Ball Rolling

So here's my first real article. Excuse me for the rookie feel.

Ok just to get the ball rolling here. I'll give you 6 statements (a la sportscenter cold hard facts) and all youse people out there tell me if I'm either some sort of divine prophet or if I'm totally out of my mind.
Let the games begin:
1. George Steinbrenner's guarantee is as dramatic as Broadway Joe's. (Let the hate mail stream)
My Justification: C'mon. The guy guaranteed a World Series before the season even started. You gotta have balls. Plus, now, if the team does anything but win, Georgie's face becomes the icon for Yankee failure. In short, he has put himself out on the chopping block. Meaning that if
A. the team struggles early which we know is bound to happen,
B. We finish behind BOS, less likely, or
C. We ultimately fall short of the WS,
the press is gonna have a field day, rerunning the clip over and over again on sportscenter and having peter gammons say irrelevant things.
Granted, George might not have that much foresight, but he's definitely got balls. And sure, the Jets were 12 point underdogs or whatever. But again, c'mon. He's the boss.
2. The Carlos brothers out in Flushing will flop this season.
My Justification: Well, we've already seen it out of Beltran, who hit a whopping .266, with 16 HR's and 78 ribbies last year in his supposed breakout season. Plus, he's been a Royal, so he's cursed. The Delgado case is tougher because he's been so shockingly effecient (except 04). However, for some reason I can see him going all Mo Vaughn on the Mets. I mean hell, he's almost 35.
3. The Yankees will win 100 games this year.
My Justification: Yes, this constitutes going out on a limb, yes a lot of things of have to go right (pitching), and yes, the AL East is one of the most competetive divisions in baseball. Call it a wacky premonition, but if the Yankees can stay healthy, there is not a team in the AL (besides CHI) that can take 2 of 3 from them on a regular basis. Do you disagree? The other 2 playoff teams last year, Boston and Los Angeles, are in whoops we almost lost Epstein and then lost our center fielder recovery and too old, respectively.
4. Julio Franco is older than time itself.
My Justification: Do I really need any? (Look at this good stuff that Jack turned me on to from a quality Mets Blog called Faith and Fear in Flushing.
5. Sheff is REALLY, REALLY cool.
My Justification: I defy you to google image Gary Sheffield and find a picture that is not just undeniably cool. I DEFY YOU.
6. Poll Time:
Where were you when Luis Gonzalez hit his fluke single up the middle in '01?
A. On my couch in absolute devastation and disbelief
B. Rejoicing that the dynasty had been shattered
C. Still pondering how Tony Womack and Mark Grace got consecutive hits off the most unhittable pitcher in baseball.
D. Too caught up in the catchiest nickname of the 21st century. MR NOVEMBER SON!
E. Asleep because you didn't care.

GET BACK TO ME PEOPLE (YOU TOO JACK)