One question I don’t like answering is “Who’s your favorite team?” You see, I tend to get harassed or lectured after mumbling “ilikeboththeyankeesandredsox”. But I also avoid answering because teams and players I like are constantly changing and I’m too analytical to just spout off a list of teams that I haven’t given much thought to. So I decided to actually spend some time determining my opinion. Here’s the top 15 team I currently root for. +’s represent a team I don’t usually like this much and -’s represent those that are ranked unusually low.
1. Yankees +
I grew up a Yankees fan, thanks to my dad. Everyone wrote them off prematurely in 2007 — no team plays under .500 ball while scoring almost 6 runs per game. And how can you not root for ARod, a guy who gets way more than his fair share of grief from dumb mainstream writers?
2. Red Sox -
I began actually liking the Red Sox after living in New England for five years and started rooting for them full time when the promotion of Theo Epstein to GM proved they were unabashedly sabrmetric in approach.
3. Athletics
Billy Beane, plain and simple. Somebody let him bump up the spending, please.
4. Diamondbacks ++
Here’s a team that didn’t get the respect it deserved heading into 2007. These young guys can play, man. Of course, they’ll probably be overrated next year and I’ll start despising them.
5. DRays ++
Yes, really. I can’t fully explain it, but I find myself hoping the Rays win every night. The collection of young offensive talent is impressive. I predict I’ll get bored with them by next year, unless the pitching staff turns over to the current AAA rotation. (But honestly, how hard is it to have a lot of young talent when you perennially trade away any veterans that are halfway decent?)
6. Mets +
I’m not a big Omar Minaya fan, but after years of Steve Phillips and Steve Phillips wannabes (yikes, that’s bad company), he’s more than ok. This is actually a team I root for because a few good friends are big fans. And Jose Reyes is very exciting.
7. Brewers ++
Underdogs are like puppies; they’re cute until they start humping your leg. If only Rickie Weeks hadn’t bombed… (I sure hope Prince Fielder never decides to hump my leg.)
8. Phillies +
Honestly, any time I remember that the Phillies play in Philadelphia, I bump them down a notch. But I like a bunch of their players, especially Chase Utley, and most non-Braves NL East teams get bonus points.
9. Padres +
Here’s a purely intellectually arrogant choice. Almost nobody understands the crazy influence PETCO has on the raw stats of Padres players. It’s almost the anti-Coors. No, there aren’t any offensive studs, but judging them by unadjusted batting average is so short-sighted. And Jake Peavy’s carrying my NL-only fantasy team.
10. Tigers +
My opinion of Detroit has increased in the past two weeks, actually — once everyone decided they were out of the playoff picture. This team has a better offense than last year and puts competent starting pitching out there every night. Here’s your 2007 AL Central champion, folks.
11. Indians -
Cleveland’s a well-run organization that’s been a little unlucky the past couple years. It’s what the Rangers wish they were. I love me some Pronk.
12. Twins –
The Twins are probably the best developer of young talent. Considering I live in Rochester, home of Minnesota’s AAA farm club, that’s awesome for many reasons. However, when your GM insists on giving cash money to crappy veterans and your manager plays them over the more talented, younger players, I get pissed off. (For reference, see Rondell White, Sidney Ponson, Tony Batista, Jacque Jones, Jason Tyner, Nick Punto, Luis Castillo, Luis Rivas, Kyle Lohse, Jeff Cirillo, yada yada…) I prefer to think about Pat Neshek, Johan Santana, and Joe Mauer, however.
13. Marlins
Again, here’s the anti-Braves feeling in effect. Add in the fine 2006 example of how young players might actually deserve playing time and I’m not a hater. Hanley Ramirez is probably the only player on the team I like, though.
14. Reds
My love for Adam Dunn neutralizes my opinion that Wayne Krivsky might be the worst GM in baseball.
15. Mariners ?
I don’t think there’s a team I more inconsistently like or dislike than the Mariners. They have awful management (USS Mariner has a bit of commentary on that issue), but I enjoy rooting for Ichiro, Felix, JJ, and Beltre. Too bad they have no shot of making the playoffs, right Frank?
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Sky is a baseball fan and racket sport afficianado living in upstate NY. His favorite color is orange and is just about ready to give up on his life-long dream to become the next Magnus ver Magnuson (World's Strongest Man). His favorite baseball teams are the Yankees and Red Sox, proving that there's hope in the Middle East.