Comparing MLB to Classic Rock Songs

My playlist is still stuck on decades past, so let's look at each team's 2011, and what song it looks like one month into the season.

So please, enjoy.

NL East - Hall and Oates

Florida Marlins (15-7) - You Make My Dreams Come True - The Marlins have that upbeat young feel that makes that song so catchy. Young outfielders Chris Coghlan, Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton are driving an offense providing plenty of support for Josh Johnson and company. They're in this thing.

Philadelphia Phillies (15-8) - Kiss On My List - The Phillies remain on the list of hot little tamales. Even with Utley out and Howard struggling, Polanco, Victorino and Francisco have provided enough offense to allow the big 4 starters to earn wins. It might get scary if the lineup returns to some glory.

Atlanta Braves (12-13) - She's Gone - She meaning Bobby Cox and the glory days. We are never to replace the old dynamic teams of the mid 90s, but there's still hope. Regardless, I wouldn't keep my hopes up too high on this one.

Washinton Nationals (10-12) - Maneater - They overpaid Jayson Werth. They knew they overpaid Jayson Werth. They ate him. They gobbled him up. He's trying to do what he did with thunder around him in 2010, and it isn't happening. Through 23 games he's only got four home runs and is batting .220, not what Washington hoped they were getting.

New York Mets (10-13) - Rich Girl - They're very rich, but they've gone too far. I saw somewhere that they are paying Jason Bay (who just came off the DL), Johann Santana (on DL), Bobby Bonilla (retired), and Oliver Perez (DFA) more than the entire Indians, Marlins, Pirates, Royals, and Padres organizations. A lotta money for very little return.

NL Central - Rush


Milwaukee Brewers (12-11) - Tom Sawyer - The Brewers are the team rising from the depths as the modern day warrior. They've played .500 ball with their best pitcher (Greinke) and a very good hitter (Corey Hart) on the DL. With those two set to play, the Brewers are going to battle all comers for the NL Central crown.

St. Louis Cardinals (12-11) - The Trees - The Cardinals are the oaks of the song. They've grown too tall and lofty in their domination of the NL Central. The Reds took the central last year, and they just might again as the noble oaks look ready to fall.

Cincinnati Reds (12-12) - Limelight - They're ready to grab the limelight. Ready to step out of the shadows and grab the fame they had in the late 80s and early 90s. They've hit the most home runs (28) in the National League. The NL Central looks tough, but they might have the team to grab it.

Chicago Cubs (10-13) - Closer to the Heart - They're closer to my heart anyway. I don't know what it really is, but I have a hard time rooting against the Cubbies. I think this might not be their year. Though they are second in the majors with batting average, they're 29th in ERA. Pitching wins championships, they're going to have to find it soon.

Pittsburgh Pirates (10-13) - The Spirit of Radio - The Pirates are definitely a spirited young bunch. Guys like Jones, Tabata, and Walker have made them fun to watch. But it is just a spirit, there's not enough here to coalesce into a tangible being. But, we can all recall that radio call of Mazeroski's shot, now can't we?

Houston Astros (9-14) - Red Barchetta - The Astros remember their uncle's farm and fast car all too well. They miss the killer B's of yesteryear. But only memories are there, as the Astro team has not yet matured into a competitor quite yet.

NL West - Journey

Colorado Rockies (16-7) - Any Way You Want It - That's right, they're doing everything right. Pitching, hitting, defense, running, the Rockies got it. Oh, and Carlos Gonzalez is struggling. Once he gets it going, the Rockies might be unstoppable.

San Francisco Giants (11-11) - Who's Cryin' Now - Alright, this might be a little mean, but it's something Frankie touched on in an earlier post. For the last 6 months since the series, the Giants could do no wrong, it was all about how great they were, and playing MLB 2K11, the inflated abilities don't lie either (Brandon Belt is apparently better than every hitter in the Athletics' lineup). But now the Giants aren't looking like the chosen team early on this season, and fans are a little upset and confused. But, they'll right the ship... if only they can catch the Rockies.

Los Angeles Dodgers (12-13) - Faithfully - I chose this one as the token antonym. The McCourt divorce has been anything but faithful, and reflects those Dodger fans that show up for about 2 innings. However, through it all, Matt Kemp and Andrew Ethier have been two of the best hitters in the majors this month, and the faith in Mattingly and the team has kept the Dodgers in second place.

Arizona Diamondbacks (10-12) - Separate Ways - Though they're not in last, here's where the seas part in the NL West. The Diamondbacks have some pieces, and might be a contender as early as next year, but it won't be this year in this division. But, we know that love will find them, even as they go their Separate Ways.

San Diego Padres (9-15) - Don't Stop Believin' - ...in scoring a run! Which, as I write this, they were able to do. The Padres so far have been the ugliest offense in the majors, with no one in the lineup that you can shake a stick at to ask for an RBI. But never fear Padres fans, even the A's score a run from time to time.

