Is the AL East really "mediocre"?

[SPTO]

I'm probably too close to see the forest for the trees but I'm sick and tired of this whole "The AL East is mediocre" mantra by the sports media. The division is as usual all bunched up except for Tampa (though they're making a nice little run at the moment) and there's definitely a two team horse race going on between the Jays and O's. The Blue Jays are 8 games above .500 and have a similar record to the Braves in the NL East and the Giants in the NL West. I don't hear people screaming about either of those divisions being mediocre but everyone keeps saying that about the AL East.

It's like everyone thinks the Blue Jays are going to suddenly drop off the radar when we've seen teams come out of nowhere to capture a division or a playoff spot. All those other teams seemed to get SOME support but most things I hear and read about the Blue Jays are of the backhanded compliment variety. Granted, there are some guys who are genuinely supportive of the Jays but their voices are few and far between.

So two questions:

1. Do you all consider the AL East mediocre

and

2. Is the NL East mediocre too?

[DrJones]

I miss the days when you could like a team without worrying about whether the media liked it too. Do people feel better about themselves when the media writes glowing things about their favourite team? Who cares?

[SPTO]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

I miss the days when you could like a team without worrying about whether the media liked it too. Do people feel better about themselves when the media writes glowing things about their favourite team? Who cares?

Well i'm not TOO irritated by it but it bugs me a little that there's so very little respect shown the Jays. It's also interesting fodder for discussion because EVERYONE in the media says the AL East is mediocre but the Braves have a similar record and you could make the case that the NL East as it's currently constituted is more mediocre.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

Well i'm not TOO irritated by it but it bugs me a little that there's so very little respect shown the Jays.

The Jays have a losing record over the last month and have the worst pitching of any team currently in a playoff spot. IIRC you subscribe to the "defence wins championships" credo, so shouldn't you be arguing the Jays aren't worthy of "respect"?

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

It's also interesting fodder for discussion because EVERYONE in the media says the AL East is mediocre but the Braves have a similar record and you could make the case that the NL East as it's currently constituted is more mediocre.

Media tend to write about the AL East more than other divisions because of the Yankees and Red Sox. Do you have links to specific articles that claim the AL East is mediocre AND the NL East is good?

[SPTO]

First, I love that you always put my feet to the fire Doc.

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

The Jays have a losing record over the last month and have the worst pitching of any team currently in a playoff spot. IIRC you subscribe to the "defence wins championships" credo, so shouldn't you be arguing the Jays aren't worthy of "respect"?

The Jays generally have a pretty good fielding % and the starting pitching has had some long stretches of very consistent play so it's not all bad.

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

Media tend to write about the AL East more than other divisions because of the Yankees and Red Sox. Do you have links to specific articles that claim the AL East is mediocre AND the NL East is good?

No, no specific stories but the talking heads sure love saying how the AL East is mediocre while there's no such talk about the NL East being mediocre at all.

[TheMatrix31]

I hear often that the NL East is generally unspectacular.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

First, I love that you always put my feet to the fire Doc.

I'm glad you take it that way. I know you're a level-headed dude who doesn't take offence.

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

The Jays generally have a pretty good fielding % and the starting pitching has had some long stretches of very consistent play so it's not all bad.

My personal thoughts? I don't particularly like the Jays' pitching and some of their key offensive cogs are injury-prone. Things could easily turn south and I think the Jays' playoff chances are a little less than 50-50. Still, they're in contention, so enjoy the ride and hope for the best.

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

No, no specific stories but the talking heads sure love saying how the AL East is mediocre while there's no such talk about the NL East being mediocre at all.

My best advice: ignore the talking heads if at all possible. I quit listening to sports talk radio in the late 90s, and I don't regret it at all. Find a few online writers and analysts that appeal to your sensibilities, and stick with them. The sports media is filled to the gills with blowhards and trolls. I lack the patience to put up with them, so I don't.

[Mabster]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

No, no specific stories but the talking heads sure love saying how the AL East is mediocre while there's no such talk about the NL East being mediocre at all.

From my West coast view, I think this is a symptom of the Yankee/Red Sox effect. If neither of those teams is in first place then the division must be mediocre.