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Sports

Baseball

The Sleepers

The 2001 Major League Baseball season is more than a quarter over, and already there are some major sparks flying.  Wiseguy here.  And being a loyal MLB fan, I’m loving every minute of the current season.  One thing I’ve found interesting so far is the many people and teams doing well this year that, well, weren’t supposed to.  Commonly called sleepers, these players and ball clubs make a season exciting and worth watching.  Keep in mind this article was written on June 18, 2001.  Also, remember that these teams are highlighted because they WEREN’T supposed to be doing well, so don’t e-mail me and ask me why the Mariners aren’t mentioned.  Here’s a look at the rising teams and players you should keep eye out for and bet the farm on this year.

The Minnesota Twins

Key Players:

- First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz is currently batting .312 with 72 hits and 10 home runs.  That’s good, but nothing compared to the almost .400 he was batting in the first two months of this season.  Look for him to warm up again and raise that average.

- 23-year-old shortstop Christian Guzman has exploded into the majors with 77 hits, 6 homers, and 14 stolen bases thus far in the season. 

- 25-year-old pitcher Joe Mays has jump-started his career, boasting 8 wins, a complete game shutout, and a 3.07 ERA.

- With 16 saves, closer LaTroy Hawkins is making sure the Twins’ talented starting rotation gets their wins.

- Brad Radke, the “veteran” pitcher of the ball club, is having no doubt the best year of his career, with 8 wins, 3 complete games, a shutout, and 63 strikeouts.

The Philadelphia Phillies

Key Players:

- Starting pitcher Randy Wolf has 85 strikeouts.  That’s nothing to sneeze at. 

- Closer Jose Mesa has one of the highest amounts of saves in baseball with 17.

- Centerfielder Doug Glanville is making things happen for the Phillies this year with 10 home runs, 74 hits, and 13 stolen bases.

- Although he may not be getting along with his team too well, third baseman Scott Rolen is still an impact player in the city of brotherly love.  The Phillies’ clean-up batter has bagged 40 RBI’s and 7 home runs.

- Shortstop Jimmy Rollins just can’t be caught this season.  He has 21 stolen bases.

- The club’s gem right now has to be right fielder Bobby Abreu, who is ranked among the major league’s 20 best players in many magazines and websites.  With 64 hits, 12 home runs, 45 RBI’s, and 16 stolen bases, this all around all-star is leading the Phillies to victory after victory.

Chicago Cubs

Key Players:

- Sammy Sosa, as has been the case for a couple years now, is the single biggest offensive player this club has.  This season, he boasts 19 homers, 62 RBI’s, and a .300 average.

- Co-closers Jeff Fassero and Tom “Flash” Gordon have successfully saved a combination of 20 games.

- When I think of starting pitcher Jon Lieber, one word comes to mind – NO!  3.32 ERA. - NO you may not score any runs!  7 wins, 3 complete games, and a shutout - NO you may not get any hits!  70 strikeouts - NO you may not even touch the damn ball!!!

- Veteran hurler Kevin Tapani has been completely dominant this year with 8 wins and 54 strikeouts so far. 

- A few years ago, a young pitcher named Kerry Wood became one of now only three players to strike out 20 people in a single game.  Well, he’s red hot again folks!  6 wins, 3.76 ERA, a few complete games and shutouts here and there, blah, blah, blah…  Those momentous accomplishments pale in comparison to his whopping 114 strikeouts!

Players to Keep Your Eye On

Hockey

Just in case you haven't been living on earth these past few weeks, the Stanley Cup Finals recently came to their close as the Colorado Avalanche successfully ousted the New Jersey Devils in an intense 7-game series.  This victory, the first 7-game series since 1994 (and before that, 1953), was an incredible feat for the Avalanche.  On a roller coaster series, at some points it seemed clinched for the Av's and at some points hopeless.  With this Stanley Cup Victory, Colorado captured their second title in six years.  Also with this victory, legendary hockey marksman Ray Bourque finally received a Stanley Cup after a long 23 years of playing.  40 years old, Bourque has appeared in more regular-season and playoff games (1,826) than anyone in NHL history, and until this year he had never won a championship. "It feels great and it's just going to get better," Bourque said. "I really had a tough time holding everything back, right off the national anthem. Really emotional, I couldn't let it go and it was tough to keep it together. We found a way to do it, and I couldn't let it go until the end, until the final buzzer."  Another notable figure from the game was Patrick Roy.  Roy gave up just one goal in the final two contests and became the first three-time winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the postseason.  

The Colorado Avalanche Team Roster:

Basketball

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