Braves' Andruw Jones, One of the Young Players To Watch This Season.

WITH THE INCEPTION OF ANOTHER BASEBALL SEASON, ITS TIME to express a few thoughts about what to expect as the division races in both leagues begin to take shape.

In these quarters, this has been somewhat of a traditional exercise destined to draw some letters to the editor in fall, questioning the author's mental powers.

Issuing predictions of what will happen in baseball represents a rather hazardous undertaking for the simple reason the only certainty about the game is its uncertainty.

"Anything can happen," as that eminent philosopher Yogi Berra once said.

Be that as it may, there are half a dozen veterans and quite a few young players to keep an eye on this year as the marathon quest for glory gets into full swing. How well they perform will have a lot to do in determining whether their teams stay in the chase or fall along the roadside on the long run to the final championship tournaments in October.

The veterans include first baseman Mark McGwire of the Cardinals, catcher Ivan Rodriguez of the Rangers, pitchers Mike Mussina of the Yankees, John, Smoltz of the Braves, Curt Schilling of the Diamondbacks and Mike Hampton of the Rockies.

Some young players merit extra attention to see if they are progressing towards their full potential.