THE GREAT PROGNOSTICATOR

A few predictions made by Peter Gammons for the 2008 season back in March,2008.
He's considered to be the Dean of sports commentators and an excellent talent evaluator.
It wasn't his best year:

PETER:
"So it's easy to sit here now and say the Braves, Cubs, Red Sox, Tigers and Angels will win their divisions, but the Indians will win the World Series because of their great pitching.
OK, I'm guessing that the wild-card Indians will beat the Braves in the World Series. Now, here are some other prognostications, with considerable help from friends in front offices, dugouts and the scouts' seats."

Ah, I think you better find some new friends, Peter.

AMERICAN LEAGUE MVP
"1. Manny Ramirez, Red Sox. Just watch him run. The winter at Athletes' Performance Center in Tempe, Ariz., changed him physically and mentally, and it doesn't hurt to have David Ortiz in his tandem"

He ran, all right...right to another league. The Athletes Performance Center did a hell of a job with his mental attitude, didn't it?

AMERICAN LEAGUE CY YOUNG
"1. Justin Verlander, Tigers. He may be in the running every year, but in 2008 13.7 runs of support per start may win 25 games."

On the other hand, normal run support resulted in 17 losses. With 14 runs of support per start, I might win 11 games, which is how many Justin got this year.

"2. Josh Beckett, Red Sox. One man for one game."

Uh, which game would that be, Peter?

ONE DOZEN BREAKOUT SEASONS
"1. John Maine, Mets. 20 wins?"

Close. 10 more wins next year and you're right on the button.

"5. Phil Hughes, Yankees. It's all there."

Unfortunately, "...there" meant Scranton-Wilkes Barre.

ONE DOZEN COMEBACKS TO WATCH

"7. Nick Johnson, Nationals. After two rough years, he is in the best shape of his career, and he can really hit."

And he did...for all 38 games. This guy is president of the DL.

I don't really want to make too much fun of Peter. He did get a lot of things right (Cliff Lee, Joe Mauer, etc.). It should just make us realize that we shouldn't rely too heavily on the opinion of "experts".