John Thompson Wins 2023 NFBC Diamond League & $75,000

[Greg Ambrosius]

John Thompson of Fort Worth, Texas was a last minute replacement in the 2023 NFBC Diamond League as one owner had a scheduling conflict in early March and had to drop out after the league was full. John has been in the NFBC Diamond and Platinum League each of the last three years, but he also had a scheduling conflict that wouldn't let him fly to Las Vegas this year. But when he saw the one opening in March, he grabbed the spot and found a way to draft this team Online.

And draft it did he ever. John won the 2023 NFBC Diamond League title with 121.5 points to earn the $75,000 league prize. John finished nine points ahead of Glenn Schroter, last year's Platinum League champion, to secure the title. Glenn won $35,000 for his runner-up finish. NFBC Hall of Famer Steve Jupinka finished third to earn $20,000 and NBA legend Doug Moe finished fourth to earn $10,000.

Cost of entry for this league was $10,000.

Big John moved into a first place tie with Jupinka in Week 23 and then pulled away from the field over the last four weeks. John had finished third in this Diamond League last year, but he won his first Diamond League title this year and will likely be joining us again in Las Vegas for this one in March of 2024. The Diamond League will again be held in Las Vegas and Online on Sunday, March 24th at 4 pm PT/7 pm ET. All owners from this year's Diamond League will have first dibs on their spots through December 31st and then after that we'll open Registration to the public.

John is now our 11th different champion in the 14 years of hosting the Diamond League. Only Jim Ferrari, Bob Particelli and KC Cha have won this title twice.

Congrats to all of the money winners and great job everyone in a year-long battle. Here's the final standings:

2023 NFBC Diamond League Final Standings:
1 John Thompson Thompson 121.5
2 Glenn Schroter King of Queens 112.5
3 Stephen Jupinka Quahogs DIAMOND 107
4 doug moe moe 98.5
5 Leonard Ringle Diamonds & Rust 94
6 Jon Stadtmueller Mudhens 87.5
7 matt modica high class hillbilly 83.5

Here's the prizes payout for the Diamond League:
League Prizes
1 $75,000
2 $35,000
3 $20,000
4 $10,000

[Greg Ambrosius]

We started the NFBC Diamond League in 2010 and have now had 11 different champions in 13 years, consisting of 14 Diamond Leagues (we had two Diamond leagues in 2013). Here's a look at all of our Diamond League champions:

2010 - Jim Stanard
2011 - Jim Ferrari
2012 - Donn Johnson
2013 - Jim Ferrari
2013 - Bob Particelli (League 2)
2014 - Bob Particelli
2015 - John Lemke
2016 - Joe Berg
2017 - Bill Phipps & Eric Kesselman
2018 - KC Cha
2019 - KC Cha
2021 - Larry Schechter
2022 - Philippe Dussault
2023 - John Thompson

[Greg Ambrosius]

John Thompson drafted from the 14th spot and Glenn Schroter drafted from the 15th spot and those two owners finished 1st and 2nd in the NFBC Diamond League. Here were John's draft results:

Thompson
1 14 Witt Jr., Bobby 3B Thompson
2 17 Tatis Jr., Fernando SS Thompson
3 44 Semien, Marcus 2B Thompson
4 47 Olson, Matt 1B Thompson
5 74 Anderson, Tim MI Thompson
6 77 Abreu, Jose CI Thompson
7 104 Franco, Wander MI Thompson
8 107 Bednar, David P Thompson
9 134 Bregman, Alex UT Thompson
10 137 Wright, Kyle P Thompson
11 164 Sandoval, Patrick P Thompson
12 167 Gonsolin, Tony P Thompson
13 194 Nootbaar, Lars OF Thompson
14 197 Merrifield, Whit OF Thompson
15 224 Ruiz, Keibert C Thompson
16 227 Kelly, Merrill P Thompson
17 254 Bader, Harrison OF Thompson
18 257 Lauer, Eric P Thompson
19 284 Estevez, Carlos P Thompson
20 287 Steele, Justin P Thompson
21 314 Contreras, Roansy P Thompson
22 317 Grichuk, Randal OF Thompson
23 344 McCullers Jr., Lance P Thompson
24 347 Mondesi, Adalberto SS Thompson
25 374 Canha, Mark OF Thompson
26 377 Bart, Joey C Thompson
27 404 Vesia, Alex P Thompson
28 407 McCormick, Chas OF Thompson
29 434 Scott, Tanner P Thompson
30 437 Carlson, Dylan OF Thompson

[Greg Ambrosius]

Here are John Thompson's winning FAAB bids throughout the season:

Thompson
April 2:
Jose Alvarado 5
Johnny Cueto 5
Jake Woodford 5
Francisco Mejia 5

April 9:
Braxton Garrett 25
Bryan De La Cruz 22
Akil Baddoo 14

April 16:
JP Sears 35
Nelson Cruz 15
Yan Gomes 5

April 23:
Matt Carpenter 14
Corey Julks 5

April 30:
Nelson Velazquez 10
Nelson Cruz 10

May 7:
Mark Leiter Jr. 20
Hunter Harvey 9

May 14:
Vince Velasquez 35
Nick Martinez 5
Connor Joe 15
Mitch Garver 5

May 21:
Seth Brown 45
Mark Vientos 25

May 28:
Michael Grove 25
Bo Naylor 15
Mike Clevinger 15
Brusdar Graterol 5

June 4:
Jake Bauers 22
Adbert Alzolay 21
Connor Joe 3

June 11:
Marcell Ozuna 106
Nick Anderson 2

June 18:
Liam Hendriks 17
Michael King 5
Oneil Cruz 5

June 25:
Joey Votto 15

July 9:
Tarik Skubal 152
Chris Sale 31
Adam Duvall 30
Patrick Wisdom 5

July 16:
Lucas Sims 1
Matt Brash 1

July 23:
Kevin Ginkel 20
Ryan O'Hearn 15
Eli Morgan 2

July 30:
Gregory Santos 20
Mitch Garver 5
Nick Madrigal 2

August 6:
Will Smith 58
Freddy Fermin 5

August 13:
Elvis Andrus 3

August 20:
Harold Ramirez 14
Ryan Pepiot 5
Michael King 5
Alek Thomas 1

August 27:
Davis Schneider 8
Kyle Wright 1
Luis Campusano 1
Andy Ibanez 1

September 3:
Michael Brantley 5
Alex Kirilloff 3
Robert Stephenson 2
Matt Brash 1

September 10:
Esteury Ruiz 6
Zach Neto 3

September 17:
Julian Merryweather 2

September 24:
Jose Alvarado 2