David Ortiz is 33 years old? False. No chance. For the record I love Big Papi and he has been the face of the Boston Redsox for a bunch of years. Yes his bat speed has slowed down and yes it has something to do with his age.
Roy Halladay wins 24 games? True. He is the most dominating pitcher in the American league and is unhittable most nights!
Manny Ramirez’ current suspension will keep him out of the Baseball Hall of Fame? False. This is what I read according to the L.A. Times: no trace of hCG was found in Manny Ramirez’s urine, but a prescription for the drug is what led to his suspension. HCG is typically taken by steroid users at the end of a cycle. As the Times reports, "MLB officials had begun the process of disciplining Ramirez for a positive drug test when they obtained his medical records that contained a prescription for hCG. At that point he was suspended for ‘just cause’ based on ‘non-analytical evidence’ and for which a ‘therapeutic use’ exemption was available but never requested." "Manny being Manny." And this will not keep him out of the hall of fame. All it does is continue to strengthen his nickname, "Manny being Manny."
Tampa Bay finishes higher than fourth in the AL East? False. Everything went right for them last year and although they have some good players they will falter and end up behind the Yankees, Redsox and Blue Jays.
The Boston Redsox will meet the NY Mets in the fall classic. True. Exactly 23 years after their 1986 face-off, Redsox will win the World Series in a classic 7 game series.
Now your turn:
- Do you agree with me?
- What do you think?
- Do you have a baseball prediction you would like to share?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Bob Graham says:
Can’t find anything to disagree with here, but I will add to the last prediction: the Red Sox will WIN the 2009 fall classic.
Mike Macleod says:
Manny will make the hall of fame, but it will be regardless of any technicality about what drug was in his system. Eventually, the voters will get off their high horses and realize that their decisions to keep any steroid users out is flawed. The main flaw is that no one knows who all the users are. If HOF voting took place just a couple of years ago, Roger Clemens would have been elected. Alex Rodriguez would have been elected. Sammy Sosa probably would have been elected.
So the logical thing to do is to elect the best players of the era and accept the fact that a significant portion of players used PEDs. Only Kreskin could tell who uses and who doesn’t, and to date he’s not a voter.
(I keep telling myself I’m going to give up the whole PED argument)
Peter Rose says:
won’t argue with the Red Sox, although I have a hard time seeing the Mets getting there. I’ll take the Dodgers in the NL. For another true/false: Eric Wedge will not be managing the Indians on opening day, 2010. (he may not be managing the Indians on Tuesday, judging by this weekend at Wrigley).
Merrill Dubrow says:
Peter,
Appreciate your comments. Yes unfortunately nice guy Eric Wedge won’t be managing your beloved team for much longer.
Thanks.
Merrill
Matt Steinhaus says:
Disagree on two points.
Halladay probably doesn’t get to 24 wins.
You have be healthy for all 162, and he already has DL time. To say nothing of the fact that he is in the toughest division in baseball and will have to man up against the Sox, Yankees and Rays, seriously reducing his odds. I agree he is the most dominant pitcher in the AL and perhaps all of baseball, but 24 wins is a tall order.
The Mets don’t make the series. Just an educated guess really, and when healthy, perhaps they look like a contender. But, I’m not seeing that one.
Agree on Big Papi. I think he might actually be in his mid-50’s.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Matt,
When I wrote this Halladay was kicking butt and healthy although I love his 10 wins – going on the DL will hurt his chance for sure.
Love Big Papi – he is starting to hit again…… I hope he isn’t 50… 🙂
Thanks.
Merrill
Michael Halberstam says:
Won’t comment on the Red Sawx winning on Oct.
Here’s a couple more:
Alex Rodriguez will hit over 800 homers. False – Not at this rate.
Derek Jeter will catch and pass Peter Rose as the all-time Hit King – Hotly debated but False. Pete has said many times that the last 1000 hits are the toughest. Barring injury, I think Derek will wind up around 3400-3500. Still not too bad.
