NEW YORK YANKEES - Bernie Williams 34 S/R

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 NYY 158 591 202 28 6 25 116 115 100 95 342 435 536 9 10 2000 NYY 141 537 165 37 6 30 108 121 71 84 307 391 566 13 5 2001 NYY 146 540 166 38 0 26 102 94 78 67 307 395 522 11 5       Mr. Consistency had another super season for the Yankees; after Griffey's off-season, Williams has clearly established himself as the best centre fielder in baseball. He's also a killer in the playoffs. The Yankees have three centre fielders in the Hall Of Fame; it is now becoming apparent that Williams may be the fourth.       MID-SEASON UPDATE: Still the best in the American League.

KANSAS CITY - Carlos Beltran 25 S/R

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 KC 156 663 194 27 7 22 112 108 46 123 293 337 454 27 8 2000 KC 98 372 92 15 4 7 49 44 35 69 247 309 366 13 0 2001 KC 155 617 189 32 12 24 106 101 52 120 306 362 514 31 1       After a puky sophomore season, Beltran came back with a great year, and may have been the best outfielder in the American League. Over the past two seasons, he has stolen 44 bases, and been caught just once. Last year, I was skeptical about whether he would ever be a star, and I'm sure there are lingering questions about whether his head is in the right place. But given last year's performance, I have to think that he will be one of the best players in the league for the next few years.       MID-SEASON UPDATE: The other Carlos Beltran has reared his ugly head this season. He hasn't played badly, but he's not a star.

SEATTLE - Mike Cameron 29 R/R

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 CIN 146 542 139 34 9 21 93 66 80 145 256 357 469 38 12 2000 SEA 155 543 145 28 4 19 96 78 78 133 267 365 438 24 7 2001 SEA 150 540 144 30 5 25 99 110 69 155 267 353 480 34 5       Cameron has done a good job taking over for Griffey in Seattle. He's a solid hitter, has some power and speed, and is a very fine defensive player. He's in his prime now, probably won't get much better than he is now (unless he moves to another team; like many Mariners hitters, he struggles badly at Safeco Field). An important part of a fine ballclub.       MID-SEASON UPDATE: Hit four home runs in a game early in the season, and has struggled horribly ever since; his average has dropped to .217.

BOSTON - Johnny Damon 28 L/L

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 KC 145 583 179 39 9 14 101 77 67 50 307 379 477 36 6 2000 KC 159 655 214 42 10 16 136 88 65 60 327 382 495 46 9 2001 OAK 155 644 165 34 4 9 108 49 61 70 256 324 363 27 12       His first and only season in Oakland was a stinker; Damon now moves to Boston, and you would think that he will be a perfect fit there. The Monster in left, the kookie dimensions in centre, the short pole in right... Damon's hitting style and speed should make good use of all those Fenway peculiarities. Damon's had an odd career, and it's hard to say what he will do next... but he could win the batting title.       MID-SEASON UPDATE: Had a hot start, has cooled a little bit but was still an All-Star. Fenway suits him well.

TORONTO - Jose Cruz 28 S/R

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 TOR 106 349 84 19 3 14 63 45 64 91 241 358 433 14 4 2000 TOR 162 603 146 32 5 31 91 76 71 129 242 323 466 15 5 2001 TOR 146 577 158 38 4 34 92 88 45 138 274 326 530 32 5       Cruz had his best season, and has finally developed into a quality player. He is a fine defensive player with power and speed; in the past he has shown a good batting eye, but last year started swinging at more pitches early in the count. The result: fewer walks, a better batting average. Now, if he could keep his average over .270, and draw 70+ walks at the same time, he would be a formidable player. But that's a little like walking and chewing gum at the same time, not the easiest thing in the world.       By the way, and this comment is directed more at Toronto fans than anyone else, Cruz doesn't strike out nearly as often as everyone seems to think he does. 138 K's in 577 at bats, for a modern-day centre fielder? That's nothing compared to some other guys.       MID-SEASON UPDATE: Vernon Wells has taken over centre field duties in Toronto, and has been pretty boring. Cruz has moved to left, and then right, and has been pretty boring.

