9201130547
DETROIT FREE PRESS
920406
Monday, April 06, 1992
METRO FINAL
7E
MITCH ALBOM, PERRY A. FARRELL
BASEBALL '92
Copyright (c) 1992, Detroit Free Press
Mitch Albom
* Tigers: The best seat this season is probably in the bleachers: You're far
enough away to catch one of Cecil Fielder's home runs; you're also far enough
away not to have to look at the pitching staff.
* AL East: Toronto, Boston, Milwaukee, Detroit, Baltimore, New York,
Cleveland.
* AL West: Chicago.
* NL East: St. Louis.
* NL West: Atlanta.
Perry A. Farrell
* Tigers: A potent lineup needs some pitching to keep the Tigers in the race.
A questionable bullpen, stocked with some young, untested arms, holds the key
for Captain Hook, a.k.a Sparky Anderson.
* AL East: Toronto, Boston, Baltimore, Detroit, New York, Milwaukee,
Cleveland.
* AL West: Chicago.
* NL East: New York.
* NL West: Cincinnati.
Gene Guidi
* Tigers: The potent lineup just about guarantees a finish over .500. How far
over depends on the quality of the starting pitching and the bullpen. If
youngsters Scott Aldred and John Doherty can contribute for over a whole
season, it could make for an interesting summer.
* AL East: Milwaukee, Toronto, Detroit, Boston, Baltimore, Cleveland, New
York.
* AL West: Chicago.
* NL East: Philadelphia.
* NL West: Cincinnati.
Steve Kornacki
* Tigers: They'll contend this year and surprise people. Many say they can go
far with a healthy Alan Trammell, but I feel Travis Fryman has taken the
pressure off Trammell. Fryman will make the all-star team this season and be
the story of the year.
* AL East: Toronto, Baltimore, Detroit, Boston, New York, Milwaukee,
Cleveland.
* AL West: Chicago.
* NL East: New York.
* NL West: Cincinnati.
John Lowe
* Tigers: Because of their thunderous offense and sound defense, the Tigers
don't need outstanding pitching to finish first. They can win the AL East if
their pitching makes the realistic jump from below-average to average. The
top three starters can again contribute the essential 200-plus innings, and
Eric King and Scott Aldred enhance the Nos. 4-5 spots. Mike Henneman can have
his best year if he indeed pitches one inning an per outing. But one big
problem: defending champion Toronto is improved.
* AL East: Toronto, Detroit, Milwaukee, Baltimore, Boston, New York,
Cleveland.
* AL West: Minnesota.
* NL East: St. Louis.
* NL West: Atlanta.
George Puscas
* Tigers: They have too many "ifs" -- Alan Trammell's back, one more good year
for Tanana, can Fielder do it again? -- to be comfortable. Their "hope" --
here we go again -- is that Gullickson, Tettleton, Phillips, etc. -- can
repeat fine years. It won't be enough.
* AL East: Toronto, Boston, Detroit, Milwaukee, New York, Baltimore,
Cleveland.
* AL West: Oakland.
* NL East: New York.
* NL West: Los Angeles.
Charlie Vincent
* Tigers: They'll be improved if Alan Trammell can play more than the 101
games he played last season, Rob Deer hits his weight and Dan Gladden's
numbers are better than Pete Incaviglia's .214 and 36 38 RBIs. The bullpen is
all that will keep them from contending with Toronto for the American League
East title. Be happy with a comfortable second.
* AL East: Toronto, Detroit, Boston, Baltimore, Milwaukee, New York,
Cleveland.
* AL West: Texas.
* NL East: Chicago.
* NL West: Los Angeles.
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