------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | International Replay Baseball League - Founded October 30, 1973 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ***************** IRBL NEWSLETTER # 549 ***************** 2-17-98 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** BEN GRIEVE: #1 Pick in 24th Annual IRBL Rookie / Free-Agent Draft *** # NT OT T PLAYER 51 26 4 1 POWELL, DANTE 104 28 6 2 WINCHESTER, SCOTT 157 11 18 2 BERTOTTI, MIKE --- -- -- - ------------------- 52 22 23 1 TRAMMELL, BUBBA 105 21 20 1 AVEN, BRUCE 158 12 1 2 GREENE, TOMMY PRELIMINARY ROUND 53 16 23 1 CATALANOTTO, FRANK 106 18 10 1 PRATT, TODD 159 28 7 2 LOWE, SEAN 1 1 14 1 GRIEVE, BEN 54 4 3 2 JUDD, MIKE 107 26 12 1 COLLIER, LOU 160 21 8 2 TATIS, RAMON FIRST ROUND 55 23 1 2 HENRIQUEZ, OSCAR 108 2 12 2 JOHNSON, JASON 161 18 15 2 BAILES, SCOTT 2 1 3 1 KONERKO, PAUL THIRD ROUND 109 16 12 2 WALLACE, JEFF 162 26 11 2 KARP, RYAN 3 6 26 1 CRUZ JR., JOSE 56 1 26 1 EVANS, TOM 110 4 9 2 THURMAN, MIKE 163 22 11 2 BREWER, BILLY 4 7 20 2 WRIGHT, JARET 57 6 25 2 LOWE, DEREK 111 23 15 2 SANTANA, JULIO 164 16 17 2 BOWERS, SHANE 5 20 12 1 GUILLEN, JOSE 58 15 21 1 DELLUCCI, DAVID FIFTH ROUND 165 23 23 1 HURST, JIMMY 6 5 7 2 MORRIS, MATT 59 20 1 2 CABRERA, JOSE 112 1 19 1 DIAZ, EDDY SEVENTH ROUND 7 6 27 1 HELTON, TODD 60 5 20 1 SEXSON, RICHIE 113 6 22 1 VARITEK, JASON 166 1 5 1 ROMERO, MANDY 8 10 8 1 ORIE, KEVIN 61 13 12 2 RINCON, RICARDO 114 15 11 2 GOMES, WAYNE 167 6 18 2 CRUZ, NELSON 9 19 14 1 TEJADA, MIGUEL 62 10 10 2 LIDLE, CORY 115 20 15 2 MOODY, ERIC 168 15 16 2 WALKER, JAMIE 10 9 6 2 TOMKO, BRETT 63 19 18 1 ABBOTT, JEFF 116 5 10 1 MENDOZA, CARLOS 169 5 9 2 STULL, EVERETT 11 7 2 2 MILLWOOD, KEVIN 64 9 3 1 RIGGS, ADAM 117 13 27 2 DEJEAN, MIKE 170 22 11 2 PLANTENBERG, ERIK 12 17 8 2 GONZALEZ, JEREMI 65 8 13 2 HASEGAWA, SHIGETOSHI 118 10 9 2 KLINE, STEVE 171 19 21 1 ROSARIO, MEL 13 27 28 2 SAUNDERS, TONY 66 14 7 2 KING, CURTIS 119 19 2 2 LEROY, JOHN 172 9 27 2 BECKETT, ROBBIE 14 2 22 2 ROSE, BRIAN 67 17 7 2 BELTRAN, RIGO 120 9 8 1 LOWERY, TERRELL 173 7 19 2 MALONEY, SEAN 15 3 28 1 KOTSAY, MARK 68 27 2 2 CATHER, MIKE 121 7 24 2 RIOS, DANNY 174 14 14 1 SHELDON, SCOTT 16 8 15 1 TATIS, FERNANDO 69 2 2 2 LIGTENBERG, KERRY 122 14 25 1 ROHRMEIER, DAN 175 17 13 2 CHAVEZ, ANTHONY 17 25 1 1 HIDALGO, RICHARD 70 3 24 2 IRABU, HIDEKI 123 17 19 1 WILLIAMSON, ANTONE 176 27 27 2 JONES, BOBBY M. 18 11 9 1 FULLMER, BRAD 71 8 12 1 POLCOVICH, KEVIN 124 27 17 2 RITCHIE, TODD 177 2 14 2 KUBINSKI, TIM 19 24 23 1 CRUZ, DEIVI 72 25 6 1 REESE, POKEY 125 2 5 2 ERDOS, TODD 178 3 4 1 MIRABELLI, DOUG 20 17 18 1 ORDONEZ, MAGGLIO 73 24 9 1 MCGUIRE, RYAN 126 3 23 2 GAILLARD, EDDIE 179 8 11 2 NYE, RYAN 21 16 23 1 ENCARNACION, JUAN 74 11 2 1 SIMON, RANDALL 127 8 1 2 BARRIOS, MANUEL 180 25 16 2 DE LAMAZA, ROLAND 22 28 3 2 REYES, DENNIS 75 7 18 2 FOULKE, KEITH 128 25 4 2 RODRIGUEZ, RICH 181 24 18 1 FONVILLE, CHAD 23 21 26 2 CARPENTER, CHRIS 76 2 2 2 FOX, CHAD 129 24 17 1 LATHAM, CHRIS 182 12 25 2 MARTINEZ, DENNIS 24 17 5 1 LEE, DERREK 77 21 7 1 ORDAZ, LUIS 130 11 15 1 FRIAS, HANLEY 183 21 23 2 HERNANDEZ, FERNANDO 25 22 16 2 RUSCH, GLENDON 78 7 12 1 BROWN, EMIL 131 12 23 2 DURAN, ROBERTO 184 26 3 1 CASTRO, JUAN 26 4 7 1 MARRERO, ELI 79 26 21 1 CLYBURN, DANNY 132 28 6 2 RODRIGUEZ, FELIX 185 22 13 1 MURRAY, EDDIE 27 23 25 2 CLOUDE, KEN 80 8 16 1 HANSEN, JED 133 21 7 1 BERBLINGER, JEFF 186 16 12 2 WAGNER, PAUL SECOND ROUND 81 16 18 2 EYRE, SCOTT 134 18 17 1 MILLER, DAMIAN EIGHTH ROUND 28 1 20 1 CASEY, SEAN 82 4 16 1 MARTINEZ, FELIX 135 26 13 2 BOVEE, MIKE 187 1 23 2 CUMMINGS, JOHN 29 6 28 1 DUNWOODY, TODD 83 23 13 2 PERISHO, MATT 136 22 16 2 WHISENANT, MATT 188 6 