From: Jim Subject: Season Fox/ICC: Thanks for running a most enjoyable fantasy league, and for letting me sneak in late. Though last overall, the Bombers were respectable in AVG, and finished above the basement in several other categories (also Gabes, Girardi won 3 / 4 in the catcher duel). If the manager had made some wiser waiver replacements, they may have even been a threat to some of the weaker teams. Its probably no consolation to you, though, that the Bombers presence saved you the embarrassment of finishing in the basement. It was fun, I'd like to sign up for next year, and I hope you contiinue to serve as the mighty, truthful, all-wise ICC that you are. Take your time calculating up the damage- I've got to cash some bonds. This weekend saw a monumental event in the big leagues. I'm not talking about Clemen's triple-crown or McGwire's 58th . Those of us within shouting range of Atlanta know that the big news was Rafael Belliard's first HR in a decade, doubling his lifetime stats. Looking forward to the post-season. mags ********************************************************************** From: Tom Subject: Re: end of season Well, my grandpappy always told me that you have to learn to be a good loser in life because life's winding road is filled with many losses. Remembering that, congrats to Al and Hans for finishing one-two. I hate both of you bleepers!! This thing was a lot of fun until the final two weeks. As my friend Lee Elia was fond of saying, "The name of the game is hit the ball, catch the ball and get the bleepin' job done." My sad ass mofos couldn't get the bleepin' job done when it counted and they've all been warned that next year there will be no more Mr. Nice Guy. I'm gonna kick ass and take names from the get go. Looking back on things, it could have been interesting if Eric Davis and Brian Jordan were healthy all year for me. If so, my power numbers would have been much better. A healthy Davis and Jordan would have also allowed me to use my waiver moves to dump that pathetic fat ass Rojass for a legitimate closer, and, I could have dumped those puss arm quitters, Gardner and Stottlemyre, and picked up pitchers down the stretch who don't wear bras and lace panties. Don't look for those pussies on my roster next year! Gabes ******************************************************************* From: Andy Subject: Re: Post Season JA > > Thank you Fox for keeping all the stats and otherwise keeping guys like Gabes > and Andy in check. Those guys would run over their grandmothers to win at > roto league. > > Also, thanks to Tom and Tom. Checking in daily was great. > > Say, anyone heard from Willo lately? I hope he hasnt fallen into his hole... > I hear Mo Vaughn will be wearing Dodger blue next year. > > 8-6 Yanks. Damn... John, Even the police said there wasn't enough to go to a grand jury on my grandmother's unfortunate accident, so don't be bringing that up again. Remember: no one placed me at the scene. Hans: Biggio MVP? Yeah right. Try PIAZZA!! And Fox: Check out Kendall's SB's and Avg. Johnson's great defensively, but my boy is still the roto pick. Willo: Have you fallen into your hole? Can the people of Boston throw Dan Duquette in there with you? Al: I didn't lose HR's, I just ran out of time. McGee: Yeah, yeah, yeah, nice season. Send your money. Pearson: Where's my $50? Sobo: That's it. You're OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!! Mazins. ***************************************************************** From: Tom H Subject: Season Review Is anyone else having withdrawls, and only one day into the off season. My summer was full of checking box scores, cheering for home runs and cussing at blown saves. Fortunately, my boys Saved alot more than they blew. Thank you Gabes for your kind words, I think. The last week and a half was interesting for both of us. The 'bulls had a lead and then lost it by 2.5 pts to the 'Busters, only to get it back, and then stretch it out on the last day. I for one was very disappointed at the final day, with so many minor leaguers playing....if half of my team played, I would be suprised. Looking back on the year and the ups and downs of the Invincibles, a few observations: 1. Waiver move of the Year....I have to vote for my acquisition of Jeff Shaw for Jose Mesa. Mesa was a risk pick to be sure, and unlike Albert's success with all of his "risk" picks, this one didnt work. Shaw was excellent. I expect that he will be among the first 3 relief pitchers taken next year. Despite a pitiful Cincy ballclub, he was 5 Stars. 2. Limping home award: Rod Beck... he was 5 stars for the first half of the season, and then collapsed. I wont forget the blown save at Atlanta, giving up a grand salami in the 9th to not only blow his save, but also Estes' win - which Andy hasnt let me forget. Next year, I question his position on the Giants, with R. Hernandez now in the fold. Other pitchers....Hentgen was far from his Cy Young of the year before, but 15 wins werent too bad. 3.68 nothing to write home about. Gotta love Pettite, and I was particularly pleased with Mark Clark who won more games with the Cubs after the trade with the Mets than he won in about 3months. I'll bet there are alot of angry Mets fans following that trade. 3. Keep the Faith Award: Everyone (even me a few times) questioned the selection of Ellis Burks as the 4 pick in the league. O.K., so I did leave alot of quality players on the table, 'Ol Ellis (and I do mean OLD) did finish with 32 homers (one of 4 on my team to hit 30 or more), and knock in 82 Ribbies. Not bad for a player who missed about 1/3 of the season. 