NFBC and Hall of Fame

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 5:14 am

In 2004, I bought a magazine about fantasy baseball. Having won some CBS, Yahoo, and local leagues, I wanted to prepare to defend those Championships.

I didn't.

I didn't because I didn't enter them. Well, except for the local league I ran.

Instead, (after getting permission from my wife) I decided to embark on playing fantasy baseball for big money.

One of those magazines had a big ad about the NFBC.

Things for me haven't been the same since.

Since that time, no other contest 'does it' for me like the Main Event.

It is the measure of how good we are at this hobby.

The best fantasy players play in the Main Event.

Sure, I know there are other players who can't afford the buy in or have succeeded at other levels. But, until those players succeed at this level, they are the Mike Trout's of fantasy baseball. The determination and success is present, but that presence has to be displayed under the Big Top.

For all you folks who are reading this and have tried other leagues or satelites in the NFBC, you owe it to yourself to see if you can master this hobby. If only for a year.

Last year, this contest came down to a fight between a guy comfortable with Wall Street and a pig farmer.

Can it get any more diverse than that for backgrounds?

Maybe, somebody in Washington will call me a shill.

Have at it.

On our home page there is a box that says 'learn more'. Hit that and there are 'testimonials'. Scroll half way down the page and there is a testimonial from the guy in Washington himself. Shill.

The best players come here to play. If you've conquered local, Yahoo, ESPN, or CBS leagues and think you're the best. You're not.

Step up to the plate. Get in the Main Event.

That all said, I am disappointed with ourselves.

Shawn Childs, Steve Jupinka, and Lindy Hinkelman are Hall of Famers.

No quarrel. But, there is a name missing that should be with them.

Greg Ambrosius.

If not for him, there would be no Hall of Fame.

We would not have met each other.

We wouldn't have gained all the friends that have become like family to us.

The man who has shown integrity, honesty, and sticktoittiveness deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

All of the petty gripes and major catastrophies have been handled flawlessly by Greg. He has gone to bat for us as a go between to major companies. He survived Ryan E, for crissakes! Boffo!

And, we got paid!

Now, Greg Ambrosius is not going to put himself in his own Hall of Fame. It'll have to come from us.

I'm starting a grassroots campaign here and maybe Kent or somebody can get a plaque for Greg.

It's the least we can do as a show of appreciation to the man that brought us all together.

Who agrees?

(Edited to correct Mr. Hinkelman's last name)

[ October 14, 2011, 11:39 AM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 5:46 am

Amen, Dan.

And you are right, shame on us for not insisting he be in the inaugural class.

Let's make this happen!

[ October 14, 2011, 12:46 PM: Message edited by: Joe Sambito ]

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 5:52 am

amen. well said .

Ando · Post by **Ando** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 6:24 am

Greg gets my vote!

Money · Post by **Money** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 6:36 am

Excellent recommendation Dan. The Baseball hall of fame has players, owners, broadcasters etc. No reason why the NFBC Hall of Fame should be without their owner and founder. His passion for the game and compassion for it's players are second to none in this industry.

Dan, On a side note, I predict that within the next 10 years (probably sooner) you'll be the first inductee to be in twice, once for his playing accomplishments and once (the inaugural inductee) for his message board writings and contributions.

Let us know what we can do to contribute to Greg's induction this coming spring.

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 6:44 am

Originally posted by Joe Sambito:

Amen, Dan.

And you are right, shame on us for not insisting he be in the inaugural class.

Let's make this happen!

Winston's Empire · Post by **Winston's Empire** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:20 am

I too was brought into the NFBC by seeing that BIG NFBC Ad in a Fantasy Baseball Magazine in 2009!

I played in the main event that year and after a finish at about the 50 yard line, I took 2 years off and played some of the smaller NFBC leagues to sharpen my skill and can't wait to get back into the Main Event again this year! My life too will not be the same because of the NFBC. As a small business guy myself, I know the dedication it takes to make something go... and the NFBC Surely has gone WAY BEYOND THE COMPETITION!

I also would be happy to cast a vote for Greg for the HOF and contribute to his plaque!

Does my vote count twice because I am also from Wisconsin?

Bob Enzyte · Post by **Bob Enzyte** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:23 am

I'm way ahead of you guys. Last year I brought a Hall of Fame baseball with me to Vegas. I had Shawn Childs, Steve Jupinka and Greg Ambrosius sign it.

