Childs/Deckel Pull Off NFBC Twin Killing

[Tom Kessenich]

Shawn Childs and Kevin Deckel celebrated not once, but twice in the NFBC this past season. The duo showed off their fantasy baseball expertise by capturing first-place finishes in Las Vegas League 4 and the Las Vegas AL Auction leagues.



It was a unique accomplishment shared by only one other person in our event – Terrance Haney, who won the Vegas NL Auction and Las Vegas League 3. In addition to those first-place finishes, the team finished third overall in the NFBC, capping a sensational fantasy campaign.



“Winning our league was incredible,” said Deckel, from West Yarmouth, MA. “We never thought we could compete with the big boys. Third overall, competing for the $100,000, never in our wildest dreams did we think we would be in that position.”



For Childs and Deckel, the key to their Vegas League 4 win was health: Their team had it while many others in their league did not.



“There were so many injuries early in the season,” Deckel said. “It really helped us out. Our first seven picks all stayed healthy and had great years.



“We really got unlucky in July for Wins which really put us in a tough spot. We lost Wade Miller for the season and we only got two wins in about 31 starts at about a 3.50 ERA, highlighted by a no-hit bid by Eric Milton and Randy Johnson losing a 14-strikeout, 1-0 decision on the same day.”



But the team persevered and made it down the home stretch, securing the league title. In the auction league Childs and Deckel had some tough luck with injuries and on the free-agent wire, but still managed to hold off the tough competition in the Vegas AL League. They were one-half point out of first heading into the last day only to leap into first on that final Sunday.



“We had our share of injuries and we wasted $885 of FAAB money on Raul Mondesi,” Deckel said. “At the time, we were unsure about (the health of) Garret Anderson.



“I still don’t know how we won. We needed two wins and great pitching performances from Gary Knotts – a pitcher everyone was too scared to pick up – the last week of the year.”



Knotts came through as did two of their top pickups on Draft Day.



“We got Miguel Tejada for $31 and Paul Konerko for $19,” Deckel said. “They really carried our offense. We drafted Justin Morneau for $3 and he helped a lot late. On the pitching side, we really only wanted Felix Rodriguez and Kelvim Escobar and we stole (Escobar) for $5. We got lucky to get a closer, getting Danys Baez. Without him, we had no chance.”



With two titles and a strong overall finish under their belts, it’s no surprise Childs and Deckel thoroughly enjoyed the NFBC’s debut season.



“Everyone was great,” said Deckel, who makes a yearly trip to Vegas with Childs during the NCCA Tournament and decided to take part in the NFBC because of the timing and location of the event. “We really enjoyed the auction and playing in the Vegas league. We’re just glad we were going to Vegas the same week you were out there.”



[ December 07, 2004, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Tom Kessenich ]