How Close Is Your NFBC League Race?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:04 am

C'mon, this has to be nail-biting time for some of you folks who are in line for part of the $800,000+ we're going to be giving away in two weeks. I'd like to hear some stories from the folks who are having trouble sleeping because of the NFBC races, who wake up each day to a cup of coffee and their NFBC standings with the hope of picking up a point or two from the night before, or from those who can't even bear to watch the standings anymore. This thread is our final hurrah to 2007 and sharing of the last days of what has been a very memorable season.

Do any of your league competitors' stick out in your mind today like an old girlfriend (or boyfriend)? Tell us about them.

For the record, it looks like we have a LOT of great races in the NFBC this year. In all, I believe we ran 83 different leagues this year and many titles are still up for grabs. In the main event, here is the tally of the races:

2 - 2 leagues have teams tied for first place as of today: Both in Tampa (1 & 2).

3 - 3 leagues have first and second place separated by 1 point.

2 - 2 more leagues have first and second separated by 1.5 points.

13 of the 26 main event leagues have league leaders with leads of 5 points or less.

3 - Only 3 of the 26 main event leagues have league leaders with leads of more than 10 points. They include one with an 11.5 point lead, another with an 18 point lead and another with a 21.5 point lead.

Now, let's hear your stories!!

Dickie V · Post by **Dickie V** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:18 am

Stories? You wanna hear stories?!!!? How much time do you got? OBTW .... nice job changing the subject. Its like you said Greg, its why they pay you the big bucks.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:28 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Now, let's hear your stories!!Once upon a time there was a team that sucked and had no chance.

The End.

SluggoJD · Post by **SluggoJD** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:46 pm

Ok I'll bite...

6 months ago, I started off a post about my draft in Las Vegas with the words "This is for all the losers out there."

And for the first three years of the NFBC, I've certainly been a loser. Each year, I relied on predictions from online sites, instead of working my ass off to increase my own baseball knowledge. I was determined to do better this year, and I spent 4 solid months preparing. I've also got partner this year - my nephew.

As of this moment, We've regained the lead in LV6 from Rick Thomas (RoundTrippers), and it looks like our team will move up from 14th, hopefully back into the Top 10, so I must have done something right this time...

And yet, I sure made a lot of mistakes, and RoundTrippers has so many weapons in his arsenal that I feel sometimes like we're trying to keep the Titanic from sinking...and we all know how that turned out.

And most of you knew this I'm sure, but I didn't know until earlier tonight that "RT" took 2nd overall last year...2nd! And now I'm even sicker to my stomach than I was before lol I had no idea I was battling a pro.

9 more days to go. Our pitching has been brilliant all year, except for saves - just not enough save chances this year, but still, 1600 points in pitching is something I can be proud of.

Our offense, on the other hand, is like Jekyl and Hyde...mostly Hyde. Berkman came on a little, but it seems like all his HRs are solos. Come to think of it, I've got to have the fewest RBIs per HR of any team in this competition lol. VMart has been slumping, Sizemore has been slumping bad, Thome has done well lately, finally, Beltre has done ok but ever since he hurt his thumb, not as good as he had been at that time, Overbay was a disaster (never saw that coming!), Freel was a disaster, Cuddyer is a mess, Chris Young is all or nothing...and lately nothing, Jason Fucking Kendall was supposed to be the catcher that doesn't hurt you...but absolutely killed us until I dumped his ass and picked up Snyder, who has done real well, Pedroia has done ok since grabbing him early on from FAs, Keppinger too has done ok since we grabbed him late, Betancourt has done ok...

When I look at this mess, I have no idea how we are hanging tough with Mr. Rick Thomas, one cool dude who is driving me nuts lol...

But we have Ryan Braun. Braun almost singlehandedly has carried this team at times, and he deserves to be drafted in the 1st round next year, just for saving my ass this year. No doubt, my nephew deserves all the credit here, for convincing me to grab him quick.

