Keith Smith deliberates a draft choice in last year’s IAL draft while Missoula co-managers John Brandeberry and Dan Bunch wait their turn
It’s an exciting time today. Why? I call it League Draft Eve. Tomorrow morning bright and early, I get on the train due north to Chicago where the Illowa APBA League managers will gather. In the space of two days, league managers will play out the postseason, conduct our annual draft and play the first 30 games of the 2016 season.
And trading too. Yes, no doubt, there will be last minute deals to be made. My buddy Chuck Lucas has been texting me all week asking me if I am interested in Colby Rasmus. It’s been a annual ritual for us, it seems. He shows me his outfielders and maybe a pitcher or two. We never pull the trigger though. This time we’re close. We’ll see.
I’m looking at my roster and while I have six picks (well, five after I traded one to Don Smith for the services of Wilson “I can still catch” Ramos). The important thing is that I have the all-important first pick in the draft. Do you know how popular that makes you? Guys, if you want that pick, you’re going to have to really put out. I’m pretty firm on who I’m choosing but I still have the Transcontinental Baseball League and the Roberto Clemente Memorial Baseball Association to thank for breaking ground this year. Those leagues have already drafted and I know I’m not the only IAL manager who has perused their draft results.
But the best thing about this weekend? My buddy John Brandeberry is making the trip back from Montana to be there. It’s been a few years since he left this town. Each year, Brando and I used to make the trip to Chicago together in his red pickup. on the way, we would stop in a Mexican dive in Kankakee that served the best burritos. Brando, if I wasn’t taking the train, I stop by and pick one up for you.
Thunderchickens in 2016!
