As is customary in the game of baseball, the phenomenal disappointments and overwhelming achievements of high-profile players stick around for about a year. After that, the questions of ‘what have you done for me lately’ arise. Baseball fans have very short memories. With MLB satellite television packages, fans can have their questions answered day and night with access to games across the country. The same goes for bar owners who want to keep their clientele’s attention. Here are five big questions that need to be addressed.
1. Who is Cole Hamels and why is he not the same from 2008? If you’re a World Series MVP, a killer shooter who shoots from the left side, you shouldn’t suddenly miss a night in Philly. Unfortunately for the Phillies, something similar happened to Cole Hamels in 2009. To say the Phillies suffered because of it is an understatement. They probably lost the World Series because of it. Cole’s 2010 model will be prominently displayed across the country. The Phillies will need him.
2. How long will the Ortiz drama last? David Ortiz was one of the top sluggers in the game until mid-2008. After that, injuries and poor performance have dogged him daily, along with an allegation of severely damaging steroids. Was that the reason for the decline of David Ortiz? Nobody knows for sure, but with the Red Sox looking for some strength in their underpowered lineup, Ortiz will be a big factor in the equation. For any bar owner looking for a quick fix on sports packages, getting the NESN HD Network is a surefire way to attract loyal Boston fans.
3. Will Austin Jackson get up in Detroit? Sports fans love a young sensation, and Detroit’s new center fielder may be just that. For years heralded as the Yankees’ primary minor league outfielder, Jackson was placed in center field on the first day of the 2010 season and it appears to be his job to lose. Speed and confidence are not lacking. Scouts will focus on Jackson’s progress to assess the Yankees trade throughout the year.
4. Which bullpen howler will stand out in Philly? For a World Series team, the Phillies struggled a lot in the bullpen in 2009. Brad Lidge followed up one of the best seasons of all time as a closer in 2008 with one of the worst seasons of all time as a closer. For the Phillies to come back and do damage in October, they’ll need something similar to Lidge’s previous model.
5. Can Alex Rodriguez continue to be the decisive hero? For years, it was A-Fraud and dozens of other humiliating nicknames that haunted Alex Rodriguez. He is not a clutch hitter, many said, nor a champion at all. Then came 2009, and A-Rod became a playoff legend, compiling one of the best postseasons in history. Was it a fluke or is A-Rod ready to rise to the pantheon of baseball gods? Check the YES HD network for the latest.