The fantasy baseball season, like the real one, is hitting it’s traditional midpoint. And frankly, it hasn’t been very pretty for my two teams. We’ve been up and down. At some points way down. Right now they’re both doing better, but both still have more wins than losses. But it’s okay. I have some great slumping, players, and like many things in life, the weather, stocks, etc…..they usually will stay true to their historical averages. So I just relax….not to say I don’t make moves from time to time and cut or add players…but you need to let their seasons play out in most cases. They owners of the league I’ve belonged to for almost two decades tell me in fact, I’m too patient.

Which leads me to “real baseball”. Mets and Yankees fans: calm down. Please. For the sanity of us all. I grew up in New York and am sensiitive to the histories and expectations of these storied franchises….but goodness gracious people….we stll have months to play and your teams are both playing .500 ball! It could be a lot worse.

I’m not sure canning Willie Randolph was the right move….but it will at least light a spark under some of these players. They probably would have awakened from their season long “lumber slumber” soon anyway.

The Yankees may face an even bigger challenge, with Chen Ming Wang down til September. But we all know the Yankees will probably just buy/trade for a C.C. Sabathia type pitcher and be just fine…make the wild card….and be in the postseason.

So Mets and Yankees fans…follow my lead and enjoy the season, and the summer, and RELAX! Please.

Here’s how it happened. A photographer named Nate at WFSB needed a 12th team for a “Head to Head” Yahoo league he is in. You have to have an even number of teams for it to work. He said unlike my other league…where teams have drafted kids out of high school (I’m serious), this league is more low key…and also…America’s favorite price (free).

This has proven tougher than I thought. My longtime team in another league, The Scorpions, has started off poorly. This second team is struggling to get back to .500. The reason, or excuse…depending on your outlook, is that the format is different. In my longtime league, we just compete based on the total points we receive…for example 1 point for a single, 2 for a double, et cetera. In this newer league, it’s basically based on how the team does in categories each week…categories like home runs, stolen bases….and wins by pitchers.

This new league I have joined has what is called a “head to head” format. That means we go against one team for the week, and get “wins” based upon how many categories our team dominates for the week. Categories include runs, stolen bases, home runs, etc…and for pitchers…strikeouts, wins, saves etc.

A good thing about having two teams is that you are researching players even more….and learning more. Also, if a great player you discovered on the waiver wire isn’t available in one league…he may be in the other league where you are competing!

I’ll keep you posted how this goes….now it’s time to listen to a sports update on the radio!

Every year, we think we do well in our draft, but by the end of the season, usually fewer than half are still with our team!In the league we’ve been in the past 19 or so years, we get to keep a majority of our players during the off season … and hold a “supplemental draft” usually around Valentine’s Day. So these are the last 7-8 players on our roster … so I guess I shouldn’t be so tough on myself. In a very competitive 16 team league, those last few picks are often “flyers” (guys you’re taking a chance on), “space fillers” (guys who may fill a starting position adequately, but not spectacularly), “backups” for the starters, or “sleepers” … who are often rookies or minor leaguers who you believe could have an impact by season’s end. A sleeper could also even be a player coming back from a series of injuries that everyone has written off, or one that has had a mediocre career that you believe may be on the verge of a breakout year statistically. So here’s who we got last month.

The Super Bowl is over. The ground remains ice encrusted. But Spring is here! At least, in our minds. At least, for baseball fans.

Pitchers & Catchers are reporting to Spring Training. Time to put this Clemens stuff into the background and concentrate on what’s really important: The 2008 MLB season! Not to make light of what went on in Washington this week, while Congress showed yet again why it shouldn’t meddle in professional sports, the steroids/HGH situation remains a serious issue all professional sports needs to keep an eye on. MLB brass brought increased scrutiny in the bottom of the ninth … but it is watching more closely now — we hope.

For many of us, just as much as seeing what our favorite teams’ rosters will look like in a month or two is what is going to happen to our fantasy teams? The draft for my league is this weekend. Ours is a supplemental draft. We keep up to 18 of our 25 roster members year to year … so these are really players just filling out the team. Nevertheless, it’s time for some serious number crunching and cramming!

