My earliest memories of baseball date back to the spring of 1952. Dad pulls up in front of the local soda shop and comes back to the car with a newspaper. He shows me the headlines on the sports page. It reads, "Harvey Kuenn signs for $50,000 with the Detroit Tigers".

My father had dreams of me being just like the "Sweet Swinger," who had just graduated from the University of Wisconsin. Well, you won't find me in the Baseball Encyclopedia. Yet, from that moment on, I was hooked on the great game of baseball.

I proceeded to play at four different levels of competition, and I managed and umpired as well. My playing days were capped with a memorable week at a Milwaukee Brewers Fantasy Camp in 1995 at Chandler, Arizona (more about that experience at a future date).

When I moved to Las Vegas in 1979, it gave me the opportunity to bet baseball on a daily basis. Talk about sharp local players. A wealth of information was gained just by observing and mingling with these so-called "Wise Guys".

My time in Las Vegas ended last October, as I had predicted almost 30-years prior. Those last seven years, the most enjoyable time of my life, were spent in what I thought would be my retirement job. Taking bets behind the sportsbook counter at a Strip sasino was relaxing and educational. But, it was time to go back home.

Now as I move into the final chapter, that of being the senior baseball handicapper for Doc's Sports, I would like to follow the late Kuenn's managerial philosophies. Harvey encouraged his Wallbangers of 1982 to relax and have fun while playing the game. It worked as they became American League Champions, eventually losing to St. Louis in a seven-game World Series.

It's time to get on with the business of baseball handicapping. I'm sure you are all aware that a baseball season will take many twists and turns. It's the ultimate endurance test.

As a handicapper I have to keep my eyes and ears open. I have spent a lifetime watching and listening to games. Also, not many people have scoured as many Major League box scores as I have in the past 55-years. The info one compiles is a most valuable commodity.

As any baseball manager knows, you are in deep trouble if you don't have a balanced pitching staff. Yet, not many teams have the ability to win on pitching alone. To win games, as well as a pennant, teams need several "money players," the ones who will deliver steadily when the chips are down. Team chemistry as well as injuries is huge.

Whether they are in Las Vegas or Offshore, the oddsmakers are tuned in. As a handicapper, I must try to keep pace. Most of you will not have the time and energy to decipher relevant/irrelevant stats and information. Let me put my baseball betting experiences to work for you. DON'T PASS on betting baseball. Use the summer months to build your bankroll for most everybody's favorite, football.

Without forcing plays, there are good betting opportunities usually each day of the season. Some bettors just play streaks, like after a team has reeled off three straight wins. But, how often will you find such a team at -150 or less. If you are laying that on a regular basis, your bankroll will suffer.

Over the course of the season, you will find my selections to consist of small favorites, small and large underdogs and totals. When the right pitching matchups occur along with certain conditions, the over/under can be an easy moneymaker. Why do you think the books have lower limits on totals?

Subscribers will receive at least three rated plays most days. There will be an occasional special rated play when the opportunity dictates.

Continue to monitor this site daily for any special plays as well as my weekly articles. Also, each day I will have a FREE PLAY posted here. It will be a very strong play.

My feelings as to who will be the next Phillies and Rays? In the National League the Mets, the 5/2 favorite, have shored up the bullpen. That should be the missing piece for them. The Giants at 12/1 are my long shot. Their starting staff could carry them a long way.

In the American League it will be hard to bet against a 3/2 choice as are the Yankees. They have spent $441 million on free agents. Last years playoff absence was their first miss since 1993. The Angels, not much of a long shot at 6/1 to win the AL, have in my opinion, the best manager in baseball in Mike Scioscia. They won 100 games last season.

The 13-game slate on Monday April 6 gets the ball rolling for us. When the last out is recorded that evening, there will still be more than 2,400 games remaining this season. I am expecting to turn a nice profit for April and continue building toward a HUGE year. Feel free to call 1-800-356-9182 if you need to touch bases with me, or just to talk baseball.