OK... after a two-day delay in honor of Mrs. Dingman, here is this weeks version of Schuyler's baseball-column-to-be later...
Item # 1 - The New York Yankees - Who's on First?
The season started simple. Jason Giambi was the Yankee's first basemen. Period. But when his knee and back problems re-arose from previous years, it became clear that Giambi was physically unable to start every game at first, which lead to Tony Clark getting to play a few times a week while Giambi DH'ed, which left Bernie Williams and Kenny Lofton fighting for a spot in the lineup each outing.
Further into the season, while Giambi was in and out of the lineup because of parasites in his stomach, Tony Clark proved himself as a decent replacement. But when it was announced that the Giambino was diagnosed with a benign tumor in his stomach, Ol' King George and Mr. CashMan decided that they couldn't do with just Tony Clark, so ex-Met Johnny O, John Olerud was offered the job. Although it looks like Giambi will be back before the post-season begins, right now the job of first base belongs to Johnny O, or as the incredibly annoying and terribly dry-humored drunk guy at Yankee Stadium who sat behind me at last weeks Yank's-A's game called him, Helmet Head.
Do I think that Olerud was a good pick-up? Yes. Do I think that he will be a suitable back up for Giambi? Yes. Do I think that Tony Clark needed to be replaced? No. I believe that just as soon as Tony Clark proved himself worthy of the job, Georgey-Boy opened his wallet and grabbed another first baseman to replace him. And although I am a big fan of John Olerud, I think it is a shame that Tony Clark lost his job.
Item #2 - Fantasy Baseball -My Top 5 Biggest Busts
This is not in any particular order,and not exactly the 5 biggest bust of the season. This is just my idea.
1. Troy Glaus - Only two months into the season, as one of the top fantasy players in the league at that point, he hurts himself and ends up having close enough to season-ending shoulder surgery. He went from the cornerstone of my team to the waiver-wire in a matter of days.
2. - 4. Bartolo Colon, Sidney Ponson, and Esteban Loaiza - Bring on the pitching. These three went from being fantasy studs to fantasy nightmares in one off-season. With Loaiza being the Cy Young runner up and Colon being one of the off-seasons' biggest free agents, you would have expected them to be contributers. Now, they can't be trusted, and they spend more time hurting your fantasy team then helping it.
5. Closers everywhere - Cleveland can't seem to find one. It took the Athletics three months to find one. Even Arizona and San Francisco are having a hard time. With names like Gagne, Rivera, Foulke, and Benitez getting fewer and fewer, and pitchers like Billy Wagner and Troy Percival jumping on and off the DL, closing has become a major problem this season.
Item #3 - Around the Majors - Divisional Races
So, we all know that the Yankees are going to win the AL East and the Cards are going to win the NL Central, but there are no guarantees for the rest. What do I think will happen with the rest of the divisional races?
AL Central - Minnesota wins, followed by Chicago. I do not believe Cleveland has enough to keep up second, just as I do not believe the White Sox can withstand the Twins for first. With Thomas and Ordonez most likely gone for the year, a major part of their power production is gone.
AL West - Hardest decision of them all, but I think Oakland will pull it off, with Anaheim in second. If the Angels had been heathly the whole year, this division would have been theirs.Oakland would have an easier time winning this division with a decent bullpen. Even with these two good teams, Texas can't be counted out with their young, fearless lineup, and near perfect closer in Cordero.
NL East - Atlanta wins, followed by the Marlins, then the Phillies and Mets. This is obviously the weakest division, which is made clear with a weak Atlanta team winning the division. I don't think the Phillies can keep winning, and I do not think the Mets will start winning again, which leaves the Marlins in second after their productive deals at the trade deadline.
NL West - Los Angeles wins, followed by the Padres. This is the easiest one to pick, with the Dodgers pulling away and the Pads just being too good to be beaten by the Giants.
Thanks for reading, if anyone has... let me know what you think... | 