ANAHEIM - Darin Erstad 28 L/L

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 ANA 142 585 148 22 5 13 84 53 47 101 253 308 374 13 7 2000 ANA 157 676 240 39 6 25 121 100 64 82 355 409 541 28 8 2001 ANA 157 631 163 35 1 9 89 63 62 113 258 331 360 24 10       Erstad will apparently play centre field this year for Anaheim, though he can also play first base, and the Angels have more outfielders than they do first basemen.       Angels fans and like-minded individuals (myself included) have been predicting stardom for Erstad for several years now. He hit paydirt in 2000, banging out 240 hits, but that season has been sandwiched in between a pair of stinkers. The Angels are hoping for a comeback in 2002, while skeptics think that 2000 was an overachievement.       What do I think? My guess is that Erstad is the new Mickey Vernon. In fact, if he moves to first base (which he may before the season ends), he may as well change his name to Mickey Vernon. Here is Erstad's 2000 season, Erstad 2000 ANA 157 676 240 39 6 25 121 100 64 82 355 412 541 28 8 and here are a couple of Mickey Vernon seasons: Vernon 1946 WAS 148 587 207 51 8 8 88 85 49 64 353 403 508 14 10 1953 WAS 152 608 205 43 11 15 101 115 63 57 337 403 518 4 6       Erstad had more homers, stolen bases and strikeouts, more of a function of the era in which he plays than his own skills. Otherwise, it's a decent match. These were Vernon's best seasons; he bounced up and down from year to year, sometimes playing well, sometimes playing like Erstad did last year. I suspect that Erstad will amble along in similar fashion.

OAKLAND - Terrence Long 26 L/L

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 AAA 118 458 137 26 6 9 57 68 33 70 300 348 441 21 10 2000 OAK 138 584 168 34 4 18 104 80 43 77 288 336 452 5 0 2001 OAK 162 629 178 37 4 12 90 85 52 103 283 335 412 9 3       Long's sophomore season was an almost exact copy of his 2000 performance, except he didn't have quite as many homers. He's clearly not going to be a star, but he should be a solid player for a few years. Not everyone is convinced that he can play centre field on a regular basis. But hey, the Athletics won a World Series with Dave Henderson is centre field; I think Long can handle the job.

TEXAS - Carl Everett 31 S/R

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 HOU 123 464 151 33 3 25 86 108 50 94 325 398 571 27 7 2000 BOS 137 496 149 32 4 34 82 108 52 113 300 373 587 11 4 2001 BOS 102 409 105 24 4 14 61 58 27 104 257 323 438 9 2       Everett is a potent switch-hitter who is capable of carrying a team with his bat. He's also got a few screws loose, and last year was a disaster on and off the field, getting his manager fired while helping to sink his team.       So the Rangers are going to take a chance on him. If he's happy and focused then he is a terrific player. But the Rangers have lots of outfielders; if I were John Hart, and Everett started to mouth off during the season, I would dump him as fast as possible.       ADDENDUM: Everett has shown up for camp 20 pounds overweight. Can you write the next chapter of this story?       MID-SEASON UPDATE: Everett is batting .193.

MINNESOTA - Torii Hunter 27 R/R

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 MIN 135 384 98 17 2 9 52 35 26 72 255 309 380 10 6 2000 MIN 99 336 94 14 7 5 44 44 18 68 280 318 408 4 3 2001 MIN 148 564 147 32 5 27 82 92 29 125 261 306 479 9 6       Hunter had a dream season, leading the Twins in homers while winning a Gold Glove in centre field. Don't get too excited, though - he's not a star, and isn't going to be one. More of the same next year, but I wouldn't count on his career lasting very long. Check out his strikeouts and walks; his poor plate discipline is going to be his undoing.       MID-SEASON UPDATE: Hunter has been terrific at the plate and spectacular in the field. He's the Twins' MVP, and just made a great catch in the All-Star Game.

BALTIMORE - Chris Singleton 30 L/L

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 CHW 133 496 149 31 6 17 72 72 22 45 300 328 490 20 5 2000 CHW 147 511 130 22 5 11 83 62 35 85 254 301 382 22 7 2001 CHW 140 392 117 21 5 7 57 45 20 61 298 331 431 12 11       Singleton almost played as well last year as he did in his rookie season, and that's probably as good as it gets. He is a strong defensive player who can hit .300; he doesn't get on base or hit with power, and he also didn't steal many bases last season. He will be a starter in Baltimore, but he is also turning 30; he'll stick around a few more years, mostly as a bench player.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX - Kenny Lofton 35 L/L

