The best and worst of 2002

By Sean McDonald Sports Central Columnist

Every baseball season is filled with great plays, great seasons by individual players, surprise teams, and breakout players. Of course, this greatness is balanced by stories that show another side of baseball, be it the economics or politics of the game. Here's a look at the best and worst of 2002.

The Best Stories of 2002

1. Contract This, Bud -- Twins Win AL Central

Can't win with a low payroll? Need a new ballpark to succeed in today's game? The Twins put those silly questions to rest with a team that was built from within, showing that a team that does not have George Steinbrenner money can still win consistently in the major leagues.

Does anyone still laugh when the Brewers (who have finished higher than third only three times in 33 years of their franchise's existence) weren't mentioned as a team that has no chance of winning in today's economic climate? Oh, wait, they were able to bilk taxpayers out of their money. I forgot how good of a chance they have.

2. Barry Does It -- Again

How do you follow up a 73 home run season? With a .370 batting average and a MLB record .582 on base percentage. Has there ever been a more dominant offensive player in the game? Yes, Babe Ruth.

However, most of us never had the chance to see the Babe, so we should enjoy watching a man who gets a pitch or two a game absolutely dominate opposing teams, and make managers go against the "book" every time he comes to the plate.

3. Play Ball -- At Least For the Next Five Years

It surely wasn't the most compelling story of the year, nor was it interesting, either. I can't think of one baseball fan that really wants to hear about negotiations between millionaire players and billionaire owners. The good news is that there will be baseball for at least the next five years, which means only three years until the next labor agreement discussion begins in media outlets across the country.

The Worst Stories of 2002

1. Baseball Loses One of its Best

Jack Buck's death, while not surprising, was the saddest story of 2002. A man who had spent his life describing baseball to a generation of midwestern fans passed away far too soon for anyone who loved baseball and the magical way an announcer can bring a game to life over the radio.

While his call of Ozzie Smith's homerun in the 1985 NLCS will be his most famous, for myself, I will remember many an hour in the car listening to a meaningless game as far as the standings were concerned, yet was involved in every pitch thanks to a man whose love for the game came through in his descriptions of the game, and also invited the listener to love the game with all of his or her heart, as well.

2. The Midseason Classic Blunder

Let me get this straight: you get to be the manager of the All-Star Game by leading your team to a League Championship. Logic would dictate that you should be a good manager. A good manager typically would understand that a baseball game is not timed, and that there is a chance that a game could end in a tie, resulting in extra innings.

I'm not a major league manager, but I think I might figure out that if I have 10 pitchers on my roster, perhaps I shouldn't use each of them for one inning or less in case I have to play extra innings. Joe Torre and Bob Brenly's horrible mismanagement of their rosters led to a decision to call an All-Star Game a tie for the first time since 1961.

If baseball wants their All-Star Game to be an exhibition, then just invite all the players for one huge homerun derby and let the pitchers play who throws the hardest. If there is an idea proposed to expand the rosters, I'll quit watching the game, it's simple -- get smarter managers.

3. Would You Like Some Juice With That Bat?

Did anyone think when the year began that you would be talking about the increase in a player's hat size? Me, neither. Who are our leading experts on steroids in baseball? Jose Canseco and Ken Caminiti. They have about as much credibility as an accounting class taught by Kenneth Lay. Do I care who is on steroids? Not really. Do I think steroids should be allowed in baseball? As soon as they are legalized, I think they should be. Do I think speculating on who is on steroids and who isn't is ridiculous? Absolutely.

Let me throw out an example. If your productivity at work increased by say 40%, how would you feel if your local newspaper business' section ran the headline, "Joe Blow on Drugs?" It's an easy answer, folks, one that doesn't take any factual evidence to back up. So it must be true, right?

And now for some rapid-fire answers.

Best Players

1. Barry Bonds -- I still think Hammering Hank is safe from him, but then again, I thought the Say Hey Kid was, as well.

2. Alex Rodriguez -- Can we please stop calling him the $252 million dollar man? He's been worth every penny.

3. Vladimir Guerrero -- Unfortunately, only 1,100 people in Montreal know how good he is.

Best Pitchers

1. Randy Johnson -- Hmmm, a player in his late thirties getting better every year? Must be steroids.

2. Pedro Martinez -- One terrible outing on Opening Day and he's done. Good call, SportsCenter.

3. Barry Zito -- Buckled more knees than a Catholic mass.

Breakthrough Seasons

1. Torii Hunter -- Went from Web Gem master to offensive threat, now if he (and the rest of his team) could take a pitch or two...

2. Eric Hinske -- Remember how the Cubs haven't been able to find a third baseman since Ron Santo? Traded Hinske for Miguel Cairo and Scott Chiasson in 2001 -- I don't know why they haven't won a World Series since 1908, really, I swear.

3. Rafael Palmeiro -- Broke through in a much different way than the others on the list. I won't even start with my athletic supporter jokes.

Well, the 2002 season is now over. Congratulations to the Anaheim Angels. For those fans of the 29 teams that did not win it all this year, just take a page out of Cubs fans' book... "Wait 'til next year."

Article courtesy of Sports Central.