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Giant steps Baker's boys another team of 'Dustiny'
The Giants are making their yearly return from the dead thanks to the most team-oriented offense in the national league. It's another case of Dusty Baker getting more out of his team than any manager in baseball. Through the weekend, the Giants were third in the National League in runs scored even though Barry Bonds and Ellis Burks had missed a combined 40 games. Meantime, the Cardinals were the only other NL team to have at least nine different players with 30 or more RBIs.
Hall passThere's another member of the Big Red Machine who belongs in the Hall of Fame. Dave Concepcion was a nine-time all-star, won five gold gloves by playing so consistently at shortstop and did the little things to help his team win two World Series.
Mak daddyRoyals pitching coach Brent Strom has helped turned Mak Suzuki into one of the game's best young pitchers. Suzuki is one of only two starting pitchers in the AL who are 25 or younger and have an ERA under 4. Not bad for a guy with a 6.50 ERA coming into the season.
On the road againOnly four teams in baseball history have won the World Series without having a winning road record during the season. It usually takes veterans to get it done away from home, but the White Sox have been 2000's best road team, despite having five regulars with three or fewer full seasons of experience. That's good news for Frank Thomas and company because having the most wins away from home has meant a World Series title three times since 1995.The teams I played on understood that you have to stay focused on your routine even though you're in a different city. It's a lesson all teams eventually have to learn to succeed in October. Ozzie Smith, a 15-time All-Star, is a baseball analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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