European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 1, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse Stars and stripes sunday april 1200 sports tigers Rogers out until july after having blood clot removed from shoulder Page 43 2007 major league baseball preview National league nos theme Pursuit of or record and mets by Mike Fitzpatrick the associated press Barry Bonds is approaching 755 homers Craig Biggio is closing in on 3000 hits and Tom Glavine is nearing 300 victories while some of baseballs oldest stars Are set to pursue milestones this season map Ryan Howard and the Philadelphia Phillies Are gearing up to Chase Down the new York mets in the no East were the team to beat i cant put it any other Way Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said look at our team and what were bringing look at the improvements weve made those improvements include adding Freddy Garcia and Adam Eaton to a deep Rota Tion that s Why right hander Brett Myers figures Philadelphia has More starting pitch ing than the mets who will be without Ace Pedro Martinez until at least mid season following Shoul Der surgery if s competitive talk we think were Good they think there better its fun Myers said the mets still have Glavine who enters the sea son with 290 victories but after coming within one win of the world series last year they we rent so amused by All the on sided analysis coming out of Philadelphia clubhouse the Phillies they can come out and talk As much As they want Allstar third baseman David Wright said in Spring training until they prove it on the Field then its just talk As far As throwing out predictions and talking about it talk is very very cheap nobody knows that better than Bonds who resigned with san Francisco in the of season after plenty of haggling Over his million oneyear contract now he needs 22 Home runs to break Hank Aarons career record of 755 til drag it ill let you Guys wait he joked you know How i do it the anticipation the hype the talk ill let you Guys talk about it no team capsules Page 41 the 42yearold slugger also is 159hits from 30qo and 70 Bis shy of 2000 but what he wants most he maintain Sis his first first he and the giant with Rhill Ihn Tran Barry turn pacing the pitching staff might have to get past their oldest the no the los Angeles dodgers who added former san Francisco Ace Jason Schmdt to the rotation and brought Back no 3 hitter Nomar Garcia Parra but the dodgers to the san Diego padres who have won consecutive division Mes the 41yearold Biggio begins his 20th Houston needing 70 hits to become the 27thvplayer to reach 3000 that achievement probably Means ticket to Cooperstown psf not even the numbers any More Biggio said its tie clientele youre having your name associated within certain categories that is overwhelming Biggio and the astros have another goal As Well beating out Albert Pujols Chris Carpenter and the world series Champion St Louis cardinals for an no Central Crown Houston will get Competition from me overhauled Chicago cubs who Alfonso Sorinc during an off season spree the cubs who also acquired lefty Ted out million in salaries and hired fiery manager Lou Finielia other players approaching milestones include Pitcher Randy Johnson Back in Arizona after two disappointing seasons with the new York Yankees he is 20 wins shy of 300 also padres closer Trevor Hoffman needs 18 saves to reach 500 a look at the no in predicted order of finish the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Pitcher Jamie Moyer 44 in their quest to track Down last years no East Champion the new York mets East new York mete after a painful loss to St Louis in game 7 of the a los last year the mets will try to take another step Forward but getting All the Way Back i difficult to do the biggest concern is an unsettled rotation new York is counting on Johile Maine Oliver Perez and perhaps Rookie Mike Pelfrey to provide consistent starts Glavine and or Lando Hernandez will both be 41 when the season begins still the balanced lineup is one of the leagues Best and the reliable bullpen could be the difference in edging Phil Adelphia see no on Page 40 two Quick goals rally Lakenheath boys pages Iii Iii Iii 027664 520705