18 2 LEVINE, AL 30 7 22 1 COLEMAN, MICHAEL FOURTH ROUND 137 16 3 2 GORECKI, RICK 189 15 3 1 ANTHONY, ERIC 31 20 14 1 MCDONALD, JASON 84 1 6 2 CROWELL, JIM 138 4 7 1 GREEN, SCARBOROUGH 190 5 1 1 LISTACH, PAT 32 5 6 1 BOONE, AARON 85 6 21 2 JOHNSON, MIKE 139 23 7 1 FRANKLIN, MICAH 191 13 22 1 MCKEEL, WALT 33 8 7 2 AYBAR, MANNY 86 15 1 2 MARTIN, TOM SIXTH ROUND 192 19 14 2 HAUGHT, GARY 34 10 9 1 CABRERA, ORLANDO 87 20 28 2 ALFONSECA, ANTONIO 140 1 4 1 BERRYHILL, DAMON 193 9 24 1 FIGGA, MIKE 35 19 26 1 BUTLER, RICH 88 5 6 1 WATKINS, PAT 141 6 2 2 BROCK, CHRIS 194 7 6 1 ROSE JR., PETE 36 9 17 1 ORTIZ, DAVID 89 13 16 1 SUTTON, LARRY 142 15 24 1 BUSH, HOMER 195 14 16 1 STEWART, ANDY 37 7 19 2 WOODARD, STEVE 90 10 5 2 MURRAY, HEATH 143 5 25 1 GUEVARA, GIOMAR 196 2 9 2 FALTEISEK, STEVE 38 14 25 1 DUCEY, ROB 91 19 17 1 VALENTIN, JAVIER 144 13 18 2 FORDHAM, TOM 197 3 10 1 GILBERT, SHAWN 39 17 1 1 JOHNSON, RUSS 92 9 17 1 HUNTER, TORII 145 10 7 2 RAGGIO, BRADY 198 8 1 2 MINOR, BLAS 40 27 20 2 COLON, BARTOLO 93 8 26 2 ALMANZAR, CARLOS 146 19 28 1 BOOTY, JOSH 199 24 5 1 SLAUGHT, DON 41 2 12 1 NUNEZ, ABRAHAM 94 14 28 2 OJALA, KIRT 147 9 5 1 VELANDIA, JORGE 200 12 3 1 KIRBY, WAYNE 42 3 20 1 WILSON, ENRIQUE 95 17 22 1 MACK, SHANE 148 7 9 2 DEHART, RICK 201 21 6 2 MARTINEZ, PEDRO A. 43 22 18 1 VALDEZ, MARIO 96 27 5 2 CUNNANE, WILL 149 14 24 1 CRUZ, IVAN 202 26 16 2 MCDILL, ALLEN 44 25 26 2 ESCOBAR, KELVIM 97 2 16 1 LONG, RYAN 150 17 10 2 KASHIWADA, TAKASHI 203 16 7 1 GALLEGO, MIKE 45 24 14 1 BELLHORN, MARK 98 3 8 2 PISCIOTTA, MARC 151 27 3 1 BLANCO, HENRY NINTH ROUND 46 11 22 2 CHECO, ROBINSON 99 8 10 2 CRAWFORD, JOE 152 2 18 2 CLEMONS, CHRIS 204 1 1 1 RIVERA, LUIS 47 20 14 2 RIGBY, BRAD 100 25 16 1 HALTER, SHANE 153 3 11 2 RAMOS, EDGAR 205 6 25 2 MANZANILLO, JOSIAS 48 28 27 2 THOMSON, JOHN 101 24 12 1 BROWN, ADRIAN 154 8 16 2 SANTIAGO, JOSE 206 13 7 1 LIVINGSTONE, SCOTT 49 21 18 2 CASTILLO, CARLOS 102 11 9 2 BENNETT, SHAYNE 155 25 28 2 STANIFER, ROBBY 207 9 7 1 GULAN, MIKE 50 19 9 1 VIDRO, JOSE 103 12 24 2 BANKS, WILLIE 156 24 7 1 MEJIA, ROBERTO 208 14 24 1 POSE, SCOTT IRBL # 549 2-17-98 2 209 2 10 1 BIESER, STEVE 210 3 15 1 SAGMOEN, MARC 211 8 11 2 WINSTON, DARRIN 212 24 1 1 RAMOS, KEN 213 12 11 2 MIMBS, MICHAEL 214 21 15 1 TETTLETON, MICKEY 215 26 5 2 LONG, JOEY TENTH ROUND 216 1 3 1 LIRIANO, NELSON 217 6 19 2 DAVIS, MARK 218 9 23 1 HALL, JOE 219 14 20 1 HUBBARD, TRENT 220 2 10 1 MORGAN, KEVIN 221 3 19 2 MISURACA, MIKE 222 8 11 1 ROBERTSON, MIKE 223 24 10 1 TOMBERLIN, ANDY 224 21 25 2 MADDUX, MIKE 225 26 15 2 EVERSGERD, BRYAN ELEVENTH ROUND 226 1 19 2 MCANDREW, JAMIE 227 6 12 2 WAINHOUSE, DAVID 228 9 10 1 THURMAN, GARY 229 14 6 2 CARRARA, GIOVANNI 230 3 28 1 MORMAN, RUSS 231 26 7 2 MCGRAW, TOM -------------------------------- LEGEND: # : draft pick number NT : new (IRBL) team OT : old (DMB) team T : player type: 1 : batter; 2 : pitcher IRBL # 549 2-17-98 3 ...................................... PLAYER TRANSACTIONS: The MARLINS traded JIMMY HAYNES, DENNIS REYES, SCOTT WINCHESTER to the GIANTS for DAVID CONE, MIKE THURMAN. The PIRATES released KIM BATISTE, NOE MUNOZ, ERIK PAPPAS, DAVE STATON, CHRIS TREMIE, DAVE VALLE, MIKE BIRKBECK, MIKE DRAPER, GREG A. HARRIS, MIKE HARTLEY, JOE KLINK, STEVE PHOENIX, RAFAEL QUIRICO. The PIRATES traded DOMINGO CEDENO, GREG CADARET, JIM CORSI to the WHITE SOX for DARREN DAULTON, DAMIAN MILLER, TODD PRATT, SCOTT BAILES. The CUBS traded GERONIMO BERROA, MIKE HOLTZ to the MARLINS for JOHN MABRY, JEFF JUDEN. The GIANTS traded RAMON MOREL to the CARDINALS for MARK JOHNSON. The PHILLIES traded DARREN BRAGG to the CUBS for BILL SPIERS. The REDS released KIRK MCCASKILL. The RANGERS traded TONY WOMACK