ESPN The Magazine’s MLB 2008 Season Preview Issue Features C.C. Sabathia Cover

- “The Milkov Report” Investigates Baseball’s AL-NL Competitive Imbalance
- Members of Congress Testify About Their Hometown Teams

March 26, 2008 -- MLB 2008 SEASON PREVIEW:
LARGE AND IN CHARGE. C.C. Sabathia is ready to lead the Cleveland Indians to their first World Series title in 60 years, which should make him the highest paid pitcher in history. THAT IS, unless his mom yanks him off the mound. By Buster Olney

THE MILKOV REPORT. The Mitchell Report missed baseball’s real problem: The National League stinks. And it ain’t close to getting any better, as The Mag’s George Milkov and his crack investigative team reveal.

TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE. Hope springs eternal for every fan. Until our baseball gurus, Buster Olney and Tim Kurkjian, deliver the truth about all 30 clubs — with help from those seamheads in Congress:

“In politics, I don’t think anyone could survive a drought like the Cubs’. The Republicans didn’t control the House for 40 years, but that ended in 1994.” – Dan Lipinski (D-ILL.)

“Oakland GM Billy Beane is an innovative thinker. He’s what we’d call a new democrat, because he doesn’t believe in deficit spending.” – Ellen Tauscher (D-CALIF.)

“THE RANGERS WERE President Bush’s team. He has had some bad years as President, so it should be time for his team to have a good year.” – Joe Barton (R-TEXAS)

“Naming rights are one of the biggest frauds on the fans, because for the most part the public is paying for these stadiums. Progressive Field [formerly Jacobs Field] ought to be called Taxpayers Stadium.” – Dennis Kucinich (D-OHIO)

“I don’t think Johan Santana makes the Mets that much better. I mean, I wish the Phillies had him, but I don’t think he’s a dominant pitcher.” – Robert Andrews (D-N.J.)

“The power blue uniforms are back, and Royals fans are excited. Plus, we’ve got a new manager. Anything can happen – at least when its spring.” – Sam Graves (R-MO.)

POISON IVY. From billy goats to Bartman, it’s been a rough 100 years on Chicago’s North Side. We give you a by-the-numbers look at the Cubs’ astonishing century of ineptitude.

OTHER FEATURES:

THICKER THAN BLOOD. It’s a familiar story: High school football star chooses the game over the gang. But when the most notorious banger in town is the player’s stepdad, the tale gets a little more complicated. Just ask Jack Sula. Chad Nielsen reports.

PICK YOUR POISON. The NBA playoffs are just weeks away, but the Western Conference is still knotted in a tightly tangled mess. Who do the favorites hope to face – and avoid – in the second season? Our guide is dealing dimes. By Ric Bucher.

AUGUSTA EXPOSED. The guys running the Masters have always been picky about who gets under the ropes. Lucky for you, native son Charles Howell III gave us a behind-the-greens tour. As told to Jeff Bradley.

THIS WAY TO THE DRAFT. Pro wannabes John David Booty, Matt Flynn and Andre’ Woodson are done being measured. Now they want NFL suits to know what makes them special on the inside. By Luke Cyphers, Alyssa Roenigk and Carmen Renee Thompson.

Source: ESPN

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