THE HISTORY OF THE FLY-BY-NIGHT BASEBALL ASSOCIATION

Transcription

THE HISTORY OF THE FLY-BY-NIGHT BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1974 by David Smith
History of the FBNBA
BY SCOTT ELLIS 1985
REPRINTED AND UPDATED BY ROB BRUNO (the first 35 years)
Part II
1974 -2009
(In 1994, the FBNBA is getting ready for its 19th PMB season and 20th season overall. The Prologue that Scott Ellis wrote on June 9,
1985, could easily be written today as the FBNBA has had her ups and downs again and has also expanded for 1994. See if you agree
as you read Scott’s Prologue. 2004 – Now going into the 32nd year the FBN is healthier than ever returning 23 members for 2004 and
the return an old friend.)
Prologue - June 9, 1985
The play-by-mail version of the Fly-By-Night Baseball Association is 10 years old this year. Not many PBM organizations can make
that claim. We’ve had our ups, we’ve had our downs, but the FBNBA has survived, evolved and flourished. We’ve had a lot of fun
and with expansion in 1986, more excitement is on the way.
The FBNBA is not heavily into statistics, but neither does it discourage detailed record keeping. We do however focus more on
personalities and competitiveness rather than getting bogged down with trivial number. I think it is especially nice that the FBNBA
can accommodate both the computer brains and good time gamers.
We are a trading association. This is good too, because the more we talk to each other the more friendships are made. While there
have been some feuds in the FBNBA history there are many more friendships.
From all I’ve been through in my Strat-O-Matic career, I know for sure that the FBNBA is a unique group. Longevity, competitiveness, friendliness, communication and change are the reasons. Let’s hope we have many more FBNBA years to come.
The history was originally commissioned in March 1983 - more than two years ago. The project was undertaken with former
Commissioner Craig Haines’ approval.
INTRODUCTION
From a great beginning in 1974, to a near total collapse in 1977-79 to the vibrant comeback in the early 1980’s and the modern era
we’re in now, the Fly-By-Night Baseball Association has endured. (The FBNBA ‘s real modern era did not start until 1988, when the
league reverted back to its roots of 1974, and became 65% face to face and in 1994, will almost be 70% face to face. 18 members are
expected to be in person for Draft Day with Jeff Merklin and Mike Gerack flying in from Ohio and Florida respectively.)
The association has had dozens of managers a few dynasty teams a lot of trades some disputes and a hell of a lot of fun. But the mere
fact that the FBNBA has held together for 11 years (now 32, years) is a testimony to the caliber of the associations members. When
you read this history you’ll know what I mean.
Many notable SOM managers are in or have passed through the FBNBA - Dave Smith, Thomas Angel, Jeff Green, Jeff Merklin, Rob
Bruno, Bruce Kutler, Steve Walters, Burke Ittenbach, Jim Jurgensen, Norman Swift and many others.
With former Commissioner Craig Haines’ blessing I’ve put together a history of our leagues. Most of the leagues old timers will
remember many of the things I’ll be writing about, other newer members will not. For all of you this record is designed to give you a
sense of the leagues’ past and perhaps give you something to shoot for.
The opinions in this story are mine. But this is a free country with free speech and I make no apologies!
(Jeff Merklin will probably remember many of the things Scott has written about and for all the rest of us Scott was right “perhaps (it
will) give you something to shoot for.”)
Chapter 1 - The Beginning
The FBNBA did not start out as a play-by-mail league. It started in 1974, as an eight member face to face league in Hutchinson, MN.
Dave Smith founded the FBNBA and served as its first Commissioner in a four year stint.
Dave is still involved in SOM, although he hasn’t communicated with the FBNBA in years. He’s been in recent SOM Review issues
hawking something called the “1984 SOM Baseball Advanced Version Scouting Report.”
Dave’s going to get slammed some in this story, as his abandoning the league in 1978, almost caused the FBNBA to fold. However,
without Dave Smith, there would be no FBNBA and his founding efforts were gargantuan.
Smith’s newsletters for the first three years of the leagues’ were regular and full of comprehensive statistics and features. His early
newsletters were probably the association’s best. He helped create the family spirit that sustained the leagues after he left them.
Although somewhere along the line Dave Smith lost interest in his creation, the FBNBA owes Dave lasting gratitude.
Dave started the ball rolling in the fall of 1974, with and ad in the Strat-O-Matic Review asking for managers to form a new PBM
H-1
league. He got 16 managers and 14 backup managers - the FBNBA has never had that many backups since! (The SOM Review was a
monthly publication written with the game company’s consent that lasted about 20, years. After the editor retired the StratFan came
on the screen. I thought I would never say it but … bring back the REVIEW!!! StratFan sucks!!!)
In his first newsletter, Dave told us about his face to face FBNBA which included friends like Randy Popp. The first ever FBNBA
game occurred on Feb. 26, 1974. I don’t remember the teams or anything else about the face to face game however.
Dave once told me that he named the association “Fly-By-Night” because of that phrase’s negative connotations. Steve Walters
during his first term as Commissioner in 1981 asked the membership for a name change, but that was voted down. Fly-By-Night may
be a bad name but after using it for 11 years its what we are known by and it’s too late to change now.
Dave had grand plans for the FBNBA in that first newsletter - plans that never got off the ground. He envisioned a three-league
association, with his face to face league continuing, a 12 team PBM league and a six team minor league made up of the left over
players the first PBM league didn’t draft. That master plan didn’t cut it, but a philosophy he printed in that first newsletter did:
“The Fly-By-Night Baseball Association is more than a baseball league for having fun. It is sort of a social organization and uniting
medium for … good friends hoping that the league can help keep in touch with all members throughout their lives.”
Unfortunately for Dave, his face to face league never made it into 1977. For the rest of us though, the FBNBA has been a uniting
force. (If Scott could have seen into the future he may have said that Dave Smith’s dream did come true. Maybe it’s not Dave’s face to
face league but the entire National League and the American League East is almost all face to face today. We do not have a minor
league but the FBNBA has grown to 24 teams.)
(From a supplement sent out by Scott, Nov. 30, 1985)
One thing I neglected to put in earlier pages of the History of the Fly-By-Night Baseball Association was ages and occupations of our
managers.
In the first couple of years of our league, Founder Dave Smith kept pretty good records of this. Since then, records on this have been
spotty. Steve’s latest effort this year to have everyone write biographies of themselves was not too successful.
So I’ve complied all the information I know of into this volume. It’s not complete, but at least it’s something!
In addition, I’ve included information on the FBNBA.s 1974 and 1975 Face to Face competition. This information is not complete
either, but it’s the best I’ve got.
1974
FACE TO FACE STANDINGS
American Division
Cairo Sheiks
Tasmanian Sun Devils
Jerusalem Jets
Miami Suns
Won Lost GB
30
26 --19
18 1.5
16
26 7.0
29
48 11.5
National Division
Moscow Marauders
Ole O’s
New York Trippers
Hawaiian Diamonds
Won Lost GB
67 10 --20 14 25.5
9 15 31.5
30 58
42.5
In the American Division Playoffs, Miami Defeated Cairo and Jerusalem beat Tasmania. In the National, New York beat Ole and
Moscow beat Hawaii. Jerusalem then defeated Miami to advance to the World Series and Moscow defeated New York to get the
National World Series berth.
In the World Series, Moscow won four of five against Jerusalem.
An All-Star series also was played, for the first and only time in the FBNBA history. The Nationals beat the Americans three of four
in a five game series. (Since 1988, the league has had an annual All-Star game. At the end of the 1998, season the National
League hold a 7 games to 4 lead over the American League)
The first games in the FBNBA were face to face and were played February 26. Dave’s face to face buddies tried to play a 144-game
schedule, but they didn’t make it and nobody even ended up playing the same amount of games.
The World Series was played in June and as you can see, the entire association made the playoffs regardless of team records. Thankfully, this is the only time in FBNBA history that that happened!
MANAGERS
All are from Hutchinson, Minn. And went to the same high school unless otherwise indicated. The FBNBA was initially made up
exclusively of David Smith and seven of his closest high school friends.
Founding Commissioner David Smith - 17, was a college student most of his tenure in the FBNBA. Managed the Miami Suns. Comanaged Moscow Marauders in the PBM play.
Warren Potter - 18. Managed Jerusalem Jets.
Wayne Mattsfield - 18. Was his high school’s Betty Crocker test winner one year. Manager of Cairo Sheiks.
Dan Prochnow - 18. Managed Tasmanian Sun Devils.
Randy Popp - 18. Was David Smith’s bosom buddy. Managed Moscow Marauders.
H-2
Brian Wegner - 18. Senior Class President of Hutchinson High School. Managed Hawaiian Diamonds.
John Olson - 18. Managed Ole O’s.
Tom Getzke - 18. Managed New York Trippers. Brought “Hawaiian Friday” to Hutchinson High - every Friday students would wear
Hawaiian shirts and drink Hawaiian Punch. I’m from the Midwest too and Yes, we get bored sometimes and go insane.
1974 PBM Charter Members and Franchises Chosen
American Division
Jeff Green - Kalamazoo Klonders - 17, Jeff was a student at Western Michigan University and aspired to be a sports writer. He now
works in a paint store. He was also a hell of a high school pitcher. He was 25 when he left us.
Jim Jurgensen - Calcutta Magic Carpets - 18 and a freshman at Glassboro State College, majoring in Spanish. He was 22 when he left.
Len Schritter - Idaho Gems A farmer and rancher, I think Len was around 30 years old. He and his wife had two children. A blurry
picture of Len standing beside a waste paper can on a stark small town street in Idaho appeared in the January Baseball Register.
Craig Haines - Chicago Blue Chippers - 28 now, Craig has been involved with retail store management most of his adult life. He’s
now managing a movie theater.
Mark Sprenger - Lancaster Crusaders - 16, high school student.
George McDonald - Los Angeles Bums - An optometrist, George was in his mid-30’s and had three children
Darren Walsh - Montana Warriors - Darren was just 15 years old when he joined as a charter manager, so he, not Danny Biles, was
the youngest FBNBA manager in history. I apologize for my error in the franchise history section of the History of the FBNBA. He
was 20 when he quit. Like most of the FBNBA at its inception, Darren was a high school student
Tom Angel - Floridian Cuties - Tom’s 36 now and he’s the only manager to come back to the FBNBA for a third time (Until Ed
Graboski does it in the ‘90’s and mid 2000’s). He’s unemployed and has two children.
National Division
Steve Walters - Galactic Gladiators - 38 now, Steve was introduced this way by Dave Smith in the January Baseball Register: “If you
happen to look in the sky and see a UFO or some oddly shaped flying machine coming to your home, you can be sure it is the
Galactic Gladiators charter arriving.” Steve and wife Becky have two children - Carlo and Jennifer. Steve has all the SOM teams form
1962 on and all the old timer teams. He served in the Army (part of the time in Hawaii) form 1967-71 and then got a data-processing
degree from Sanford-Brown Business College. After working a while with his father in a local mining company, he eventually ended
up in his present postal career. Why is my SOM Review always late Steve?
Gerald Ittenbach - Carolina Pines - 62 when he was expelled from the FBNBA, Gerald was the FBNBA’s oldest ever manager. He
owned his own General Store in Linden, NC. He is now retired. In the Army, Gerald served in WWII, Japan, Europe, Korea,
Germany and Vietnam - a total of 26.5 years, during which he was highly decorated. He has five children.
Tommy Brown - Murray Racers - Tommy was 31 when he left us and is a dairy farmer.
Jeff Merklin - West Jeff Jerks - Jeff’s 26 now and an attorney. In 1978, he was the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Advanced Baseball Tournament.
Terry Veselenak - Hawaiian Suns - Don’t know his age. Attended Ohio University at Zanesville, majoring in Math. Also worked at
Pizza Hut.
Dean Amrhein - Punxastawney Pterodactyls - 19, he worked in his father’s machine shop. Dave said this of Dean: “Hopefully, a way
can be found to shorten up the name of Dean’s team!”
Thomas Brown - Tallahassee Seminoles - 26 when he left us, Thomas was a student at Florida State University.
Frank Dickson - Pony Express II - 25 years old, he predicted a first place finish for his team. He never even finished his first season
period. He was a PE graduated from Marshall University.
Backup Managers
Michael T. Thorsen - 15 years old. Mound, Mich.
Robin Fuller Michael Wilson - Camp Hill, PA
Scott Ellis - Illinois Aces - 29 now. I’ve worked in communications and media most of my life and have a B.S. in Communications,
with minors in History and Political Science form Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. I am now fully qualified to
start my new job - as manager/owner of my local Subway sandwich shop. Just call me Subway Scott from now on please,
and hold the mayo.
Lee Andrade - Richmond, CA
Wayne Gutterud - Thief River Falls, MN
Randy Popp - Hutchinson, MN
Jeff Russell - New York Gnats - 16 when he joined, 21 when he left.
Scott Baker - Tri City Ring Dings - 18, high school student. Tried to organize the 1975 Spring Capitoland Convention in Albany, NY,
but effort failed when only 15 of expected 50 managers answered his two Strat-O-Matic Review ads. Also worked parttime at a McDonald’s restaurant.
Brent Goodwin - Conroe, TX
Danny Biles - Tennessee Oaks - At age 15, Danny, a high school student joined as a backup manager, making either him or Mike
Thoren the youngest ever FBNBA backup. He was a manager for a few months at age 16. Worked at a Baskin-Robbins
ice cream store.
H-3
David Smith - Our Founding Father (Dave did not take a team in the PBM part of the FBNBA at first. He keep the FTF league going
and he was the Commissioner of both.)
Becky Walters - Kansas Dragons/Grand Fuzz - A housewife now, Beck has been a school teacher.
Brad Cummings - Back up - 16, a high school student.
Only three charter members remain in the league today - Steve Walters, Craig Haines and Scott Ellis. (none starting in 1993). Many
managers have come and gone twice - Dave Smith, Jeff Green, Thomas Warfel, Thomas Angel, George McDonald and Tommy
Brown.
1975
FACE TO FACE STANDINGS
American Division
Miami Suns
Jerusalem Jets
Saudi Sheiks
Won Lost GB PCT
19
12 --- .613
16
11
1 .593
13
25 9.5 .342
National Division
Moscow Marauders
Hawaiian Diamonds
Olympia O’s
Won Lost GB
24 13 --15 13 4.5
7 18 11.0
PCT
.649
.535
.280
These were the only standings Dave gave the Play-By-Mail FBNBA managers on his face to face association in Minnesota. Two
Franchises and managers obviously were lost. This also is a mid-season report, so I don’t know who ended up winning the World
Series. This also is the last time Dave mentioned his face to face league to us, although I think he continued it into 1976.
Dues for the first PMB season are $4 for managers and $1 for backups. Compare that with what we pay now! Inflation has hit the
FBNBA too! (We paid $20 in 1985.)(And it’s been the same since)
Players use limitations were 20% above real life at bats and innings pitched.
George McDonald becomes the first FBNBA manager to leave the fold, dumping his Bums even before they can get out of the gutter.
George becomes a backup manager but eventually drops out of the association completely by the end of the year.
Scott Baker takes over in February and renames the team Tri-City Ring Dings.
The inaugural PBM FBNBA season was a fine one, perhaps the smoothest the leagues ever had. We had tow eight team divisions Lancaster won the American and Galactic (who else?) won the National. Steve (Watlers) dynasty got an early start.
But, anything can happen in the playoffs. The top four teams in each division made it to post-season play and neither Galactic or
Lancaster ended up in the World Series.
The surprising West Jeff Jerks finished a strong second place in the NL and wound up in the World Series, beating the Montana
Warriors in five games. The Warriors finished second in the AL. This marked the only time in the FBNBA history that two nonpennant winning clubs were in the World Series.
Other playoff teams were Calcutta(3rd place), Kalamazoo(4), Carolina(3) and Tallahassee(4).
March
Commissioner Smith institutes a manager’s rating system judging promptness, neatness and fairness. It doesn’t go over too well and
dies out until new Commissioner Craig Haines revives it years later.
Floridian Cuties become Florida Pansies.
The FBNBA stages initial player draft.
May
The FBNBA states its first and only Acquisition Draft, allowing managers one last chance to draft players overlooked by other teams
in the original draft. Despite many managers picking up real gems inn this draft it is never held again. When Commissioner Steve
Walters tried to bring it back in 1981 the league voted it down. (The Acquisition Draft does return in 1986 when Commissioner
Walters is successful in a league vote, we now call it the “wavier wire” these are the undrafted players selected during the one week
after the regular draft.)
Thomas Angel leaves the league, never to return until 1983. And just as he did in 1975, Angel’s 1983 stay with the FBNBA was just
as brief. Angel quit only a few weeks into the 1983, season as enormous telephone bills resulting from his trade talks cause him
extreme financial difficulties. (Commissioner Walters needing replacement managers in 1986, lets Angel join the FBNBA again. And
as in the past Angel leaves the FBNBA high and dry dropping off the face of the SOM world.)
Tom Angel enjoys a mixed reputation in other parts of SOMdom. Angel is a former member of the Greater Kalamazoo SOM League
(he quit that prestigious group after only one season) and is now a member of the Federal League. Tom continually writes articles for
the Review and he is currently selling information on how to make your own SOM cards.
Review Co-Editor Del Newell told me Angel has a somewhat flaky SOM reputation. Mud Hen’s Manager Ken Muir can second that!
According to Ken, Tom kept trying to place collect phone calls to his Gainesville home a couple of years ago. Tom finally visited
Ken, bringing along his toddler son, who spent part of his time chomping on Ken’s Basset hound dog bones. Ken two lovable mutts
are named Mookie and Klem.
H-4
In 1975 Scott Ellis takes over Angel’s franchise and the Pansies become the Illinois Aces. Terrible in their fist year (7th place in the
AL and 15th overall) the Aces go on to win more titles than any other AL team.
June
Gerald Ittenbach writes a feature for the newsletter, “How Important Is Defense?” A great article, but it’s ironic because many of
Gerald’s teams were among the worst defensively in the FBNBA.
Nolan Ryan, the leagues’ MVP and CY Young winner, throws the first FBNBA no-hitter for Lancaster. Ryan beat the Idaho Gems,
fanning 16 batters.
July
Our newsletter changes its name from Baseball Register to Baseball Review.
Dave starts thinking of starting a FBN Football League and as we shall see, it is the first of his many mistakes.
Terry Veselenak becomes manager number three to leave. If fact, he just plain vanishes. “As if you haven’t heard about it yet it
appears that the Hawaiian Suns have finally set, “Dave writes. “No one has heard from Terry Veselenak for a large number of series,
so I can only assume that he had dropped out of the league.”
Book ‘em Danno! Dave takes over the Suns as interim boss.
Dave writes “Why the FBNBA Won’t Fold.” Well Dave was right about that, in spite of his abandoning the leagues in mid-1977 and
again in 1978. Dave set out many of his philosophies in this article, but he did not live up to them.
Dave says he got 56 responses to his SOM Review League Forming ad and he picked his 30 out of that.
August - December
Dave gives a belated report on the original 1975, draft, the only one in the leagues’ history where all 16, teams picked their entire
rosters at once. At this time, the AL teams had to draft real life AL players and the NL did like wise.
West Jeff printed its official press guide.
Scott Ellis, Dean Amrhein, Scott Baker, Gerald Ittenbach, Randy Popp, Dave Smith and Beck and Steve Walters all attend the
National SOM Convention in Champaign-Urbana, Ill. None of us did too well in the contests, although Jeff Merklin won the
Advanced Baseball competition several years later. This still stands as the largest gathering (8) of the FBNBAers in association
history, although Becky was not a manager at the time. (This record has been broken yearly since 1988. The present record of 12, will
be broken on Feb.13th 1994, Draft Day when 18, members of the FBNBA will gather at league headquarters in Norwich, CT for the
draft.)
Steve Walters attended five National SOM Conventions in Illinois from 1974-79. He and another FBNBA alumnus, Rodey Yoder,
were among the four semi-finalists the year Jeff Merklin won the crown. That same year, Gerald Ittenbach was in the Base Game
finals, but he lost.
Dave announces plans for an All-Star game, but it never happens. (Fourteen years later, the first FBNBA All-Star game is finally
played in 1989.)
Jeff Russell takes over the Hawaiian Suns, renames them the New York Gnats and stays with the league until the end of 1981.
Robin Fuller takes over the Pony Express from departed manager Frank Dickson. Dickson is number four to leave the FBNBA. Fuller
renames them the Jersey Devils and remains in the league three more years.
Dave Smith launches his FBN Football League and only FBNBA managers to join are Scott Ellis and Steve Walters.
Dave complains that managers are falling behind and slowing up the season. If he only knew what lied ahead!
Gerald Ittenbach was voted NL Manager Of The Year while Craig Haines was voted AL Manager Of The Year.
For the first and only time in the FBNBA history, managers voted for Batters Of the Year. In the NL, it was Ralph Garr of the Pines.
But in the AL, surprising Ken Henderson of the surprising Jerks took the AL award.
1975, AL Cy Young award winner was Nolan Ryan of the Crusaders and the NL winner was Fergie Jenkins of the Jerks. This award
was not voted on again until 1983. These awards were not announced until September 1976.
H-5
PENNANT RACES
The West Jeff Jerks won the 1975 World Series, but many wondered how they were able to beat out Galactic and Murray, both of
whom looked much stronger than Jeff Merklin’s team on paper.
Jeff’s team was good though. The Jerks had the entire Dodger infield of Steve Garvey, Dave Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey! Pete
Rose, Jose Cardenal and Willie Davis patrolled the outfield. Barry Foote did the catching.
Pitching is where the Jerks were supposed to be weak. Starters were Buzz Capra, Tommy John, Ron Schueler and the late Don
Wilson. Bullpeners included Ramon Hernandez, Ken Forsch and Jim Todd.
Montana Warriors were the AL representatives in the World Series, another surprise. Darrin Walsh’s pitching was good. Bert
Blyleven, Ross Grimsely, Ken Holtzman, Jim Hunter, Jim Perry and Diego Segui.
But hitting and defensive skills on paper at least, were not that great. Tony Olivia was DH and Thurman Munson caught. Fred Patek,
Brooks Robinson, Cookie Rojas and George Scott roamed the infield while Bernie Carbo, Cesar Tovar and Steve Brye played
outfield.
The Galactic Gladiators are no doubt the greatest dynasty in the NL and perhaps FBNBA history. They’ve made the playoffs all 10
years of the FBNBA’s existence and their reign began with their 1975 NL Pennant.
Steve had the pitching - Jim Barr, Bill Bonham, Pedro Borubon, Mike Marshall, Jon Matlack, Steve Renko, Jerry Reuss and Jim
Rooker.
Steve had a good infield - Bud Harrelson, Willie McCovey, Joe Morgan, Ken Reitz.
Steve had a good outfield - Dusty Baker, Ken Griffey, Rick Monday.
Galactic’s only weakness was at catcher, with Jerry Grote and Joe Ferguson splitting the duties.
The Lancaster Crusaders won the AL Pennant and it was the first and only good team Mark Sprenger would have.
Pitching was Lancaster’s forte - Jim Bibby, Joe Decker, Doc Medich, Roger Moret, Nolan Ryan.
Poor at catcher (Earl Williams), Lancaster had a respectable infield and - Buddy Bell, Frank Duffy, Mike Hargove, Ron Santo and a
young kid who was a bench warmer then - Robin Yount.
Mark also had a respectable outfield - Jeff Burroughs, Elliott Maddox and Joe Rudi.
Galactic maintained a one or two game lead on second-place West Jeff throughout the year in the NL. In the AL, Calcutta stayed
about the same length ahead of Lancaster until mid-season, when Lancaster passed up Calcutta. Montana passed up Calcutta to finish
second.
American League
Lancaster Crusaders - Mark Sprenger
Montana Warriors - Darran Walsh
Calcutta Magic Carpets - James Jurgensen
Kalamazoo Klonkers - Jeff Green
Idaho Gems-Tennessee Oaks- Danny Biles
Tri City Ring Dings - Scott Baker
Illinois Aces - Scott Ellis
Chicago Blue Chippers - Craig Haines
Won
93
89
88
87
80
69
60
44
Lost
69
73
74
75
82
93
102
118
GB
--4
5
6
13
24
33
49
PCT
.574
.549
.543
.537
.494
.426
.370
.272
National League
Galactic Gladiators - Steve Walters
West Jeff Jerks - Jeff Merklin
Carolina Pines - Gerald Ittenbach
Tallahassee Seminoles - Thomas Warfel
Murrat Racers - Tommy Brown
Pony Express-Jersey Devils - Robin Fuller
Punxsatawney Pterodactyls - Dean Amrhein
New York Gnats - Jeff Russell
Won
96
95
90
84
84
81
79
74
Lost
66
67
72
78
78
81
83
88
GB
--1
6
12
12
15
17
22
PCT
.593
.586
.556
.519
.519
.500
.488
.457
AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFF RESULTS
Kalamazoo defeated Lancaster 3 games to 2.
Montana defeated Calcutta 3 games to 0.
Montana defeated Kalamazoo 3 games to 1.
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFF RESULTS
West Jeff defeated Carolina 3 games to 1.
H–6
Galactic defeated Tallahassee 3 games to 1.
West Jeff defeated Galactic 3 games to 0.
WORLD SERIES RESULTS
West Jeff defeated Montana 4 games to 1.
1976
Another good year for the FBNBA. Probably as good as our first year.
The Murray Racers dominated. The Racers took the World Series in seven games over AL pennant winner and AL return series entry
Montana.
The Leagues split into two separate divisions this year. The four divisional winners and the second place team in each division made
the playoffs. That changed in 1978, when divisional winners and the next two best teams in each league, regardless of place of finish,
made the post-season fray. (We went back to the original method in 1988.)
Calcutta won the AL East while Carolina won the NL East. Montana won the AL West and Murray won NL West.
Other playoff teams included Kalamazoo, Tri-City, Chicago and Galactic. This marked the only year in the FBNBA history that the
Gladiators did not win a title.
The 1976 draft saw all teams dropping down to 15 players and drafting solely on the basis of their won-lost records. Commissioner
Haines changed that in the 1980’s instituting the present odd (record-based) and even (penalty point-based) system. As in 1975, AL
and NL teams in 1976 still were restricted to drafting in their respective leagues.
The FBNBA had its second no-hitter this year when the Tallahassee Seminoles’ Bruce Kison blanked the Tri City Ring Dings 4-0.
This was the last no-hitter in the leagues until 1984.
January
Len Schritter leaves the Gems. He is manager number five to defect.
Dave thinks about issuing membership cards. I wonder if we could use that to cash checks?
Dave talks about expanding to 20, teams. This does not happen until 1986.
Dave also announces the demise of the FBN Football League. “…I have also had to close down the FBN Football League…I found
myself over extended…The FBNFL just didn’t have things going for it to begin with…I had trouble getting coaches and then several
quit before the season started…” Ettu Davy!
February
Dave decides to postpone expansion until 1978. Dave brings it up again in 1977, but it doesn’t happen. Steve Walters puts it to a vote
in 1981 and it fails. It finally passes in 1985.
Len Schritter is number five to go and Idaho franchise is taken over by Danny Biles, who renames it the Tennessee Oaks.
Incredibly, Dave predicts that the FBNBA will lose no more managers this year! I never knew Dave used drugs.