to the YANKEES for DEIVI CRUZ. The RED SOX traded BUBBA TRAMMELL, GLENDON RUSCH to the RANGERS for WILLIE GREENE. The PIRATES traded ROB BUTLER, DARREN DAULTON to the PADRES for ERIC DAVIS, RHEAL CORMIER. The BREWERS traded GREG VAUGHN to the PADRES for STEVE COOKE. ...................................... TRADING POST ..... The YANKEES are offering Wally Joyner for a full-time 3B and an outfielder (or a catcher) under the age of 30 (two players are wanted for Wally Joyner). With Joyner's .341 B.Avg. vsRH and 141 allowed IRBL GP, there must be some contender who would find him valuable. ..... The YANKEES are offering lefty starting pitcher Chris Hammond (allowed 30 starts with a 5.92 E.R.A.) for an outfielder. ..... The MARLINS have 3 starting pitchers available: KHill, JThomson, and JJuden. Need good hitting outfielder and lefty releiver. Make me an offer if interested. ..... The Cubs have IF Jason Bates available for trade. ..... ...................................... Please call me immediately if you find any errors on the draft results, cross-reference rosters or the DMB IRBL player files. ...................................... The draft took 10 hours and 45 minutes IRBL # 549 2-17-98 4 this year ending at 6:45 pm (ET). The 231 draft picks averaged 2.8 minutes per pick. This was even faster than last year (which also was the fastest ever to that point). The averages for the past few years have been: 1998 2.8 minutes per pick 1997 3.3 minutes per pick 1996 4.0 minutes per pick 1995 4.5 minutes per pick Each year, I have been able to implement a new technique which has reduced the average by about 30 seconds per pick. This year, the immediate update to the draft results web page saved the time in reading off the last few picks before someone made a pick. There was also a time saving for the few people who were using the IRC "chat room". Some of these people were giving me their picks before I was even able to ask them (which saved a telephone call which saved time and money). We ran into a few technical problems during the day (such as losing access for a while to update the web page) which took time away from the draft trying to resolve but even with all that, we still set a record time. My thanks to Ricky Diaz and John Mattfeld for helping me run the draft on-site. Without their help, the draft would have taken much, much longer. ....................................... IRC (Internet Relay Chat): If anyone needs help in using IRC, I recommend downloading the mIRC program from the www.mirc.co.uk web site. After installing and starting the program, in the setup screen, you would add the irc.isbl.com server name (that is the IRC server that was chosen by the IRBL managers during the draft) and then type in the #irbl channel that was created. You will then be logged into that channel and you will see who is currently logged in. Then you can just type messages that every else logged into the channel can see. ....................................... The next newsletter (LRD) will contain guidelines and forms to fill out for your team season instructions. ...................................... IRBL # 549 2-17-98 5 REMINDER: You must reduce your roster to 50 players or less (combined rated and non-rated players) by the trading deadline. Your roster may never at anytime exceed 60 total players. If your roster exceeds these limits then enough non-rated players will automatically be released, alphabetically, to reduce your roster to the 50 or 60 player limit. ...................................... EMAIL addresses: I noticed that some managers are sending out email messages addressed to all IRBL managers using an