When I joined the NFBC in 2009, I started a morning ritual that I've maintained during the course of each fantasy baseball season since. After dragging myself out of bed and grabbing a quick smoke on the deck, I sit down with my first cup of coffee and laptop to go through the daily standings for each of my fantasy baseball leagues. After seeing how the previous night's stats affected my standings, I then can go about the rest of my day. It's a ritual now 3 years running and one I look forward to each morning.
Last September, back when I started this blog, that ritual always began with a glance at the NFBC Main Event overall standings. Chasing Jupinka & trying to hold off Gekko and others throughout most of the final month of the season, I couldn't wait each morning to see how my chase near the top of the overall had gone the previous night. This year, especially over the last month, has been a slightly different story. With my NYC Main Event team devastated by injury, spiraling, and having fallen almost completely out of relevance and my AC Main just trying to tread water for another month until Pujols and Josh Johnson's anticipated return can hopefully fuel a late run, checking out the Main Event overall standings just hasn't seemed to be a meaningful use of my morning time.
Today, I decided to check out those standings for the first time in a while. While my NYC team is in about a millionth place give or take, my AC team is 101st overall. An interesting spot. Certainly not in the serious running, but with half a season to go, certainly not out of it yet either. I'd feel a lot better about my chances with a healthy Pujols and JJ, but you never know. 100 other teams to pass. I thought I'd take a quick look through those 100 teams and see what names I recognize and what thoughts pop in my head about some of those I do.
94 – CC’s Desperados - Shawn Childs
If you had to pick one person whose NFBC exploits helped make him a fantasy sports "celebrity", it would be Shawn. Referenced as an expert in this year's Forecaster, part of the LABR, creator of Vu Fantasy, synonymous with the 75/75 draft strategy, a member of the inaugural NFBC HOF class, Shawn has become a household name in these parts. Still what strikes me most about him is how generous he always is with his knowledge and research. I've had the opportunity to speak to Shawn a few times over the years. He's always humble and genuine as well as interesting to talk to and doesn't ever seem to hold his thoughts close to the vest. He's exactly the same on the boards. A class act.
90 - FFBL's Finest - Kevin Kirves
I didn't know much about Kevin prior to this year. What I know about him now is simple…..he sucks!!!!! Just kidding. Kevin has been the top obstacle this year in my chase for the WCOFB overall. He passed me for 1st overall about a month ago and has been leading the event ever since. Recently he’s started running away with it, even after losing Pujols. Huh? Kevin, something like that is supposed to bring you back to the pack. I hope I can stay in the hunt and battle with Kevin the entire year....and I also hope when all is said and done, we're both rewarded for our efforts.
82 - Redbirds - Shane Schroeder
Is this the same guy who won the inaugural FFOC million? If it is, that must have been nice!!! I still can picture those ads with him in the white jacket and hat with all that money sitting on the table in front of him.
81 - Get Out of My Way - Gaeten Lavoie
Canada in the house!! An annual participant in the Hot Tub league, a helluva player. I'm struck by the difference between his aggressive team name and the persona he exhibits on the boards. From the classy demeanor I've seen from him, I'd think a more appropriate team name would be "Excuse me Sir, Mind if I Pass.”
78 - Team Zwickel - Dave Zwickel
I met Dave briefly at last year's live NFFC NYC drafts. A very nice guy, both humble and enthusiastic. Drafting with his brother, this truly is Team Zwickel.
62 - Team Gillis - Eddie Gillis
I've met Eddie at a few of these live events. The first time was at a break during my very first NFFC Main while on line waiting to use my drink ticket. Long line, man these boys can drink. Eddie and I were in the same league. He complimented some of my picks to that point and asked me my opinion on Nate Burleson, who he was thinking of drafting with his next pick. I gave him my thoughts. Eddie Gillis, who had won about a zillion dollars in fantasy to that point, asking a guy at his first NFFC his opinion on a player. Obviously just small talk, as come December Eddie was finishing in the money while I was playing in the consolation round.
60 - Spartacus - Bob Mazur
One of the very few 3-time Main Event league winners in the NFBC, I’m pretty sure he's also won the last two SCL's. I think he's one of the more underrated players in our game. Duke Snider, RIP.
57 - BN Bears - Ken O'Brien
My smoking partner during this year's AC Auction & Main at Bally's. During each break, we'd meet up in the smoking room and chat about how the drafts were looking so far and what we hoped for going forward. A helluva nice guy that I'm glad to see doing so well.
