Squeeze play.(FANTASY SOURCE)

Remember when Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols were considered options 1 and 1A in fantasy? Those were simpler times. Americans woke up to Katie Couric on NBC, and Game of Shadows had yet to open our eyes to the idea Barry Bonds might not be that big naturally.

Heading into the summer, it's easy to identify the owners who selected A-Rod over Pujols. Sheepish looks have replaced draft-day grins. The faces are red, not so much from the embarrassment of passing on Pujols but from the constant pounding on the nearest hard surface every time Pujols hits another homer or drives in another run.

The two stars' previous production had been similar enough that either seemed a worthy top choice. Shame on us for forgetting the key difference in their numbers: age. At 26, Pujols has yet to reach his peak; at 30, Rodriguez likely has reached the summit and could be in for a slight decline.

Rodriguez vs. Pujols was just one of the opening-round decisions owners debated not long ago.

Top starting pitcher: Johan Santana vs. the field. Owners willing to take a chance on Santana in the first round have been rewarded, although not quite as much as those who used, say, a third-round pick on Pedro Martinez and his sore toe. That little piggy caused Martinez's preseason value to slump, but it hasn't been a factor since. Two months into the season, he has been the most valuable fantasy player on the planet. (Pujols has left the stratosphere.)

Top shortstop: Miguel Tejada vs. Michael Young. Both are hitting for average, but the home run totals tell the difference. Tejada had 13 homers after 50 games and Young just two. Before handing the top honors to Tejada, though, take a look at what Derek Jeter, who was a third-round pick in SPORTING NEWS' in-house league draft, has done. That meaty average with a side of steals looks delicious.

Top DH: David Ortiz vs. Travis Hafner. First, owners had to have the gumption to draft a DH with one ...