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Naming the five best and five worst teams as we enter a new Major League Baseball season

pete donovan
·2 min read
11
Sep 30, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) hits a double against the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) hits a double against the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

On the eve of Spring Training 2024:

5 Best teams in MLB as we approach the new season

  • Atlanta Braves. Best balance in the game with an abundance of power.

  • Dodgers. Still question marks with pitching staff.

  • Orioles. Fastest rising team in the game.

  • Astros. Always there.

  • Rangers. Defending champions.

Next Up: Phillies, Mariners and Yankees

5 Worst teams

  • A’s. Few players, fewer fans, no home.

  • Rockies. At least they can celebrate Todd Helton making the Hall of Fame.

  • Angels.  The Mike Trout Torture Show enters 14th losing season.

  • White Sox.  The Go-Go Sox have Gone Gone Gone.

  • Royals. Biggest surprise of offseason., Kansas City signs Bobby Witt Jr. for $288 million. Progress.

5 former Dodger pitchers who are all close to being in the Hall of Fame

  • Carl Erskine: At 97 the last living member of the Boys of Summer. Come on, let him in!

  • Don Newcombe: Won both the Cy Young and the MVP in 1956 when he went 27-7.

  • Orel Hershiser: Won 204 games and one Cy Young Award,

  • Tommy John:  His 288 career wins are most for any pitcher not in the Hall.

  • Fernando Valenzuela: Fernando mania  Enough said.  Hall of Fame?  Who was more famous?

Honorable Mention: Mike Marshall won the 1974 Cy Young award when he pitched a remarkable 106 games and 208 innings in relief.  But he only had a 97-112 career won-loss record.

5 Announcers who can be irritating

  • Pat McAfee: Thinks he’s a rock star.

  • Stephen A. Smith: Grating loudmouth.

  • Jim Rome: Mr. Negative

  • Bill Walton: Great college basketball player. Period.

  • Skip Bayless: Tries to be funny or cool. Misses on both.

5 Best position players in the game

Ronald Acuna Jr, OF, Braves

Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers

Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees

Mookie Betts, OF-INF, Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani, DH (really not a position, but cannot leave Ohtani off any list that has “best” in it) Dodgers

Pete Donovan is a Palm Desert resident and former Los Angeles Times sports reporter. He can be reached at pwdonovan22@yahoo.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: The five best and five worst Major League baseball teams right now