Today, for the 31st time in history, the owners of the CFCL gather for what they collectively acknowledge is the Greatest Day of The Year: Draft Day.
I'm sure Rich will be recapping the events of the day, as well as the celebrations that took place to recognized the CFCL's 30th Anniversary.
For now, though, let's take a look back for an in-depth examination of Draft Day and what it means, courtesy of Trading the Gator. This clip from the film documents the draft of 2002.
Showing posts with label Steve's Stones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve's Stones. Show all posts
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
The CFCL Owners of 2000
Picture from left: Eric Lamb (Lambchops), Rich Bentel (Dem Rebels), Matt Bentel (DoorMatts), Steve Olson (Steve's Stones), Dave Goetz (ForGoetzMeNots), Kelly Barone (Six Packs), David Mahlan (David's Copperfields and eventual 2000 CFCL Champion), Nick Hansen (Nick's Picts), Paul Zeledon (Da Paul Meisters - in white hat), Bruce Ellman (Bruce's Witzke a Go-Go - in yellow shirt), Dave Holian (David's Ruffins), Matt Grage (Hard Hats). Not pictured - Harry Witzke (Bruce's Witzke a Go-Go).
There is a lot going on in this 2000 CFCL Owner Picture. First of all, if you have been following this part of the blog as we work our way backward from 2013, you noticed that the quality of this picture is extremely poor compared to previous posts. That's because this was the last year before we hit the digital photo age. To get this picture we stood in front of the video camera David had set up, stood real still for a few seconds and then got down to business. David anticipated needing/using an Owner Photo for 2000 and had us line up in front of the video camera.
If you are anal like me, you looked at the names listed (12) and counted the faces (13) and realized someone was not accounted for. The gentleman on the far right is Tim Leen. Last week we met Tim as the One Year Wonder owner of Tim's Maulers. In 2000 he provided backup help as Matt Grage (Hard Hats) needed to step out of the draft for an hour or so due to a family commitment. Tim sat in for Matt while he was gone, getting a flavor of what it was like to attend a draft and be an owner.
Interestingly, while Matt was out and about he had on the radio and heard that Sean Casey broke his thumb - either in a spring training game or an early regular season game. When he came back he mentioned it to everyone which allowed the owner of Sean Casey (don't remember who that was) the opportunity to focus his efforts on a firstbaseman during the Rotation Pick part of the draft.
2000 was the first year the CFCL expanded to twelve teams as the Stones and Go-Go joined the league that year. We also had two other new owners. The Hard Hats replaced the retired Steve's Slackers and Nick's Picts replaced the retired Welch's Flatfeet. This would also be the last year for the ForGoetzMeNots - an Original 6 Owner who left the CFCL and then rejoined in 1994.
The Copperfields would win the first part of their fourth back-to-back CFCL titles.
We drafted in somewhat corporate oppulence in Naperville.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
The CFCL Owners of 2001
Pictured from left [First Row] David Mahlan (David's Copperfields and eventual 2001 CFCL Champion), Kelly Barone (Six Packs), Rich Bentel (Dem Rebels), Matt Bentel (DoorMatts)
[Second Row] Harry Witzke (Bruce's Witzke A Go-Go), Eric Lamb (Lambchops), Steve Olson (Steve's Stones), Tim Leen (Tim's Maulers), Matt Grage (Hard Hats), Paul Zeledon (Da Paul Meisters), Nick Hansen (Nick's Picts). [Not pictured] Dave Holian (David's Ruffins)
2001 saw the Copperfields capture their second consecutive CFCL title (actually this would be the fourth and last time they repeated as champions). This was the first (and last) year for Tim Leen of Tim's Maulers as they replaced an original six member - Dave Goetz of the ForGoetzMeNots. This would also be the last season that Harry Witzke (co)owned a CFCL team. They joined in 2000 with Bruce Ellman as co-owner and after the 2001 season Witzke resigned, turning over the franchise solely to Ellman. This season, while the Copperfields ran away with the title with a nine point lead, the Go-Go and DoorMatts stood tied point-wise for third. The DoorMatts were able to show by taking the second tie breaker.
