I have posted, within the "Past Seasons" section, the IODs from 1997-2001 (and also fixed the previously-busted link to the 2004 IOD).
Since those drafts were before the Net was what it is today, I had to scan in hard-copy documents to be posted, so you will need Adobe Acrobat to read them. I believe that you can download a free version from Adobe's site.
A review of those drafts should quickly end any reference to me as a draft god. See early first round picks Vince Faison, Jackson Melian, et al.
1997 net value almost 0--Chen while he was mediocre, then I got rid of him. Pickering as a one year pinch hitter, one year of Roberts as a reliever, a few innings from Nerio. Ryan Anderson wasn't my fault. Melian probably was.
1998 pretty decent--Garland, Nick, HoRam, except I traded Garland (when I could have traded Chen instead) and finally got tired of waiting for HoRAm to turn it around and let him go.
1999 Keith nicks Felipe Lopez right in front of me. I was about to draft him anyway on the point that Keith originally drafted Felipe "Lopes," but he corrected the spelling before I could say anything. Keith then rejected my offer of my two upcoming first rounders for Lopez. I then take Wes Anderson and Josh Hamilton. After the 2000 season, I look very smart (and fortunate). Many tattoos, a cocaine addiction, and a career ending arm injury later. . .
2000 Betemit might still be something, and I get "credit," if you can call it that for Ben Johnson (who I punted a couple of years ago after 3 straight nothing seasons), but the only really effective player was the 8th round selection of that Puerto Rican long shot, Alexis Rios. Of course, I jettisoned him just in time, didn't I? Aaron should be ashamed of himself for taking advantage of me that way.
2001 A little better. Mauer and Morneau. But also Toe Nash and Freddie Bynum (a pick that produced a rather loud verbal response from Gary).
Sorry, Don, hate to bring it up, but for me your ultimate #1 screw-up was the immortal Scotti Madison way back when. I believe that Gary, Ken, J.R., and myself, maybe Tom, were the only ones around to witness that one. Still wouldn't mind switching some drafts with you, though.
The only thing that rankled more than being fed misinformation that Scotti Madison was 21, not 27, were the unbelievable performances against my teams by Stinkaviglia (every year) and Rafael Palmeiro that one year he hit 5 or 6 hr against me in one playoff series.
