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VOLUME:LII ... 3 Feb 2026

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Your 2026 Lancaster crew to left. Joe Reagan, Mark Gaudiano, Ed Morgans, John Briggs, Paul Koch. Ed & Paul drove in for the Saturday draft and some dining. 2026I got to the Holiday Inn Friday afternoon. Mark and Joe had arrived on Thursday which gave them the chance to tour the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum which is almost right around the corner from the hotel. The three of us talked about the draft and the weather which was sunny but cold. Really cold. After a bit it was off to "Agape" for dinner. Not exotic dinners or buffets, it was a bacon cheeseburger with fries. Light dinner, huh. The burger was approx one inch thick, exceeding the bun by a good half inch all the way around with two giant pieces of bacon criss crossed on top that extended a couple of inches on both sides of the bun. Nobody could eat the fries and barely made it through the burger. Back at the hotel we mapped out everyone's pick in the first round and found out the next day that we missed on 8 of the 15 first rounders. Getting old, we all went back to our rooms by 10. Hours of not sleeping brought about Saturday. Meeting Paul and Ed at "Agape" because Katie's Kitchen was closed. Giant breakfast and let's get to the draft. At noon we began the first ever draft held over two continents. Bob Fenili while cruising down the Amazon river surprised no one with Roman Anthony grabbing the #1 slot. Joe Jutzi shocked nobody by taking Nick Kurtz next and Joe Reagan's Nolan McLean at three was no surprise. Then, then things went all over the place. The usual reliever run happened late. A little over 3 hours later, Erik Miller became Mr Irrelevant, the 184th pick. We had two trades announced right after the draft. Everyone packed up their stuff and it off to dinner, back to the hotel. Watch some basketball, do some trade talk and we are old, so to bed. Sunday morning one more deal, another great breakfast at the Caboose. After a hug, it was goodbye and driving five hours home.

 

As I was driving home I thought about all the leagues across the country that get 3/4 or more of their league together for the draft. They have guys flying in, some traveling by car for 1,000 miles or so. They want to spend some time with their friends and talk. By looking at our turnout for the past two or three years one can wonder about that and our league turnout. Reasons. Could be we don't like spending that kind of time. Too far to drive. I didn't realize it was that weekend. It cost too much. Something came up. I really don't want to see anyone. I'm too ugly. Whatever the reason, it makes me think.

 

Before Mark and I left we spoke with the Manager of the Hotel, Loreen. She greeted myself and Mark by name on the days we checked in. She thanked us for being customers since the year that hotel opened and told us that as long as she's in charge, our group will get a discount. She gave us a tour of the 3rd floor which is being completely renovated. She then said the quicker we secure next years price the better before corporate gives her a higher bottom. So we are booked for next year at $120 per. Plan ahead. It would be nice to see some faces I've never met along with old friends one more time.

 

... IMPORTANT DATES ...

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THE SHOW

 

We got camps opening in a couple weeks. We got the WBC again this year. Maybe by then all the free agents that anyone wants will be signed. Then again it could be a message saying "You need to go home". Just this off-season some stunning AAV numbers handed out to many free agents.

 

We're talking at least $191,358 per game!! How much do you ever make in one year vs what they get in one day. Now people will point at this and say this is going to cause a lockout into 2027. I look at that and wonder how much money the clubs are taking in to pay that kind of money to people who are very good and not incredible.