CFOD 1995 PREVIEW:  

This year's run should provide to be a competitive one.  In most divisions
it appears to be wide open, with 16-20 teams in line to get one of the
8 playoff spots.  And now, without further ado, here's my take on the
future races (in order of predicted finish):

MANTLE DIVISION PREVIEW:

RESERVOIR DOGS:  In the team's 2nd year as an expansion team, the Dogs 
managed to capture the Mantle division title.  Shane Reynolds leads a 
pitching staff which won't pitch a lot of shutouts, but should keep the 
scoring down.  The story here is in the hitting.  The Dogs have several
marquee hitters, including holdovers John Valentin and Tony Phillips, 
along with super-rookies Chipper Jones and Shawn Green.  Look for the Dogs
to be the favorites to take the division.

MECHAN SYNDICATE:  Perennial contenders, but they've always been hampered
by one thing:  Starting pitching.  Well, nothing is new here, although they
finally have a staff ace in Pete Schourek.  He could win 20.  There are 
still relievers aplenty here, who should continue to get a lot of work. 
The Syndicate still boasts a potent batting lineup, although positional
shifts has caused them to become somewhat weak at 3B and shortstop.  Still,
who needs them when you have Gwynn, Reggie Sanders and Barry Bonds as an
outfield?  The Syndicate will also be in the division pennant hunt, and
should make the playoffs in one form or another.

SAN FRANCISCO SHRINERS:  This team has traditionally been more in the losing
column than the winning column.  That should change this year, led by one
of the finest pitching staffs in the league.  Randy Johnson, Jamie Navarro,
Kenny Rogers and Mark Leiter could be #1 starters on half the teams in the
league.  Their hitting isn't quite as good, but JT Snow and Marty Cordova
should be good enough to win many a 3-2 victory.  The Shriners probably
can't match up with the power of the Dogs or the Syndicate, but they will
definitely be in the league wildcard hunt, and a winning record for once
is almost a definite.

SPRINGFIELD 'TOPES:  The 'Topes have had the perpetual problem of not having
enough horses to win the division, and too many horses to get the #1 pick.
Last year they came close, with the #3 overall pick, and took pitcher
Andy Pettitte.  He's only "decent" this year, but could be a solid starter
for years to come.  The rest of the pitching staff should make things
competitive.  On the offense side, this is the year for Tino Martinez
to shine.  Bernie Williams is an above-average table setter, and Scott
Brosius and Jim Eisenreich have some pop in their bats as well.  The 'Topes
have an outside shot at a lower playoff spot, and should be well-away from
their 100+ loss season of '94.

TORONTO TOWERS:  Ouch.  This is what you call a  pitching disaster.  The
Towers carried over only 1 pitcher from '94, and he was just a reliever.
The starting pitching is filled with batting-practice-tier pitchers.  
Expect a lot of double digit scores by the opposition, and a possible new
record for the worst team ERA in league history.  But things are not
as bad on the hitting site.  On the contrary,  they are quite good.  They
still have Tim Salmon, a heavy-duty RBI producer.  They also have Kenny
Lofton, who is the best leadoff man in the league.  Eddie Murray, Mike
Blowers, Shawon Dunston and Jeff Kent are also above average for their
positions.  But even a good offense can't overcome horrendous pitching.
Unless their starters come up with a miracle, the Towers could be looking
at a long, long season.

CHARLOTTESVILLE SQUIDS:  This is a team similar to the Orix Blue Wave
last year.  You can pretty much count them out of the pennant hunt right
now.  They have a few good starters in Candiotti and Hershisher, but they
have an awful lot of medicore pitchers.  The John Jaha experiment is over,
having been shipped to the Regulators in a package deal for Gary Sheffield.
John Olerud, Delino Deshields and Dave Hollins have also rejoined the
team, having been members of the Squids in their glory years, just a few
years ago.  The Squids have prospects up the wazoo in Russ Davis, Alex
Gonzales and Grudz'lnek.  Juan Guzman also looks promising for '96.  The
Squids will be awful once again this year, but should rise like a phoenix
to the top in 1996.


KOUFAX DIVISION PREVIEW:

SOMERVILLE SLUGGERS:  A trip to the world series in '93 has been the
highlight of the Sluggers' history.  A world series trip in '95 could
be added to it.  '94 was not a year of rebuilding, but rather of reloading.
The Slugger offense will be in effect this year, with Ron Gant and Gary
Gaetti providing the middle of the order power.  But it doesn't stop
there.  You have to add Chuck Knoblauch, Mark Grace, and Barry Larkin
to the equation.  Their pitching is really nothing special, but it
should be enough to keep them competitive .. and winning.  Look for the
Sluggers to take the division, and to be the leading candidate for the
annual "someone vs. Coneheads" world series.