League dues go up to $4.50 for regulars, $2 for backups.
League votes down proposal to limit playoffs to divisional winners only.
March
As in 1975 managers must cut their 30 man rosters to 25 by Series 6. Commissioner Walters modified this in 1981, by allowing
managers to keep their cut players in reserve until the end of the season.
James Jurgensen starts a supplemental newsletter called the FBNBA Informer. Just who was informing on who?
April
Randy Popp does a prediction/analysis for 1976 season and he is way off on many counts. He predicts a below .500 finish for Illinois
(the Aces actually went 86-76) no playoffs for Chicago (the Chippers turned out to be the association’s Cinderella team, going form
the worst team in 1975, to the playoffs in 1976) and a last place finish for Calcutta (the Carpets finished first).
H-7
May-June
Craig Haines’ manager’s poll was more indicative of how 1976 really turned out. It showed managers felt Carolina would win its
division (it did) and that Illinois would take third (it did).
Dave Smith announces plans for a 1976 Yearbook but it never gets published.
July
Dave Smith writes a very intelligent article on “How To Rate A Pitcher.” In it he points out that lefties in SOM usually do worse than
righties because managers stack their lineups against them. Steve Walters is on manager who really took Dave at his word - Steve
usually shuns lefties on his squad.
Dave again tries to start up the FBN Football League. He never wrote about this albatross again, so I assume FBNFL II died a
merciful, if anonymous death.
Dave Smith, Dean Amrhein, Gerald Ittenbach, Jeff Merklin, Randy Popp and Steve and Becky Walters attend this year’s SOM
Convention in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.
Gerald writes another good article on the importance of defense called “Does Your Defense Help You Lose?” in it Gerald points out
that a mediocre pitcher like Bill Singer, if he has “1” fielders behind him, can actually be a better hurler than Tom Seaver if Seaver is
saddled with a bunch of “4” glove man.
In The FBNBA Informer, James Jurgensen complains about the FBNBA relief rule that then restricted relievers to no more than 2,
innings per regular season game regardless of a reliever’s endurance factor. If a reliever pitched longer than that, he had to rest a
game before hurling again. This rule was abolished, beginning in 1977.
October
Dave decides to let managers keep 18, players before the 1977, draft. This stays in effect until Commissioner Walters ups it to 20, in
1982.
Expansion to 20 teams 1n 1978 is officially killed by Dave Smith. Dave said he wanted to give all managers a fair chance to build
their teams before diluting them with expansion.
Dave again lobbies for only the divisional winners getting into the playoffs instead of half the teams in the association getting in.
Dave never again brought this subject up.
November
The FBNBA’s 1975 season gets written up in the SOM Review. This is the only free coverage the association ever gets in the
Review. (We get back in the Review yearly from 1988 until it stopped publishing in 1992, with a season ending write up listing
standings, managers, their ages and occupations and World Series winner.
December
Jeff Merklin sends his green and white World Series flag (made by his mother) to Dave Smith for forwarding onto whoever wins the
1976 FBNBA title. The flag was never seen again.
Danny Biles bites the dust, Number 6, to leave. His Oaks become Miami Suns, managed by Dave Smith.
Dave asks managers for baseball uniform drawing, insignias, etc. Nothing is ever seen of that stuff again.
PENNANT RACES
The year of the Murray Racers, who put together the first truly super team in FBNBA history. How this World Champion only
managed to win 96 games is a mystery.
Tommy Brown’s catcher was Ted Simmons. His infield included Larry Bowa, Lee May, Doug Rader and Derrel Thomas. His outfield
had Bobby Bonds, Cesar Cendeno, Jerry Morales, Dave Parker and Dave Winfield.
His pitching was awesome - Bill Bonham, Clay Carroll, Jerry Koosman, Tug McGraw, J.R. Richard, Tom Seaver, Dave Tomlin and
Mike Torrez and more.
Montana took the AL Pennant with basically the same cast of characters - Darren rarely traded. That’s why his team began a slow
decline in 1977. The Montana franchise made a little comeback inn 1981 when the Warriors made the playoffs.
H-8
The Carolina Pines were a consistently good team throughout their tenure in the FBNBA. Gerald Ittenbach had a particularly good
team in 1976 as he drove to the NL East title.
Gerald had both Darrell Porter and Steve Yeager at catcher. His infield had Cecil Cooper, Bobby Grich, Roger Metzger and Mike
Schmidt. His outfield included Lyman Bostock, George Foster, Dave Kingman.
Pitchers included Paul Linblad, Rudy May, Gaylord Perry and Kent Tekulve.
Calcutta’s Magic Carpets were another strong team in the early years. Jim Jurgensen in 1976 had weak catching, but strength in most
other areas as he cruised to an AL East title. Rod Carew, Toby Harrah, Don Money and Jerry Remy played infield; John Grubb,
Bobby Mercer and Jim Wohlford played outfield.
Pitchers included Ken Brett, Marty Pattin, Rick Reuschel and Wilbur Wood.
There were no pennant races in the AL or NL East in 1976. Calcutta and Carolina won by large margins.
Montana and Murray also were ahead all the way in the AL and NL West, but they won by smaller margins.
American League East
Calcutta
Tri City
Kalamazoo
Tennessee
Won
87
71
71
47
Lost
75
91
91
115
GB
----16
16
40
PCT
.537
.438
.438
.290
American League West
Montana
Chicago
Illinois
Lancaster
Won
97
93
86
68
Lost
65
69
76
94
GB
----4
11
29
PCT
.599
.574
.530
.420
National League East
Carolina
Tallahassee
New York
Jersey
Won
94
88
80
76
Lost
68
74
82
86
GB
----6
14
18
PCT
.580
.543
.494
.469
National League West
Murray
Galactic
Punxsatawney
West Jeff
Won
96
95
73
72
Lost
66
67
89
90
GB
----1
23
24
PCT
.593
.586
.451
.444
Chapter 2 - The Black Hole of the FBNBA
1977-80 is the worst period in FBNBA history. The association almost folded several times and without the efforts of a few dedicated
managers, primarily Craig Haines, it would have all ended.
Dave Smith sure didn’t care about the leagues, as you will read. But Craig and a few others did and thanks to them the FBNBA did
not go the way of so many other PBM leagues and fold. It survived and progressed. (The FBNBA goes through another Black Hole
period in 1987. History, if you let it, will repeat itself.
1977
The 1977-78 period is the nadir of the FBNBA. The association almost bought it during this time. In July 1977, Dave Smith did his
first disappearing act, deserting the leagues. No newsletters were issued from July 1977 to January 1978 until Craig Haines briefly
took over as interim Commissioner.
There are no final 1977 standings or league statistics available although divisional champs and playoff results are know. The 1977
World Series, although historic because it was the first FBNBA classic to be played face to face, was not actually played until March
1979. This stands as the all time longest delay (15 months!) in getting playoff games finished.
During this dark time, the FBNBA lost about half its managers and the leagues damn near died. Only the efforts of Craig Haines and
other dedicated managers kept the dream alive.
In 1977 Galactic won its first World Series over Illinois in four straight games played at my old Waterloo, Ill. Residence. Steve’s wire
Becky, Gerald Ittenbach and Craig Haines were on hand as well.
Although Illinois lost the series, the Aces began a string of nine consecutive titles - the largest and longest such string in AL history.
In the NL, Galactic’s title string is just as long.
Murray took another NL West title in 1977 and Carolina took the NL East.. Calcutta captured the AL East and Illinois took the AL
West.
Other playoff teams were Montana, Tri City and Tallahassee.
League dues increased to $4.75, for regulars.
January
Dave Smith starts off the new year by calling the FBNBA “one of the best (leagues) in the country… the credit goes to the managers
who’ve lived through late newsletters, a dragged out season and still come back for more! If we stick it out and work together, this
league will be for a going long time.”
Dave was right, out leagues were good ones. The storm clouds were gathering though. Managers would indeed have to stick things
out when Dave stuck it to us later on in 1977.
H-9
Gerald Ittenbach reports on the FBNBA’s trip to the 1976, SOM Convention. This time the FBNBA faired better, with Gerald
winning five of six rounds in the main tourney before being eliminated. Gerald also won five rounds in the Old Timers tourney.
Scott Baker tours SOM headquarters in Glen Head, Long Island, NY.
March
The FBNBA voted to change its regular season relievers rule. Instead of limiting relievers to 2, innings per game, the leagues voted to
adopt essentially the regular season relief usage rules we follow to this day.
Although grumbled about in 1976, the “Have Vs. Have Nots” battled emerges as a real fight this year. Many weaker teams had long
complained that a few super-teams such as Galactic and Murry were unfairly dominating the leagues.
Things got worse when Gerald and Steve pushed for changes that would allow teams to keep their annual five cut players on an
inactive list. Requests to draft uncarded players surfaced as well as wrangles over how to handle players with two cards.
Dave Smith ruled in favor of the weaker teams still struggling to build their franchises, refusing to institute the changes discussed
above. This Conflict is all but gone now, even though there are about three or four super-teams still in existence, including perennials
Galactic and Illinois. Commissioners Haines and Walters later modified rules to allow inactives. Teams now keep 25, players and
draft 7. A far cry from the 1976, draft where teams just kept 15, players and drafted 15, players. (In the ‘90’s you can protect 37, and
for every roster spot under 37, you get a draft pick.)
So who was right o Have Vs. Have Nots argument? We still have super-teams today and one could argue that the rule changes help
keep them that way. With the advent of some really poor teams in recent years, this argument is compelling.
But, I think a steady diet of trading and shrewd drafting by the super-teams and perennial winners are more responsible for their
continued dominance than any rule changes. If a manager is willing to spend the time with his team, he can usually trade or draft
himself into contention.
This represents a big change in my thinking because in 1977-79, I was on the side of the Have-Nots
Dave was concerned about the battle because back then, it represented a real threat to the FBNBA’s existence. He wrote: “…this is
serious and could affect the future of our league(s)…I am sidling with the have-nots and those who wish to help narrow the gap
between the super-teams and the others.”
Dave said it was vital to keep quality players in the draft.
I guess back then, when the FBNBA was in its formative years, Dave’s ruling was wise. It gave everyone time to build their teams in
leagues still building themselves. Steve and Gerald’s point of view was probably best.
By the 1980’s , most of the FBNBA’s members were no longer in high school or college - most were young adults with jobs and
families and their perspectives hand changed.
With expansion coming next year, we will be entering another period of parity where weaker teams will have a golden opportunity to
improve themselves.
AL and NL teams still restricted to their own respective leagues in the draft.
April
Commissioner Smith allows Craig Haines to keep Chipper Steve Busby in the infamous “Steve Busby Incident>” Formerly great,
Busby got injured and had only an extra player card in 1977. But, up until this time, the FBNBA did not draft additional players. Due
to Craig’s situation, Dave ruled that beginning in 1977, additional players could be drafted.
May
Craig Haines does another managers’ poll and this time the brethren get it wrong. Illinois was picked for last (it took the AL crown)
and Miami was picked for first (it finished last). Lancaster was picked for the playoffs but did not make it. (Was Bruce Fogg and
Nostrodomus working together in ’77?)
June
Jeff Green leaves the Klonkers, becoming the seventh manager to say “Bye-bye.” He is the first of a flood that crests in 1977-79.
Another heated period of manager defection was to occur in 1981. Jeff will be back for another try in 1983, but he will leave again by
the end of that year.
Jeff Green is well known SOM gamer; a member of the GKSML. He also writes analysis articles for the Review. I’d like to see him
back with us someday.
Dom Glumac takes over Kalamazoo franchise and changes the name to the Hibbing Icicles. Don is the last personal friend of Dave
Smith to remain with the FBNBA. (WAS)
Steve Walters and Gerald Ittenbach announce that they will go to the 1977, Strat-O-Matic Convention. It’s the last time more than
one member of the FBNBA attends a single convention.
H - 10.
July-December
THE BLACK HOLE OF THE FBNBA
No newsletters for six months as the FBNBA is plunged into the deepest swoon in its history. Many managers such as Craig Haines
try to cajole Dave Smith into some kind of action, but he is not officially heard from again until January 1978.
Meanwhile, managers communicate with one another anyway and try to complete their seasons the best ways that they can. The
leagues came close to folding and if they hadn’t had top notch managers, they almost certainly would have. We were lucky.
PENNANT RACES
No league standings available.
Galactic finally won the FBNBA crown this year, as he slowly began to improve an already strong team into a steadily growing
dynamo. In the off-season, Steve traded for Johnny Bench to do his 1977 catching. Backing him up were Buck Martinez and a gawky,
raw rookie named Dale Murphy.
His infield - Dick Allen, Sal Bando, Don Baylor, Mark Belanger, Mike Jorgensen, Joe Morgan (Mr. Galactic) and Frank Taveras.
How could he play all these guys’
In the outfield - Lou Brock, Ken Griffey, Reggie Jackson, Gary Maddox and Carl Yastrzemski. Again, where could he play all these
people?
Check out these pitchers: Joaquin Andujar, Stan Bahnsen, Jim Barr, John Candelaria, Rawly Eastwick, Sparky Lyle, Jon Matlack and
Jim Slaton.
Illinois won the AL Pennant this year and it was another real surprise. The Aces had perhaps the best pitching in the FBNBA, but
little hitting and average defense - on paper that is!
Pitchers included Frank Tanana, Goose Gossage, Nellie Briles, Ed Figueroa, Grank Jackson. Catching was handled by a triumvirate
of Jim Essian, Larry Haney and Terry Humphrey.
Infielders included Steve Braun, Dave Clark, Chris Chambliss, Felix Millan and Robin Yount. Outfielders included Juan Beniquez,
Gene Clines, Ron LeFlore, Bake McBride, Bill North and Claudell Washington.
1978
In a desperate attempt to save the leagues, Craig Haines takes over as interim Commissioner and issues a January newsletter. “We are
in a most critical point in the life of this league(s)”, Craig wrote. “Whether the league survives or not is up to you.” Craig wasn’t
kidding. Managers were dropping like flies and when his dreary January statement was out, I’m sure many other managers wondered
if the FBNBA was kaput.
Galactic took the second of what would be its three World Series titles in this chaotic year, by beating AL pennant winner Phillipsburg. Illinois took its second straight AL West title and Phillipsburg won the AL East. Carolina took the NL East for the third time in
is a row and Galactic took the NL West for the first time.
February
Shortly after Craig’s January plea, Dave Smith, after an absence of six months, came back as Commissioner and issues a newsletter.
Smith also relinquished his Miami Suns to Rodney Stephenson who renames them the Kansas Dragons.
Thinking the league is dead, Californian Mark Sprenger becomes the eighth FBNBA manager to quit. His formerly great Lancaster
club is assumed by James Fleming, who dubs it the Phillipsburg Flames. Fleming is a close friend of James Jurgensen and Fleming
restored the old Crusaders to their former greatness leading them to playoff berths in 1978-79.
Kansas is moved from the AL East to the AL West and Lancaster is moved to the AL East from the AL West.
April
“Although we have lived through several delays so far this season… this season could be the most exciting and best yet,” said Dave
Smith in his April newsletter, called the Baseball Spotlight since September 1975.
How could Dave have said such a thing? 1978, was probably the worst year in the FBNBA history and it was his fault. The 1977,
playoffs did not end until March 1979, and the 1978 playoffs did not end until a month after that.
The end of the Dave Smith era is approaching. Dave Smith appoints Craig Haines AL Statistician and Tommy Brown NL Statistician.
Smith is no longer able to handle his responsibilities. It will be 1985, before separate league leaders, in the form of Presidents, are
chosen again.
Emergency instructions sheets are introduce to the FBNBA for the first time.
A new rule requires teams to carry at least one backup at each position.
League dues remain at $4.75, for regulars.
H - 11
Steve Walters suggests many changes for the leagues, including:
Mailing out postcards with standings after each series.
Allowing future years’ draft choices to be traded at anytime.
Neither were adopted.
July - October
Again, Dave Smith becomes the invisible Commissioner. The FBNBA gets no newsletters for three months, until Craig again steps in
and issues a newsletter as interim Commissioner. Then, Craig quickly issues another newsletter in which he proclaims his assumption
of the Commissionership. Craig will serve as the FBNBA’s second leader until 1981.
Dave Smith was and still is reviled by many in our leagues and deservedly so. However, his contribution as the FBNBA’s founder
cannot be undersold. He was an excellent commissioner during the league’s first two years. His newsletters were full of stats, new,
tips, features and more. Without him, there would be no FBNBA at all. So for that, we thank Dave Smith. Dave’s once-sickly child
has recovered.
Three managers quickly inform Craig that the hassles of the disorganized FBNBA are just not worth it. They bring the total to 11,
managers to say “Good-bye.” Robin Fuller leaves his Jersey Devils; Scott Baker leaves his Tri-City Ring Dings and Rodney
Stephensen drops his Kansas Dragons.
Tommy Brown informs Craig he is unable to finish his 1978, Murray Racer season.
“As most of you know, we are at a point of the crisis right now. It’s a so or die situation for the FBNBA and it is essential that each
and every manager does his utmost to finish his or her schedule,” Craig wrote in a newsletter. “Without co-operation, the league(s)
doesn’t stand a chance.”
Despite Craig’s desperate message, things got still worse. Dean Amrhein leaves his team, which he had renamed the Punx-Olds
Tero-Toros in 1977. He makes it a dozen managers to leave so far and in Dean’s case, it may have been no great loss. Aside from the
fact that the name of his team was absurd, Dean had the personality of a Howard Cosell. Abrasive and accusing other managers of
cheating, Dean left the league with few friends.
Tommy Brown tells Craig he is quitting the league and his powerhouse Murray team. He is number 13. The loss of Brown, a FBNBA
cornerstone, shakes Craig. Craig blames himself for assuming the Commissionership “too late to convince Tommy Brown to
continue… the loss of Tommy, whom I considered a pillar (of the FBNBA), or (at the least) one of the best FBNBA managers, has
been a disappointment to me.”
At this point, Tri-City, Muarry, Jersey and Punx-Olds are without managers. Four managers have quit in the last four months and six
have quit since the year began. The FBNBA is starting to resemble the World Football League and appears to be really ready to buy
the farm this time.
In frustration, Craig lashes out at the “total managerial irresponsibility of Scott Baker, Dean Amrhein and Robin Fuller,” all now
ex-managers. “Robin, Dean and Mr. Baker were put on managerial “waivers” and released.” This indicates that the three man have
been forced out rather than voluntarily resigning.
Craig writes that he is puzzled about the continued sluggishness of the leagues because they still have many good managers.
Craig announces that the four most recently abandoned teams will dissolved into one 100-player pile from which four new managers
will draft prior to the annual March 16-team draft. This technically ended the lineage’s of these teams. But through research - tracing
where key player ended up and which divisional slots the new teams occupied - I have been able to reasonably determine the
lineage’s of these four teams - Murray, Tri-City, Punx-Olds and Jersey.
Craig asks for team insignias for the 1979, FBNBA Yearbook, book they do not show up in the publication.
Craig’s prediction poll comes out! Carolina picked for NL East (right); Murray picked for NL West (wrong). Phillipsburg and
Chicago picked for the AL East and AL West (right), But Illinois tied with Chicago at 1st place! Chicago picked as AL Champ,
Murray as NL and FBNBA Champ (wrong on both counts!)
Other 1978, playoff teams included West Jeff in the NL and Calcutta in the AL; Tallahassee in the NL.
PENNANT RACES
Galactic gets better. And better and better, and better……
Steve pulls off the first back to back World Series victories ever.
Steve’s pitching was strong - Fernando Arroy, John Candelaria, Dennis Eckersley, Dave Goltz, Ed Halicki, Dave LaRoche, Skip
Lockwood and Pete Vukovich.
Catchers - Johnny Bench backed up by Jerry Grote.
Infield - Mark Belanger, Ivan DeJesus, Ron Fairly, Joe Morgan, Rodney Scott, Lenny Randle, Aureilo Rodriguez.
Outfield - Don Baylor, Lou Brock, Ken Griffey, Garry Maddox, Lee Stanton. Steve tried to corner the market on good outfielders this
year, but the FCC stepped in to stop him.
H - 12
The Phillipsburg Flames under Jim Fleming began their two years of total dominance of the AL in 1978. They were the first true
super-team in the AL.
Carlton Fisk caught pitches from Wayne Garland, Jim Kern, Ken Kravec, Jim Longborg, Doug Rau, Rick Rhoden, Kent Tekulve and
Dave Tomlin.
Jim’s infield had Alan Bannister, Bill Buckner, Rick Burleson, Ron Cey, Dave Lopes,, Willie Montenez, Larry Parrish. Outfield - Al
Bumbry, Barry Bonnell, Cesar Geromino and Dave Winfield.
The Flames were the first AL team to ask “Where am I going to play all these guys?”
Galactic made it no contest in the NL West this year as did Phillipsburg in the AL East. In the AL West, there was a dogfight.
Chicago lead almost all the season until Illinois tired it during the last series of the year. Since Illinois had beaten the Blue Chippers
during their season series, the Aces were given the AL West crown.
In the NL East, Tallahassee led until midseason, when Gerald’s Pine came on to pass the Seminoles and take the divisional title.
Phillipsburg
Calcutta
Hibbing
Tri-City
Won
93
82
80
65
Lost
69
80
82
97
GB
--11
13
28
PCT
.574
.506
.494
.401
Illinois
Chicago
Montana
Kansas
Won
101
101
76
60
Lost
61
61
86
102
GB
----25
41
PCT
.623
.623
.469
.370
Carolina
Tallahassee
New York
Jersey
Won
90
77
76
58
Lost
72
85
86
104
GB
--13
14
32
PCT
.556
.475
.469
.358
Galactic
Murray
Punx-Olds
West Jeff
Won
96
95
78
68
Lost
66
67
84
94
GB
--1
18
28
PCT
.593
.586
.481
.420
1979
If you plotted the course of the FBNBA on a graph, you would see upward movement during this season. The FBNBA’s future was
still in doubt, but you can start in 1979, to trace the leagues’ slow, long but steady recovery. We would still lose more managers and
we would still fall way behind schedule. The one thing you could begin to see forming by now was a hard-core of dedicated managers
- Craig Haines, Steve Walters, Scott Ellis, Gerald Ittenbach, Don Glumac, Jeff Merklin, Dave Walsh, Thomas Warfel and others who were willing to ride out all the leagues’ problems and fight to save them.
The World Series was taken by the American League team for the first time in the FBNBA history. Illinois won in five games over
Carolina. Illinois, which also took the AL West crown for a third-straight year, is still the only AL team to ever win the World Series.
(Things have changed in the ‘90’s!)
Galactic took its second-straight NL West title, but Tallahassee took the NL East, breaking Gerald’s stranglehold on that division.
Phillipsburg takes its second-straight AL East title and sets a record for most AL team wins - 105. That record stands until 1984,
when the Jupiter Hellbillies win 110, tying the FBNBA record held by Galactic.
Other playoff teams were Cary and Chicago in the AL and Orangeville in the NL.
January - March
“Since there has been little progress in wrapping up the schedule for some teams and since the managers of these teams apparently do
not intend on finishing up, the 1978 regular season will end on Jan. 31,” Craig wrote, getting tough with the laggards.
“I will make no effort to remove them (managers) from the league(s), but I will not fight their resignation(s) as their irresponsible
actions have overshadowed the efforts of others who have wholeheartedly attempted to finish their schedule.”
Craig announces that the leagues’ series schedule will increase from 18 to 21 series.
March
Craig picks up four managers to replace the abandoned teams. Burke Ittenbach, son of Gerald, takes over the Ring Dings’ AL East
slot and calls his team Cary Cardinals. Burke was a FBNBAer until he left last winter (1984) to start his own PBM league, the
Sportsman’s Baseball League.
Tim Muledy drafts most of Dean Armhein’s Punx-Oldsters and calls his franchise the Addison Oaks.
Bruce Kutler takes the NL East slot once occupied by the Jersey Devils and makes his team TEEM. Bruce would later leave the
league briefly and return to form a new TEEM team.
And finally, Kisner, the Orangeville Wolverines. For a time, Risner’s Wolverines, largely on the arm of J.R. Richard, carried on the
Racers’ old winning tradition.
The annual 16-team draft is held, but this time, for the first time, AL and NL teams draft from one Major League pot. The restriction
requiring AL teams to draft AL players and NL teams NL players is banished. The draft is held at my old Waterloo, Illinois home.
Now you know why my team is called the Illinois Aces!
H - 13
Craig announces that he will attend the 1979 SOM Convention and Steve goes too. This will make five years straight that FBNBAers
will make the annual event, but this also is the last time someone from our leagues attended.
League dues go up for regulars to $6.
Four backup managers are chosen - Joe Wines, Norman Swift, Dave Dannov and John Gay. All but Gay will become regulars very
soon.
Craig announces a one-month cutoff rule - one month’s lateness by any manager was supposed to mean automatic dismissal. This was
never adhered to. During the next few years, many such dramatic disciplinary pronouncements were made and then ignored. It was
not until 1983-84, that the Constitutional rules regarding managerial dismissals were followed with regularity.
With Craig Haines’ Commissionership, a pattern developed that would continue for many years. Both Craig and Steve had many
good ideas and passed several good rules. But, in many cases, when it came to implementing those rules or ideas, neither they or the
rest of the managers came through.
“There is no excuse for a manager to fall one, two or three months behind schedule as has happened the past two seasons,” Craig
wrote. “ Our league(s) suffered through these last two seasons because our old Commissioner, David Smith, refused to take action in
this matter. Well, I’m not David Smith.”
If only Craig had stuck to that lofty thought. But several managers, including myself, got behind during the next three years and very
few of us were actually dismissed.
Craig grew more strict in his second term. Our leagues’ history has shown us that a strict course is the best one.
May
Tom Muley drops his Oaks. Number 14. Joe Wines takes over, renaming the team Lafayette Pirates.
Dick Sivernail joins as a backup.
September
Gerald now living in Rockford, Ill., thinks about changing his team name to Kishwaukee Kanoes. He does not do it.
October
Craig tells us he is thinking about instituting honesty, neatness and promptness rating points to determine the even number drafting
positions in the annual March 16-team draft. This is adopted for 1980, with some modifications.
In summing up the 1979 season, Craig says, “We were painfully aware that 1979, would be a pivotal year in the life of our league(s).
The 1979 season seemed to sail by without a hitch.”
Many other FBNBAer’s did not go along with that much of a rosy statement, but all generally agreed that things did go smoother than
in 1978. It appeared that the FBNBA might not fold after all.
November
In a dramatic move, Craig axes Jim Jurgensen, a charter member of the FBNBA, for excessive lateness. Number 15. His Calcutta
team, once great but now terrible, is taken over by Norman Swift.
Becky changes her team’s name from Kansas Dragons to Grand Fuzz. And it’s still the Fuzz today.
December
Craig decides not to institute honesty ratings for the league. Promptness and neatness ratings are instituted however, and these ratings
will determine even numbered draft picks. This is essentially the system we use now. (This was changed to the present rules in 1992.)
1980 dues will take the biggest leap in the FBNBA history, going to $10 for regulars and $3 for backups.
PENNANT RACES
The Illinois Aces had continued to improve since their fluky AL Pennant two years ago. In 1979, the Aces became a super-team too
in becoming the first and so far only AL team ever to win the World Series.
