I dont know about the rest of you, but MLB can end Spring Training now and get on with it, as far as I am concerned. The draft was alot of fun, and very interesting. When we are in Vegas at the end of the season, who will be toasted, and who will be roasted? As I entered the teams into the CBS Sportsline site, it was the first time that I closely reviewed the lineups that each of you have assembled. Alot of work went into the draft in 99, and it showed. After all the names were in, I further studied the capabilities of the site, and lo and behold, you can click on Statistics, and review each team with their 1998 stats......so even though last years numbers arent guaranteed to be duplicated this summer, they are a pretty darn good predictor of what will happen. Yeah, I know this doesnt account for trades and waivers, but the insight delivered gave me the answers I was looking for, almost. Using last years numbers, here is what I found out: The Mazins would finish dead last in four categories: Runs, RBI, K's, W's. Looking at Andy's lineup, it definitely starts great with McGwire, Walker and Schilling. Maybe you have too many rookies? Who is Carlos Febles anyway? Your catchers are weak, and why are you taking a White Sox outfielder? Good luck golfing at Myrtle Beach, I hope you win enough scratch to cover your baseball bets. Oh yes, the Mazins would accumulate 29.5 pts, good for 11th place. Next up, is....sorry Gabes, the Ballbusters. The highest in any category is 8th in HR's, while taking last in Avg. Bobby Jones got rocked the other day, so maybe that last pick wasnt too great. You cant go wrong with Griffey, Rolen and Maddux, your top 3. How old is Tony Gwynn? and who is Cabrera, your shortstop? Well, I know that no one enjoys this more that Gabes, and good luck in 99. based on 98 numbers, the 'busters got 40 pts, good for 10th. In 9th was Sobo's Tamales. another suprise, since Gary not only works the draft as hard as anyone, he looks at every angle to get every advantage. His boys would take 9th in HR's, and next to last in Saves, based on last year. I expected the likes of Biggio, Lopez and Smoltz to help, and early picks of Erstad, Easley and Palmer should do well. I wanted Matt Stairs when you took him just before my pick in the 10th rd - so expect him to do well. Good luck with Radke. I suffered with 'ol Brad last year. 45.5 pts 8th: The HOG'S! Well, what a difference a year makes. based on this years team and last years numbers, the Hogs will take last in HR's - no Sosa in 99, and is projected to win ERA based on 98. Not so fast Hog Breath. I guess you'll never draft a guy named Kerry again, since one is definitely out for 99 and the other is on the DL, and in jeopardy of losing his job. Chipper, Barry B, and the Big Hurt will at least give you some enjoyment in 99. 8th place, though, may be a little high. Mag's Nuzzah's are 7th. Last in ERA, and best finishes of 8th in Saves and Runs. This is another team limping into the start of the season. Denny Neagle looks to be on the DL. Sheffield ??? Morris is also hurting. Oh Well. I do like Todd Helton - a future superstar. Top picks of Jeter, Kendall and Percival dont look as solid a group as many of the others. Destine to be a middle of the road team in 99. Prep, do you still own the 'Nuts, or have you sold the rights to Mel? Your boys would finish 6th based on 98 Numbers. Best finish would be 2nd place in Saves, while next to last in Runs. Top picks are great - Bagwell, Vinny C and the ConeHead. I also like your Ben Greive pick, and late pick up of Buhner. This team could actually suprise in 99. 53.5 pts based on 98 numbers. Fox's Red Foxes are next, with 55 pts for 5th. last in Saves, duh, and first in K's, duh, while second in Avg. Once again the Fantasy master takes a different approach, leading the rest of us to wonder what does he know that we dont???? Not only do you tank in Saves, your Catchers are who??? Hatteburg and Stennett? Three great top picks - A Rod probably would have gone 1st with most others, but Eiky likes Albert. Your JD Drew pick will be BIG. I hear Kevin Appier is available to trade by KC. How 'bout you... Our 1st drafting Owner, Eiky, has the 4th spot with his Pinstripes. They would take top spot in RBI and W's,while last in SB. Your top pick of Belle could be Great....then again... I do like your next two, V Guerrero and Clemens. Too bad about Beck, especially since he needs to save all the wins that Tapani and Traschell will get. another stretch at Catcher, and no speed. Your Saves total will also be a problem in 99. 62 pts. Johnny's Muckrats take 3rd. Until the last few days, I would have said that Nomar, Pudge and Trevor were among the best top 3 picks....until Nomar gets hurt. Is it serious? Is is true that you are going to mass daily until Nomar is completely healthy, John? The other big question mark is why 2 Cub infielders? Grace and Morandini? You must have been hard up at the time of those picks. 65.5 pts. In Second Place, my Invincibles! No top spots, and no last places, although next to last in HR. 2nd pl in SB, K, W,and 3rd in R, Avg, and ERA. Overall - a close finisher to the top. My biggest questions are whether my Veterans, Larkin, ONeill and Olsen will do. Olsen is the one pick I now regret. Happy with my Catchers - Piazza and Eddie Taubensee. yes, my two Cub pitchers at the end could be my downfall. My sleeper pick will be Paul Konerko. 72 pts. Top spot goes to the Panzas. Albert has taken 1st in HR and SB - two categories that dont normally go together, which is why his team needs to be taken seriously this year. Al, I said your team, not you. Will the last drafting spot be as good to Al as it was to me in the 98 Golf season? time will tell. Top two picks are solid - Sosa and Gonzalez. Al Leiter? good, but a third pick? Also, get plenty of antacid watching Franco close for the Mets. I suffered through 98 with him, and vowed not to take him in 99. 74 pts. Well, just as the ads for Mutual Funds and Stocks say, previous results do not guarantee future success. At least that is what Andy, Gabes, Sobo, and others are hoping. Best of Luck to all CyberZahm Baseball Owners in 99. This is fun. Hans