Mt. Vernon Register-News

Sports

February 28, 2011

Hines Sight: Wait ‘til next year could come early for Cards rival

By PAUL HINES paul.hines@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — I have a few yearly sports traditions. Usually this time of year I’m trying to track down predictions on who will win the NL Central and where the various six teams will place.

This year I’m trying to avoid that task. I’m bracing myself for a wretched baseball season. Sure it’s a defense mechanism, but as a Chicago Cubs fan I’ve learned you have to defend yourself mentally because the attacks and surprises can come from anywhere — even your own fans hijacking a potential World Series bid. And no, I haven’t gotten over 2003.

When my national sports magazines come, I’ll first flip to the predictions page and immediately read who they think will be going to the World Series. It won’t include the Cubs. Odds are it will be either the Boston Red Sox or Philadelphia Phillies who most people will pick.

I did bend to temptation the other day when I was at a store and picked up a baseball preview and saw the Cubs ranked fourth in the Central. That’s about right.

But I’ve decided to forego relying on the national pundits and make some divisional picks of my own. Yes I’m a Cubs fan, but I won’t let that spoil my picks. I feel like with Albert Pujols’ contract distraction and the injury to Adam Wainwright, the division is up for grabs. I will never believe in the Reds as a divisional power, and the Cubs are clearly just waiting for several bad contracts to expire before they have a hope to contend again. Houston and Pittsburgh have no chance.

That leaves the Brewers.

I still think the Cardinals could win this division. Tony La Russa is baseball’s version of Merlin. He can spin something out of nothing. There have been several examples of him pulling a rabbit out of a hat in the form of defying expectations. But losing Wainwright is too much to expect a divisional title. Now there are rumors Chris Carpenter is not opposed to being traded. That piled on top of no contract for uber-slugger Pujols. It’s too much. They will contend but finish second.

I see the Reds in third followed by the Cubs. I picked the Brewers because last season they had a powerful offense but lacked pitching. This year they’ve addressed their pitching needs and appear to be a well-rounded squad capable of winning this division. I don’t love the Brewers as a team or a title contender, but they’re the best the NL Central has.

And once again the Astros and Pirates will battle for the cellar, with the Pirates winning.



Paul Hines is the sports editor for the Register-News.

Text Only
Sports
  • 5-24 webber baseball Season ends for Webber GOREVILLE – Webber and Shawnee battled and scraped their way through a low-scoring baseball sectional semifinal Thursday. “I told our team we’d have two to three chances,” Webber coach Sam Root said. “We had the bases loaded nobody out chance. We onl

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • Liriano dominates as Pirates edge Cubs 1-0 PITTSBURGH (AP) — Francisco Liriano continued his torrid start, scattering two hits over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night. Liriano (3-0) struck out nine and walked just one to remain unbeaten sinc

    May 23, 2013

  • 5-23 MTV baseball photo Rams rock Herrin in five HERRIN – Mt. Vernon wasted little time putting its opening round regional opponent away Wednesday. The Rams lashed Herrin 12-1 in five innings to advance to Saturday's title game. “We pitched well, and we really swung the bats well today,” Mt. Verno

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Sports briefs Neibert starts state today Mt. Vernon boys tennis player Aaron Neibert begins state final action today. Neibert opens tournament play against Lake Forest's Brice Polender. The match will be played in Mt. Prospect near Chicago. The top 32 players in s

    May 23, 2013

  • Sports briefs Jarrett, Petty enter NASCAR hall CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR honored members of its royal families with inductions into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Past champion Dale Jarrett joined father Ned in the hall and master mechanic Maurice "Chief" Pett

    May 23, 2013

  • 5-22 MTV softball photo Rain washes away season early HERRIN - Weather ended up being the ultimate opponent in Mt. Vernon's opening round softball game. The Lady Rams trailed Carbondale 6-5 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lightning delayed the game at about 5:27 p.m. About 90 minutes later the game w

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Palmer ends career with record CHARLESTON – Mt. Vernon's Aaliyah Palmer ended her girls track career as a record holder. Palmer hurled the shot put 39 feet, 11 inches at the 2A state finals this weekend. Previously, Palmer had tied the school record with a throw of 39 feet, six in

    May 21, 2013

  • 5-21 Webber-Woodlawn baseball photo Trojans take first regional title BLUFORD – It's been a season of milestones for Webber's baseball team. The Trojans can add a regional title to a list that includes the school record for wins and Ty Henderson's 500th career strikeouts. Webber knocked off Woodlawn 4-1 to win the 1A

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • 5-21 Chelsea Miller photo 2 Crowning achievement WALTONVILLE – Chelsea Miller ended her glittering girls track career in storybook fashion. The Waltonville senior who competes for the Sesser-Valier/Waltonville track team finished her career with 10 state medals and one state title. For the hyper-c

    May 21, 2013 2 Photos

  • School board puts budget on public display MT VERNON – The Mt. Vernon Township Board of Education Monday voted to place the district's tentative amended budget for 2013 on public display for 30 days. Superintendent Mike Smith explained that changes may still be made to the document, which at

    May 21, 2013