Butch Wynegar caught pitches from Tommy John, Paul Splitoroff, John Denny, Rick Rhoden, Rich Gossage, Steve Mingori, Mike
Marshall and Bill Castro.
Enos Cabell, Ted Sizemore, Robin Yount, Mike Ivie, Julio Cruz played the infield. George Foster, Gene Richards, Dave Winfield,
Warren Cromartie, Dwight Evans and Miguel Dilone roamed the outfield.
Gerald’s Carolina Pines finally took the NL Pennant. Darrell Porter caught Gaylord Perry, Rick Waits, Larry Christensen, Eric
Rasmusen, Matt Keough, Bob McClure and Enrique Romo.
Infielders - Don Money, Mark Belanger, Willie Stargell.
Outfielders - Rick Manning, Johnny Grubb, Dave Kingman, Chet Lemon.
H- 14
Tallahassee Seminoles, perennial playoff team, finally won their first and only NL East crown this year.
Milt May and Rick Cerone caught Rick Reuschal, Ed Figueroa, Dick Ruthven, Ross Grimsley, Don Robinson, Gary Lavelle, Doug
Bair and Sid Monge.
Infielders - Dave Chalk, Jerry Remy, Doug DeCinces, Eddie Murray, Frank Taveras. (Yes, Thomas Warfel actually traded Eddie
Murray to Steve!)
Outfielders - George Hendrick, Ellis Valentine, Barry Bonnell, Larry Herndon, Larry Biittner.
Tallahassee and Galactic led for the entire season in the NL while Phillipsburg was blowing out its AL East division. Once again in
the AL West, Chicago led Illinois until the latter part of the season, when the Aces came back to win it.
Phillipsburg
Cary
Calcutta
Hibbing
Won
105
86
76
62
Lost
57
76
86
100
GB
--19
29
43
PCT
.648
.531
.469
.383
Illinois
Chicago
Montana
Kansas
Won
102
92
66
66
Lost
60
70
96
96
GB
--10
36
36
PCT
.630
.568
.407
.407
Tallahassee
Carolina
TEEM
New York
Won
90
83
83
77
Lost
72
79
79
85
GB
--7
7
13
PCT
.556
.512
.512
.475
Galactic
Orangeville
Lafayette
West Jeff
Won
98
83
74
53
Lost
64
79
88
109
GB
--15
24
45
PCT
.605
.512
.458
.327
CHAPTER 3 - The Comeback
From 1980, on the FBNBA has truly comeback. It also has changed.
We would have some more manager defections, but there would be less lateness problems and the gloomy feeling that had hung over
the FBNBA was lifting.
The Black Hole period was completely over with and it seemed apparent that the FBNBA would survive.
The membership was changing. Many managers had started out almost as novices in 1975, but by now, most were experienced and
dedicated. The FBNBA would still grant franchises to novices in the future, but it was clear that his would now become the exception
and not the rule.
1980
The league continued their long ascent from the abyss this year. More stabilization occurred, although there still were a few teams
who lagged behind schedule.
Craig Haines’ view of 1980 was not as jolly. In the 1980, Yearbook, he called the season “a bitter disappointment.” This was because
the playoffs were not finished until January 1981.
The Commissioner should have been encouraged by that though - that was the earliest the playoffs had been completed in years!
Craig was not at all happy however. “Faced by three straight seasons where the league(s) was slowed down by the lateness of
irresponsible managers, I was forced to adopt the old managerial rating system that was used in the FBNBA’s first (PBM) season of
1975, only with a few twists…. Logic said that it might work, but as it turned out, my incentive plan many have been harmful.”
I never understood what was and is harmful about this system though, unless its just anger by some mangers over why they get
penalty points. The system is basically a good one and since it was implemented, except for a few chronic cases, the leagues’
schedules have basically ran on time.
Craig, in preparation for his SOM semi-retirement, gave away his mighty Chippers in mid-season. He resigned the Commissionership in December 1980 and Steve Walters took over January 1981. Craig became a backup manager for a few months before joining
up full time again.
Two new teams made it into the playoffs - Joe Wines’ renamed Carmel Buccaneers, which took the NL West title and Don Glumac’s
Hibbing Icicles. Joe’s team won the series over Cary, while Illinois took its fourth-straight AL West title. Hibbing won the AL East
and Carolina regained its NL East crown. That would turn out to be Gerald’s last divisional title, although Gerald’s miracle team did
manage to win the 1983 NL pennant.
January
Norman Swift changes his team’s name to the Ridge Road Runners and Joe Wines changes the Pirates to the Buccaneers.
League dues increase to $10 for regulars, $3 for backups. For the second time in FBNBA history, the leagues vote on manager of the
year. The last such awards were in 1975. Winners for 1979, include Steve Walters as FBNBA Manager of The Year; Jim Fleming of
Phillipsburg as AL Manager of the Year and Bruce Kutler as NL Manager of The Year.
H - 15
March
Craig says the leagues set an all-time record for pre-draft trades this year. However, records are made to be broken and both in 1983
and 1984 that 1980 pre-draft trade record was probably broken.
June
Citing time problems, Craig relinquishes his Blue Chippers to Dave Dannov. Dannov renames his team the Columbia Blue Chippers.
Craig also announces that he will leave the Commissionership at year’s end. Steve Walters is named as his replacement.
September
Norman Swift dumps his Ridge Road Runners. Number 16.
As the FBNBA again falls way behind schedule, Craig urges everyone again to finish up.
October
Dick Silvernail takes over the Ridge franchise.
November
Steve sends out a transition newsletter proposing many changes for the leagues. Some of them made it, some of them didn’t. Some of
them were:
• Having a short trading period between the annual draft and the start of the season. We do this every year now.
• Instead of keeping 30, players for the first third of the season and cutting five at the end of the third-season mark. Steve suggest
sending five players down to the minor leagues to bring up at the two-thirds season mark. The entire 30 man roster would then be
protected until pre-draft cutting time. This too gets adopted, except now, we have 32 man rosters.
• Steve wants to start the postcard standing scheme. This tried but fails.
• Steve wants more detailed statistics kept. This is partially passed.
• Divisional changes for 1981, are made. West Jeff goes from the NL West to the NL East and Carolina goes from the NL East to
the NL West. Illinois moves from the AL West to the AL East and Hibbing moves from the AL East to AL West.
• League schedules are altered greatly as are trading periods.
December
In a good-bye message to the league in the December newsletter, Craig thanks everyone for their support. “All of you deserve the best
league(s) and Commissioner you can get, which is one reason I have decided to step down. I know that first, foremost and most
importantly. I can call each one of you a PBM friend… just remember to keep those dice rollin’!!!
Craig’s message about friendship is still the general rule today in the FBNBA. Our association has its disputes, arguments and
rivalries, but except for rare cases, all members of the leagues are friends. Craig’s efforts helped foster that friendship.
Craig’s 1980, Yearbook message was almost the opposite of his cheerful newsletter good-bye though. It was one of the most
depressing things ever published in the FBNBA history. Here are excerpts:
“I was especially disappointed in the attitude and performance of some of the more established managers, who I had assumed would
be pillars of determination to stay on schedule… to make the FBNBA the successful league it should be after six years. Instead, a few
did the opposite….. If the present…. “Who cares?” attitude continues… don’t be surprise if the FBNBA loses some of its best
managers… I leave the ranks….. with but one regret: That we have yet been able to get through a season without a delay or loss of
managers. This league was formed with the best intentions… But the whole is only as strong as its parts…. At present, this league and
its present membership leaves a lot to be desired. I can only wish new Commissioner Steve Walters the best of luck in his attempt to
turn this league into the well-oiled machine that a few of our managers deserve.
PENNANT RACES
The Carmel Buccaneers broke the monotony of the super-teams this year by taking it all. The Buccaneers were good too.
Ted Simmons caught Don Sutton, Joe Niekro, Tom Seaver, Bob Stanley, Bruce Kison, Bruce Sutter, Kent Tekulve, Ron Davis and
Bill Caudill! Perhaps the best pitching staff in FBNBA history!
An awesome infield too! Pete Rose, Willie Randolph, Larry Bowa, Bob Horner and Chris Chambliss.
Outfield - Dave Parker, Omar Moreno, Dusty Baker, Rick Bosetti, Willie Horton.
Another consistently good team won the AL Pennant for its first and only time this year - Burke Ittenbach’s Cary Cardinals.
Gary Carter caught Gaylord Perry, Steve Rogers, Randy Jones, Ken Forsch, Sammy Stewart and Neil Allen.
H - 16
Infield - Rich Dauer, Ken Reitz, Alan Trammell, Dan Meyer and Steve Ontiveros.
Outfield - Lou Pinella, Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice, Sixto Lezcano and Joel Youngblood.
Another breakthrough this year - the Hibbing Icicles, a regular playoff team beginning this year with their AL East crown.
Don Glumac’s catcher Jim Sundberg caught Bill Lee, Rick Wise Steve Comer, Rick Waits, Steve Stone.
Infield - Ron Jackson, Jason Thompson, Lou Whitaker, Chris Speier, Roy Howell, Ken Oberkfell.
Outfielders - Ken Landreaux, Jerry Martin, Jeff Burroughs, Dawyne Murphy.
Illinois was in front all the way in the AL West as was Carolina in the NL East. In the NL West, one of the most exciting divisional
races ever happened. Carmel took an early lead, but was caught by Galactic with only about 15 games to go. Carmel rallied in the last
three series of the season to win the division.
Hibbing
Cary
Phillipsburg
Hopkins
Won
92
91
75
74
Lost
70
71
87
88
GB
--1
17
18
PCT
.568
.562
.463
.457
Illinois
Grand Fuzz
Montana
Columbia
Won
92
81
77
72
Lost
70
81
85
90
GB
--11
15
20
PCT
.568
.500
.475
.444
Carolina
TEEM
New York
Tallahassee
Won
82
74
73
71
Lost
80
88
89
91
GB
--8
9
11
PCT
.506
.457
.451
.438
Carmel
Galactic
Orangeville
West Jeff
Won
93
91
91
67
Lost
69
71
71
95
GB
--2
2
26
PCT
.605
.562
.562
.414
CHAPTER 4 - The Modern Era
The period from 1981 to now can be called The Modern Era of the FBNBA for several reasons. The primary ones include all the
changes new Commissioner Steve Walters would bring to the league.
Our leagues also seemed to mature during this time and it was pretty well accepted that the FBNBA would survive. What a change
from the Black Hole years.
From now on, the FBNBA would be made up more of family men and adults rather than the high schoolers that largely founded the
group in 1975. We would still gladly accept high schoolers and college kids into our ranks, but that would become the exception rather
than the rule.
The leagues frame of mind changed too and new willingness to try new methods evolved. So much so that by 1985, the FBNBA voted
to expand to 20 teams in 1986.
Trouble spots would still remain, though problems generally receded. The FBNBA would lose more than a dozen managers in these
years and the most bitter dispute in FBNBA history would cap a strange 1984 season.
1981
Look out! Here comes Steve Walters, the new FBNBA Commissioner and the leagues they are-a chagin’! From 1981, until now the
FBNBA changed more than anytime previously. Even though Craig Haines became Commissioner again in 1983-84, the tidal wave of
change, capped by expansion in 1985, (correction actually 1986) could not be halted.
Most of this was probably due to the almost complete turnover in managers during this time. By 1985, only three charter managers
would remain - Steve Walters, Scott Ellis and Craig Haines. The new managers had new ideas.
The Galactic Gladiators took an unprecedented third World Series title this year by beating American League pennant winner Fiji
Islanders in five games. Illinois took a fifth straight divisional title in the AL West while TEEM took the NL East. Other playoff teams
included the Carmel Buccaneers and perennial AL playoff contending Montana Warriors.
Steve Walters would waste no time in trying to revamp the FBNBA. In his January Newsletter (as our association organ was renamed
by Steve), the results of voting on seven different issues were announced. Steve also fostered better communication by printing
comments on his proposals in the newsletters. However, the leagues weren’t quite ready yet for most of his ideas - 75% of his
proposals failed. This, coupled with continuing lateness problems and chronic manager turnover would discourage Steve by years’
end.
New divisional alignments again this year! West Jeff goes from the NL West to NL East and Carolina goes form NL East to NL
West. Illinois ( I had now moved to Florida) goes from AL West to AL East. Hibbing Icicles go from AL East to AL West.
H - 17
January 1981
League fees go up to $12.50 for regulars.
Managers vote down keeping HBP and Sacrifice stats. Too bad, I’d like to keep track of that. With expansion, we’re gonna see a lot
more bunting.
Leagues incredibly vote down election procedures for Cy Young, MVP and All-Star Teams. Why?
Steve suggests we consider a new name for the association, but it’s voted down by a resounding 14-2. The Fly-By-Night Baseball
Association is what we are known by and it’s too late to change after 11 years.
The 20% rule’s days were numbered as a plurality of managers vote to lower AB/IP restrictions to 10%. However, 10 other managers
vote for other varying limits and Steve calls for a revote to decide the limit for 1981. 10% will pass later on in January, but not before
a lot of blood is let by die-hards (like me) who say gaming fun is being sacrificed to realism by reducing to10%.
Hindsight is better than foresight and it’s obvious that 10% works fine. How it will work when we expand and rosters drop t 30
players, I don’t know.
In general, I’m always leery of any rules which restrict a manager’s ability to manage. AB/IP restrictions should be liberal. SOM’s
own brochure says managers may want to play a man more than a real life manager did in order to achieve better team performance.
I’m in SOM for fun as well as realism and I don’t want to be a computer mindlessly following statistics and slide rules. The unpredictable, the unique and the surprising are part of what makes the FBNBA fun. Every manager is different and has his own style. I don’t
want an Orwellian league with overbearing rules that make everyone conform or else.
Another big issue that failed was expansion for 1982. But, it failed by a close 8-7-1 vote. In previous discussions, expansion was
overwhelmingly downed, so proponents were gaining. Most managers felt the FBNBA still needed to stabilize more.
One thing did pass - the PB/WP rule we follow now. As you know, when a PB or WP occurs and there is a runner on base, the batter
continues his at bat.
Steve decrees another change - each manager will now have 30 man rosters instead of the 25 men squads the FBNBA has had since
the leagues were founded. Five of the 30 will be on an inactive reserve list to be called up for last third of the seasonal Managers will
still be required to cut down to 18, players before 1982 draft.
Steve also decides to require managers to send postcards twice a month to him informing him of each team’s record. Steve gives
managers the option of using the telephone. I think this idea lasted about a month before everyone simply ignored it.
February
Columbia changes its name to the Fiji Islanders. Ridge changes its name to Hopkins Road Runners and Montana Warriors become the
Montana Grizzlies. No managers change for those franchises however.
Hopkins later on will briefly change its nickname to the Highlanders, but they change back again to the Road Runners.
March 1981 draft held. 12 rounds
April - May
The first signs of Steve’s frustrations show. He writes in the May newsletter: “FBNBA is currently flying low. The stats, penalty
points report and this newsletter itself is late and incomplete due to several managers sending late stats (Gerald Ittenbach), no stats
(Scott Ellis) and incomplete stats (Tom Warfel).
This kind of irresponsible behavior will not be tolerated as in past years. This is your first and last warning! Shape up or ship out! A
successful league is the result of successful managers…. To anyone who does not feel he or she can fulfill their duties to the league
and managers, I would like to remind you that the FBNBA does have backup managers waiting in the wings for a team. I am sure they
feel they would be a plus to the league in your place.
I was a particularly bad boy this year, accumulating 59, penalty points almost tops in the FBNBA. I am living proof you can be born
again in SOM!
By all rights, I should have been booted out of the FBNBA in 1981. Gerald got even more points than I did. I was fortunate that Steve
gave me another chance and my case should serve as an example - we should never set up an inflexible manager ejection policy in the
FBNBA. There are times when we all fall behind a little - Steve himself would go through such periods in 1981 and 1982. Each case
should be reviewed individually within a general set of guidelines.
We should also consider giving ex-FBNBA managers another chance too.
June
Charter member Thomas Warfel leaves the active FBNBA ranks(#17), becoming a backup manager. Tom says he has a new job that
will require “100% effort.” Tom will comeback in 1983.
H - 18
Greg Holbert, a close friend of Jeff Merklin, takes over and renames the club Glouster Poineers.
Jim Fleming , manager of the once-powerful Phillipsburg Flames becomes number (18), to leave the FBNBA. Jim also says he has a
new job and has to devote all his time to it. Rodney Yoder takes over.
Craig Haines has always suspected that Fleming really quit because Flemings’ Flames were burnt out when Yoder took over and
finished 67-95, in 1981.
July - August
Dick Silvernail is forced to resign because of job reallocations and illness in his family. No manager is assigned to the team for the
rest of the season and everyone uses emergency instructions to finish up their schedules with Hopkins.
Sept. - Dec.
Steve goes into a swoon, not sending out a newsletter for four months. Remembering our fist crisis in the Black Hole Period,
managers communicate with one another to keep things going. A bad time for a somber Steve Walters
Steve apologizes for newsletter gap and vows to carry on. However, this latest slowdown claims two more charter members - Darren
Walsh of Montana and Jeff Russell of New York, both of whom resign before the season can be completed. Emergency instructions
are again employed. In face, more emergency instructions are used in 1981, than in any other year.
(21) managers have now left the FBNBA.
PENNANT RACES
You remember the Galactic Gladiators don’t you? That team that just keeps getting better and better and better… Well, they are
unbelievably strong this year in winning the World Series.
Johnny Bench caught Brian Kingman, Steve McCatty, Mike Norris, Tom Seaver and Don Sutton.
Other players included Cecil Cooper, Ivan DeJesus, Doug Flynn, Joe Morgan, Mike Schmidt, Cesar Cedeno, Leon Durham, Kirk
Gibson, Ricky Henderson, Reggie Jackson, John Lowenstein.
The Fiji Islanders took the AL Pennant, just to keep things interesting. Jim Sundberg caught Bob Knepper, Dennis Leonard, Tug
McGraw, Joe Sambito, Joe Niekro, Scott Sanderson, Frank Tanana and Steve Trout.
Other players - Rick Burleson, Steve Garvey, Graig Nettles, Manny Trilo, Al Cowens, Steve Kemp, Dwayne Murphy.
We had a few races this season. In the NL West, Orangeville jumped out in front and incredibly stayed ahead of Galactic till
midseason. In the NL East, perennial last place New York Gnats were in first until TEEM caught them at mid-season.
Fiji stayed ahead in the AL West but Cary was in first in the AL East as the season began. Illinois did not catch and pass Cary until the
last month of the season.
Illinois
Cary
Phillipsburg
Hopkins
Won
Lost
GB
PCT
101
61
--.623
88
74
13
.543
67
95
38
.441
--------------------------------
Fiji
Montana
Hibbing
Grand Fuzz
Won
98
87
80
66
Lost
64
75
82
96
GB
--12
18
32
PCT
.605
.537
.494
.407
TEEM
West Jeff
New York
Glouster
Won
87
76
76
64
Galactic
Orangeville
Carmel
Carolina
Won
100
99
82
77
Lost
62
63
80
85
GB
--1
18
23
PCT
.617
.611
.506
.476
Lost
75
86
86
98
GB
--11
11
23
PCT
.537
.469
.469
.395
1982
C.J. Shull - late 30’s? Works in credit department of large parts company. Also, I apologize for another error earlier in this history C.J. sold a large portion of his card collection, but not all of his SOM cards. C. J. manages the W.C. Fielders.
Bruce Kutler - Bruce is an accountant. He managers TEEM.
Mike Kostek - Jupiter Hellbillies - Mike’s in his mid 30’s and works as a fire-station/ambulance dispatcher. He formerly owned a
record store and was a rock’n’roll radio announcer.
Mike English - Florida Express - Mike’s also in his mid 30’s and he is Sport Editor of the Jupiter (FL) Courier-Journal. He’s the proud
papa of 1-year old A.J.
H - 19
Ken Muir - Muir’s Mud Hens - Ken’s 28 and is a college journalism professor. He and wife Lisa, a school teacher, have two basset
hounds, Mookie and Klem. Was former Sports Editor of the Jupiter (FL) Courier-Journal and Mike English took over Ken’s old job.
Another good year for the association, with still more revolutionary changes. Steve Walters pressed his reforms and the FBNBA
generally became more professional.
By the end of the year, the FBNBA would have its first all-Florida and all face to face division in the AL East! We still have this
division intact in 1985. (This division evaporated after the 1986 season.)
Nagging problems would persist however - lateness, manager defections and lack of voter participation on Steve’s proposals. These
things would cause a disgusted Steve to resign the Commissionership at the end of the year. The Galactic Gladiators were foiled in
their attempt to win the World Series a third season in a row as the Illinois Aces won in five games. The respective NL and AL
pennant winners were playing each other for the second time - they first met in 1977 and Steve whipped the Aces in four straight.
Galactic took the NL West again (two straight) and surprising West Jeff, after years of mediocrity, took the NL East - its first title
since winning the World Series in the FBNBA initial PBM season (1975). Illinois took its sixth straight divisional title by winning the
AL East. Fiji took its second straight AL West title.
Other AL playoff teams were Grand Fuzz (seeing its first and so far only post season action) and Hibbing. In the NL, the Glouster
Pioneers made there first and only trip to the playoffs. Ken Risner’s Orangeville Wolverines also took another playoff trip.
January 1982
Steve fills the three vacant teams. And two of the new guys are old guys. The New York Gnats are assumed by former World Series
Champion manager Tommy Brown. Brown ran the association’s first powerhouse team, the Murray Racers and took the Series in
1976. Tommy renames his team - yup, the Murray Racers.
The Montana Grizzlies/Warriors are assumed by another charter manager - Thomas Warfel, former manager of the perennial playoff
contender Tallahassee Seminoles. He names his squad the Florida Express.
Ken Muir takes over the Hopkins Roadrunners. Although Ken names his team Muir’s Mud Hens after minor league team, he should
have kept the Roadrunners tag. His teams go on to shatter all previous team stolen base records.
Craig Haines changes the name of the Phillipsburg Flames to St. Charles Blue Demons.
Steve asks managers to vote on upping pre-draft protection rosters from current 18 to 20 or up to 30. League narrowly votes (9-7) to
keep 18 men rosters. This will go up to 20 in 1983.
New penalty point system announced for 1982, It’s similar to the system we have now.
Because of the 1981 strike, Steve first announces a 50% limitation rule for 1982, then ups to 65% two weeks later.
New divisional alignments again! St. Charles moves from the AL East to AL West. Florida moves from the AL West to AL East.
Inactive rosters switches were started this year. For the first time, managers were allowed to rotate their actives and inactives twice a
year - like we do now. (Steve Walters changed to present rule rotating after each block in 1986.)
March
As quickly as he returns, he leaves. Tommy Brown says he has no time for an FBNBA that’s progressed far ahead of his old-time era
and he dumps Murray Racers II. (#22 to leave.)
You believe who comes back this time - Davie Smith and Randy Popp jointly take over the franchise and rename it the Moscow
Marauders after a 1974-75, powerhouse face to face FBNBA team.
When I say I want us to give another chance to some ex-manager, I don’t mean four-time losers like Dave Smith. This turns out to be
one of Steve’s worst decisions.
Joe Wines says adios. (#23) Mike Kostek joins and renames the team the Jupiter Hellbillies. A sad day for Illinois Aces fans as Kostek
quickly revives the flagging 1980, World Champs and becomes a continual source of agony to me!
Steve asks managers to vote on reviving acquisitions of players not drafted in the regular March draft.
Steve also asks for a 1983 rule change - upping pre-draft protected rosters to 20 from 1982’s 18.
A busy guy this Steve Walters. He also requests manager predictions of the 1982 team finishers, but this never gets printed
April - May
Because not of the managers voted and because no proposal got what Steve claimed was the “9” votes required for passage. Steve says
the acquisition, and 20 man protected roster proposals were defeated.
H - 20
A vote to allow managers to keep uncarded players also failed but this vote and the acquisition roster vote both had 8-3 in favor tallies.
I think that’s a pretty good turnout (75%) for any election and I think those issues should have passed that year. We still don’t have
acquisitions! (This will change in 1988.)
Also, 7 managers voted for 18 man protected rosters and 5 voted for 20. One voted for 30! In frustration for what Steve considered a
poor manager voter turnout, Steve sounded a totalitarian note:
“….. items will be voted on again to go into effect next year. Any manager not voting will forfeit his right too vote on that item. The
commissioner will use any forfeited vote as he sees fit. All voting on items in the future will take place during the off season.”
Steve faced a firestorm of protest after that proclamation and he never did follow through with his dictatorial threat. Depressed
because the organization was not following his lead as quickly as he wished, Steve pronouncement probably was just spleen venting.
The Presidential Proposals incorporated into the FBNBA Constitution last winter provides for simple majority rule, not a majority rule
(9) as Steve wished then. Steve now agrees with the simple majority idea, but curiously, since last year, the FBNBA has almost total
manager voter participation now! The problem Steve faced no longer exists.
June 1982
Citing time problems, Tom Warfel leaves the FBNBA for good. Number (25) to go. Steve awards the franchise to Bob Hamilton.
July - August
Bob Hamilton, citing a job change and a move, is unable to take over the Florida franchise. He’s Number (26). Mike English comes
aboard!
Many managers visit each other this year. Beck and Steve drove to Rockford, Ill. to see Gerald while Gerald’s son Burke drove up to
see his father as well. They all played their FBNBA games face to face.
Craig comes down here to visit me, Ken Kostek and English. Bruce Kutler visited Steve and Becky in Potosi.
For the third time this year, Steve asks managers to approve 20 man rosters for 1983. This finally passed!
Sept. - Oct.
Steve sounds an alarm:
“Because of 1 or 2 managers, the FBNBA season is lagging behind schedule. Effective immediately, any manager who does not have
results or instructions will play games needed to complete season using Emergency Instructions.”
December
Steve’s December Newsletter would be the last of his first term as Commissioner. Although he doesn’t announce it, he resigns his
Commissionership in preparation for Craig Haines’ return on January 1, 1983.
Steve has said that he never really resigned his post - Craig just took over. I don’t know the exact circumstances, but it’s clear that
Steve at least let Craig have the helm without a protest. Steve’s enthusiasm for the job had flagged noticeably in the second half of
1982 - he missed publishing newsletters three times.
Perhaps this transition helped to launch in earnest Steve and Craig’s feud. But, unlike now the FBNBA had no official succession
procedure. Changes in power were really quiet revolutions. (Back then the commissioner was to hold power until death! Present rule
implemented in 1988.)
Regardless, Steve’s first term as FBNBA leader brought more changes and improvements than any other previous time in history.
Steve was and is the best manager and best brain the FBNBA has. His first two years were a success.
Though he would consider leaving the FBNBA altogether in 1983, Steve soon overcame his depression and was right back in the thick
of FBNBA politics! It’s a good thing he stayed because we would need his leadership again just two years later.
Steve’s ideas for the FBNBA were right - expansion, keeping uncarded players, 20 and 25-man protected rosters, and more. He was
just a couple of years too early with them.
PENNANT RACES
Illinois began its domination of the FBNBA this season with its first of three straight World Series wins.
In 1982 Rick Cerone and Carlton Fisk caught Vida Blue, Bert Blyleven, Tom Burgmeier, Rick Camp, Goose Gossage, Bill
Bullickson, Matt Keough, Dave LaRoche and Mario Soto.
