David Custer

This little guy. Ever since I was a kid I brought him along with me wherever I was on Opening Day.

I mean you aren’t saying how many they are going to win in that time so for as far I know you are predicting them to go like 39-2 and win three World Series so you have me excited to.

Funniest thing here is the Steelers have actually never finished 9-8 and made the playoffs.

Overall: A true threat to win it all this team will really hit and has a solid starting rotation but if they have an Achilles heel it is the bullpen which will likely hold them back from joining the truly elite.

Record Prediction: 96-66

Strengths: This team is going to hit and hit well. The lineup is filled top to bottom with very good hitters so scoring runs is not going to be a problem.

Weaknesses: The bullpen has some decent middle relief options but is lacking true back-end options.

ROTATION
Pud Galvin, SP
Jerry Reuss, SP
Murry Dickson, SP
Bob Klinger, SP
Heinie Meine, SP

BULLPEN
Bob Harmon, LR
Silver King, LR
Ken Heintzelamn, MR
Fred Fussell, MR
Jake Thies, MR
Bob Miller, SU
Al Gerheauser, SU
Brian Boehringer, CL

4. Missouri

LINEUP
George Van Haltren, CF
Jimmy Williams, 2B
Jake Beckley, 1B
Donn Clendenon, DH
Vin Campbell, LF
Casey Stengel, RF
Joe Garagiola, C
Bobby Byrne, 3B
Glenn Wright, SS

BENCH
Heinie Peitz, C
Chuck Ward, IF
Dino Restelli, OF
Doug Baird, U

Overall: One of the better teams this group is a serious contender but is held back just slightly due to the rotation falling off after the strong top two.

Record Prediction: 95-67

Strengths: This is a deep lineup that will hit and the top of the rotation and bullpen are solid.

Weaknesses: The back half of the rotation leaves something to be desired and the outfield is lacking for options enough to have to JHay out there.

ROTATION
Sam Leever, SP
Harvey Haddix, SP
Charlie Case, SP
Ralph Birkofer, SP
JT Brubaker, SP

BULLPEN
Jack Hallett, LR
Rick White, LR
Kyle Nicolas, MR
Doug Bair, MR
Mark Wilkins, MR
Grant Jackson, SU
Scott Sauerbeck, SU
Kent Tekulve, CL

5. Ohio

LINEUP
Jake Stenzel, CF
Denny Lyons, 3B
Al Oliver, 1B
Mike Easler, LF
Jim Viox, 2B
Rocky Nelson, DH
Josh Harrison, RF
Charles Zimmer, C
Howdy Caton, SS

BENCH
Duffy Dyer, C
Mike Benjamin, IF
Bill Brubaker, IF
Mike Mitchell, OF

Overall: This team will perform well and win a lot of games but the lack of impact talent to come through when it matters most will hold them back just slightly.

Record Prediction: 91-71

Strengths: Depth. In every face, lineup, bench, rotation and bullpen the team has good depth and a complete 26-man roster with solid contributors everywhere.

Weaknesses: Lack of stars. There aren't any real stars here. There are some very good players here but no true stars.

ROTATION
Lefty Leifield, SP
Rick Reuschel, SP
Fritz Ostermueller, SP
Earl Hamilton, SP
Tom Gorzelanny, SP

BULLPEN
JA Happ, LR
Harry Staley, LR
Emil Yde, MR
Bob Johnson, MR
Ryan Borucki, MR
Hal Carlson, SU
Colin Holderman, SU
Bob Kipper, CL

6. Illinois

LINEUP
Ed Swartwood, DH
Dick Schofield, SS
Freddie Lindstrom, CF
Garrett Jones, DH
Rob Mackowiak, RF
Hal Smith, C
George Cutshaw, 2B
Jack Suwinski, LF
Frankie Gustine, 3B

BENCH
Harry Decker, C
Del Howard, 1B/OF
Dick Bartell, IF
Lonnie Smith, OF

Overall: This team has the parts to be there at the end but there are just enough weak spots to keep them from being in the elite group of teams.

