I was a little upset as "Miller" and I approached the creepy looking dude, peddling ice cream at a 200% markup, to see that the favorites I enjoyed as a kid weren't offered anymore. I know times have changed but the cold and frozen novelties that only the ice cream man offered were like the Holy Grail to a 9 year old. I realized something in my endeavor though. The ice cream man reminded me of someone. A person that was offering all of these options. A man that had quite a selection at different prices to woo me and my hard earned $1 bills. It was then that I realized that the ice cream man was Bud Selig and the Ice Cream Novelties were representative of the franchises in Major League Baseball's playoff hunt.
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| The Ice Cream Truck Man |
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
-WEST-
The Los Angeles Dodgers
They are starting to learn in Chavez Ravine that when you rely on Manuel Aristides Ramirez it is really all or nothing. The guy is the best right handed hitter the past two decades. When he is healthy he is still pretty solid. When he is hurt he leaves a huge void. Clayton Kershaw is solid and Jonathon Broxton may be the best closer in the game but without a healthy Manny and without another front line starter they just aren't strong enough to win the West or Wild Card.
The Dodgers = Regular Cherry Popsicle {Pretty plain, simple}
The Colorado Rockies
Ubaldo Jimenez is having a career year. He will win 20+ games. He has hit the wall as of late and when they next best guy in your rotation is Jason Hamel and his 4.23 ERA and 7-5 record you won't be going that much farther. Getting Troy Tulowitzki back will help but can they stay ahead of the Dodgers and track down the Giants and Padres all at the same time? They just don't have the arms to win the division or wild card in 2010 and they will sour in summer heat.
The Rockies = Lemon Chill {Hit or Miss, Must be in the mood}
Tim Lincecum will win 18+ games. The question is who amongst his cohorts will take the reigns when he isn't pitching? Matt Cain and Carry Zito both have 8 victories and Brian Wilson's 28 saves are signs of a good staff. The offense doesn't offer up much and is being carried by Aubrey Huff. The Giants pitching staff should keep them in the race until the end but unless they add another stick the dog days of summer will drain the boys in the bay.
The Giants = Heath Ice Cream Bar {Safe, Serviceable, Not a defining choice}
The San Diego Padres
Bud Black is hands down the N.L. Manager of the year. They have the best bullpen in baseball and the best record in the National League. Gregerson and Bell are like Nelson and Rivera in the late 90's. If the Padres are ahead after the 7th inning....ballgame. A classic pitching and defense squad. Adrian Gonzalez continues to be an offensive juggernaut. Mat Latos is a legitimate #1. If they could acquire another quality starter the Padres could make a very deep run into October.
The Padres = Classic Push Up Pop {Flavorful, Constantly Refreshing, Good Time}
-CENTRAL-
The Cincinnati Reds
This is a prime example that over time if you build your team through the draft and patience you can win in this league. They have two 10 game winners in Johnny Cueto and Bronson Arroyo. Mike Leake's 7-1 mark and 3.45 ERA isn't to shabby either. With pitching at a premium now the Reds are built to win games 4-3 and 5-4. Joey Votto is an MVP candidate and Scott Rolen's career resurgence has catapulted Cincy into contention. If the Reds avoid injuries they should win 90-93 games and that should be good enough for a seat at the post-season table.
The Reds = Malt Cup {Serviceable, Not Great, Standard}
The St. Louis Cardinals
Old Faithful continues to gives us what she gives all summer. Calm and quiet and then an explosion. The Cardinals are the gold standard in the N.L. Two top of the line starters in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainright. Albert Pujols is still the best player in the game. Matt Holiday is a nice Robin to his Batman. If the Cards were to land Roy Oswalt the Central would be over and the N.L. post-season would be just a formality. The Cards are still the team to beat in the N.L.
The Cardinals = Bomb Pop {Solid, Strong, Always Reliable}
-EAST-
The New York Mets
This team continues to be up and down, left and right and everywhere else in between. They are still above .500 and with Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey they will remain competitive. Offensively they rank in the bottom third of all National League Teams. To expect them to keep up with the likes of the Braves and Phillies in the East just isn't realistic. They should finish above .500 but not much better.
The Mets = Fruit Bar {Option of last resort)
The Philadelphia Phillies
The injury bug has completely decimated these guys. Roy Halladay is having another great year despite a lack of run support. Ryan Howard should hit close to 40 home runs again. If Chase Utley can come back healthy and Jimmy Rollins can get back on track they Phillies will be right in the thick of it until the end. If they can't then expect some new N.L. blood in the Fall Classic for the first time since 2007.