Other players - Dave Collins, Julio Cruz, Rich Dauer, Ken Griffey, George Hendrick, Keith Hernandez, Garry Maddox, Bill Madlock,
Rick Miller, Dave Winfield and Robin Yount.
On paper, Galactic was again improved (if that is possible!) and should have beaten Illinois in the World Series. This statement could
apply in 1984, when the two teams faced each other of the third time in the World Series.
H -21
Tony Pena caught Ron Davis, Greg Harris, Steve Rogers, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton and Nolan Ryan.
Other players - Bruce Benedict, Andre Dawson, Ivan DeJesus, Miguel Dilone, Ricky Henderson, Tom Herr, Jeff Leonard, Dave
Lopes, Eddie Murray, Terry Puhl, Willie Randolph and Mike Schmidt.
Carolina jumped into first place in the NL West, but Galactic had caught up and passed Gerald by midseason.
Although Glouster contended early in the season, the NL East lead for the most part see-sawed between Moscow and eventual winner
West Jeff, making a comeback from years of last place finishes.
Grand Fuzz contended early in the season as well in the AL West, but Fiji and Hibbing slugged it out most of the time, with Fiji
winning.
In the AL East, Illinois won its last divisional title ever easily.
Illinois
Muir
Cary
Florida*
Won
101
83
71
47
Lost
61
79
91
99
GB
--18
32
46
PCT
.623
.512
.438
.290
Fiji
Hibbing
Grand Fuzz
St. Charles
Won
93
91
85
43
Lost
69
71
77
119
GB
--2
6
53
PCT
.574
.562
.525
.265
West Jeff
Moscow*
Glouster
TEEM
Won
86
73
78
78
Lost
76
67
84
84
GB
--2
18
18
PCT
.531
.521
.481
.481
Galactic
Orangeville
Carolina*
Jupiter
Won
107
90
81
70
Lost
55
72
81
92
GB
--17
26
37
PCT
.660
.556
.500
.432
*managers left team before the end of the season.
1983
Craig Haines returned to lead the association! 1983 was a great year for him and the FBNBA, with many new energetic managers, less
defections and less delays than ever before. While Steve was and is a reformer, Craig’s second term proved overall to be status quo
time. A time to take a breather and let the FBNBA absorb Steve’s changes. An Eisenhower time perhaps.
In 1983, Craig’s formula, which harkened back to his previous Commissionership, seemed just what the FBNBA needed because the
leagues thrived.
There would be a few disputes this year, but generally, the FBNBA was still steadily improving.
The Illinois Aces took their second straight World Series in an exciting seven games over surprising Carolina Pines, the first under
.500 team ever to make the playoffs. This was Illinois’s third title.
Jupiter took the AL East crown while Hibbing took the AL West. Cary won its first divisional title in the NL East and Galactic took its
third straight NL West crown.
Other playoff teams were Muir’s Mud Hens and Orangeville Wolverines. Along with the Mud Hens, the Aces and Hellibillies all won
more than 90 games each in the same division - the AL East. This is the only time in history that’s happened.
January
Craig announces tougher manager dismissal rules, along with a warning, in his first newsletter - called simply “The Fly-By-Night
Baseball Association:’
“…. it is apparent after last season that some of us either have no desire to remain in the FBNBA or are just waiting to be dismissed
from the league. I would like to hear from each of you as to your desire to remain in the league. I must hear from you by February 1,
1983 or I will consider your lack of response as a resignation. We are entering our ninth year of existence… and I want to know just
who plans to help make it our most successful. Just remember: You will be making a commitment to stay on schedule and finish the
season in time. I will not hesitate to replace anyone who slips up. Anyone.”
At last, as you will read, the tough talk was backed up by action. And guess what? We had fewer delays and fewer managers quitting.
League dues remain at $12.50 for regulars and $3 for backups.
New divisional alignments again this year! TEEM goes to NL West, Jupiter moves to the AL East. Cary goes to NL East. This creates
an All-Florida and all face to face division for the only time in FBNBA history. We still got it today folks! (That division ended
during the Black Hole II period.)
Craig changes the St. Charles Blue Demons to the name of his old AL powerhouse - Chicago Blue Chippers. By next year, the new
Chippers would be a powerhouse too!
Bruce Kutler resigns as an active manager (#27). He cites time constraints, but he stays on as a backup and he’ll be back. C.J. Shull
H - 22
enters the FBNBA and changes TEEM to W.C. Fielders. We’ll hear more about C. J. later.
Oh where oh where has Dave Smith gone, oh where oh where can he be? Craig can’t find out so, for the fifth and hopefully last time,
Dave Smith leaves the FBNBA and his Moscow franchise when Craig boots him out. Since both he and Randy Popp jointly managed
Moscow, that makes a total of (29), managers to leave so far.
But, wait! The comedy’s not over yet! Tom Angel, a charter member in 1975, and manager of the Floridian Cuties/Pansies is awarded
the franchise. He names his new team - yup, the Florida Pansies.
February 1983
Dave Dannov becomes Number (30), to leave, but another former charter member, Jeff Green (ex of the Kalamazoo Klonkers) takes
over the Fiji franchise. Jeff calls his team the Bronx Bombers.
Craig issues a ruling on how to use two carded players. It essentially follows past practices. The card with the most at bats or inning
pitched will be used but managers may utilize the AB’s and IP the player actually accumulated for the entire season.
Steve would change this in 1985. We now use cards of a two carded player, although he only takes up one roster slot.
Craig announces my History of the FBNBA protect. Sorry it’s took so long!
March
The annual draft (12 rounds this year) is held at Craig’s St. Charles home on March 5th. Cal Ripken was taken first (by Craig). Steve,
Becky, Gerald and C.J. were in attendance.
This year was the first for 32-man rosters and the way this aberration happened was because the FBNBA voted to 20-man pre-draft
protected rosters in 1983. However, no one thought about whether draft picks should be reduced to 10 to keep a more logical 30-man
roster in force. So, with people merrily trading 11th and 12th round draft picks throughout the off-season, it became impossible to cut to
10-round draft. With next year’s expansion, we will be cutting to 30-man rosters, ending our two-years of football teams.
April
One of the things you face as a new Florida resident is regular visits from your old, cold Yankee buddies who haven’t figured out yet
that they should move down here too. The annual pilgrimage began in 1982 and grew in size in 1983 when Craig, Steve and Becky
came down to my house and visited with me, Kostek, English and Ken Muir. This mini-convention was the second-largest manager
gathering in FBNBA history. Everyone visited in March, although Craig reported it in April.
Craig makes a rule change for 1983. He changes AA holding reduction number for -3 to -2 to make a greater distinction between a AA
and A stealer. That idea was accomplished but a side effect was to make too little distinction between super AAA’s and AA’s. Steve
changed back to regular SOM rules in 1985, -3 for both AA’s and A’s.
Confusion on infield-in rules cropped up in earnest this year among some managers, with Craig proposing a solution. To be honest,
I’ve always thought I was clear on how SOM wants infield-in rules to be followed even though I didn’t agree with them. The
confusion was not cleared up in 1983 or 1984 and that confusion would lead to the FBNBA’s most bitter dispute.
Steve changed the infield-in rules to our present Constitutional guidelines.
May
Craig’s prediction poll makes a comeback and is published for the first time in years. Illinois is picked to win the AL pennant and
Galactic the NL crown. Galactic was the overwhelming pick to win the World Series. Carolina actually took the NL crown, but lost to
Illinois in the World Series.
Cary and Galactic were correctly picked to win their NL divisions, but the brethren got in wrong in the AL. Illinois was picked to win
its seventh-straight division title in the AL East. Jupiter won by four games, breaking Illinois string.
In the AL West, Grand Fuzz was picked to win, but Hibbing won 102 games (as did Jupiter) to take the title.
Craig again announces that the FBNBA history is coming. Well, geez guys, I’m only two years late.
Craig takes a little heat for allowing teams to use all 32 players on their rosters after Series 12 - a full half-season! In 1984, the
FBNBA will return to rotating inactives every third of the season.
June - July
Tom Angel dumps his Pansies again! Same old excuse, lack of time. Number (31). Bruce Kutler is activated and takes over the team.
Team name? TEEM. Tom Angel has a great reputation in much of the SOM world due to his constant promotion in the Review. He
may be a great thinker, but he has always been irresponsible where the FBNBA is concerned. The Review says he drafted great teams
and Jeff Green later managed to the top. I say it’s fortunate that Jeff took over - I don’t think Angel could manage the Big Red
Machine to a pennant.
H - 23
Tom’s not always a superman drafter either. Until I traded most of the duds he drafted from the original Pansies/Aces, my team was
also-ran.
Craig faces the first major crisis of his second term - biggest trade dispute inn FBNBA history; between Gerald and Jeff Merklin - two
charter members. Jeff dealt some players to Gerald, then decided a week later that it was a bad deal for him and he told Gerald he was
backing out. At that time the Constitution said: … “All trades must be recorded on trade slips… and signed and dated by both
managers involved in order for the trade to be valid.” Gerald and Jeff had sent letters to each other about the deal and had talked on
the telephone, but Jeff had not signed the trade slip so he claimed he could legally back out. One of Jeff’s letters did accept the offer in
question, however and Jeff admitted to Craig that he did make the deal. Jeff just thought he could back out because of the trade slip
technicality. As an attorney would say, that’s the law, in black and white and it appeared on the surface that Jeff was right and Gerald
just had some hard luck.
Gerald protested to Craig and Craig’s subsequent ruling changed our trading procedures. Craig ruled in favor of Gerald, saying
confirmation to the commissioner from both managers, via telephone, print or carrier pigeon, was all that was needed to declare a deal
done. The trade slip was the best means of confirmation, but not the only one, said Craig. Since both managers admitted to Craig that
the deal was made, Craig said Jeff had to honor the deal. From then on, trade slips no longer were an absolute must in making a deal.
Let’s remember that when the FBNBA was born… the… managers not only did not know each other, but trust, friendship and
comradeship had not yet developed. Therefore, Dave Smith… felt he had to develop a system to protect managers from being
victimized by false trade claims from dishonest managers… He installed the trade slip as a means to validate, or substantiate the deal.
It’s purpose is not to close a trade, but to substantiate… that a trade was actually agreed upon by the two managers. And the players draft choices involved are understood by all. It was not created as a crutch to satisfy a manager’s wish to back out of a trade.
Craig’s ruling would lead Merklin and his buddy Greg Holbert to resign their teams before the year ended. Craig’s ruling was right
though, despite the FBNBA losing yet another charter member.
One can only wonder what would have happened had Jeff not admitted that he made the deal. Craig would probably have to have
ruled in Jeff’s favor then. Jeff was honest - you have to give him that.
I’ve been involved in some screwy deals - sometimes I wanted to back out, sometimes the other guy did. I’ve always been able to
work out my problems without resorting to a protest.
Jeff’s deal with Gerald was a real boner too. I’d probably have tried to get out of that one! Jeff sent Garry Maddox, Bill Madlock,
Cecil Cooper and his 3rd round draft pick to Gerald for a 4th round pick, Amos Otis, Doug Flynn and Mike Hargrove. Now this was
when Maddox, Madlock and Cooper were all very good players.
September 1983
Jeff Merklin becomes the (32) manager to leave the FBNBA. Enter Bob Cebelak, who renames the club the Holland Hawkmen. As
out first NL President, Bob has become a pillar of the FBNBA.
October - November
Greg Holbert leaves the Glouster Pioneers, Number (33). Craig tells everyone to use emergency instructions to finish up the 1983
schedule with Glouster.
Although voting results would not be announced until February 1984, 1983 Managers of the Year were selected. Mike Kostek wins in
the American League, while Steve Walters wins his third NL Manager of the Year trophy.
Robin Yount wins the AL MVP award and Mike Schmidt wins the NL MVP, Fernando Valenzuela was unanimously picked as AL Cy
Young winner and Mario Soto won the NL Cy Young. This was only the second time in FBNBA history that we voted for these
awards!
PENNANT RACES:
Another Illinois World Series, with mostly the same team on the field (Dale Murhpy and Lance Parrish were added), but virtually a
pitching staff.
Pitchers - Luis Aponte, Bruce Berenyi, Tom Burgmeier, John Candelaria, Jim Clancy, Terry Forster, Goose Gossage, Bill Laskey, Jon
Matlaack, Jesse Orosco, Nolan Ryan, Bob Welch.
Gerald Ittenbach’s great managing skill came to the fore front again as he guides the first below .500 team to the AL Pennant.
Mike Heath and Darrell Porter catch Doug Bair, Charlie Hough, Ed Farmer, Rudy May, Randy Moffitt and Lee Smith.
Other players - Ron Cey, Chris Chambliss, Dwight Evans, Tim Foli, Rick Monday, Amos Otis, Johnny Ray, Steve Sax, Reggie Smith,
Gary Ward.
Jupiter won the first of its two straight divisional titles this year and on paper, the 1983 team was its best.
Terry Kennedy caught Bill Caudill, Storm Davis, Ken Forsch, Atlee Hammaker, Jim Palmer, Jerry Reuss and Fernando Valenzuela.
H - 24
Other players - Jesse Barfield, Dale Berra, Tom Brunansky, Rod Carew, Mike Fishchlin, Gary Gaetti, Jim Gantner, David Green,
Ruppert Jones, Gary Matthews, Don Money, Jerry Morales, Dave Parker, Dickie Thon and Carl Yastrzemski.
It was all Jupiter all year long in the AL East and all Galactic in the NL West.
Cary spent half of the season in the cellar before charging past West Jeff, Glouster and the W.C. Fielders to win the NL East.
Grand Fuzz and Bronx led early on in the AL West, but Hibbing held the lead for the second half of the season.
Jupiter
Illinois
Muir’s
Florida
Won
102
98
96
49
Lost
60
64
66
113
GB
--4
6
53
PCT
.630
.605
.593
.302
Hibbing
Bronx
Grand Fuzz
Chicago
Won
102
81
73
60
Lost
60
81
89
102
GB
--21
29
42
PCT
.603
.500
.451
.370
Cary
Glouster*
West Jeff*
W.C. Fielders
Won
96
82
73
71
Lost
66
80
89
91
GB
--14
23
25
PCT
.593
.506
.451
.438
Galactic
Orangeville
Carolina
TEEM
Won
110
83
76
48
Lost
52
79
86
114
GB
--27
34
62
PCT
.679
.512
.469
.296
*managers left team before the end of the season.
In the AL Playoffs, Hibbing and Jupiter had identical 102-60 records and had split their season series together. However, due to a
superior record vs. Teams in its own division, Hibbing earned the #1 spot in the AL Playoff structure. Illinois and Muir’s earned the
#3 and #4 seeds respectively.
In the 4 NL, Galactic and Cary are the #1 and #2 seeds, and Orangeville edged in as the #3 team. Carolina was named the#4 seed as
Glouster did not complete its regular season in time.
1984
It’s the year of George Orwell and while some strange things do happen in the FBNBA, 1984 will be the most stable in the leagues’
history. No managers will leave during the regular season and that’s a first.
However, Craig’s rule will be debilitated by the worst dispute in the FBNBA history during the winter between C.J. Shull and Steve
Walters. This dispute would help demoralize C.J. and become a factor in his resignation in Spring 1985.
Craig also would become a little conservative this year, proposing a two-page instruction sheet limitation and voicing opposition to the
Presidential Proposals. The Presidential Proposals passage was really the most important thing to happen to the FBNBA this year an
perhaps ever. AL and NL Presidents were authorized, along with sweeping Constitutional changes giving managers more individual
rights than ever before. By December 1984, the FBNBA would become a true democracy.
The Illinois Aces would make history in 1984. The Aces took their unprecedented third-straight World Series and fourth FBNBA
championship overall. The Aces beat Galactic in five action-filled games. Galactic took its fourth-straight NL West title. Jupiter took
its second-straight AL East crown and Hibbing again won the AL West and again won 102 games.
Galactic won 110 games (for the second year in a row), setting FBNBA records, Jupiter also won 110 games, tying the record.
There has to be an asterisk by Steve’s NL Pennant and my World Series win though. That’s because there were two NL Pennants
Championships played and two World Series played. Why did that happen you ask? It’s all tied-in with the greatest dispute in FBNBA
history folks and I ask you to read on to discover the true facts of this unhappy anal in the FBNBA’s saga.
January 1984
Dues go up to $15 for regulars. That’s what we pay today. (Steve will increase the dues to $20 in 1987.)
Craig announces that he will buy an ADAM computer so he can compile newsletters more efficiently. He never does buy one.
In an incredible episode, Craig Haines prints an excerpt from a vicious postcard sent anonymously to Orangeville manager Ken
Risner. The card, apparently written by only one person (but signed “The Fly-By-Night”), accuses Risner of what many other FBNBA
managers have suspected for years - cheating. On paper, the Wolverines hadn’t been that good for a couple of years, but they
continued to make the playoffs like clockwork.
“Hey Bozo - Jig’s up,” said the postcard. “Quit cheating, you sad sack of shit…” That’s all of the postcard Craig would print. Craig
was made aware of the card by Ken. Craig’s reaction:
“My only comment to this bush-league demonstration of someone’s lack of dignity and courage is that he is the one who is the “sad
sack of shit.” I just hope that everyone in our league has the sense to see that this type of thing never happens again. I know that I, for
H - 25
one, do not want anything to do with an organization where trust, the base of any PBM league, does not exist. We are in this for fun,
remember. We can do without disturbed individuals.
I second Craig’s sentiments, but I was amazed that he printed this in the newsletter. He kept Ken’s involvement anonymous, but I
rolled on the floor in laughter at seeing “sad sack of shit” in our hallowed newsletter! He should have handled this privately.
Ken Risner was on probation in 1984 and Craig would have to toss him out of the FBNBA by year’s end due to yet another heavy
accumulation of penalty points. (Speaking of penalty points, Gerald, who accumulated a then FBNBA 110 penalty points in 1982,
logged approximately 200 in 1984 and he too had to be removed from the FBNBA)
I always got along with Ken Risner, but many managers found him painfully withdrawn and shifty. He was usually late with results
and stats too and he wrote messy.
Now who sent him the card? No one has ever admitted to it and since no one knows for sure, I don’t think it would be fair for me to
speculated in print. I think a comment that has been made many times by Mike Kostek about the postcard is appropriate:
“Whoever sent the card did the league a great services.”
David Vinson assumes the Glouster franchise and dubs it America’s Team.
Craig asked for votes on two proposals. One is to limit all instruction sheets to two pages. “ This would put an end to the increasing
sizes of some instructions that are presently being sent out,” wrote Craig. This rule was aimed directly at Steve and Gerald who were
infamous for long and complicated strategy sheets. Both they and others protested loudly.
Craig’s other idea was to base all odd-number draft rounds on the home records of teams rather than their overall records. This was
aimed at managers who complied poor away records and fantastic home records.
February 1984
Both of Craig’s January proposals were defeated, but the instruction sheet vote was a close 8-6. “The close result of the first proposal
would indicate to me that more than a few managers recognize that there is a problem with lengthy instructions in our league.”
I don’t know about that, but after this vote, Gerald and Steve’s instructions, though still the most complicated in the FBNBA, became
a little less cumbersome.
March
Jeff Green decides again to leave the FBNBA and his Bronx Bombers. Number (34). Welcome to Rich Meyerson who renames the
team the East Meadow Mustangs.
The 1984 draft is held at Craig Haines’ St. Louis home on March 25 with C.J. Shull in attendance. When the results become known in
April, a big dispute between C.J. and Mike erupt over the rights to Carmelo Martinez - the first and only such draft dispute in history.
April
The draft snafu was the first of two major disputes C.J. Shull would be involved in this year. In 1983, when he joined up, I got along
great with C.J. and he was so well liked, he won the 1984 NL Manager of the Year crown. But, by the end o the 1984, his disputes
and squirming, waffling attempts to deal with them caused the leagues much suffering.
In this fiasco, Craig started the problem by incorrectly reading Carmelo Martinez’s card. In the third round, Mike instructed Craig to
take the highest third baseman listed on his General Player List. That happened to be Martinez. But Craig, forgetting that Martinez had
3b rating on his card, sent Kostek, Mike Ramsey instead. Just three picks later, Craig sent Martienz to C.J.
Mike informed Craig of his mistake and Craig said there was nothing he could do now. The entire draft form the third round on would
have to be redone and he did not think that would be right. Craig said Mike did not use a position list as he should have. When Mike
pointed out that there is no requirement to use a position list, Craig’s retorts were that Mike’s draft instructions were messy and
Carmelo Martinez was not really a third baseman anyway.
OK, are you with me so far? It gets more complicated. Craig tells Mike to try and work out something with C.J. and C.J. appears ready
to talk with Mike. Now here’s where the murkiness begins.
Mike asks C.J. who he would accept in place of Martines. C.J. says he never agreed to take Steve Baloni in exchange for Martinez if
Mike can get Balboni from David Vinson, who drafted him.
Mike trades for Baloni and then comes back to C.J. who hedges. C.J. says he never agreed to take Balboni straight-up for Martinez
and wants to negotiate further. Furious, Mike found absurd - trade Kevin McReynolds straight up for Martinez instead. Before Craig
can intervene, C.J. finally agrees to trade Martinez for Balboni. This dispute made C.J. and Mike enemies for the rest of C.J.’s stay in
the FBNBA. Craig was mad with Mike too and it took until now for them to be friends again.
H - 26
June 1984
A proposal upping our protected rosters from 20 to 25 passes as does protection of players who have lost their cards. Such players can
be kept for up to 2 years. This rule is great in Dickie Thon situations.
Managers also overwhelmingly voted for the FBNBA’s first telephone draft for the 1985 season.
Managers narrowly decide (7-5) to draft 7 players in 1985, keeping the 32-man rosters for one more year.
The Manager’s Prediction Poll is again published for 1984. Illinois picked to win AL East, but Jupiter does instead. Cary is picked to
win NL East, but C.J.’s Fielders do instead. Managers get it right only with Galactic, tabbed to win again in the NL West.
The Gladiators were tabbed to beat Chicago in the World Series. Not only did managers miss that one, they failed to forecast two
Series!
July – September 1984
Craig fails to issue newsletters for two months and it’s apparent that he is slumping. The reason - an appendectomy and a subsequent
month of recuperation. That illness, plus the fact that the FBNBA seems eager to progress past Craig’s own personal desires, leads
Craig to announce in the September newsletter that he is resigning at the end of 1984. The announcement was coupled with the
publication of the Presidential Proposals, conceived by me and co-written with Mike Kostek.
Between now and January 1, 1985 when Steve resumed control, these two new developments and the gigantic dispute heading our
way in November would plunge the FBNBA into unprecedented change, highs, lows, turmoil and distress. It was a wild ride!
“Before my resignation takes effect’, Craig wrote, ‘ I would like to assist in finding a new commissioner and make the transition as
smooth as possible. I feel a change in leadership is best for the FBNBA as I don’t think that I will be able to provide the league with
the communication needed to run as well as it is capable.”
“It is of utmost importance that we find someone as successor to me as commissioner… in 1985. At this time, I will take applicants for
the position and we will hold a general election of the candidates. If you are interested in the position, or have a question regarding the
duties of the commissioner, let me know.”
“included in this (September) issue is a proposal submitted by Scott Ellis and Mike Kostek for the creation of the office of League
President, one for the NL and one for the AL. Described in their proposal are the duties of this office and how candidates are chosen
and the eventual President elected. Also, outlined are the duties of the commissioner and how he is elected.
“To be honest, I was opposed to the idea of league presidents at first. But, the troubles that have hit me this summer have opened my
eyes and mind to the prospect of these possible changes in the FBNBA league structure.”
Craig’s failure to keep up with his leadership was not uncommon - his predecessors all faced it. But, with the FBNBA filled with more
dynamic managers than ever, all wanting a better, more dynamic association, his slumps in 1984 hurt more than they would have say
in 1976 or 1980, when the FBNBA was not as sophisticated. In fact, Craig actually did a good job in his second term by old FBNBA
standards. It was just that by the end of 1984, the FBNBA was ready for more. The FBNBA was ready to progress.
The Presidential Proposals were important for several reasons:
The job of running the FBNBA had grown too big for one person to handle. The Commissioner needed help and Presidents could
give it.
Before the proposals, duties of league officers (the Commissioner) were not spelled out.
Election procedures of league officers were not spelled out under the Constitution until Presidential Proposals were passed.
Until the proposals, there were no impeachment provisions.
Until the proposals, there was no spelled out way to amend the Constitution.
When you think about it, it’s a miracle the FBNBA survived for 10 years without these provisions! That’s just another testament to the
high caliber of managers the FBNBA has been blessed with.
Before the Presidential Proposals, the Commissioner was all-power. Votes were called from time to time, but the Commissioner had
the sole power to call votes and he could make changes whenever he chose. There was no recourse for managers who may have been
unhappy with a Commissioner’s action, other than quitting the FBNBA.
The Presidential Proposals gave each manager a say in how the leagues should be run. It was the FBNBA’s Bill of Rights. Managers
could now get together and call for votes on their own, whether the Commissioner liked it or not. Managers can now even try and get
rid of FBNBA officials if they are mini-Richard Nixons!
October 1984
Another sad day in FBNBA history - Craig dismisses Gerald Ittenbach,(35), charter member of the beloved Carolina Pines. Gerald had
gotten about four months behind and he had gotten behind in two other seasons, I miss Gerald very much and wish him well.
“At the moment, Steve Walters has been the only person to toss his hat into the ring in the up-coming (Commissioner) election,” Craig
wrote. “Unless another candidate steps forward, and barring any great opposition by league membership, Steve will be our new
Commissioner, January 1, 1985.
H - 27
The idea of league presidents has received mixed opinions. The major drawback, according to those opposing it, is a possible
communication gap between the Commissioner and the two Presidents. In most instances, a quick decision is necessary to put out a
fire in league activities. However, for the most part, managers that have responded have been impressed by the league prez proposal.”
Impressed or not, I was disappointed that Craig did not call for a vote on the Proposals and was again suggesting yet another
unsanctioned transfer of power from him to Steve. It was essential to get the Proposals passed and then call for Commissioner and
Presidential elections. Steve felt the same way, but Craig, perhaps beset by other personal problems, did not act. In fact, Craig’s entire
leadership style was to wait problems out; to see if the disputes could work out a solution between themselves so he wouldn’t have to.
That style was probably best in his first term, but now, it served to hold the FBNBA back. His laid-back style made his “quick
decision” comments ironic.
Craig advances a scheduling idea that we would adopt for 1985. Until 1985 teams in the same league but in different divisions played
each other as much as they did teams from the other league. To make pennant races more fair, it was suggested that inner-league cross
divisional teams play each other 12 times. Inter-league games would be curbed to 6 games per team.
November 1984
Now, the story you’ve been waiting for! The Greatest dispute in FBNBA history! It all erupts this month between Steve Walters and
C.J. Shull, who played the first and later nullified NL Championship Series at C.J.’s St. Charles home.
