I am not a fan of car racing-other than Nintendo forms of the sport-but the death of Dale Earnhardt still affected me. As a fan of sports, I have always been interested in those that perform at their peak all the time, and Earnhardt was one of the few that was able to do so. With the loss of an icon like Earnhardt, it is now time for NASCAR to make a major decision. Either it is time for the business to fold, or other major changes must be made.
I do not recommend the first course of action. People will seek out ways to race their cars regardless of the circumstances. NASCAR has the ability to regulate the races and make them as safe as possible. Unfortunately, they have failed to do so in recent years.
The second possibility is much more likely. In the last year, four NASCAR drivers have been killed-three stock car drivers and one truck series driver-and if the sport wishes to keep its popularity, it must protect its drivers. I do not know the specifics of car safety techniques used in NASCAR, but I am sure that something can be done. If that means slowing down the cars, which would essentially make the race less exciting, then that must be done.
NASCAR has enjoyed a monumental surge in popularity in the last few years, but without increased safety measures the nature of the sport will cause its own self-destruction.
MLB division preview: NL Central
St. Louis Cardinals (First Place 2000)
After a great season and a run to the NLCS last year, the Cardinals may have difficulty repeating that success this year.
Even though the Cards were without Mark Mc-Gwire for the second half of the season, they finished tied for the second best record in the NL at 95-67. Jim Edmonds, Will Clark, Fernando Vina and Darryl Kile all had excellent years, and, along with some surprises on the pitching staff, the Cards were able to offset the loss of McGwire.
Possibly the biggest question for the Cards this spring revolves around Rick Ankiel. Ankiel is one of the best young pitchers in the game, but if you only saw him in the playoffs you wouldn't know that. After cruising through the first two innings of a start against the Braves in the first round of the playoffs, Ankiel imploded. In his next two innings of postseason action, he had nine wild pitches-a new postseason record. If Ankiel can return to form he will be one of the Card's top pitchers, but if he can't find the strike zone this year the Cards will be in trouble.
The Cards should expect to contend for the NL Central title again, but I would be surprised if they surpassed last year's win total.
Cincinnati Reds (Second Place 2000)
Last year the Reds were a gigantic disappointment. After their exciting 1999 season the Reds regressed, despite adding Ken Griffey Jr. to the lineup. All in all, the Reds finished the season 85-77, but much bigger things were expected from them.
Griffey struggled for much of last year, and some of his struggles can be attributed to changing leagues. This year he should regain his form as one of the premier players in the game. Complementing Griffey in the lineup are Sean Casey, Barry Larkin and Pokey Reese. Casey is one of the best young hitters in the NL, Larkin is still an above average player and Reese-while overrated by most-is an average top-of-the-lineup hitter.
Last year the Reds were able to get solid pitching, led by Danny Graves. Graves finished the year with a 10-5 record and 30 saves, but he faded down the stretch. If Graves is expected to have another solid season the Reds must conserve his strength and make sure that he is not overused early on. The Reds do have a trio of young starters-Scott Williamson, Rob Bell and Elmer Dessens-but even with strong seasons from each of them this year the Reds need more starting pitching.
The Reds will rely on their offense and their bullpen this season, and they will hope that is enough. At this point they seem to be playing for 2003, when their new stadium opens. Any success now is good, but the team is focusing a few years down the road.
Milwaukee Brewers (Third Place, 2000)
The Brewers have much to look forward to this season. The team is moving into its new stadium this year, and with a solid core of young players, the Brewers look to be on the rise.
Leading the team offensively are Jeremy Burnitz and Richie Sexson. Last year Burnitz hit 31 home runs, but he batted in the low .200s. He is a free agent after this season, so expect him to rebound with a big year. Sexson was acquired in a midseason trade and in Milwaukee he exploded. He is only 26, and he has tremendous power.
The Brewers have two young pitchers that are blossoming into stars. Jeff D'Amico, after missing the majority of the two previous years with several injuries, posted the third best ERA in the National League last year. Rookie Ben Sheets-who was a hero for the Olympic team last year in Sydney-should earn a spot in the rotation this season, and he should succeed right off the bat.
The Brewers will benefit from being in a new stadium, and they should improve by a few games this year, but don't expect them to make a run for the division title.
Houston Astros (Fourth Place, 2000)
After a few years of success, the Astros stumbled mightily last year. The team moved into a new ballpark and traded away their best pitcher, and the Astros finished with a dismal 72-90 record.
This year the Astros will again be led by Jeff Bagwell. Bagwell had another outstanding season last year, and he continues to show that he is one of the best first basemen in the major leagues. Surrounding him in the lineup are sluggers Moises Alou, Richard Hidalgo and Lance Berkman, who all had outstanding seasons last year.
The fate of the Astros this year will most likely be determined by players returning from injury or horrific seasons. Craig Biggio and Billy Wagner, both All-Star caliber players, are returning from knee and shoulder injuries, respectively, and big things are expected out of each of them. Jose Lima had one of the worst seasons in league history last year, and if he can play like he did in 1999-when he had 21 wins-the Astros have a chance of contending for the division title.
Pittsburgh Pirates (Fifth Place, 2000)
The Pirates struggled through another mediocre season in 2000, and 2001 probably won't be much different. The Pirates, like the Brewers, move into a new stadium this year, and they will rely on their two star players to draw fans.
Brian Giles has quickly established himself as an elite player in his two years in Pittsburgh, and Jason Kendall, who suffered a terrible ankle injury two years ago, continues his stellar play behind the home plate.
The Pirates pitching staff is young but does show some promise. Kris Benson is one of the best young starters in either league, and he will anchor the staff again this year.
The Pirates haven't had much success since the early 90s and don't expect them to have much this year.
Chicago Cubs (Sixth Place, 2000)
Last year the Cubs took another step backwards in their development, finishing with the worst record in the major leagues.
This year may not be much different, and the biggest question about the Cubs is what they should do with Sammy Sosa. Sosa has become a one-dimensional player lately-although he is an outstanding hitter-and the Cubs might be better off without him.
Kerry Wood, who was coming off of major surgery last year, was pushed hard, and if he has any more arm problems, the Cubs will have no one but themselves to blame.
The Cubs' organizational strategy-to sign older players and hope they all have good years-has not worked, and the Cubs should have another poor season.