(With thanks to Ed Dubis for supplying all the results from the BMC post-office leagues).
Listed By 2007 NPL Draft Order:
LARRY OTT: "The Big O"
O is in the prestigious "Spare Room League" which is Commissionered (is that a word?) by Al Cotton. During the last two seasons, O has been spending Steeler Sunday away games watching the NFL down at a pub called Shenanigans. Ever since, the Big O has dominated in the SRL. In 2005 he won it all, and this season a strong 2nd place finish. It's enough to gain the reputation of
of the Spare Room League.
DAVE JONES: "Kommish" (baseball only)
After a disastrous '06 baseball season, some bounce back with a 3rd in the "Sand Pit League" and a 1st in the "Spare Room League". (Thanks LT!) Also, somehow managed to get a co-championship in the 5 man "Tournament of Handicappers" (ToH).
AL COTTON: "Disco" or "Hockey Al"
When mentioning that Al is Commish of the Spare Room League, it should be noted that it is a long time league with I believe 20+ years, as are some others we will mention within
this posting. Al could verify exactly how many, I know it's been 11 years now for me.
this posting. Al could verify exactly how many, I know it's been 11 years now for me.And although Al didn't hit pay dirt this season in the SRL or two BMC's, we know that Disco is a "Survivor." Yes, in a unique survivor league of individual NFL players, Al took home a Championship in 2006. What's especially impressive about this is that the non-traditional format allows for any number of participants, and Al beat out 24 others to claim the title of Ultimate Survivor.
Jeff Probst would be proud. By the way, this league is run by Eddie Dubis Jr. and our Eddie Sr. A fun thing, great strategy involved and if you didn't get in this year, check it out for 2007. All done on the web - easy to do.JOHN STASKO: "Raven"
4th seemed to be the magic spot for John in 2006, but hey - it means cashing a check in both leagues. Those leagues are the previously mentioned SRL and the Sand Pit, which is run by Harv. More on this league as we go on.
BOB PIFKO: "Piffy" or "Piffster"
Piff battled into the money for a 5th place finish in Harv's Sand Pit League, while having a tougher time in his debut season with the Spare Room. Bob is also in a work league down at the Laborers Combined Funds of PA. In a different type of set-up, Piff was 4th of 10 in overall points, but it's based on Head-to-Head and he just missed out because of W-L record there. However, in some sort of side contest, the Piffster won money because he was successful in picking the "hot player" throughout the year. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!)
BOB SPROULE: "Badger" or "Badger Bob"
Bob's a true baseball guy. No fantasy football, but it should be mentioned that Bob is a 3 time champion in the "Tournament of Handicappers" including hitting games at an amazing 63.4% back in 2001. You could make a good living with that percentage out in Vegas. Since no football - fantasy style, we'll give Bob-O a baseball plug. Al may be surprised to
learn that Bob may be tight with one David K. Littlefield. At Bob's SABR Hot Stove gathering this past week, he extended an invitation to DL, and the Bucco GM left a charity basketball game a little early to accept Bob's invite.
learn that Bob may be tight with one David K. Littlefield. At Bob's SABR Hot Stove gathering this past week, he extended an invitation to DL, and the Bucco GM left a charity basketball game a little early to accept Bob's invite.JOHN FRISSORA: a self-proclaimed... "Degenerate Gambler"
Where do I start? Well, John didn't hit the money in his league this year, but he is Commissioner and founder of the "Carnot Football League" (CFL), as they just completed their 24th season. Named for Carnot Beer Distributor in Moon Township.
In addition to the "CFL", the nickname "Degenerate Gambler" stems from the fact that John is in charge of the following contests /games..."Madness" - March Madness bracket pool
"T-o-H" - Tournament of Handicappers 5 person NFL/NCAA betting contest
"B-a-R" - Bowl - a - Rama (college bowl games)
"Mother Of All Sports Pools"
this entails the 4 major sports, plus NASCAR and the PGA.
YIKES!!!
TONY LANG: "Antoooonio" or "Big T"
Tony is one guy who you won't hear boasting about his fantasy success. It was left to his partner Eddie to inform me that T was on a roll in the BMC leagues again in 2006. It was 2nd place in BMC-1 and 4th place in BMC-2. He's like the "Silent Assassin" of the BMC.
EDDIE DUBIS SR: "Fast Eddie"
Eddie pulled into 5th place in the 12 team BMC-2 league, and was busy adminstering the previously mentioned Survivor Pool - both regular season and playoff editions. And oh yeah, Ed also is charge of a Home Run Hitters Contest as well... (When does Eddie find time to get any work done?!?!)
BILL HARVEY: "Harvey Nuts" or "Harv"
Harv is a charter member of the SRL, and a long time member and current Commissioner of the "Sand Pit League". That league was established in 1980, with 6 guys drafting a league in my living room while the 1:00 PM game of NFL opening day was taking place on the TV nearby. After 20 years of being a football Commissioner I burned out on that job and turned over the reigns to Harv in 2000 and the big guy has run it the last 7 years.
And although Harv had a rare off year in those two leagues in '06, he did reap some success in the "Theme Lounge League". This league is also affectionetly known as "The Big League" due to the large sum of money needed to participate. Harv and his partner Kevin Kearney cleared a profit due mostly to some weekly winnings based on high score for the week. Harv also won cash for the one week high score for the season in the Survivor League.JOHN SCHOMING: "Big Daddy" or "Knuckles"
Ya know, when the 2006 NPL fantasy baseball season ended, John experienced a true sense of relief. Remember the scene in "Shawshank" when Andy Dufresne was escaping the prison and
Ya know, when the 2006 NPL fantasy baseball season ended, John experienced a true sense of relief. Remember the scene in "Shawshank" when Andy Dufresne was escaping the prison and
he finally emerged from the mile long crawlthrough the muck of the sewer drain? Well, on October 1, 2006, Big Daddy had a feeling of joy just like Andy did when he came out of that sewer drain. B.D.'s got a championship in baseball. Life is good!
However, the competitive fires still burned, and B.D. cashed in at 5th in the Spare Room and an impressive 2nd place in BMC-2.
And pitchers and catchers report in less than a week. In about 7 weeks, Big D will step to the board to defend his NPL baseball title. But somehow I think the pressure is off. And I don't think Big Daddy is even reading this. He's probably on a beach in Mexico right now sanding his boat, just like Andy, without a care in the world...
