IN MEMORIAM:  As I’ve done in previous years, as 2024 draws to a close I want to pay tribute to the all-star team of players that we have lost in the past 12 months.  Once again, those with remarkable eyesight may recognize some images of ancient cardstock that emphasizes how long these players have been a part of our life in Strat-o-matic form.  Unfortunately, this year’s squad is particularly good–the total WAR of the 9 in the starting lineup and the 4 starting pitchers sums to 679, not as high as the 794 sum resulting from the evil pandemic year 2020 (see my blog for that lineup), but I’m sure that the 2024 group would give them a run for their money in a 7-game series.  All of these players have made multiple appearances in my endless tournament, and some of them bring back dice-rolling memories that go back 50 years for me.  They will be missed by their families, friends, and fans, but their baseball skills–both strengths like Rickey’s speed and Willie’s bat, and weaknesses, like Beltin’ Bill Melton’s glove–will live on, captured on cardstock as long as we Strat enthusiasts are able to keep rolling those dice.