What happened to the AL West?

by mendelbob on May 11, 2006 4:33 PM PDT

Remember when the AL West was a powerhouse? In the last 5 years we saw 12 teams win 90 games, 3 wildcards, a season with two 100-game winners and a season (almost two seasons) with three 90-games winners. One of my regular season pleasures used to be gloating to my friends back east over the yankees playing losing ball during their west coast trips.

This year I can imagine the A's winning the division without winning 90 games. I can imagine them being the only team to play .500 ball. What happened to our division?

Sure, the Bosox have stepped up, taking away a playoff spot. But they can't be solely responsible for the drop off in wins.

It seems like the division is on a decline. To me it's quite telling that the central has a winning record over the west right now. When is the last time that happened? Somehow, in a matter of years, we've gone from having three (sorry texas) legitimate championship caliber teams to having four teams that are going to beat each other up to determine who gets knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. We've gone from the gauntlet to the joy ride (anybody noticed how bad our division is at home).

What happened?

Poll

How far will an AL West team make it this year?

World Champion

17 votes

Penant

6 votes

First round winner

3 votes

Lose first round in 5

6 votes

Lose first round in 4

4 votes

Get swept in first round

3 votes

39 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

The Halos, A's and Mariners are all

in various stages of rebuilding/retooling at the same time and the Rangers are still trying to figure out how to deal with their home environs ...

it happens ...

Devo's newest project And his blog

by devo on May 11, 2006 5:01 PM PDT reply actions

Not to mention the NL West...

Now there is a division full of winners. I guess the whole west coast is hurting.

Live forever or die trying.

by oaklandpete on May 11, 2006 5:41 PM PDT reply actions

NL West is even more extreme.

From 2000 through 2004 it had at least three teams with winning records. Last year it had only one. Right now it seems a bit better, but I don't really believe in Colorado or Arizona.

And what an amazing year 2002 was. Both AL and NL west had three 90-game winners and two play-off teams. Seems strange that both divisions would have such extreme drop offs in only a few years. Last year between both divisions there was only one 90-game winner.

Zito: You ever think about the space time continuum?
Huddy: Uh... no.

by mendelbob on May 12, 2006 1:17 AM PDT up reply actions

I remeber last year...

the same thing was being said, however it ended up being a high win, two team race much like it always has. The west is a division which heats up with summer.

"I think he'll fit right in with our team concept" "That reminds me, I was going to ask you. What exactly *is* our team concept?"

by EglAthltcsFan @ Athletics Nation on May 11, 2006 5:56 PM PDT reply actions

Agreed

Look at the exodus of players from the division versus those entering it:

SOME WHO LEFT:
Hudson, Mulder
B. Molina, J. Guillen
A. Soriano, K. Rogers

WHO CAME:
Loaiza, Kendall
Steve Finley/Edgardo Alfonzo
Brad Wilkerson

by RevHalofan on May 11, 2006 7:48 PM PDT reply actions

by Jjjsixsix on May 11, 2006 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions

San Diego was pretty embarrassing

in the post-season last year

by OaklandSi on May 11, 2006 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Such is the nature of sports in San Diego

Except maybe for the Sockers, but the Chargers and the Padres have always found a way to embarass their fans at the most critical moments. I recall a very pathetic World Series in 1998. . .

Ron Washington: Thinking outside of the three-sided box since 1977

by tankerraid on May 12, 2006 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions