Join me on a trip back in time, to a time when personal computers and electronic mail were still relatively new, Roberto Kelly manned the outfield at Yankee Stadium, and Ozzie Guillen ran to his position, his mouth…closed.

The year is 1992 and the New York Times has just published an article called Personal Computers; fantasy baseball’s dream teams. The article is equal parts Internet-based fantasy baseball (ver 1.0)…

Each night, after the real games are concluded, statistics are gathered and games are “played” in Prodigy’s mainframe and personal computers in White Plains, N.Y. The computers keep track of hundreds of leagues, thousands of teams and tens of thousands of statistics each night.

…and part unabashed promotion for the now defunct Prodigy National Computer Network:

The Baseball Manager fee is in addition to the regular cost of a Prodigy membership. Unlike other computer network services, which charge by the minute, Prodigy costs a flat annual fee of $119.40 a year for unlimited access, or $12.95 a month if paid monthly. Prodigy has local access numbers in hundreds of cities, which means there are generally no long-distance toll charges.

And do not forget the ladies…

Prodigy Baseball Manager differs from Rotisserie in several ways, including a relatively high share of women and young managers. Gambling and profanity are not allowed.

Don’t forget Meat Loaf either…

One of the most fanatical managers turns out to be the rock star Meat Loaf, who managed seven teams last year by long-distance telephone from Australia, where he was on tour. He is managing eight teams this year. At least some major league players are said to be managers as well.

You might have to pay a “25-cent fee” for “each E-mail message beyond 25 each month,” but Carpe Diem, this is fantasy baseball, and it’s part of a new world order. Things will never be the same again.

You can’t play without a modem.