AL East - Bruce Springsteen

New York Yankees (12-8) - Glory Days - I hate to admit it, but it looks like the Yankees are still in perfect form. The pitching is good, and early on, they have a nice comfortable lead in the AL East. But these are the glory days, and they could pass quickly once the Red Sox earn even more momentum.

Tampa Bay Rays (11-11) - Born to Run - Though the Royals lead the AL in steals, the Rays are second, and a tip of the hat is owed to new young star Sam Fuld. Fuld, acquired in the Garza trade, has a major league leading 10 steals to go with his .346 average and 6 doubles. His legend continues to grow, and he, along with a solid Rays pitching staff, is keeping the Rays in contention.

Toronto Blue Jays (11-12) - Radio Nowhere - The Blue Jays, the last vestige of the MLB foray into Canada, aren't doing anything wrong, and they're not doing anything great. Yet, no one in Toronto seems to care. They've got a solid young lineup and pitching staff, and they would be considered a front runner if they played in almost any other division. But seriously, how many of you can more or less point out Toronto on a map?

Boston Red Sox (10-12) - I'm On Fire - The Red Sox were burning to start the season, and they couldn't win a game to save the farm. But, after sweeping the Angels last weekend, they appear to be on a different kind of fire. Kevin Youkilis is charging the team hitting, and Dice-K is enjoying a resurgence as the Red Sox return from their rough start.

Baltimore Orioles (9-12) - Dancin' in the Dark - The Orioles did a lot of dancing to begin their season. Britton and Arietta looked like they were ready to make it. But then they realized that they were the Orioles, and bumped their heads on a low hanging lamp. That will teach them to dance in the dark. For now, the Orioles have things to be happy about, and they might be heading in their best direction since 1996, but they haven't quite found that light switch yet.

AL Central - David Bowie

Cleveland Indians (14-8) - Let's Dance - The Indians have recaptured some magic that they haven't seen in awhile, and that no one saw coming. To illustrate, Justin Masterson is 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA. They should be dancing in Cleveland, and ride this hot streak as long as they can.

Detroit Tigers (12-11) - Golden Years - The Tigers are still good. Behind Verlander, Scherzer, Cabrera, Ordonez, Boesch, Raburn, and others, they have a team that will be a contender for the next few years. Tigers fans should be excited, as though Detroit may be in trouble, these Tigers are prepped for a golden era.

Kansas City Royals (12-11) - Young Americans - They're very young. Only three players on the active roster have hit 30. But they're winning... mostly with the bats. Alex Gordon is looking like the hitter the Royals once thought he was, and the rest of the crew looks to be developing nicely too.

Minnesota Twins (9-12) - Changes - They're not top dog anymore. They've got to turn and face these strange changes, and take a long look at their team. Mauer and Morneau, the centerpieces of the lineup, have been consistently hurt, and it was really rough to see Nishioka break his leg. It's going to be rough for the Twins to continue to contend in the Central unless they get healthy fast.

Chicago White Sox (10-14) - Space Oddity - This team was supposed to be the chosen one. Supposed to be the most complete team in the central. Yet, they've stumbled royally out of the gate. Alex Rios has been absolutely atrocious. The White Sox seem like they think the spaceship will know which way to go, but unless they steer it back to earth soon, they'll be left floating like Major Tom.

AL West - Beach Boys

Texas Rangers (14-9) - Fun, Fun, Fun - That's all they're having down in Texas, and a lot of it. Even with Lewis struggling, the rest of the the rotation has been better than advertised; especially Alexi Ogando. They don't look to have any issues, and the West looks to be theirs at this early stage. However, they did get their T-Bird taken away for a little while since Hamilton has been injured, but when he's healthy, they'll get right on rollin'.

Los Angeles Angels (14-10) - Good Vibrations - Nice things are happening down in SoCal. Conger, Callaspo, Kenderick, Borjous, Aybar - all solid starters, all Los Angeles draft picks. Add to that some slick pitching, and it's a good feeling in Orange County. Jeff Weaver is 6-0 with a 0.99 ERA. He is near unhittable. If the lineup can keep scoring, then the Angels will be something to think about later this season.

Oakland Athletics (11-13) - Wouldn't It Be Nice - ... if they had a shred of offensive ability? Before tonight's ugly loss to the Angels, the A's led the majors with a 2.54 ERA. Yet the defense has let them down, and the hits have just not come. The A's are still in the hunt, but if the bats don't warm up, it's going to be a long summer.

Seattle Mariners (9-15) - God Only Knows - ... what's going on with the direction of the Mariners. Well, it's not really that bad. There is some fantastic young pitching up in the Emerald city, and there are a few young hitters ready to make some waves, but the Mariners are still a few pieces away from a solid team.