The Fantasy 411 Leagues’ All-Star Update.

One of our Mafia Memebers,

Kelly Pfleiger, who runs www.fantasygameday.net will be having a live event during the futures game. The information is below for your review.  

When: Sunday July 13, starting at 12:00 EST

      Where:  www.fantasygameday.net

      What: Live blog and interaction through comments section

1st Soggy Cheeseballs 95.5

2nd Team Gluttons 95

3rd Schwartzstopps (Cory) 79.5

4th Caveat Emptor (GP) 74.5

5th Havelina lumber co. 72

6th Texas High Heat 63

7th Bitter Old Dodgers fan 62.5

8th Argyle Gargoyles 54.5

9th Union City Strikers 52.5

10th War Paint 45.5

11th South Larson Hamptonians (Siano) 43.5

12th Bloo Meenies 42

Key Starts of the Day

By Jay the Technical AdvisorDominant:Andrew Miller @ Washington Nationals  (W, 7IP, 0ER, 2H, 1BB, 7K)It isn’t that Andrew Miller doesn’t have big league stuff, he certainly does, it’s maybe that he’s still developing and is a young gun waiting to blossom into an ace calibur pitcher.  Miller has two consecutive wins, both quality starts.  He’s won 3 out of the last four and has come on of late dispite his early season struggles.  Yesterday was an example of how talented Miller is   He was able to control his changeup well enough to setup his fastball to put the Nats away.  This was Miller’s longest outing since July of last season, but the 7 K’s was a career high and the 103 pitches he threw yesterday marked a season high and 61 of them were for strikes.  Pick up Miller if he’s availalble.  The Marlins are on a roll and so isn’t Miller.Disaster:Dustin McGowan @ Cleveland Indians (L, 3.2IP, 9ER, 9H, 1BB, 1K)

I’m one of those owners who believe it takes more than one solid year before you become a draftable pitcher.  I pitch and ditch a lot and a Dustim McGowan facing Cleveland in Cleveland just won’t do it for me.  He hasn’t had a particualrly good year with an ERA in the mid 4’s, lots of hits and walks (67 total in 46 IP) and not many K’s either.  (only35).  But many people were expecting a pretty good year from McGowan and at this point in the season, you’ve got to be disapointed with only 2 W’s and other mediocre numbers.  Yesterday the Indians put a whoppin’ on McGowan right from the start giving up s solo shot to Sizemore, and allowed five more runs to spot the Tribe with 6.  He was mercifully pulled from the game in the fourth after giving up a run scoring double to Sizemore (who apparently sees McGowan as nothing more than a batting practice pitcher) and two more on a single by V-Mart.  I wouldn’t drop this guy yet, but I’d be picky about who I send him out there against.

Fantasy Baseball Mafia Content:

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

By The Jersey HitmanSomething `screwie’ is going on in `St. Louie’: The Cardinals are winning! Who knew? How are they doing it? Can they keep it up? Are there any players on this team that can help my fantasy team? Hmmmm.This situation is one I need to look into a little more deeply.More »

SAN FRANCISCO (Sportsman’s Daily Wire Service) — Beleaguered San Francisco Giants ace Barry Zito has never struggled this much in any season in the big leagues. Off to a 0-6 start with an abysmal 7.53 ERA, Zito was recently sent to the bullpen prompting him to trade himself yesterday from his own fantasy baseball team. “I just had to make the move. I was getting my ass handed to me. I mean, 0-6 in April?” said the former Cy Young Award winner. “I called a few of my buddies, and I finally got one of them to bite in a trade, but I had to throw in David Wright. I’m telling you, fantasy guys are tougher than the real thing.” Fantasy baseball is played by millions of baseball fans worldwide and is a multimillion dollar business. Zito is one of several major leaguers to play in fantasy leagues, but considers himself a bit of a novice. “Yeah, so much of it is luck and knowing how to spend,” added Zito. “But even someone who just started playing can see moving me is the wise choice. I really bite the big one right now. Maybe I need a little time in the minors, riding in buses, staying in flea bag motels, and getting in bar fights to get my head straight.” Zito has been experiencing a bit of what fantasy experts call “lost identity.” “You see it with big leaguers who actually play in the fantasy leagues,” said fantasy guru Mike Kuchera. “They trade themselves, and they lose touch with who they are. Sadly, in some instances, their families are the real victims. Jim Edmonds traded himself three times last year and wound up paying alimony to four different women.” “Even if it’s a fantasy league, a veteran like Edmonds should know better,” said Marvin Michaels, an attorney who represented Anna Topper, a Florida-based exotic dancer to whom Edmonds was wed for three weeks before he traded himself to the California Angels and proposed to a nail technician from Anaheim. “The rules still apply: Just because you traded yourself to a new team in a new city doesn’t mean you get to trade your old wife for a new one. Wouldn’t that be convenient? What about guys like me who’ve been stuck with this bum since the season started? Unlike Edmonds I can’t blink my eyes three times and wind up with a new team and a new wife. Look, we all have fantasies — mine is to play centerfield for the St. Louis Cardinals alongside Jenna Jameson in right on a field covered in high thread count satin sheets. But unlike Edmonds I know not to take liberties with my fantasies — because you will pay a price. I should know, as Ms. Jameson charges a fortune.” Zito made the trade with college buddy Cameron Kane. “I thought having Barry on my team was a bit of a conflict of interests,” said Kane. “I wanted to maintain our friendship, and not put the pressure of a bad start on him. But when I knew I could get David Wright, I figured all bets where off — in a manner of speaking. Getting Wright was the key. And who knows? Barry might earn me a couple of points in middle relief.” “It’s kind of weird,” added Zito. “I’m still on the Giants, but I also play on Cam’s fantasy team. I’m not sure where my loyalty rests. Cam even went so far as to outfit me with a cap and warm up jersey with his logo on it, which quite frankly, I don’t care much for. It’s like being in that Superman Bizarro World.” Meanwhile, since the trade, Zito says a ghost-like figure named Fantasy Barry has appeared twice in his home. “He looked just like me and claimed I stole his weed,” said Zito. “Then he opened my refrigerator and ate some leftover Chinese food. Two hours later he showed up and asked if I wanted to go surfing with two dudes named Harley and Slam. Holy crap! I’m sporting a seven plus ERA, I’ve got my own evil twin — and it’s only May!”

