The following and a dime will let you leave a tip for a cup
of coffee.

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Well, its getting easier and easier to see who to pick last.
Willo, that squad was sad to start with (except I really liked
that Deshields pick ... uh, wait a minute ... nevermind) and 
now the injury bug hits the Hogs big time. Can I get my sidebet
in now, before any more hogs go down and you lose your nerve?

As for the rest of the crew. Good job all around. Should be an
interesting competitive summer. Sure, some of us will be hit hard
by injuries, others will get hurt by career-worst seasons, but it
looks right now like a dogfight all the way.

Teams I like a lot: Ballbusters, Mazins
Teams I like a little: Pinstripes, Tamales, Panzas
Lukewarm about: Muckrats, Leathernuts
Not crazy about: Invincibles, Nuzzahs

Predicted winner: dare I say ... Red Foxes?

A little more detail:

Invincibles don't look bad on paper but just seem to have too
many "risky" picks, especially in the OF. Did you see Harnisch got
SHELLED today. Can't put too much emphasis on a mid-spring game,
but 11 earned runs! Ouch. Glad hans took him before I did.

Pinstripes and Muckrats: Both had many picks I really liked, but several
others I thought were stretches. Nothing that can't be fixed by good
reserve moves though.

Tamales: I think gary thought too much. The Tamales are TOO cute. I could
see early that the Rotoman was drafting multi-position players to position 
himself to make mucho macho moveos. Make sure you follow the rules sobo -
and no peeking at other owners move request early this year - oh, and be
careful ... don't overmanage yourself out of the big bucks.

Nuzzahs outfield and pitching both suspect. How can the two most populous
positions both be bad - of course the fact that Sheffield is talking retirement
doesn't help. And I liked the pitching approach - didn't waste early
picks on hard to predict pitchers - instead took lots of "good" gambles
later on - but I think in the long run this won't work out unless liberal
reserve moves are applied.

Mazins - Hmmm.  Too much youth?  But the young guys tend not to get injured
as much, at least the young offensive players don't. Four relievers
and the only "sure fire lock" is hurtin - four relievers and may best only
the foxes in saves?  Hmmm.  Maybe I need to reevaluate this team? But
i do like many of the picks ... Lansing, Renteria, Lee, Walker, Lofton, McGwire,
Thome, Wilson.

Panzas - I think the Henderson pick was nothing short of genius -- the powerful
panzas had a lock on a low finish in bavg anyway, so how much can ricky hurt
them there - and he will still steal some bases. Poor batting average, good
power, so-so pitching. But pitching can be fixed with the reserve moves. A
contender if managed well?

Leathernuts - Who is Mel really? Is that Prep's pet name for his Willie?

Ballbusters - like them top to bottom. Gabes snaked me on Stewart and knew it.
Hurt me, forcing me to take Eric Young, who I'm not crazy about - and made me take
some other players earlier than i probably should have, just cause i wanted them.

Foxes - Too many young guys?  Damon? Drew? Lawton? and Cruz? But not one of the
bunch has mentioned retirement yet this spring. I think Drew looks strong, especially
batting in front of MM. And I'm betting two of the other three come through big.
"The worst catching" - who said that - watch these two catchers hit for average and
get me some tatters while they are at it. Pitching is supurb. If Baldwin falters
I'll cut him. No problem. Saves - you can have them ... have I ever explained my
theories on marginal value ... 

... maybe some other time.


I'm open to modest betting suggestions.

Fox