CFCL Owners of 1992

 

Pictured from the left:  Rich Bentel (Dem Rebels), Pat McGuire (Twin Picks), Paul Zeledon (Da Paul Meisters), Eric Lamb (Eric's Lambchops), David Mahlan (eventual 1992 CFCL Champion David's Copperfields), Tom Clark (Clark Kents), David Holian (David's Ruffins), and Kelly Barone (Six Packs).

1992 saw the CFCL returning to full stable of 8 owners, which matched the number of franchises we'd had from 1986 through 1990.  We played 1991 with only 7 teams because Pat McGuire, owner of McGuire's Picks, withdrew from the league shortly before Draft Day 1991, leaving us no time to find a replacement.

As you can see, though, we held no ill will, as we welcomed Pat back with open arms (and a new team name - Twin Picks) following his one year hiatus.  In addition to the Return of the Pickster, two new teams joined us in 1992 - Da Paul Meisters and Clark's Kents, replacing Mr. Paul's Swordfish and the CFCL stalwart Bald Eagles.

We knew we'd miss Bob's presence at the Draft, so Rich brought a helium-filled balloon inscribed with Bob's face in Sharpie as a stand-in.  You can barely see the yellow balloon behind Eric's head, but the shot below, of Kelly posing with Airhead Bob, gives a good view.  In retrospect, you have to wonder if it was this interaction with "Bob" prior to the Draft, which caused Kelly to have one of the most disastrous Drafts in CFCL history (more on this below).

We knew Bob would miss Draft Day as well, which is why we decided to video tape the proceedings to send to him later.  It turned out to be one of most fortuitous decisions we've made, as the 1992 Draft was incredibly entertaining and featured a number of "incidents" which would be remembered as classics of CFCL lore.  I'm sure that the fun Rich and I had re-watching the video tape later had a lot to do with us deciding to record the 1993 Draft ... and the 15 or so to follow ... as well.  I have no doubt that if 1992 had been a routine Draft the video taping would have stopped after that first year.

A number of highlights from 1992 have already been posted on the blog:

The Origin of the Ruffin Privilege (which gives the honor of nominating the first player for bidding to Ruffins' owner, Dave Holian

The Ramon Martinez Incident (in which things begin to go awry for Six Packs owner Kelly Barone)

The Bret Barberie Incident (in which things go from bad to worse for Kelly)

The Rebel Puberty Incident (in which an interaction with Airhead Bob causes Dem Rebel owner Rich Bentel to emit some odd sounds)

The Darryl Strawberry Incident (a classic moment in CFCL history, in which two owners simultaneously react in the same way when an owner more than doubles the current bid on Strawberry ... if it wasn't so spontaneous, you'd swear it was choreographed)

All this took place at the Oak Park apartment of Copperfields owner, David Mahlan.

CFCL Owners of 1993

Picture from left:  Rich Bentel (Dem Rebels), Tom Clark (Clark Kents), Dave Holian (David's Ruffins), Eric Lamb (Lambchops), Kelly Barone (Six Packs), Paul Zeledon (Da Paul Meisters), Pat McGuire (Twin Picks), David Mahlan (and eventual 1993 CFCL Champion David's Copperfields).

1993 saw all 1992 owners returning.  We were supposed to be nine owners, but a vile, despicable scum changed his mind at the last minute and didn't have the courtesy to let us know.  As a result, a draft that was supposed to begin around 7pm didn't start until almost 9pm and as a further result, didn't end until the wee hours of Saturday morning. 

Dave Holian of the Ruffins graciously provided the location for our draft and, when the hours became later and later, led us in our first International Incident in CFCL history, The Orestes Destrade Incident.

The Copperfields would end up winning their second title in a row and sixth overall.  At the end of the season, the Picks resign, but the remaining seven owners would continue as a core for the next two years.

Oh, almost forgot.  Also pictured in the back on the left, ominously hovering over Eric Lamb was a balloon representation of Bob Monroe (former owner of the Bald Eagles).  As has been chronicled, the Bald Eagles were part of the CFCL from 1986-1991.  For a few years after Bob left, we blew up a balloon, drew a beard and glasses on it in an effort to make it feel like Bob was still around.  At this particular draft, I believe the balloon took its fair share of punishment as the hours dragged on into early Saturday morning.  There is no empirical evidence as to the negative influence of Bob the Balloon, but Eric and Kelly (seated closest to Bob) finished 7th and 8th respectively.

CFCL Owners of 1994

Picture from left:  Dave Holian (David's Ruffins), Rich Bentel (Dem Rebels), Matt Bentel (DoorMatts), Paul Zeledon (and eventual CFCL Champion Da Paul Meisters), Eric Lamb (Lambchops), Kelly Barone (Six Packs), Dave Goetz (ForGoetzMeNots), Tom Clark (Clark Kents).  Not pictured on the right: David Mahlan (David's Copperfields).

1994 was supposed to be the first time ever the CFCL had ten owners.  In 1993 (as you will see next week) we had eight owners.  Those eight had all committed to returning.  In addition FINALLY we were able to convince Rebels cousin Matt (DoorMatts) to join the league.  We had also been able to entice one of the Original 6 owners (and first ever CFCL Champion) back - Dave Goetz (ForGoetzMeNots).  Then on Roster Freeze Day, Pat McGuire showed his true colors.  Rather than turn in his keepers for the draft he sent a note saying, effectively, "I'm out".  The CFCL rolled on, probably the better for it, with nine owners.

Da Paul Meisters captured their first (and only) CFCL crown in just their third year of existence.

Dave Holian (David's Ruffins) opened his home to the CFCL, allowing us to draft in his spacious and comfortable basement.

