NFBC Hall of Fame Members Update

[Greg Ambrosius]

I'm updating a lot of the content for our NFBC web site this week and one of the links involves our NFBC Hall of Fame. We currently have three players who have earned spots in the NFBC Hall of Fame:

Stephen Jupinka
Shawn Childs
Lindy Hinkelman

We have a chance to add to our NFBC Hall of Fame in March during our 10th anniversary draft in Las Vegas and I'm more than willing to take nominations in the coming weeks. We had a great 2012 season and many owners did some great things, but stacking up to the resumes of our current Hall of Famers won't be easy. We are not obligated to induct a new member every year, so if nobody has reached the standards of our first three inductees then we'll wait until 2014 to induct the next members to the Hall of Fame. Give me some feedback and we'll go from there.

Here's a look at our 3 current inductees with updated resumes. Pretty impressive, wouldn't you say?

NFBC Hall of Fame
The NFBC Hall of Fame opened in 2011 as an honorarium for the best fantasy players in our contest's history. Only the very, very best of the best will be honored here and we will use the following criteria for induction into the NFBC Hall of Fame:
• Excellence through time in the NFBC main event.
• Consistency through time in the NFBC main event.
• Winning titles in the NFBC.
• Winning prize money in the NFBC.
• Excellence in several NFBC formats; consistency in multiple formats
NFBC Hall of Fame members are selected by NFBC officials with input from current NFBC members during the year of induction. Each year we will look at the accomplishments of our veteran players and honor those owners whose accomplishments are spectacular compared to all other players. So far, three owners have distinguished themselves as the very, very best of the best in NFBC history. The current list of NFBC Hall of Famers include:

Shawn Childs, Forestdale, Massachusetts

Shawn Childs, Stephen Jupinka and Mark Srebro are the only NFBC owners to win at least four Main Event league titles in nine years. Shawn and Steve were members of our inaugural NFBC Hall of Fame class as they were inducted in 2011. Although he hasn't won a main event overall title yet, he has finished in the Top 5 four times: 3rd in 2004, 5th in 2005, 3rd in 2007 and 3rd in 2009. He has consistently finished in the money in every format, whether it be AL-only Auction Leagues (he has a record three $1300 AL Auction League titles), NL-only Auction Leagues, Ultimate Draft Leagues or satellite leagues, Shawn is consistently near the top. Through 2012, Shawn was 7th on the career earnings list with $132,425.
SHAWN CHILDS
NFBC FACTS

Entered: 69 leagues since 2004
Won: 11 league titles (15.9%)
2nd: 13 times (34.8% in Top 2)
3rd: 8 (46.4% in money)
4th: 7
5th: 6
6th: 3
7th: 1 (40 of 52 or 76.9% in top half)
Other finishes: 8th (6), 9th (3), 10th (2), 11th (3), 12th (4), 13th (1), 15th (1).

Main Events: 12
1st: 4
2nd: 1
3rd: 2 (cashed 70%)
5th: 2
7th: 1
8th: 1
15th: 1

In the overall standings, he is the only person to finish in the Top 5 FOUR TIMES. He has finished 3rd, 5th, 102nd, 3rd, 58th, 3rd, 154th, 82nd, 147th, 160th, 214th and 407th.

Shawn has spent approximately $80,000 in NFBC entry fees and has won just over $132,000.

Shawn has also won money in just about every different format. He has won:
Main Events (4)
$1,250 AL Auction Leagues (3)
$1,250 NL Auction League (1)
NFBC XII (1)
$1,000 Satellite (1)
Invitational (Shawn Childs League)
$325 Slow Drafts (won free entry in 2009)

He has finished second in the Ultimate League twice, 2nd in the AL Auction League twice on top of his two AL titles, and in 2009 he had three second place Online Championship finishes in that 12-team concept.