We drafted in corporate opulence in Oak Brook which allowed the Ruffins to draft long distance via phone and computer.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
The CFCL Owners of 2002
2002 was the year the world learned about the CFCL. Or more accurately the 2002 season was when the wheels were set into motion. To start, we had a completely new owner join us and a former co-owner branch out on his own. Jason Grey and the Reservoir Dogs replaced the Maulers. Jason not only brought his Mastersball fantasy baseball experience with him, he also brought a film crew. Jason was approached by the producers of Trading the Gator to see if he knew of a local, dedicated, maniacal fantasy baseball league and he said "Funny you should ask. I just joined a Chicago-based league." The poles you see behind Matt Grage and Nick Hansen's head are part of the equipment used to film scenes of the draft for TTG.
Bruce Ellman was a new old owner. For two years he co-managed the Witzke a Go-Go. In 2002 his co-owner resigned and Bruce unveiled the Tenacious B.
After 13 years in the league, the Lambchops finally found the magic and captured what would be the first of consecutive CFCL Championships.
Once again drafting in the opulence of the Oak Brook conference room, we had the technology available to us for the Ruffins to draft remotely. In years previous and post the Ruffins would communicate via computer screen or earpiece with Rich Bentel, but since we were going Hollywood and didn't want to miss the Ruffin wit, he was placed on speaker so the film producers could directly capture any Ruffin communication.
Monday, July 29, 2013
The CFCL Owners of 2003
As with every year, there are some interesting nuggets. The Lambchops would capture their second consecutive CFCL title. The dynasty Copperfields, who never finished lower than 4th since 1984 would finish in 11th place. We didn't have any new owners in 2003, but unfortunately we would be saying good-bye to the Six Packs and Tenacious B at the end of the season.
Again we drafted in the Oak Brook corporate room complete with internet connection so the Ruffins could draft remotely.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
The CFCL Owners of 2004
2004 saw a couple of firsts. The Stones captured the first of their two CFCL titles. This was also the first year for both Kenn Ruby and Teddy Scott. Kenn named his team "By Kennen" before changing it the following year. "By Kennen" doesn't make sense? Well if you are a "Seinfeld" fan and specifically enjoy George Costanza, it does.
We were again able to draft in the Oak Brook training room, complete with technology that allowed us to communicate with the remote drafting Ruffins.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
The CFCL Owners of 2005
As with all seasons, there are some interesting items. Most notably, this would be the 11th and final CFCL title for David's Copperfields. This was the last season for the Resevoir Dogs. They would resign after four seasons in the CFCL. Eventually they would end up doing some scouting work for the Tampa Bay Rays.
2005 was also the end of a failed two year experiment wherein Matt Grage named his team Hot Sludge Sundae (don't ask, don't ask). Speaking of name changes, that can only explain the insane look and gesture of Kenn Ruby. You'll notice that DunnKenn is not in the picture. But Kenn did rename his team "Kenndoza Line", oozing with baseball reference. So he must have been extra proud of his franchise name to elicit such an expression. Either that or he knew he was about to nail down his first "money finish" as he ended up coming in third in 2005.
Once again we were drafting in the corporate opulence of Oak Brook. That allowed us all sorts of technological opportunites, including having the Ruffins draft remotely from North Carolina. We communicated with him via microphone and NetMeeting on the computer.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
The CFCL Owners of 2006
Drafting in corporate opulence in Oak Brook. In 2006 the Ruffins captured their second CFCL title and first since 1998. This was also the year we welcome Bob Boryca for the first of six seasons running the Red Hots.