50 - Incredible Hulking Us - Michael Edelman
Easily one of the nicest people I've met at the live events. The last couple years, he always seems to be one of the guys I end up walking around with after the drafts reviewing draft boards. We were in a Live DC draft together this year in AC. When I picked Cuerto right before the 2nd break where I perceived him to be great value, Mike was waiting for me at the break with his cellphone set for late updates to show me that Cuerto was just pulled from his start that night with arm trouble. Damn! When I picked Borbon with one of my last picks, Mike was again waiting for me at the end of the draft, cellphone in hand, to let me know that Texas management just announced that Borbon was in danger of losing his starting CF job to Murphy. Damn!!! He and Massatto seemed a bit too happy at my less than enthusiastic gratitude for the updates.
41 - Cocktails and Dreams - Chad Schroeder
In my opinion, hands down the best player in fantasy sports. A straight shooter on the boards, I respect the way he handles himself, especially considering what he's dealing with in regards to the WCOFF issues. I'm not sure I'd handle it as well as he has. In regards to his achievements, wow. His list of accomplishments are ridiculous. A pastime for most of us, he's turned this into a living. When I grow up and get a real job, I want one just like that.
40 – The Chamelions – Chris Plouffe
Going into the final week last season, my goal of catching Jupinka for the NFBC crown was a dead stick, and what remained for me to shoot for was holding off Gekko for 2nd overall. Chris wasn’t really a thought at the time. Well during the course of that final week, Chris soared up the top 10 of the standings passing me on the season’s last day. So on the last day of the season, not only did I lose my month long battle with Gekko for 2nd overall, but Chris passed me as well for 3rd. One day, a drop from 2nd overall going into that last day to 4th overall by the end of that last day, $12,500.00 poorer. It stung, but it would have stung much worse if I wasn’t passed by such great players.
33 - Baseball Furies - Mike Massatto
Mikey the Mouth putting his money where his mouth is!!! It's one thing to talk sh*t, it's another thing altogether to back it up and Mike's doing just that. Mike and I chatted a lot at this year's AC & NYC live drafts. He's a really good guy. We were also interviewed together for a Sirius show being broadcast from the NYC NFBC draft. As part of our interview, we were each asked to answer a question from a caller. I went first. The question…..”What do I think of Jay Bruce as a sleeper?” Hmmmm, that wasn’t too tough and I answered pretty easily with my thoughts. Now, it was Mike’s turn. The question…..”In an AL only 22 team keeper auction league, what dollar values would you apply to each of the Red Sox infielders to the 3rd decimal point?” The response from Mike……well needless to say, the question didn’t get answered. I’m exaggerating, but only slightly.
31 – Team Jurney – Robert Jurney
Bob Jurney was the defending champion my 1st year with the NFBC. I remember reading a write up on him and his championship season in Fantasy Sports Magazine that preseason. A great player, I don’t think he nearly gets his due as a former champion and one of the best in the game.
30 - Air Lar - Larry Schechter
One of the best CDM players ever, I met Larry this year as he was being interviewed right before me for the Sirius show I mentioned earlier. He also happened to be in my NYC Main Event league this year. He had the first overall pick, but after making his pick at the end of the 2nd, he didn’t realize that he needed to make another pick to start off the 3rd. He believed as done in NFFC drafts, the NFBC used 3rr. Huh? It must have been nice to realize that he could draft 15 picks earlier than he thought. Of course, he then goes out and has been top 3 in our league all year including having recently led it. Sometimes you just have to say, when you're good you're good.
27 - Roy's Outlaws - Roy Ericson III
I met Roy this year at Shandler's First Pitch in NYC, nice guy. I almost joined his local Keeper league but it was just too much of a hike to the live draft on a Friday night after work. It's interesting to see Roy doing so well as I thought he was mostly an auction guy. Auction guys, CDM guys, all kicking my a$$ this year.
22 - Quahogs - Steve Jupinka
The Anti-Christ's in the house!!! Seriously, one of the best of the best. Inducted with Childs, Steve’s the other member of our inaugural HOF class and also our reigning Champion. Funny on the boards and the quickest on the draw with a picture post for any occasion. I've met Steve at a couple live drafts and he's as much a class act in person as he is on the boards. A champion we can be very proud of. One thing though, I thought I read on the boards this year that he was having a bad year!!! Well I guess 22nd overall is bad for some.
20 - The Pale King - Bob Particelli
I met Bob for the first time this year prior to our Live DC draft, good guy. We've been battling, going back and forth at the top of that league for the entire year. A helluva player doing well everywhere this year, he currently leads me by a point, he'll be tough to beat. Before I ever met Bob, he had a few message board comments when it was announced that I received the 1st pick for my AC Main Event draft. He complained that it always seemed like I got the first pick in these drafts (not true by the way, I don't get the first pick nearly enough). Of course, within the hour it was announced that Bob received the first pick in our Ultimate draft. With Pujols having an off year and out for two months, I bet we both now wish that we'd gotten lower picks.
