By David Gignilliat
League 10
The key to any Atlanta resurgence in 2008 will be a return to form of Atlanta’s trademark, consistent starting pitching. And if the Braves do return to the playoffs this season, they will need a strong comeback season from oft-injured, left-handed starting pitcher Mike Hampton.
The Five People You Meet on Draft Day
By David Gignilliat
League 10
In 2003, Detroit Free Press sports columnist, Mitch Albom, took his first stab at fiction, publishing a New York Times bestseller with his novel “The Five People You Meet in Heaven”. The book, well-written, but earnestly sentimental, traces the journey into the afterlife of its main character, Eddie, an 83-year-old man who dies while saving a little girl at a seaside amusement park.
Shortly after arriving in heaven, Eddie meets five distinctive people, each who teach him a unique lesson or offer a universal truth about humanity. Deeper perspective is gained, clarity is achieved, and life just makes better sense to Eddie in the afterlife.
Stuck in The Middle With You
By David Gignilliat
Keeper League 10
If you took a survey of fantasy baseball writers and columnists, nine out of 10 of them would tell you to steer clear of middle relievers during your league’s Draft Day.
Not me.
Will The Pendulum Swing For Your Fantasy Team?
By David Gignilliat
Keeper League 10
We all like making money. It’s part of the very fabric of our capitalist, free enterprise system. Getting paid what you are worth is as American as apple pie and reality television. Major league baseball players are no different. They, too, want to get paid what they’re worth. And many of them are willing to enter into a binding dispute resolution process known as salary arbitration to do it.
What is Arbitration?
By David Gignilliat
Keeper League 10
As you’re lining up your trays of chicken wings, spinach dip and shrimp cocktail in preparation for Super Bowl Sunday, you’ll probably find yourself sucked into one of many pre-game buffets that try to get you in the mood for the big game. You know the ones I am talking about. They’re the ones with slow-motion, ultra-stylized game sequences and the legendary NFL Films, “Voice of God”, announcer rhapsodizing about “the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field” and “the autumnal wind.”
By David Gignilliat
Keeper League 10
Off the top of your head, name an exclusive baseball milestone. 500 homers. Check. 300 wins. Check. 4,000 strikeouts. Check. Seven no-hitters. Check. But what about the 40-40 club?
Of all the baseball milestones and benchmarks that are religiously celebrated by baseball fans, the 40-40 club should rank among the most exclusive. Yet, for some strange reason, it’s not nearly as high among the pantheon of great individual baseball achievements as its difficulty merits.
If there ever was a ‘Members Only’ club in baseball, the 40-40 club would be it. And it should come with a complimentary ‘Members Only’ jacket.
The number of players that occupy this exclusive penthouse wouldn’t even get you a five-finger discount at your local bodega. Who fills this elite list?