AL Central belongs to Indians

If a sure thing exists in baseball these days, itıs that Cleveland will win the American League Central. In 1994, the Indians emerged as contenders and were in second place when the strike hit. They followed that up with a league championship, a division championship and another World Series appearance.

Notice a trend? Theyıre really good.

JEFF FLEISCHER is a junior studying journalism and history. He is the Academics Editor of the Arbutus. E-mail him at jfleisch@indiana.edu.

Cleveland features, top to bottom, the best lineup in the majors. Center fielder and leadoff man Kenny Lofton returns after a season of exile in Atlanta, and even accepted less money than Cleveland was willing to give him a year ago.

Manny Ra-mirez is an incredible all-around young talent. Dave Justice and Jim Thome provide left-handed power. And the offense is only helped with the additions of second baseman Shawon Dunston, third baseman Travis Fryman and designated hitter Geronimo Berroa.

The bullpen is probably the best in the AL. Jose Mesaıs 1997 play will probably be remembered for his postseason failures, but he actually lowered his season ERA from the year before. Mike Jackson, Paul Assenmacher, Eric Plunk and newcomer Ron Villone form a top setup crew.

Now itıs up to the rotation to keep things close until then. Charles Nagy is an underrated workhorse. Chad Ogea and John Smiley opened the season on the disabled list, forcing the team to swing a last-minute deal for Dave Burba. Theyıll all need to be healthy for the playoffs.

Until then, thereıs nobody to challenge Cleveland. Detroit and Chicago should be decent, while Minnesota and Kansas City are going nowhere fast.

The Tigers rebounded from an atrocious 1996 (worst team ERA in history) to finish just shy of .500 in 1997. They lost 16-game winner Willie Blair and third baseman Travis Fryman during the winter. Otherwise, the talented young nucleus will continue to grow. First baseman Tony Clark and rightfielder Bobby Higginson had breakthrough seasons in 1997.

A youth movement is also underway in Chicago, where the White Sox pitching staff features a number of nubiles, such as Scott Eyre and Keith Foulke. Shortstop Mike Caruso made his big league debut Tuesday, and second year man Mike Cameron is a budding star.

But the veteran core could well be called Bad Attitude Central. Newly acquired Wilfredo Cordero is an admitted wife beater. Leftfielder Albert Belle has done everything from corking his bat to chasing trick-or-treaters with his car. First baseman Frank Thomas is obsessed with his own numbers, and many ex-teammates have complained of his selfish play. And Ruben Sierra has a tendency to become lethargic when heıs unhappy. Itıs tough to be happy on this team.

Same goes for Minnesota and Kansas City. The Twins realized their youth movement wasnıt working. So instead, they went with age..Trading Chuck Knoblauch rid the team of its only hitter still in his prime. Twenty-game winner Brad Radke is the only bright spot on the pitching staff.

The Royals could use some bright spots after losing Chili Davis and Jay Bell to free agency. Jeff King and Dean Palmer remain to anchor the offense and hope to rebound from down 1997 seasons. But ace pitcher Kevin Appier was placed on the 60-day disabled list. Without him, things look bleak for the Royals.