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Wednesday, May 23
Dipping into the mailbag

ESPN.com

On May 1, Power Alley ranked the Oakland A's 26th with the comment "It pains our gut to say this, but we're giving up on the A's."

On this week's rankings I say, "Hey Power Alley ... It does my heart good to say this, the A's are in the race."

Tom Macey
Advance, N.C.


	Mientkiewicz

Let's see. The Twins have a $24 million payroll, Doug Mientwhatever is playing like he should have a $250 million contract, 30 wins by the May 22 and possibly the best pitching/fielding combination in all of baseball. Does anybody out there think Tom Kelly isn't a lock for Manager of the Year?

Tom Erlandson
Plymouth, Minn.

So the Braves are playing 12 of their next 14 games against the Pirates and Expos, huh? Well, the Phillies are playing their next 16 games against those same teams along with the Mets. Seems that while first place may "not be far off" for the Braves, it will continue to be a reality for the Phillies.

Mary Brick
Centreville, Va.

	“	The Orioles take two of three from the "mighty" Twins and move up one spot? Do they have to win the division to crack the top 20? ”
		— Eric Mauldin, Baltimore

The Cubs at No. 20 this week? Come on. They are a better team than that. They went on an eight-game slide, but like all very good teams that have heart, they turned it around and have now won three in a row. I can understand them going from five to 10 last week, but 10 to 20 this week? You all are getting a little too drastic. I would have kept them at 10.

Paul Pierce
Shreveport, La.

One of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard is: "Roy Oswalt will win a Cy Young sometime in the next five years." Sure, he's got good numbers, but he hasn't even made a start yet. And in case you forgot, he pitches in Enron Field! An Astors pitcher (or a Rockies pitcher, for that matter) will win a Cy Young award about the same time I do.

Robert Mann
Summit, N.J.

Gone are the days when Tony Gywnn was and forever will be the heart and soul of the Padres. But the torch has been passed on. The Padres are a bunch of guys who play with heart and that's what forever will keep me a fan of this team. So, if the Padres can keep their pitching intact for the rest of the season they can win the West. This team is for real.

Richard Villescas
Albuquerque, N.M.

I know they are old, I know they are often injured, but the fact is that the Diamondbacks are winning. And you even have them ranked below four teams that are under .500. You have them ranked below two teams (the Padres and the Dodgers) they are above in their own division. I know you guys like to make your predictions and go on your hunches, but winning is winning and that's what the D-Backs are doing.

Justin Anderson
San Diego

	“	The Devil Rays have no talent, a crumbling management, and a warehouse for a stadium. Please, let them have the No. 29 spot for just one week. They desperately need some dignity. ”
		— Harry Brenner, Atlanta

You can put the Dodgers, Rockies and Padres ahead of the D-Backs in the Power Alley. I'll take the standings.

Bob Greene
Phoenix

How about this for a comment on the Pirates: Hey, at least they are better than Tampa Bay.

James Bedard
Santa Barbara, Calif.

Even as an Indians fan, I find myself pulling for the Twins any time they're not playing the Tribe. I can't wait to see the great baseball when the Twins and Indians get together. Whoever comes in second in the AL Central is going to win the wild card.

Brian Mickelson
Green, Ohio

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