European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 6, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 22 a a a the stars and stripes Friday april 6,1990 baseball �?T90can mets Dodge Success again by Jim Donaghy a baseball writer the Crew re lots of reasons Why the new York mets should win the National league East in 1990. There were lots of reasons last year too. But the mets self destructed throughout much of 1989 and finished six games behind the first place Chicago cubs. Unless St. Louis pitching gels healthy fast the mets and cubs Are headed for another summer showdown. Throughout last season the cubs had an Eye of the Tiger while the mets had a nose for trouble. The first few weeks will show if anything has changed. # new York mets no East preview Pittsburgh pirates 1989 record 87-75. 2nd Outlook the mets attitude is almost As important to their Success As pitching and defense new York needs big rib years rom Darryl Strawberry and Kevin Mcreynolds. Key stat new York was 523 in one run games on the Road and scored three runs or less 82 times the mets also lost 20 games in their opponents final at Bat. Key arrivals Pitcher John Franco Pitcher ale andro Pena outfielder infielder Mike Marshall. Key departures outfielder Juan Samuel Catcher Gary Carter first baseman Keith Hernandez. The mels did no to pitch like they were supposed to. They did no to hit much either. Worse yet they did no to seem to care at times. By the end of the season the clubhouse was Tom by Petty jealousies and troubling indifference. Manager Davey Johnson survived but coaches Bill Robinson and Sam Perlozzo were axed by general manager Frank Cashen. A i feel Good about our club this year a Johnson said. A there will be some changes in How we do things but the main thing is we have to execute better on the  for one players will have to stay in the Metsy dugout until the game is finished. And that Wasny to even part of the new contract. A Winter and a 32-Day lockout removed the mets say sonic of the wounds have healed As they begin the Post Gary Carter Keith Hernandez Era. The abbreviated Spring training schedule would seem to Benefit the mets More than most clubs because of their pitching depth. During the first three or four weeks of the season pitchers will go four or five innings. The mets have six starters a Dwight Gooden Frank Viola David Cone Sid Fernandez Ron Darling and Bob Ojeda. Gooden is coming Oft of a Tom shoulder muscle and Hasni to started a game since last july. A Dwight is ahead of schedule and May be ready by opening Day a Johnson said. When he decides to go to the bullpen Johnson can go to newcomers John Franco and Alejandro Pena. After a month in alcohol rehabilitation Darryl Strawberry says he has changed his Outlook on life. Strawberry had his worst season As a met in 1989, hitting .225 with 29 homers and 77 Bis. A a in a playing for the mets and Darryl Strawberry a he said. �?o1 can to play for what others think 1 should  a new attitude seems to be quite important to the Metsy Success this season. # Chicago cubs of but can the cubs do it again the last time Chicago repeated was 1906-1908. Among other things the sceptics wonder if outfielders Jerome Walton .293 and Dwight Smith .324 can repeat their sensational Rookie seasons. Smiths average was the highest by a cubs Rookie since Hack Miller hit .352 in 1922. The team Era of 3.43 was the cubs lowest in 17 years and they were a league Best 45-36 on the Road. If Walton and Smith avoid the Sophomore Jinx the cubs offence is the most dangerous in the division. First baseman Mark Grace is ready to join the Premier hitters joining teammates Ryne Sandberg and Andre Dawson. After a slow Start in 1989, shortstop Shawon Dunston sparked the cubs to the division title with his Bat and Glove. Dunston hit .278 with nine homers and 60 Bis. Catcher Damon Berryhill is coming off surgery on his shoulder and is a question Mark. The cubs top three starters Are set with Greg Maddux 19-12mike Bielecki 18-7 and Rick Sutcliffe 16 ii. Manager Don Zimmer is looking for More pitching. 1989 record 93-69. 1st Outlook ii the cubs Are to repeat they will have to come up with another starter and Hope Mitch Williams can repeat his performance of 1989 when he saved 36 games. Key stat the team Era of 3 43 was the cubs lowest in 17 years and they were a league Best 45-36 on the Road. Key arrivals outfielder Dave Clark Pitcher Jose Nunez. Key departures Pitcher Scott Sanderson Darryl Strawberry mets want to break with their past. How  finish 1. New York mets 2. Chicago cubs 3. St. Louis cardinals 4. Pittsburgh pirates 5. Montreal expos 6. Philadelphia Phillies though and Mike Harkey Steve Wilson and Jose Nunez Are contenders for the fourth and fifth spot in the rotation. Jeff Pico Dean Wilkins Joe Kraemer and Kevin Blankenship also will be Given a shot. A St. Louis cardinals 1989 record 86-76. 