Rivalries are based largely on competition, geography and antipathy. One of the three can sustain a rivalry. Two of three can make it exciting. Three of three? Well, that's Yankee-Red Sox territory.

While the Cubs and Cardinals are the traditional NL Central rivals, we've paid more attention to the Brewers in recent years - given the geography and the Brewers' back-to-back second-place finishes. Plus, Brewers fans don't seem to like the Cubs much.

But just in case the Brewers disappoint this year, we need to be prepared to antagonize other fan bases to feed the rivalry. It makes the comments more lively.

Given that, here is the first ever Wrigleyville23 list of Least Favorite Players (Or Manager) in the NL Central:

Houston Astros: Roy Oswalt, P. I had never given the Astros much thought over the years - at least until they, their fans and their beat writers decided the Astros should be given a playoff spot in 2008 by acclimation due to a hurricane. On top of that, Oswalt uses the Alex Rodriguez news to declare, "A-Rod's numbers shouldn't count for anything. I feel like he cheated me out of the game." Oddly, he didn't have similar things to say about Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte - and the playoff appearances they helped his team secure over the years. Not to mention Miguel Tejada. Don't like him.

Milwaukee Brewers: Corey Hart, OF. If not for a fluke of genetics, the pinnacle of Hart's existence would be working on a Camaro in the front yard of his house in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Instead, he's a baseball player. And he repays Brewers fans for mistakenly voting him into the All Star Game by saying, "Maybe our fans will stick up for us one of these days." That, of course, was in the middle of the late July Cubs sweep. Plus he stunk it up in the field in the All Star Game. Don't like him.

St. Louis Cardinals: Tony LaRussa, manager. OK, he's not a player. And, yes, he's friends with Coach Knight. But he just bugs me. A lot.

Cincinnati Reds: Homer Bailey, P. Because he occupied a spot on my fantasy roster for two full seasons and hasn't lived up to his previous "best prospect" billing. And now Dusty Baker is going to maim him. I don't dislike him necessarily, but still.

Pittsburgh Pirates: TBD. I'll be honest here: I only know a few players on the Pirates, and they all seem likable enough. I'll leave this one open for a while.

And finally ...

Chicago Cubs: Nobody has reached Howryesque proportions yet this year. Stay tuned.

So there you have it. We're fully prepared for the Astros, Cardinals and Brewers to be competitive. The Reds? Kinda. The Pirates? Well, I don't think we need to worry about that just yet.