2007 MLB Preview Review - Part 3: Sporting News

My third preview magazine pickup is the Sporting News edition. The Acme I went to unfortunately didn't have the Ryan Howard cover shown to the right. The only one they sold had Derek Jeter and Jose Reyes on the cover. Needless to say I was upset with that particular supermarket and obviously egged it later that night.

American League Power Poll

1. Twins
2. Tigers
3. Yankees
4. Red Sox
5. White Sox
6. Angels
7. Indians
8. Athletics
9. Blue Jays
10. Mariners
11. Rangers
12. Royals
13. Orioles
14. Devil Rays

National League Power Poll

1. Mets
2. Phillies
3. Cardinals
4. Dodgers
5. Padres
6. Braves
7. Astros
8. Cubs
9. Marlins
10. Diamonbacks
11. Brewers
12. Reds
13. Giants
14. Pirates
15. Rockies
16. Nationals

The cover of the National League section has a full page photo of Chase holding a ball looking fierce and angry. The blurb under the Phillies says that "Having Ryan Howard anchoring the lineup is nice and all, but the reason to love this team (and think they have a shot to win it all) is the rotation, which could be the best in the N.L." Kind of gives me goosebumps.

Notes about this issue that should interest phans:

• Freddy Garcia pitches to the scoreboard, not the venue
• Cole Hamels is 'special'...whatever that means
• Sporting News apparently dug up the dirt on Victorino's pregame rituals. Twenty minutes before every game he showers then walks through the clubhouse with his towell, loofa sponge and bottle of exotic Hawaiian gel soaps. I don't even have a clever comment to write after reading this. But I want to know how they found this out and why they felt the need to publish it.
  
• It scouts our team and next to some players has a DOWN arrow, while other players have an UP arrow. I assume this is projections on where their play is heading into this season. The players with UP arrows: Hamels, Victorino and Rollins. Players with DOWN arrows: Burrell and Madson. (I won't go into a Burrell rant here)
  
• The Phillies are projected to finish 2nd in the NL East. From what it sounds like, however, these guys aren't too hot on the Mets chances in October due to their weak rotation.
• The Phillies are listed as the team in National League that is on the rise. And I quote "The time in Philly is now." The Reds are the team heading for a fall.
  
• The Power Poll rating all of the Majors has the Phillies as the fifth best team in baseball. Twins, Tigers, Yankees and Mets are before them.
• Of the 23 questions asked to the editors in the beginning of this issue, one was "How many homeruns will Ryan Howard hit?" The six different responses were: 51, 30, 47, 42, 50, 45. I say 50 (as listed to the right) and I can't possibly sit here and be okay with someone predicting 30. Also, the editor who predicted 45 says that Howard will have more intentional walks than homeruns. (see the poll to the right and weigh in on the topic)

Overall, this was a good issue and I recommend it for anyone who wants decent scouting reports on players on each team. I also don't completely disagree with all of their predictions. I don't think the Twins will be that good this year compared to what they did last season and I personally see the Phils winning the division. They also have a look towards the free agent class of 2007 and some interesting names pop up. Ichiro stood out because we all know of Gillick's love affair with players he had on his previous teams. Hmmm....