Here's a classic from the GSI archives - Tom Pellegrino's "Characters In Your Leauge":

No good fantasy football league is without its fair share of characters. In going from league to league, you see that these people all exist in the same social experiment that is fantasy football. This is the fun part of the league. If you just drafted and played the games, that’s not fun. Leagues fail because of that. You need villains, heroes, and all of the characters in between. You need to make it personal among your friends, family, and co-workers, that’s what make fantasy football so great: the ability to take this great game to another level through these relationships. 

DARTH VADER
He’s the bad guy of the league. He’s won the championship before. He’s shrewd, good, tough, and he knows it. And everyone in the league hates him, and he knows that too. He causes you to not really work together, but to work against him. In order to have a good league, your league needs to have at least one Darth Vader. And if you are the league’s Darth Vader, feel good about it. It’s a great thing that you are part of the reason that the league is fun.

THE BLACK CAT
He’s the guy that seems to always have a team where four of his first six picks get hurt within the first weeks of the season… EVERY YEAR! He’s worse than the SI cover jinx, and the Madden curse combined. You want this person to draft people that are not on any other fantasy teams that you own; and it’s a bonus for him to draft people on teams that you hate. He’s the same guy that scavenges the waiver wire early and often to piece together a random team every week. Be fearful of this guy though, because just as you are thinking, “Yeah, but who has Matt Furrey on his team for his 82 yard, 2 TD game?” The answer: The Black Cat, the week he played you.

UNFROZEN CAVEMAN FANTASY PLAYER
If his team were the same five years ago, you could etch his name on the trophy now. But instead of the 2004 versions, he has the 2008 versions of Rudi Johnson, Isaac Bruce, Marvin Harrison, Bubba Franks, Mushin Muhammad, Warrick Dunn, and Alge Crumpler. But since he’s been frozen for five years, he hasn’t noticed that these guys are far from their prime form. He will defend his picks by saying, “If they are anything close to the way they were three years ago… LOOK OUT!”

BENEDICT ARNOLD
Have you seen the Best Buy commercial where the guy celebrates his team’s fantasy player scoring a touchdown against the NFL team he roots for? Well, that’s the guy. He’s the guy that cannot discern which is better, the “W” for his fantasy team, or the “W” for his NFL team. And if you have to think it about it, seek help. And you do not want to wind up sitting next to me at a Bengals game.

HOMER SIMPSON
He’s the opposite of Benedict Arnold. He’s the Bengals fan with Chad Johnson, Carson Palmer, Isaac Curtis, James Brooks, Rudi Johnson, Kenny Irons, Ickey Woods, Jim Breech, Doug Pelfrey, Boomer Esiason, Bob Trumpy, Anthony Munoz, Peter Warrick, and Shayne Graham on his team. And while it helps his rooting interest, it does not translate into a solid fantasy football strategy. He also might not necessarily show up to the draft prepared. “Well prepared” for him means borrowing a pen and a piece of paper. .
NOTE: In 2006, I was this guy in my home league. I went 7-7 during the year, taking Rudi Johnson in the first round and Chad Johnson in the second round. Trust me, you do NOT want to do this strategy, because you generally tend to have doubly bad days or doubly good days. And the doubly bad days are worse feeling than the doubly good days feel good.

CRAPPY TRADE MAN
He’s the guy that hopes that you didn’t notice that the guys he’s trying to trade you are broken or suck. He’s the guy that tries to get LaDainian Tomlinson for Randy McMichael, John Kasay, and the Browns defense. And then does not get why you do not want to make the deal. So then he “sweetens” the deal by throwing in Brady Quinn, but he’ll want you to add Vince Young. When he gets no taker, after offering the same deal to the rest of the league, he’ll drop him. That’s when you attack. No, that does not mean pick the person up, rather to the guy who dropped him say, “How did you drop the greatest kicker in NFL history?”

The antidote for him, is posting every ridiculous trade offer. Form a support group called, “People who’ve been offered Randy McMichael.” The fun part about this is that when you hang out with the guy start referring to McMichael as arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history, just to watch him tense up.

THE WALKING NO-TRADE CLAUSE
He’s the opposite of Crappy Trade Man. In a way, he’s even worse. He has a glaring need, he has someone you could really use, and you have someone he needs.