First, the official version of the controversy from Craig’s November newsletter:
“In the… series between Steve Walters and C.J. Shull, there was a controversy dealing with the use of the Infield-In strategy with a
runner on first, in a sacrifice situation…”
Steve won Game 1. In game 2, in the first inning Bill Doran lead off for the W.C. Fielders with a single. Steve brought the Infield-In
to cut down C.J.’s sacrifice chances. C.J. then insisted you couldn’t bring the Infield-In unless there was a runner on 3b. C.J. was
obviously ignorant of advanced SOM rules, because in several different places in the rules, including right on the advanced Sacrifice
chart, it is clear that you can bring the Infield-In anytime you want. It was also obvious that C.J. had been playing that particular part
of the game wrong for years.
Steve showed C.J. the rules and the chart, but C.J. said he would protest the game if he lost if Steve were allowed to bring the InfieldIn without a runner on 3b. At this time, both managers agreed to go to Craig for a ruling. Steve was confident Craig knew the rules
and was confident Craig would rule against C.J.
Don’t count your chickens Steve! Let’s go back to Craig’s official account.
“The managers involved called me at work for a decision… and drawing in what information I had via the Review, I ruled that a
manager may not move his infield in without a runner on 3b.”
Omigosh! Craig had relied on a crazy, inaccurate ruling from the September Review which said you couldn’t bring the Infield in
without a runner on 3b. What Craig didn’t know was that the Review, after being deluged with letters pointing out its error, corrected
itself in its next issue - October 1984. You can indeed play your infield in without a runner on 3b!
The moral of this story - don’t trust the stupid SOM Review!
Final stats are published; the only stats the FBNBA gets in 1984. This is the only time in history that no statistics are published during
the season.
Now back to Steve and C.J.’s first NL pennant series! Steve knew Craig had made an incorrect ruling because Steve had read the
Review’s correction in the October Issue. But, Steve couldn’t prove it because the October Review issue was at his Potosi home and
C.J. did not have a copy.
Steve told C.J. Craig was wrong, but C.J. insisted on playing under Craig’s ruling. Steve then told C.J. that if he lost, he would protest
to Craig - just as C.J. had told Steve earlier, before Craig ruled. (C.J. says Steve never told him he would protest.) What a mess.
Steve and C.J. played the rest of the series and C.J. won 4 games to 1. From all I’ve studied, Steve lost at least three games as a direct
result of Craig’s ruling - all 1 or 2 run ballgames and all full sacrifices that Steve could not defend against;
Let’s go back to Craig’s report:
“… Steve filed a protest, citing a retraction of the earlier (Infield in) rule interpretation made by the Review. Unfortunately, I did not
possess a copy of this issue, so I was forced to make may decision based on the information I had at the time. The decision I made was
in error, but the two managers continued to play the series. Only after the series was completed was a protest filed. If Steve had his
doubts regarding my decision about the use of Infield in a sacrifice situation, he should have discontinued further that point, or filed a
protest at the end of that game and discontinued further play until the controversy was resolved. Therefore, I will not allow Steve’s
protest and the games will stand, with the W.C. Fielders advancing to the World Series against Illinois.
I regret having to make a decision like this. But, this controversy not only involves a rule interpretation (granted, which was wrong),
but also encompasses good sportsmanship. Unfortunately, it is situations like this which take away a lot of fun from this game
(remember, this is only a game?)”
To buttress his ruling, Craig sends all managers copies of a letter Bruce Kutler had written to Steve, C.J. and Craig in support of
H - 28
Craig’s position. Bruce was enraged that Craig printed his letter, saying he never game Craig permission to print it. We’ll hear more
about that in December.
Craig’s ruling was unfortunate. It officially blessed errors if you could get away with it or if you could get the Commissioner’s
sanction. Craig also said Steve never protested until the series was finished, which wasn’t true Steve told C.J. before Game 2 was over that he was protesting if he lost. Also, in real-life baseball, you play games under protest - you
don’t stop them in midstream.
Steve has been criticized for continuing to play such an important series under rules that he knew were wrong. That is Steve’s one and
only error in this whole thing. And he covered himself there by notifying C.J. that he would protest if he lost. Steve had just driven
several hours to get to C.J.’s home and probably did not want to waste the trip. Who knows what any other manager might have done
in a similar situation? Thank God we have a protest procedure outlined in the Constitution now that will cover situations like this. We
didn’t have one then and that exacerbated last November’s crisis.
Craig also accused Steve of poor sportsmanship. What a joke that was. Steve was only trying to play the game by the rules and he was
a poor sport?
It’s also interesting to note that C.J. offered to replay the series several days before Craig’s ruling came out. After the ruling, C.J.
backed out of the replay agreement. Who is the bad sport now?
December 1984
Craig Haines’ second Commissionership is rumbling to a ridiculous conclusion. Perhaps debilitated by the C.J. - Steve crisis, Craig
does not put the Presidential Proposals up for an official vote as he said he would do in the November newsletter. So, Mike and I, with
Craig’s permission, send out postcard voting forms on our own. Mike and I also ask the FBNBA to approve Steve Walters as the new
Commissioner for 1985. Both votes pass overwhelmingly - 14-1. A new day has dawned in the FBNBA!
Now back to the continuing C.J. - Steve calamity. Steve contacts most of the managers in the FBNBA and finds that a majority of
them think the games should be replayed. Steve sends Craig voluminous letters supporting his position and virtually ripping Craig’s
position to shreds.
Craig refuses to change his ruling, calling Steve ‘a poor loser.” C.J. says he only offered to play the series over so Craig could avoid
making a ruling in the first place. How noble. And how stupid since Craig went ahead and issued a edict anyway!
Bruce Kutler, outraged because Craig printed his confidential letter, sends out an apology to all FBNBA managers: “… I was surprise
to see a copy of the letter I sent to Steve, regarding his protest, in the newsletter. I did not authorize Craig to publish the letter… Also,
by publishing the letter, it gives the distinct impression that my letter was the decision maker in the controversy. I hope this was not
the case.
Indeed, since Bruce was about the only manager not involved to support Craig’s ruling, Bruce’s letter may have been all Craig had
going for him! Back to Bruce’s letter:
“…. Why do we all play Strat-O-Matic? I play the game for fun and to make friends. From talking with some of you, it seems the fun
is gone and enemies are being made.
I hope that after Steve takes over…. and the election of the league presidents are made, the fun of Strat-O-Matic can be restored. I also
hope the restructuring of the league will prevent controversies like this one from developing to the magnitude that this one has.”
From the tone of Bruce’s letter, you can tell that this crisis had affected the FBNBA more than anything since the Black Hole. Bruce
was right - enemies were being made. Steve and Craig, never to cordial anyway, were on the outs and a lot of people were getting very
leery of C.J. Shull.
This was a trying time for the FBNBA and once again, the generally high quality managers we have pulled us through. During this
time, I was depressed and I think many other managers were too. I was worried that the Presidential Proposals might get side-tracked
and I was also worried about bad precedent Craig’s ruling might set.
Trying to explain the behavior of C.J. through all this is difficult, because I really can’t figure out why he acted like he did. Before all
this happened, he was a respected, energetic and smart manager. In fact, Craig had just announced that C.J. had been voted NL
Manager of the Year! It should be noted however that most of the voting took place before the true story of the C.J. - Steve crisis
became known.
In the AL, I won my first ever Manager of the Year award. Thank you muchly!
C.J. tells Steve he can’t replay the series because it would set a bad precedent for the FBNBA. C.J. said four other managers agreed
with him.
Steve had C.J. on that one. As I said earlier, Steve had contacted most of the association’s managers. Once Steve explained what really
happened, the only manager Steve could find supporting C.J. was Bruce Kutler. C.J. was squirming again, much as he had during his
earlier dispute with Mike Kostek.
H - 29
With Craig unyielding and C.J.’s replay offer off the table, it appeared that Steve was out of luck. With Steve assuming the
Commissionerhip himself in a month, he would have to obey Craig’s authority so people would respect his own Commissionership.
Believe it or not, there were other things going on in the FBNBA during this time. Craig finally announced the dismissal of Ken
Risner as Orangeville Wolverine Manager. He’s number (36) to go.
Meanwhile folks, the first 1984, World Series is played between the W.C. Fielders and Illinois Aces. C.J. wins in four straight games.
I had decided, like Steve, that the Commissioner’s rule had to be followed. The Presidential Proposals, while passed, will not go into
effect until January 1985, so there was no legal recourse - I felt obligated to participate in what was then a legitimate World Series.
Craig’s last few months in office were not good, with his handling of the C.J. - Steve crisis being the chief reason. The pain that
episode was causing and would continue to cause into 1985 really gave the FBNBA a real downer. Still, Craig’s second term up until
that time had been relatively successful. And no one can doubt his Herculean efforts in past years - he virtually kept the FBNBA
together during Dave Smith’s flight form responsibility. The FBNBA owes Craig a lot and we will probably need his help again
someday. He is my friend.
It’s been suggested by some managers that Craig’s former close friendship with C.J. Shull, who was involved in the two biggest
disputes of 1984 was part of the reason Craig slumped. It could’ve been. C.J. certainly caused the FBNBA a lot of problems and who
knows how influential he was on Craig in 1983-84.
Craig and C.J. are anything but friends now. C.J. is divorced from his wife and Craig is living in C.J.’s old St. Charles home!
One thing I forgot to report earlier. C.J. did make history in another way in 1984 - his Fielder pitcher Joe Niekro threw a no-hitter
against the Holland Hawkman in August. That was the first FBNBA no-hitter since 1976 and only the third no-hitter in association
history.
Craig writes a classy abdication speech in the December newsletter: “This issue marks the end of my time as commissioner of the
FBNBA and the beginning of a new league commissioner/presidents era under the guidance of Steve Walters. We have a chance to
start anew in 1985. So, my last request as commissioner of the FBNBA is for everyone to forget any past differences with other
managers and start with a clean slate. After all, this is a game that we all enjoy and the friendships that we make as a result of SOM
and the FBNBA are very special indeed. Any differences in opinion are minute in comparison.
Please give Steve the same excellent support that was given me and let’s try to make 1985 the best year yet in the 11-year life of the
FBNBA!!!”
PENNANT RACES:
Illinois again, but the team had changed a bit. Lance Parrish caught Ray Burris, John Candelari, Frank DiPino, Pete Ladd, Charlie Lea,
Jesse Orosco, Dan Petry, Ron Reed, Paul Spittorrff and Dan Schatzeder.
Other players - Dave Bergman, Steve Braun, Damaso Garcia, George Hendrick, Keith Hernandez, Ed Jurak, Carney Lansford, Dale
Murphy, Graig Nettles, Lenn Sakata, Alan Wiggins, Dave Winfield, John Wockenfuss, Robin Yount.
Steve’s Gladiators again for the NL Pennant. His team had changed too, but on paper, it was the greatest team ever assembled against
left-handed pitching.
Tony Pena caught Keith Atherton, Jim Beattie, Bill Dawley, John Denny, Pete Filson, George Frazier, Ron Guidry, Neal Heaton,
Mike Jeffcoat and Dave Steib.
Other players - Bobby Brown, Brett Butler, Andre Dawson, Bobby Grich, Ricky Henderson, Tom Herr, Jeff Leonard, John
Lowenstein, Eddie Murray, Mike Schmidt, Ozzie Smith, Any VannSlyke.
Illinois slugged it out with Jupiter, but the Hellbillies again took the AL East crown. Galactic rolled to another NL West crown.
Chicago and Hibbling had a hell of a fight, with Don Gluamc edging Craig in the last month of the season in the Al West.
W.C. led for the entire year in the NL East.
Final 1984 records
Jupiter
Illinois
Muir’s
Florida
Won
110
104
77
56
Lost
52
58
85
106
GB
--6
33
54
PCT
.679
.642
.475
.346
Hibbing
Chicago
East Meadow
Grand Fuzz
Won
102
99
70
61
Lost
60
63
92
101
GB
--3
32
41
PCT
.630
.611
.432
.377
W.C. Fielders
Cary
America’s Team
Holland Hawkmen
Won
91
89
65
45
Lost
71
73
97
117
GB
--2
26
46
PCT
.562
.549
.401
.278
Galactic
TEEM
Carolina
Orangeville
Won
110
96
84
36
Lost
52
66
78
126
GB
--14
26
74
PCT
.679
.593
.519
.222
H - 30
January 1985
Mike Ewing - Eastown Evil Dead - 27, Mark graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from Aquinas College. He works as an
assembler for a company that makes General Motors parts.
Rob Bruno - Mystic Red Skins - 35, an insurance salesman for Liberty Mutual.
Peter Stein - New York Grey Sox - 22, a bookkeeper.
Debra Cope - Dragons - An inventory clerk. Deb has a B.A. in Spanish.
This really brings us up-to-date in the FBNBA saga. Most of you know what happens from here on in, so I won’t make this part of the
history that detailed, except for the rest of the C.J. - Steve portion.
1985 so far is a smooth running affair. The Presidential Proposals are working and most managers seem happy.
The races are on! Becky Waters and Scott Ellis run for AL President, while Bob Cebelak and Bruce Kutler run for NL President.
In typical Steve Walters’ style, Steve proposes seven new things for 1985:
1 Biographies of each manager.
2 Expansion to 20 teams (long a Steve Walters goal).
3 Revising the Infield In Rule.
4 Proposing playoff game relief pitcher restrictions.
5 Doing away with the 10% AB and IP rule (another of Steve’s longtime goals).
6 Changing the schedule ala Craig Haines suggestion reported in the late 1984 section of this history.
7 Modifying slightly the even-round drafting procedures.
Burke Ittenbach leaves the Cary Cardinals and becomes the (37), FBNBA casualty. Burke leaves to found the Sportsman Baseball
League, of which his father Gerald becomes a charter member.
Burke was one of the most honest managers I’ve ever known. A real steady guy. We will miss him and I wish him well. Burke was
greatly depressed over the C.J. - Steve dispute and his Dad had just been bounced from the FBNBA. I think those two things caused
him to quit.
Steve appoints three new managers. Robert Bruno takes over the Orangeville franchise and renames his team the Mystic Red Skins.
Mark Ewing assumes the Carolina Pines and renames the club the Eastown Evil Dead.
Peter Stein takes the Cary club and calls his new team the New York Grey Sox.
I don’t know if C.J. finally felt guilty or what, but this month he called Steve and made a firm offer to replay the 1984, NL Pennant
Series. Steve again accepted and the two finally got together at Steve’s home on January 20, where the Gladiators won in six games.
If C.J. had won again, I don’t think it would have been right to replay the World Series. But since a new team was involved, Steve and
I felt we had to replay the 1984 World Series too. We would do that in March.
February 1985
Scott Ellis is elected AL President and Bob Cebelak named NL President. We thank you kindly.
Here’s what passes on our other January votes:
1. Biographies overwhelmingly passed.
2. Expansion for 1986 passes 10-6.
3. Managers overwhelmingly vote to keep 10% limitation rule.
4. Infield In rule is defeated, but Steve installs new Infield In rule in the FBNBA Constitution that is similar.
5. New playoff relief rules pass overwhelmingly.
6. New leagues schedules pass overwhelmingly.
7. New even round draft rules also pass by huge margin.
Steve installs a new protest procedure in the new FBNBA Constitution. This finally establishes a official protesting procedure something we so sorely needed just three months earlier. I helped write this new procedure.
Two more suggestions are voted on for 1985. One would allow players to be injured for up to 15 games and the other was to adopt
SOM’s super advanced stealing rules. Both are voted down, with the injury idea getting a 14-2 thumbs town. The super advance
stealing rule failed by the closest possible vote 8-8. It’s clear that we will probably vote on this one again next year, so get ready for a
big battle!
Steve also installs a new two card player rule. Managers with two card players will now use both cards instead of only the one with the
most AB’s or IP’s.
H - 31
March 1985
Throughout March and April, Steve will discuss various expansion formats for 1986. It will finally be decided that established teams
will cut to 15 players to give the expansion teams a pre-draft pool from which to stage their own expansion draft.
The FBNBA first telephone draft goes off without a hitch on March 31 at my home. In attendance were me, Steve and Becky, Craig
Haines, Mike Kostek and Mike English.
But just days before the draft, C.J. drops his last FBNBA bombshell - he resigns from the association, citing personal reasons. He’s
number (38) to go.
I just saw an ad in the latest SOM Review where C.J. is selling his entire SOM card collection. C.J. what happened?
Debra Cope takes over C.J.’s team and renames it the Dragons.
New divisional alignments in the NL. Eastown goes from the NL West to the NL East and the Grey Sox go from the NL East to the
NL West.
Well, that ends the narrative portion of the FBNBA’s history. There’s been fun, excitement, hatred, envy, completion, crisis and more
in our leagues the past 11 years. Hey, sounds a little like a real-life baseball league doesn’t it?
During the C.J.-Steve fight, many managers asked me why it was happening? Couldn’t they see this was only a game and wasn’t that
important?
Well, the FBNBA is a gaming club and it isn’t as important as our jobs or family of course. But, it is important or we wouldn’t be in it
and we wouldn’t complete so hard. The reasons we argue and that C.J., Craig and Steve argued so much is because the FBNBA has
meaning and reality for us. We’ve all put a lot of years into this thing and we’re all concerned about what goes on.
I really wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m proud to be a part of the FBNBA. It’s one of the best leagues around.
Onward and upward and watch out for the Aces!
No written history was taken down until 1998. Dave Sanborn offers to write the history of the league but, Dave becomes to busy so I
decide to take up the challenge.
1985 (continued by Rob Bruno in December 1998)
There are 32 trades made before and during the 1985 season. The first trade I made was a boner. I knew nothing of e-ratings because I
had only played the basic game. I wanted a 2 at short so I send Mike Smithson and UL Washington to Eastown for Mike Thurmond
and Houston Jiminez (2e31 at short). In my second trade I send Tim Foli to Mud Hens for Brian Dayett. Next, D. Walker to Jupiter
for D.Thon. Finally, D. Thon back to Jupiter for J.Agosta. These trades were all made by June. I decide I’m not a good GM at this
point and stop making trades.
The Season….
Illinois Aces
Jupiter Hellbillies
Florida Express
Muir’s Mud Hens
Won
104
90
78
60
Lost
58
72
84
102
GB
--14
26
44
PCT
.642
.556
.481
.370
Chicago Blue Chippers
Hibbing Icicles
Grand Fuzz
East Meadow Mustang
Won
101
86
70
70
Lost
61
76
92
92
GB
--15
31
31
PCT
.623
.530
.432
.432
Holland Hawkmen
Eastown Evil Dead
Dragons
American’s Team
Won
87
86
81
60
Lost
75
76
81
102
GB
--1
6
27
PCT
.537
.530
.500
.370
Galactic
TEEM
New York Grey Sox
Mystic Red Skins
Won
103
93
73
54
Lost
59
69
89
108
GB
--10
30
49
PCT
.636
.574
.451
.333
American League All-Star Team
catcher: Lance Parrish (Illinois)
firstbase: Kent Hrebek (Chicago)
secondbase: Ryne Sandberg (Grand Fuzz)
shortstop: Jackie Guiterrez (Mud Hens)
thirdbase: Buddy Bell (Chicago)
outfielders: Harold Baines (Chicago)
Dale Murphy (Illinois)
Jim Rice (Jupiter)
Rookie of the Year: Juan Samuel (Jupiter)
Fireman of the Year: Bill Caudill (East Meadow)
National League All-Star Team
catcher: Gary Carter (New York)
firstbase: Eddie Murray (Galactic)
secondbase: M.Barrett (Holland)
shortstop: Cal Ripken (Dragons)
thirdbase: Mike Schmidt (Galactic)
outfielders: Don Mattingly (Holland)
Tony Armas (Eastown)
Chili Davis (Dragons)
DH: Tim Raines (TEEM)
Starter: Bert Blyleven (Galactic)
H - 32
Relief: Oril Hershiser (Holland)
Cy Young: Rick Sutcliffe (Mud Hens)
Most Valuable Player: Harold Baines (Chicago)
Manager of the Year: Craig Haines (Chicago)
Most Valuable Player: Don Mattingly (Holland)
Cy Young: Bert Blyleven (Galactic)
The 1985 Playoffs….
American League: Hibbing wins over Illinois in 7 games. Chicago defeats Jupiter in 5. In the ALCS Chicago defeats Hibbing in 5.
National League: Galactic sweeps Eastown. TEEM takes Holland in 5. In the NLCS Galactic defeats TEEM in 6.
Chicago and Galactic move onto the World Series.
World Series…..
Steve Walters and his three time World Series Championship team Galactic was to face Chicago. It was charter members, Craig
Haines first trip to the World Series in his 13 year career. The series opened at Gladiator Stadium with both managers trying to
surprise the other when they each pass three 20 game winners. Craig passes over Bill Gullickson (20-8), Mario Soto (21-9) and Mike
Witt (20-7). Steve counters by skipping over Bert Blyleven (22-8), Mike Boddicker (22-11) and Dave Stieb (20-12).
Game 1: Alejandro Pena (13-10) Vs John Denny (10-10). Galactic got a quick one run lead in the first as Schmidt grounded into a DP
with the bases loaded, but Chicago won going away 6 to 1 on Lezcano’s two run homer in the second Bell’s solo shot in the 5th,
Baines double, error by Denny and ground ball out by Sundberg in the 7th and back to back homers by Lezcano and Baines in the 8th.
Chicago 6 - 9 - 2 (WP) Pena
Galactic 1 - 4 - 2 (LP) Denny
Game 2: Soto Vs Stieb. The Blue Chippers home run bats were booming again as Baines gave Chicago a 1 run lead in the 2nd with a
solo homer. Chicago add another run in the 4th on a BB to Bell, double by Sundberg and a ground out by Gladden. Lezcano hit his 3rd
homer of the series in the 8th to make it 3-0. Galactic finally scored its only run in the 8th on Murray’s bases empty home run.
Chicago 3 - 7 - 0 (WP) Soto
Galactic 1 - 5 - 0 (LP) Stieb
Game 3: The series moves to Chicago with the Blue Chippers holding a 2 - 0 game lead. Starting for Chicago is Gullickson and
Galactic sends out Boddicker. The Gladiators score first in the 3rd when Templeton makes an error on Smiths grounder. Smith would
score on a double by Henderson. Galactic makes it 2-0 in the 5th as Henderson singles and scores on Murray’s triple. Chicago scores
what turns out as their only run in the 6th on a single by Gladden, a hit and run single by Randolph and an RBI double by Corcoran.
Each team had a runner cut down at the plate. Phelps is injured for the next three games. Galactic holds on to win 2-1.
Galactic 2 - 7 - 0 (WP) Boddicker (Save) Frazier
Chicago 1 - 7 - 1 (LP) Gullickson
Game 4: A rematch of game one Pena Vs Denny. Galactic put game 4 away early scoring 3 runs in the second on a single by Schmidt,
a double by Grich, who was playing for the injured Phelps, a single by Washington, Washington steals 2nd and Smith adds a single for
and RBI. Chicago will make it close in the 4th when Lezcano singles and Baines hits his 3rd home run of the series. Galactic adds a run
in the 7th when Washington singles and steals 2nd. Pena drops down a perfect sac bunt moving Washington to 3rd setting up a sac fly by
White. In the 8th Henderson walks and steals second. With 2 outs Schmidt works the count for a walk. Goose Gossage comes in relief
for Pena and Grich greets him with and RBI single. Galactic ties the series at 2.
Galactic 5 - 8 - 1 (WP) Denny
Chicago 2 - 9 - 0 (LP) Pena
Game 5: Soto Vs Stieb. “Baseball fans were treated to a historical day as the first no-hitter in F-B-NBA World Series history occurred
in game 5. Dave Stieb completely over - powered the Blue Chippers with a NO HIT NO RUN game fanning 11 while walking 3. On
the hitting side Galactic scored 5 runs highlighted by 4 solo homers by Grich (2), White and Leonard all off of Soto who allowed only
6 hits.
Galactic 5 - 6 - 1 (WP) Stieb
Chicago 0 - 0 - 0 (LP) Soto
Game 6: The series goes back to Gladiator Stadium with Galactic up 3 games to one. The Blue Chippers behind Gullickson come back
from the no hitter to cream Galactic and Boddicker 11 to 3. Chicago’s 15 hit attack was headed by Hrbek’s 2nd homer of the series and
Lezcano’s 4th.
H - 33
Chicago 11 - 15 - 0 (WP) Gullickson
Galactic 3 - 5 - 1 (LP) Boddicker
Game 7: Three-peat; Pena Vs Denny each with 1-1 records. Galactic takes the lead in the 1st with a single by Henderson. Henderson
moves to 3rd on a single by Murray and scores on a sac fly by Leonard. The Blue Chippers will take the lead back in the 4th when
Hrbek singles and Lezcano’s hits his 5th home run of the series. Down 2-1, Galactic comes back in the 5th on a double by White a sac
by Smith and a sac fly by VanSlyke, who came into the game to replace Henderson who was injured in the 3rd, to tie the game. With
two outs Murray singles and steals second. Then he scores on and RBI double by Leonard. In the top of the 9th Chicago gets a lead off
single by Hrbek but Lezcano fans and Baines grounds out into a double play to end the game. Denny made the one run lead stand as
he allowed only 3 base runners to reach base, all singles, over the rest of the game.
Chicago 2 - 5 - 0 (LP) Pena
Galactic 3 - 9 - 0 (WP) Denny
Series Notes: “ This series was played by Bob Cebelak with help from Mark Ewing. “MVP - In an unusual move, Sixto Lezcano was
chosen as MVP for his 5 HR, 10 RBI series. Stieb’s no hitter deserved consideration, but he lost game #2. Lezcano had a HR in all 3
Chicago wins and one in the deciding 7th game.” Unanimous choice for least valuable player was Templeton, who went hitless for 7
games, made two errors, and didn’t even get on base except for an error. Eddie Murray was the most consistent Galactic hitter, though
his HR’s came in losses. Galactic wins series despite being outscored 25 runs to 20 runs overall due to 6th game blowout.” The only
game won by the home team in the entire series was the 7th and deciding game.”
1986 (by Rob Bruno December 1998)
The league started 1986, with out David Vinson of America’s Team and Mike English of Jupiter as they resigned bringing the total to
40, the number of members that have left the FBNBA. The new managers are Marty Tober of Ancient City and (OH NO) Tom Angel
of Florida Express. Steve makes changes to league alignments without asking anyone if they would mind the change. I get moved to
the NL West. As a second year member I don’t say anything about the move because I don’t know if this is something that just
happens from year to year. But then I get phone calls from Craig Haines and Bob Cebelak telling me they feel sorry for me. “Steve
should not have moved you around without asking you first.” I get PO’ed and call Steve on it. Steve explains why he did it. Bruce
Fogg was put into the NL West and we would be able to play more games against each other. It made sense. While on the phone with
Steve, Becky, his wife gets on the phone and tells me rather then just complaining about things why not run for president and get
involved with the league. I decide to take her up on it.
The FBNBA expanded to 20, teams in 1986. The new managers were Bruce Fogg of the Lake Eire Lime Sox, NL West, Jeff Merklin
rejoined the FBNBA as the owner of the Yorktown Admirals, NL East, Jim Ferguson of Lake Wobegon Whippets, AL East and John
Lamanna manager of Goldenrod Gators AL West.
Scott Ellis runs again for AL President and wins while in the NL I beat out…. Becky Walters for the NL Presidents job. My career in
FBNBA politics has begun!
