My Walk-Off Ode to Our Fantasy Baseball League

The idea likely started around a table at our favorite pizzeria over a decade ago - a time when the White Sox and Red Sox were both still cursed. Groundbreaking no, but it lead to some longlasting fun!

So after competing in the “Rosie’s Pizza” (under six different banner names – most recently 1.21 Jiggowats) Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball League for eleven seasons, I am here to announcement my retirement.

It all began as an eight team league in 2004 called “Great Googlimoogli”. It has now grown into a twelve team extravaganza.

(The 2004 draft’s first round looked like this: Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Prior, Derek Lee, Gary Sheffield, Roy Halladay, Eric Gagne and Carlos Delgado!)

Since our inaugural campaign, five teams have stayed on board, annually competing for the bragging rights as coveted as a complete game shutdown on Sunday.

So as my swan song, I compiled some statistics as they apply to the league’s founding fathers: Cade’s Cubs, Tyler’s Boo City Bombers, Nic’s Biscuits, Jeff’s many team names and my very own The Knobodys (later known as the Fred McGriff Express).

-Jeff (2004, 2005, 2010) and Tyler (2006, 2009, 2013) lead the way with three league titles. Meanwhile, I won back-to-back crowns in 2011 and 2012.

-Tyler was the runner-up twice - both times to Jeff. Not to be outdone, Jeff came home in second three times. Cade, Nic and I each finished second once.

-Cade leads the way with four bronze medal finishes. I have three consolation brackets to my name, including 2013 and 2014.

-Boasting as the most dynamic dynasty, Jeff has only finished outside of the championship bracket once (a 2012 consolation title). His average finish is 3.45 – tied with Tyler for the highest of anyone. Tyler made the championship bracket for a decade straight – a streak which ended this year.

-Cade’s average league finish is 5.0, Nic’s is 7.5 and mine is 4.45.

-Nic’s history is highlighted by runners-up honors in 2006. He hasn’t made the championship playoff bracket since 2009 and is the only member of the “first five” to finish lower than tenth in any year.

-Regular season titles are evenly dispersed: Jeff and I each have three; Cade and Tyler earned a pair a piece.

-Also worth noting, Chad (once known as Kooters Bakery) participated in the first six seasons of the league, winning a third place title and two consolation brackets. But he called it quits after a last place finish in 2009.

But again, this is my walk-off; Derek Jeter and I are riding off into the sunset leaving it to the rest of you boys of summer!