Least relevant retrospective you'll read this week

This week, which ends the first decade of the 21st century, there are all kinds of best-of lists, look-backs and assessments of what the last 10 years actually meant.

This post is similar in that it takes a look back, but it really has little connection with the '00s. It's a look at the 1996 Scranton Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. Why? Because their yearbook somehow made it into the latest batch of stuff I salvaged from my parents' attic. I don't know who gave me this book, but I thought it would be worth a write-up before I send it to the recycling bin.

As you can see from the pictures (replete with period hair styles), the big future stars were Mike Lieberthal and Scott Rolen. They were managed by former Red Sox Butch Hobson, until he was arrested on cocaine charges. Funny, there's no mention of his extracurricular activities in a yearbook story that paints him as an All-American winner.

Other notable players on the team included Ruben Amaro Jr., Mike Benjamin, Rob Butler, Bobby Estalella, J.R. Phillips, Kevin Sefcik, Bob Zupcic, Desi Relaford, Kevin Stocker and Gregg Jefferies.

Some of the pitchers included Mitch Williams, David West, Curt Schilling, Tommy Greene, Bobby Munoz and Mike Mimbs.

There wasn't a lot of talent on this team. Most of the notable players were veterans on rehab assignments.

The back page kind of proves how weak the Phillies system was back then - besides Rolen. Following Scott on the list of the organization's top 10 prospects were: Dave Coggin (a pitcher out of the Curt Schilling mold), Marlon Anderson, Reggie Taylor, Mike Grace, Estalella (The Phillies see their catcher of the future as Estalella, not former first-rounder Mike Lieberthal, who was eligible for this list but hasn't show (sic) enough with the bat to project as a big leaguer starter), Carlton Loewer, Wayne Gomes, Larry Wimberly and Wendell Magee.

Highlighted as a prospect on the Montreal Expos was SoxandPhil Ugueth Urbina. He was recently mentioned in a traditional decade retrospective with a slot on the "aught-not" team because of his legal troubles.

The Pawtucket Red Sox also had a page, which was highlighted by Clyde "Pork Chop" Pough, a slugging prospect who never panned out. He played for the Trenton Thunder when we were in college. I was convinced that with a name like Pork Chop he couldn't miss. Christine would have loved him.

Even in some random 13-year-old minor league program, you can find some SoxandPhils connections to reminisce about.