Mike, Cory and Vinny have posted messages on the leading off blog http://leadingoff.mlblogs.com/ 

and are encouraging others to do the same.

From today’s Philly Daily News:

“Donations in Marzano’s memory can be made to the Jayden Brady and Ariana Marzano College Fund, c/o PNC Bank, 1544 Packer Ave., Philadelphia, Pa., 19145.”

I’m at a loss for what to say other than our prayers go out to the family and he will be missed.

 Former Major Leaguer John Marzano dies at 45 in Philadelphia

NEW YORK — Former Major League catcher John Marzano, 45, a first-round draft pick in 1984, died this weekend at his home in Philadelphia, where he suffered a fall down a flight of stairs reportedly after a possible heart attack.

Marzano, who played for the Red Sox, Rangers and Mariners, was in his second season as an on-air personality at MLB.com.

“John was a beloved member of our team, a personable, terrific friend to all with whom he worked,” said Bob Bowman, CEO of MLB Advanced Media. “He was an engaging, informed interviewer. His energy, knowledge of the game and comedic touch produced admirable results. We miss him dearly already.”

MLB.com will immediately establish an internship program in memory of Marzano, who in addition to being drafted 14th overall in 1984 earned a spot on Team USA for the Olympics.

“Words cannot describe how sorry we are to have lost John’s inspiring presence, but rest assured, his spirit and legacy will always influence us,” said Dinn Mann, MLB.com’s EVP of Content. “Our prayers go out to his family, his friends and his fans. John simply gave his all every time he went about doing his job and living his life, always grateful, always striving.”

A native of South Philadelphia and born on Valentine’s Day in 1963, Marzano, a member of the Temple University Hall of Fame, showed tremendous work ethic and determination as a ballplayer and broadcaster.

Marzano played 10 seasons as a catcher in the Majors. The Red Sox weren’t the first team to draft him. The Twins picked him in the third round in 1981 out of high school, but Marzano elected to go to college. Marzano reached the big leagues within three years after starring at Temple, playing for Boston from 1987-1992. He was in the Cleveland and Philadelphia farm systems for two years, then, in 1995, appeared in two games for the Texas Rangers. In 1996, he earned a spot on Lou Piniella’s Seattle roster and spent three years with the Mariners.

After retiring as a player, Marzano worked for WIP radio in Philadelphia and at Comcast SportsNet as a post-game analyst for Phillies games before catching on full time with MLB.com in 2007.

Marzano was co-host with Vinny Micucci of “Leading Off” on MLB.com”s Baseball Channel every weekday at 9 a.m. Marzano impressed those around him until the day he died, regularly delivering instructive insight and humor in his role.

“(Ken Griffey Jr.) lifts and separates better than any hitter I have ever seen,” Marzano said during a recent show, breaking down a highlight. “Having an opportunity to watch this man play for three years, I was so fortunate — even though I was sitting on the bench watching him. To watch him and the plays he made in center field, crashing into walls, sometimes getting hurt, not worrying about himself but worrying about his team, it was amazing for me to watch that.”

Marzano is survived by his wife Terri, daughters Dominique and Danielle, and two grandchildren.

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