Here's Shawn's resume in the NFBC:

2004: 1st Main Event, 1st AL Auction

2005: 1st Main Event, 4th AL Auction, 6th NL Auction, 3rd Mid-Season Sat

2006: 5th Main Event, 1st $1,000 Sat, 3rd Magazine League, 11th $1,000 Mid-Sat, 1st NL Auction, 3rd AL Auction, 2nd Ultimate

2007: 1st Main, 2nd $500 Sat, 6th $500 Sat, 9th Ultimate, 11th $1,000 Sat, 12th NL Auction, 2nd AL Auction, 8th Ultimate Auction, 6th Childs League

2008: 2nd Main Event, 2nd Ultimate, 12th $500 DC, 4th AL Auction, 13th NL Auction, 5th Childs League

2009: 1st Main Event, 2nd Online Championship, 2nd Online Championship, 2nd Online Championship, 4th Online Championship, 2nd $325 Slow, 4th $500 DC, 1st Childs League, 11th Ultimate, 10th KJ Duke, 1st AL Auction, 5th NL Auction, 8th $325 Slow

2010: 7th Main Event, 8th Main, 10th $325 Slow, 2nd Childs League, 5th Diamond, 2nd AL Auction, 2nd Auction Championship, 4th Online DP, 3rd Live DP, 5th Live DP, 4th Live DP

2011: 3rd Main Event, 5th Main Event, 2nd Live Double Play, 9th Auction League, 9th Live Double Play, 3rd Live Double Play, 12th $375 Slow Draft

2012: 8th Main Event, 15th Main, 1st $1,300 AL Auction, 1st NFBC XII, 4th NFBC XII, 3rd Online Championship, 8th Online Championship, 3rd, 8th and 12th in $150 Slow Draft


Lindy Hinkelman, Greencreek, Idaho
Lindy had the single greatest season in NFBC history in 2009 when he won $241,300. Lindy won the 2009 Main Event overall title and he won the debut NFBC Online Championship that same year, earning a total of $146,300 in those two contests. He also earned a $75,000 cash bonus for winning both overall titles and he even finished second in the Ultimate Auction League that year. Lindy became the first owner to win TWO national titles when he won the NFBC $100,000 grand prize in 2011 as he had another fantastic season, finishing second overall in the Auction Championship. He won four of seven league titles in 2011 to go along with his 2nd NFBC $100,000 grand prize. His incredible accomplishments earned him a spot in the NFBC Hall of Fame in of 2012. In 2011, Lindy led the Main Event for much of the last four months and edged KJ Duke by a mere 2.5 points to win his second $100,000 grand prize. He also won his Auction League title, his Live Double Play League title and his Online Double Play League title, showing his versatility in 15-team and 12-team drafts, along with 15-team auctions. His dominance in all formats since he began in the NFBC in 2005 has vaulted Lindy to the top of our career earnings list with $373,175.

LINDY HINKELMAN
NFBC FACTS

Entered: 41 leagues since 2005
Won: 8 league titles (19.5%)
2nd: 7 times (36.6% in Top 2)
3rd: 5 (48.8% in money)
4th: 1
5th: 6
6th: 1
7th: 3 (24 of 33 or 75.6% in top half)
Other finishes: 8th (2), 9th (3), 10th, 13th, 14th (3).

Main Events: 8
1st: 3 (won overall titles in 2009 and 2011)
2nd: 1
3rd: 1 (cashed 62.5%)
5th: 2
14th: 1

Lindy had the perfect season in 2009, winning the overall titles in the Main Event and the Online Championship to earn a $75,000 cash bonus. It's now called "The Lindy." He remains our NFBC Money Leader thanks to that $241,300 season. He has been competing in the Main Event since 2005 and has finished 5th, 3rd, 2nd, 5th, 1st, 14th, 1st and 1st, having won titles in 3 of the last 4 years.

Lindy won four league titles in 2011 out of seven events. He won Las Vegas League 4 with 138 points (92%) and won the overall title with 3,407.0 points (87.4%). He won Las Vegas Auction League March 25th 9 am with 120.5 points and finished 2nd overall in the Auction Championship. He won the March 8th Online Double Play with 85.5 points and tied for first place in the March 25th 4 pm Live Double Play with 82 points. He finished third in the Las Vegas March 27th Live Double Play with 76.5 points, finished 5th in the Ultimate Auction League with 85.5 points and finished 9th in the $150 Slow Draft League #13 with 74 points.

