Page 2 columnist
The new MLB season is under way and -- guess what? -- the offseason's 'roid raging is a distant memory. Fans are much more concerned with standings than steroids, with fantasy teams than fantastical accusations.
If last season opened up with "Moneyball" as all the rage, this one is another kind of "Moneyball" -- the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels and Astros breaking the bank to field winners.
While you are getting up to speed on everything baseball, check out the complete scoop on what's trendy and what's passe in baseball this season:
| WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT: 2004 BASEBALL SEASON PREVIEW | ||
| Category | Hot | Not Hot |
| Bandwagon team | Cubs | Phillies |
| Seats | Petco Park (S.D.) outfield | Green Monster barstools |
| Stadium giveaway | Home drug-test kits | Bobble-heads |
| Fantasy sleeper |  Derrek Lee |
 Gary Sheffield |
| Breakout HR hitter | Jay Gibbons (BAL) | Josh Phelps (TOR) |
| Breakout pitcher |  Johan Santana (MIN) |
 Rich Harden (OAK) |
| Everyone wants a... | Juan Pierre | Don Zimmer |
| First-name superstar |  Kerry |
 Manny |
| Asian sensation | Kaz Matsui (NYM) | Shingo Takatsu (CWS) |
| 1-2 combo | Wood-Prior (CHC) | Johnson-Webb (ARI) |
| GM | Paul DePodesta (LAD) | Theo Epstein (BOS) |
| Endorsement contract | Video games | Nutritional supplements |
| Ballpark food |  Retro (good ol' hot dogs) |
 Asian-themed food |
| Place to catch homers | Citizens Bank Park (PHI) | Great American Ball Park (CIN) |
| Hobby for ex-players | Bonds critic | Broadcast booth |
| Achilles heel | Achilles heel | Bad back |
| Brothers | The Molinas | The Giambis |
| Players' road-trip must | Puerto Rico | Tokyo |
| Movie subject |  Red Sox '03 season |
 Miracles that actually happen |
| He's due for hardware |  Mark Mulder (OAK) |
 Jim Thome (PHI) |
| We're already sick of... | A-Rod, A-Rod, A-Rod | Hype for rookie Joe Mauer |
| Rivalry | Yankees-Red Sox | Big payroll/small payroll |
| Music played before at-bats | Li'l John | Heavy metal |
| Historical homage | Bonds passes Ruth in HR | Maddux reaches 300 Ws |
| Fashion trend | High socks | Flat hat brims |
| Jersey | A-Rod Yankees No. 13 | A-Rod Red Sox No. 3 |
| Relocated player |  Vlad Guerrero (ANA) |
 Pettitte/Clemens (HOU) |
| Cubs savior | LaTroy Hawkins | Mark Prior |
| Managerial mind | Tony Pena (KC) | Tony La Russa (STL) |
| Who gets the credit? | It's the lead-off hitter | It's the GM |
| Who gets the blame? | Starting pitchers | Owners |
Everyone out there thinks they know the hot sleeper or favorite that can't miss. Well, Page 2 already has heard it all, and here's what we think of the conventional wisdom for picking this year's big winners:
| PAGE 2 BRACKET PICKS | ||
| Category | We like | We don't like |
| NL East | Marlins | Phillies |
| NL Central | Cubs | Astros |
| NL West | Dodgers | Giants |
| AL East | Red Sox | Yankees |
| AL Central | Royals | Twins |
| AL West | Angels | A's |
| NL Wild Card | Astros | Braves |
| AL Wild Card | Yankees | Mariners |
| NL MVP | Richie Sexson | Albert Pujols |
| AL MVP | Manny Ramirez | A-Rod |
| NL Cy | Kerry Wood | Mark Prior |
| AL Cy | Pedro Martinez | Roy Halladay |
| NL Rookie | Jason Bay (PIT) | Japanese "rookies" |
| AL Rookie | Bobby Crosby (OAK) | Joe Mauer (MIN) |
| World Series champ | Cubs over Red Sox | Yankees over anyone |