The Phillies = Cookie Sandwich {Consistent, Always an Option, Safe Choice}
The Atlanta Braves
In his last season Bobby Cox has finally gotten things turned around in the ATL. Tim Hudson is back to his ace form. Billy Wagner has been superb in what he says will be his last season. Derek Lowe is on pace to win 17 games. Frank Wren's off season gambles on Eric Hinske and Troy Glaus have both worked out extremely well. In any normal year Jason Heyward would walk away with Rookie of the Year honors but Stephen Strasburg may have that market cornered. The Braves should win 93+ games and be a tough out in October.
The Braves = Choco Taco {Quality, Steady, Enjoyable}
THE AMERICAN LEAGUE
-WEST-
When it comes to franchises they are strong as almost anyone. They have been in the playoff and post-season hunt almost every year the last decade. You can always count on them to be there. However when push comes to shove they come up a little bit short....a little bit of a let down. But you can rely on them to get you your monies worth.
The Angels = The Ice Cream Sandwich {Traditional, Always a Safe Option}
The Texas Rangers
These guys were the team to beat in the West in the late 90's. But gone are Pudge, Juan Gonzalez, and Kenny Rogers. Now we have Hamilton, Kinsler and Lee. The Rangers are much more of a legitimate post-season threat this year than they have been in seasons past for one primary reason. Cliff Lee=Bonafide #1. But when we get down to it they don't have the guns to get past the ALCS.
The Rangers = Snow Cone {Flashy, Quick Burst, Usually runs out of steam}
-CENTRAL-
The Detroit Tigers
A few years ago after their great run to World Series the Tigers appeared poised to be a real threat in the American League for years to come. They haven't made the playoffs since 2006. Their young arms haven't stayed healthy and the chemistry they had just doesn't click. Now with Magglio Ordonez out for 1-2 months with a busted ankle 2010 will start to go gentle and quietly into that goodnight.
The Tigers = Strawberry Shortcake Bar {Decent Option, Must be in the mood}
The Minnesota Twins
With Carl Pavano looking like the guy we all thought he would be when he signed with the Yankees 6 years ago the Twins are once again right in the think of things. Joe Mauer is still the heart and soul of this franchise. When Justin Morneau gets over his concussion the Twins will be prime for another late season push. Francisco Lariano and Pavano give Minnesota a nice little 1-2 punch. They have the ability to create havoc for a team or two in the A.L
The Twins = Creamsicle {Classic Style, Enjoyable, Fills the void}
The Chicago White Sox
I love Ozzie Guillen. The Southsiders are a quirky group. The offense with the exception of Paul Konerko is average at best. Their pitching staff while not amazing is consistent. They work deep into games and Bobby Jenks is still a door slammer. This team got hot at the right time. If they could get another bat or arm they should give us quite the stretch run with the Twins. Consistency isn't sexy and flashy but it does have its merits.
The White Sox = Ice Cream Bar {Not Great, But Not Horrible, Steady Choice}
-EAST-
The Boston Red Sox
Injuries, Injuries, Injuries...yes...I get it. But this team remains in the A.L. Wild Card Hunt. The question remains this: Can a staff of Beckett, Lester, Bucholtz, Lackey along with Dice-K catch and pass the Rays in September. The A.L. East is the best division in baseball. A team will win at least 92 games in this division and finish on the outside looking in. The Sox are good but are they good enough?
The Red Sox = Fudgsicle {Good, Must be in the mood, Safe Pick}
The Tampa Bay Rays
David Price and Matt Garza are the best 1-2 punch in the American League Right now. Yes, that's right. As of today these two are the best duo in the A.L. Raphael Soriano has been lights out as a closer. Offensively Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria are as solid as you can get. Both will hit .300 20+ home runs and knock in 80-100 runs. Joe Maddon is as good as they come. The Rays are the second best team in baseball.
The Rays = Drumstick {Can't Miss, Safe Choice, Tough to go Wrong}
The New York Yankees
Look, they are going to win 100 games. The will walk away with the East. They are the best team from top to bottom in Baseball. Are they beatable? Of course they are. The Rays, Red Sox and Twins are the three teams in the American League capable of dethroning the Yankees. But as long as Sabathia, Petiite (when healthy) Hughes, and Burnett are your rotation headliners you will play in October. The fact that Derek Jeter currently has the 5th highest batting average on this team right now shows you how solid they are. The team from the Bronx is still the gold standard.
The Yankees= The Pink Panther {Is and Always will be the Best}
Oh and before I forget....."Miller Manfredo Harp's" urgency and curiosity of the Ice Cream Truck aided in the writing of this article.
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| "Miller Manfredo Harp" |