out-dated address list. A new line has now been added near the bottom of the IRBL web site home page that says 'Click here to send email to all IRBL managers'. If you click on that, it will allow you to send email to all IRBL managers using the latest email address list. 21 of the 24 IRBL managers now have email (all except the BRAVES, BREWERS and ORIOLES' managers). ...................................... REMINDER: When announcing trades, always indicate the date and time (Eastern Time) that the traded was completed. Send the announcement message to all IRBL managers using the new email link on the IRBL web page (so everyone will be up-to-date with all trades). ...................................... MANAGER RESIGNATION: George Widenor (TIGERS) has resigned after 11 years in the IRBL. Based on his resignation letter (included in the IRBL BBS messages below), I think he was just "burnt-out". George joined the IRBL when he was just 16 years old. Due to his young age, I only let him join because his father (who was also an IRBL manager at that time), vouched for him and guaranteed to back him up. George turned out to be one of the most reliable managers the IRBL has ever had. All of the concerns that George mentioned would have been answered if he had the opportunity to read the messages and comments in the last few newsletters so I think my "burn-out" theory is probably correct. ...................................... I have included an updated IRBL Manager Address List. ...................................... VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: IRBL # 549 2-17-98 6 Volunteers are needed to prepare the season instructions for the ROCKIES, EXPOS, MARINERS and TIGERS. I would also need an immediate evaluation of the team to let me know if they are short on AB's or IP (so I can try to negotiate a trade). ...................................... The following is a summary of the 1998 draft telephone calls that I should be receiving reimbursement for: TEAM MANAGER CALLS COST ---- ------- ----- ---- DODGERS Massimo Ortensi 2 * GIANTS Mike Mayko 5 3.75 PADRES Andrea Cristiani 1 * CARDINALS Don Tobin 10 7.50 CUBS Mike Boling 7 5.25 REDS Jeff Nicholson 12 9.00 BRAVES Jim Jansen 12 9.00 METS Gerry McDonald 6 4.50 RANGERS Michael Walsh 6 4.50 INDIANS Bill Mattfeld 3 2.25 ROYALS Tom Dixon 8 6.00 BLUE JAYS Roch Doran 6 4.50 ORIOLES Carmine Salerno 10 7.50 RED SOX Frank Hopkins 7 5.25 * : pre-paid ...................................... RESULTS OF NEWSLETTER # 547 PROPOSALS: Proposal #1 (Post-season play) (Matt Cummings): Any manager may request the games be played face-to-face, by phone, or via internet, at his own expense, before the start of the series. The opposing manager will oblige this courtesy as long as game times and method of play can be arranged and the results will be timely (i.e., the series must be played within a period of the next 3 weekends). Requests for face-to-face play after a series has started can be made by mutual agreement; however, any manager can refuse the request, since all or part of one team's home games will have already been played with one manager not having the opportunity to take advantage of "face-to-face" play. Proposal #2 (Post-season pitchers) (Ricky Diaz): Modify IRBL Rule # 20G3 to read as follows (changing from 50 IP to 40 IP): A pitcher who had <40 actual IP (do not use IRBL statistics) is IRBL # 549 2-17-98 7 limited to 1 GP in each post-season series. VOTING RESULTS SUMMARY: PROPOSAL # ---> 1 2 -- -- FOR ---> 8 7 AGAINST ---> 2 2 NOT VOTING ---> 14 15 RESULT: ---> Pass Pass Details of the voting can be found later in this newsletter. ...................................... NEW