After being inducted into the NFBC Hall of Fame in March of 2012, Lindy came back to win his 3rd Main Event title and his first NFBC XII league title. He finished 11th overall in the Main Event and 5th overall in the NFBC XII.

Lindy now has three Main Event league titles, two Main Event overall titles, an Auction League title, a Live Double Play title (12-team format), an NFBC XII title, three second place finishes in the Ultimate Auction League, and a second and a third place finish in the $1,250 NL Auction League. Here is Lindy's resume in the NFBC:

2005: 5th Main Event, 2nd $1250 NL Auction, 2nd Ultimate Auction

2006: 3rd Main Event, 2nd Ultimate Auction, 3rd $1250 NL Auction, 8th $1250 AL Auction

2007: 2nd Main Event, 6th $1250 NL, 7th Ultimate Auction, 3rd Sack Sat

2008: 5th Main Event, 14th Ultimate Auction, 6th $1300 NL Auction, 8th $125 Sat, 5th $125 Sat

2009: 1st Main Event, 1st Online Championship, 2nd Ultimate Auction, 4th $1300 NL Auction

2010: 14th Main Event, 3rd Online Championship, 2nd Live Double Play, 10th Live Double Play, 9th Auction Championship, 13th Ultimate Auction

2011: 1st Main Event, 1st Overall in the NFBC Main Event, 1st Las Vegas Auction League, 1st Las Vegas Live Double Play, 1st Online Championship, 3rd Live Double Play, 5th Ultimate Auction League, 9th $150 Slow Draft

2012: 1st Main Event, 1st NFBC XII, 9th NFBC XII, 2nd Online Championship, 5th Online Championship, 5th Auction Championship, 7th Ultimate Auction, 14th $150 Slow Draft


Stephen Jupinka, Waldwick, New Jersey

Inducted into the NFBC Hall of Fame in 2011, Jupinka is the only NFBC owner to win 5 NFBC Main Event league titles since 2004. His consistency in all formats through nine NFBC seasons has him ranked third in our career earnings list with $203,900. He has also won over 32 percent of all NFBC leagues he's entered since 2004 and has cashed in over 56 percent of all NFBC leagues, by far the highest percentage in NFBC history. He has finished in the Top 10 overall for the Main Event four times: winning the $100,000 grand prize in 2010, finishing second overall in 2008, 5th in 2012 and 10th overall in our debut season of 2004. He's also finished as high as 13th in 2012, 18th in 2005, 24th in 2011, 33rd in 2009, 35th in 2006 and 54th in 2007. He's been one of the biggest winners in the NFBC, but he's also excelled in every format in football, winning several titles in the NFFC. All of those accomplishments earned him a spot in the inaugural NFBC Hall of Fame class with Shawn Childs in 2011.

STEPHEN JUPINKA
NFBC FACTS

Entered: 55 leagues since 2004
Won: 18 league titles (32.7%)
2nd: 6 times (43.6% in Top 2)
3rd: 7 (56.4% in money)
4th: 6
5th: 4
6th: 2
7th: 3 (46 of 55 times he's in top half)
Other finishes: 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14

Main Events: 12
1st: 5 (NFBC record)
2nd: 3
3rd: 1 (cashed 75%)
4th: 1
5th: 2

In the overall standings, he is our Lifetime Standings leader, having placed 10th, 18th, 35th, 54th, 2nd, 33rd, 1st, 94th, 24th, 122nd, 5th and 13th overall in the Main Event. Nobody else has been as consistently good for as long in the Main Event as Stephen Jupinka. Heck, he’s never finished lower than 5th in any Main Event league he’s ever entered.

Steve has spent approximately $107,000 in NFBC entry fees since 2004 and has won just over $203,000.

Steve has also won money in just about every different format. He has won:
Main Events (5)
NFBC XII
$500 Satellite Leagues (4)
$325 Slow Drafts (4)
12-team Online Championships (2)
Invitationals (KJ Duke) (1)

He finished second overall in the debut NFBC Auction Championship in 2010 and in 2011 he was second overall in the debut NFBC Slow Draft Draft Champions Championship and was 5th overall in the 2011 NFBC Online Double Play among 780 owners. In 2012, he had two teams in the Top 13 overall of the Main Event and an NFBC XII team that finished 13th overall.