CFCL Owners of 1995

Pictured from left:  David Mahlan (and eventual CFCL Champion David's Copperfields), Ken Welsch (proxy for ForGoetzMeNots), Tom Clark (Clark Kents), Kelly Barone (Six Packs), Dave Goetz (ForGoetzMeNots), Dave Holian (David's Ruffins), Eric Lamb (Lambchops), Paul Zeledon (Da Paul Meisters), Matt Bentel (DoorMatts), not pictured but hand [with pen] is visible just about Dave Holian combining drinks, Rich Bentel (Dem Rebels).

 

David and Michelle opened their Oak Park apartment to the CFCL yet again, although since we are travelling backward in time with pictures, this was the first of three straight years at this location. 

 

We had ten attendees despite having nine owners.  Ken Welsch sat in because Dave Goetz knew he would have to leave early.  We had Ken on the short list for new ownership and as we have done many times in the CFCL, we had Ken get some experience by helping a current owner with the draft.

 

1995 would be the end of the road for the Clark Kents, who finished a four year run.  Ken would take over the Kents next year and rename the franchise the Flatfeet.  The eight other owners all were returning from 1994 and would continue on to 1996 (and 1997, 1998,1999 and 2000) - an amazingly consistent run.

 

The Copperfields used the home draft advantage to capture their 7th CFCL title, winning the title by 11 points over the 2nd place Rebels.

 







The Darryl Strawberry Incident

You have been very loyal readers.  You have been patient.  You deserve to be rewarded.  And so we bring you "The Darryl Strawberry Incident".  1992 may have been the best draft ever for humor and entertainment, and here is the Piece de Resistance (French for "good stuff").

Some background.  For eight years the CFCL owners enjoyed the Draft Day Bidding Process.  We would typically nominate every player for ".01" and then go around the table increasing the bid by a penny.  Ridiculous to bid .01 on a superstar?  Well, sure.  But it was quaint and fun.  It was also amusing to watch the momentum build as the bids got higher.  I still recall the exuberance of The Professor when the bidding went around the table on some forgotten player some forgotten year with each owner bidding and each owner only increasing the bid by .01.  There were ten owners in the league and when the bidding got back to The Professor for a second trip around the table, the bid was a perfect ".10".

There were times (as you will see in the video below) when an owner would begin the bidding a little higher than .01.  And occasionally an owner would increase the bidding by more than a penny, but usually it was no more than two or three cents.

Enter Pat McGuire of the Twin Picks.  Pat had been in the league previously from 1988-1990, stepped away in 1991 and returned for a two year run beginning in 1992.  Apparently three years of this "quaint and fun" bidding style crap was enough.  It appeared that he thought he could singlehandedly shave hours off the draft by getting the bidding to an appropriate price as quickly as possible.

What you are about to see is, in my opinion, the quintessential moment of the CFCL.  The reaction of two owners (Tom Clark and Dave Holian) to McGuire's efforts to get the bidding going has been retold around the CFCL Draft Table a million times.  Fortunately for all of us it was captured on video and it is yours to see here.

Meet Clark Kents

Tom Clark was a classmate of the Ruffins, Rebels and Copperfields at OPRF as well as a teammate on many recreational softball teams.  Tom didn't join the CFCL until well after high school, however, coming on board in 1992 and staying with the league for four years.  His high-water mark was 3rd place in 1994, his only money place finish.  In additional to participating in fantasy baseball and playing recreational softball, Tom umpired a lot of games for the local leagues.  He also is one of the chief architects of one of the most memorable Incidents in CFCL history.

It's time now to meet Clark Kents.

Q1. How did you come to join the CFCL?

I cannot recall the specifics, but I believe Dave Holian invited me to fill an opening in your league. Dave and I had been members of fantasy baseball league that folded after only one season, and he must have seen me as an owner who would not threaten his chances to win.

Q2. Did you have previous fantasy baseball experience? Have you since?

After leaving the CFCL, I was a co-owner of a fantasy team for one season in the mid 90s, but no longer consider myself a baseball fan. I'm not sure if it was the addition of the wildcard and inter-league play, the season-ending strike in 1994, the McGuire-Sosa theatrics, the resulting steroid-fueled Bonds home run chase, the all-star game becoming so insignificant that a tie-game became an acceptable result, or the requirement to watch four-hour baseball games from late March into early November, but somewhere along the way I stopped caring. I have not watched a pitch of Cubs baseball all season.

Q3. It’s been 18 years since you resigned from the league. Do you have any specific memories?

My lasting memory of the league is that Dave Mahlan brought not one, but two three-ring binders to the draft; a sign that I was out of my league.

Q4. Your team name certainly had a “super” feel to it. Were you a Superman fan or did you think that Clark Addisons was too obvious of a team name?

From your question, I assume my team name was the Clark Kents. I remember debating whether my team name should be the Clark Kents or the Clark Bars. While I am not a fan of the Superman franchise, I think I was hoping my players would perform like "supermen."

Q5. At the draft you would often sit next to the Ruffins and look over their shoulder at their draft information. Was this a strategy to get in the head of the Ruffins or was it your form of draft prep?

I'm sure I sat next to the Ruffins so I could make sarcastic comments about the other owners without anyone of them hearing.

Q6. Are you aware that you were a part of the greatest video moment in CFCL history? (hint: it was the Darryl Strawberry Incident) Do you remember it?

I have no recollection of the Darryl Strawberry incident, but I am happy to have left a legacy.

Q7. Since leaving the CFCL you have established a successful law practice in Oak Park. How long have you been practicing and what is your specialty?

In my practice, which I started in 2009, I concentrate on wills, trusts, and special needs planning. My focus on special needs planning, which involves helping parents meet the current and future needs of their disabled children, is the product of my son being diagnosed with Autism.

Wishing the league another 30 years!