You make the offer. Nothing.
You even sweeten the deal. Nothing.
You make your absolute best possible offer. Nothing.
You bribe him. Nothing.
You buy him season tickets. Nothing.
You use calculus to prove that the deal will work for both sides. Nothing.
You bring in Mel Kiper, Jr. Dan Clasgens, John Madden, and Phil Simms to break the deal down. Nothing.
You try the Jedi mind trick. Nothing.
You threaten to hit him with a boat oar. Nothing.
You actually hit him with a boat oar. Nothing.

He thinks that you must be trading him crap and what he has must be very good. He’s so afraid to pull the trigger that he refuses to use the waiver wire to drop a player that sucks to get another player. Y’know? Just in case.

THE LAWYER
He’s the guy that needs constant clarifications on the rules. And he acts like this is all news to him. “So let me get this straight.”, he’ll say, “You can keep two players between one year and the next, right? What if I kept Peyton Manning, Chad Johnson, Two guys that aren’t even on my roster, The Edge, Marques Colston, and Antonio Gates? Would that work? Why not?” He also is the guy that tries to start six running backs, instead of using any wide receivers. He’s perpetually looking for an angle that just isn’t there.

THE ROOKIE
He likes football. He seems relatively intelligent. And he just wants to try out this crazy fantasy football thing that the young people seem to be talking about these days. So he drafts. And his team has every player on it that seem good (because they have TV ads, are talked about on TV or radio, and have lots of sound bites.) So his roster has players that are NFL good, but not really fantasy good (Ben Roethlisberger leaps to mind). He winds up going 4-10 in his first year, and hosting the league for the Super Bowl party. In every league, The Rookie always takes a beating, and then they get smart, and mix in well. But that first year…

THAT #@$&!%* GUY
I hate That #@$&!%* Guy. That #@$&!%* Guy is guy that is involved in every major controversy in the league. He’s the guy that thinks he got hosed on the draft order. He’s the guy that realizes he made a dumb trade, and wants it reversed; TWO WEEKS LATER. He’s the guy that thinks that league is specifically designed to destroy his team and rob him of his money. He thinks that every trade is an assault against his fantasy football empire. He thinks that the waiver system is football aristocracy and pure fascism. He’s the guy that calls you at 1:15pm on a Sunday while you are at a football game, out-of-town, or a family reunion out in the middle of nowhere and nowhere near a computer to inform you that the changes he wanted to make were not allowed because the games just started, but he SWEARS that he hasn’t watched a second of football (yet, they person he wants to start the game just caught a 90 yard bomb for a touchdown, but that’s just a huge co-inky-dink) AND DEMANDS THAT YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW! He threatens to quit the league mid-season thus giving you the dreaded odd number of teams. You cringe when your caller ID says it’s him. He’s just That #@$&!%* Guy!!!!

DAY TRADER
Believe it or not, doubles as “The Whipped Guy”. He’s the guy that keeps hitting refresh on his computer screen to see if that four yard run from Reggie Bush got him anything. Mainly because he’s either A) beyond obsessed with fantasy football; or B) his significant other is thinking about other ways he could have spent $20-500 rather than on your stupid stat game. He’s like a stock market day trader, constantly seeing what a tiny occurrence did to his score instead of waiting for SportsCenter or looking around online at nine at night like the rest of us. He does this because if he has to report that he lost a fantasy football game, it will start another fight about money.

FLIPPER
Routinely last in the waiver wire priority order, The Flipper has two or three moves to make every week. His roster on the first week of the season looks vastly different than his roster at the end of the season. Usually he has about six of the same people.

THE COMMISH
He’s the guy that takes the phone calls. He sets up the rules, interprets the rules, and runs the league. And he deals with Flipper, Day Trader, The Rookie, The Lawyer, That #@$&!%* Guy, Crappy Trade Man, and Darth Vader all at the same time. And he’s the one drinking Pepto Bismol like they’re cold ones by Week Twelve.

Fantasy Football, Just For Fun

It wasn't a surprise, but it was bold. On Saturday it was cut day around the NFL and Bengals' veterans Rudi Johnson, Willie Anderson, and Deltha O'Neal were amongst the casualalties. Three former Pro Bowlers gone with one blink of the eye.

Other notable Bengals' cuts include: LB Ahmad Brooks, QB Jeff Rowe, S John Bushing, C Dan Santucci

Rowe's departure means that Jordan Palmer will start the year as the team's third-string quarterback. According to the Elias Sports Bureau the only other brother quarterback tandem to play on the same team in the Super Bowl era is Ty and Koy Detmer for the 1997 Eagles. And Koy was on injured reserve while both Palmers are active.