This is a nice picture, not only of the owners, but also of the environment that truly is the CFCL. You can see four laptops, the world famous "flip cards", plus the constant staple of pretzel rods and Twizzlers. America has Baseball, Apple Pie and Chevrolet; the CFCL has Flip Cards, Technology and Twizzlers.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
The CFCL Owners of 2007
Drafting once again in my Oak Brook office conference room, 2007 would see some changes. At the end of the season we lost three seasoned veterans as the Splinters (4 years), Lambchops (19 years) and Da Paul Meisters (16 years) all closed down operation.
The Kenndoza Line would capture their first CFCL Championship in only their fourth year of existence. Interestingly, Dem Rebels would finish fourth despite owner, Rich Bentel, looking like he was dressed more for a luau than a baseball draft.
Friday, June 28, 2013
The CFCL Owners of 2008
Pictured from left: Nick Hansen (Nick's Picts); Mike Coulter (Candy Colored Clowns); Tim Morkert (Morkertzuma's Revenge); Michael Moore (Moore Better); Steve Olson (Steve's Stones and eventual 2008 CFCL Champion); Dave Holian (David's Ruffins); Matt Grage (Graging Bulls); Bob Boryca (Mo's Red Hots); Rich Bentel (Dem Rebels); Matt Bentel (DoorMatts); David Mahlan (David's Copperfields); Kenn Ruby [and DunnKenn] (Kenndoza Line).
We have a lot going on in this season. It would mark the end of nine straight years that the CFCL had 12 owners. At the end of the season Nick Hansen would resign (before returning four years later) and Steve Olson sadly stepped away feeling it the best thing for himself and the league.
In 2008 we also welcomed new owners Tim Morkert, Mike Coulter and Michael Moore.
Our draft location was once again the, if not so plush certainly roomy conference room, in Oak Brook, IL.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Meet Steve's Stones
The next in our weekly Q&A with former owners is bittersweet. Steve Olson brought Steve's Stones to the CFCL in 2000. Ironically, Steve a HUGE Brewer's fan chose a Cubs announcer for his team name. Or at least there's the logical connection with the name. Maybe Steve was referring to something else.
The Stones were part of the CFCL for nine seasons. They had an "all or nothing" experience, winning the championship twice and finishing 8th or lower six times. Unfortunately the Stones left the CFCL under less than happy circumstances, but Steve remains one of the nicest, classiest former owners the CFCL has known.
You can see the Stone's profile by clicking here http://home.comcast.net/~dmahlan/owners/retired/Stones.htm
Normally what follows is a true Q&A. The Q's were sent to Steve. What he sent back was a wonderful, detailed narrative of his experience in the CFCL that I didn't want to break down into a simple Q&A. It's time to meet Steve's Stones.
I have promised Rich about 5 times (8 with inflation) that I would write something about my time in the league to commemorate its 30th Anniversary. At the pace I'm writing this, it will be the 31st. Anniversary before I actually finish it.
But that's probably appropriate! While I was in the league, on draft day I would show up a few minutes before the bidding started. The day was always long. I would often lose my focus and forget the bid amount, fail to flip my card over or back up at the end of the round or simply get bored and space out. I would try to figure out how, and from whom, I could steal additional Twizzlers or Red Vines during the next break. All of this was done to Rich's great displeasure!! It's like that commercial on TV now where the guys are talking about a minivan and the one guy says he wants it. His wife walks up to him and asks why they don't have one already, to which he responds, "you're the smart one, honey, you know it just takes me a little longer!" Notwithstanding any of these antics, draft day was always a highlight.
Hmm, about the CFCL. Well, first, I never really liked the name. It made me uncomfortable. I liked the FCL part but I felt the first C was too exclusive. I'd ask myself, as a Milwaukee boy, could I stomach being in a room full of Cubs fans each year? While it was often difficult, being forced to listen to the boundless enthusiasm for the coming season, or the optimistic forecasts of Eric Patterson's future, or sitting through a bidding war on Hee-seop Choi, it wasn't as dreadful as I had feared. In fact, by the end, I actually felt a kinship with another group of long suffering fans.