Projected Record: 88-74

Strengths: This is a good lineup 1 through 9 and it is going to score a lot of runs. There are no easy outs here.

Weaknesses: There is no infield depth here and the bullpen whole not bad lacks the elite arms needed to be a dominant unit.

ROTATION
Rick Rhoden, SP
Jameson Taillon, SP
Tim Wakefield, SP
Jeff D'Amico, SP
Bronson Arroyo, SP

BULLPEN
John Hope, LR
Mudcat Grant, LR
Johnny Barbato, MR
Scott Ruskin, MR
Sean Burnett, MR
AJ Schugel, SU
Chris Resop, SU
Bob Patterson, CL

7. Florida

LINEUP
Jay Bell, SS
Matt Joyce, RF
Andrew McCutchen, CF
Marlon Byrd, DH
Turner Ward, LF
Jim Morrison, 3B
Gaby Sanchez, 1B
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
Al Lopez, C

BENCH
Carl Taylor, C
Max Moroff, IF
Lastings Milledge, OF
Ben Gamel, OF

Joe Flacco most certainly did not start the year as a backup.

Overall: This team is going to hit well, and the pitching will be fine but it's just not good enough to stand up against the best teams in the league.

Record Prediction: 86-76

Strengths: Hitting and particularly the middle of the order. The 3-4 punch of Fletcher and Hebner is one to be feared and they have good table setters ahead of them.

Weaknesses: Lack of pitching stand outs. The pitchers are fine but there is no ace or strong back-end arm here

ROTATION
Jack Chesbro, SP
Denny Driscoll, SP
Adonis Terry, SP
Josh Fogg, SP
Mike Lynch, SP

BULLPEN
Rich Hill, LR
Fred Woodcock, LR
Tyler Beede, MR
Ed Warner, MR
Paul LaPalme, MR
Wilbur Wood, SU
Danny MacFayden, SU
Jack Ferry, CL

8. Massachusetts

LINEUP
Johnny Barrett, CF
Pie Traynor, 3B
Elbie Fletcher, 1B
Richie Hebner, DH
Art Whitney, SS
Jack McCarthy, LF
Rabbit Maranville, 2B
Bob Ganley, RF
Connie Mack, C

BENCH
Bill Merritt, C
Kitty Bransfield, 1B
Art Butler, IF
Joe Kelley, OF

Overall: A very solid team from top to bottom. The first team where each roster spot brings something to the team. Not a lot of star power but productive guys up and down the roster.

Record Prediction: 85-77

Strengths: Outfield/Bullpen. The outfielders will carry the offense and the bullpen is deep with a dynamic closer

Weaknesses: Mid Rotation and Infield Offense. The rotation has an ace but the rest of it is filled with back-end options. The infield can pick it but won't hit much.

ROTATION
Doug Drabek, SP
Kip Wells, SP
Zach Duke, SP
Danny Darwin, SP
Ross Ohlendorf, SP

BULLPEN
Lee Tunnell, LR
Brad Lincoln, LR
Chase Shugart, MR
Bill Harris, MR
Daniel McCutchen, MR
Luke Walker, SU
Kyle Crick, SU
Michael Gonzalez, CL

9. Texas

LINEUP
Lee Lacy, RF
Debs Garms, DH
Johnny Rizzo, LF
Josh Bell, 1B
Chief Wilson, CF
Chris Snyder, C
Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B
Freddie Patek, SS
Curt Roberts, 2B

BENCH
Jason Delay, C
David Freese, CI
Zeb Terry, MI
Fred Nicholson, OF

Overall: There is potential for this team to compete but over the long haul of the season their lack of depth is going to be exposed and will ultimately limit their ceiling.

Record Prediction: 84-78

Strengths: The rotation is the backbone of this team and specifically the dynamic 1-2 punch of Adams and Friend which is about as good as it gets for any All Time Pirates team.

Weaknesses: Depth. The team has a weak bunch and only a couple decent bullpen arms.