9 more days. Will Rick's team fade? No way - it's a monster! What he lacks in pitching, he makes up by throwing so many starters each week, I'd swear he's fielding 15 of them each week lol.

So the only way we can pull this off is if our offense doesn't suck.

Stay tuned

[ September 22, 2007, 12:05 AM: Message edited by: SluggoJD ]

Schwartzstops · Post by **Schwartzstops** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 4:59 pm

As of this moment at midnight ET on Saturday, the top six teams in Chicago 4 are separated by exactly 7.0 points. Oh baby!

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:46 am

Heading into the final weekend, it's fun to watch the NFBC home page to see the fight for the overall prize, but you can also see the top finishers in each NFBC league by scrolling down a bit. Right now there are a LOT of interesting races to watch. Here's a few interesting ones:

** $1,250 Auction Leagues: We had four $1,250 Auction Leagues this year and all four are going right down to the wire. Eddie Gillis is trying to win his third $1,250 AL Auction League title in four years, which would be one helluva accomplishment, but he's currently one point behind his good buddy, Shawn Childs. That one has been a battle all year long. The $1,250 NL Auction League is also separated by 1 point, with the Wiseguys holding an edge over Jesse Herron's BaseballMafia.com team. The $1,250 Las Vegas and $1,250 New York Mixed Auction Leagues are also decided by just 1.5 points right now.

** $650 Auction League: There's a good race in the Las Vegas $650 NL Auction League, with one point separating two teams.

** Las Vegas: Five main event leagues in Las Vegas are decided by 1 point or less. Our NFBC grand champion from last year, David DiDonato, leads LV2 by 1/2 a point as he tries to win back-to-back league titles. There is a tie in LV5, while LV9 is decided by 1/2 a point, LV6 is decided by 1 point and LV7 is currently decided by just 1.5 points. Nice.

** New York: We have a tie in NY4 of the main event right now as well, with NY 1 currently being decided by 2 points.

** Tampa: There's a 2 point difference for the title in Tampa 2, but both Tampa leagues have been as close as can be all year long.

** Team Longood is looking good in the Las Vegas Ultimate Auction League, and while we'd hate to jinx them, this would be their second title in three years of that event. Great job David.

** Our overall leader, Terry Haney, is also in line to win a free entry in 2008 as he currently leads a $100 satellite league by 2 points. The rich get richer!!

I'm sure I missed a few other good races, but this looks like some good fun. Good luck everyone the rest of the way.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:04 am

Okay, looking a little further into some of the races listed above, here's four leagues where a lot of money could switch hands in the next few days:

** $1,250 AL Auction League: In Las Vegas, the top three teams have 84, 83 and 82 points. Wow.

** $1,250 NL Auction League: In Las Vegas, the top three teams have 88, 87 and 87 points. Another WOW.

** LV2: Our defending overall champ has a battle on his hands. The top four teams there have 103.5, 103, 103 and 101 points. Wow.

** LV5: The top four teams have 101, 101, 99.5, 97.5 points.

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:27 am

Hey Sluggo, once you run out of fingernails to munch on you can do like me and start working on those frequently neglected cuticles. I feel your angst my friend. Spartacus of LV7 reporting in at the end of a long knock down, drag out season. While LV7 still has 2-3 plus 100 point teams trailing the pacesetters, it would appear that we've come down to a two team race. Our Spartacus team 110 1/2pts (23 overall) vs Team Jaffe 111 1/2 pts (17th overall). Short of a 3 day meltdown by one of us, we should both be down to chewing on our toenails by Sunday. I make no prediction as the uncertainties of the final 4 days most definitely mitigates the probability factor. However, last night Team Jaffe passed us in steals and took over 1st place. We are separated by one stolen base, and while there are still numerous points in play, this appears to be the category that may prove to be the kingmaker. Rollins-Logan-Owens-Rios-M Izturis vs. our Theriot-Hopper-Bartlett-Ichiro-Teahan-Ronnie Paulino. (Don't laugh Paulino's got more stolen bases than Ichiro in the last two weeks and at least he doesn't get thrown out!) Yes, it also makes me wonder whether toenails have cuticles! At any rate, it should be exciting.