4. MVP: My vote goes to Craig Biggio. Yeah, I know that Walker put up huge numbers, but no one plays with more heart than Craig. His over 300 avg, 22 HR's, 81 RBS's and 47 SB's are MVP numbers. MY vote. 5.The "I hated you in the Spring and Loved you in Aug-Sept Award" goes to Todd Ziele. You may remember my cussing him out as he struggled to hit his weight at the start of the season. When the dust finally settled, Todd had 31 HR's with 90 RBi"S. nice comeback. Next year, it will be interesting to see who "risks" taking Hundley. I understand he will miss the first half of the season due to the recent surgery. Too bad, cause when he played healthy, he pushed Piazza as top catcher in the NL. And finally, thank you to my other two old veterans, who may have had their last productive years in the majors: Harold Baines and Chili Davis. Many doubted both at the start, and look at their finish: Chili with 30 HR's, and Baines on a playoff team. (His numbers werent that great..I'm just happy to see a class player finally get a chance at a ring.) Good luck to both in their retirement. While I am typing this, the Yankees have just come back to tie the Indians in the playoff opener, 6 -6, after being down 6 - 1. Looks like an interesting few weeks ahead. I look forward to being more active on the 'net in the months ahead, and have enjoyed the recent mail. (Hang in there Double D - you clearly have the right perspective on the Executive Office.) And one final thought.....today is Bob Davie's 43rd birthday. Will he live to see his 44th? Stand by loyal Irish fans.. Hans ************************************************************************** From: Fox Subject: Re: Season Review Good review of the 'bles season Hans. When toting Biggio you left out his "runs scored". I think he set a record didn't he? I think he's a good candidate, considering the Dodgers and the Rockies are playing golf already. Power draws the ooohs and aaahs but runs scored is the name of the game. Biggio, Walker, and Piazza are all good candidates though. I hope to have the official stats posted tomorrow. Fox **************************************************************************** From: Prep Subject: Re: basketball roto? Fox: You and the Tom boys deserve a big round of applause for a season well done. Out here in flyoverland, this year in baseball was the best I can remember with the exception of the Twinkies' World Series years. I checked stats routinely and learned to appreciate the game much, much more. Many thanks. *************************************************************************** From: John Subject: Re: Season Review In a message dated 97-10-01 18:08:06 EDT, Al writes: << Fox, When you post those "official" stats, I trudt you'll find a few extra saves for me... or a few less for the Invincibles! Al >> Babs, Christmas already came early for you, so no more saves under the tree! You set the standard. 60 points. Terrific! Now we know what to aim for next year by category. As I recall, you made your choices on the fly (San Fran, Phoenix...) and without the aid of any baseball fantasy mags to direct your choices. All off the top of your head! This may explain your choices of Daryl Strawberry, a fading Roger Clemens and a risky "Big Unit." We all were chuckling over your obvious ineptness. Go ahead, pick em without a fantasy mag at your side! Well, go ahead now and have a good laugh cashing in all your checks. Boys -- never bet against the man with the green eyeshades. John ********************************************************************** From: Gary Subject: RE: basketball roto? yep; you've got info advantage figured out. i never had a doubt. sobo btw, congrats on a terrific roto league. after the draft, i thought you would either be first or last, depending on how your mash unit held together; obviously, they were AWESOME!! ***************************************************************************** From: Gary Subject: RE: Still Suck (and Sunday ramblings) Cyberzahmbies, Continuing to ramble....... Babs- congrat on coming from behind in wins.I have lost all respect for Pinella; he got the Unit the cheapest 20th win in the history of baseball. If he throws out his arm for pitching too much, too bad. Agosta- looks like our trade was pretty much of a non-event. Castilla and Thomas were basically a push, and Will Clark went 0-6 before he went on the DL for the rest of the year. The story of my Rotoyear...... Andy- What do you think about this 'no tolerance' crap from the umpires? At what time do they become administrators of the game, instead of the focal point? I always agreed with the thought that a well officiated game was one where the officials were not noticed. Fox- Your plan to load up on relievers seems to be working. I've not looked today, but you're sure putting on the heat. All- Anybody still going to the USC game? Sobo ***************************************************************************** From: Al Subject: RE: Season Review John, Thanks for the kudos... though some are misguided. I did have SOME reference material, just not the same stuff as you "experts". And I can't take credit for Clemens. But Randy Johnson, Juan Gonzalez, and Ray Lankford clearly were "MASH Unit" picks that made a world of difference for me. JT Snow as a mid-season pickup for Cecil Fielder was lucky. And Sandy Alomar for the DL'd, then retired, Mickey Tettleton was too obvious to even accept congrats. Amazing that Alomar was NOT one of the ten catchers picked, in hindsight. Rivera and Myers were a great one-two punch in the pen. If both teams hadn't clinched playoff spots so early, they would have finished first in Saves. And I caught lightning in a bottle w/ Neagle, even if I had some bad luck w/ the likes of R. Martinez, Schourek, and Al Benes. All in all... I'll take it, and stay quite humble in the process. I remember what happened to Fox when he was assigned the "Roto Genius" label last year... he is still thanking the heavens for the late entry of one Jim McGee! And had Mags been given any kind of fair shake on the draft, the Foxes would have been dead last! 20 Well, it WAS great fun, and I look forward to next year already... especially that the ND football season isn't exactly monopolizing my attention these days. Hey, but how about those Jets!? 3-2, coulda been 4-1 w/ a late field goal against the Pats. Go Gang Green! Al/Babs