Circuit Clouts

The lads finish the countdown of the upper echelon, discuss the merits of guys named Dick, talk about the millions tied up in long-term deals, and make their picks for the first six-team playoff.

Glen, Lance, and the Commish look at the bottom half of the expanded field heading into the 1984 season. Which teams have moved up, which have regressed, and which are building toward a brighter future? Includes insights on current ratings, but also financial situation and farm systems of each team.

Toronto's Eric Clemons and Havana's Lance Mueller sit down with Glen Reed and the Commish to discuss their strategy through the expansion draft, free agency, and the loaded 1984 rookie draft, including that time when Dr. C left his patients in the waiting room so he could assess trade offers for Dwight Gooden.

Manhattan GM Eric Holthaus, LA GM Peter Vays join Glen and the Commish to share basic finance tips. Topics include the salary cap, maximizing revenue, player valuation, and contracts.

With six games left in the 1983 season, three founding GMs—Lance, Charlie, and Glen—talk about their photo finish in the quest for wildcard berths. And Lance makes us all a virtual snack.

Vays, Reed, and Smith debate who will land between the wide goalposts of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Topics include the end of an era in the Bay, Chicago's unColt-like pitching, the Maroon rebuild, Chet the Jet, and—last but not least—what Glen thinks of Atlanta.

L.A.'s Peter Vays joins the Commish and "ratings meister" Glen Reed to break down the 1983 East Division race. Learn which leadoff hitter is an automatic out, which pitcher simply doesn't win, and why Cleveland will finish 2nd—or 6th.

Voyageurs boss and architect Jo Lima discusses how his "average Joes" hoisted the UL crown in 1982. Along the way, he shares thoughts on wargaming, Scottish football, and Warren Cromartie—but not architecture.

Chicago Colts GM Lance Mueller joins his nemesis, ex-Brooklyn Superbas GM Glen Reed, to recount four long years of misery, misfortune, and S-turds. Along the way, the gents touch on dudes named Dick, silver linings, and share thoughts about dynasties, parity, and realignment.

For four years in the early '60s, the same two teams met in the UL World Series. Every year, Brooklyn beat Chicago four games to one. The era witnessed two of the most dominant teams in UL history—one was more dominant than the other. Mantle, Banks, Burdette, Adcock, Conley, Mossi, Hamner, and yes, the S-turd. This is their story, in what confused pundits are calling part one of a four-part trilogy.