Say it ain't fiction, Dice-K.
The talk surrounding Red Sox rookie Daisuke Matsuzaka is whether his legendary "Gyroball" is an innovative new pitch that will soon be baffling the major league's best hitters, or whether it's merely a myth.
Count me as one of the believers.
Not that I have any evidence. My untrained eye hasn't been able to detect anything especially unique about Matsuzaka's pitches, and it seems the skepticism surrounding the gyroball should be enough to debunk any outlandish claims.
But that doesn't mean I haven't been telling my fellow fantasy league owners that it breaks 10 feet.
We should all want this pitch to be real, because it makes for a terrific story. What's wrong with a little baseball mystery? How much fun would "The Sandlot" have been to watch had we known that "the beast" was just an ordinary dog?
I'm looking at the top pitchers on my fantasy baseball rankings, and after Johan Santana are a bunch of names that put me to sleep. Carpenter and Peavy? Yawn.
All I ask is that if it really is fictitious, let's not disprove the gyroball so quickly. Then the best pitching story we'll be left with is whether Roger Clemens is coming back — and we've all heard that one.
Aaron Shill
I have a major problem with the gyroball. On one hand, I want it to be real because Matsuzaka-san pitches for my Red Sox. On the other hand, I fell pretty hard for the famous Sports Illustrated April Fools' joke on April 1, 1985.
The great George Plimpton reported from spring training about a new pitching phenom named Sidd Finch, who could throw 168 mph. I didn't believe the 168 mph, but I thought the New York Mets might have the greatest pitcher alive.
Turned out the guy in the pictures was a junior high teacher.
I've wanted to believe in the gyroball since reading the first reports about it last year, but Dice-K has not thrown it in spring training.
So, like I didn't believe in the top speed of Finch's fastball, I don't believe in the gyroball. Whether I believe the Red Sox might have the greatest pitcher alive ... I'll cannily wait until after my fantasy draft before I tip my hand.
Tad Walch
THE TOP 10
1. Boston Red Sox
Better pitching than Yankees
2. New York Yankees
Povano key to rotation's success
3. Detroit Tigers
Rogers' absence could hurt
4. New York Mets
Rookie Pelfrey makes rotation
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
Lowe, Schmidt had sub-4.0 ERAs
6. Los Angeles Angels
Great pitching; no hitting
7. Cleveland Indians
Will potential finally be realized?
8. Oakland Athletics
Never underestimate this team
9. Philadelphia Phillies
Not better than Mets — yet
10. Toronto Blue Jays
Stuck in very difficult division
Aaron Shill
FANTASY TIP
Looking for preseason value? You might find it with these players:
KEI IGAWA, SP, Yankees: This Japanese rookie isn't getting nearly the run that Dice-K receives, but then again, who is? New York's bats and bullpen should translate into at least 12-14 wins for Igawa as the fourth or fifth starter. Last year for the Hanshin Tigers, Igawa went 14-9 with a 2.97 ERA and 194 Ks.
JAMES LONEY, 1B/OF, Dodgers: Led the minor leagues with .380 BA last year, got nine RBIs in a single game during his September call-up, hit .455 this spring — and he's still tabbed for Triple-A. Go figure. In the meantime, stash Loney on your bench while you still can. His star will shine in 2007.
MIKE GONZALEZ, RP, Braves: Incumbent closer Bob Wickman is 38 years old and getting it done with smoke and mirrors at this point. Did we mention Gonzalez was 24-for-24 in save opportunities for Pittsburgh in 2006? Get Gonzalez now and wait for Wickman to flame out. J.G. Askar