PAGE 14 / THE RETRIEVER MAY 5, 199Z decimated by injuries to their over Pittsburgh. The Reds' start- ing perfoimances last year. Pen- pitching staff over the last few- ing pitching will be the best in a dleton obviously had a career years and attempted to improve division of strong rotations. Trad- year, and the rest of the infield Will Fred McGriff be that situation by acquiring three ing for Greg Swindell and Tim executed at the top of their games, pitchers from Seattle for slugger Belcher and mixing them with but is generally weak overall. The Kevin Mitchell. A trade viewed by incumbents Jose Rijo and Tom outfield is stacked with Ron Gant, many as a reach in an effort to Browning gives the Reds four Dave Justice and the newest (and the new king of swing? receive more arms especially when possible 20-game winners and loudest) sensation, Deion Sand- giving up the home run threat. But stopper types. The addition of ers. Second place is the 1992 home during the off-season, bolstering the downside of his career. Pen- already that trade has reaped Roberts at the top of the line-up of the Braves. (from PICKS, page 13) the offense with Bip Roberts, dleton never put up those type of benefits for the Giants. Billy Swift, gives the Reds the spark that they On paper, the Los Angeles Dave Martinez, Greg Swindell numbers at any point in his career the key pitcher in the deal for the need at the lead off spot. Dodgers appear to have Reggie Sanders (Cincinnati Reds). and Tim Belcher. They looked to and it is unrealistic to think he will. Giants, has moved into the start- Another move that was less assembled an All-Star team, but Key P!ayer(NL East)—Barry be the best overall team in the Defensively he is still one of the ing rotation and is already 3-0. talked about was the acquisition that paper seems to have been Bonds (Pittsburgh). Obviously, division, yet just before the start best and his leadership was inval- John Burkett and Bud Black will of Dave Martinez, who had a solid around the corner one too many the 1990 M.V.P. is a key part to of the season, relief ace Rob uable to the youngsters that filled be looked on to pitch solidly as year for Montreal and gives the times. Nicks and cuts are the story the Bucs offense, but with the loss Dibble went down with an injury out the roster, but look for his well. The bullpen is strengthened Reds more flexibility in the out- for the Dodgers, especially starters of Bobby Bonilla to the Mets, he and his return is unclear. That numbers to fall. with closer Dave Righetti (24 field. Hal Morris and Bill Doran Ramon Martinez and Orel Her- becomes the man in the line-up. leaves the closer role to the other Other Candidates—Mike Mor- saves) and set-up men Jeff Bran- man the right side of the infield shiser. Both are coming off of He is the lone big stick remaining "Nasty Boy" Charlton. A swing gan (Chicago Cubs). tley and Mike Jackson. Offen- but the left side, consisting of shoulder injuries and are not yet and his consistency and explosive- pitcher for most of his career, he Home Run Leaders—Fred sively, the Giants will be once Larkin and Chris Sabo, is the best pitching at full strength. If they ness will be needed. If it is possible, has to move into an unfamiliar McGriff (San Diego), Howard again lead by first baseman Will in baseball. are not dominating on the mound, he needs to do even more than he role and learn it quickly to keep Johnson (New York Mets), Will Clark and third baseman Matt There are no more superstars in then the Dodgers will be in even did last year when he hit 25 HRs, the Reds in contention until Clark (San Francisco). Williams. They both can be the outfield, but perhaps there is more trouble when the ball is hit 116 RBIs, with a .292 batting Dibble can return. He has a great Runs Batted In—Will Clark counted on for 25-35 homeruns more overall talent. Paul O'Neill to their defense, especially the average and stole 43 bases. The forkball to go along with a blazing (San Francisco), Barry Bonds and 100 RBIs. The key for the (28, 91) should finally be recog- infield. When second baseman luxury of Bonilla hitting in front fastball and the overall make-up (Pittsburgh), Fred McGriff (San Giants' line-up will be replacing nized as one of the games top Juan Samuel, someone who is of him will not be there and fewer to be an effective closer. Diego). Mitchell's big bat. His attitude outfielders now that Davis is gone. never mentioned in the same good pitches will come his way. Other Candidates—Alejandro Batting Average—Barry Larkin certainly