SRIs 1st Annual MLB Spring Training Round-Up: National League West Edition
March 3, 2009 – 9:53 am by Jimmy ShapiroHas it already been over four months since the World Series ended? Seems like it was yesterday I was sitting in the stands for game 5B of the World Series. It was the most surreal experience as the home team Phillies were up to bat first and people stood for every pitch.
Baseball has become a bit like March Madness in that the best team doesn’t always win, just the best team in the month of October wins. These days it’s just about getting to the dance. The Phillies were dominant in the playoffs last year only losing one game in each series. They needed a second straight collapse by the Mets just to get there. Again, just have to get to the dance. Ask the Cardinals from three years ago that barely had a winning regular season record.
I know the Yankees spent close to the national debt on free agents and will surely be the odds on favorite to win the World Series in 2009, but there’s a reason they still play the games. Here at SRI, we’re going to be rolling out previews of each division over the next week or so. We’re compiling as many interviews as we can from every team in the major leagues to help get you ready for the upcoming season.
Our first preview will be of the NL West. A division that’s wide open with lots of questions marks. Will Manny sign with the Dodgers? Can Jason Schmidt return to be a viable starter? Will the young stars Upton, Drew, and Young of the D’Backs take the next step? Can Colorado just plug anyone in to replace Matt Holiday? How will Huston Street do as their closer? We know the Giants can pitch, but can they hit and will anyone hit 20 home runs for them? How much does Randy Johnson have left? Will Jake Peavy be traded? If he does, will there be any Padres fans left to care?
Special thanks to all the radio stations for all the great audio.
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
2008 FINAL STANDINGS
-
Los Angeles: 84-78
-
Arizona: 82-80
-
Colorado: 74-88
-
San Francisco: 72-90
-
San Diego: 63-99
Audio From Around The Division
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Listen here to P Clayton Kershaw on ESPN Radio Los Angeles
Listen here to RP Jonathan Broxton on ESPN Radio Los Angeles
Listen here to Manager Joe Torre on ESPN Radio Los Angeles
Listen here to IF Mark Loretta on KLAC in Los Angeles
Listen here to former Manager Tommy Lasorda on KLAC in Los Angeles
Listen here to GM Ned Colletti on XX 1090 in San Diego
*******************
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Listen here to OF Connor Jackson on KTAR in Phoenix
Listen here to SS Stephen Drew on KTAR in Phoenix
Listen here to OF Chris Young on KTAR in Phoenix
Listen here to P Dan Haren on KTAR in Phoenix
Listen here to P Clay Zavalda on KTAR in Phoenix
Listen here to Manager Bob Melvin on KTAR in Phoenix
*******************
COLORADO ROCKIES
Listen here to P Huston Street on KKFN The Fan in Denver
Listen here to P Jeff Francis on 850 KOA in Denver
Listen here to Manager Clint Hurdle on 850 KOA in Denver
Listen here to P Glendon Rusch on 850 KOA in Denver
Listen here to C Yorvit Torealba on 850 KOA in Denver
*******************
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Listen here to CY Young Award Winner Tim Lincecum on KNBR
Listen here to GM Brian Sabean on KNBR in San Francisco
Listen here to Manager Bruce Bochy on KNBR in San Francisco
Listen here to C Bengie Molina on KNBR in San Francisco
Listen here to OF Aaron Roward on KNBR in San Francisco
Listen here to P Barry Zito on KNBR in San Francisco
Listen here to 2B Kevin Frandsen on KNBR in San Francisco
Listen here to the voice of the Giants and ESPN broadcaster Jon Miller on KNBR in San Francisco
******************
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Listen here to P Jake Peavy on XX 1090 in San Diego
Listen here to 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff on XX 1090 in San Diego
Listen here to Manager Bud Black on XX 1090 in San Diego
Listen here to 1B Adrian Gonzalez on XX 1090 in San Diego
Listen here to OF Cliff Floyd on XTRA Sports 1360 in San Diego
Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, ESPN Radio Los Angeles, Jake Peavy, KKFN, KLAC, KNBR, KOA, KTAR, Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, Manny Ramirez, National League, NL West, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, XTRA Sports 1360, XTRA Sports 910, XX Sports Radio