My team, The Scorpions, has a few holes to fill and a few “fliers” we’ll take a chance on, but I cannot divulge which players we’re eyeing because some other teams in my league may see this blog. We pick third, so we should get at least one decent player.

We have 16 teams in our league, so it’s quite competitive. The goal, or hope, of many teams is to pick up that one “sleeper” player — someone overlooked who goes and has a monster year. Wish me luck!

I’ll have a complete review of who we get soon.

It’s a chapter of baseball history many of us want to forget, for many different reasons. As a member of the news media, for being asleep at the switch, or just turning a blind eye, as a fan, for doing the same thing…and as a fantasy baseball manager, for reaping all the benefits of the “Steroid Era” and never, or rarely questioning this huge jump in stats for certain players.

I want to say this. I believe what former Senator Mitchell says about his report, that the players named represent “the tip of the iceberg.” I cannot tell you how many players I have noticed that have had precipitous dropoffs in their output. In some cases, it can be written off as old age. But usually that happens more gradually with players. Over the years, my team, The Scorpions, had many players either named in the report or suspected of using steroids and HGH … so here is the roster for:

“The Besthoff Report”

• Mark McGwire
• Sammy Sosa
• Roger Clemens
• Jay Gibbons
• Mike Lansing
• Jerry Hairston
• Jim Parque
• Kent Mercker
• David Segui
• Randy Velarde
• Gregg Zaun

To be honest, I always had suspicions about McGwire and Sosa … remembering again they were not named in the Mitchell Report. But they have been the subject of much, as we call it, “media speculation.” Both these guys were great sluggers in their own right long before they were suspected of using “the juice” … which brings many of us baseball fans to the next question: Should these players be penalized for using the stuff when considering their Hall of Fame status?

At first blush, you might say yes. Then consider this: We really don’t know all the players who used the juice, and we will never really know. In fact The Mitchell Report names a lot of the alleged violators…who were accused by only one person … so it’s the players’ word against someone else’s, and we’re going to crucify these guys for that?

People have said to me what about Barry Bonds? I mean, it appears he did something to change his body…and it looks like that may soon be proven in court. Let’s wait and see. And if it is proven in court, then what? If baseball writers decide to keep him out of the Hall of Fame, what about the others (Clemens) that have been named but whose cases may never come up in court?

I think what will happen in the end is Bonds and the others will get in the Hall … and probably deserve it, based at least on their “pre-juice” stats. The time they played in though, will always be written off as The Steroid Era … and that’s fine … because even if Major League Baseball never puts an asterisk next to someone like Bonds … there probably always will be one, at least, in my mind.

More on the Mitchell Report

Even though baseball’s playoffs are still in full swing, us fantasy leaguers are keeping a close eye on the pending off season moves by teams.

Right now, more often than not, those moves involve baseball managers — something that doesn’t affect our players a whole lot unless you get one of those Dusty Baker types that only likes to play veterans and would rather sit your young up and comers.

That said, it’s hard not to pay attention to the headline hogging drama in the Big Apple, where King George is yet again musing whether Yankees manager Joe Torre will walk the plank.

This isn’t the first time this has happened. What’s different this fall is that Steinbrenner apparently told a Bergen Record beat writer that if the Yankees didn’t advance far in the playoffs, Torre was toast. Of course, we all know by now that the Yankees didn’t get past the Cleveland Indians, and now Torre’s job hangs in the balance.

I think arguments can be made on both sides in this case. The most compelling reason for sacking Torre is that he has gone seven years without a World Series and three years of getting bounced out in the first round of the playoffs — all while managing the team with baseball’s highest payroll, over $200 million, I believe, and this, in a city with a storied franchise that has always had to live up to high expectations even more so since George bought the club.

That being said, I find it hard to find fault with the Skip. Going into the season, the Yankees starting pitching STUNK. Don’t forget on Day One it was supposed to be:

• Andy Pettite
• Mike Mussina
• Chen Ming Wang
• Carl Pavano
• Kei Igawa

Phillip Hughes and Joba Chamberlain were barely on the radar screen, and Roger Clemens was still shagging flies with his sons in Texas. Now, if that rotation isn’t a recipe for success, I don’t know what is. One of the ESPN commentators said this week it’s like the Bill Clinton campaign refrain in 1992: “IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID.” In this case, “IT’S THE PITCHING, STUPID.”

