It's shocking because I remember issue No. 1 like it came out yesterday, which apparently it didn't.

This kind of thing happens more and more often the older you get. It can be hearing a song like Everclear's "Santa Monica" come on the radio, remembering how everyone loved it when it came out, then get hit with the fact that "everyone" was your college friends and "when it came out" was 13 years ago.

For those a generation older than me, I'm sure it's the same feeling when Mozart comes blaring on the radio.

While flipping through this "ESPN: The Magazine" forced a ride down the sports memory lane for the past year, one story really stood out to me.

As a fantasy sports enthusiast, an article by Matthew Berry about the explosion of those games that bring out the wanna-be GM in us was must reading.

It is amazing how fantasy sports have grown in the past decade. And that reason was appropriately narrowed down to the Internet.

The Internet seems to be made for two reasons, according to Berry. One is fantasy sports. It makes roster changes, keeping stats, tracking trends, etc., way too easy for us lazy non-athletic types that love pretend sports.

The other reason for the Internet is another business that involves fantasy things, but that's for a different, non-family publication.

Reading the article along with the compilation of the greatest fantasy performers/performances of the past 10 years really got me in the mood for fantasy baseball to take off.

It got me in such a good mood that I'll share a few tips/trends I'm looking at for 2008. As someone who has way too many teams all of which finished between third and ninth last year I'm more than qualified.

Face it, someone who consistently wins won't share his or her championship formula. Those who consistently finish last have no formula.

That means it's time to settle for Mr. Middle of the Pack. Take these to heart, and you too can have your team headed towards mediocrity this year.

* Study the Mitchell Report. After the scrutiny these players faced during the off-season, I don't think they'll be "juiced" for the year. Some may be motivated to prove their detractors wrong, but why take the chance?

And don't be the smart guy who takes Roger Clemens in the 25th round. Yes, I'm bitter because I wasn't allowed to take Brian McNamee next.

* If you want an international flavor, go Dominican Republic first.

After that, it's Japan time. Cubs outfielder Kusuke Fukudome is the latest big-name import out of the Japanese league. With Ichiro and others batting over the Mendoza line in the transition to MLB, it's worth taking a risk.

Sneaking a Canadian on isn't a bad idea either. Jason Bay, Erik Bedard, Jeff Francis and Justin Morneau can make our neighbors to the north proud.

* Avoid Cubs. Yes, 99 years of futility can help bring a fantasy team down too. When Fukudome tears a knee in May, be glad this rule supersedes the Japanese League take a risk rule.

* Hunt hard for the underachievers who are ready to bounce back.

Alex Gordon, this rule is made for you. Thanks for leading several of my teams to ninth place last year.