You Don't Mess With the Johan

I know, I know, nobody wants to hear about someone else's fantasy baseball team. And it is not like I have never won a fantasy league before. But hey, this is my blog and I can write about whatever I want so indulge me for a few minutes. So, with the conclusion of the 2008 Major League Baseball regular season, my team the Bad News Blairs can officially claim victory in the CBS Sportsline fantasy league known as the Bleacher Bums. I follow in the footsteps of good friend and fellow blogger Rob Schumann, the 2007 league champion and frequent trading partner in the league.

My acquisition of Mets pitcher Johan Santana and shortstop Jose Reyes from Rob in exchange for Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton and future Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw put me in "win now" mode for 2008 and set the stage for a strong second half run. It is a very competitive, tough league with a great bunch of guys, which makes the achievement particularly satisfying. I learned everything I know about the general managing biz from Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, so let me give a shout out to him. By the way, Theo, still haven't gotten those playoff tickets in the mail yet. I'll just stop by Fenway Park to pick them up. Sound good?