MANAGER RECRUITMENT: I have been unsuccessful recently in trying to recruit new managers. I had one promising candidate. He was even working on preparing his draft instructions. His only problem was that he needed to install the IRBL Menu Program on a "G" drive instead of a "C" drive (because he had no more space left on "C"). I spent half a day modifying the IRBL Menu Program so it will now work from any drive letter and sent him an update the day after he told me of the problem. He then wrote me back that he decided to join another league. I am continually amazed at the new ways people can come up with for being inconsiderate of others. I think there are just too many leagues to choose from. I don't think I have not been able to convey the unique features that the IRBL has that other leagues do not. I sent in a revised Ad for the DMB web site "League Directory" over ten days ago but they have not posted it yet. I have also posted an Ad to recruit IRBL managers on the rec.sport.baseball.fantasy newsgroup, the DMB Mailing List (which is currently out of service), at The Perfect Game: www.peiprog.com/PerfectGame, John Mosey's Fantasy Baseball: www.mosey.com and John Skilton's Baseball Links: www.baseball- links.com. I have gotten no responses so far from any of these Ads. Does anyone know of any other places I can advertise to find 4 new managers IRBL # 549 2-17-98 8 (for the ROCKIES, EXPOS, MARINERS and TIGERS)? Aren't there 4 current IRBL managers who know just one person who would want to be an IRBL manager (or are we all "gaming loners")? Does anyone want to submit a "testimonial" describing "Why I like the IRBL" that I can use on an IRBL web site "testimonial page"? Maybe that will help convince prospective new managers. Does anyone want to be listed on an IRBL web site "manager bio" page? If you want to be listed, please submit your age, occupation and gaming history (and anything else that think would interesting). If you know how to create HTML web pages, you can just email me the HTML files (plus any referenced graphics files). If you want your photo to appear, either send me a photo graphics file or mail me a photo and I will scan it into a file. ...................................... DEADLINES: Mar. 8 - Trading deadline (6 pm, EST) Mar. 22 - Team instructions to be received by League Office and all managers within your league Apr. 1 - First series of 1998 season ...................................... Files included on LRD # 549: --------------------------- IRBLROST.xxx --> IRBL Rosters MANAGERS.xxx --> Manager Address List NEWSL549.xxx --> Newsletter # 549 PLAYERUF.Y98 --> Player Usage Forms for all teams File Extension Legend (xxx): --------------------------- PED --> Epson Dot Matrix Compatible Printer "print file" PHL --> HP Laser Compatible Printer "print file" T1C --> Viewable one column newsletter text format TXT --> Viewable text format ...................................... BK IRBL # 549 2-17-98 9 RESULTS OF NEWSLETTER # 547 PROPOSALS ------------------------------------- Date TEAM MANAGERS 1 2 Voted Method of vote ---- -------- - - ----- -------------- DODGERS Massimo Ortensi F F 1-22-98 email GIANTS Mike Mayko PADRES Andrea Cristiani F F 1-24-98 email ROCKIES ASTROS Mike Rainey CARDINALS Don Tobin F F 1-22-98 email CUBS Mike Boling PIRATES Ricky Diaz F F 1-29-98 BBS REDS Jeff Nicholson BRAVES Jim Jansen EXPOS MARLINS Don Swearingen METS Gerry McDonald F F PHILLIES John Parker ANGELS Matt Cummings F* ATHLETICS Bill Koens MARINERS RANGERS Michael Walsh BREWERS John Mattfeld INDIANS Bill Mattfeld F A 1-31-98 telephone ROYALS Tom Dixon A F 1-23-98 BBS TWINS Mark Johnson WHITE SOX