reach 3,000 hits in the next two weeks and Thome could have 600 by the end of the month. It would be amazing if they both could do it on the same day somehow but that might be asking for too much. One thing is for sure and that's that both of these feats will be celebrated across the nation and that hasn't happened to two players since Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs reached 3,000 a day a part from each other.

Ramirez Retires Unexpectedly, It's Just Manny Being Manny

From his early years in Cleveland...

In a shocking story, Manny Ramirez has announced his retirement from the great game of baseball after he was reportedly involved in an issue with the MLB drug policy. It's not clear if Ramirez tested positive for a banned substance, but if he was then he would have to serve a 100-game suspension. Rather than face the prospects of sitting out for a good portion of the year, Ramirez informed Major League Baseball that he would retire. Manny is an interesting character and deciding if he should get the call to the Hall of Fame depends on how you viewed him as a player and person. Personally, I loved Manny. Manny being Manny. Manny crushing home runs for the Red Sox and leading the Idiots to the World Series title twice. Manny catching a fly ball and running up the wall to high five a fan. Manny disappearing into the Green Monster during a pitching change because he had to take a leak, only to reemerge moments before the next pitch. You want my opinion? Manny Ramirez was fun and he was one of the greatest hitters in the game while bringing the fans that joy and laughter. However, there is another side of Manny that may keep him out of Cooperstown and it will be interesting to see how things play out when he is eligible in 2016.

You would be hard pressed to find a hitter in the game today who will retire with an average above .300 but Manny sits comfortably at .312 with over 2,500 hits. Those numbers are very impressive and if you don't believe me consider this: Manny has a higher average than Hank Aaron, Pete Rose, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. All of those players, minus Rose, are in the Hall of Fame. Rose is the all-time hits leader and would surely be in the Hall of Fame if it weren't for the gambling issues. Ramirez hit for .300 or better 11 of his 18+ seasons and hit over .325 six times. He led the MLB with a .349 average in 2002 and in 2000 batted .351. His 2,574 hits put him 82nd on the all-time list which doesn't seem that impressive but he has more hits than Mantle, Eddie Mathews and Joltin' Joe Dimaggio. Frank Thomas, Sammy Sosa and Jeff Bagwell are recently retired players whose names have come up in Hall of Fame discussions and Manny has more hits than all of them. Manny Ramirez was a better hitter than Joe Dimaggio, Mike Schmidt, Mickey Mantle or Ernie Banks. All four of those players are in the Hall of Fame.

...to his World Series years in Boston...

When it comes to home runs Manny is 14th all-time, ahead of Schmidt, Mantle, Jimmie Foxx and Ted Williams. The 500 Home Run Club has become sort of watered down and lost its significance because so many players have reached it in the past few years but Ramirez is one of 14 players to have more than 550. The next player to reach that mark should be Albert Pujols and that will take him quite a few more years. Despite the loss of it's significance, that achievement cannot be overlooked. Then there are the RBIs. Ramirez ranks 18th all-time in runs batted in and had 12 seasons with 100+. Only Alex Rodriguez, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx have more 100+ seasons and they are all in, or going to be in, the Hall of Fame. In 1999 he had 165 runs batted in which led the league and that is also the most RBIs in a single season since 1938. Wrap your mind around that one. Manny is one of the greatest right-handed hitters of all-time and maybe, just maybe, that can make up for his lack of talent in the field.

Of course, other great players in the Hall of Fame couldn't play a lick of defense so Manny wouldn't be the first, but that is one of the major knocks on his career. While he may be a better hitter then most of those players mentioned above at the plate, he is definitely inferior when it comes to playing the field. And then there is the steroid issue. It's not something that I really want to go in depth with because it is such a complicated subject. Should those players be inducted into the Hall of Fame? I think so, but I do think they should have to wait awhile. For Manny, this is the third time his name has come up in steroid use but think about this: sure he may have used steroids that did, or did not, help his hitting numbers but most of the pitchers he was facing probably were too. Most people just want to pin the blame on the hitters but they fail to see that pitchers were juiced too. It wasn't an uneven playing field because both sides were doing it. So yes, Manny did do steroids and I am not saying that is okay at all, but he was facing pitchers that were doing the exact same thing.

