MLB Picks

As I sat in front of my computer late last night, pretending not to see the mounting pile of unread books for my JP, a vision came into my head. The perfect 2000 baseball season flashed before my very eyes. If I had my way:

(1). The Chicago Cubs are the surprise of the year. Despite the dire predictions, the Cubs surpass all expectations, streaking past a slumping Cincinnati Reds team to win the NL Central.

(2). Sammy Sosa hits 71 home runs to top Mark McGwire's record of 70. Mark Grace, perennially one of the best defensive first basemen in the league but whose lack of power moves him out of the limelight, explodes for 40 home runs and bats .325.

(3). Kerry Wood returns in June, fully recovered from his Tommy John surgery. He wins 19 of his 20 starts with a microscopic ERA of 1.90. Receives the Cy Young award. (The ghost of Greg Maddux is thus exorcised.)

(4). Corey Patterson comes up in July and begins stalking center field for the Cubs. The center fielder of the future is here now. Patterson bats .305.

(5). The Mets win the NL East, the Diamondbacks take the West and the Braves garner the wild card. The Cubs sweep the Mets in the NLCS (because that's the way it should be — 1969).

(6). The Red Sox win the AL East, the Indians the Central and the Rangers the West. The Yankees are the wild card. The Red Sox defeat the Yankees in the ALCS (because that's also the way it should be — the curse of the Bambino is finally lifted).

(7). So, it's the Cubs and the Red Sox in the World Series. Can I call this one? It hardly seems fair.

This isn't the way it will turn out. My common sense says a Cubs championship is impossible, but don't talk common sense to me. It is still March, and I am a Cubs fan, so I'm allowed to dream, aren't I? At least for a little longer.