By Mardeio Cannon | OBSERVER SPORTS COLUMNIST

When the first pitch was thrown to launch the 2005 Major League Baseball campaign, everyone was holding their breath wondering what type of season will unfold on the diamond this year. As most of you know, MLB has been under tremendous scrutiny because of the steroid issue.

The steroid issue had been simmering for years as rumors and allegations about certain players have been discussed both publicly and privately. When Jose Canseco’s book came out recently and he named names of several prominent players that he said was on steroids, the issue came to a head at a congressional hearing that solved nothing, but make MLB look worse in the public’s eye.

Now the recent home run records of the game’s top sluggers, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds are all under a cloud of suspicion that will not go away. So, I know that you have many questions about the upcoming MLB season, the San Francisco Giants, the Oakland A’s and your Sacramento River Cats.
When a Major League star hits a real home run this season, will the baseball fan wonder if it was real or juiced.

Depends on who hits the ball out. If it was the home team player, fans will say legitimate. If an opposing player hits a long blast, the fans will scream “juiced.”

Now that Sosa is in the American League playing for the Baltimore Orioles, how many home runs will be hit out of Camden Yards?

Now that he is probably clean, his power numbers will go down to about 40 home runs a year. However, since he wants to prove his critics wrong, his power numbers will put him back up to 52 home runs this year.

Will Bonds have another monster year and try for an unprecedented eighth MVP award this season?

No. Bonds will finally begin to break down physically as evidenced by his recent surgery. Also, he may not have Greg Anderson to supply him with the youth rejuvenator that allegedly kept him strong over the past 10 years.

The National Hockey League is temporarily out of business. You wouldn’t know it by looking at the starting line-up for the Oakland A’s. What must the A’s do to change and improve the diversity of the team?

The A’s play in a city that is predominantly African American. Management should consider that when they make trades and draft players in the future.

Why are the River Cats so excited about this upcoming season?

The team is the host team and city that hosts the 2005 Triple A All-Star Game this year. The first for any local professional team in this area.