In Boston, the seasons are changing from winter to spring. But they are not the only thing changing this week, as the tables have turned in the American League, and the winningest team in baseball is no longer the Minnesota Twins. After their big loss to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night, the Seattle Mariners have now taken over the throne of the Major Leagues, riding a 17-4 record.
On Tuesday, the defending World Champion New York Yankees went down as just another victim in the Mariners' win column. The Yanks fell hard, losing 7-5 on a disputed home run off of All-Star pitcher Roger Clemens. Tom Lampkin hit a long ball that hit the heel of Chuck Knoblauch's glove, caromed off the top of the wall, and back into left field. The umpires ruled it a home run but, when replayed, it appeared to show that there was no fan interference.
The Mariners on Wednesday again took the Yankees by a score of 7-5. Japanese rookie sensation Ichiro Suzuki was a big help at the plate. The rookie, who is batting an exceptional .355, went 2-5 with two hits and two RBI. Suzuki, a major celebrity in Japan, is being hounded by a Japanese publication that is bidding $2 million for pictures of the Seattle right fielder in the nude, an offer that even the once popular A-Rod never received while in the Evergreen State.
The Central Division-leading Minnesota Twins won a tough one Wednesday night over the Red Sox. The Twins were trailing early on, but fought hard and won in the tenth inning. In the ninth, Minnesota tied it up with a double by AJ Pierzynski that scored Jacque Jones and pushed the game into extra innings. But in the top of the tenth, the Twins offense dominated and they pulled ahead on a three-run double by Torii Hunter. This elevated Minnesota to a 16-4 record, leaving many people wondering if this is actually not a fluke. It is rumored that the Twins have been scheduled to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated on the April 30 issue. Could the "Sports Illustrated jinx" claim another victim?
"So now we've got to fight that. When I was talking to their writer, I said, 'Just don't put us on the cover and jinx us,'" Denny Hocking told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press about the team appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
The Twins aren't all business these days though. Funny man David Ortiz, known not only for his .349 batting average, but also for his shaving cream pie pranks, was dealt some payback. Closer LaTroy Hawkins crept behind Ortiz while he was giving an interview with ESPN's Harold Reynolds, and delivered a shaving cream pie right into his face.
The Toronto Blue Jays have been battling the Red Sox for first in the AL East. Meanwhile, the Yankees are settling in third with a winning percentage barely over .500 (11-10, .524). The Blue Jays took their fifth straight from the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night (8-5) in front of a crowd of just 15,021 fans. Toronto center fielder Jose Cruz, Jr. is posting a league-leading 18-game hit streak and an impressive .355 batting average, which he improved upon against the Rangers, reaching on a two-out infield single and going 2-4 on the night.
When pitcher David Wells was traded to the Chicago White Sox, Mike Sirotka came to the Blue Jays. Since arriving, Sirotka has failed to play in a single game, with shoulder problems ending his season. On Tuesday, he underwent extensive arthroscopic surgery on his ailing shoulder. Doctors repaired three tears in the labrum of Sirotka's shoulder. It is expected he'll be ready to return for Spring Training 2002.
Although the season is still just heading into May, many things have already become clear for 2001. The Sox are surviving without Nomar, the Yankees are dangling lower than number one, and the Minnesota Twins, of all teams, are leading the AL Central. Most surprisingly is the utter demise of the Oakland Athletics, currently at 7-14. They were projected to be a top contender, but for now have been hanging out in the basement of the AL West.
