2009 MLB Preview - Introduction

Gather up your peanuts and Cracker Jack. It's almost time for the 2009 Major League Baseball Season. While the amount of baseball fans seem to be dwindling these days, I am not one of them. Unlike the NFL, I do have a favorite team (Go Tribe!) but as always, I will try and be impartial in all of my opinions.

We are officially 32 days away from Opening Night with the Braves vs. Phillies on Sunday, April 5th. So, in an effort to get you prepared for the season and to keep this blog relevant and updated daily, I will be previewing each team as we countdown to April 5th. On the final day, I will have my predictions.

These posts won't be long so feel free to just check-in, get your fix, and head elsewhere on the web. A blog drive-thru if you will. Of course, feel free to leave comments as always. I will have the posts up by noon everyday (this one doesn't count) and will be done in alphabetical order.

But before I go to far thinking about 2009, let's take a quick look back at 2008. And well, let's just say, what a year it was. Manny Ramirez shipped to Los Angeles in the year's biggest trade. The Detroit Tigers falling flat on their face despite numerous offseason moves that should have bolstered the lineup and pitching staff. The Nationals playing like, well, the Washington Nationals. All in all, there were some surprises but some things just stays the same.

In the AL, the Red Sox were the Red Sox, playing great ball all season and in the postseason. Meanwhile, the rival New York Yankees found themselves on the outside looking in, missing the playoffs for the first time in what seems like an eternity. The Angels cruised in the AL West again but despite the gaudy record, fell in the playoffs. The AL Central title went to a White Sox team, who weren't pushed by the Tigers or Indians but the Twins. The team of the year though was the Tampa Bay Rays. The team came from nowhere, led by a young pitching staff and lineup, to capture the AL crown.

The NL West was won by the Dodgers but no one really deserved a playoff spot in that division. The Mets found a way to miss the playoffs again while the Brew Crew took full advantage of their C.C. Sabathia pickup, parlaying it into a wild-card playoff spot. The Cubbies were favored to make the series but really, did any of us think that would really happen? But the NL and World Series were won by the Philadelphia Phillies. They were not the best team in baseball all year, but they were the best team when it mattered. With a solid combination of starting pitching, solid bullpen, and solid lineup, they took the series in 5 games.

Dustin Pedroia won the AL MVP while Albert Pujols won the NL MVP. The Cy Young awards went to Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum. Evan Longoria and Geovany Soto were the Rookies of the Year. No managers were fired to end the season. Instead, two interim coaches were just not brought back (Seattle and Milwaukee).

So there ya have it. A quick review, leading to the 30-day preview of each team. Hope you'll check it out, even if it's just the preview of your favorite team.

Tomorrow's Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks