Atlanta Braves ace John Smoltz can tell fans are juiced up about something this season.
Barry Bonds' climb on the home run chart? Alex Rodriguez joining the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry? Roger Clemens, Vladimir Guerrero and Greg Maddux playing in different places?
Hardly. From opening day in Tokyo on Tuesday to the final pitch of the World Series in October -- Game 7 would be on Halloween night -- all eyes will be on more than shifting stars, milestone stats and new stadiums.
PHOTO: AP
Major League Baseball 2004 begins under an ominous cloud this year, totally because of steroids.
"The more this becomes a monster, the more it plays into everybody's mind," Smoltz said.
The Atlanta relief ace spoke during spring training about toughening the tests that will start this season -- for the first time, players who fail will be penalized. It's the topic drawing the most attention and speculation is running rampant.
Rather than analyzing the swings of slugging stars Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield and Bonds, people are scrutinizing the size of their biceps. Fairly or unfairly, that's the focus so far.
"I don't think steroids in baseball is one of the most pressing issues in the world as President Bush said," Philadelphia pitcher Randy Wolf said. "We're in a state of terrorism."
Now, this all could change once Randy Johnson slings his fastball, Carlos Delgado goes way deep, Juan Pierre and the World Series champion Florida Marlins fly around the bases, and the Chicago Cubs try to put Steve Bartman behind them.
At least, MLB commissioner Bud Selig hopes so. The sport has had more than its share of problems in recent years, and the stain of the Pete Rose betting scandal isn't likely to go away anytime soon.
Plus, there's plenty worth watching on the field, starting with the opener on Tuesday when the Yankees take on Tampa Bay in Japan. With Hideki Matsui in pinstripes -- though the Devil Rays are officially the home team, the Yankees got permission to wear their famous uniforms -- the two-game series is sure to be a big hit overseas.
Fans willing to wake up early will get their first real glimpse of A-Rod playing for New York. He survived a scare this week when he was hit in the cheek by a deflected throw during an exhibition game.
"I just felt like I got my bells rung pretty good. I'm very fortunate," he said.
Actually, he's just lucky he got traded by last-place Texas, whether it was to the Yankees or Boston. Coming off their ALCS thriller last October, both teams loaded up in the winter, with the Red Sox adding Curt Schilling, Keith Foulke and new manager Terry Francona while New York also acquired Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez and Sheffield.
A lot of teams spent a lot of money in the offseason, determined to improve.
The Baltimore Orioles shelled out big bucks for Miguel Tejada, Javy Lopez and Rafael Palmeiro. The Anaheim Angels did the same for Guerrero, Bartolo Colon, Kelvim Escobar and Jose Guillen.
Ivan Rodriguez made the most intriguing move. The perennial Gold Glove catcher left the champion Marlins and signed with the long-lost Detroit Tigers, who set an AL record with 119 defeats last season.
"Having Pudge on board gives us instant credibility," Tigers manager Alan Trammell said. "He's a marquee player, and when people say `Tigers' they think of Pudge now."
The Houston Astros, having never reached the World Series, greatly improved their chances. They lured Clemens and Andy Pettitte to their hometown team, which happens to host the All-Star game in July.
The Rocket ended his 78-day retirement and joined his good buddy in leaving the Yankees.
"Playing at home, with the opportunity to pitch in front of people live who haven't seen it ... we're hoping to do some great things with the club," Clemens said.
The new Astros aces will get a neat challenge in the NL from the get-go: Their first starts will come against Bonds and the Giants.
Bonds begins the season with 658 home runs, two behind godfather Willie Mays for third on the all-time list. At the rate Bonds has been homering, Babe Ruth (714) is within reach this year. And if that happens, Hank Aaron's record of 755 would be on deck.
"I think I can do anything ... I'm going for it all," said Bonds, who turns 40 this summer.
Maddux, back with the Cubs after helping Atlanta win its 12th straight division title, also is closing in on a big mark. He needs 11 wins to make it to No. 300 -- former Braves teammate Tom Glavine is at 251 after a disappointing year with the New York Mets.
There is excitement at Shea Stadium, though, with the arrival of Japanese shortstop Kaz Matsui. He's among several top rookies, a group that includes Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer, Oakland shortstop Bobby Crosby and San Diego shortstop Khalil Greene.
Greene will show off his talents in the Padres' new stadium, Petco Park. Billy Wagner, traded by Houston to the Phillies during the winter, becomes the closer at the new stadium in Philadelphia, Citizens Bank Park.
At Fenway Park, now with seats on the right-field roof, and Wrigley Field, the quest begins anew to make it to the World Series. Both teams were within five outs and holding three-run leads in the playoffs before stunning collapses.
Boston lost Game 7 of the ALCS to the Yankees when Pedro Martinez couldn't hold a late edge and Aaron Boone homered in the 11th inning. Chicago blew it after Bartman, the fan wearing a Cubs cap, deflected a foul ball down the left-field line in Game 6 of the NLCS.
"I'd like to win and put him in the parade with us," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "Exonerate him for life."
-- Lee Mazzilli (Baltimore) and Ozzie Guillen (White Sox) become first-time managers. Dave Miley got the job in Cincinnati after holding it on an interim basis for the second half last season. In an interesting coincidence, Miley and fellow managers Tony La Russa, Lou Piniella and Carlos Tosca all come from Hillsborough County in Florida.
-- Fred McGriff, sent to Triple-A by Tampa Bay this week, needs nine home runs for No. 500. Ken Griffey Jr., beset by injuries since joining the Reds, is 19 homers shy of the milestone.
-- Paul Molitor, the new hitting coach in Seattle, and Dennis Eckersley will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. Future Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, still eager to play at 45, is searching for a team.
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