On a final note, after your posting I couldn't help but browse your league standings. I came away wondering how the hell Rick Thomas is fighting for 1st place (36 overall) with an ERA of 4.71 and whips of 1.42? I don't know if Rick remembers but I met him last March after the Ultimate Draft as I was scouting the results of the board in the draft room. I congratuled him then for a fine '06 season, but I have to say that his performance this year in my estimation is just as impressive considering those typically season killing numbers. It's not easy staying competitive with ratio's like that. Nice job, Rick. As well, I agree Sluggo, a top ten competitor shouldn't have to sweat so much winning their respective league. (Though it appears that you're not the only one this year.) Whatever happens gentlemen congratulations to both of you on fine seasons and best of luck the next 4 days.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:22 am

LV 9 - Tied at 105 with four days left

$1250 AL Auction League - Tied at 85 with four days left

Sorry my team is not one of those four, but it's exciting for my friends and competitors nonetheless.

Crazy Like a Fox · Post by **Crazy Like a Fox** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:25 pm

March 28th satellite winner-take-all

top 3 are

109.5 = Mallory Killers

109.0 = Crazy Like a Fox

109.0 = Dead Rabbits

Too close for comfort.

SluggoJD · Post by **SluggoJD** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 5:07 pm

Hey Spartacus, not sure how things turned out for you, but I got the league, and looks like 8th, 9th or 10th overall...so I'm ecstatic.

Yea, Rick Thomas had a great year considering ERA and WHIP...incredible offense, and he kept picking up starters and throwing them out there hoping for wins and Ks...in the end, several of them really let him down, and I guess that did it for him. Still, he's an incredible player, and I know I'll be watching him closely next year lol

John

UPDATED - Wow Sparacus, you could catch Jaffe - all comes down to your Tulowitzki, vs his Peavy. If Peavy gets roughed up in WHIP, you got him. Yikes, sure hope you took the day off (like me! lol) cause you deserve it either way.

[ October 01, 2007, 06:46 AM: Message edited by: SluggoJD ]

751542 · Post by **751542** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 5:22 pm

spartacus and sluggo,

thanks for the kind words!! it was another great season and a tip of the hat to john. well done my friend. in the middle of the week, i thought i mat be able to make a run but could never get that run, win, k points i was chasing. you did a great job and congrats on what looks to be a top 10 finish!! i am hoping when the final standings roll out i finish in the top 10% based upon those pitching numbers i would be ecstatic!! take care and always remember there is no such thing as an offseason!!! RT

RichV · Post by **RichV** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 6:44 pm

I agree Sluggo, a top ten competitor shouldn't have to sweat so much winning their respective league. (Though it appears that you're not the only one this year.)

He sure isn't alone. How would you like to be fighting to hold on to 10th overall,( I doubt we're still there in the AM), with no shot left at winning your league, and real strong chance that tomorrow's WC game could very well knock you out of 2nd in the league?? Frustrating is one word for it...I guess.

SluggoJD · Post by **SluggoJD** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:40 am

RoundTrippers - hey Rick, I started preparation last night lol. I was worried about you almost all week, and only relaxed on Sunday. Don't think you're getting off easy now though...drinks are still on you next year if we draft in Vegas again

Rich, sorry to see you got in one of those impossible leagues, and it certainly wasn't a lack of skill that puts you in 11th instead of 10th right now...several teams could have been flip flopped, mine included. Luck...uncontrollable events perhaps, does matter. Good luck today!

RichV · Post by **RichV** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 3:53 am

Thanks. 10th looks like a longshot now. Holding on to 2nd in the league will be tough enough. Congrats on your season. great job!