"Obviously the play fell off in '07, and we just haven't seen a lot of change thus far this year," said head coach Marvin Lewis in a late afternoon news conference. "It's a hard decision to make." 

Other moves of interest:

CUTS
QB Chris Simms (TB)
QB Joey Harrington (ATL)
WR Ashley Lelie (SF)
QB Brooks Bollinger (MIN)
TE Marcus Pollard (MIN)
DT Monte Reagor (PHI)
QB Quinn Gray (IND)

INJURED RESERVE
RB Chris Brown (HOU)
QB Charlie Batch (PIT)

Fantasy Football, NFL nfl cuts, bengals, rudi johnson, willie anderson, deltha o'neal, ahmad brooks, jeff rowe, marvin lewis, chris simms, joey harrington, ashely lelie, brooks bollinger, marcus pollard, monte reagor, quinn gray, chris brown, charlie batch

According to Miami radio station 790 The Ticket, which is in Johnson's hometown, the receiver has legally changed his last name to "Ocho Cinco." Johnson's -- sorry -- Ocho Cinco's reported name change has been rumored in NFL circles for weeks, and according to the station today, it's official.

Johnson forewarned the public that a major surprise was coming during a recent interview with Chris McKendry on ESPN's SportsCenter.

"A lot of people look at Chad Johnson and say he's crazy and he does a lot of stuff, but I don't think people really understand how smart I really am," Johnson said. "So come Sept. 7, I believe when we play the Baltimore Ravens, I think that's the game, there's a surprise for everybody -- for everybody. When I say something, it is what it is, just enjoy it. Because it's going to last 16 weeks, plus some more."

If this is true you will see Ocho Cinco on his jersey and announcers will have to officially call him by that.

Unreal, you would hope that before the start of the season your receiver might be a little more focused, but we are talking about Chad. Different name, same stupid crap that goes along with it. 

Just For Fun, NFL bengals.chad johnson, ocho cinco

It's the final weekend before the NFL season officially kicks off next Thursday night!!! That means that if you are anything like me you will be drafting at least one fantasy team this weekend. With that in mind, the FINAL PRESEASON CHEAT SHEET is ready to go!!!

COMPLETE RANKINGS 

Fantasy Football cheat sheet

Knowing which players are hurt going into your draft/auction is critical. I see every single time somebody takes a player that is hurt. In some leagues you might see everyone give owners a second chance. However, in REAL leagues we say, "thanks for the donation"!

Here's the list going into this holiday weekend where so many drafts are held that you will need to know about...

BAL
QB Kyle Boller (shoulder) - could be out for the season
RB Willis McGahee (knee) - expects to be ready for opener

CAR
WR D.J. Hackett (toe) - questionable for opener
WR Steve Smith (suspension) - team-imposed 2-game suspension

CIN
QB Carson Palmer (nose) - will start vs. BAL next week
WR Chad Johnson (shoulder) - playing through injury
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hamsting) - expects to play Week 1
RB Rudi Johnson (hamsting) - has not played in a preseason game
WR Chris Henry (suspension) - out for first 4 weeks of '08

DEN
WR Brandon Marshall (suspenison) - reduced to just one game

GB
RB Ryan Grant (hamstring) - status for opener in question

HOU
RB Ahman Green (groin) - nagging injury hurting his value
RB Chris Brown (back) - spot on team in question at this point

IND
QB Peyton Manning (knee) - DNP in preseason; will play Week 1

JCK
RB Maurice-Jones Drew (ankle) - limited, but should play in opener

MIN
QB Tavaris Jackson (knee) - hopes to start Week 1 for Vikings
WR Bernard Berrian (toe) - status for Week 1 is unclear

NE
QB Tom Brady (foot) - sat out preseason, will play Week 1
WR Wes Welker (ribs) - not much info yet; keep your eyes on this

NO
RB Reggie Bush (quad) - should be fine for regular season
WR Marques Colston (ribs) - appears to be a go for Week 1
TE Jeremy Shockey (leg) - has yet to play a snap as a Saint

NYG
WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) - a slight risk, but he played thru it in past

NYJ
WR Laveranues Coles (leg) - missed preseason, but good for opener

PHI
WR Kevin Curtis (hernia) - likely to miss a month or more
WR Reggie Brown (hamstring) - questionable for opening week

SD
TE Antonio Gates (toe) - will start season at less than 100%

SEA
QB Matt Hasselbeck (back) - risky; hopes to be ready for Week 1
WR Bobby Engram (shoulder) - targeting a Week 5 return to line-up

