Baseball world weighs in with Super Bowl picks
With Super Bowl Sunday near, the baseball world offered predictions for the big game between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.
In a survey of 27 players, coaches and broadcasters from 25 Major League clubs, the majority favored the Broncos, by a margin of 17 to 10. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning was an overwhelming reason why many chose the Broncos, while those rolling with Seattle mainly cited the Seahawks' vaunted defense.
Here's a complete list of picks:
Arizona Diamondbacks: RP J.J. Putz
"12th man baby! [Seattle]."
Atlanta Braves: 3B Chris Johnson
"Peyton Manning. Period."
Baltimore Orioles: OF Adam Jones
"Broncos or Seahawks? I need to see Peyton Manning win his second one. He's my favorite player and I think to solidify his career, he's the greatest regular-season QB ever, but to solidify him as a top-five QB ever, I think he needs that second ring."
Boston Red Sox: Third-base coach Brian Butterfield
"Seattle by two touchdowns. Reason? Defense."
Chicago Cubs: Broadcaster Jim Deshaies
"I don't have a rooting interest but it would be fun to see Peyton Manning cap off his remarkable year with a Super Bowl win. Can I say Super Bowl or do I need to call it the "Big Game?" Anyway, the weather looks like it's going to be OK, so I'll say Manning will be able to do enough to eke out a 27-24 win for the Broncos."
Chicago White Sox: General manager Rick Hahn
"My kids (11 and 8) told me at the start of the playoffs that Seattle would win it all. It makes my Super Bowl viewing much more peaceful if I just stand with them."
Cincinnati Reds: CF Billy Hamilton
"I'm going with the Broncos. I'm a big Peyton Manning fan. I feel like he's the man. I want him to win another Super Bowl."
Cleveland Indians: RP Vinnie Pestano
"Going with Seattle, although I'm a big Peyton Manning fan. I saw them in Seattle destroy the Saints on Monday Night Football and can't get that game out of my head when thinking about the matchup. Plus, I'm a Raiders fan and would rather not watch someone in our division win it."
Colorado Rockies: OF Michael Cuddyer
"What Peyton Manning has done in the last two years is nothing short of remarkable, and I believe the Broncos will win."
Colorado Rockies: Manager Walt Weiss
"The Broncos will win. Initially, I was going to say they were going to win big, but I didn't factor in the weather, so it'll be a little tougher. I'm saying Broncos by 10."
Colorado Rockies: SP Tyler Chatwood
"I definitely want to pull for the hometown team, but I believe the Broncos are going to win. It's pretty cool to have been in Denver all year and been able to root for them."
Detroit Tigers: IF/OF Don Kelly
"Broncos, 31-23. Sherman can't cover all of them!"
Houston Astros: Manager Bo Porter
"I would think the Broncos would win. I don't think Seattle is going to score enough to keep up with them. When you look at both teams' strengths, Denver's strength is offense and Seattle's is defense. But when you look at Seattle's strength being defense, it starts with the front seven. Because of Denver's personnel, [the Seahawks] will not be able to play the front seven they have been playing, because one of those linemen or one of those linebackers is going to have to leave the field and they're going to play with five DBs. That changes the dynamic of their strength, and Denver gets to play with the strength they've played with all year."
Kansas City Royals: SP James Shields
"I grew up in L.A., so I was a big Los Angeles Rams fan, and Seattle was in the same division. I am a Rams fan, so I'm definitely not going to root for Seattle. I've already ordered my Denver Broncos jerseys. Every Super Bowl, my family picks a team and we order jerseys for whoever we're going to root for. So I've already got the Peyton Manning and Wes Welker jerseys at the house."
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: C Hank Conger
"Seahawks, because I want to hear another Richard Sherman interview."
Los Angeles Dodgers: Ownership partner Magic Johnson
"Seattle Seahawks. They have an outstanding defense."
Miami Marlins: President David Samson
"Normally, you'd say a good defense beats a good offense. No one beats Archie Manning's son."
Milwaukee Brewers: OF Logan Schafer
"Broncos. Julius Thomas is going to be the X-factor."
Minnesota Twins: RP Brian Duensing
"Peyton Manning's intelligence should give the Broncos an edge over Seattle's defense."
New York Mets: 3B David Wright
"I'm rooting for Russell Wilson, because of his Virginia and baseball ties. Plus [Mets bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello] is a huge Broncos fan, and I can't take a whole summer of that punishment."
New York Yankees: RP David Robertson
"I'm probably going to pick the Broncos, just because I like Peyton Manning."
Pittsburgh Pirates: Manager Clint Hurdle
"I love Russell Wilson's approach to life and the game -- but I'm a huge Manning fan. When we were in Denver last season, he came in and spent 45 minutes in our clubhouse. He's got to be my man."
San Diego Padres: Broadcaster Ted Leitner
"Seattle, 28-24. Not a big fan of the Denver defense, and I truly think Seattle is the best team in the NFL. And with the Broncos' offensive line, the Seahawks will get pressure on Manning."
San Francisco Giants: 1B Brandon Belt
"[Broncos]. I think it's a safe pick. Russell Wilson is a good quarterback, but he hasn't been there before."
Seattle Mariners: General manager Jack Zduriencik
"The Seahawks, no question. I love what they've done. When they've been knocked down at all, they've just gotten back up and kept going. It's really been an impressive team to watch."
Tampa Bay Rays: SP David Price
"Seattle, because Sherman is going to make something big happen."
Texas Rangers: SP Derek Holland
I'm going to pick the Denver Broncos to win, 34-31, due to Peyton's awesome game-winning drive to finish of his outstanding season with a Super Bowl victory.