Here's Steve's resume in the NFBC:

2004: 1st Main Event, 1st $500 Mid-Season

2005: 1st Main Event

2006: 2nd Main Event, 3rd Ultimate, 5th $500 Sat

2007: 5th Main Event, 1st $500, 7th $500, 3rd Ultimate, 5th Ultimate Auction

2008: 1st Main Event, 1st $500, 1st $500, 14th Ultimate

2009: 3rd Main Event, 1st $325 Slow, 4th $500 DC, 1st KJ Duke, 9th $1,000 Sat, 1st Online Championship, 13th Ultimate, 1st $250

2010: 1st Main Event, 3rd Super, 4th Main Event, 2nd Auction, 6th
Live Double Play, 1st $325 Slow, 1st $325 Slow, 4th $325 Slow, 2nd $125 Sat, 4th $125 Sat.

2011: 2nd Main Event, 5th Main Event, 1st Online Double Play, 1st Slow Draft League, 3rd $1,000 Slow Draft, 2nd Live Double Play, 7th Super League, 13th Ultimate League, 13th Ultimate League, 13th Diamond League.

2012: 1st Main Event, 2nd Main Event, 1st NFBC XII, 3rd Ultimate League, 6th Super League, 8th Diamond League, 7th $1,000 Slow Draft, 11th $150 Slow Draft, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 10th $375 Slow Draft

[KJ Duke]

For his contributions on and off the fantasy field of play, I think Dan Kenyon should be considered as much as anyone. Although he doesn't play the number of games or the highest stakes or some others do, so his counting stats aren't as voluminous, he is nonetheless ranked 7th lifetime in the main event ... this ranking shows his consistency at an elite level. He also has two top-5 finishes in the main event (a few lucky bounces and he could have been a 2-time champion), and finished strong again this season at #31 overall.

His work off the field speaks for itself, as I think he would win - hands down - the MVP award for his contributions to the FB community, his extensive knowledge and insightful/entertaining perspective, and his willingness to engage with both newcomers and veteran players. For me, this elevates him from among a group of worthy players to the top of the heap. Dough gets my vote.

[Glenneration X]

I second Dan's nomination and can't think of a more deserving candidate.

[JohnP]

For his contributions on and off the fantasy field of play, I think Dan Kenyon should be considered as much as anyone. Although he doesn't play the number of games or the highest stakes or some others do, so his counting stats aren't as voluminous, he is nonetheless ranked 7th lifetime in the main event ... this ranking shows his consistency at an elite level. He also has two top-5 finishes in the main event (a few lucky bounces and he could have been a 2-time champion), and finished strong again this season at #31 overall.

His work off the field speaks for itself, as I think he would win - hands down - the MVP award for his contributions to the FB community, his extensive knowledge and insightful/entertaining perspective, and his willingness to engage with both newcomers and veteran players. For me, this elevates him from among a group of worthy players to the top of the heap. Dough gets my vote.

Post of the year!

[Money]

I couldn't agree more!!!

[Ando]

Yes, this needs to happen.
I support everything that KJ said. He does a much better job at it than I would.

[TOXIC ASSETS]

These 3 guys are the Ruth, Aaron and Mays of this game....

[poopytooth]

David DiDonato...does anyone have his stats? I see he is only other person to clear $200k, winning over $260k.

[bustouts]

Thanks for the mention Mike. It's appreciated as I seem to have fallen off the face of the earth in these circles lately. I'm not sure exactly how many leagues I have entered, but I believe I have won 2 main event titles , including the overall in 2006. I have also won 2 Ultimate titles and have finished in the money 5 out of 7 times in the ultimate or diamond.
I dont enter as many leagues as most people, with 5 last year being the highest and I only draft. I have never entered an auction. As explained to me by Greg every year since the Hall of Fame started, I haven't won enough or entered enough different contests to make it. That's fine by me. I have changed my main event team name to Yesterdays News, because, he's right..... I haven't won much lately!!
Overall, my net profits are approximately $190,000 to date. Not a bad part time job is you can find it. Again thank you for the mention and I am looking forward to competing again next year.