will not be missed in the Roberts and Dave Martinez fill breath with game's top defensive Bonds also needs to take on more Pena (Atlanta Braves), Darryl (Cincinnati), Tony Gwynn (San clubhouse, where his numerous out the starting line-up, with Billy infielders, is the best you have . responsibility in the clubhouse Strawberry (Los Angeles Diego), Lenny Dykstra altercations with manager Roger Hatcher and Glenn Braggs provid- . ya right. They're not much and be a leader. If he develops a Dodgers). (Philadelphia). Craig disrupted the team's chem- ing experience off the bench and better offensively either. negative attitude, the Pirates will Disappointments—Terry Pen- Wins—Andy Benes (San istry. Outfielders Willie McGee the phenomenon Sanders waiting San Diego and San Francisco fall behind the Mets. dleton (Atlanta Braves). The 1991 Diego), Doug Drabek (Pitts- and Kevin Bass should pick up for his turn. will both be improved, but are still Other Candidates—Dwight M.V.P. had a career season last burgh), Dwight Gooden (New most of the slack. Unless a pitcher The Atlanta Braves will remain a handful of players away from Gooden (New York Mets), Danny year (.319, 22 HRs, 86 RBIs) as York Mets). or two step up with above-average in the race all year due to their moving up the ranks. Jackson (Chicago Cubs). he helped to elevate the Braves to Saves—Lee Smith (St. Louis), seasons, the Giants' run for a starting pitching of 1991 Cy Why would you pick a team that Key Player(NL West)—Norm the World Series. The question is Mitch Williams (Philadelphia), division title will come up a little Young award winner Tom Glavin. lost their starting rightfielder and Charlton (Cincinnati Reds). The whether he can put up those John Franco (New York). short. The question marks remain in the one of the games top sluggers Reds were the most aggressive numbers again. While at 31 he is Surprise Team—San Fran- Others—Montreal Expos everyday line-up, where the team in the division last year far from old, he may be beginning cisco. The Giants have been And the winner is...Cincinnati Braves received many unsuspect- (see PICKS, page 6) Leaving the nest early in search of fame Mustaf one of the top preps in the the NBA scouts by means of the nation, Williams just a rung below. tube, enter the draft and attempt their professional careers, in front unknown rookie center from East- CBA his home. Over the next two years, Mustaf to learn on the fly while adjusting (see BASKETBALL, page 14) of most collegians as examples of ern Illinois drafted in the second Earning one's diploma may be developed himself as an all-around to the NBA lifestyle as well as style peers who faced the similar round (turned out to be Kevin the most sizable factor on either forward and certain to be one of of play, or stay at school, continue playtime of college for the paytime dilemma? Despite the swaying Duckworth). Since that trade, side, but not a definite one. Many the top players in the country his with an established academic pro- of the pros. opinions on both sides, the nega- Berry has bounced around from players in fact do not earn their final two years of school. Williams gram, not deal with the problems The other side of the coin is to tives clearly show. team to team and is currently out degrees during their four years of spent much of his first two years of changing schools, and learn stay in school for four years, mature For every Jordan, there is a of the NBA. eligibility. During the senior year in transition, learning a new posi- under the tutelage of coach Gary- as a player and more importantly, Walter Berry. The former St. John's However, for every Coleman, of a top prospect, the combination tion for him, that of point guard. Williams. a person. Derrick Coleman and basketball star was the 1986 College there is an Albert King. Like Berry, of a rigorous schedule for most of Flashes of brilliance were there, but Here is where the study begins: Larry Johnson both had the option Player of the Year as a junior and King was named Player of the Year the school year and attending many at the time more flash than Mustaf chose the NBA, Williams to enter the draft as juniors with elected to come out after that season after his junior season for the pre-draft camps when the season consistency. stayed at Maryland. Although it the knowledge that they would be for the likely big dollars that such University of Maryland, but chose ends essentially ends their academic Near the end of their sophomore was believed that Mustaf was top-five picks.