OREGON WET SOX:  The perennial contenders finally got over the hill in
'94, taking their first pennant led by dynamo Jeff Bagwell.  This year
looks to see the Wet Sox lose some of that momentum.  Bagwell's still
awesome in '95, but is somewhat injury plagued.  Larry Walker looks to
be the offense catalyst this year.  Travis Fryman is a little anemic
this year, and last year's Glenallen Hill is this year's Tony Tarasco.
The Wet Sox pitching won't scare anyone, but that's the story of this
division.  If the Sluggers falter, the Wet Sox should sweep into the
pennant, and should nail down a playoff spot anyways.

HILLSBOROUGH REGULATORS:  The Regs won the first two pennants in the
CFOD, but since them have had a nasty mediocre streak.  Denny Neagle
leads a pitching staff which is frighteningly similar to the rest
of the staffs in the Koufax division, which is middle of the pack.  This
means that the Koufax division will probably be decided by offense.
Jaha is the team's best slugger, but he only played half a season.  The
Regs will have to depend on nickel-and-diming their way to wins this year.
On paper the Regulators are not as impressive as the Sox or the Sluggers,
but with the additional playoff spots available they could contend for
a league wildcard.

CINCINNATI KINGS:  The '94 gamble paid off--somewhat.  The sacrificing
of numerous '95 picks allowed a world series appearance for the Kings.  
The Kings just hope they have enough forward momentum to keep them 
competitive.  Mike Mussina leads a staff which is pretty much the same
as all the rest  in the division.  On the offensive front, Fred McGriff
still is an offense dynamo, but he's now joined by a matured Manny
Ramirez.  The rest of the offense is not terribly exciting, but it's
been that way for years.  The Kings should post a winning record, and
could still have a "miracle" season.  They certainly proved last year
that they don't need home field advantage.

BOSTON BREWINS:  The Brewins were co-pennant winners in '93, but were
last in the division in '94.  This year appears to be a mixed bag.  
Like everyone else in the division, their pitching is nothing special.
Unfortunately, the same  could be said for their hitting.  Jeff Conine
should enjoy a fine season, as should Wally Joyner.  Joe Carter should
be good for some home runs, but his overall numbers are pretty mediocre.
The Brewins probably are not pennant bound, but in this division they
should be anywhere from 3rd to 5th.

ZIPPYS:  Oh my.  A *very* bad case of roster rot.  Many of the people
who helped the Zippys to a winning record in '94 have jetted off to
Japan or retirement.  Their pitching is the same as all the other
staffs in the division.  But their hitting is truly woeful.  What does
it mean when your best hitter was the winner of the CFOD Hacking Mass
contest in '94?  Mark Parent and Ron Karkovice could make a 30-homer
catching tag-team, but overall the Zippys will have trouble scoring
runs.  They could make a run for the worst record of all time.


RUTH DIVISION PREVIEW:

CALIFORNIA CONEHEADS:  The best team in the league, year in, year out.  This
year is no exception.  The Coneheads have the best infield ever assembled
(and possibly the best player at every infield position).  Paul O'Neill
and Mark Carreon are no slouches either.  Their center field position will
be a platoon situation, but they should squeeze out 90 runs from them.  
Their pitching is excellent too, led by the trio of super starters in
Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Alex Fernandez.  The Coneheads might smash
the single-season win record no matter what kind of lineups they throw
out there.

SAN DIEGO TERMITES:  The 2nd worst team in the league last year should be
one of the best this year.  Let's start with pitching, shall we?  Ismael
Valdez, Butch Henry and David Wells form a solid 1-2-3 punch.  Mike Morgan
and Steve Sparks are no slouches either.  A pitching staff on par with the
best in the league.  Let's move to hitting.  Andres Gallaraga and Bobby
Bonilla should each smack out 30 homers, and a Derek Bell-Klesko-Jordan
outfield is rather formidable.  The Termites could very well go from a
100-loss season to a 100-win season.  An almost definite lock on a playoff
spot.  

HOUSTON ARMADILLOS:  In '94 the Armadillos (then known as the Blue Wave)
were stocked to the gills with prospects.  In '95 it will pay off (although
not getting anything for Mark McGwire cuts a little momentum from their
surge).  Like many teams in the division, the Armadillos have a fine
pitching staff, led by Joey Hamilton, Mike Hampton and Denny Martinez.  On
offense, the team is built around speed and contact, with Mo Vaughn as the
RBI producer.  Brett Butler, Rondell White and Quilvio Veras should help the
Armadillos in being one of the top stolen base teams in the league.  Overall,
a very strong team who should be in the thick of the playoff hunt.