Beyond the routine over bidding on Cubs prospects, the league was a lot of fun with a very diverse group of guys, most of whom I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know.
I was originally asked to join the league by a friend who was also joining for his first season. He sold it as a league steeped with tradition. He said the owners were hard core and included, investment guys, college professors, computer geeks and really passionate sabermetric baseball fans. I didn't even know what Sabermetrics were! He sold me and I passed the entrance exam. He lasted one season. I think I lasted 10.
Not really knowing how to "play" roto, having played only in fantasy leagues previously, I was a complete noobie. I asked David Mahlan tons of basic questions. To his credit, he always answered. He held back a bit of secret sauce but he took me under his wing. I'd ask him "What's "inflation"? How do I know what to bid?" He always answered. It was more than bit of a learning curve but I started to get the hang of it. I did a lot of learning by watching and by making mistakes. Many mistakes! I severely overspent on offense in the first draft, not fully understanding the value of each category or how to structure a roster or a prospect list. I don't think I finished in last place, but I finished pretty low in the standings.
After being a financial donor for a couple of seasons, getting fleeced in more than a few trades (some with David) I started to get the hang of it. I think by year 4, I won the first of my two championships.
The Stones brought home the Trophy! Brewer Geoff Jenkins was my favorite player that season. He still graces my trophy case in the championship ball and cardholder. As an aside, Jenkins was often referred to in Wisconsin as looking like another son of the state. He was had a similar look to that of Brett Favre, but he clearly did not have the same skills with a cellphone camera.
Anyway, I started to feel pretty good about my developing skills. I was a sponge absorbing info from roto websites, asking for expert advice, learning how to use spreadsheets to make projections and calculate inflation.
The next few seasons were a return to the bottom of the standings for me after leveraging so many prospects for a "win now" approach.
My second championship and final season was less gratifying as a mid-season trade created a league-wide riff that took on a life of its own. While I felt the trade was appropriate, others were upset to the point of wanting to quit after years of involvement. The trade was never meant to create a riff so deep, but it certainly put my team over the top and I hear it led to the next season's champion's success. As that season wound down, I felt that for the sake of all involved I needed to step away. It was hard, because I totally enjoyed the group of guys and being a part of such an awesome tradition. And, it was the League's 25th season. No wonder why you're celebrating 30 years so enthusiastically!
I am thankful for the experience of the CFCL. As a Banker, in many ways, it was an extension of what I did everyday; Budgeting, data gathering and number crunching, ongoing performance review and problem solving. In a way, it was a form of investment analysis to obtain a desired return. I loved it! And, I miss it. Each spring training, I feel a little tug to do it again, but I remember the investment of time. I just don't have that time anymore, but I loved the challenge.
Congrats to the everyone who made the league possible and those who've kept it alive for so long. That's a notable achievement.
Best wishes on the next 30 years.
Hail to the Stones and Go Brewers!
The Stones were part of the CFCL for nine seasons. They had an "all or nothing" experience, winning the championship twice and finishing 8th or lower six times. Unfortunately the Stones left the CFCL under less than happy circumstances, but Steve remains one of the nicest, classiest former owners the CFCL has known.
You can see the Stone's profile by clicking here http://home.comcast.net/~dmahlan/owners/retired/Stones.htm
Normally what follows is a true Q&A. The Q's were sent to Steve. What he sent back was a wonderful, detailed narrative of his experience in the CFCL that I didn't want to break down into a simple Q&A. It's time to meet Steve's Stones.
I have promised Rich about 5 times (8 with inflation) that I would write something about my time in the league to commemorate its 30th Anniversary. At the pace I'm writing this, it will be the 31st. Anniversary before I actually finish it.
