Well, twelve of the most fun-filled, intense days are completed. In a way I'm kinda glad (I know my family is) because I was in another orbit during the entire time. Productivity elsewhere was at a complete stand still. Sure was fun, though. Got to talk to everyone on the phone except for Mags (I did phone a couple of times and got voice mail). Anyway, now it's time to see who stays healthy, who plays up to potential and who has the career years. Here's my analysis of each team: The Hogmen--what a slop house Willo has assembled this year! I suggest a name change might be appropriate this year, Willo. Something like the Bang Bang Lulu's would be very appropriate because everyone in CyberZahm is gonna make whoopee on you this year. I heard this morning that Kerry Wood may have elbow surgery. Wells is a pissed off fat ass. Yoshii? Noshii! Ligtenburg? Rocker will close! Lance Johnson? Why not Mickey Rivers, too! Vina, Loretta and Perez? Puhleese! You'd get more production out of Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker and Pee Wee Reese than you'll get out of your crew! Bend over, pal, because you're gonna take it fast, hard and often this summer! Electric Pinstripes--nice job by the Ikester. Great power. Love the Guerrero and Jones picks, but, I still think Griffey might have been a better #1 than Belle. Loved Tony Clark. Had you not grabbed him when you did he'd be a 'Buster this year. Not much speed on this team, though, and after the Rocketman I'm not nuts about the SPs. The closers could also be holes. Will Beck stay healthy enough to repeat 1998? When will Botalico move in as the closer? Mesa in Tatertown? Should be interesting. In any event, I like this team and think they'll be in the upper half all year. Red Foxes--not sure just how to figure out this team. Good speed but rather sad in the power categories, although Drew will be special. Foxer nabbed him just in front of me. Great pick! Not nuts about the catchers, though Stinnet seems to be having a great spring. Anyone would love Fox's Johnson, Martinez and Park on their staffs, but I'm not sure I'm that crazy about the other six. Baldwin had a great second half last year but I'll let Sobo tell you what he thinks of fatso. No closers! Uh-oh, only one point in that category. I never underestimate Fox or his team (look at last year) but something tells me this team may not have enough to finish first. Invincibles--I toyed with Piazza as my #1 but couldn't pass by Junior. I think Piazza will post huge numbers this year in Al's town. Liked the Kevin Brown, Schmidt, O'Neill, Larkin and Mo picks, too. I'm afraid the rest may be an assembly of stooges, though. Womack is hurt and Sanders is already coming up lame. I suffered through his nonsense a couple of years ago and it ain't funny. Konerko when there were still other studs on the board? Time will tell! Tamales--I know Sobo worked hard sorting through statistics, projections and rule interpretations. Biggio was the logical pick at #5. I think the Marlon Anderson pick was a good one, also. On paper, the outfield looks decent, but then, Lankford still hasn't recovered from surgery. Burks is Burks. That means a part time player. That means Sobo may hate him by the break. White and Finley? I look for White to do less and Finley more than last year. Palmer should have a huge year in Motown, but I think Stairs and Young are just middle of the road as corner guys. Love Smoltz if he stays healthy. Hitchcock and Clement? I think the Pads are gonna suck this year. Is Brantley healthy all year? Anyway, I see this team in the upper half. Nuzzahs--I hear rumors Sheffield is thinking about retirement? Not good news, Mags. Jeter before Garciapower? Nope. Kendall in the second round when there were power studs all over the place? The end result is a team that won't contend in the power categories. Two great closers, but, will Morris and Neagle stay healthy? Is Nomo a gas can in waiting? Can this team carry Johnson's .212 BA even if he does hit 25 taters? Will Raffie be back sooner rather than later? Too many question marks here I'm afraid. Now don't get mad at me, Mags! Muckrats--Except for Saunders, I looovvvee this pitching staff. Should be a team that hits for high average, too. In fact, I'm predicting they'll win BA. Can't say the same about this team in the power or speed categories, though, but Winn could be a sleeper. Garciapara was a good first pick. I also liked the Walker and Grace picks. I would have made Grace my next pick if he were still on the board. All in all, I think John has to hope that his pitching staff carries the load. If not, I see nothing better than upper part of the lower tier. Mazin's--Must say I love Andy's "O". Great power and speed combination. Feebles was a gamble. If he pays off, Andy will look like a genius. If not, Andy is the feeble-minded one. Will Renteria get healthy, and soon? Not a good sign when one of your leading base stealers has a lingering knee injury from last August. His 5 homers sure ain't gonna help the Mazin's. As for pitching, Schilling is a horse but I'd want no part of the other pus arms. Jimmy Haynes? Andy must have been fantasizing about fish net stockings when he made this pick. He did snake me on Benetiz, though. I wanted his 97mph smoke as my last pick. Hard to figure out exactly where this team will finish but I'll predict third or fourth. Leathernuts--I think I liked this team a lot more when Preppy did all of the picking. Mel did a nice job here. Could have decent starting pitching and three adequate if not spectacular closers. Should be good power on this team, but no speed. This team could also hit for a nice average depending on Buhner's BA, of course. Not nuts about the middle infielders, but, love the corners. Meluskie could also be a steal at catcher. Frankly, I see the Nuts as contenders this year. Panzas--Al's assembled a good team. He told me so and we all know that Al is always right. Ask Florence! I see Al and Ikey with the monster power numbers. Not nuts about the Panzas speed, however. You can have Rickey and his .230 average and I don't think Canseco will steal as many since he's no longer with the run happy Jays. Can't say I'm crazy about this pitching staff either. Leiter and Millwood are good, but, Pettite is hurt, Ashby plays for the pathetic Pads, and Hampton hasn't developed in to the K king many projected. Franco? I'm afraid it won't be long before the Mets brass realizes that trotting Franco out there everyday may not be a good idea when heavy heat lurks in the pen. This team could make a run at first, though. In fact, I used one of my mags over the weekend to see where they projected each team and the Panzas came out on top. Ballbusters--I'm happy with this team. I like to draft a balanced team and I think it worked out well. I may not win any of the offensive categories, but I think I should be competitive in all except maybe BA. I'm also relatively pleased with the pitching staff, although I need a comeback by Estes. Keys for me are a healthy Caminiti, Gwynn and Brady Anderson. I also need Encarnacion and Cabrera to approach their potential. If these five suck, the Busters will as well. If they play well, I think I could be near the top in September once again. Well, enough of this. Let's play ball! Gabes