![[BraMBLe 2000]](images/bramble2000icon.gif)
Chicks dig the long ball. If this catch phrase is indeed accurate, women must be coming to the ballparks in records numbers early on this year. With the exception of the NL Central's power quartet - Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey, and Jeff Bagwell - practically everyone who has donned a major league uniform this year is going deep. This clearly has had an effect on games played in the American and National Leagues thus far this year, but the real impact is being felt in fantasy leagues across the country. One such example of this is occurring in our very own BraMBLe 2000.
Predicted by noted statistician Josh Freeman to finish first in BraMBLe this year, the Proudest Monkeys have jumped to an early lead on the strength of their bats. Normally a pitching-laden squad, the Monkeys have relied on the heavy lumber of Greg Vaughn, Jason Giambi, Tony Batista, and Jeromy Burnitz to power them to an explosive offensive start. For the first time since the middle of the 1998 season, the Monkeys are getting consistent offensive production, lifting a significant burden from their much-hyped pitching staff. Vaughn and Batista have each had a multi-homer game this year, while Burnitz has already had two multi-homer efforts.
Three Times One is lurking closely, also on the strength of their lumber. With twenty team homeruns through the first week of the season, Three Times One trails only the Monkeys in terms of dialing long distance. Eric "Fabio" Karros, Brian Giles, Dean Palmer, and light-hitting Ray Durham have racked up three homeruns apiece, powering the Guru's attack. Not to be outdone, however, is the Old School, currently resting in third place in the overall standings as well as the homerun category. Scott Rolen and Ivan Rodriguez have both gotten off to smashing starts, but Vladamir "The Impaler" Guerrero is truly begging to be recognized. Guerrero has already popped four dingers while compiling a monstrous .500 batting average.
Is it coincidence that the three top teams in BraMBLe 2000 are the three teams leading the homerun chase? Maybe, and maybe not. In 2000, there is no question that offense is more important than ever. That is not to say that pitching is not at a premium, for stars like Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson are invaluable to their clubs. So far, though, power seems to be the order of the day. As long as players like Vaughn and Burnitz can continue to command top dollar simply by swinging for the fences, offense will rule the day. And for the members of BraMBLe 2000, this is a lesson that best be learned early.