SF
WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring) - status still in question for opener
WR Arnaz Battle (hamstring) - playing thru nagging injury

TB
WR Joey Galloway (groin) - missed preseason; questionable Week 1

Fantasy Football injury report, kyle boller, willis mcgahee, d.j. hackett, steve smith, carson palmer, chad johnson, t.j. houshmandzadeh, rudi johnson, chris henry, brandon marshall, ryan grant, ahman green, chris brown, peyton manning, maurice-jones drew, tavaris jackson, bernard berrian, tom brady, wes welker, reggie bush, marques colston, jeremy shockey, plaxico burress, laveranues coles, kevin curtis, reggie brown, antonio gates, matt hasselbeck, bobby engram, bryant johnson, arnaz battle, joey galloway

Rosters expand to 40 around Major League Baseball on September 1st. Fantasy owners that are still playing for something in their fantasy baseball leagues need to know which players could make an impact. Here's some my notes from the Fantasy Fastball on GetSportsRadio.com.

Marlins - Cameron Maybin (AA):  spent time on DL with back earlier in season.  Now missing some games after being bit by a spider.  In between, he’s hit .278/13 HR/20 SB.  But has 115/56 K/BB ratio.

Mets - Jon Niese (AAA): already rumored to be taking Maine’s rotation slot.  However, Mets don’t need fifth until Sept. 2.  So he’ll basically be a call-up.  Has 3.18 ERA, with solid but unspectacular 143K/161 IP.  Only 21, so there’s plenty of room to grow and learn.  Good control.  Shouldn’t start him on 2nd, they get the Brewers.

Brewers - Mat Gamel (AAA):  .328 avg / 20 HR / 99 RBI between two levels.  Could easily be compared to Ryan Braun.  Great stick, can’t play defense worth a damn.

TUNE-IN
FANTASY FASTBALL - Get ready for the playoff push and more September sleepers by catching me on the Fastball.

Fantasy Baseball, MLB september call-ups, cameron maybin, jon niese, mat gamel

Jason Giambi certainly earned his gigantic paycheck on Thursday.  Entering the game in the seventh inning as a pinch hitter, he drove an 0-1 pitch over the fence to tie the final New York-Boston regular-season game in Yankee Stadium history at 2-2.  Two innings later, Giambi was at the dish again, this time with the sacks packed and facing Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.  Down 0-2, Giambi stroked a game-winning single to center, sending the Yankee faithful home happy.

Now, even those heroics still leave New York six games behind Boston in the American League wild card race, with Minnesota wedged in, trailing the Sox by 2.5 games.  It would take something close to a 2007-Rockies type of streak for the Bombers to reach the playoffs in their final season in The House That Ruth Built.  And while there will be few outside the Bronx disappointed to see the latest Yankees dynasty officially die, it is a momentous ocassion.

Say what you will about George Steinbrenner and the team's $200 million payroll, but King George never settled for anything less than a championship.  Unlike many owners who are content to pocket hefty profits while their teams wallow in mediocrity, Steinbrenner willingly opened up his admittedly-huge pocketbook when the time came to assemble a wrecking crew of a team.  Sometimes he got exactly what he paid for, sometimes not, but he always gave it his utmost.  There's no questioning that.

MLB yankees, red sox, new york, boston, jason giambi, george steinbrenner

As I sit here and watch Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jeff Rowe both look pretty impressive against the Colts' eighth stringers, I am feeling a bit more secure about the Bengals' backup quarterback situation.

Fitzpatrick is smart, mobile, and accurate. He finished his brief stint in the game by completing 5 of his 8 passes for 35 yards and a TD while picking up another 35 yards on 4 carries. Rowe completed 6 of his first 9 passes and is a lock to be the team's No. 3 QB when the season begins. 

Though these backups are adequate, I am not feeling as comfortable as I did in 2005 when Jon Kitna was the team's No. 2 signal caller. At that time the Bengals arguably had the best 1-2 punch at the position. With that in mind who are the NFL's top backup quarterbacks this season? Here's my top 5:

• 1. Brian Griese (TB) - Laugh all you want, but Griese is the perfect fit for Jon Gruden's system and has experience. Just ask Bears' fans how much they would like to have him now.
  
• 2. Todd Collins (WAS) - He led the Redskins on a late-season run after getting the call and may get a shot to do so again this year even if Jason Campbell doesn't get hurt.
• 3. Billy Volek (SD) -  His playoff performance in Indy was enough to put him on this list. I still can't believe he didn't get a longer look at being a starter longer than he did.
• 4. Sage Rosenfels (HOU) - I'm not crazy about this guy, but he did go 4-1 as a starter in relief for the Texans in '07.
• 5. Trent Green (KC) - He should stay clear of concussions on the sidelines, but few backups have as much game experience as Green does. 