CAROLINA LIGHTNING:  Last year they managed to win 100 games.  This year they
will probably come down to earth a little from the reduced effectiveness
of Matt Williams.  Despite the limited PT, Williams is the Lightning's best
power hitter, along with the acquired Glenallen Hill.  Still, it isn't like
their hitting is chopped meat.  Chilli Davis, Mike Greenwell & Cal Ripken
are all decent hitters.  Their pitching is, *surprise*, better than the
league average.  Their power trio is David Cone, Al Leiter and Ramon 
Martinez.  Depending on how things go, the Lightning could end up 
anywhere from 2nd to 5th.  

MIAMI MANGOS:  Last year they tied the league record for losses.  That
shouldn't happen again this year, thanks to a high draft position.  Their
overall pitching  isn't as good as the rest of the division, but they do
have a heck of a pitcher in Hideo Nomo.  Eric Karros provides the power
in the offense, with Garrett Anderson, Kirby Puckett, Wil Cordero and
Geronimo Berroa providing the support.  The Mangos probably won't challege
for a playoff spot, but they should be competitive.

BOSTON WHALEHEADS:  Wait 'til 96.  That's the motto of the Whaleheads
for 1995.  Ken Griffey Jr. is of limited help this year, which puts the
burden on Sammy Sosa.  Greg Jeffries helps out too, but that's pretty
much it for the offense (at least until Delgado & Hammonds spring into
action in 1996).  Their pitching is rather woeful, and sticks out like
a sore thumb in the division.  Sosa should help them avoid the league
mark for most losses in a season, but they'll have a hard time staying
under 100 losses.


YOUNG DIVISION PREVIEW:

SEATTLE MOSHERS:  The Moshers have been the best team in the league not
named the Coneheads for years.  That should continue in '95.  Greg Maddux
leads a stellar pitching staff, quite possibly the best in the league.  On
offense, Albert Belle, Jay Buhner, Robin Ventura, Cecil Fielder, and
Ray Lankford all have 30 homer power.  The only weak link in the batting
order is 2B Ray Durham .. at least for this year.  He's a keeper for the
future, though.  Overall, the Moshers have the hitting and the pitching
to repeat as the division winner.

BROOKFIELD BROUHAHA:  Last year the Brouhaha made a last minute run at the
playoffs, only to fall short.  This year, they try again, with a little
more help.  Edgar Martinez and Jim Edmonds have amazing years, with Rico 
Brogna, BJ Surhoff and Brian McRae providing support.  Their pitching
is about average, but it should be enough for them to win games.  An
almost sure bet to be in the postseason.

MORRISTOWN MAYHEM:  Remember the Mayhem?  They won the pennant in '91, then
seemed to slip into mediocrity since then.  That should change in '95.  
Jason Isringhausen, Tim Wakefield, Pat Rapp and Bill VanLandingham are
all quality starters who head a decent pitching staff.  On offense, 
Dante Bichette is the straw that stirs the Mayhem's drink.  Jose Canseco,
Kevin Seitzer and Greg Colbrunn add to the offense.  Overall, this should
be the Mayhem's strongest showing since '91.

NEW YORK CLIMBERS:  Last year, the Climbers were the pennant leaders for
most of the 2nd half of the season until a collapse at the very end of
the season.  In '95 the Climbers are scrambling to regain their lost
momentum.  Mickey Tettleton, David Justice and Ken Caminiti lead a power-
packed lineup.  Runs should not be a problem for this team.  Pitching is
pretty good too, with Andy Ashby and Pedro Martinez expected to put in
good performances.  It's difficult to tell exactly where the Climbers
will end up, but they have the horses to make it interesting.

SAN FRANCISCO PIAZZAS:  What to make of the Piazzas?  Their days of nailing
down the #1 overall pick are probably over.  Raul Mondesi will see to that.  
Javy Lopez and Troy O'Leary add to the cause.  Their pitching is about as
good as the rest of the division, with Frank Castillo leading the way.  
If you added a couple more 30 homer sluggers, the Piazzas could be pennant
contenders.  As it stands, they will probably just provide frustration for
other teams looking for easy wins.

BANGKOK THUNDER:  It seems to be easier to pick who will be last in each
division than first.  The Thunder are unfortunately filled will veterans
who are getting long in the tooth.  Sure, they can still play, but how long
can they keep it up?  Mark McGwire is quite possibly the best player in
the league on an AB basis, but he only plays half the season.  And when
he does, he'll be taking the place of Will Clark, who is the Thunder's 2nd
best player.  Their pitching is nothing spectacular either, filled with
plenty of guys who would have been keepers a few years ago.  Still, at least
the Thunder can look forward to getting a top pick in next year's draft.