Baseball Furies · Post by **Baseball Furies** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:54 am

100% in agreement on this! Greg has my vote. He is a pioneer, innovator, and an example of how to do business right. As soon as I spoke with him when I first embarked on my NFBC journey, I knew that I had made the right decision. His creation has taken this great sport/hobby/obsession to whole new level of fun, credibility, and competition. He should be commended and recognized for this with the others that he has inspired to the levels of greatness that they have achieved to be in his Hall of Fame.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:05 am

Excellent response for just a couple of hours!

Let's hear from a few more.

The ball is rolling, let's keep it that way!

It doesn't cost any money and only a little time. Think how much time Greg has put into this event for all of us to enjoy.

Vote here.

Red Sox Nation- · Post by **Red Sox Nation-** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:16 am

Like many others the NFBC has become my favorite hobby. I can't imagine life without it. Of course the founder/pioneer belongs in the NFBC.

Jason

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:18 am

Thanks all for the kind words, but you know that a management guy doesn't get recognized or honored until after HE'S DEAD!!

You know, then the family comes out to accept the awards and accolades and goes "so that's what he did for a living?"

They're puzzled that anyone wants to honor him because the long work days seemed so fruitless.

But the truth of the matter is that I love what I'm doing and I don't need any awards to know that what I'm doing is the right thing. I'm proud of what we've accomplished with the live events in the last eight years and nobody has a better job than I do. I keep fighting hard because I love doing this and I know that the next eight years are going to be even better for our contests. We now have the most respected high-stakes contest and the best live event in the industry and nobody has been doing it longer than us. We've now given out over $11 million in prizes since 2004 and we have a great management team that is backing us all the way. The quick payouts this NFBC season is proof positive that everyone on this team is on the same page and willing to work as hard as possible to make this a great experience for the players. That will lead to greater success for us and for the players.

What we need to do is keep working hard and build on what was a FANTASTIC 2011. I know Lindy had a miracle season in the NFBC this year, winning the overall title for a second time, winning four of his seven league titles, and finishing second overall in the Auction Championship. But nobody had a more successful season than Tom and I!!

We lived past the Fanball closing, partnered with the perfect company in STATS, had record NFBC and NFFC seasons, survived lockouts in the NFL and NBA, while surviving the black eye we all received from the WCOFF fiasco. If we can succeed in this terrible environment and in these tough economic times, then I know the best is yet to come.

You're going to see some great things from our contests before all is said and done. Once we've accomplished everything, then my kids can pick up my plaque and say "I had no idea dad knew so many people."

The friendships are what I'm most proud of. The competition has turned into what I always expected. But I never thought it could be this much fun getting there, meeting so many good people and then befriending most of them. I'm lucky because my customers are some of my best friends and will be long after my professional career is finished. Nothing more needs to be provided than that.

Tom and I are very lucky...and we know it.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:34 am

Thanks Greg, your luck is our luck.

Unfortunately, you only tipped the pass and didn't intercept it.

We're taking it upon ourselves to put you in that Hall of Fame.

Don't make us start a strike

Lets keep the responses going.

Lindy doesn't want to be alone in receiving his award this year. And who better for the leading money winner go into the Hall of Fame with than the creator of the event who made it all possible for him.

Thanks and lets hear it....

Winston's Empire · Post by **Winston's Empire** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 12:25 pm

One more thought from me on Greg entering the Hall! When I first signed up for the NFBC, Greg CALLED me that day to welcome me to the NFBC Family! Heck, you don't even get a call from your mortgage guy anymore after signing up for a new mortgage!

From simple calls like that, to answering even stupid questions quickly, to paying on time, and simply keeping this awesome game around and growing in these times.... Greg is a 1st Ballot HOF for sure!

DOUGH, when the time comes... you got my vote for the writers wing pal! Your writings are a big part of what keep this community going during the year! First Class Stuff!

PittIsIt95 · Post by **PittIsIt95** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 12:50 pm

Greg - You, Tom and crew are what makes this the BEST contest out there.

You got my vote and a Corona already ordered for Vegas in 2012!

Navel Lint · Post by **Navel Lint** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 5:32 pm

I’ve told this story before, but now seems a good time to repeat it.