Anybody who knows baseball knows that when it comes to the playoffs, they’re won with pitching and defense — and the Yankees aren’t particularly strong in either. This, in my opinion, is why the Yankees didn’t win the division title, and were bounced out of the playoffs in round one yet again. Joe Torre, I believe, is the person responsible for even getting the Yankees in the playoffs the past three years with pitching poor teams that really didn’t deserve to be there. Sure, you could argue the team has gotten off to successfully slower starts in each of the past three years, and that’s due in part to Torre’s laid back approach, but it’s also that same manner of managing that has kept him at the helm for so long. He can manage a team of high dollar All Stars, with the egos and baggage, and all the other issues they bring to the clubhouse. He knew how to handle the press and never let himself get out of control (see Tony LaRussa this spring).

So, if the Yankees’, er, braintrust, as it’s called, really want to improve the team this offseason, they shouldn’t be looking at Joe Torre, they should be looking in the mirror.

Well, the baseball regular season is almost over. My team, The Scorpions, were never in the hunt this year (since I decided to rebuild the team in my super-competitive league, one where you can keep up to 80 percent of your roster from year to year). We had some notable victories and disappointments as far as improving the team, but I think we’re moving in the right direction.

DISAPPOINTMENTS

All signs pointed to this guy hitting close to .300 with even a little power. It didn’t come close to that. In fact, the last time I checked, he was around .219! He did handle the pitchers well and throw out a lot of base stealers, so there’s always a chance he’ll latch on with another team and get a second shot.

He’s still young — only 23 — but looking more and more like he’s what some call a “Quadruple A” player, meaning he’s good enough for the highest level of minor league play (AAA), but not the majors. He was not playing that badly early in the season, then got hurt and lost his job to a journeyman named Casey Blake who has been extremely clutch for the Indians this year. So, I just have to watch and wait and see what happens with Marte.

VICTORIES

This guy, on Marte’s team, may just have become a star this year. I just picked him up on a whim after he won like three or four games early in the season — and he kept on winning! He’s now up to 18, I think, [Editor's Note: You're right, Len (Proof as of 9/26)] and going to the playoffs. I saw him get a few early wins, then remembered he was getting a lot of ink in the baseball press, so I took a chance and got a potential “stud” (as fantasy leaguers like to call them).

This guy may be my favorite suprise of 2007. He was great last September, then did well in Spring Training, but did not get called up to the big club. Then, injuries hit, and he got his chance and delivered: 10+ HR, 50+ RBI and hitting over .300! We really needed a regular first baseman, and this guy could fit the bill for a long time. He’s only 23.

We were close to giving up on this guy, just 23, with a high upside. He had been injured last year and it ruined his season. The same thing happened at the beginning of this season and we thought the Marlins were going to write him off. Then, he got better and got back in the lineup in mid-May. At first, he stunk. Then, in July, he began to get in a groove he is still in now. He’s now closing in in on .300, 10+ HR, and 50+ RBI … Not bad for a banged-up rookie playing a partial season! Hopefully, even more success next year.

This guy was no rookie, but I picked him up in a trade last year and he wasn’t so swift. He struck out a lot and hit for minimum power. This year, he still strikes out a lot, but his average is close to .300. He has hit more than 20 homers and over 80 RBI! He scored as many points as studs Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard, thanks to his 20 steals.

Now though, it’s just time to enjoy the postseason of “real” baseball. And, in an interesting twist sanctioned by my wife, I’m also playing fantasy football for the first time! And I have to admit, even at 0-3, I’m loving it. More on that in my next blog entry …

Because fantasy baseball’s playoffs must take place during Major League Baseball’s regular season (so all the team’s players are playing), my league is down to its final two weeks.

And my team, The Scorpions, is way down, too. After looking like we might finish out of the cellar, the team has sagged in recent weeks, with poor performances by some players (Detroit starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ian Snell), and cool bats by Aubrey Huff (1B/OF-Baltimore Orioles), Raul Ibanez (OF-Seattle Mariners), and Gerald Laird (C-Texas Rangers). In the case of those last three players, it has almost been a season long problem.

