Countdown to begins…

Now that the Super Bowl and thus the pro-football season is over, let the countdown to spring training and the wonderful baseball summer marathon begin!  As a fan of pro-football, I’m sad the season is now over (I was sadder when the Jets lost to the Colts two weeks ago, but that’s a different story), but my sadness will quickly give way to gleefulness as pitchers and catchers will start to report on February 18th.  And with spring training, players and franchises alike begin the work to achieve their dream of winning a World Series championship.  At the same time, fantasy baseball addicts begin to buy magazines and books with detailed statistics about every major leaguer in an attempt to put together the best fantasy team on paper.  Football is over, no problem, baseball is coming soon!!

On fantasy baseball…

I’m really looking forward to the fantasy draft for my teams, but more importantly, I can’t wait until I create another winning team as I did last year.   My first pick a year ago was Albert Pujols and he didn’t disappoint.  The National League MVP deliver for all his fantasy owners as he lead the NL in homeruns (47), OBP (.443), SLG (.658), OPS (1.101), and runs scored (124).  But Pujols wasn’t the only player on my fantasy team that helped out, other notables were Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada.  Jeter had an amazing season last year for the Yankees.  He lead the team with .334 batting average that was also 3rd best in the American league.  Jeter also posted an OBP of .408, which was also 3rd best in the American league.  With 212 hits, Jeter was 2nd in the American League.  But drafting establish stars doesn’t necessarily guarantee winners, that is why a smart baseball fan and fantasy player must look at sleepers.  I believe that the best fantasy sleeper, at least in the way he helped out my team, was Pittsburgh Pirates/Washington Nationals centerfielder Nyjer Morgan.  Morgan hit a solid .307 which was good enough for 10th place in the National League, but his biggest contribution to fantasy owners was his 42 stolen bases. 

These were some of the players that helped me.  Now, I wonder who the next sleepers will be and who will be the disappointments.

Caribbean Baseball

The Dominican Republic does it again as Los Leones Del Escogido have won the Caribbean World Series.  Unfortunately I missed the entire series this week and I really regret that.  However, for baseball fans who saw the series, I hope it was worth it.  Caribbean baseball showcases the best talent from the caribbean that will hopefully contribute to the game internationally or in the Major Leagues.  Caribbean baseball is also a great way for players hoping to win a job in the Spring to get ready for the grind that is spring training and the MLB season.

Thumbs up to…

The New Orleans Saints.  Their victory tonight means that they are no longer the Aints and are now the top team in pro-football.

Thumbs up also to the Dominican Republic.  Another championship in Winter Baseball keeps adding to the rich legacy that nation has produced in baseball.