Ichiro will have over 2000 hits as a player in the USA. True. He will hit 2000 faster than any player in history and should get to 3000 in no more than 5 years, maybe 6 years. He’ll be around 40 (?) at that time.
Albert Pujoles will hit 800 home runs – True. The guy is amazing.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Michael,
Appreciate your comments. I agree with you on the AROD and Jeter predictions. Ichiro – wow what a talent here is a guy who plays on the wrong team in the wrong city. He is GREAT and most people don’t really know that because he plays in Seattle – yes he will do what you suggest.
Albert – great great talent but he needs to stay healthy and 800 dingers is a lot…. I saw no only because of injuries.
Thanks.
Merrill
mark sutin says:
I agree with all but the last comment.
Neither team will be in the fall classic. (G-D willing)
Mark
Jeffrey Lorber says:
If, pigs grow wings and the Sox and Mets meet in the Fall Classic – I have a sure-fire way to keep the Sox from winning.
As I did in ’86, to please my new, Rhode Island, father-in-law I actually rooted for the Sox against the Mets – what I suck up – and the rest of course is history.
I am the Mets secret weapon! (Too bad it doesn’t work like that for the Yankees!)
Ed Sugar says:
Hey Merrill, there is organized Major League Baseball west of the Mississippi. At least you could of had a photo of the Dread-locked One in a Dodger uniform.
The Mets, please. As of tonight they would not even qualify as a Wild Card team.
Ruthann Chesnoff says:
I love the Mets,and am a big fan which is very painful these days. With all the injuries I can’t even imagine them in the playoffs. Its amazing that they are still in the race.
J.R. Venza says:
Hi Merrill,
Somewhat on topic, but almost a new thread……
I saw the Yankees-Braves Tuesday night with co-workers and a client, and I took my son to the Yankees-Braves game last night. Braves win game 1, and the Yankee fans, LOTS of them, sulked and cried like a collective bunch of 3 year old kids. Honesty, it was sad.
However, last night, my 13 (14 in a month) year old son and I had the joy of sitting in a mixed crowd of Yankees and Braves fans. From within the Yankee crowd were enlightening comments about just how the umps were ‘blowing’ the game (use your imagination), we lost track of the F bombs in about the third inning, and watched 3 intoxicated Yankee fans escorted out by police after picking a fight with a guy who was there with his kids. My 13 year old thought it was all pretty funny, but there were a lot of younger kids there as well. No place for that.
And this is where it was weird. They were winning. When losing they cry. However, when winning they prove time and time again why they are the most hated fan base in all sports.
We’ll be there for the Red Sox series this weekend, and while they are a loud bunch, they at least have a respect for the game.
I saw t-shirts all over saying “Got Rings?” Too bad there is no “Got Class?” to go along with a great and storied winning tradition.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Good numbers but since was wnet on the DL – no chance at 24 wins…….
Roy Halladay (groin) tossed a 50-pitch bullpen session Friday and afterward declared himself ready to go.
Doc said his groin discomfort is “completely gone.” Barring some unforeseen setback, he’ll be activated from the disabled list Monday to start against the Rays. He’ll return to a 10-1 record, a 2.53 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP.
Randy Carson says:
Well, Merrill, you had to figure picking the Rays to finish 4th would catch my eye.
They are now seemingly healthy again, so I wouldn’t be so quick to count them out.
Blue Jays? they fattened up on an easy schedule and seem to be coming back down to earth.
Yankees? not sure they have the pitching depth to hang in and lets face it..they aren’t getting any younger…and they have a knack in recent years for falling just short (By the way…a prediction…Girardi won’t last the season.)
That leaves you-know-who ahead of Tampa Bay in the standings. The Rays may not catch them, but..yes, another prediction..Sox could easily see the Rays again in October.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Randy,
Even though I did write this posting over a month ago when Tampa Bay was struggling I will stick by my prediction. Yes they are playing much, much better and have some good players. In fact I just looked at the run differential and at 87 runs Tampa Bay is the best in the majors. Regardless of all that I believe they won’t make the playoffs and will finish forth.
Time will tell who is right – good luck.
Merrill