At this point, it’s time to evaluate who I will keep during the off season. Of the 25 players on the roster, we get to keep up to 20. I may cut even more. Since my league is so competitive, I’m not going to list who those potential cuts are because some of the other owners in my league know about this blog. Now it’s time to start thinking about next year, believe it or not. The trading deadline for the league ends at noon today (Aug. 3), so that’s not an option. I can pick up free agents though — players that other teams don’t have — through the playoffs. It’s a great time of the year to get some bargain basement players — lots of rookies get called up at this time of the year — once the Major League rosters expand to 40 … so opportunities abound!

One thing that should be fun in the final week or two of our season is the record about to be set by, no, not that alleged steroid-using home-run hitter, but rather the indisputable one by starting pitcher for the New York Mets (and Scorpions) pitcher Tom Glavine, who get win No. 300 on Sunday (Aug. 5 — Link). We started him this week … and we will the final week of our season. I figure it will be exciting to watch … and get a win for my team. Odds are he will be pitching pretty well as he reaches his record. Nice to see a class act achieve such a milestone as well.

Progress!

The long wait finally paid off. For close to a year, we’ve had James Loney on our roster. AAA player for the Dodgers with a lot of promise to make the Majors. He had 9 RBI in a game last season during a late season callup to the Majors. Then he batted over .400 in Spring Training and was sent down to AAA anyway. Well the Dodgers, with their flagging fortunes at third base, decided to move the suddenly Punch n’ Judy Nomar Garciaparra from first to third, opening up the spot for Loney. So far he’s hitting .450!, with a few homers to boot.

My other minor leaguers — seven of them! — remain on the farm (don’t forget, this is a rebuilding year). Here are their chances of movin’ on up:

Ryan Sweeney (OF-White Sox)-the Sweenster had a quick visit with the Sox this spring and only batted .250. He hasn’t done much better since being sent down to Charlotte … except for a brief power burst. He’s only 22 though.

Andy Marte (3B-Indians)-the Tribe’s opening day starter did well for a while at Buffalo and has tailed off. That darned journeyman Casey Blake stole his spot in Cleveland and doesn’t appear to be giving it up anytime soon.

Matt Murton (OF-Cubs)-he shouldn’t be in the minors, but two straight Cubs managers, Dusty Baker, and now Lou Piniella, didn’t play him regularly … so his average and everything else suffered. I’m hoping he gets traded.

Wladimir Balentien (OF-Mariners)-I really like this guy. Hits for power and average. May get called up late in the season. Crossing my fingers.

Eric Campbell (2B/3B Braves)-He’s a long term option. Only playing in Single A ball with lots of potential. Not showing it yet though.

Joe Koshansky (1B Rockies)-He’s doing great in Colorado Springs … hitting over .300 and his power has come back after an early season slump in that department. Could be our best hope of reaching the Majors soon if the Rockies trade current first sacker Todd Helton … who has been mentioned in a lot of trade rumors. Crossing my fingers!

Colby Rasmus (OF Cardinals)-It has been an up and down, but good season for this top prospect. He began hitting for average without power, then had a power surge, then the average dropped. He’s what’s known as a “Five Tool” player … and could be ready for ‘09.

The problem is, even in a league where we can keep 20 of our 25 players through the winter, I may have to drop some of these guys. The trick is holding on as long as you can stomach having a non-productive spot taken up on your roster. But as you can see in the case of James Loney, it looks like it pays to wait!

FYI: The best way to monitor the stats on guys like this is to go to BaseballAmerica.com

Every once and a while, I actually get to watch my players play. Last night was an example.

Cleveland was playing Detroit on the Sunday Game of the Week on ESPN and my newest player, Tribe pitcher Fausto Carmona, went a strong seven. Then, in the ninth, my closer comes in the game, Joe Borowski. Then I realize if he blows the game and the slim 5-3 lead, I not only get minus five points (or more) for the loss, but also Carmona loses the + 10 points for his win! A total of minus 15 potential! That’s a lot on the line. I actually became nervous. But Borowski held his own, and the game, and the Scorpions got 17 points for Carmona’s and Borowski’s efforts.

Even a mediocre season has it’s great moments … however little they may last.