'

[Red Sox Nation-]

Thanks for the mention Mike. It's appreciated as I seem to have fallen off the face of the earth in these circles lately. I'm not sure exactly how many leagues I have entered, but I believe I have won 2 main event titles , including the overall in 2006. I have also won 2 Ultimate titles and have finished in the money 5 out of 7 times in the ultimate or diamond.
I dont enter as many leagues as most people, with 5 last year being the highest and I only draft. I have never entered an auction. As explained to me by Greg every year since the Hall of Fame started, I haven't won enough or entered enough different contests to make it. That's fine by me. I have changed my main event team name to Yesterdays News, because, he's right..... I haven't won much lately!!
Overall, my net profits are approximately $190,000 to date. Not a bad part time job is you can find it. Again thank you for the mention and I am looking forward to competing again next year.


'

Get this guy in. Extremely impressive resume in NFBC career.


Jason

[Greg Ambrosius]

Thanks for the mention Mike. It's appreciated as I seem to have fallen off the face of the earth in these circles lately. I'm not sure exactly how many leagues I have entered, but I believe I have won 2 main event titles , including the overall in 2006. I have also won 2 Ultimate titles and have finished in the money 5 out of 7 times in the ultimate or diamond.
I dont enter as many leagues as most people, with 5 last year being the highest and I only draft. I have never entered an auction. As explained to me by Greg every year since the Hall of Fame started, I haven't won enough or entered enough different contests to make it. That's fine by me. I have changed my main event team name to Yesterdays News, because, he's right..... I haven't won much lately!!
Overall, my net profits are approximately $190,000 to date. Not a bad part time job is you can find it. Again thank you for the mention and I am looking forward to competing again next year.


'

I can say emphatically that I've NEVER said that to David or anyone else. His resume is as impressive as anyone's and we look at what he's accomplished each year along with everyone else. We look at the full body of work for each owner. David was a finalist in 2010 when we elected Shawn and Steve Jupinka. He was considered last year when Lindy was nominated for the Hall. I feel good about our current Hall of Fame nominees as they have shown their skills at every level and in many different formats. Whoever joins them in the future will be in a special, special class.

I've definitely never talked about what someone HASN'T done to get into the NFBC Hall of Fame. I look at everyone's merits and work with Tom to honor those who unquestionably deserve the honor. If we missed anyone so far, then I have a feeling they will earn the honor soon enough with a few more big wins.

[BK METS]

I believe, if you are nominating hall of famers, you need to include not only top dollar leaders, but top players overall in EVERY format in the industry. (He would be in the top dollar leaders as well, if it wasn't for 1 day at the end of the 2011 season) I believe you have done a great job by inducting the first 3, as they are obvious. To me, if there is one "difference maker" in this industry, someone who has not only won, but his innovative methods has created an entirely different and creative method to measure fantasy players and their knowledge along with creating an amazing fantasy challenge in the Salary Leagues (Best draft and challenge that I have ever been a part of). If you speak of HSFB and you speak of the best of the best, and if you are in a league with him, you know you are in for trouble, there is just one guy. KJ DUKE.

[Ando]

KJ also created the Slow Draft (draft and hold) concept, didn't he? I could be mistaken on that but think I remember that being mentioned in these parts once upon a time. KJ is a brilliant man and incredible fantasy player who would be a great addition to the Mt. Rushmore of the NFBC.

And wow. Did not realize Mr. DiDonato has PROFITED 190k while playing regularly here. I have never competed against him in my 3 years here, so my personal knowledge of him is minimal; and based on his resume I'm glad I've never sat at the same table with him.

190k profit? 'Nuff said. That's unreal.

[Winston's Empire]

For his contributions on and off the fantasy field of play, I think Dan Kenyon should be considered as much as anyone. Although he doesn't play the number of games or the highest stakes or some others do, so his counting stats aren't as voluminous, he is nonetheless ranked 7th lifetime in the main event ... this ranking shows his consistency at an elite level. He also has two top-5 finishes in the main event (a few lucky bounces and he could have been a 2-time champion), and finished strong again this season at #31 overall.

