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1). 2006 Anaheim Angels Preview 2005 Overview: Mike Scioscia and his 2005 Anaheim Angels entered the new season ready to defend their 2004 American League West Title. Although the 2004 season ended in a disappointing 3 game ALDS sweep to the World Series Boston Red Sox, the Angels remained poised and confident they could return to the postseason once again. The Angel... 2). 2006 Arizona Diamondbacks Preview 2005 Overview: Rebounding from a truly disastrous 111 loss season in 2004, the Arizona Diamondbacks improved their 2005 season record to 77-85 including a final 8-2 record to finish the last 10 games of the year. Led by a balanced offense, the team was able to improve on their 2004 record thanks to the surprise performances supplied by... 3). 2006 Atlanta Braves Preview 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 record. The Braves exited early in the fir... 4). 2006 Baltimore Orioles Preview 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 away from celebrating Rafael Palmeiro's ... 5). 2006 Boston Red Sox Preview 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% - the blueprint for 2005 began by a... 6). 2006 Chicago Cubs Preview 2005 Overview: With the departure of slugger Sammy Sosa, the offensive output for the Chicago Cubs has been replaced by the likes of superstars Derek Lee (.335 46 107) and Aramis Ramirez (.302 31 92). Both players came into their own in 2005 along with the help of Jeremy Burnitz (.258 24 87), catcher Michael Barrett (.276 16 61) and 2n... 7). 2006 Chicago White Sox Preview 2005 Overview: After waiting 88 years for a World Series title, the Chicago White Sox and 2nd year Manager Ozzie Guillen entered the 2005 season on a mission. After an impressive rookie managerial season the Venezuela born Guillen led his troops to a division leading 99-63 record. The White Sox simply dominated the postseason losing on... 8). 2006 Cincinnati Reds Preview 2005 Overview: The biggest news for Cincinnati Reds fans in 2005 was the fact that Ken Griffey Jr.(.301 35 92) was able to play an entire season injury free for the first time in over 5 full seasons. What was so impressive about Griffey’s 2005 performance was his ability to completely return to form, hitting for both power and average.... 9). 2006 Cleveland Indians Preview 2005 Overview: The Cleveland Indians were arguably the best overall team in baseball during the 2nd half of the season. The Indians remained right in the thick of the AL pennant chase until the very last week of the season when a 4-6 record in their last 10 games left them two games back in the wildcard standings. Cleveland ended the y... 10). 2006 Colorado Rockies Preview 2005 Overview: The Colorado Rookies suffered through a tough 95 loss season ending the year 15 games behind the NL West Champion San Diego Padres. The 2005 offense was led by 1st baseman Todd Helton (.320 20 79), outfielder Dustan Mohr (.214 17 38), and the young 3rd baseman Garrett Atkins (.287 13 89). Shortstop Clint Barmes (.289 10 ... 11). 2006 Detroit Tigers Preview 2005 Overview: About the only good news for Detroit Tigers fans in 2005 occurred at the end of the season. In October it was announced that Jim Leyland was coming out of retirement and had accepted the Tigers managerial job. Leyland is looking to help change the team’s fortunes for 2006 and beyond but he will have his work cut out for ... 12). 2006 Florida Marlins Preview 2005 Overview: Most Florida Marlins fans never expected another repeat of the 1997 season when management completely gutted the World Champion Marlins but that is exactly what happened during the 2005 off season. Despite finishing tied with the Mets for 3rd place with an 83-79 record, Florida decided it needed to dramatically reduce pa... 13). 2006 Houston Astros Preview 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 White Sox. Despite miss... 14). 2006 Kansas City Royals Preview 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 year while losing an embarrassing 106.... 15). 2006 Los Angeles Dodgers Preview 2005 Overview: Led by newly signed 2nd baseman Jeff Kent (.289 29 105), the Los Angeles Dodgers posted an unimpressive 71-91 record in 2005. 1st basemen Olmedo Saenz (.263 15 63) and Hee-Seop Choi (.253 15 42) joined outfielder Milton Bradley (.290 13 38) and late season pickup Jose Cruz (.301 6 22) to provide the majority of the team’... 16). 2006 Milwaukee Brewers Preview 2005 Overview: The Milwaukee Brewers put together an impressive 2005 season posting a .500 record (81-81). Led by outfielders Carlos Lee (.265 32 114) and Geoff Jenkins (.292 25 86) the Brewers 2005 offense also received help from 1st baseman Lyle Overbay (.276 19 72) and Brady Clark (.306 13 53). Rickie Weeks (.239 13 42) and Bill Hal... 17). 