A note of caution: Don't make your World Series travel plans yet. Sparky does tend to exaggerate a bit, and the AL East is loaded again with the Yankees, defending champion Blue Jays and Orioles all looking to make a run at the title.
The Yankees, in particular, look fearsome this time around with talent capable of making Lou Piniella a first-year genius - if the starting pitching comes together. The Orioles, with Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray leading the way, should score runs almost as fast as the Yankees, but pitching could hold them back, too. The Blue Jays are solid - no superstars, just a collection of quality players.
But if the '86 Tigers are really that much better than the '84 champions, what chance does anybody else have?
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
LAST YEAR: 83-78
Fourth place, 16 games behind.
PROBABLE LINEUP: C Rick Dempsey, 1B Eddie Murray, 2B Alan Wiggins, SS Cal Ripken, 3B Jackie Gutierrez, LF Mike Young, CF Fred Lynn, RF Lee Lacy, DH Jim Dwyer/Juan Beniquez (platoon).
WHAT'S NEW: What's new is really old: Earl Weaver managing from the very start of the season. Weaver went 53-52 after replacing Joe Altobelli last June. Lefty Brad Havens (8-10 in Rochester) and righthander Rich Bordi (acquired
from Yankees) could provide needed bullpen help. Free agent Beniquez gives versatility in the outfield and Gutierrez, acquired in trade from Boston, does the same in infield.
WHAT CAN GO RIGHT: The once-quality pitching staff that disintegrated in '85 could magically reassemble itself in '86. That's asking for a lot from Mike Boddicker (12-17, 4.07), Mike Flanagan (4-5, 5.03), Scott McGregor (14-14, 4.81), Dennis Martinez (13-11, 5.15) and Storm Davis (10-8, 4.53). All the offense has to do is produce the way it did last summer.