15 - Edwards Kings - Wayne Edwards
The inspiration for my blog, Wayne's weekly rundown of his thoughts in FAAB, lineup moves, and team management are a must read for me. I remember looking at his league before the draft and seeing the killer roster of fantasy sharks that were part of this draft and thinking, no way anyone does well coming out of that nightmare. I was wrong. I’m rooting for Wayne to continue doing well so he continues writing and I can continue reading his thoughts.
11- Lunatic Addiction - Jim Christie
I met Jim when he came up to me this year and introduced himself by saying that he wanted to meet me. You know you've made a name for yourself when a great player and class act like Jim goes out of his way to say hello. Unfortunately, Jim then signed up for a Live Online DC that I was registered for and joked that it was because I was in it.....that's the downside, great players like Jim want to play against you!!!
10 - Pine Tar Pros - Ty Parsons
A recent ally in the message board squabble over the pitcher's DL rule that dominated the boards last week, I know he was frustrated by the debate. We chatted in PM's after I left the debate. It was interesting to see him doing this well in the Overall today. Ty, don't let the BS distract you. Keep focused and keep kicking a$$, worry about the other stuff AFTER the big payday!
8 – Harry Crumb – Joe Anthony
Joe was one of the many “vocal” members of MLBC-1 that made it so much fun. I met Joe at the AC drafts this year and then again the next week in NYC, good guy. I remember looking over his NYC draft board with him and wondering how the hell he got Hanley with the seventh pick??? Then I looked at the rest of his draft and though “Uh oh”. Well Hanley hasn’t panned out so far, but the rest of his draft certainly has.
6 - Zefurs - KJ Duke
The antagonist in our message board pitcher’s DL rule debate, KJ's one of the biggest debators on these boards. He's also a helluva guy and great player. Most of all, he’s one of the most innovative players we have as his MLBC drafts are easily the most fun of any I take part in. He's also the creator of the NFBCK, the CR AL/NL only & combined keeper leagues, a rating system for high stakes which I think is the best out there, and a force behind many new rule ideas and changes. He's also as funny as it gets. After MLBC-1, KJ created a chatroom where some league issues could be discussed and a few of us could chat while watching (and betting against each other) during the playoff football games. It was an open chatroom whose web address KJ posted on the boards. At one point, someone came in with an alias who most assumed to be Gekko because of the way he interacted with Shawn. Shawn for one was sure it was him. They went back and forth for a while. Suddenly, I get a chatroom PM from KJ. The person antagonizing Shawn was actually KJ pretending to be Gekko pretending to be this other person. It was ingenious, and unbelievably funny. I already can't wait until next year's MLBC draft.
5 - Sack & Godfather - Ken Magner
I was lucky enough this year to draw Ken Magner in BOTH my Main Event leagues.
Of course, he's doing well in both and dominating one. Though we've been on opposite sides of message board debates recently, he struck me as a really good guy at the live drafts. He still does. While watching him draft with his son Chip, I thought ahead to the day when I would hopefully be attending these drafts with my own son, Joseph. I hope we have as good a time and as great a bonding experience as Ken and Chip seemed to have.
4 - Eric's Liver - Jason DuPonte
I met Jason at last year's NFBC after the Main Event and prior to the Super we were both in, nice guy. He and Gekko were discussing draft strategy at the time. I didn't know who he was at the time, but figured he must know his sh*t if Gekko was asking for his opinion on his draft. Though Jason didn't do well in our Super last year, he's got teams 4th and 16th overall in our Main Event this year. Yeah, I guess he does know his sh*t.
1 - Bob Enzyte - Lindy Hinkelman
What's there to say? He has a huge lead in the Main Event overall as well as very competitive teams in both the Auction & Live DC overalls. If he manages to hold on and win another Main after what he accomplished just two years ago, I think there would be little doubt on who the best fantasy baseball player on the planet is. The Lindy..... must be nice to have an unbelievable accomplishment named after you.
So 100 great players ahead of me, they’ll be tough to pass. There are many great players ahead of me that I haven’t mentioned here and other great players behind me. Hopefully the next time I take a peek at the overall and check out who’s ahead of me, I have less, not more memories or thoughts that pop in my mind.
)
The MLBC-1 draft was the most fun draft I've ever taken place in. Completely unique, the format's a blast. The others in the league were all great & fun guys who made the experience one I truly enjoyed. The season's been something else altogether. The format of the league is based on drafting players not only on ability but on their current major league salaries. In other words, the higher the player's real salary, the more you pay for the player.....in real dollars!!! I paid the 2nd most of anyone in the league and I'm currently 2nd from the bottom in the standings. A job well done. 