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 CLE 120 465 140 28 6 7 110 39 79 84 301 405 432 25 6 2000 CLE 137 543 151 23 5 15 107 73 79 72 278 369 422 30 7 2001 CLE 133 517 135 21 4 14 91 66 47 69 261 322 398 16 8       The White Sox traded away Chris Singleton and replaced him in centre field with Lofton, formerly of the Indians. Singleton is five years younger, and was probably a better player than Lofton last year, so I wasn't sure what the Sox were hoping to gain.       I got the answer today in a Peter Gammons column, in which Sox GM Kenny Williams claims that Lofton is trying yoga in an attempt to get back what he has lost. Hey man, whatever works, right? The Sox need a leadoff man to set the table for all of their sluggers, and Lofton used to be a good one; maybe he can do better, but those legs are running out of steam.       MID-SEASON UPDATE: Lofton had a super-hot start to the season, but his average has dropped to .253. Time to come to grips with reality: the end is near.

TAMPA BAY - Jason Tyner 25 L/L

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 AA 129 518 162 19 5 0 91 33 62 46 313 387 369 49 15 2000 AAA 84 327 105 5 2 0 54 28 30 32 321 380 349 33 14 2000 NYM-TAM 50 124 28 4 0 0 9 13 5 16 226 261 258 7 2 2001 TAM 105 396 111 8 5 0 51 21 15 42 280 311 326 31 6       Tyner's a speed demon who has been given a chance to play by a bad team. He's fast, but he has no power, and last year didn't draw any walks. He will have to dramatically improve his on-base percentage if he is going to be a useful player. He has yet to hit a home run since he entered pro ball in 1998.       MID-SEASON UPDATE: Randy Winn has been playing centre field in Tampa Bay, and has played well. Tyner has been in left, and still hasn't hit a home run.

DETROIT - Jose Macias 28 S/R

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 AAA 112 438 107 18 8 2 44 36 36 60 244 306 336 10 5 2000 AAA 33 130 30 5 0 0 19 8 17 17 231 322 269 2 3 2000 DET 73 173 44 3 5 2 25 24 18 24 254 328 364 2 0 2001 DET 137 488 131 24 6 8 62 51 32 54 268 316 391 21 6       Macias got some playing time, and overachieved at the plate, batting .268 with 8 homers. Not exactly stunning numbers, but good enough for the Tigers. Apparently, Macias will be moved to the outfield, where the Tigers need some help. He's not a good long-term solution, or even a short-term solution for that matter.

CLEVELAND - Milton Bradley 24 S/R or Brady Anderson 38 L/L

YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS ANDERSON 1999 BAL 150 564 159 28 5 24 109 81 96 105 282 404 477 36 7 2000 BAL 141 506 130 26 0 19 89 50 92 103 257 375 421 16 9 2001 BAL 131 430 87 12 3 8 50 45 60 77 202 311 300 12 4 BRADLEY 1999 AAA 87 346 114 22 5 12 62 50 33 61 304 328 364 14 10 2000 AAA 88 342 104 20 1 6 58 29 45 56 272 328 364 10 15 2001 AAA 65 250 66 10 2 7 39 28 42 61 264 367 404 23 3 2000 MON 42 154 34 8 1 2 20 15 14 32 221 328 364 2 1 2001 MON-CLE 77 238 53 17 3 1 22 19 21 65 223 316 391 8 5       Bradley was once a top prospect in the Expos' system, based more on his athletic ability than on his skill as a ballplayer. After three mediocre seasons at Triple-A, and two unimpressive stints in the majors, plus a variety of attitude problems, his stock has dropped considerably. The Indians are going to give him a chance to play in centre, though they are keeping Brady Anderson around in case Bradley can't cut it; I don't expect that he will become much of a player.

CENTRE FIELDERS - BOTH LEAGUES
1 Bernie Williams	11 Preston Wilson	21 Jeffrey Hammonds
2 Ken Griffey Jr	12 Mark Kotsay	22 Tsuyoshi Shinjo
3 Jim Edmonds	13 Terrence Long	23 Doug Glanville
4 Andruw Jones	14 Carl Everett	24 Jason Tyner
5 Carlos Beltran	15 Torii Hunter	25 Jose Macias
6 Mike Cameron	16 Juan Pierre	26 Corey Patterson
7 Richard Hidalgo	17 Roger Cedeno	27 Peter Bergeron
8 Johnny Damon	18 Steve Finley	28 Adrian Brown
9 Jose Cruz Jr	19 Chris Singleton	29 Brady Anderson
10 Darin Erstad	20 Kenny Lofton	30 Marquis Grissom