Those of you that regularly follow baseball are well aware of Moneyball, the Michael Lewis-penned book that chronicles the financially strapped Oakland A’s rise to prominence in the early ’00s. One of the more remarkable real-life sports stories to emerge since the turn of the millennium, the book follows Oakland GM Billy Beane as he defies conventional wisdom to field a series of competitive teams that took the baseball world by storm. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s one of the rarest feats in professional sports. In fact, before yesterday, only eighteen others since 1880 have been able to be immaculate from the mound. But even if he never plays another game in his life, Dallas Braden of the Oakland A’s will be etched in the history books for his play yesterday afternoon. For he did achieve perfection with his perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Read the rest of this entry »

Conventional “baseball” wisdom says that the American League is the better league. Beating the National League for six consecutive All-Star games would prove that. Unfortunately for the AL, two out of three World Series titles have gone to the other league (Cardinals, Phillies).

In our second installment of the TSS MLB Preview, we give our staff picks to those teams who could possibly shift the balance of power back to the AL. With the snore of the AL West and the unpredictability of the AL Central, trust that the AL East soap opera will continue to dominate the sports pages.

–On a side note, I just hope I don’t have to see any A-Rod (“A” standing for arrogant) flicks ever again.

Feel free to backtrack & read yesterday’s entry previewing the National League.

AL East Projected Standings — Patrick M.

1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees
3. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Toronto Blue Jays

This is a brutal division – the top 3 teams may be the 3 best teams in baseball and Baltimore and Toronto could both compete for a playoff spot in weaker divisions. Ultimately I’m picking the Red Sox for 3 reasons. Read the rest of this entry »