3rd Outlook As Long As manager Whitey Herzog is around the cards Are dangerous. But unless the pitching stays healthy it will be Lough to contend Tor an entire season key stat Guerrero hit 405 with runners in scoring position and .660 with runners on third base and less than two outs. Key arrivals Pitcher Bryn Smith Pitcher John Tudor key departures Catcher Tony Pena. 1989 record 74 88 Kiwi Outlook the a Rales a i a Kettle hitting and a a Utleye a but not enough 0i either the Surprise might be no Pitcher Mark Huismann a 3? year old night hander who has spent parts of seven season in the maps 5 key stat the pirates hit % Home runs Iasi season but 63 came with the bases empty key arrivals pm Schei a a Terrell Pitcher Teil Powell Catcher Don Slaught key departures Pitcher Jett Robinson last season was a big disappointment for manager Jim Leyland and the pirates coming off a run for the division in 1988. The pirates made 160 errors last season including 35 by third baseman Bobby Bonilla. The pitching was also devastated by injuries losing 1988 Relief Ace Jim Gott for the entire season following Elbow surgery. Nagging injuries All season hampered Center fielder Andy Van slake ">37 Nim it hrs and 53 Bis. Van Slyck. Whomever got Koine we an map contender in 1988 when he hit ">88 with it homers and 100 Bis. The starting rotation has Doug Drabick. John a Milch Bob walk and newcomer Walt Terrell. After that the spots Are up for grabs. The pirates had 14 pitchers in their major league Camp and at least 12 Are expected to travel North since All teams will carry 27 players for the first three weeks the pitchers fighting for the last couple of jobs on the staff include rookies Stan Belinda. Scott Ruskin and Mike York and left hander Bob Patterson. To help the defense a Little Bonilla is moving to right Field. In the infield Jeff King will be at third base and Jay Bell at shortstop. But Bonilla will probably go Back to third if King does t hit enough. The pirates have also added Wally Backman for sonic infield help. # Montreal expos 1989 record 81-81 4th Outlook the loss of three Starling pitchers leaves manager Buck Rodgers with lots of Young pitchers and a couple of veterans trying to make comebacks Oil can Boyd and Joaquin Andujar key stat the expos were 63-44 on aug 2 bul Well ib-37 the rest of the Way key arrivals pitchers Boyd and Andujar key departures pitchers Mark Langston and Bryn Smith outfielder Hubie Brooks Well at least Montreal has the canadians. The expos thinking they could win a Pennant traded three Young pitchers to Seattle for left hander Mark Langston last May. But in August the expos collapsed a 63-44 on aug. 2, they went 18-37 the rest of the Way. Things got even worse after the season. Langston Bryn Smith pasqual Perez and Hubie Brooks All signed free agent contracts with other clubs. To help make up for the loss of three starters the expos took a Chance and signed Dennis a Oil can Boyd and Joaquin Andujar. The Best of the youngsters appears to be right hander Mark Gardner 12-4, 2.37 Era at Indianapolis. Dennis Martinez 16-7 and Kevin Gross 11-1are the expose top two starters. Montreal tried to make reliever Tim Burke 28 saves Happy by giving him a three year contract. The expos will need a lot of runs this season so Lim Raines Tim Wallach and Andres Galarraga -3 has and 85 Bis will All need career seasons. Rodgers thinks Rookie Marquis Grissom is ready to take Over for Brooks in the Outfield. Philadelphia Phillies manager Whitey Herzog knows better than anybody the cardinals can Only stay alive if their pitching survives. Danny Cox Greg Mathews John Tudor and reliever Todd Worrell Are All coming off serious Arm problems. After Joe Magrane 18-9, 2.91 Era Jose Deleon 16-12 and newcomer Bryn Smith 10-11, 2.84 Era Herzog is looking for healthy arms. Even though Whitey was missing some of his Best pitchers last season he managed to put together a team with a 3.36 Era a fourth Best. The infield remains intact with Pedro Guerrero at first base Jose Oquendo at second Ozzie Smith at Short and Terry Pendleton at third. Guerrero is coming off an injury free season .311, 17 hrs and 117 Bis. There were rumours either Vince Coleman or Willie Mcgee would be traded but they remain in the Outfield along with Tom Brunansky and Milt Thompson. The offence should get a boost from Catcher Todd Zeile who hit .289 with 19 homers and 85 Bis for  1989 record 167-95.6lh Outlook general manager Lee Thomas started to tear things apart last season and that s a step in the right direct Pokey stat the Phillies got More Home runs Itom he be Adolf hitters 14i than then clean up batters 13 _ key arrivals outfielder car Melo Martinez key departures none if the expos can to put together a pitching staff the Phillies May actually escape the basement. The phils of course have their own pitching problems. They have finished last in the league in Era for two straight years including a 4.04 Mark in 1989. It did no to help the pitch. Univ ers much that Catcher Darren Daulton thai 28 percent of would be base steamers. _ at least the bullpen came together last sea Narrai the addition of Roger Mcdowell 23 saves. And Jeff Parrett 12-6, 2.98 Era. A crr Var it did no to take Long for pm Lee Thomas to this team Wasny to going anywhere and he Sta things apart a using 48 players by the end Thomas traded Relief Ace Steve Bedrosian Cook Francisco and ended up with two starters and Terry Mulholland. A and a five other deals brought John Kruk .300 ,. An cd free i r�., Rwy the inter. The pos Signou