2013 NFBC XII Champion Profile - Bill Strickler

[Tom Kessenich]

When it comes to the 12-team fantasy sports format Bill Strickler knows a thing or two about how best to excel.

In 2009, Strickler took home the national title in the National Fantasy Football Championship’s Primetime event. Then last year, Strickler parlayed his 12-team expertise into something even more historic.

Not only did Strickler win the NFBC XII title, the NFBC’s 12-team Main Event, but in so doing he became the first person in fantasy sports history to win national contests in both football and baseball.

“I felt so relieved to win the NFBC XII,” the 48-year-old Strickler said. “I was going against Eric (Heberlig) for the overall title and we were in the same league and that league title was up for grabs as well. So I was relieved when it was finally over.”

While the overall title and its $50,000 grand prize was the sweetest victory of the year, it wasn’t Strickler’s only one in a 12-team NFBC league. He had another NFBC XII team that won a league title while a third NFBC XII team finished second in its league. In addition to all that, he also won one of his Online Championship leagues as well.

And yes, that contest also has a 12-team format.

Are you sensing a theme here yet?

“The last few weeks were crazy,” Strickler recalled. “I lost a lot of sleep since I stayed up for the West Coast games. Winning a baseball title is a lot more stressful than winning a football title.”

Strickler would know. He’s also played the game long enough to understand there always comes a time in the baseball season when a fantasy player can look at his team objectively and honestly and decide if he or she has a realistic chance of winning big.

For Strickler, that time came in early August last year.

“Right around Aug. 1 I was in the Top 3 (in the NFBC XII) so I knew if I stayed healthy I had a decent chance,” he said.

The seeds to Strickler’s championship season were planted with a strong draft. Andrew McCutcheon, Jose Bautista, Dustin Pedroia, Paul Goldschmidt, Adam Wainwright and Max Scherzer were the first six picks in his March 27 league.

Strickler’s strong draft work didn’t end in the first few rounds, however. He also landed the likes of Kenley Jansen, Anibal Sanchez, Pedro Alvarez, Alfonso Soriano, David Ortiz and Brian McCann between Rounds 16 and 23.

“That was the best draft I ever had,” he said. “Everything worked out great with my strategies. I got power, average, speed and great starting pitching. I was light on relief pitching but got that with FAAB.”

Strickler addressed his saves issue by working the Waiver Wire effectively. He picked up Joaquin Benoit in Week 1 for $125 and then later added Kevin Gregg for $245 and Heath Bell for $180. He even landed Trevor Rosenthal the last week to secure the championship.

For the victor comes the spoils and that’s certainly true in the NFBC. For Strickler that meant putting his big winnings to proper use.

“I bought my wife (Joyce) a new car,” he said. “She deserved it as she lets me do my FAAB every Sunday without recourse. I also put some money away and saved some for baseball this year.”

Which means more NFBC fun and more opportunities for Strickler to further his 12-team expertise.

[CC's Desperados]

Who were key base stealers behind McCutchen?

[Daveclum]

I want to tip my cap to one heck of a guy.Does not matter if you are playing football or baseball.This guy is top notch.