Baseball is always known for its dramatic endings. Wouldn't it be appropriate to see Jackson end his career by hitting a home run in his final game? It happened to Ted Williams; it might happen to Mr. October.

As a result of the loss of these veterans, baseball is experiencing a changing of the guard. Younger players have begun to take the place of the veterans. Wally Joyner, Jose Canseco, Tony Fernandez and Roger Clemens are part of a younger crop of talented players who will lead baseball into the next decade.

Baseball has also seen the emergence of players who were once considered "flashes in the pan." They are now the superstars of the late 80's. Who would ever think two years ago that Toronto's Jesse Barfield would lead the majors last year in homeruns with 40? Who would have said that Dodger second baseman Steve Sax would hit .332 in 1986? Or that Kirby Puckett would bang out 31 round-trippers?

The trend in baseball is now towards youth, unlike previous years when cutting veterans was generally prohibited. Just look at the examples of California's Bob Boone and New York's Ron Guidry. They still remain unsigned.

That's why this season has the potential for excitement. Will all these trends continue? Will Boggs and Mattingly improve on their numbers? How memorable will be the final games of the retiring veterans?

Above all, will the new young superstars continue their 1986 success or will they flop? These are questions the next six months will answer.

Who knows, maybe the Brewers will stay in first place. Anything is possible in baseball.