Sorry, the pictures are a little blurry. Sporting News Magazine’s Baseball 2010 issue came out. Thoughts on the World Series? I sure hope they are wrong. I don’t want to see NYY vs PHI again!

Other Highlights from the magazine:

• Five Fearless Forecasts:

1. There will be one heck of a Hall of Fame class in 2016. -The Players likely to retire after this season include Ken Griffey Jr, John Smoltz, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Jim Thome, Andy Pettitte, & Gary Sheffield.
2. The 600 Homer club will welcome a new member. -Yankees 3rd Baseball Alex Rodriguez needs 17 homeruns to become the seventh player to reach 600. He has hit at least 30 in each of the past 12 seasons.
3. Minnesota will regret not putting on a rectractable roof on new Target Filed. -Outdoor baseball is great as long as it isn’t played in football weather.
4. Bobby Cox will leave by himself. -Of the four 60 and over Hall of Fame managers, this will be the last season for only Cox. He has already annouced that 2010 will be his swan song. Look for Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, and Joe Torree to all return in 2011.
5. Three streaks are sure to extend. -First, Cardinals 1st baseman Albert Pujols will again hit at least .300 with 30 homers and 100 RBIs for the 10th consecutive season. Second, Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki will finish with atleast 200 hits for the 10th straight year and, finally, the easy one: The cubs won’t win the World Series for the 102nd consectutive time.

(Note: They didn’t say anything about the Pirates extending the loosing streak to 18!!! Could this be the year they finally break it?)

• American League:

East:

1. Yankees- They have a ton of money to spend, but give them credit for spending it on the right players.
2. Red Sox- Their talent is tick below New York’s but still superior to every other team in the AL.
3. Rays- The best third place team in baseball. Too bad that won’t earn Tampa Bay a spot in the postseason.
4. Orioles- Baltimore is heading in the right direction, but this is a deep hole it’s trying to escape.
5. Blue Jays- Cutting payroll in this division is a recipe for a last place finish.

Central:

1. Twins- Minnesota fans are fired up for outdorr baseball. Let’s see what they say about it in October.
2. White Sox- Their rotation should be the best in the division, but their lineup is lacking.
3. Tigers- Detroit has rookies penciled in for a second base and center field. That will make a contending a challenge- even in this division.
4. Royals- They were a trendy pick to suprise last season and lost 97 games. Such expectations won’t be a problem in 2010.
5. Indians- Cleveland will spend this season paying for the financially driven departures of Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez, and CC Sabathia.

West:

1. Angels- They lost a lot in the offseason but still have Mike Scioscia. And Torri Hunter. And Jered Weaver. And Kendry Morales. And more.
2. Mariners- It’s great to see the Northwest so excited about baseball. With a break or two, the buzz could last into the playoffs.
3. Rangers- They will be better than this if Rich Harden and Josh Hamilton stay helath and their young starters progress. That is too many “ifs” though.
4. A’s- All their good young pitching is lacking in one important area: offensive support.

• National League

East:

1. Phillies- The NL’s most potent lineup will be even better with Placido Polanco’s ability to play smart ball.
2. Braves- Bobby Cox’s final season will be a good one, thanks to a rotation as strong as any in the game.
3. Mets- Improved health, more than offseason pickups, will help make them a winner agian.
4. Marlins- They will have a bunch of good young players who will somehow keep the team in contention. In other words, business as usual.
5. Nationals- Stephen Strasburg’s arrival will bring excitment but won’t keep Washington from a third consecutive 100 loss season.

Central:

1. Cardinals- As long as they have Albert Pujols, they have the edge. Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright don’t hurt, either.
2. Cubs- New ownership means new hope, but Mr. Ricketts can’t play right field or lead off.
3. Brewers- New pitching coach Rick Peterson will help, but he doesn’t have enough talented arms with which to work.
4. Reds- Dusty Baker, in the final year of his contract, needs a fast start to avoid becoming the first manager on the hot seat.
5. Unfortunately, new manager Brad Mills couldn’t bring some of the talent he worked with as the Red Sox’s bench coach.
6. Pirates- Extending their record losing streak to 18 season is as certain as their trading of veteran players. (ANNDDD there is it!

West:

1. Rockies- With practically the entire team returning and Jim Tracy in charge from the start, they should continue to prosper.
2. Dodgers- A messy ownership situation is a distraction, but LA still has as many up and coming stars as any club.
3. Giants- Great pitching would carry the team in October, too bad they don’t have enough offense to make it there.
4. Diamondbacks- The return of Brandon Webb and Conor Jackson will make them better, just not good enough.
5. Padres- You know a team is in big trouble with you can’t name more than three of its regulars.