NL Central - worst division in modern history?

[Matt700wlw]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_510071.html

[RedFanAlways1966]

Interesting story... but I could care less about the division as a whole. I only care about one team in that division. I wish the rest of them would lose every out-of-division game. I'd like to see the NL Central have a combined out-of-division record of about 78-420 (.157)... the worst ever by a long shot. The REDS go 78-0 while the rest each go 0-78. That would be a great thing for the NL Central.

[westofyou]

Let's see middle of the country, rust belt cities in some cases and in most cases smaller TV networks and lower earning potential.

This is as surprising as a a Bengal being arrested. It's somewhat amazing its been avoided for as long as it has already.

[Aronchis]

Yeah, I bet the Cardinals are wishing they could do that Mulder for Haren/Barton deal over again. Mulder imploded like Danny Graves. Then we have a mysterious power dropoff by Pujols, Rolen looking washed up and Edmonds is washed up.

The Central already had some resident bottom feeders, now add another.

[top6]

Originally Posted by westofyou

Let's see middle of the country, rust belt cities in some cases and in most cases smaller TV networks and lower earning potential.

This is as surprising as a a Bengal being arrested. It's somewhat amazing its been avoided for as long as it has already.

There is really no reason, though, that the Cubs should not be one of the top teams in baseball. They are in a big market and are probably the most marketable team outside of the Yankees and Red Sox - and they may have more potential than even the Red Sox.

Houston is also a large market - and in fact the Astros do have an impressive long-term record of success. St. Louis looks like it will always be an exception to the small market rule - again, in the long term.

That said, with Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, this division will always probably be pretty bad. All three of those teams may put together some shorter runs and nice years now and again, but given the factors you listed it will be tough to sustain long-term success - unless a Billy Beane-esque figure arises.

[Sea Ray]

Well, the division does have the defending world champ. It's way too early to call it the worst ever. In years past there have been some other divisions like the AL Central and AL West that have looked like a sub .500 would win it after two months.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Sea Ray

Well, the division does have the defending world champ. It's way too early to call it the worst ever. In years past there have been some other divisions like the AL Central and AL West that have looked like a sub .500 would win it after two months.

Didnt the Padres win the NL West 2 years ago with an 82-80 record?

[RBA]

Chicago is the number 3 market and Houston is number 10. St Louis isn't chop liver at Number 21 and Pittsburgh at 22. However, the other 2, not too good.

[westofyou]

That said, with Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, this division will always probably be pretty bad. All three of those teams may put together some shorter runs and nice years now and again, but given the factors you listed it will be tough to sustain long-term success - unless a Billy Beane-esque figure arises.

Exactly, they counterbalance the Cubs (and somewhat the Astros) the Astros are like the Reds in one way, they share their Fox Network with a AL team, no big feeder like WGN for them. When looking at what is a monster market only Chicago stands out, St Louis stands out as how a smaller market but with less regional competition should do it. (Colorado and Arizona should look at the Cards to build their surrounding fan base.

[Chip R]

Originally Posted by top6

There is really no reason, though, that the Cubs should not be one of the top teams in baseball.

I can think of one.

[red-in-la]

Originally Posted by top6

There is really no reason, though, that the Cubs should not be one of the top teams in baseball. They are in a big market and are probably the most marketable team outside of the Yankees and Red Sox - and they may have more potential than even the Red Sox.

Houston is also a large market - and in fact the Astros do have an impressive long-term record of success. St. Louis looks like it will always be an exception to the small market rule - again, in the long term.

That said, with Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, this division will always probably be pretty bad. All three of those teams may put together some shorter runs and nice years now and again, but given the factors you listed it will be tough to sustain long-term success - unless a Billy Beane-esque figure arises.

Call Buddy and suggest another reorganization......NL Central-HAVES and the NL Central-HAVE-NOTS.

Then maybe the Reds, Pirates and Brewers could actually MAKE the playoffs...

[top6]

Originally Posted by Chip R

I can think of one.

I figured someone would hit that softball out of the park.

[KoryMac5]

This is probably one of the worst divisions I can remember in a long time. If you just look at some of the losing streaks that have happened to many of the teams so far it tells you a lot about the baseball being played. The Reds have played terrible to begin the season yet are only out of 1st by what 8.5 games. Imagine if Boston was in our division we would be talking about football season in May.

[Marc D]

The Astros announcers made a good Monty Python reference tonight and compared the NL central to a twit race.

[BCubb2003]

Originally Posted by red-in-la

Call Buddy and suggest another reorganization......NL Central-HAVES and the NL Central-HAVE-NOTS.

Then maybe the Reds, Pirates and Brewers could actually MAKE the playoffs...

How about the NL Central have-nots vs. the AL Central have-nots. Put the Chicagos with the New Yorks and L.A.s in the Superstation division. Put the big eastern markets in the Metropolitan division. Then there's the Sunbelt division and the Pacific Coast division.