127 0 All The Olde English Ds Tigers Prediction, AL Central Picks, Nerves and Fantasy Strategy 2/16/06, 7:55am Hello Again Baseball Geeks, Thanks for the welcome Reedster. I am interested in the address you mentioned (tigers.baseballgeeks.com) for my blog. Also, thanks for the nickname of OE. I was slow and didn’t think of it myself, but I like it and will sign off that way from now on. Although may or may not change my logo to an OE 40 ounce. In terms of the system I am still attempting to figure all of the features out. I am having trouble changing the background graphic and the blog window graphic. Is there a size or color restriction? Can you post right to the blog or must you post on topics first and then add to the blog? I’m sure these things will become clear the more I use the site. As everyone can figure out I am a Tigers fan having lived in Michigan my whole life. I am loyal to the Tabbies, but it has been a rough go of things since the last winning season in 1993. Many Tiger’s fans reveled in the glory of 1984 and the stories 35-5 start. However, I was only five and was not able to treasure the experience as were older fans such as my father. He even got the pleasure of the 68 season and the 30 wins of Denny McLain. Yes, this leaves me a little resentful. While I am a Tiger’s slappy I am also a realist. I think the Tigers will be improved over last year and am optimistic they can break the .500 barrier for the first time in 13 years. However, as Reedster pointed out the AL Central is very tough. It is crazy how the AL Central transformed from a laughing stock division the Twins always win to one of the best in baseball. So while the Tigers will be improved they will struggle to get out of fourth place. A third place finish wouldn’t be a huge surprise, but anything higher would. Everything depends on the development of the young pitchers. I need to research the rest of the teams in the Central further, but I will provide my initial predictions for the division. 1. Chicago White Sox – pitching, pitching…did I mention their pitching staff. 2. Minnesota Twins – last year was an aberration...pitching is solid…and don’t expect the defensive lapses of last season. 3. Cleveland Indians – great young line-up will continue to improve…not impressed with their pitching staff and that is the only reason for the placement here…better pitching and they are the tops in the division. 4. Detroit Tigers – thank goodness for the Royals 5. Kansas City Royal – at least they still have Sweeney…don’t they? I read in the Detroit Free Press this morning that Jim Leyland is nervous about his first camp with the Tigers and has not been sleeping well. Did he just realize he is managing the Tigers? If he is not sleeping well now what happens when the season starts. I will be monitoring a variety of Detroit Tigers coverage and media for this blog. On a local radio station this morning I heard callers saying they were excited about the Tigers season. This is a great thing to hear especially since the Pistons and Wings are dominating their respective winter sports. Is there any national buzz about the Tigers? I would love to hear others opinions on this and the AL Central predictions. Finally, I have my first fantasy baseball draft in a few days and would appreciate any strategic advice out there. When do you draft pitchers vs. position players? Which positions do you go after first? I would love to get feedback on these issues as it has been a few seasons since I last played. For now I am out. OE [The Olde English Ds from Whitmore Lake/MI] Replies: 4