...Manny was loved wherever he went.

Looking at his hitting numbers and his World Series titles it seems Manny must be a lock for the Hall of Fame. The lack of hustle, defense and the steroid use are blemishes on his fine career and some people will want to hold him out because of it but we should appreciate the great hitter. Whether Manny makes it to the Hall of Fame or not, we will remember him for the joy and fun he brought to the game of baseball. I'll admit it, baseball can be a boring sport, but Manny was somebody who everybody wanted to see. He was almost always smiling and was a character that was larger than life for a time. Nobody saw this retirement coming but it's just another case of Manny being Manny.

MLB Preseason Predictions: American League East Preview

Carl Crawford                            Adrian Gonzalez

For the next several posts I will be breaking down the MLB, division by division and giving my preseason picks and predictions. After last year's unlikely World Series matchup and some huge offseason signings by the Red Sox and Phillies, the 2011 year has big storylines and should be a competitive year. I will start with the American League East which is, once again, going to be the power division in baseball. The Red Sox upgraded with offseason signings and the Yankees still have one of the meanest lineups in the game. The Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles should be interesting to watch for different reasons. The Rays lost a few key players and we will see how they respond while the O's added a slugger in Vladimir Guerrero. Toronto has made a home with being mediocre and we shouldn't expect anything different this year. So, without further ado, let's get into these predictions and breakdowns.

1. Boston Red Sox
After an injury plagued 2010 the Red Sox are looking to get back on track and back in the postseason. The usual core is back of Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia but two offseason free agent signings have made the BoSox lineup even scarier. Carl Crawford, from the Tampa Bay Rays, and Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres both signed for big bucks and Boston should score runs in bunches. The pitching rotation is strong and the Sox added Bobby Jenks to the bullpen. If this year's club stays healthy they should be playing in the Fall Classic.

2. New York Yankees
As always, the Bronx Bombers are going to drive in runs with Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixiera in the middle of the lineup but what could set the Yankees back is their pitching. They failed to sign Cliff Lee but C.C. Sabathia is a clear-cut ace and we know what to expect from him. Phil Hughes was excellent last year and should pitch like that again but A.J. Burnett, the Yanks other huge free agent signing a few years back, had a rocky 2010 and needs to bounce back. Otherwise, New York could be in trouble. The American League is loaded this year and it won't be a cakewalk to the playoffs like it normally is. It's no secret that Derek Jeter's career is coming to a close in the next few years and it would be nice to see him get another ring, however, the Yanks will need the bottom of their rotation to step up.

3. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays lost Carlos Pena and Matt Garza to the Cubs but rookie pitcher, Jeremy Hellickson, is a player to watch. He dominated in little action last year and is expected to be in the rotation from Day 1 in '11. Carl Crawford also left but two former Red Sox, Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, have joined the Rays in hopes to keep them in the playoff hunt. Both are up in their years but can still hit the ball. David Price is always a Cy Young candidate and will anchor a rotation that has been strong the last few years.

4. Baltimore Orioles
This is a risk picking the O's anywhere but the basement of the division but they seem to have added enough bats to their lineup. Derrek Lee and Vladimir Guerrero have both been great hitters in their respective careers and the O's hope that they can produce in a lineup of young players. Luke Scott provides pop and Felix Pie and Corey Patterson have shown flashes of brilliance. Pitching is suspect in Baltimore but perhaps they can score enough runs to put fans back in the seats of their beautiful ballpark.

5. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays dwell in mediocrity and this year shouldn't be much different. They have a superb lineup and it will be interesting to see if Jose Bautista's 2010 season was a fluke. Juan Rivera was added for some extra pop along with Adam Lind. Vernon Wells left for the Angels and that hurts. The Blue Jays can never seem to get over the hump and I don't think that will happen anytime soon.

Best Lineup: Boston
Best Pitching Staff: Tampa Bay

Best Player: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
Best Pitcher: David Price, Tampa Bay Rays