NFL backup qb, ryan fitzpatrick, jeff rowe, brian griese, todd collins, billy volek, sage rosenfels, trent green

Last week I participated in my first fantasy football auction. Of the twelve teams in the league all have played fantasy sports for years but few have done an auction. We had a $200 cap and will be able to keep players based on their salaries. While there were many surprises throughout the day one of the more interesting things was how each position ended up being ranked. Here is the top five in dollar values for each offensive position based on our auction:

RUNNING BACK
1 - LaDainian Tomlinson $53
2 - Adrian Peterson $51
3 - Steven Jackson $50
4 - Marion Barber - $48
5 - Brian Westbrook - $46

QUARTERBACK
1 - Tom Brady $41
2 - Drew Brees $35
3 - Peyton Manning $33
3 - Tony Romo $33
5 - Carson Palmer $20

WIDE RECEIVER
1 - Braylon Edwards $35
2 - Randy Moss $31
2 - Terrell Owens $31
2 - Reggie Wayne $31
5 - Larry Fitzgerald $29 

TIGHT END
1 - Jason Witten $18
2 - Antonio Gates $16
2 - Kellen Winslow $16
4 - Dallas Clark $15
5 - Jeremy Shockey $12

Fantasy Football ladainian tomlinson, adrian peterson, steven jackson, marion barber, brian westbrook, tom brady, peyton manning, tony romo, drew brees, carson palmer, braylon edwards, randy moss, terrell owens, reggie wayne, larry fitzgerald, jason witten, antonio gates, kellen winslow, dallas clark, jeremy shockey

Michael Phelps first swim... 

Just For Fun, Olympics michael phelps

Before you spend a first round pick on Tom Brady and go after a top quarterback early, you need to consider the fact that the point-differential between the top 2 or 3 quarterbacks and the No. 8 and No. 9 quarterbacks isn't that great. Sure, when he was putting up 45 points per week mid-season in '07, Brady owners were unstoppable. There is no doubt Brady is a safe bet to be atop the QB rankings again and is a fairly safe first round pick, but waiting on a QB may be a better stategy. Not only will it allow you chance to get a stud RB or WR, but you can still get production at the QB position.

Take a look at the average points per game by QB's over the last six weeks of last season (when it counted most:
Tom Brady NE - 25.7
Kurt Warner AZ - 24.9
Peyton Manning IND - 23.1
Tony Romo DAL - 22.6
Drew Brees NO - 22.4
David Garrard JAX - 21.4
Matt Hasselbeck SEA - 21.2
Jay Cutler DEN - 19.1
Derek Anderson CLE - 18.4
Ben Roethlisberger PIT - 18.3

Fantasy Football quarterbacks, strategy

I continue my division predictions with a look at the NFC West:

ORDER OF FINISH
1. ARIZONA CARDINALS (9-7): While questions remain as who will start at QB in Arizona, the Cardinals still have the best team in the league's weakest division. Larry Fitzgerald and Anqaun Boldin solidify the Cardinals as the division's best offense. They will need to get another trip out of the aging Edgerrin James, at least enough to keep opposing defenses honest, to have success. On defense, the Cardinals boast some great young talent but they did allow 24.9 ppg last year and lost one of their best players in LB Calvin Pace. I am banking on them being respectable, but not great.

2. ST. LOUIS RAMS (7-9): It amazes me when I talk to people who still think that the Rams have the "Greatest Show On Turf".  Attention, Kurt Warner is in Arizona, Issac Bruce is in San Fran, and Marshall Faulk is retired. What's left is Torry Holt, who though he's no longer a top 10 wideout is still a playmaker. Throw in an experienced an slightly above average Marc Bulger, assuming he can stay healthy, and you have a respectable passing game. Steven Jackson is an elite player though and will more than make up for the declining passing game and the fact that St. Louis possesses one of the league's worst defenses. Jackson's good, but he can't get them to the playoffs by himself.

3. SAN FRANCISCO (7-9): This was supposed to be the year 49ers' head coach Mike Nolan was supposed to have it all in place, that was until former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith turned out to be a bust. The team turns to J.T. O'Sullivan as their starter and that leaves a ton of question marks to me. The young defense anchored by second-year linebacker Patrick Willis is impressive and Frank Gore gives them a playmaker at RB. Playing in this division, the Niners should make a run at .500 and a NFC wildcard spot. I am betting against it though.

4. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-11): Mike Holmgren is going to which he retired a year earlier. The team already has major injury concerns in its passing game, including quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. They signed Julius Jones to compete with Maurice Morris at running back, but Seattle is about to find out the poor rushing attack was not Shaun Alexander's fault alone. The offensive line isn't anywhere nearly as it was three years ago and the defense is overrated. It's going to be Sleepless in Seattle come playoff time this year.

DIVISION AWARDS
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Julius Jones, RB

BIGGEST SURPRISE: J.T. O'Sullivan, SF

MVP: Larry Fitzgerald, ARI

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Chris Long, STL

MORE STUFF
--Crystal Ball: NFC East
--GetSportsRadio.com: PRO FOOTBALL FACE-OFF (Preseason Picks)

NFL nfc west, cardinals, rams, 49ers, seahawks

From the Chicago Tribune:

Jay Mariotti, the opinionated and polarizing sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, has resigned after 17 years with the paper, he told the Tribune on Tuesday night.

Just back from Beijing, where he covered the Olympics, Mariotti said in a phone interview that he decided to quit after it became clear while in China that sports journalism had become "entirely a Web site business. There were not many newspapers there." He added that most of the journalists covering the Games were "there writing for Web sites."

Mariotti, whose public battles with fellow staffers, team owners, managers, coaches and rival columnists are legendary, didn't disclose any specific plans except to say he will continue doing his regular stint on ESPN's "Around the Horn."

He said he "is talking with a lot of Web sites" and added that the future of his business "sadly is not in newspapers."

****
Mariotti is one of my favorite columnist in the country and he will land on his feet. The newspaper industry though is taking a huge hit and those organizations not smart enough to capitalize on new media opportunities are going to continue to see a decline in their content and business as a whole.

Just For Fun jay mariotti

Rotten Tomatoes has compiled a list of the top 75 sports movies:

What's different about this list is that it ranks the films by the best-reviewed, so it's not a subjective compilation. That is why some of these movies will make you say what?

Personal Best barely makes the cut at No. 75, and Dodgeball somehow squeezes in at No. 73. Let's take a look at the top 10...

1. Murderball - (I like it, but No. 1 is a big statement)
2. Touching the Void - (Huh???)
3. Bigger, Stonger, Faster - (a fast riser)
4. Offside - (a freakin' soccer movie...are you kidding?)
5. Raging Bull - (a classic, true top 5)
6. Million Dollar Baby - (Hillary Swank will kick your ass!)
7. Bull Durham - (my No. 1 pick)
8. Hoop Dreams - (one of the best documentaries ever)
9. Lagaan - (never even heard of it)
10. Surfwise -  (another huh???)

COMPLETE LIST

Just For Fun sports movies

Every year at this time as a Reds' fan I find some pennant race to grab onto and take a hold of. It is what us REAL baseball fans in Cincinnati are forced to do if we want to enjoy the sport we love. The problem is every year more and more Reds' fans just stop watching altogether as they gear up for high school, college, and pro football. Sadly, the game of baseball loses more fans every year in this city and other perpetually losing franchises small markets.

With that in mind, I am clinching onto the NL East this year, where once again its a dogfight beteween the Mets and the Phillies. Currently, Philadelphia leads the Mets by 0.5 game. That lead didn't come easy though. The Phillies rallied back from a 7-0 deficit in the fourth inning to beat the Mets 8-7 in a marathon game at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday.

It was unbelievable! This year looks just like last year. We all know about the Mets' collapse down the stretch last season, one that led to the eventuall firing of Willie Randolph this year. The Phillies are back at it again.

Jim Salisbury, of the Philadelphia Inquirer penned it perfectly, in words that as I as Reds' fan can only dream of:

"Citizens Bank Park, filled with electricity and victories, became the place to be in Philadelphia.

It has continued this season. Contenders once again - and back in first place after last night/this morning's surreal win - the Phillies have had 44 sellouts. You can bet on number 45 tonight, because the Bank is still the place to be, and the New York Mets are in town for one more game.

The two teams renewed their entertaining rivalry - it isn't Yankees-Red Sox but it ain't bad, either - with a first-place showdown that twisted stomachs until 12:24 this morning, when Chris Coste gave the Phils an 8-7 win with a bases-loaded hit in the bottom of the 13th inning.

MLB nl east, phillies, mets