I also change my team name from Mystic Red Skins to Bruno’s Red Skins. I don’t know if that got me any more votes.
April 6, 1986
The Fly By Night Baseball Association 1986, Draft Day! After twelve rounds and 230 players later the ’86, draft was completed.
There were five league members in attendance, Scott Ellis, Jim Ferguson, Mike Kostek, Becky and Steve Walters. The draft started on
time at 01:00 PM with the number one pick by Galactic being Vince Coleman. Excitement as well as anticipation were high for the
first few hours. “It was still OK after 6 to 7 hours” said Commissioner Walters. “By the 8th and 9th hour things were definitely
dragging. The 10th & 11 hours were at best a pain as the draft was finally completed at 12:50 AM on April 7, 1986.
The Draft. Round One: 1. Galactic-Vince Coleman. 2. Yorktown-Ollibe McDowell. 3. Golden Rod-Jose Canseco. 4. Lake Wobegon
Shawon Dunston. 5. Bruno’s-Ozzie Guillen. 6. Danny Jackson. 7. Mariano Duncan. 8. Brian Fisher. 9. Scott Garrelts. 10. Glen Davis.
11. Floyd Youmans. 12. Rick Reuschel. 13. Tom Browning. 14. Ivan Calderon. 15. Jose Rijo. 16. Ted Higuera. 17. Joe Hesketh. 18.
Mitch Webster. 19. Galactic-Roger McDowell. 20. Don Carman. Round Two: 26. YA - Danny Tartabull (no-card), 31. Br’s - Ed
Lynch. Round Three: 42. LW - Tim Hulett. 43. Lake Erie - Kevin Bass. 44. YA - Curt Stillwell (NC). 45. Br’s - Mark Salas. Round
Four: 67. YA - Joel Skinner (nc). 69. LW-Barry Bonds (nc). 71. Bruno’s-Stu Cliburn. 74. Bruno’s-Henry Cotto. Round Five: 81. LEDarnell Coles (nc). 82. YA - Ted Simmons. 84. LW - Glen Braggs (nc). 85. Bruno’s - Paul Householder. 91. Br’s - Ron Robinson.
Expansion seems to be going smoothly, well that’s what most of the league thought. It’s not until September that a draft day mistake
becomes know by the rest of us in the FBN and it blows up in Steve’s face.
I start to hear grumbling from two camps…. the “For Steve” or in favor of Steve and the Steve is a dictator and must go group.
Rumors start that something fishy happened during the draft. At this point I have no idea what’s going on. (I know, I still don’t know
what’s going on. LOL)
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Newsletter April 21, 1986 Issue #5.
This was the first year that ballpark ratings were used. Each team was allowed to build its own ballpark. All the ballparks were listed
in the April newsletter. It was also announced that a change of 5 increase or decrease would be allowed each year.
Bruce Fogg’s first trade in the FBNBA was sending his #1, 2, and 3 draft picks to Galactic for B.Butler, B.Burns, B.Grich, P.Filson
and Galactic’s #3.
Jim Ferguson’s first trade was with Galactic. Lake Wobegon received M.Boddicker and N.Heaton for LW#2 draft pick.
Other Preseason Trading was 8 trades where 26 players changed uniforms.
A question on the new stealing system was explained by Steve.
Rich Vioral moved and gave us his new address.
Mark Ewing has informed me (Steve Walters) that Joe (Mr. Galactic) Morgan has announced his retirement for the FBNBA. In the
press conference held early today Galactic Gladiators GM Steven M. Walters announced that Joe will be returning to Galactic as the
Premier Radio Broadcaster beaming throughout the Galaxy over the 50,000,000,000 watt station WGAL. Joe will be joined this year
by another All-time Gladiator Great Johnny Bench. Both were recent electees to Galactic Hall Of Fame.
Newsletter: May 31, Issue #6.
Steve says by now everyone should have a copy of the 1985 Yearbook. This is the first FBNBA yearbook in a long time, but the first
of many more to come. Good luck to everyone. Have a great season. (1998 NOTE: We receive only the NL half of the 1986 year book
that I put together in 1986. The FBNBA will not see another year book again.)
Marty Toder has resigned from the FBNBA, #41. At this point in the season Marty informed me that he had not played any home
games citing lack of time because of his job as well as other S-O-M interests.
The new manager of this franchise is Jeff Eli, of Dawson Springs, KY. Jeff will be taking over the team’s functions with the start of
series 8.
Losing games on purpose
There was a rumor that a manager was losing games on purpose to get a better draft position. This was not true. But the manager had
joked on the phone with another manager that his team was so bad he should just lose and the other manager took him serious. Steve
writes “if it is clear to me at the conclusion of the season that any manager has purposely thrown games in order to acquire a better
drafting position I as the commissioner will simply not allow he or she to draft ahead of anyone! I’m sure no league has a need for a
manager who’s goal is losing.” (1998 NOTE: As you can see the FBNBA still needed to grow up.)
Voting month was to be in August of ’86, so Steve asks the league to send in idea’s to help improve the FBNBA for coming season.
Newsletter June 30, Issue #7
Bob Cebelak, announces to the league that he will be leaving the FBNBA at the end of the season. He will be #42 to leave and the first
of the “Steve must go” group to decide to move on. The new manager of Bob’s franchise will be Dave Gineo. Steve announces that
Dave will now be responsible for trades made by this franchise. (The Connecticut contingent is now three.)
Steve also announces that Jeff Eli has informed the league that his home ball park will be the same configuration as Chicago’s
Wrigely Field.
The election for 1987, NL and AL Presidents will be voted on soon. Steve tells us that any manager that would like to run should send
a write up to be published in the Newsletter stating reasons why they feel he or she would be the best person for the job.
We also have 5 items to be voted on. They range from adding HBP, Sacrifice, SF, WP, PB, OBP to the stat’s list, a pickoff chart, to
either keep rule that allows outfielders to play out of position or to repeal it, to drafting noncarded players (note: in the 1986 draft only
the expansion managers could draft noncarded players (This became a ‘white elephant’ for Steve) and to increase rosters to 30.
Newsletter September 10, Issue #8
First newsletter in 2 ½ months. (NOTE: We now get a newsletter every two weeks during the season and Roland complained in 1996
when one newsletter was a week late! PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! ☺)
Ten trades are made involving I think Dave Gineo’s first. Dave sent J.Davis, Mark Bailey, D.Pasqua, T.Phillips and Holland’s #4 pick
to Florida for R.Rhoden, J.Gantner, K.Landreauz and B.Schroeder.
Next, seven trades involving 21, players and 5 draft picks made by Scott Ellis is listed. Right below these trades Steve writes….
Long time FBNBA Member calls it Quits
As most of you know AL President/Manager Scott Ellis quit the league recently. His official announcement was: “Today, I’m
30 years old. The jig is up. I quit.” (#43) When I questioned him on what this statement meant, Scott said that S-O-M was taking up
much too much of his time and he wanted to spend more time with his family and other activities. Now that he was 30 years old he
had no time for a kids game. The average age of the FBNBA member is 31.
The new manager of the Illinois franchise would be Lance Noble, of Fort Collins, CO. He took over the team for trades only
immediately. Teams that did not already receive RI for the Illinois games, Steve had them play the games with EI.
H - 35
I never found out way Scott quit the league for sure but I always felt it was to keep his friendship with Steve because the “For Steve”
ship was sinking faster then the “Titanic” and Scott didn’t want to side against his friend.
Comments from league members on the voting items were very interesting…. These are comments about drafting noncarded players.
NO, No, No….. this is a game based on the SOM cards as they are… allowing uncarded players will defeat the purpose…..(Merk)
No, No, No…. I feel drafting of noncarded players was a bad move to start with. It seems that his rule has been the cause of some hard
feelings between owner’s. I hope we vote to drop it now. (Bruno)
My team is ----. I have no way to deal it back to the level of the rest of the league. The draft is my only hope. A strong team will
deplete the draft. A rule like this will guarantee that a team like mine will never have a chance. This will also lead to a higher manager
turnover rate as people like me eventually get frustrated and quit. I’m not threatening but after a few years of no hope it would be to
frustrating! (Lamanna)
“As I sit typing these comments I cannot get over how negative the majority of managers are. I think this is what’s taken so much of
the fun out of the league this year. (eaw) (eaw a.k.a. Becky Walters. You have to remember that Steve has been taking heat over noncarded player selections by expansion managers on draft day. Something had gone wrong and Becky was probably upset that Steve
was being attack. The only positive feedback was…..
I could live with it or without it. (Kostek)…. (if you call that positive.) At the end of this newsletter the uninformed now will be told
the story about draft day.
PROTEST FILED
A protest was received from Jeff Merklin on resulting commissioner decision made by the commissioner on April 16, 1986. Although
this decision was made over 4 months ago there is no rule against protesting this type of decision at any time in the future. The
decision was made regarding manager John Lamanna not reaching the required number of innings pitch and AB requirement for each
position by the end of the draft.
The procedure for a Protest is (see Constitution). The protest was filed against the commissioner thus he is out. AL President Scott
Ellis has resigned from the league effective August 18th. Thus the Presidents can not reach a decision. The result is that this issue is
now thrown open to a vote by managers to decide the issue.
Here are the facts and why the commissioner made the decision he did on April 16, 1986: The rules state “Each team must have
1400IP and 550 AB per position.” At the end of the draft despite checks to Mr. Lamanna and our own record keeping during the draft,
Mr. Lamanna’s team finished short 77 AB and 128 IP of the required amount.
The draft lasted approximately 9 hours after 140 picks and 8 hours later, the commissioner discovered that Mr. Lamanna had been
drafting under the assumption that he only needed 10% less than the 1400IP and 500AB and that the 10% rule would be applied to
totals drafted to bring AB and IP totals to required levels. Under this scenario Mr. Lamanna did comply. Mr. Lamanna stated that he
misunderstood a telephone conversation between himself and the commissioner, regarding this subject, earlier in the week before the
draft. Mr. Lamanna had done nothing personally wrong to bring about the IP and AB shortage as far as the commissioner could
determine. In America the accused is innocent until proven guilty. I as the commissioner could not prove any wrong doings. It was
simply a case of misunderstanding coupled by poor record keeping during the draft.
Problem: Mr. Lamanna’s team was short 77AB and 128IP. The Rules and Regulations require this to be met.. How to meet the rule
requirements without penalty to an innocent manager.
Solution: A temporary trade involving 2 noncarded players for 2 carded players to fulfill the AB and IP requirements for this year yet
allowing the manager to keep all players he acquired during the draft by reversing the trades following the conclusion of the season.
Results: Mr. Lamanna’s team now met the requirements stated in the rules and regulations. Mr. Lamanna was not punished in any way
since it could not be proven that any wrong doing had taken place.
Vote
Yes, keep things as they are.
No, change ruling. If you vote no please send a suggested solution to problem. Along with what proof that you have that Mr.
Lamanna intentionally drafted players with the idea in mind why he disregarded AB and IP requirements.
What Steve doesn’t tell us above is that during the draft other expansion managers tried to draft non carded players and were told that
they should not because they did not have their AB and IP requirements were not completed. This would make these members upset
when the Lamanna issue came to light. Also, the trade was secretly done by Steve. This upset the entire FBNBA, well, maybe not
Becky. Plus the way that Steve wrote up the protest was upsetting. It made it seem that if you voted No, you were saying that John did
this on purpose. Most of the league felt that it could truly be an honest mistake. Hey 8 or 9 hours is a long day. What I think the league
was upset about was the way Steve handled it with the secret trade. What if John had dropped out of the league at the end of the
season (which he ends up doing) no one would have know that the 2 non carded players should have gone back to their original team.
Plus, talk about back door politics!
H - 36
Sides were being drawn. Either you were Pro-Steve or you were in the group that wanted to remove Steve from office. There was no
in-between. It was getting pretty ugly….. could this be the start of Black Hole III.
I don’t have any other newsletters from 1986. I don’t remember how we settle the ‘protest’ but I do know we lost a number of
managers over this mess, including John Lamanna. John basically said he did not have time for this s---!
The FBNBA lost 9 managers in 1986. I believe 8 of them were due to these “League Politics”. Don Glumac, Peter Stein, Mark Ewing,
Rich Vioral, Jeff Eli and John Lamanna. Numbers 44 – 49 to leave, along with Bob Cebelak and Scott Ellis.
Each President had the duty to put together a Yearbook. I did put one together for the NL but our AL President had resigned so many
AL stats were lost. I’ve made a copy of the year book and it’s included in this History. (2008 NOTE: It was in 1998 but it’s long lost.)
The Year book has the league standings and playoff results for the National League. In the American League playoffs Galactic
defeated Hibbing in 4 straight games which were played by Bruce Fogg. Jupiter defeated Chicago in 6 games which were played by
Becky Walters. In the ALCS Jupiter defeated Galactic in a face to face series going 5 games. So it’s Jupiter in the AL Vs East
Meadow of the NL in the World Series.
1987 (by Rob Bruno January 1999)
January 19th newsletter:
New F-B-NBA Presidents
The National League President for 87 and 88 season will be Rob Bruno who won unopposed. The American League President for 87
and 88 seasons will be Mike Kostek who also won unopposed. I am sure that both will be excellent at their jobs.
In 1987 we add 7 new managers:
1. Rich Hamel of Salem, NH. Rich was 18 years old working for Zayre Department Stores. He had been involved with SOM for 7
years with PBM 4 years.
2. David Icenogle, of Cerritos, CA. David was 28 and unemployed. He had been involved in SOM for 15 years.
3. Jim Jalutkewicz of Pawcatuck, CT. a Packaging Development Engineer. He would co-manager J&B Indians with his long time
friend Bill Nieman.
4. Bill Nieman of Waterford, CT a teacher in the Connecticut Department of Corrections. Bill and Jim bring over 24 years of SOM
experience to the FBNBA.
5. Glenn Kenan of Cincinnati, OH. Glen was 37 and a Service Manager for Cincinnati Buick Dealer. He was involved in SOM since
its inception back in 1962.
6. Robert T. Rook of Lompoc, CA. He was 32 and an Orbiter Instrumentation Engineer for the Shuttle Launch Team. He had 17
years of SOM experience.
7. Phillip Weiss of New Brunswick, NJ a 23 year old Senior college student at Rutgers University. He had 11 years of SOM
experience.
Steve instructed each manager to list the manager-less teams in the order they preferred them. In case of a tie he would draw names
from a baseball cap. This had not been done as of the January newsletter so the Official Draft Order had not been established.
I must have been smoking something because there is a letter from me to Steve requesting rosters to be expanded to 35 and to make up
for any missing carded players that we draft non carded players. What the hell was I smoking. I don’t remember doing this but I’m
reading it now. Didn’t the league just lose 7 managers over a mess with non carded players?
League Fees are due February 2. League dues will be $20.
Steve set March 29, as the tentatively Phone Draft Day. The draft would start at 01:00PM.
Ballpark ratings are due BEFORE the draft on February 2. Each team could increase the ratings by 5 or decrease the ratings by 5.
Bruce Fogg renames his team the New England Lime Sox.
Becky Walters’ team is now the Grand Fuzz Cardinals.
Feb. 23rd newsletter
Voting on my roster increase and the drafting of non carded players failed 7-10, with 3 managers not voting. Thank god it failed!
H - 37
Manager resigns….. can you guest you resigns… he’s done it before….. he likes to trade…… he likes to drop out too…. he’s done it
more than anyone in FBNBA history…. Yep… Thomas Angel of the Florida Express. He informed Steve that he will not have the
time to remain in the FBNBA because of poor health, extra job as well as other league commitments. For poor health ok, and we
would feel sorry for the guy. But, then he has the nerve to say he has OTHER LEAGUE COMMITMENTS. Good bye and don’t let
the door hit you on the way out! He has more numbers than my bookie. He gets number 50 pinned to his chest for this time.
The new manager is Richard V. Nevarez of Camarillo, CA. He had been playing SOM since 1972.
The official draft order came out and in the odd rounds Merk had #1. Jim F. #3, Rich #4. Bruce #6. Dave G. # 11. I drafted #14. The
team of Jalutkewicz and Nieman drafted 16th. In the even rounds Merk was still #1, Rich moved to #2, Bruce was #3, Dave was 7th, I
was 8th, Jim & Bill were 15th. Jim Ferguson was last at #20.
The National League East was pretty much face to face with 4 teams from Connecticut, Bruno’s Red Skins, Connecticut Blue Devils,
J & B Indians and New England Lime Sox. They were joined by Salem Psychic’s managed by Rich Hamel.
Jim Ferguson manager of Lake Wobegon Whippets was in the National League West.
Jeff Merklin and his Yorktown Admirals were in the American League West
Draft day was changed from March 29, to March 22. Steve said the change would allow an extra week of trades to help managers who
may not have reached his 1400 IP or 550 AB at each position.
Steve also puts a list of managers that still had not paid their dues. He tells them that he must receive League Fee before Draft or the
manager will not be allowed to take part in the draft or league. Jim Ferguson, Craig Haines, Bruce Kutler and Robert Rook.
The 1987 Draft: 1. YA-Rubin Sierra 2. YA-Barry Larkin 3. LW-Ed Correa 4. SP-Pete Incaviglia 5. Curt Young 6. NE - Kal Daniesl
7. SP-Tom Candiotti 8. Mark Eichhorn. 9. Dragon’s-Bruce Ruffin 10. Mike LaCoss 11. CT-Reggie Williams 12. Grand Fuzz - Bo
Jackson 13. A.Galarraga 14. Bruno’s-Jim Deshaies 15. TEEM-Lance McCullers 16. J&B - Scott Bradley 17. Mickey Brandtley 18.
Kevin Mithcell 19. Eric King 20. GG - Greg Mathews. Round Two: 21. YA-Mike Morgan 22. SP-Bobby Witt 23. NE-Greg Swindell
26. GG-Devon White 27. CT-Dan Plaesac 32. GG-Rob Murphy 33. GF-Rafael Paimeiro 35. J&B-Dwight Lowry 36. TEEM-Bob
Sebra 38. NE-Ron Karkovice 40. LW-Kelley Gruber Round Three: YA-Tim Leary 42. NE-Bill Wegman 43. LW-Jim Lindeman 44.
SP-Andreas Thomas 46. NE-Calvin Schiraidi 53. LW-Mark McGwire 54. Br’s-Bob Tewksbury 56. J&B-Mike Diaz Round Four: 61
YA-Mike Bieiecki 62. SP-Bob Walk 63. NE-Mike Felder 68. Br’s-Paul Assenmacher 75. J&B-Angel Salazar 80. LW-Mark Portugal
Also falling behind on stadium size are Lance Noble, Robert Rook, Glen Kenan, Phil Weiss and Rich Hamel.
I see trouble coming…..
April 2, 1987 newsletter
New managers. The first thing Steve tells us about in the April newsletter is that Craig Haines and Robert Rook have dropped out
because of time restrictions. That’s numbers 51 and 52. The new managers are John Bell and Michael Tracy.
Six trades involving 27 players and 1 draft pick were made.
Steve wants the League Presidents to handle the newsletter for each league. I agree only if penalty points would be charged if
members do not send in at least their won-lost records. Steve tells the league that after the completion of each series we are required to
send Won-Lost record and game scores to your League President every other Monday. The League President will then be sending the
league standing to you every other Monday. PENALTY POINTS will be issued for failure to perform this managerial duty.
He also informs the league what we must send to each manager after we have played a series. PENALY POINTS will be issued. I felt
at the time that the FBNBA was finally on its way of receiving a more interesting newsletter.
May 1, newsletter
Managers keep changing. As number 53, Lance Noble resigns to enter the Ministry and John Bell #54, has resigned-fired. John had
not sent in league fee. When questioned on this subject he stated he did not have time for the league. The new managers are Brian
Favereaux, he is the son of our own Bruce Fogg, the other manager will be Joe Hults of Ozone Park, NY.
Seven trades sending 26 players to new teams plus one draft pick were made.
Bruce makes a trade with his son Brian sending T.Flannery, R.Jones, R.Karkovice and NE#1, to Brian for D.Murphy, R.McDowell
and J.Candelaria.
There have been no trades listed yet for “Make Me An Offer” Hamel.
July 10, newsletter
Steve sends out a “Status of the League Report”. He have lost a lot of managers already this year plus Steve was not sending out a
newsletter each month. So, I guess he felt he should say something.
He tells us that Glen Kenan (#55), was forced to resign from the FBNBA because of the illness of his wife. Steve did not feel that we
had a suitable replacement available so he decided to play the Cincinnati franchise games. During that time he placed an ad in the
H - 38
SOM Review for backup managers and had two requests. But he did not receive either questionnaire back. However there was good
news. Jim J. was playing more and more games and not letting Bill N. play any (just kidding guys) so Bill had time to take on his own
team. So some time in June or July 1987, Bill Nieman got his own team in the FBNBA.
Current Trades: 8 trades, one involving 3 teams and 14 players which is a league record.
Now the biggest trade in FBNBA history which was 14, players changing uniforms in a 3 team deal. New England (Bruce Fogg),
Munson’s (Joe Hults) and Wallingford (Brian Favereaux). (This record would be tied in 1993.)
New England sent away: W.Upshaw, K.Bass, T.Kennedy and R.Jones.
New England received: J.Grubb, G.Davis, A.VanSlyke and E.Whitt.
Munson’s sent away: G.Wilson, G.Pettis, K.Hernandez, J.Sundberg and J.Grubb.
Munson’s received: D.Winfield, W.Upshaw, T.Kennedy, R.Jones, D.Evans and Wallingford’s #2 draft pick.
Wallingford sent away: G.Davis, D.Winfield, A.VanSlyke, D.Evans, E.Whitt and Wallingfords #2DP.
Wallingford received: K.Hernandez, K.Bass, G.Wilson, G.Pettis and Jim Sundberg.
NO HITTER!
It was reported that Ron Guidry of the Grand Fuzz Cardinals had fired a no hitter, no run game at Munson’s. Steve said an in-depth
report would be up coming in a future Rob Bruno report. See the League Presidents were basically sending out what we now would
call the league newsletter. Steve’s reports were more official commissioner reports on league matters.
Steve then takes the time to say “While we’re on the subject of Rob. I would like to publicly thank Rob for the great job he has done
and is doing for the FBNBA this year. The last couple of years has been a trying experience for me as well as some of you, but now I
feel the fun is back in the FBNBA caused mostly by Rob’s work. My Gladiator cap is off to you Rob, Thanks!!”
That was nice of Steve. But my newsletter’s were good only because the members were sending in Won-Lost records and other team
news. I told Steve they would if we issued -BP’s if they didn’t. I feel bad after reading this again after all these years because I had to
ask Steve to either step down as commissioner after the ’87, season or he would have the league name FBNBA but no managers to
play against.
I don’t have any other newsletters during Steve’s last months as commissioner. Steve went into a four month hiatus and the league
decided it was time for a change. It was the toughest thing I had to do in the league up to that point. I called Steve told him how the
league felt and asked him to resign. He said he would but the league doesn’t hear from him. The league decides to ask for candidates
for Commissioner. Bruce Kutler and I decide we want the job. We have and election and I win. Effective 1988, I will be the fourth
person to be Commissioner of the FBNBA.
After the election Steve finally sends out a newsletter. He tells us that he is resigning as Commissioner at the end of the year because
of time restraints. The FBNBA accepts his resignation.
In one of my first duties as Commissioner I put Duke manager Philip Weiss on probation for lateness. The league votes in October 87,
to remove Phil as an active manager (#56). “… the voting is over and the league decided that Philip Weiss must forfeit the Duke
franchise. The simple reason is if we had had backup managers the team would have gone to someone else (earlier). I called Phil and
told him of our decision. He was not pleased but he accepted the vote. I told him we would consider him for a backup role.
Next, I told everyone that this newsletter would be the last Report before the November 15, league dues dead line. I even had, league
dues dead line, underlined! There would be no exceptions! If an owner does not pay the league dues before Nov. 15, that franchise
will be forfeited. Death and back taxes may save you.
Somewhere lost, I cannot find the date, Bruce had his son Brian drop out of the league because of continued lateness. Lets say #57.
I announce that Ed Groboski of Mystic, CT will take over the Wallingford franchise.
I also announce that Pete Stein of Flushing, NY is returning to the FBNBA and he will take over the Duke franchise.
I put a ballot out so the we could vote for league awards. Including AL and NL All-Stars, League MVP, Cy Young, and Manager of
the Year.
Joe Hults and Bruce Fogg play in a SOM Tournament in New York and Joe hands out a flyer for the FBNBA.
“STRAT-O-MATIC PLAYERS WANTED”
Attn fellow stratonuts:
The ‘Fly by Night” one of the oldest and most renowned play by mail leagues, is looking for a few good men. Yes, you’ve heard that
expression before. No, this time you are not required to get up at 4AM. You don’t have to 20 miles a day in the mud. You don’t even
have to eat “shit on shingles”. All that is required is that you be a hard working conscientious manager, and enjoy your favorite
pastime, SOM.
The only standings we have from 1987
Won
Lost
American League West Won
Lost
Galactic Gladiators
96
34
US Jarheads
99
63
Gran Fuzz
66
64
Munson’s
99
63
Jupiter
51
31
California
63
99
Richmon
35
107
Yorktown
54
108
Florida
folded
Wallingford
folded
H - 39
Won
Connecticut Blue Devils 96
J & B Indians
86
New England
79
Bruno’s Red Skins
74
Salem Physics
61
Lost
66
76
83
88
101
East Meadow
TEEM
Dragons
Lake Wobegon
Duke
Won
Lost
94
63
90
72
81
81
78
84
folded
November 17, 1987 INSIDE THE FBNBA
ISSUE 1-1988
National League Playoffs were played in Greenwich, CT on Saturday Nov. 14. Connecticut met TEEM and J&B met East Meadow. In
round one TEEM took its series in six games over Connecticut. East Meadow won in seven over J&B. In the NLCS, a rematch of ’87)
TEEM won over East Meadow in five games. TEEM would now wait for the AL Champion to be crowned on Saturday & Sunday
Nov. 21 and 22. The playoffs were being held in Florida.
I had a section in the newsletter called “JUST THE FACTS” It listed trades and other league news. Mike Tracy had a report about his
team and hopes of improving in ’88 in his new stadium the Confederate Coliseum, the Trippers will welcome all the FBN into a “lions
den of defeat” in the new season.
I write about hiring a new field boss in Billy Martin. I give his coaching staff as Yogi Berra, Lou Pinella, Casey Stengel as bench
coach, and Mantle and Maris as hitting coaches. “Today in baseball you can’t be the GM and the manager and expect to do both jobs
well.” So I fired myself as manager.
This article will be used later against me in a tempering charge by Dave Gineo.
American League All-Star Team
Pitcher: Witt (MM)
Catcher: Diaz (JH)
O’Brien (JH)
1st:
2nd:
Sax (JH)
3rd:
Pagliarulo (CQ)
ss:
Trammell (CQ)
of:
Winfield (MM)
of:
McDowell (YA)
of:
Evans (JH)
dh;
Bernazard (CQ)
rp:
Henke (JH)
MVP: O’Brien (JH)
Cy Young: Witt (MM)
National League All-Star Team
Pitcher: Viola (EM)
Catcher: Gedman (SP)
1st:
Mattingly (TE)
2nd:
Barrett (NE)
3rd:
Boggs (J&B)
ss:
Ripken (DR)
of:
Downing ( )
of: (tie) Gwynn CT)
Griffey (BRS)
dh:
Incaviglia (SP)
rp: (tie) Farr (BRS)
Worrell (TE)
MVP: Mattingly (TE)
Cy Young: Viola (EM)
Manager of the Year:
Joe Hults of Munson’s
Dave Gineo of Connecticut
I write why I’m doing things differently than past commissioners in “The Commissioners Corner” I feel if I keep the members
informed the league will be a better and stronger league.
