http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Jack+Scrafford Sports Jack Scrafford Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=34601&ca=Sports 2005 Overview: After finally breaking the 86-year curse of Babe Ruth not to mention performing one of the most miraculous comebacks in baseball history vs. the Yankees, the Boston Red Sox entered the 2005 season hopeful their good fortune would continue. Even though Curt Schilling’s ankle wasn’t 100... Sports Jack Scrafford Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=34605&ca=Sports 2005 Overview: Prior to the All Star break the Baltimore Orioles were playing like they were destined for one of those dream seasons. On June 21, Baltimore held a two-game lead over the division rival Boston Red Sox and had assembled an impressive 42-28 record. The Orioles were also just 24 days awa... Sports Jack Scrafford Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=34635&ca=Sports 2005 Overview: Fourteen straight division titles speak volumes for the Atlanta Braves ability to field a competitive team year after year. 2005 was no different. Playing all year in a very tight NL East division, the Braves once again managed to reach the postseason with a 90-72 regular season recor... Sports Jack Scrafford Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=34646&ca=Sports 2005 Overview: For the second straight year in a row, the Houston Astros overcame a horrible start and spotty offense to capture the National League wildcard. Houston rolled past the Cardinals en route to becoming National League Champions only to lose in a 4 game sweep to the World Champion Chicago... Sports Jack Scrafford Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=34648&ca=Sports 2005 Overview: Rookie Manager Willie Randolph and General Manager Omar Minaya entered the 2005 season with two new key acquisitions. Both Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran arrived via free agency hoping to improve the New York Mets lineup and rotation. Martinez (15-8 2.82) certainly impressed, posti... Sports Jack Scrafford Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=34795&ca=Sports 2005 Overview: Ask any Royal fan and they will tell you - there just simply weren’t many things for them to cheer about in 2005. In fact, the 2005 Kansas City Royals were a complete train wreck and that’s putting things somewhat mildly. The Royals managed to win a total of only 56 games the entire y... Sports Jack Scrafford Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=34800&ca=Sports 2005 Overview: The New York Yankees simply weren’t themselves for much of the 2005 season. The Bombers starting pitching proved spotty for much of the year while their offense regularly scratched and clawed for runs during the entire first half of the season. Newly acquired starter Randy Johnson str... Sports Jack Scrafford Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=35360&ca=Sports The Philadelphia Phillies remained right on the Braves heels for most of the 2005 season thanks to a potent batting order that included 2nd basemen Chase Utley (.291 28 105), and outfielder’s Pat Burrell (.281 32 117) and Bobby Abreu (.286 24 102). Shortstop Jimmy Rollins (.290 12 54) and veteran ca... Sports Jack Scrafford Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=35402&ca=Sports 2005 Overview: Pittsburgh Pirates fans had little to cheer about in 2005. The only real bright spot for the club was the continued improvement of outfielder Jason Bay (.206 32 101) who played in all 162 games in 2005 for the team. Beyond Bay there was little offense to speak of for the entire season... Sports Jack Scrafford Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=35414&ca=Sports 2005 Overview: In 2005, the NL West Champion San Diego Padres managed to accomplish more with less. Despite a new ballpark, the offense for the team was spotty all season. Ryan Klesko (.248 18 58) led the team with 18 homeruns while Mark Sweeney (.284 8 40), Brian Giles (.301 15 83), shortstop Khali...