But that's probably appropriate! While I was in the league, on draft day I would show up a few minutes before the bidding started. The day was always long. I would often lose my focus and forget the bid amount, fail to flip my card over or back up at the end of the round or simply get bored and space out. I would try to figure out how, and from whom, I could steal additional Twizzlers or Red Vines during the next break. All of this was done to Rich's great displeasure!! It's like that commercial on TV now where the guys are talking about a minivan and the one guy says he wants it. His wife walks up to him and asks why they don't have one already, to which he responds, "you're the smart one, honey, you know it just takes me a little longer!" Notwithstanding any of these antics, draft day was always a highlight.
Hmm, about the CFCL. Well, first, I never really liked the name. It made me uncomfortable. I liked the FCL part but I felt the first C was too exclusive. I'd ask myself, as a Milwaukee boy, could I stomach being in a room full of Cubs fans each year? While it was often difficult, being forced to listen to the boundless enthusiasm for the coming season, or the optimistic forecasts of Eric Patterson's future, or sitting through a bidding war on Hee-seop Choi, it wasn't as dreadful as I had feared. In fact, by the end, I actually felt a kinship with another group of long suffering fans.
Beyond the routine over bidding on Cubs prospects, the league was a lot of fun with a very diverse group of guys, most of whom I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know.
I was originally asked to join the league by a friend who was also joining for his first season. He sold it as a league steeped with tradition. He said the owners were hard core and included, investment guys, college professors, computer geeks and really passionate sabermetric baseball fans. I didn't even know what Sabermetrics were! He sold me and I passed the entrance exam. He lasted one season. I think I lasted 10.
Not really knowing how to "play" roto, having played only in fantasy leagues previously, I was a complete noobie. I asked David Mahlan tons of basic questions. To his credit, he always answered. He held back a bit of secret sauce but he took me under his wing. I'd ask him "What's "inflation"? How do I know what to bid?" He always answered. It was more than bit of a learning curve but I started to get the hang of it. I did a lot of learning by watching and by making mistakes. Many mistakes! I severely overspent on offense in the first draft, not fully understanding the value of each category or how to structure a roster or a prospect list. I don't think I finished in last place, but I finished pretty low in the standings.
After being a financial donor for a couple of seasons, getting fleeced in more than a few trades (some with David) I started to get the hang of it. I think by year 4, I won the first of my two championships.
The Stones brought home the Trophy! Brewer Geoff Jenkins was my favorite player that season. He still graces my trophy case in the championship ball and cardholder. As an aside, Jenkins was often referred to in Wisconsin as looking like another son of the state. He was had a similar look to that of Brett Favre, but he clearly did not have the same skills with a cellphone camera.
Anyway, I started to feel pretty good about my developing skills. I was a sponge absorbing info from roto websites, asking for expert advice, learning how to use spreadsheets to make projections and calculate inflation.
The next few seasons were a return to the bottom of the standings for me after leveraging so many prospects for a "win now" approach.
My second championship and final season was less gratifying as a mid-season trade created a league-wide riff that took on a life of its own. While I felt the trade was appropriate, others were upset to the point of wanting to quit after years of involvement. The trade was never meant to create a riff so deep, but it certainly put my team over the top and I hear it led to the next season's champion's success. As that season wound down, I felt that for the sake of all involved I needed to step away. It was hard, because I totally enjoyed the group of guys and being a part of such an awesome tradition. And, it was the League's 25th season. No wonder why you're celebrating 30 years so enthusiastically!
I am thankful for the experience of the CFCL. As a Banker, in many ways, it was an extension of what I did everyday; Budgeting, data gathering and number crunching, ongoing performance review and problem solving. In a way, it was a form of investment analysis to obtain a desired return. I loved it! And, I miss it. Each spring training, I feel a little tug to do it again, but I remember the investment of time. I just don't have that time anymore, but I loved the challenge.
Congrats to the everyone who made the league possible and those who've kept it alive for so long. That's a notable achievement.
Best wishes on the next 30 years.
Hail to the Stones and Go Brewers!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Champions Who Have Left
Here’s a piece of CFCL
Trivia. How many owners in CFCL history
have won the championship and then resigned that off-season, choosing not to
return and defend their title?
