Fantasy Baseball.

Until 3 years ago, I shunned fantasy baseball, prefering not to dilute my loyalties and to focus on the mostly wayward fortunes of the White Sox.

Then I was suckered into a 13-team NL-only 5x5 keeper league (I live in NL-territory).  I figured I could keep my loyalties true enough, considering the limited nature of interleague play.

I renamed my team the Black Sox, inherited a bunch of hacks, the best of whom was Tomo Ohka, and started off by sucking tremendously.  Luckily, it was 2005, and who cared?  The White Sox won it all.

This year, however, the White Sox suck, and their alter-ego Black Sox are riding the backs of Brad Penny, Francisco Cordero, Jose Reyes, and Prince Fielder to a 10-point lead in the standings.  (I'm still waiting for the bottom to drop out, <knocking on wood>).

So I'm conflicted.  I dread the boxscores for another statistical demonstration of White Sox futility, but then... Reyes just stole 5 bases in 2 games.  I find myself scanning the free agent wire for possibilities to replace Ryan Freel, and wonder just how many starts to give to Wandy Rodriguez.  

Meanwhile, the White Sox tumble further, and Kenny trades prospect Cunningham for some guy named Richar.  I wouldn't have done that, I think.  Hell, I'm a GM too...

So, I'm wondering how many on SSS have fantasy teams.  Are they winning?  What kind of league do you play in, and can you really root for Travis Hafner? Is this the year to say thank god for my fake team, because the real one sucks?