Each baseball season begins with high hopes for each team. As the season unfolds, some teams realize their goals by performing well, exceeding expectations, and, if they have played well enough, making the post-season. Other teams, however, fail miserably and go belly up, wondering what happened. In between these two extremes, other teams simply tread water. With this in mind, and with all due respect to Clint Eastwood and Spaghetti Westerns everywhere, lets take a look at this season’s Good, Bad, and Ugly. First for the Good.

Although it galls me to no end, the Yankees have made a late surge and, by most accounts, are the hottest team in baseball. (Twins’ fans may disagree.) Bolstered by the late-season acquisition of Bobby Abreu and the resurgent pitching of Randy Johnson, New York has been winning consistently and has now risen to not only first place in the American League East, but has the best record in baseball as well.

The Yanks’ success has many fans gearing up for another Subway Series between the Yankees and the Mets. I, for one, hope this does not come to pass. I had rather watch the Brewers play the Royals than a New York - New York match up.

Now for the Bad:

I may surprise a few of you with my pick here. Of all the teams in the Major Leagues, I think the Cardinals are currently sucking wind more than any. Granted, the Red Birds are in first place and are limping their way to a third straight National League Central Division title. Still, the Cards are in hot water.

St. Louis has been just plain awful in the second half of the season. The Cards’ once-vaunted pitching staff is running on fumes and a prayer. Other than ace Chris Carpenter, the Cardinals’ rotation is gasping for air. Mark Mulder is injured and now down for the count, Jason Marquis, once thought to be the savior, is now looking more like a goat. Sidney Ponson, signed to shore up the ailing mound corps, is continuing his downhill slide toward the Minor Leagues.

Add to that the fact that closer Jason Isringhausen in also on the Disabled List, and it is easy to see why Cardinals’ fans are not too optimistic about October. Shortstop David Eckstein and centerfielder Jim Edmonds are also on the shelf. Yes, the Cards will make the playoffs, barely, and, unless a miracle occurs, will bow out before the Big Show.

Finally, let’s take a look at the Ugly:

The Chicago Cubs. Enough said!

Seriously, no team has disappointed its followers worse than the Cubs in 2006. As of today, Monday, the Cubbies are in last place in their division. This was a team that was supposed to contend for the division title and, on some experts’ radar, was finally going to the Series.

Nope. Didn’t happen. Not even close.

The Cubs have had their worst season in many a year and expect major changes next season, starting at manager. Dusty Baker’s job is about as secure as a guy with a pork chop in his pocket tossed into a pack of Dobermans. Look for a new skipper in Wrigley Field in 2007.

One could also make a case for other teams on the Good, Bad, and Ugly list. The Twins, Tigers and Mets have also been good, although the Tigers have been struggling as of late. The Braves might qualify for Bad, but to get Ugly. Only two teams are Ugly. That would be the Cubs and the Royals. How will this all pan out? Stay tuned.