To recap what we’ve learned so far about the CFCL history (http://cfclrebelcopperfield.blogspot.com/2013/04/champions-of-cfcl.html), there have been twelve different owners to win the CFCL title. Four of those owners are still active (David’s Ruffins, Kenndoza Line, Dem Rebels, Candy Colored Clowns). That leaves eight possible.
The correct answer is three. Three owners won the CFCL crown and then called it quits. What is interesting is the circumstance around their departures. It would be natural to think that if a team won a championship, they had the pieces in place to be competitive the following year.
In a post later this week, we will analyze the performance of a team the year following the year they won it all.
The three teams that won and left are:
1985 Sluggers
1991 Bald Eagles
2008 Steve’s Stones
I don’t recall the reason the Sluggers resigned. Back in 1985, his final year, there was no Internet or texting or cellphones for that matter. If you didn’t actually call someone on the phone, it was easy to feel separated from the league. David lived with two other owners. David and I hung out together all the time and ran the league. I think Jim was a co-worker of David’s dad, but they were responsible adults doing actual work at work rather than running their fantasy team. Jim may have felt disconnected. Hard to say.
The Eagles left because during the 1991 season Bob was promoted at Hancock Fabrics and moved to Colorado. With a young family and a burgeoning career, Bob, I’m sure, didn’t see how it would be possible to run a team from Colorado. The Internet was still in its infancy and we hadn’t mastered the ability to draft remotely.
Steve’s Stones left in 2008. This one is more disturbing. We will meet the Stones on Tuesday with their Q&A. During the 2008 season there was some controversy with a trade the Stones and Kenndoza Line made. A lot of feathers were ruffled and Steve felt for his own benefit as well as the well-being of the league it was best if he resigned.
One nice thing is that none of these teams left because they absolutely mortgaged their future with trades the year they won and then quit rather than trying to rebuild.
I found the number interesting that over one-third of former CFCL champions resigned after winning the championship.
To recap what we’ve learned so far about the CFCL history (http://cfclrebelcopperfield.blogspot.com/2013/04/champions-of-cfcl.html), there have been twelve different owners to win the CFCL title. Four of those owners are still active (David’s Ruffins, Kenndoza Line, Dem Rebels, Candy Colored Clowns). That leaves eight possible.
The correct answer is three. Three owners won the CFCL crown and then called it quits. What is interesting is the circumstance around their departures. It would be natural to think that if a team won a championship, they had the pieces in place to be competitive the following year.
In a post later this week, we will analyze the performance of a team the year following the year they won it all.
The three teams that won and left are:
1985 Sluggers
1991 Bald Eagles
2008 Steve’s Stones
I don’t recall the reason the Sluggers resigned. Back in 1985, his final year, there was no Internet or texting or cellphones for that matter. If you didn’t actually call someone on the phone, it was easy to feel separated from the league. David lived with two other owners. David and I hung out together all the time and ran the league. I think Jim was a co-worker of David’s dad, but they were responsible adults doing actual work at work rather than running their fantasy team. Jim may have felt disconnected. Hard to say.
The Eagles left because during the 1991 season Bob was promoted at Hancock Fabrics and moved to Colorado. With a young family and a burgeoning career, Bob, I’m sure, didn’t see how it would be possible to run a team from Colorado. The Internet was still in its infancy and we hadn’t mastered the ability to draft remotely.
Steve’s Stones left in 2008. This one is more disturbing. We will meet the Stones on Tuesday with their Q&A. During the 2008 season there was some controversy with a trade the Stones and Kenndoza Line made. A lot of feathers were ruffled and Steve felt for his own benefit as well as the well-being of the league it was best if he resigned.
One nice thing is that none of these teams left because they absolutely mortgaged their future with trades the year they won and then quit rather than trying to rebuild.
I found the number interesting that over one-third of former CFCL champions resigned after winning the championship.
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