Rabbit Ray Miller continues his series with a look at the American League East.
Jack Rabbit Runners: Hughie Jennings, the Rascally Rabbits shortstop for 2008, was nicknamed Ee-Yah. There are four seasons in baseball history in which a player has been hit by pitches 40 or more times in a season. Jennings accounts for three of the four (51, 46, and 46). Ee-Yah.
What could work: The outfield; Reggie, Kirby and Yaz. The starting three; Pedro, Moose, and Lefty Gomez. The closers; Billy Wagner and Everyday Eddie. Buck Ewing is an excellent catcher. Finally, everyone might be nice to the new guy.
What could fail: Will anyone find home plate? Reggie is the only player on this squad who can be counted on to get over a hundred RBI’s. The infield is held down by Wes “Not Daniel Boone” Parker at first, Gil McDougald at second, three shortstops (Jennings, Burleson, and Gene Alley) and nobody at third. Defensively very strong, but if history in this league holds, defense counts for squat. Spring training manager of the year is the extent of the laurels.
Result: 72-90. Pedro and Moose will win 20. Lefty will win 15. Fernandomania, Roger Craig and the bullpen get the leftovers.
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