CFOD 1997 MID-SEASON REVIEW Mantle Division: After years and years of low finishes and heavy losses, the 'Topes finally have their breakout season. With a 52-28 record and a 1/2 game lead over the Syndicate, it looks like the 'Topes are playoff bound for the first time ever. 'Topes ace Kevin Brown is the best starter in the MK conference, and the 'Topes are getting hitting from allstars Bernie Williams and Bobby Higginson. The 2nd place Syndicate have been breathing down the necks of the 'Topes all season, occasionally taking over the Mantle division lead. The Syndicate have one of the best offenses in the league, putting 5 of their hitters on the allstar team. The rest of the Mantle division have already become also-rans. The Shriners are getting some pop from Jose Cruz Jr and Jim Thome, but they don't have enough horses to contend this year. The Towers stalled in the water, and have already begun jettisoning guys like Albert Belle and Brady Anderson. The Squids and Dogs, two of the better teams in '96, have fallen on hard times. The Dogs currently have the worst record in the league with a 23-54 record, and the Squids are only 2 games better. But, there's no need to cry over these two teams, as they're sure to rebound just as big in '98 as they fell from '96. Koufax Division: So far the pre-season prediction is holding. The Oregon Wet Sox are terrorizing the rest of the division, leading with a 52-28 record, 6 1/2 games over the 2nd & 3rd place Sluggers & Regulators. Several players are having unreal seasons. First off is potential MVP Larry Walker, who is hitting .409/.478/.786, a potential 50/50 man. Oh yeah, he has 88 runs and 83 RBI in 80 games, too. Walker could be to '97 what Jeff Bagwell was to '94. Or maybe Jeff Bagwell in '97 could be to '97 what Jeff Bagwell was to '94. Bagwell is hitting .337 with 23 homers and 80 RBI. Not too shabby. Add allstars Nomar Garciaparra and acquisition Sandy Alomar, along with allstar hurdlers Mike Mussina, Andy Benes and Roberto Hernandez, and you have a near unbeatable team. Even if the Wet Sox run away with the pennant, some of the other Koufax teams should see some post season action. The Sluggers and Regulators would both make the playoffs if the season ended today. Somerville fans should expect 20 wins from allstar Curt Schilling, plus Chuck Knoblauch and Mark Grace should both easily pass 100 runs scored. The Regulators are powered by Denny Neagle, allstar Roger Clemens, and a plethora of "blue collar" sluggers, who may not get the big "Wheaties" endorsements like the Wet Sox sluggers, but they get things done. Even the Boston Brewins are making some noise this season, winning 38 of 79 games, thanks to stellar pitching performances from Scott Erickson, Brad Radke and Mark Gardner. For the Zippys and Rock, it's "wait until next year". Ruth Division: No pennant race this year. The mighty Coneheads have raced to the front of the pack, sporting a league best 55-22 record, which is 9.5 games ahead of the 2nd place team. Conehead pitching currently has a tiny 3.19 ERA, best in the league. The 2nd place team in the division is the San Diego Termites, who have a 46-32 record, and are in line to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. 1B Andres Galarraga and allstar Moises Alou each have 17 taters, 50+ runs and 60+ RBI. They're geared for the playoffs, too, having recently acquired frequently traded Albert Belle from the Towers, and some pitching from the Dogs. The Whaleheads are not quite on their 100+ win pace from a year back, but they still have a good winning percentage. Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr. and Todd Hundley form an allstar trio, and ace Darryl Kile sports a 2.8 ERA. The Lightning are teetering on the brink of "not gonna happen", but things could get interesting now that underwhelming Sammy Sosa has been dealt for pitcher supreme Randy Johnson. The 'Cudas and Mangos are still at the bottom of the division, but they don't stink quite as bad as they did last year. Unfortunately for the Mangos, #1 pick Matt Morris indicated to management that he planned to have a major injury in 1998, and that got him traded away to the Brouhaha. The Mango exodus of promising young pitchers continues, with Morris joining Alan Benes, Hideo Nomo and Alex Fernandez (all who, incidentally, are either ineffective or injured in 1998.) Young Division: Viva Mark McGwire! The 1996 MVP continues his rampage, currently leading the league in homers (37) and RBI (93). His play has help the Arizona Thunder to the top of the Young division with a 45-32 record. The Park City Climbers are right behind the Thunder, thanks to the usual high octane offense (double-play combo Jeff Blauser and John Valentin made the allstar team), and the dominant pitching of Pedro Martinez (1.68 ERA and 11 wins). The Brouhaha and Moshers are both hovering around .500, with the Brouhaha hampered by poor pitching, and the Moshers hampered by poor hitting. The Brouhaha have pulled off a major deal at the allstar break, acquiring slugging outfielder Steve Finley and ace starter Matt Morris from the Mangos. Brookfield could make some serious noise in the 2nd half. The Piazzas have the 2nd best pitching staff in the division, but are dead last in the division in runs. The Fish, as expected, are going through growing pains before a pennant run in '98.