CRL News

April 2, 2007

As I sit here at halftime of the NCAA championship game, with the way Florida is dominating, I’m reminded of the BCS title game. Of course, the only reason I’m watching is because the last NL game of Opening Day is over. (Hey Marcus, nice job with Lidge, aka, Mr. 98 octane. Let’s see just how fast we can turn wet firewood into a conflagration.)

OK, guys, we’re less than a week from the draft and I’ve got a handful of updates for everybody.

As I mentioned in an earlier email, the location of the draft has changed. It’s still at Harrah’s, but they are having a poker tournament (and expecting something like 4,000 people) in the ballroom across the hall from where we were last year. I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t feel like waiting in line for the bathroom with that many of my not so close friends. We’re in Parlor C this year. It’s on the same floor, but, apparently, when you come up the escalator/elevator, you turn the other way (and, no, don’t ask me to remember through the alcohol and sleep-deprived haze which way we turned last year).

The draft starts at 10, Vegas time. Also on the agenda, Ken is setting up tee times for golf at Black Mountain (anyone got a car, or will we need to get a couple?) and Terry is looking for folks to go to Ruth Chris’ Steak House. Both events are on Thursday. I don’t know the times of either event, but I’m hoping Ken and Terry send out info.

In case you hadn’t noticed, rosters have been updated on the AllStar Stats site.

Otis will be drafting solo this year. Turns out, one of his employees (a team lead) gave notice and his last day is either Tuesday or Wednesday. Steve had already expressed concern about any absence during the first 10 days or so of every quarter being frowned on. Now he can’t even get away for a day to go down to HQ (with a side trip to Otis’s kitchen) in Austin.

Doug will also not be joining us in Vegas this year. He really wanted to go, but his ex-wife is out of the country and he had nobody to watch the kids. He’ll be joining us by speakerphone from Otis’ kitchen.

On a related note, since Doug could not make it, he’s not bringing Mike Stanley’s Cup for the trophy presentation. He’s already mailed it to me, so I’ve got it. But I’m not carrying that thing through airport security until next year. I had to drop it off at the shop to add more space at the bottom for additional plaques for the annual winners as it was out of room. Too bad it won’t be ready in time for my to bring it with me. (Amazing isn’t it – especially when I just dropped it off today.)

Finally, in case you hadn’t noticed, Ken and Marcus pulled off a deadline deal (the day prior to Roster Freeze Day) with Ken sending Jorge Julio to Marcus for Ryan Zimmerman.

See y’all in Vegas.

Jim