If you’re not interested in baseball OR only mildly interested, this post is probably a HUGE waste of your time…feel free to move about the country.

Having moved to China has done nothing to cure my baseball addiction…

I can’t watch the games (which will ensure that my language study and marriage continues unimpeded) but I can participate in Fantasy Baseball. There are 14 other guys here in Xining (a few back in the U.S.) who are battling with me for the title. We’ve already experienced three glorious days of virtual hits, steals, K’s, and home runs and so far my team (the yetiville sluggers) are doing OK.

We’re in fourth place.  Here’s my roster with commentary…

1B – D. Ortiz (Bos)  Hulk SMASH, SMASH!
2B – M. Ellis (Oak)  Not exactly sold on this guy, but he may end up being a producer at SS.
3B – H. Blalock (Tex)  I picked him in the third round and heard some smack talk from others about the decision, but he finds a way to put the ball OUT of the park…I’m having some faith he’ll do better this year than last.
SS – O. Vizquel (SF) I picked him for his base-stealing mostly…
OF – M. Kotsay (Oak) – High AVG, but I’m still not convinced he’s YS material yet…
OF – J. Edmonds(StL) – If we accrued defense stats, I’d be in Edmonds glory.  Even without the D, he still smashes the ball.
OF – J. Gibbons(Bal) – I underestimated him today and benched him.  He went 3/4 and hit a HR and got like 4 RBIs.  Ouch!
Util – R. Zimmerman (Was) – Talented rookie…today he hit a HR in the 9th inning off of BILLY WAGNER that sent the game into extra innings! Oh yeaaaah…nice pickup…
BN – B. Giles (SDG) – Hoping he pans out in May.  His history in April is usually weak…
BN – B. Clark (MIL) – Never heard of him but he bats leadoff….
BN – R. Belliard (CLE) – Most likely to get cut…

SP – R. Halladay (TOR) – Strike throwing STUD…my bread and butter…
SP – C. Zambrano (CHC) – Not so great on Opening Days…but a good pick still.
SP – K. Rogers    (DET) – The Gambler…angry and old, but still finds ways to win.
SP – A. Harang    (CIN) – Hoping for a big rebound…after Monday’s thrashing.
SP – J. Sosa (ATL) – ???
SP – J. Washburn (SEA) – Not bad for the 5th starter…
RP – J. Rincón (MIN) – No comment yet.
RP – J. Nathan (MIN) –  Should be money, money, money…
RP – F. Cordero (TEX)-  He worries me, but had a lot of saves last year.

I need to make a few strategic trades, but I have plenty of time.  159 games to GO!  Yee-haw.