Chip Hopkins BLUE JAYS Roch Doran ORIOLES Carmine Salerno A A 1-24-98 BBS RED SOX Frank Hopkins TIGERS YANKEES Barry Koopersmith F F 1-31-98 *: Counted as a FOR vote (since he submitted the proposal) even though an official vote submission was not received PROPOSAL # ---> 1 2 -- -- FOR ---> 8 7 AGAINST ---> 2 2 NOT VOTING ---> 14 15 RESULT: --->Pass Pass IRBL # 549 2-17-98 10 MESSAGES OF INTEREST POSTED ON THE IRBL BBS OR SENT VIA INTERNET EMAIL ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: IRBL Newsletter # 548 proposal deadline Date: Sun, 01 Feb 1998 21:06:26 -0800 From: JOHN PARKER To: Barry Koopersmith The Phillies vote no to the new proposal. Reason is some teams that are not going to win the division will tank the year to get a better draft pick. Msg: 4 (Public, sent 02/06/98 at 12:47) From: GEORGE WIDENOR To: ALL MANAGERS Subj: RESIGNATION It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation from the IRBL. I have been a manager for over 11 years now, and I have enjoyed my time in this league immensely. Several factors though, have led me to believe this is the best choice for me at this time. The first factor is that I, for the third year in a row, cannot participate actively in the IRBL draft. The draft is, for me, the most fun part of the season, and for the past three years I have business trips on the weekend it occurs. Last year I drafted by written list and the results were horrible. With my team in a semi-rebuilding mode, I cannot afford another poor draft, and it is frustrating to see my team lose an opportunity to continue to compete. Second, I have begun to lose my energy for the league. When I got back from vacation in January, I didn't even bother to look for newsletters. It got to the point Barry had to call me to see if I had disappeared from the planet. I think this loss of energyt has to do with recent developments in the politics of the league. I spend more time on this hobby than any other I have ever had. I have busted my butt to build a good team from a last place team in the late eighties. Recently I have come to realize that it just may be possible that not everyone is playing their road games on the up and up. I won 107 games this year, and still went into the playoffs sure that I was going to lose. Not because my team was not capable, but because they may not be allowed a fair opportunity to win. I cannot prove any of that, but just the fact I have to feel like that makes this league less fun for me. Last, I have had several frustrating computer problems with trying to download and install the last few newsletters. I do not have an IBM, so I run Windows 95 on my Macintosh. For whatever reason, it has recently begun to not install some of the files. I just do nothave the time or dedication left at this point to fix these problems, although I know Barry would be more than happy to assist me, as always. In short, I just want to say thanks to everyone in the league for an enjoyable time. I will miss talking trades with all of you. Also, a very large thank you to Barry for keeping this league going. I do not think we all truly appreciate whatit takes to keep this leage running this smooth for 25 years like Barry has, and there would not be an IRBL without him. Thank you Barry. If anyone wants to just talk baseball, please keep me on the e-mail list or drop me a line. Good luck to you all. George Subject: web site of interest Date: Sat, 7 Feb 1998 10:43:50 -0600 IRBL # 549 2-17-98 11 From: "Mike Boling" To: All IRBL Managers found this site, thought it may interest some. Most stuff here we already may know, some new info. http://www.dmlco.com/pps Subject: Signing Off....... Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 05:08:48 -0600 From: "Matthew Cummings" Reply-To: tribefan@brookings.net To: All IRBL Managers I'm leaving for school in SC shortly, my phone and internet access will be turned off until 18 April. Any messages can be forwarded to Don Swearingen, I'll see him over the next two weekends. Subject: Re: IRBL Rookie / Free-Agent draft on Sunday, Feb. 15th Date: Fri, 13 Feb 1998 20:32:42 +0100 From: Massimo Ortensi At 15.58 12/02/98 -0500, Don Swearingen wrote: >I think its a great idea Massimo. We can try irc.isbl.com or anything else >anyone has an idea on. Ok, so let's meet at irc.isbl.com I tried just now and added a channel named IRBL, as we'll do on sunday. I have two tel. lines, so it's not a problem for me, but an after-draft chat could kill me (usually I stop drafting about 11 PM Italian time, which is 5 PM ET). Subject: Starting Pitching Date: Sun, 15 Feb 1998 14:07:43 -0500 From: "Donny Ray Swearingen" To: All IRBL Managers Marlins have 3 starting pitchers available...KHill, JThomson, and JJuden. Need good hitting outfielder and lefty releiver....make me an offer if interested. Msg: 5 (Public, sent 02/15/98 at 20:01) From: TOM DIXON To: ALL MANAGERS Subj: E-MAIL Just to let you know, my e-mail address is tad16@aol.com. I would like to applaud Barry for another well done draft. The web page certainly seem to speed things along. Way to go everyone. Subject: Padres need AB's Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 15:09:18 +0100 From: Andrea Cristiani To: All IRBL Managers Hi everybody, hope you drafted what you want. The PADRES drafted less AB's than they needed, so I'm now shopping a solid fifth starter (Bergman, 30GS, 15.2 Rnr9 or Cooke, 36GS, 14.5 Rnr9, both 28 years old) for some 300 decent AB's, any position. IRBL # 549 2-17-98 12 Subject: Cubs trading Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 10:28:36 -0600 From: "Mike Boling" To: All IRBL Managers The Cubs have versatile Bill Spiers up for trade. We're looking for a decent OF and/or a starting pitcher. Other available for trade are LH reliever Dennis Cook and IF Jason Bates. Subject: Help Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 08:05:39 -0500 From: "Frank Hopkins" To: All IRBL Managers The Red Sox need some 3B time, some jerk took Orie before I could. Never mind it was 17 picks before my pick. Anyway I some extra starting pitching and some prospects to offer, also some cash. Please help out a brother in need. Thanks for your support. Frank. Subject: Re: Help Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 21:35:57 +0100 From: Andrea Cristiani To: All IRBL Managers At 08.05 17/02/98 -0500, Frank Hopkins wrote: >The Red Sox need some 3B time, some jerk took Orie before I could. >Never mind it was 17 picks before my pick. Anyway I some extra starting >pitching and some prospects to offer, also some cash. Please help out a >brother in need. Thanks for your support. Frank. > Guess what? The Padres were hoping Orie could still be available with pick #32. I cannot help you, Frank, good luck! Subject: Trade Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 16:25:56 -0500 From: "Frank Hopkins" To: All IRBL Managers Red Sox announce that they have sent two of their newly aquired draft picks, Glenn Rusch & Bubba Trammell to the Rangers for Willie Greene to fill the gaping hole at 3B. Greene said he was very excited about becoming a part of such a wonderful organization and looked forward to being in the same lineup with Jim Thome & Larry Walker. Red Sox owner said that this could be the final piece to the puzzle to bring a championship to the Red Sox.