In my fist column I write why I collected the 1988, league dues in November of 1987. In the past the dues were not pay until just
before the draft I tell the league I’m collecting the dues early so I’ll know the health of the league. I tell them I feel the league is very
healthy because 19, managers had paid their dues plus one backup. I write: “ I have an ad going into the Review…. I plan on next year
making the dues date November 1st to eliminate any confusion…. Baseball season has just ended and baseball is the last thing on our
minds but it is the best time for the League to be looking out for the following season….. because it gives the Commissioner time to
review new prospects for the FBN rather than jumping on the first reply because he may be the only one.
Dave Icenogle of California Quake resigns because he will not have enough time to be in two leagues in ’88. Dave is Commissioner of
another league.#58.
Jupiter and Grand Fuzz call it quits too. We lose Becky Walters, I believe, because she was upset that we had ask Steve to resign. That
brings the total of managers that have left the FBNBA to #60.
New managers are Will Walker of Woodstock, VT and Larry Hill of Spokane, WA
We will hold a re-entry draft for the new managers. I will put Jupiter, Grand Fuzz, California and Florida rosters all in together and let
the new managers draft their teams from it as soon as I find a 20th manager.
Phil Weiss comes back as an active manager but he will co-manage a team with his friend Al Lee. Jim J. and Bill N. had co-managed
a team and it worked well. This co-managed team will not work out.
H - 40
Nov. 24, 1987 Issue 2-1988
Will Walker names his team the Vermont Heifers.
Mike Holbrook from Baton Rouge, LA joins the FBNBA. He is the 20th manager that I was looking for to start the 1988 season.
I plan the re-entry draft for December 13. It started at 01:00 PM. The draft order was Washington, Baton Rouge, Vermont and Phil
Weiss. The new managers seemed happy with the results. It does end team lineage but most members felt it was the best thing to do.
In team news under Bruno’s Dugout I announce that in the last newsletter it was falsely reported that Bruno’s had hired Lou Pinella as
their third base coach. “As we all know Lou is the manager of the Blue Devils and he’s still under contract. Bruno’s would like to
apologize to the Connecticut management.” (I hope we don’t get hit with tampering charges from the League office.) “Billy Martin
will be back. Billy will take over the third base coaching job. Casey Stengel will take over all managerial duties…… There is a strong
possibility that Bruno’s will fold because of the law suit the Blue Devils won based on the tampering by Bruno’s.
Bruno’s Red Skins will now be the Ole Mystic Eagles for 1988.
FBN manager wins first ever DBA World Series! Bruce Fogg, who is in three PBM leagues, has won the DBA World Series. The
DBA has many of old FBN managers and friends in it. Bruce has the Red Sox in another league and he is fighting for first. He’ll be
doing the same in ’88 in the FBN!
I put an ad in the SOM Review looking of managers. I tell the FBNBA that 1988, will be a good year for the FBNBA. That we have
20 managers and one backup already paid and that I have 6, other prospects to interview. I tell the league if a member falls behind by
30 penalty points he will be replaced. My reasoning is that “ I’ll have to keep all managers happy and that also means the backup
managers. So lets all work together to make ’88 the best year yet for the FBNBA.
New league alignment is introduced. You’ll see it in the final standings for 1988. I also announce a new schedule for the National
League only. The NL would play each team in its division 13 games and the teams in the other division14 games. This would still
work out to a 162. The division winners and the two teams with the next best records would make the playoffs. As soon as members
read this I started to get phone calls!
Dec. 16, 1987 Issue 3-1988
An “Official League Meeting” had taken place between the two League Presidents and the Commissioner. I called Joe Hults daily
from 11/15 to 11/22 and I talked with Bruce Kutler on 11/27. No one liked the new schedule so we went back to the old one where the
division winners and second place teams in each division would go to the playoffs.
Jim Jalukewicz with the help of Bruce Kutler worked up a new set of Emergency Instructions. With the old set of EI a managerless
team had little to no chance of winning a game.
J & B Indians changes its name to the Pawcatuck Pequots.
Bruce Fogg and I plan to make the trip to Glen Head, LI for the cards and I offer to pick up one set of cards for each league member.
Dave Gineo sent in a summary of his playoff series vs TEEM. The games were played face to face, I believe in Greenwich, CT.
Game #1 Key Vs Rhoden
TEEM
000 000 010 - 1 7 0
Blue Devils
001 050 00x - 6 11 1
(LP) Key
(W) Rhoden
Rick Rhoden stymied the bats of TEEM never allowing more than 2 hits in an inning till the 8th. Blue Devils broke up a close game
with 5 runs on 6 hits in the 5th. HIGHLIGHTS: Reggie Williams 3 for 4 2 RBI. Tom Foley 3 for 4. LOWLITE: Mattingly 0 for 4 1DP.
Game #2 Palmer Vs Fenandez
TEEM
000 200 010 000 00 - 3 11 1
Blue Devils
110 000 001 000 01 - 4 9 2
(LP) McCuller
(WP) Z.Smith
Great exciting game!! TEEM looked to have victory on a Bob Horner solo HR in the 8th for 3-2 lead despite CT starter Sid Fenandez’
13 K’s!! But w/2 outs in 9th, TEEM starter David Palmer walked Howard Johnson & Len Dykstra back to back. Pinch hitter Joel
Youngblood then rapped a double scoring Johnson to tie 3-3 - Dykstra also tried to score (1-18 chance) but was thrown out (19)!!
Strong relief pitching by Dave Smith (CT) and Lance McCullers (TEEM) continued till 14th when Mitch Webster tripled and Howard
Johnson singled him home for CT victory & 2-0 series lead!! TEEM shortstops (Foley & Concepcian 5 for 7.
Game #3 Hershiser Vs Rasmussen
Connecticut
000 000 000 - 0 3 0
TEEM
300 020 00x - 5 8 0
(LP) Hershiser
(WP) Rasmussen
TEEM needed a victory badly in their park and Dennis Rasmussen came through with an outstanding 3-hit shutout - Blue Devils were
never in the game as TEEM jumped to early 3-0 lead off Hershiser and coasted to victory. HIGHLIGHTS: Rasmussen 3-hit shutout.
Mattingly 3 for 4.
H - 41
Game #4 Rhoden Vs Key
Connecticut
100 000 010 - 2 9 2
TEEM
031 005 00x - 9 10 0
(LP) Rhoden
(WP) Key
“Shot through the heart” Tom Foley (of all people) blasted a 3 run HR in the 2nd off Rick Rhoden for 3-1 TEEM lead and CT couldn’t
recover. The homerun followed an error by Tim Wallach which would have ended the inning - who knows what would have happened
if he made the play??? TEEM put game away in the 6th with 6 straight hits!!
Game #5 Palmer Vs Matthews
Connecticut
000 004 000 - 4 9 1
TEEM
000 220 01x - 5 10 0
(LP) Gubicza
(WP) Black
Save - McCullers
CT manager Gineo tried to shake things up by naming rookie lefty, Greg Matthews the starter for this pivotal game. Things seemed to
back fire as TEEM took 4-0 lead again helped by a Tim Wallach error. But CT rallied to tie game 4-4 in 6th with 4 straight hits and
two “walk in” runs. Mark Gubicza relieved Matthews and was pitching well retiring 9 of 10 men faced when suddenly, Jim Presley
blasted a fastball over the plate 440 FT for a HR and eventual 5-4 victory. HIGHTLIGHTS: Mattingly 2 for 4 LOWLITE: CT has not
hit a HR in 5 games!!!!
Game #6 Rasmusson Vs Fenandez
TEEM
314 100 100 - 10 11 0
Blue Devils
020 000 003 - 5 7 0
(WP) Rasmussen
(LP) Fenandez
CT never recovered from game 5 loss as TEEM totally crushed the Blue Devils. The final score was a lot closer than the game. CT
was blown away early (9-2 lead after 4) Sid Fenandez who was consistently excellent all year, pitched his worst game of the year for
the Blue Devils and Dennis Rasmussen again dominated CT until a 3 run Dick Schofield homerun in the 9th!!
HIGHLIGHTS: Jim Presley 4 for 5. Rasmussen – another strong game 8 2/3 inn. - 6 hits.
The Blue Devils lost in 6 games but you can bet that they will be back in ’88. In his first season in the FBN “Rookie” manager Dave
Gineo was voted the National League Manager of the Year.
Galactic and TEEM will meet in the 13th World Series. The games would be played by Bruce Fogg.
I do not have the series stats but in 1987, Galactic would win its record fifth World Series, breaking the tie it held with Illinois at four
each. It would be Galactic’s last.
1988 NEWS (by Rob Bruno January 1999)
Jan. 11, 1988 Issue 5-1988 (In 1988, I made a mistake numbering this issue. It should have been #4.
Four trades are listed involving 16 players. None for Salem!
Rules on sending in rosters are listed.
Traded draft listed in a new column.
Jan. 25, 1988 Issue 6-1988
If you’re reading this newsletter you already should have your ’88, cards!! Bruce Fogg and I met Joe Hults at Glen Cove to pickup the
cards at Opening Day at S-O-M. Bruce and I met in New Haven at 8:30AM and got to Long Island about 10:15AM. We were about
10th in line. After we picked up the league cards SOM Creator Harold Richman talked with us and took our mug shot for the Feb.
SOM Review. We also put in a plug for the FBNBA. I told everyone to check it out in Feb.
Important dates are listed for upcoming events.
Draft instructions for the telephone draft are listed. Draft date Sunday, March 6th. The draft would start at noon rather then 01:00PM.
Feb. 9, 1988 Issue 7-1988
Protected rosters are mailed to all General Managers.
A voting item about earning “League Money and Free Agency” is offer by Joe Hults. Rules on how you could earn league money was
listed including rules on how you could lose league money for lateness. A set of rules on Free Agents was also include. I’m not going
to take the time to include all that there. All I’ll say is, remember all the noise on email in 1998, about drafting ballparks or making
your own? That was nothing compared to the calls I got over “League Money and Free Agency”.
Five trades involving 18 players and two draft picks.
Feb. 24, 1988 Issue 8-1988
Voting for League Money and Free Agency todate was reported at 0 for 7 against.
Directions to League Draft Headquarters was given.
I change the penalty term for lateness from Penalty Points to -Bonus Points and give reasons why I think the change is good. I wanted
to eliminate the negativism from the newsletter. After all these years looking back now PP’s or -BP’s who really cares what we call
them?
H - 42
Fifth backup manager announced. Plus I had three other prospects that wanted to be backups. I decided not to carry more then 5
backups. I just didn’t think it would be right to carry more. I was hoping we would not need more then 5.
March 10, 1988 Issue 9-1988
The League Draft was held on the March 6th at my home in Mystic, CT. It was the first draft that I was responsible for. In attendance
were 10, members, Bruce Fogg, Dave Gineo, Ed Groboski, Rich Hamel, Larry Hill (Yep, Larry flew in from Spokane, Washington),
Joe Hults, Jim Jalukewicz, Bill Nieman, Pete Stein and of cause me. A friend of Joe’s, Larry Kid, the Commissioner from
A*C*T*U*A*L, was on hand helping out on the phone. This was none at my home so we only had the one phone line. (How
primitive we were in those days). That was 10, league members in person out of 20. I felt that was pretty good.
The final vote on League Money and Free Agency 1-15. It did not have a prayer.
A new voting issue is listed. Relief pitcher POW.
(A) Any appearance by relief pitcher in an inning counts as a full inning towards his POW.
(B) Actual number of outs are needed before a pitcher can become weak.
Talk about “letting a sleeping dog lie”! Two trades listed both by this Hamel guy. That’s three now in two months.
March 28, 1988, Issue 10-1988
The voting results on POW for a relief pitcher was “number of outs” just like we use today. I wonder if we came up with it first or
SOM?
16, players trade uniforms in transactions. This guy Hamel was a slow starter but he’s at it again sending Willie Upshaw, Steve
Henderson and SP#1, to Richmond for Marvelle Wynne and Will Clark.
The FBNBA allows “player to be named later” in trades and it is spelled out in this newsletter how it can be none. It is the same as
today in 1999.
Team roster for all 20, teams are listed.
April 12, Issue 11-1988
My first in season newsletter including standings, top 10 lists, team news sent in by team managers. Every seasonal newsletter would
include all this information. About the same as we do today.
Seven members contribute their own team news items for the newsletter. I think this is the first time in league history that league
members contribute more then just Won-Lost records and player stats.
Here’s this Salem team at it again. One trade involving 6, players and a draft pick. The only trade listed.
Joe Hults is having trouble at home and he’s moved to an apartment. I list his new address.
I send out a standard form for all managers to use to report Won-Lost record, team stats and team news.
April 26, 1988 Issue 12-1988
One trade listed 6, players change hands.
The Duke franchise owners ask that their odd series home games be mailed to Phil and the teams even home games mailed to Al Lee.
The team items from the first 7, members last month were very popular reading that 3, additional members contribute this month bring
the number to 10, 50% of the league. Not bad for only the second month!
I hold a face to face league match for the NL East teams on April 16. It was the leagues first “shootout” of many that will follow over
the years. Rich Hamel drove down from Salem. When the day started Rich was 2 games under .500. “When the smoke cleared the
Psychics had won 10 out of 12. Rich took 5 of 6 from me and has continued to beat up my teams yearly.
The NL West plans a Shootout for May 7, for NLW teams.
The NLW Vs the NLE showdown was scheduled for June 11, in Wallingford at Bruce Fogg’s home.
Richmond’s manager, Mike Tracy has become continually late. I give members my approval to play the games with the league
Emergency Instructions. I also tell league members whenever RI are 4 days late that the manager waiting for the RI must call me to
get approval to use EI’s. I tell them do not wait more then 4 days.
There was a message from the Commissioner that I will retype. I think it’s interesting.
Message from the Commissioner: Two managers have written complaining about -BP’s. They do not have any at this time. They are
worried that they may receive some in the future because of all the reporting dates. Yes, there are a lot of reporting dates but that is to
keep everyone INFORMED (on what is happening) in the league. When I joined the FBN we were lucky to get six newsletters a year.
As a manager it was very frustrating not knowing how your team was doing compared to the other teams. As a FBN member you
wondered why bother being involved in a league when you didn’t know if any other member was alive. We once played over 3
months of games without hearing from the Commissioner or the President’s. I hope that will not happened again. So, to the two
managers worried about -BP’s just keep up todate and follow the rules and you will not get any -Bonus Points. If you do get any -BP’s
I hope you understand why they are needed.
The Commissioner (Robert Bruno)
H - 43
May 2, 1988 Issue 13-1988
Two trades were made.
Mike Tracy resigns because of work, #61. With all the backup members that we now have the league does not miss a beat. The new
manager is Mike Gerack Jr.
I announce some bad news and some good news. First the bad news. Joe Hults is leaving the league. He hopes to straighten things out
at home He’s number 62. The good news is he stays on as a backup.
Joe had been a big help to me as NL President. He had also played in the Shootouts at my home. He was a fun guy. He love Thurman
Munson and that’s why he named his team Munson’s Marauders. Joe would never come back.
The new manager will be Bill Krolikowski. He doesn’t last long as he dropped out fast #63.
I took over the duties of the NL President.
A new managers directory was included in this newsletter.
May 16, 1988 Issue 14-1988
Six managers send in team news.
I ask members to and the team name that is on the players card when they send Rosters to me for any league reports.
The NLW and NLE shootout for June 11, was change to the Howard Johnson’s in New Haven, CT.
Some members are starting to be late with reporting dates. I report that I will continue to charge -BP’s for lateness. I adlib… “the field
manager should complain. Let the GM know that he is costing the team positions in the 1989, Draft!)
Rich and Dave make a deal. Salem sends Bob Walk, Marvel Wynne, Bobby Witt and Will Clark to Connecticut. CT sends Greg
Caderet, Bill Scherder, Alvin Davis and Tom Brunanski to Salem.
Two teams send in Minor League team names:
Salem’s AAA team the Delaware Tubular Card-Board Salesmen.
Ole Mystic AAA team Boston Liberty Insurancemen.
June 8, 1988 Issue 15-1988
All teams send in a 44 game team stats report.
12, members send in team news. The best response todate.
Pete Stein retires for the FBNBA. #62. The new manager is Mack Smith, 33 years old and Mack is in 6 leagues He has the Apple
Computer which helps him with play the games and keep stats.
All of Flushings -BP’s were dropped now the Pete Stein it’s former manager had resign.
The NLW Vs The NLE shootout is cancelled.
June ’88 Issue 16-1988
I explain that when a team loses a manager during the season all the -BP’s will be dropped. If a team loses a manager at the end of the
season the -BP’s will be inherited by the new franchise for drafting position.
Seven members contribute to the newsletter.
More complaints about -BP’s. I’m asked how do I assess -BP’s. “I use the Post Mark on the outside of the envelope to see if the item
is on time. So, if you have any -BP’s it is because you mailed the item out after the due date.
One trade 4, players one draft pick.
I move the FBNBA voting month from during the season to November. That’s one month after the League Fee’s are due in October.
I decide to stay up to 1:37AM typing from Scott Ellis League History and adding facts from 1987.
July 18, ’88 Issue 17-1988
Only 3, members send in news items. But, it looks like everyone sent in Won-Lost records and top ten leaders.
No transactions reported.
Duke was late with RI so his entire series Vs Florida was played with Emergency Instructions.
August 08, 1988 Issue 18-1988
NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE, as I’ve been calling the contributions from the league members. 12, members send in news
releases. Bruce Kutler and Steve Walters moved. Two trades four players one draft pick.
TEEM now has 46 -BP’s. The next person only has 14.
120 game Team Report is in this issue.
August 22, 1988 Issue 19-1988
New backup manager: ROLAND KLEE of Hartford, CT.
6 members send in news items.
This month the Ole Mystic Eagles GM Rob Bruno sends a fake interviewed by Sports Illustrated.
All-Star ballots will be mailed out at the end of the season.
We will continue to have team stat reports next year. A vote was taken to stop them but it failed. (These old newsletters were full of
team records, player stats, team news and the league was coming together. But, some people just did not get it.)
Sept. 20, 1988 Issue 20-1988
Rich Hamel “have car will travel” On Saturday 09/03, Rich drives to Pawcatuck, CT to play his series Vs Jim J. He loses the first 3
but comes back in the night cap to win 3. After spending the night at Jim’s home he drives to Mystic on Sunday to play the Holsteins.
H - 44
Rich was trying to forget the 3, home field loses from Saturday. Rich wins the first three at Mystic and now hopes to take the series in
his home field. But, history repeats it self as Salem loses all three at home. On the following weekend Rich makes the trip again this
time to play USJarheads in Waterford and Ole Mystic, in Mystic. Rich was looking for better luck as he takes 2 of 3 at home Vs Ole
Mystic, but Ole Mystic takes 2 of 3 in Ole Mystic. I wrote at the time ( I don’t remember the details of the US - Salem series)
I placed three managers on probation for lateness. Bruce Kutler, Phil Weiss and Larry Hill. No trades could be finalized with a team
on probation until the Commissioner approves of the trade. If an owner did not improve he would be replaced for 1989.
Seven members send in news items.
Two trades 9, players - 1, draft pick.
Oct. 07, 1988 Issue 21-1988
Most teams had finished their season in this report.
Mystic won the NLE, Connecticut the NLW, TEEM the ALE and East Meadow the ALW.
I inform members that the League Fee is due by 10/31 to stay in the league as an active manager.
Nine members send in news items.
I write a Commissioners Message about how fast my first year as commissioner went. I mention that I feel the FBN had a good year. I
tell about the 5 backup managers that were signed for 1988 and how when we lost a manager these backups stepped right in. I state
that this backup list was the best thing I did for the league in ’88. That dues month was changed from March just before the draft to
October where the dues had to be paid or a replacement would be found form the backup manages before any vote would be taken.
Other changes; Voting month changed from August to November. By changing to November we now have the actual managers that
are signed for the new season doing the voting. Improved Emergency Instructions. More help from many manager’s on a number of
issues. “I didn’t do it alone. When I needed help I asked for your help.” We had a Re-entry draft for only the second time in league
history. Bruce Fogg and I drove up to SOM for Opening Day and I mailed out the entire league there cards. We had a record crowd at
Draft Day (10).
3 trades 8 player moving to new locations.
Oct. 31, 1988 Issue 22-1988
One trade, 2 players and 1 DP.
Only 7, voting items are on the ballot. But one was to eliminate the DH. Another was to eliminate AB limitations in the Playoffs. But,
the number one voting item would allow you to create your ballpark without regard for the previous season’s numbers. (Can you
believe it! Ballparks ratings were a hot topic back in ’88 and again 10, years later in ’98!!)
The order of the Odd Rounds for the 1989 draft was listed.
An All-Star Ballot and voting for Manager of the Year were included.
The 1988, final standings…..
Won
TEEM
97
Allentown Dragons
85
Duke Wild Cats
81
Baton Rouge Silver Bullets 78
Florida Sun
56
Lost
65
77
81
84
106
GB
--12
16
19
43
PCT
.599
.525
.500
.481
.346
East Meadow Mustangs 110
Galactic Gladiators
94
Lake Wobegon Whippets 84
Yorktown Admirals
70
Washington Monuments 65
Lost
52
68
78
92
97
GB
--16
26
40
45
PCT
.679
.580
.519
.432
.401
Mystic Holsteins
Pawcatuck Pequots
Salem Psychics
U.S.Jarheads
Ole Mystic Eagles
Lost
62
71
82
89
98
GB
--9
20
27
36
PCT
.617
.562
.494
.451
.395
Won
Connecticut Blue Devils 97
Munson’s Marauders
91
New England Lime Sox
89
Topeka Leggins
62
Vermont Heifers
51
Lost
65
71
73
100
111
GB
--6
10
35
46
PCT
.599
.562
.549
.383
.315
Won
100
91
80
73
64
In Round One of the Playoffs
Face to face, Pawcatuck beat Mystic in six games to move into the National League Championship Series.
Connecticut beat Munson’s in seven games to move into the NLCS Vs Pawcatuck.
Galactic beat TEEM (FTF in Florida) in seven games to move into the American League Championship Series.
The Dragons beat East Meadow with EI, when Rich Meyerson does not send his RI out on time. These games were played by me as
Commissioner. I called Rich to tell him about the results and that I played the series with EI’s, he asked me what was the rush? I told
him that the league ran on time all year and that it was not going to fall behind now. His Road Instructions show up one week later.
I announce we will have two new teams for 1989. Rich Meyerson resigned because of lack of time #64. I dismissed Phil Weiss and
AL Lee for lateness and for not sending in final Won-Lost and team stats information. #65 and #66 bite the dust. I figure out Dukes
Won-Lost record from the leagues “team fact sheets”.
H - 45
American League All-Star Team Starting lineup
Raines GG
LF
Trammell WM
SS
Mattingly TE
1B
Strawberry TE
RF
Clark,J. WM
DH
Schmidt GG
3B
Dawson GG
CF
Doran GG
2B
Surhoff DR
C
National League All-Star Team Starting lineup
Gwynn CT
RF
Fernandez NE
SS
Boggs PP
3B
Puckett -PP
CF
Clark,W. CT
1B
Greenwell PP
DH
Moseby SP
LF
Whitaker PP
2B
Scioscia MM
C
Bench:
Bench:
Canseco McGwire Davis Tartabull Pagliarulo Molitor VanSlyke Smith, O. Hayes -
FS
LW
LW
TE
FS
TE
LW
GG
TE
OF
1B
C
OF
3B
INF
OF
SS
3B
Hernandez Guillen -OM
Landsford Parrish Bell,G. Barrett Whitt Shelby Evans -
MH
1B
SS
US
VH
TL
NE
NE
OM
PP
Starting Pitcher: Viola - EM
Other Pitchers Robinson - EM
Power - DR
Worrell - LW
Mohorcic - DR
Minton - FS
MVP: (no record of winner)
Cy Young: (no record of winner)
Starting Pitcher: Welch - MM
Other Pitchers Nunez - OM
Clemens - MH
Henke - US
Burke - MH
Myers - PP
MVP: (no record of winner)
Cy Young: (no record of winner)
AL Manager of the Year:
Debra Cope
NL Manager of the Year:
Dave Gineo
3B
C
LF
2B
C
OF
RF
NLCS and ALCS……
Pawcatuck adds the second arrow to Connecticut’s playoff hopes, as the Pequots beat the Blue Devils to advance to the World Series.
Galactic beats the Dragons to win their ninth league title.
World Series….
Pawcatuck 010 101 400 – 7 6 0 (W) Morris (L) Bleleven
Galactic
002 000 001 – 3 4 2 (HR) PP – Lynn, Greenwell, Boggs and Roenicke. GG – Davis & Dawson
Pawcatuck 001 000 000 – 1 5 1 (W) Mitchell (L) Dravecky
Galactic
000 800 00x – 8 10 0 (HR) GG - Henderson
Galactic
010 000 000 – 1 3 3 (W) Habyan (L) Stieb
Pawcatuck 400 000 00x – 4 6 0 (HR) GG – Schmidt
Galactic
000 000 101 – 2 8 0 (W) Morris (L) Blyleven
Pawcatuck 410 010 02x – 8 11 0 (HR) GG – Dawson. PP – Puckett & Boggs.
Galactic
100 120 000 – 4 10 0 (W) Mitchell (L) Dravecky
Pawcatuck 000 000 001 – 1 9 0 (HR) GG – Schmidt & Raines.
Pawcatuck 005 000 000 – 5 13 0 (W) Habyan (Sv.) Reardon (L) Stieb
Galactic 100 010 001 – 3 6 0 (HR) GG – Fisk & Schmidt
Pawcatuck wins its first World Series. MVP – Habyan 2-0 2.04ERA, 17.2IP, 12K. Both wins came after Pequot losses.
H - 46
The FIRST FBNBA All-Star Game since 1975. Played in the 1987, FBNBA World Series Champions Gladiators Stadium.
Nationals
Americans
300 000 011 01 - 6 16 1
000 200 201 00 - 5 6 2
(WP) Myers
(LP) Mohorcic
The National League wins the first All-Game played in FBNBA History. Game played by Commissioner Bruno
1989 (by Rob Bruno January 1999)
I issued a short newsletter telling everyone to order the cards. I also inform members that I’m almost finished on the article that I’m
working on to mail to the “Review”.
Jan.
Dates to remember are listed. Ten transactions are listed including “Trade Rumors”. Six teams sent in needs and interests what they
were looking to deal draft picks or players for.
Biography’s on 17 of 20 members listed… here are some…..
Bruce Kutler (30) been in the FBN since 1979. Played SOM since 1971. CPA worked for a large local firm in center city Philadelphia.
Debra Cope (35) four years in the FBN. Played SOM since 1970. Married.
Rich Hamel (21) Single. In FBN 3, years. Student at University of Lowell. Been playing SOM for ten years.
