It is pretty much common knowledge now among baseball fans that the American League is no longer the “junior circuit” to the National League.
The American League has won seven of the last 10 World Series and has not lost an All-Star game in 11 years.
In a word, that is called dominance.
The leader in this charge has been the AL East with the Yankees and Red Sox diving deeper and deeper into their pockets to constantly one-up each other, but over the last few seasons, a change has been occurring.
Many are saying the the AL Central has found a way to catch and possibly have passed the East as the “best overall division, in the best league” in baseball. Let’s take a look.
AWARDS
For starters, as for awards won over the past four years, the Central has collected the majority of them. The following AL awards have come from the Central:
- 3 Cy Young ’07, ’06, ‘04
- 3 Manager of the Year ’07, ’06, ‘05
- MVP ‘06
- Rookie of the Year ‘06
- 5 out of the 9 Gold Gloves in ‘07; 4/9 ’06; 1/9 ’05; 2/9 ‘04
- 2/9 Silver Slugger Awards in ‘07; 4/9 ’06; 0/9 ’05; 2/10 ‘04
East winnings:
- 2 MVPs ’07, ‘05
- Rookie of the Year ‘07
- 1/9 Gold Gloves ’07; 2/9 ’06; 4/9 ’05; 2/9 ‘04
- 5/9 Silver Slugger ’07; 4/9 ’06; 6/9 ’05; 5/10 ‘04
The majority of this success has come over the past two seasons, especially with sweep of the four major awards in ’06.
RECORDS
8 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Andrew Kneeland about 1 year ago
I disagree with your comments about the Twins. I don't think they will be able to compete at the high level of the AL Central, not with both Detroit and Cleveland in it.
No, I think the Twins are doomed to another third place finish in the best division in baseball yet again.
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Michael Taylor about 1 year ago
I agree with that, yet just believe if cards fall right they still have a very competitive team that plays hard and can win 85 games or so. Though I still project Cleveland and Detroit ahead of them.
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Matt Kasper about 1 year ago
Assuming they keep Santana, and Liriano returns to 90% of what he was before surgery, the Twins could be a 90-win team. Unlike last season, they have an at least average offense and they still have a great pitching staff (again, assuming Santana stays).
Obviously on paper, the Tigers and Indians are the favorites, and very likely will be 1-2 in the end, but don't completely count out the Twins. The Tigers' pitching staff isn't nearly as good as their offense, and we've seen how that works for the Yankees.
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Nino Colla about 1 year ago
Very nice work all around. Great collection of information.
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Phil Schuler about 1 year ago
I would have to disagree with your conclusions. I wouldn't totally discount them, this is baseball and anything can happen. I have heard this same argument stated every year for the last four or five years. Bringing in new players doesn't always equal a great year. One also has to remember the importance of team chemistry. The Yankees and Red Sox will still be the teams to beat because they have a core group of guys who, talent aside- and that is a LOT of talent, gel together. These teams know that if they strikeout or make an out then the next guy can pick them up and the pitchers know the guys behind him can pick up the slack when he leaves a curve ball hanging over the plate. Having this chemistry makes a world of difference and can help huge when turning a DP on a regular basis, you will know exactly where your shortstop is without even looking. Look at A-Rod. When he first showed up it wasn't instant championship, there was this adjustment period and he was the outsider, when this changed the team played like a unit rather than a field of multi-millionaires looking to boost up their stats and endorsements. Look at some of the Yankees last few championship teams, they weren't all superstars, but they had amazing chemistry. Now look at some of their past teams, like the one Sheffield was on, pretty much an All Star at every position, and how many championships did they win? Now I can be wrong and a central team can take over, or all the central teams can dominate, but if you don't have that chemistry then you won't get the ring. Your research was excellent and you may just prove me wrong, but thats my opinion.
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Jon Hanford about 1 year ago
Although the Tigers might be the best team in the AL in 2008, I still think the AL East is the most challenging division. Nothing comes close to the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry. If only the Twins had money to hang onto Santana and Joe Nathan, it might be another story.
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Dylan Levinson about 1 year ago
I do agree that the Tigers may be the best team in the AL this season but I think the AL East is definitely the most challenging division. Red Sox, Yankees, and the Blue Jays! Thanks for the article!
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Andrew Schiff about 1 year ago
As a Mets fan, I have great admiration for the Tribe and the Tigers. They've both groomed their own talent and have become competitive.
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