His work off the field speaks for itself, as I think he would win - hands down - the MVP award for his contributions to the FB community, his extensive knowledge and insightful/entertaining perspective, and his willingness to engage with both newcomers and veteran players. For me, this elevates him from among a group of worthy players to the top of the heap. Dough gets my vote.

I love baseball and fantasy baseball A LOT. This last year was tough for me in these two passions as my life changed and I had to focus on a new business we started in May and let my 6 teams go to the wind! I had a buddy check my teams the best he could, but it really didn't help that much. The only reason I bring this up is, though I didn't follow my own teams I had a lot of money invested in enough to matter, I still found myself checking DOUGHBOYS' DAILY STUFF to see what was going on! Dan is a one of a kind. I have never met him in person, but through his writings on the NFBC Boards I feel like I know him. He has added a ton of knowledge, passion, and baseball love into all of us. The fact that he just happens to be #7 Overall Lifetime in Main Event Scoring is just icing on the cake for me.
Dough is a mix of Harry Caray / Bob Uecker / Vince Scully / Andre Dawson for me.... Anyway that ball bounces, it ends up in Cooperstown!
Dan, I hope you get into at least one wing of the NFBC Hall of Fame, I think you deserve it!

[Baseball Furies]

I have a tendency to be long-winded and overly comedic on these boards and in the chat rooms, but for this one, I'll keep it short and sweet: Dan Kenyon, David DiNato, and KJ Duke have my vote for what it's worth (and in that order if it matters). All of them are models of excellence in their own respective ways and should be considered for induction this year. The Baseball Hall of Fame is full of players who were all the greatest of their eras in their own ways. Some have the satus of being the "all-time greats", and the rest are just simply great, and no less deserving of enshrinement as it should be with the NFBC HOF. INMHO

-MTM

[BK METS]

I have a tendency to be long-winded and overly comedic on these boards and in the chat rooms, but for this one, I'll keep it short and sweet: Dan Kenyon, David DiNato, and KJ Duke have my vote for what it's worth (and in that order if it matters). All of them are models of excellence in their own respective ways and should be considered for induction this year. The Baseball Hall of Fame is full of players who were all the greatest of their eras in their own ways. Some have the satus of being the "all-time greats", and the rest are just simply great, and no less deserving of enshrinement as it should be with the NFBC HOF. INMHO

-MTM

Good point and if you look at the baseball hall of fame, it not only inducts players with the best numbers, but also players who made the biggest impact and changed the game on and off the field. Dan and KJ represent 2 men who have impacted fantasy baseball in many ways, from innovation to personality to knowledge and of course, performance. I know we want to keep the HOF for the truly elite. To me, if you add these 2 men, you have not tainted anything.

[Gekko]

No offense to anyone out there, but I would base HOF induction on the fantasy baseball field, ie, winning%, profit, etc.. Owners should use Childs, Steve and Lindy as the benchmarks.

[BK METS]

I am bumping this thread one more time because I believe the "through the roof" amount of signups in the DC slow drafts this year has furthered my point that, although the NFBC Hall of Fame is thus far made up of the 3 elite players in the high stakes baseball industry, there has to be serious consideration for a different type of inductee this year or next. Just like MLB recognizes the innovators of the game, guys who changed the game, owners, GMs, etc, the NFBC should add to their elite 3, the guy who introduced the highly successful DC format to the NFBC, and also has been the innovator of many other concepts including, far and away, my opinion of the best online draft I have ever been a part of, the MLBC Salary league. I think, if we want to honor the best of the best, how about honoring the guy that has come up with some of these ideas, and has been an excellent fantasy player, as well?

Although some want to keep the NFBC hall of fame to purely the top money winners, I think we need to seriously consider KJ Duke as an inductee into the NFBC hall of fame, since he is personally responsible for much of the success of the NFBC, as the top high stakes game in the country, by far, and growing. I have mentioned this before and haven't received a thought from Greg or Tom, either way, so I figured I would introduce it, one last time.

Just my thoughts.. I have actually never met KJ, so this comes from someone who is un-biased and recognizes the most elite of innovators, creators, and game changers, of the game we all love.