2006 Minnesota Twins Preview 2005 Overview: The Minnesota Twins were able to provide fans with a respectable year by fielding essentially the same team it did to end the 2004 season. Minnesota finished the year 83-79 while compiling the 2nd best home record within the AL Central (2nd to only the World Series Champion White Sox) going 45-36 at the Metrodome. The po... 18). 2006 NASCAR Preview This speedway phenomena and crowd-sports fascination is an annual specialty racing mass-event, presented by NASCAR, Daytona Beach, Florida in the USA. Typically held in the state of North Carolina at the Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C., it has become a part of the fabric of not only the local area, but also a National passion and worldwide spo... 19). 2006 New York Mets Preview 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, posting a 10-3 record prior to the all sta... 20). 2006 New York Yankees Preview 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 struggled to become the power pitcher th... 21). 2006 Oakland Athletics Preview 2005 Overview: The Oakland Athletics finished the 2004 season with an impressive 91-71 record ending the year only 1 full game behind the division leading Angels. Unfortunately, the 2005 season didn’t end up quite as well for Oakland as they finished up the year with a final 88-74 record, 7 games behind the AL West Champion Los Angeles... 22). 2006 Philadelphia Phillies Preview 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 catcher Mike Lieberthal (.263 12 47) also contribute... 23). 2006 Pittsburgh Pirates Preview 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. Only 1st basemen Daryle Ward (.280 ... 24). 2006 San Diego Padres Preview 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 Khalil Greene (.250 15 70) and catcher Ram... 25). 2006 San Francisco Giants Preview 2005 Overview: Without all star Barry Bonds in their lineup the 2005 San Francisco Giants struggled to score runs and find an identity. Newcomer Moises Alou (.321 19 63) didn’t quite match his 2004 numbers with Chicago when he hit 39 homers and drove in 106 runs but his bat proved a reliable addition. Joining Alou in the 2005 lineup we... 26). 2006 Seattle Mariners Preview 2005 Overview: The Seattle Mariners provided little for fans to become exited about in 2005. Seattle ended the 2005 season posting the 3rd worse record in the American League finishing up 69-93 which was only a 6 game improvement from the previous year. The Mariners also managed to only score a total of 699 runs all season which ranked... 27). 2006 St. Louis Cardinals Preview 2005 Overview: The 2005 Cardinals were led by one of the greatest offensive player's in baseball, Albert Pujols (.330 41 117). Joined by outfielders Jim Edmonds (.263 29 89), Reggie Sanders (.271 21 54) and Larry Walker (.289 15 82), Pujols and company assembled a regular season winning record of 100-62. During the playoffs, the St. Lo... 28). 2006 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Preview 2005 Overview: There were very few bright spots for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2005 including the final disappointing weekend when Tampa Bay fans were treated to 4 straight home losses compliments of the visiting Baltimore Orioles. 2005 also saw the final departure of Manager Lou Pinella who was granted a final buyout on his contract.... 29). 2006 Texas Rangers Preview 2005 Overview: Buck Showalter’s 2005 Rangers ended up the season with a disappointing 79-83 record despite having one of the better lineups in baseball. What made the 2005 season particularly disappointing was the fact the 2004 team ended the season with 89 wins and one of the most impressive home records in baseball. In 2004, the Rang... 30). 2006 Toronto Blue Jays Preview 2005 Overview: No one expected much from the Toronto Blue Jays in 2005. But surprisingly, prior to the all star break Toronto pitching managed to remain in the American League top 10 while their battling ranked 5th overall in the AL with a collective .268 team average. Unfortunately for Toronto it was all downhill from there as they sl... 31). 2006 US Open Tennis Preview The Grand Slam tennis tournaments - the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open - are the leading major championships in this choice sport and competition of champions and spectators alike. Remaining one of the prestige tennis professional tournaments, and a fan-favorite, the US Tennis Open Series, Tournament and Championship, succe... 32). 2006 Washington Nationals Preview 2005 Overview: Contenders for much of 2005 before finishing .500, Frank Robinson’s Washington Nationals (formerly the Montreal Expos) were the talk of the National League East prior to the all star break. The D.C. community embraced the “Nats” as the team was happy to find a permanent home stadium after splitting much of their games in...