[Jeff Winick]

your sardonic e-mails that contain thinly veiled references to the solitary year of the 18 years thus far in which my team finished four places behind the winner.

PT,

I never knew you had it in you. You really are quite the spin master. I guess, for you, ties for fifth don’t count? The Bombers finished fifth in 2005 and tied for fifth in 2003 and 2000. That’s THREE times, by my count. They have finished either in fifth or within one place of fifth for 4 years running. More impressively the Bombers have finished in fifth or within 2 slots of fifth for 8 years running and for 11 of the past 12 years!!!! And remember its a “Drive for Five” – just as with Bradlee’s annual “Burst for First” it isn’t always successful.

However, you, my friend, have one hell of a track record. And one that yours truly will not let you cynically try to spin away from.

KR is becomming a more appropriate moniker by the moment.

I offer Mark’s attempt to deceive the league about his team’s performance as Exhibit #3 in my petition.

That is all.

Jeff Winick

[Jeff Winick]

I offer further evidence in support of my petition to have Mark “PT” Blocker’s membership in COPS revoked:

Exhibit #1 – As I understand it, the purpose of COPS is to actively discourage the over-hyping of young players who are then included as key components of dump trades. Is not Joey “Monster-Talent” Gathright the poster child for the very type of hucksterism that COPS is designed to prevent?

This just hit the wires:

Jun. 6 Joey Gathright (OF) TB was optioned to Triple-A Durham Tuesday to make room on the roster for Rocco Baldelli, according to the AP. Gathright hit .201 with 12 stolen bases in 55 games.

Exhibit #2 – Brad “Lee” Jansen revealed what many of us have known all along. The power behind the throne wasn’t Mike Rogers, it was (and is) Mark Blocker. Anyone else catch the fact that Bradlee slipped and complimented Mark on his judgment and skill. Surely that’s not in reference to Mark’s stewardship of the Bombers. It can only be a sly reference to Mark’s behind the scenes work on behalf of the Torns. The drive for five is obviously merely how Mark deflects attention from himself while quietly coaching The RipTorns to victory. Maybe “PT” is the wrong moniker. Maybe “KR” as in Karl Rove is more appropos?

Bottom line – If there’s any legitimacy to this fledgling organization, I say PT can’t be a member.

That is all.

Jeff Winick

[Jeff Winick]

I’ve spoken to Sam about this and he’s aware of my disappointment. One of those things I’ll just have to live with. It is worth noting, however, that almost all of the guys in Tout Wars (and profiled in the book) are in the XFL. Shandler, Wood, Michaels, McCaffrey, etc. And they’ve all been beaten by the man.

That is all.

Jeff Winick

[Jeff Winick]

Guys:

I’m glad to see that you’re focusing on the absence of a receding hairline in the picture. I thought that was the least of the problems. My son, Ben looked at it and asked why they had a picture of John Madden in place of me!!

As for the amount of victories over the course of my rotisserie career, I fully acknowledge that there is only one USML and I certainly have not won it on an annual basis. However, other than during the first few years of the USML (back when we could call it Uncle Sidley’s Major League without fear of penalty), I have played in an average of 4-5 leagues a year. Although it looked fairly impressive in the magazine (don’t you think ) – it really isn’t that hard to average a win in 20% of your leagues on an annual basis.

Finally, I leave you to your own devices with respect to trying to outguess me and my picks and pans. You might note that most of my predictions relate to the NL and that wasn’t accidental. However, I will say this: “I’ll start the bidding at $25 on Curt Schilling”.

That’s all for now.

Jeff

[Jeff Winick]

Cost of a fantasy baseball magazine: $6.95
Entry fee in USML: $110
Being published in a fantasy baseball magazine: worthless
Being acknowledged as an expert by Mark Kerber: PRICELESS

[Jeff Winick]

A full report on the predilictions of league members will follow shortly. But this little missive by Mark Blocker must be addressed immediately. It is entirely accurate that Mark is always willing to trade his players. Unfortunately, his trade inquiries are typically along the lines of “I’ll trade you Adam Riggs, Robert Person and Scott Schoenweiss for Alfonso Soriano.” Sure, Mark will occasionally make a silly trade, like Ichiro for a bum like Gil Meche, but you’ll find those occasions to be incredibly rare. I believe it is Andy Klein who summed up Mr. Blocker’s trading philosophy as follows: “If its a fair deal – I’m not interested.”

More to follow.

Jeff Winick – A Michigan graduate and a lifelong Bears fan. (Although I did own Favre in both of my fantasy football leagues)

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