Yesterday was the first full day of NCAA football action. What did I do all day? I watched 12 hours of football. Now, I love baseball with all my heart…but nothing compares to plopping down in front of the TV on Saturday morning, starting with Gameday, and going all the way to the west coast games in late night. Now, this got me to thinking…I wonder if I could compare the teams in Major League Baseball to some NCAA teams. I think that’s a pretty good idea. Note: I’m only going to use BCS schools for this one.
Yankees: Alabama Crimson Tide
They’re near the top of the standings every year. They have a coach who had a falling out with his previous employer before coming to a traditional power. They’re one of the most storied franchises in the game. I think you could use all of those phrases to sum up both the Yankees and the Tide pretty well. Plus, a lot of people across the country absolutely despise them…and a lot of people totally love them.
Red Sox: Oregon Ducks
They were losers for years and years and years, before a visionary stepped in and trasnformed the team. Now, they’re contenders every years, and usuallly have a lot more savvy than the rest of the league. The only thing Oregon has that Boston doesn’t is their insane uniform combinations. The Red Sox don’t vary much from their standard, but the red home jerseys are either beloved or hated among fans of the team.
Rays: Connecticut Huskies
A new kid on the block in the scene, who started their young history off by struggling greatly. Then, a light bulb went off, and the team became a powerhouse. The Rays went to the 2008 World Series, and UConn went to the Fiesta Bowl last year. The Huskies just lost their long-time coach Randy Edsall….who knows if a team will be able to throw enough money at Joe Maddon, Tampa’s genius skipper
Blue Jays: Oklahoma State Cowboys
They always have an explosive offense, led by a marvelous player or two. But based on the division they play in, they just can’t compete for a title. The Blue Jays have Jose Bautista, the best hitter in baseball, while the Cowboys have Justin Blackmon, one of the NCAA’s best receivers. But because the Jays play in the same division as the Rays, Yankees, and Red Sox, their talents usually go for naught. Okie State has to deal with Texas and Oklahoma every year, and can’t cross the threshhold into the promised land.
Orioles: Kansas Jayhawks
They’ve showed flashes of moving to be one of the elite teams, but always take a step back when they look like they’re ready to take the next step. The new coach brought in and thought of as the savior (Buck Showalter/Turner Gill) has been a flop so far. Kansas won the Orange Bowl in 2007. The Orioles were the best team in the AL back in 1997. Kansas’s success happened a lot more recently than Baltimore’s, but the Orioles and their young talent was supposed to start competing in recent years. It hasn’t happened.
NL East
Phillies: Wisconsin Badgers
They’re a traditional powerhouse who always manages to bring in the best players and finishes near the top of their league without flinching. Wisconsin’s demonic running back sitaution over the last couple of years can be compared to Philly’s insane starting pitching, and how without them in the picture, the team wouldn’t be nearly as good.
Braves: Nebraska Cornhuskers
They were once a lights out, dominant team. Then they ran into some troubles and mediocirity. They’re back to prominence now, but still haven’t been able to topple the top dog in the league to get to the championship game. Unlike the Braves, the Huskers have switched conferences, and might have a shot now. But will they be able to become kings of the mountain once again?
Nationals: Washington Huskies
Years ago, they were a very successful team. After a bad spell in recent years, they’re working their way back up to the heights the team once reached behind some young stars (Keith Price and Chris Polk for the Huskies, Stephen Strasburg, Mike Morse, and Bryce Harper for the Nats). Bringing a new coach into town isn’t hurting matters either.
Mets: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
They play in a huge market, but are usually overshadowed by the other team close to town. They’ve had success in the past, but there have been problems related to that success. At the end of the day, they’re a team in a division with strong traditional powers, and they’d need to make a hell of an effort to compete year in and year out.
Marlins: Washington State Cougars
They’re generally a very bad team, but have reached insanely high heights in the past due in part to a star player carrying the franchise (Gary Sheffield, meet Ryan Leaf). Unlike the Cougars, the Marlins play in a huge area that is ripe for the picking when it comes to fans. But like the Cougars…no one shows up. They play in a real tough division, and based on how hard it is to get good players to come to town, they’ll need to get creative in order to compete.
That knocks out part one of this three part series. The look at the teams in the central divisions will be up later this afternoon, and I’ll take a look at the west tonight. Agree or disagree with any of my picks? Go ahead and comment on the article and let me know what you think!
