As expected, the Giants' Barry Bonds has finally joined Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Willie Mays as one of the only major league players in history to hit at least 600 career home runs. How does he intend to commemorate this accomplishment? In the most American way possible, of course, by making a profit from it.

The top three teams in the National League West division have been fiercely competitive this season. Although the defending World Champion Diamondbacks have emerged as the front runners, and appear likely to win the division, the Dodgers (my personal favorite team) and Giants have been duking it out for second place and the NL wildcard spot in the post season. Though they've taken a dive from their hot streak and a first place position at the All Star Break, the Dodgers continue to be the best they've been in years, and still boast the second best ERA in the majors, behind the Atlanta Braves, who have emerged as undeniably the best team around at the moment, dominating the NL East as usual and looking for a shot at the World Series, which they last won in 1995. To put their current record in perspective, the second place Montreal Expos are over the .500 mark (i.e. winning more than half their games) and are still 18 games behind the Braves as I write this.

The American League West has been quite impressive as well this season, with the Seattle Mariners retaining their winning ways from last year, and the Angels and Athletics mirroring the So Cal vs. Bay Area battle of their NL counterparts in LA and San Francisco. The AL wildcard will most certainly end in a showdown between these two and the equally impressive Boston Red Sox. All in all, the West looks to do well in the post season again this year.

The Yankees wil likely claim the AL East division once again. With a record about on par with most of the other first place teams, however, they're far from a sure bet. While they continue to outspend their competitors on players, it appears they'll no longer be able to simply buy their way to victory.

Finally, in defiance of the threat of contraction, the Minnesota Twins have put together quite a season. Look for them to win the AL Central easily, and while they'll be underdogs in the playoffs, they might just surprise everyone yet.

------------------
"I calculated the odds of this succeeding versus the odds I was doing something incredibly stupid... and I went ahead anyway." -Crow T. Robot
Just Games • The Devil's Dictionary

Selling bats!!!! Thats so stupid, but he'll make a bundle.



------------------
"You can't spell who cares without H.R.-Dilbert

may I suggest that you post this in B&B, not because this doesnt have to do with games, but that computers have pretty much taken over this.

------------------
It's Difficult To Comprehend How Insane Some People Can Be. Especially When You're Insane.
visit the just games forum or die!

Yes, you may make that suggestion. However, I see no reason to follow it. The fact that a majority of the topics here are about computer and video games does not constitute a change in the official policy of this forum. Posters in Just Games should not feel obligated to conform their posts to the common subjects of discussion here. Your only concern when posting should be whether or not your post is appropriate and germane under the rules of the forum.

------------------
"I calculated the odds of this succeeding versus the odds I was doing something incredibly stupid... and I went ahead anyway." -Crow T. Robot
Just Games • The Devil's Dictionary

I am merely trying to get you more replies and adequate conversation, as opposed to this, in fact last I checked there even WAS a topic like this in B&B, and it was bigger than this.

------------------
It's Difficult To Comprehend How Insane Some People Can Be. Especially When You're Insane.
visit the just games forum or die!