Because I draft in Chicago, my personal relationship with Greg has been limited to a couple of MB interactions and one email, well………almost all my interactions.

My first NFBC event was one satellite in 2007, and then my first Main Event was in 2008. So in the summer of 2008 I wasn’t exactly what you would call a veteran player. That summer I took my family on a weekend vacation up to a water park resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI. As I relaxed in a lounge chair I saw a man walk by that I knew but had never met. It was Greg. I knew his face from years of reading his magazine and seeing his picture.

So after he walked by I thought to myself; should I go introduce myself? Na, the man is on vacation with his family and I don’t want to bother him. Now the water park we were at is big, but not huge, and a couple of times during the day I would see Greg across a pool or an open area, but I had decided that I wouldn’t bother him unless our paths directly crossed.

Well, later that afternoon our paths did cross.

But first let me say this. I’m fair skinned. I usually don’t do well in the Sun and I generally take great care to not get burned. But on that particular afternoon with being in and out of the water all day and 90+ degree weather, I was burnt red. I mean vine-ripe tomato red.

So anyway, I’m chasing behind one of my kids going from one slide to another, and I see Greg walking toward me.

Here I am, a complete stranger that looks as if he has been spending just a little too much time inside a microwave oven walking up to Greg and introducing myself. And Greg treated me as if we were old friends and I was a veteran NFBC player. We talked for the next several minutes about the NFBC, baseball in general and introduced our kids

So does one story about Greg being a nice guy that’s not afraid to shake hands with a walking talking lobster make him a Hall of Famer? No, it doesn’t………. if it was the only story. But it’s not the only story. I’ve heard many other share similar experiences. And when you couple all of them with what he has done for fantasy baseball in general and for what he has given us with the NFBC….. well, there wouldn't be an NFBC without him.

Count one more vote for Greg into the Hall of Fame.

[ October 14, 2011, 11:35 PM: Message edited by: Navel Lint ]

Schwks · Post by **Schwks** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 3:05 am

In an era of Madoffs, Greg is George Bailey.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 4:12 am

I am obviously in full support of this with Greg and Dan and I are already working on some surprises for him.

With that said we should not forget that two people work very hard in Iola WI every single day.

Tom- batman's shadow casts long but you are one heck of a Robin.

Gates · Post by **Gates** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 4:52 am

That's got to be the easiest no-brainer of all.

Congrats Greg!!!! You got my vote.

Gaëtan

Gekko · Post by **Gekko** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 5:36 am

greg - you're in

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:05 am

In 2009, my first year in High Stakes, I played in every major contest offered at the time.

NFBC/NFFC

FFPC

WCOFF

FFOC

AFFL II

Fanball

Only two years later, all but the NFBC/NFFC and the FFPC have either defaulted on payments or went under or both. Throw in the defaults of the Fantasy Jungle and the original AFFL the two years prior and this industry has taken more than its share of hits over the last few years.

It seems like it's much further in the past, but less than a year ago Fanball's closing put the NFBC in a position to follow some of these other contests into oblivion. While every other contest provider in a similar position allowed their contest to go under, most without even taking care of their payment obligations, Greg wouldn't allow this to happen to his contest. He could have taken the easy way out like others. I know for a fact that he had other options. However through tireless efforts and a dedication to his contest and his customers, he was able to do what no other contest provider was able to. He saved his contest. Now in a time when defaults have become almost commonplace, the memory of the NFBC's near closing feels like a distant memory and his contest is healthier and in a stronger position than ever. Due to recent events, I have as much a reason as anyone to have lost faith in this industry. However, I would trust Greg Ambrosius with my money without a second thought. More than anything else he's done in this industry, this is why his candidacy would be a deserving one.

This is the man who created the NFBC/NFFC.

This is the man who saved it.

There wouldn't even be an NFBC without Greg Ambrosius, let alone an NFBC Hall of Fame.

Even if he never allows himself to be considered a candidate, for the reasons above he'll always be considered a Hall of Famer in my book.

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:19 am

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

With that said we should not forget that two people work very hard in Iola WI every single day.

Tom- batman's shadow casts long but you are one heck of a Robin. I also agree with Kent's sentiment here. Though to use an analogy more in line with what we play here (and getting me into the mindset for the upcoming All Time Baseball Draft), I'd say Tom's the Whitey Ford to Greg's Mantle. Didn't they go into the Hall of Fame together?