1994 CFOD Season Preview: The 1994 CFOD season looks to be the most exciting yet. 1991 was the kickoff season for the league, which saw the Coneheads triumph over the Regulators in the world series to become the first CFOD champions. In 1992, it was the same story, only the Coneheads had the Squids as the victims. 1993 was an expansion year, with four new teams coming into play. The Coneheads were once again victorious, defeating the Somerville Sluggers who had a cinderella run through the playoffs. Preview: Mantle Division ************************* Last year's pennant winner was the Mechan Syndicate. The Syndicate beat out their longtime rivals, the Squids, by having the best offense in the league, while having a pitching staff just good enough to keep them in the game. This season may prove to be interesting for the Syndicate, as on paper they have the worst pitching staff in the league, and positional constraints won't make it possible to play Molitor & Jefferies at the same time. Plus, they have some stiff competition this year. The 2nd-year Reservior Dogs have better than average pitching and hitting (lead by stud starter Bret Saberhagen and sluggers John Valentin and Harold Baines), and the Towers boast the deepest team in the league, with a multitude of talented hitters including Julio Franco, Jeff Kent, Kenny Lofton, Tim Salmon, and Tim Wallach. The Towers will give the Syndicate a run for the runs-scored crown (but can the Tower pitchers keep them in the game?). The Squids are under new management, and unfortunately many of the people on their team have down years from 1993. But with the big sticks of Juan Gonzalez and Mickey Tettleton they could give many a run for their money. On paper the Springfield 'Topes have below average hitting and pitching, but they could nickel & dime their way to a winning record. The newly-named San Francisco Weirdness have all but conceded the '94 season, but could be a threat in 1995 with JT Snow and Jaime Navarro. Preview: Koufax Division ************************* Last year saw a tie for the pennant between the Boston Brewins and Somerville Sluggers. The Sluggers won the playoff between them, and went on to the world series. Their success cost them a bit, as a trade clause kicked in which caused them to give up their first round draft pick to the Coneheads. The 1994 Sluggers are going to find it a bit difficult to repeat, as they suffer from a lack of power and a lack of pitching. It will be a speed game for them, as Knoblauch, Larkin and Vince Coleman should steal bases in bushels. The Brewins are competitive in 1994, with Jeff Conine and Bobby Bonilla having huge years. The Koufax division will be up for grabs this year, as there are several other clubs boasting some fine teams. Last year's miserable Steeltown Scrubs are this year's wonderful Cincinnati Kings. The Kings have managed to put together the best pitching staff in the league. Last year they had a marquee first baseman and a bunch of awful-hitting fillers. This year they have a different marquee first baseman (exit, Palmeiro, enter, McGriff), but boast a fairly decent bunch of fillers (if you can call Manny Ramirez a "filler"). The Wet Sox are perennial contenders, with Jeff Bagwell, Carlos Baerga, Travis Fryman, and Larry Walker forming a strong nucleus. The 2nd year team Zippys could give everyone a run for their money too. The lineup boasts three big sluggers in Bob Hamelin, Kevin Mitchell, and Shane Mack, and they have more starting pitching than you can shake a stick at. And let's not forget the 2-time pennant winning Hillsborough Regulators, who field a competitive team with Gary Sheffield and Dean Palmer providing the pop, and Roger Clemens once again having a fine year. Overall, the Koufax division will be the most competitive one, with any one of these teams possibly making the playoffs in one form or another. Preview: Ruth Division ********************** The story here for the past three years has been one team: the California Coneheads. Are things likely to change in the forseeable future? Probably not. They have hitting up the wazoo, with Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza, Paul O'Neill, Jim Thome, and Craig Biggio to name a few. Yet, the cracks are beginning to show. This year their pitching is only merely average, and they face their stiffest competition yet in the Carolina Lightning. The Lightning boasts the 3rd best pitching staff in the league, and has a formidable batting lineup with Matt Williams, Cecil Fielder, Cal Ripken, Geronimo Berroa and Chilli Davis, to name a few. The 2nd year San Diego Termites have made significant strides, boasting stars such as Andres Galarraga, Joe Carter, and Derek Bell, and with Danny Jackson anchoring their rotation. The New England Whaleheads hope to make things interesting as well. Ken Griffey Jr. and Rafael Palmeiro provide the punch in the order, and Doug Drabek should have a strong year. The Orix Blue Wave have made several moves, and it appears they are gunning for a 1995 run, when guys like Gary DiSarcina and Mark McGwire will be at their strongest. But they should be competitive in 1994, too, with guys like Mo Vaughn and Brett Butler leading the way. Due to prior management decisions, the San Diego Tropics did not have a 1st round pick, and that hurts. The Tropics probably won't be a threat to the Coneheads this year, but can look forward to the stellar performance of Eric Karros in '95. Preview: Young division *********************** Last year the Bangkok Thunder surprised many by taking the division. The '93 Thunder worked very well as a team, with everyone knowing their roles. They also were helped by their closer, Tom Henke, who was simply dominating. 1994 will be a tough year for the Thunder, who have a lot of people who come down off of their 1993 season. They also face some stiff competition. The Seattle Moshers were more surprised by anyone by the Thunder's play, and had to settle for a wild card spot in the playoffs. This year they'll look to take the pennant, backed behind staff ace Greg Maddux and the killer B's, Albert Belle and Jay Buhner. The '93 pennant race also saw the New York Climbers in stiff competition, and they will be just as competitive in 1994. Moises Alou, Dave Justice and a strong pitching staff will help them in pursuit of a playoff spot. The 2nd year team Brookfield Brouhaha is surprisingly strong, with the big bats of Kirk Gibson, Wil Cordero Dave Nilsson and Edgar Martinez, along with a strong pitching staff. They'll be even *better* in 1995 when Jim Edmonds and Rico Brogna join the offensive fray. The Mayhem hope to be competitive with Jose Canseco and Dante Bichette providing the power, and Wilson Alvarez and Pat Rapp providing the pitching. With Tim Wakefield and the King's 1st round pick in 1995, they should be even better in '95. The San Francisco Piazza's have been the worst team in the league for two years running, but that will change with Raul Mondesi and Bret Boone in town. The pitching isn't bad either, comparing favorably to that of the Coneheads.