Steve Walters (41) Postal Employer. Original member of FBN. Married to Becky, two children.
Jeff Merklin (28) Attorney; married, no children yet. 13 years in the FBN. Playing since 1972.
Jim Ferguson (27) married to Susan for five years. No children. User Consultant at the National Center for Supercomputing
Applications located at Unv of Illinois. 19 years of SOM.
Rob Bruno (39) married, three children. Insurance salesman. Joined FBN in 1985. Present day ballplayers? Good for only one thing getting a SOM card!!!
Jim Jalutkewicz (40) Engineering Manager, married, two children. Started playing SOM in 1963. Won the TBA Newark Tournament
in ’87.
Bill Nieman (39) a Literacy Coordinator in CT Corrections Dept. Third year in FBN. Marine & Viet Nam Vet. Married to Karen, two
children.
Mack Smith (34) in 7 PBM, Commissioner of one, playing since 1964.
Bruce Fogg (38) Insurance salesman, married, 4 children. Three years in FBN.
Dave Gineo (26) two years in FBN. Accounting Manager. Single but looking.
Bob Mendez (25) first year in the FBN and first year playing SOM. Single.
Roland Klee (31) City Planner first year in FBN. Single, no kids. 20 year veteran of SOM.
Mike Gerack (39) one year in the FBN. Purchased first set in 1963. Teacher. Married, four children.
Mike Holbrook no report.
Feb. 1989
Draft instructions plus more “trade rumors” listed. Eight trades 16, players and six draft picks. Larry Hill volunteers to run a minor
league season with the inactive players. Mack Smith sends in a nice report on the 1989 version of his Topeka Leggins team. Mack had
always been a great contributor to the newsletter.
Draft day was Feb. 25. I moved the draft to Liberty Mutual in Norwich, CT so we would have more room and more phones. I was
hoping to beat last years record of ten members in person. I arrived at 10AM and Wil Walker was there waiting for me. He got to
Norwich at 9:30AM. Other members in person, Nieman, Graboski, Fogg, Gineo, Mendez, Klee and Hamel. We only had nine at the
draft but it was a great day. It did not start that way for Rich as his father had to call DHQ to let us know that Rich may be late. He
blew his engine and had to return to Salem to use his mom’s car. His dad had Rich’s first 11 picks if we needed to call. Rich made the
draft on time. That’s dedication!
We used the “Buddy System” for the first time and it worked well. We cut over 3 hours from the draft by using it.
For the first time a plaque was awarded to the FBNBA World Series Champion. Ed Groboski who worked with Jim Jalutkewicz, who
could not be at the draft, accepted the award for Jim and presented it to Jim on Monday at work.
More “Trade Rumors” are listed as more teams are getting with the program.
Draft: 1. YA- Jefferies 2. FS- R.Alomar 3. AS- R.Jordan 4. TL- Sheffield 5. GG- Belcher 6. LW- Sabo 7. US- Weiss 8. BR- Havey
9. FS- J.Reed 10. WW-Grace 11. SP-Berryhill 12. DR- Gallagher 13. NE-August 14. US- Terry 15. MM- Elster 16. GG-McDowell
17. CT Dibble 18. WM- Santovenia 19. MH-P.Smith 20. AH-Dopson Round Two: 21. AS-Espy 22. CT-Manwaring 23. BR-Buhner
24. CT-Meyer 26. PP-R.Jones 28. YA-M.Perez 29. US-Medina 30. FS-Pico 33. LW-T.Burns 35. AH-Hudler 38-FS Biggio 39. WWMulholland. Round 3: 41. SP-Kreater 42. FS-B.Anderson 43. AS-Borders 45. CT-Abner 46. YA-Nixon 47. US-Birtsas 48. BRSchooler 49. SP-Campusano 50. WW-Montgomery 51. LW-Carpenter 53. NE-Milligan 54. PP-Holman 57. CT Leiter 60. AH-Alvarez
March 89
Six trades 18 players 3 DP’s are moved. Nine players are picked up off the waiver wire. Two minor league teams are announced.
USJarheads AAA team Parris Island Maggots.
Mystic AAA team Cow Pastures.
More trade rumors, Holsteins, Pequots and Monuments all contribute.
H - 47
Roland Klee holds a spring training shootout at his home. Dave Gineo, Bruce Fogg, Bob Mendez and myself all participated. New
England took the “Spring Crown” going 4-1. CT and Asylum were tied at 3-2. AS was 2-3 while Willimantic was 0-3.
April 89
More trade rumors, I wonder why this stopped it seemed popular? Three trades 6 players 3 DP’s. For the first time line scores are
included in the newsletter along with team standings and stats. Mike Holbrook, Deb Cope, Bill Nieman all send in team items. Mike
Gerack, Dave Gineo, I send in team news in the next newsletter.
Larry Hill said he had started playing minor league games and he will send in his first report for the next newsletter.
NO HITTER
Bob Walk of Topeka, no hits Washington. As Leggins win 2-0. Walk struck out 3 and walked 5.
May 89
Mike Gerack, Mike Holbrook, Wil Walker, Ed Groboski, Dave Gineo, Bill Nieman and I all send in team news.
Bill Krolikowski is continually late and has been missing reports. I mail him a letter after he does not return three phone calls. When I
do not hear from Bill, I drop him from the league. He’s #67. I call Dan Doucette and give him the team. He changes the team name to
Twin-Town Hats. About an hour later I get a call from Wil Walker and he tells me he must step down as manager because of job
related time problems. He’s number 68. Glen Boucher, is the next backup and he is from Connecticut. I call Dan and give him Wil’s
team since Dan lives in Peabody, MA and he would be closer to the other American League teams. I give Glen Munson’s because
Munson’s was in the NLW and Glen could play the other Connecticut teams face to face. Dan said it was ok. (But, he’s not happy
after he sees the difference of the two teams.) Glen names the team Windsor Hawks and he takes over immediately with series 10.
Bud Drapeau, the next backup manager volunteers to gather all stats from series 1-9, from the other managers so we can have a full
season of stats from the Munson’s/Windsor team.
Larry Hill said he doesn’t have the time and there will not be a FBNBA Minor League.
Deb Cope sends in team news that the Dragons are off to a lousy start and maybe it’s time to start thinking about next year. Mike
Gerack states that Manager Dick Williams was unavailable for comment as Florida pitchers give up 29 runs in a 3 game series Vs
Lake Wobegon. Williams finally breaks the silence when he states “we brought up the kids for the rest of the year. If we play .500 ball
this year that will certainly be reaching our preseason goal.”
Guy’s are getting into team reporting….. for the fun of it! TEEM, Connecticut and Willimantic also include items.
June 89
Team reports are an every newsletter occurrence now. Everyone(well not Steve) sends in some item. Not everyone for every
newsletter but most guys for most newsletters. I ask members for “Likes and Dislikes” of the newsletter. Let me know what you want
and what you don’t want to see in the newsletter.
Great races in are forming. In the NLE Mystic leads Jarheards by two games. In the NLW Connecticut leads New England by 4. In the
ALE Salem is up by 5 over TEEM. In the ALW Galactic is the only team over .500, as they lead Lake Wobegon by 22!
I admit to putting a number of “Bruno’s Follies” into the newsletters. They would be two or three line short stories about other FBN
teams. It was in fun and I think no one was insulted.
Bruce Kutler makes a road trip to Florida to play 10 games Vs Galactic. Bruce and Steve played many times face to face over the
years. (When I called Steve Walters in Dec.’98, for his help with adding to the history he told me that Bruce Kutler died in 1996.)
July 89
Klee, Mendez, Bruno, Gineo, Merk, Kutler, Holbrook, Hamel, Groboski, Nieman, Smith and Gerack all send it items for the
newsletter. For dislikes in the newsletters two managers would like to drop the 44 game report. “Its to early in the season and
meaningless.” It stays a part of the report until the mid to late ‘90’s.
A manager tells me that his mailman did not pickup his mail so that made him late for the June 2, report. I tell him not to worry about
it and I don’t charge him the -BP’s. The more I think about what I did I report it in the July 7, newsletter. “I compromised the office of
the Commissioner. I’ve always assessed -BP’s for lateness to others I should have to this manager. If league members feel I cannot be
trust you should remove me.” I corrected the -BP’s. I never heard any complaints from any members. That made me feel good.
Ed Groboski and Mike Gerack suggest we change our schedule for 1990. I tell them to send me a copy of their schedules so I can
include it in a newsletter. I include a schedule that I worked out for league review.
Talk about a race…. Jarheads take over first by one game over Mystic. It’s the first time all season that Mystic was not in first. It turns
out to be the only race in ’89.
Dan Doucette decided that picking up Vermont in mid season was a mistake #69. What he really decided was that he was not happy
getting Munson’s on Monday morning and one hour later I called and changed the team to Vermont. I can see why he was upset but at
the time I thought the move was for the best of the face to face members. I made a mistake. Bud Drapeau takes over the team.
Twelve items have been sent in for voting issues…. Eliminate injuries completely, limit instructions to one page - front and back,
league to use a mandatory instruction format…. are just a few. I include an update version of my earlier 1990 schedule proposal. Ed
and Mike have not sent in theirs yet. Bud names his team Poqunock Chiefs.
August 89
The NLE may go right down to the wire as Mystic takes over first by 3, games over USJarheads. New England moves within 5 of
Connecticut after winning 4 out of 6. GM and Owner for Life Roland Klee is preparing a proposal to expand the seating capacity of
Jim Bouton Field for 2 to 4 at a proposed cost of $13 million. (Actually all he does is buy a new kitchen table with 4 chairs.)
Steve Walters sends in comments to the voting issues.
Mystic has opened a 5 game lead over USJarheads. Pawcatuck has stayed close to USJ all season and has now tied them. In the NLW
H - 48
New England is now only one game behind Connecticut and Willimantic is only 4 back. The only race in the AL is for wild card as
Galactic is 30 games in front of Lake Wobegon but Florida is only 4 games back of LW for the last wild card.
More voting issues for November… eliminate complete ballpark rating change every two years with a + or - 2 change the second year.
Play by the official SOM advance rules. Eliminate the DH….
My two year term as Commissioner expires end of the ‘89, season. Presidents term is one year. I ask members to come forward if
interested in the jobs. Mike Gerack is interested in the AL Presidents job.
Bill Wegman of New England no hit Asylum. Wegman had a brutal card, but the lineup was known as the Banjo Bats featured
shortstop, Spike Owen who was on his way to a .138 BA. Roland renames his team Klee’s Klubbers at the end of the season.
Sept. and Oct 89
Mystic goes on an eleven game winning straight opening a 5 game in the NLE. Pawcatuck moves into 2nd, 2 games in front of the
Jarheads. In the NLW New England takes over 1st, as they take 4 of 6 from Connecticut. CT and Willimantic are now tie, 1 game
back. Roland writes “for the first time in the history of the world, the Asylum Hilltoppers, are not in last place.” Hilltoppers AAA
team Dayton Ducks. Roland also holds a press conference to announce a change in the teams name to Klees Klubbers effective
January 1st. “We no longer play on Asylum Hill… and I want to show the fans how important I am, remarked the heir to the Klee
Tiddly Wink fortune. I announce that Sunday Feb. 25, 1990 will be draft Sunday. 1990 dates to remember are listed. In case of a tie a
one game playoff will be use in the National League. Pawcatuck and Jarheads are tied for second in the NLE.
Tim Wallach of CT Blue Devils hit for the cycle twice in a 3 game series against the Chiefs. This is written up in “Strat Fan”.
Mack Smith continues to send in full page team news reports with photo’s of his key players. Team record 62-100, he writes “the
1989 FBNBA season has mercifully ended for the Topeka Leggins…. Losing 100 games for the second consecutive season.
Steve Walters writes about Galactic setting new FBNBA record of 122 victories breaking old record of 119 set by Galactic in 1987.
Road record 59-22, believed to be all time FBNBA record for most wins on the road.
Mike Gerack writes “Florida Canseco wins American League TRIPLE CROWN. Canseco misses 50/50 club by one stolen base….
.355 - 54 - 141. For a team that finished 69-93. (Editors note: The American League votes him MVP.) … I am willing to trade…
anatomy of a trade… Step 1 Call a wrong number. Step 2 Ask to trade for an untouchable. Step 3 Get an asking price. Step 4 Trade.
In New England News, Bruce Fogg writes… In our 4th Season… the Lime Sox have finally made the playoffs!! An expansion team 4
years ago… Our preseason goal was two fold; win 90 games and make the playoffs and we accomplished both….Several team
records… 1st 20, game winner - Greg Maddux 21-13, Jose Guzma’s 3 shutouts, Rob Deer 42HR - 115 RBI.
Deb Cope writes… the Dragons finished their fifth season with their worst record 64-98…. Joe Carter teams MVP 25HR 105RBI.
Roland Klee said … Management entered the off season with definite list of long term needs… “With 8 picks in the first 4 rounds
we’re going to have our grubby hands all over a lot of talent in the draft this winter.”… GM and Owner-for-Life Klee unveiled next
years slogan… Ninety in Ninety! This year’s slogan, “Come to the Ballpark, Mom - Please” wasn’t particularly inspiring.
I write… “Allyn Street wasn’t as good as they appeared during Lasarda’s first 6 games (5-1)… nor as bad as they looked against
Pequots at the end of the season (0-6). Owner-GM Bruno feels trades can be made over the winter for help. With teams like Jarheads,
Mystic, Willimantic and Pawcatuck in the same division in 90, looks like a 5th place finish. (Shi_@!)
Under US Jarheads Scuttlebutt, Bill Nieman… Jarheads failed to make the playoffs despite winning 96 games! After a sub .500, 4th
place finish in 1988 the Jarheads made tremendous progress finishing 30 games over .500 in ’89, but neither fans or the players gained
much satisfaction. USJ Jarheads were 34-23 in one run games…USJ pitched 19 shutouts and were held scoreless 8 times.
An All-Star Ballot and voting for Manager of the Year were included in Oct 06, 1989 newsletter.
Final standings…..
Salem
TEEM
Dragons
Baton Rouge
Poqunock
Won
116
87
64
53
44
Lost
46
75
98
109
118
GB
--24
52
63
72
PCT
.716
.537
.395
.327
.272
Galactic
Lake Wobegon
Yorktown
Florida
Washington
Won
122
86
74
69
59
Lost
40
76
88
93
103
GB
--36
48
53
63
PCT
.753
.531
.457
.426
.364
Mystic
Pawcatuck
US Jarheads
Allyn Street
Topeka
Won
101
100
96
66
62
Lost
61
62
66
96
100
GB
--1
5
35
39
PCT
.623
.617
.593
.407
.383
New England
Connecticut
Willimantic
Asylum
Windsor
Won
96
93
87
74
69
Lost
66
69
75
88
93
GB
--3
9
22
27
PCT
.593
.573
.537
.457
.426
1989 American League Playoffs - Round 1
Bob Mendez played the American League Playoff series for Galactic and Lake Wobegon. Game 1 at Galactic: Rijo Vs LaPoint. Lake
Wobegon wins 6-4. Game 2 a pitching duel between Mike Moore & Kelly Downs won by Lake Wobegon 2-1. Game 3 Galactic takes
1-0 lead and holds on to win 2-1. Game 4 Tartabull and Phelps hit back to back HR’s to lead Lake Wobegon to 4-3 win. Game 5 The
Lake sends Mike Boddicker to the mound to try to wrap it up before the home crowd…. 1-1 tie in the bottom of the 9th as McGwire
took a 0-2 pitch from Tim Belcher over the left field wall… 2-1 victory for Lake Wobegon.
H - 49
No report on record for the TEEM Vs Salem series that was won by Salem in four games.
1989 National League Playoffs - Round 1
New England Vs Pawcatuck Game one Pascual Perez 4 hits New England, yielding only 1 unearned run, Tim Laudner leads the way
for Pawcatuck going 3 for 4 with a 3 run HR. Kirby Puckett ices the game with a 3 run HR in the 6th. Brett Butter leads NE hitters
going 2 for 3. Paw 7 NE 1. Game 2 Candalaria limits Paw to 2 hits and 2 BB’s facing only 30 batters hurling a complete game shutout.
Mookie Wilson hits 2 HR’s with 4 RBI leading NE’s offense. Tony Fernandez chips in with 3 hits in 5 AB’s with 2 RBI. NE 8 Paw 0.
Game 3 Juan Nieves faces only 31 batters limiting Paw to 4 hits, 0 BB’s and 1 unearned run in another complete game win for NE.
Ernie Whitt is the offensive star for NE driving in 2 runs and scoring 3 runs with a single, HR and BB. NE 5 Paw 1. Game 4 Marty
Barrett’s double and Dave Magadan’s triple in the 3rd followed by Rob Deer’s solo HR in the 4th give NE all the runs they need in a
squeeker. Two late rallies by Paw fall short. In the 7th Scott Bradley drives in a run for Paw with 2 out pinch hit single. With 1 out in
the 9th singles by Lou Whitaker and Al Newman put runners on 1st and 3rd. But NE’s Alejandro Pena bears down and K’s Scott
Bradley then gets Wade Boggs fly out to end the game on a negative clutch single. NE leads the series 3-1. Game 5 Pascual Perez
wins his 2nd game of the series 5 hitting NE. Paw gets a balanced attack with 3 of 9 batters in the starting lineup getting at least 1 hit
and scoring 1 run. Kirby Puckett hit a 2 run HR for Paw and Mookie Wilson hit a solo HR for NE. Game 6 NE bangs out 7 hits in the
first 3 innings chasing Mike Krukow but only scores 1 run. Tim Laudner goes 3 for 4 with 2 doubles, HR, 3 runs and 2 RBI to lead
Paw hitters. Laudner gets some help from Rich Renteria with 2 doubles and Mike Greenwell socks a solo HR. Roy Smith dodges a
bullet in relief in the 6th. After issuing 2 BB’s Gene Larkin misses a ballpark HR with 2 out. Smith then settles down and sets the last 9
batters down in order. Paw ties series 3 all. Game 7 All the games runs are scored in the 1st inning! NE takes the lead when Butler
reaches on an error by Dwight Evans at 1b. Magadan then BB’s and Barry Bonds doubles t score Butler. Deer then hits a SAF to make
it 2 to zip. But, Tony Fernandez and Gene Larkin both ground out to 2nd to end the inning. Paw counters with a leadoff single by
Evans a BB to Boggs and a 3 run ballpark HR by Puckett. Ron Jones then singles, Laudner flies out Uribe forces Jones then steals 2nd
and scores on Greenwell’s single. Juan Nieves then settles down for NE and doesn’t give up another hit until Puckett doubles with 2
out in the 8th. NE only manages two other threats the rest of the game. Ernie Whitt misses a 2 run ballpark HR chance in the 2nd. With
2 out inn 4th Harold Baines and Whitt hit back to back singles but Browning gets Barrett to fly out. Over the last 3 innings Randy
Myers and Craig Lefferts hold NE to 1 single to give Pawcatuck the big win.
Mystic and Connecticut (Ed Groboski and Dave Gineo played face to face) Game 1: Mystic Mike Scott and Devils Oril Hershiser both
struggled early but Scott settled down and Mystic wins 5-4. Game 2: Pitchers duel between Holsteins Clemens and Devils Gubicza.
Scoreless through 7, 1-1 after 9, Mystic wins in bottom of 10th on squeeze bunt. Clemens 10K’s. Game 3: Unpredictable Bobby Witt
for CT Vs Saberhagen. CT was struggling to hit Saberhagen down 3-1, in 7th when Mystic surprisingly pulls Saberhagen. CT comes
back to win 4-3. Game 4: Rematch of game 1, score tied 2-2, after 7, but Mystic scores 9 runs over next two innings to win 11-3.
Game 5: CT face elimination as Gubicza and Clemens face each other again. This time CT wins 2-1. Game 6: Lefty Paul Kikgus had
to start Vs Saberhagen. Mystic usually killed lefties but not this time as CT forces a game 7, with 14-4 victory. Game 7: Scott (2-0) Vs
Hershiser (0-2). Scott walked 4 straight men in the 3rd for a run and then Terry Steinbach hit a 2 out 2 run single for an early 3-0 CT
lead. This was enough as Hershiser pitched a great game going the distance in a 5-0 win. CT pulled off a big comeback and now must
face the powerful Pawcatuck Pequots. A rematch of last years National League Championship series. Series MVP - Tim Wallach hit
.500 (9 for 18) 2 HR’s and 6 RBI.
ALCS……
Lake Wobegon at Salem game one Dave LaPoint started and shut down Salem on 5 hits before being pulled with one out and one on
in the eight and a 3-0 lead. Todd Worrell relieved and gave up a first pitch, pinch hit, two run homerun to Chad Krueter but hung on
for the save. Chris Sabo homered for the Whippets. 3-2 Lake Wobegon. (LP) Higuera. Game two the Salem bats finally exploded off
Kelly Downs for 3 runs in the third and 4 runs in the fourth. Key hits two run homers by Moseby and Brunansky. 8-4 Salem. (WP)
Smith (LP) Downs. Game 3, The Psychics struck early by scoring 2 in the first as the first four batters all singled and scoring 5 in the
second. Lake Wobegon did not go down easily with the score 8-5, the game ended when Brian Holton got Mark McGwire to pop to
short with the bases loaded. (WP) Gross (LP) Burns. Game four rematch of game one LaPoint Vs Higuera. Higuera had control with
3-1 lead going to the bottom of the 7th. A two run homer by Jody Davis tied the score and with 6 runs in the 8th Lake Wobegon comes
back to win 9-3. Game 5 Ed Whitson starts for Salem and he is engaged in a real pitchers dual with Whippets Mike Boddicker.
Boddicker comes away the victor 3-2. Game 6 Salem cruised to a 6-3 win sending the series to a seventh game. Bob Boone went 4 for
4 as every Psychic either had a hit or an RBI. (WP) Smith (LP) Downs. Game 7 LaPoint Vs Higuera. Ted Higuera battled the
Whippets into the ninth after overcoming early wildness. He gave up a single and 4 straight walks in the first to fall behind 2-0. Down
3-0 after 5, Salem battles back to score 1 in the sixth and 2 in the 7th to tie the score. The Whippets come back in the ninth with 3
singles to take the lead and win 4-3. (WL) Worell (LP) Higuera.
NLCS
Connecticut at Pawcatuck. Game 1: Pawcatuck breaks a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 8th chasing Orel Hershiser on a BB to Boggs and a
triple by Mike Greenwell to win 5-3. (WP) Pascual Perez (LP) Hershiser. Game 2: Will Clark, Jody Meyer and Harlod Reynolds were
the hitting stars for Connecticut and the Blue Devils even the series with a 7-4 win. (WP) Gubicza (LP) Smith Game 3: John Tudor
scatters 6 hits, 0 BB’s over 7 2/3 gaining the win for Pawcatuck 4-2. (LP) Kilgus Randy Myers gets the save as he retires the side in
order in the 9th. Game 4: Orel Hershiser has a no hitter going for 7 1/3 but leaves the game in the 8th in 1-1, tie allowing 3 hits. CT
wins in the bottom of the 8th on a 2 out, 2 RBI double by Tim Wallach. (WP) Plesac (LP) Smith Game 5: CT jumps put 2-0 in the first
H - 50
on Tony Gwynn’s 2 run Homer. Pawc. Bangs out 7 hits in the first 5 innings but does not score. The Pequots then get 3 in the 6th
helped by a 2 out 2 run Homer by Scott Bradley. CT regains the lead on a 2 out 2 RBI double by Mel Hall in the bottom of the 6th.
Pawc. puts the game away with 3 in the 7th on a 2 out pinch home run by Ron Jones off Dan Plesac. 7-4 (WP) Perez (LP) Plesac.
Game 6: Pawcatuck wins the NL crown parlaying 11 hits, 7 BB’s and 3 squeeze bunts into 6 runs while holding Connecticut to 6 hits
and no BB’s. Wade Boggs had 3 RBI’s on 2 squeeze buts and a double. Jose Uribe went 3 for 4 with a 2 RBI single. CT had solo
HR’s by Jody Meyer and RJ Reynolds. Jeff Reardon and Randy Myers pitched the last 3 innings for Pawc. holding CT to 1 single.
PAWC. NOTES: Mike Greenwell reached base his last 12 consecutive plate appearances hitting .500 (11 for 22) 2D, 2T, 5BB.
CONN. NOTES: Jody Meyers hit 3 HR’s with 5 RBI. Tony Gwynn hit only .174 (4 for 23). Dan Plaesac left CT on bad terms with
owner Dave Gineo after being traded to Salem. In 6 appearances Plesac was not very effective winning 1, losing 1, 4IP, 5R, 6H, 1HR,
6BB’s, 11.25ERA.
World Series….Lake Wobegon Vs Pawcatuck Pequots
Game 1 @ Paw, LaPoint vs Perez. LW jumped out to an early lead and Dave LaPoint had a four hitter as LW cruised to a 8-0 victory
and a 1-0 series lead. In the first Ken Phelps followed two out singles by Van Slyke and Tartabull with a three run home run to stake
LW to a 3-0 lead. In the 2nd Van Slyke hit a two out two run double to increase the lead to 5-0. Single runs in the 6th, 8th and 9th
finished the scoring. Game 2 @ Paw, Downs vs Browning. Paw stuck for two runs in the first as Boggs led off with a single Downing
walked and Puckett followed with a two run double. In the 5th a Wilkerson error on a Dwight Evans grounder led to an unearned run
as Laudner knocked him in with a one out single to increase the Pequot lead 3-0. LW rallied for 2 runs in the 8th off Browning and
reliever Myers; but 3-2 is as close as they could get as a ninth inning rally was snuffed. The game ended with the tying run on third
and winning run on first but Myers got Jody Davis to hit a come backer for the last out. Paw wins 3-2. Series even at 1-1. Game 3 @
Lake Wobegon; Tudor vs Burns. Another tight game. In the fourth back to back doubles by Sabo and Jay Bell and a two base error by
Boggs on a Tartabull smash led to two runs for the Whippets. Paw came right back with four of their own in the fifth on a pair of
walks then a double by Boggs a double by Greenwell and a single by Puckett. In the bottom of the 5th Jody Davis walked Sabo
advanced him to 3rd with a single and Jay Bell drove Davis in with a single to cut the lead to 4-3. An unearned run in the top of the 6th
for Pequots ended the scoring as Randy Myers picked up a save with 1 1/3 of hitless relief. Paw wins 5-3 leads series 2-1. Game 4 @
LW; Krukow vs LaPoint. Determined not to fall to far behind in the series LW jumped out to 1-0 lead inn the bottom of the first on
back to back two out triples by Van Slyke and Tartabull. They added to their lead in the third when Sabo got a two out single stole
second and cored on a single by Van Slyke. LW scratched out another run in the fifth before the Pequots finally touched LaPoint in
the sixth on a Dwight Evans solo homer. McGwire homered inn the eighth for a insurance run as Worrell picked up a save with 2 1/3
hitless innings. Lake Wobegon wins 4-1 evened the series 2-2. Game 5 @ LW; Perez vs Boddicker. Paw batted around in the second
jumping to a 3-0 lead. Fred Lynn lead off with a homer then Wilkerson booted an Evans grounder. Two outs later the Pequots strung
together four straight singles to get two unearned runs. LW scored in the 4th on a walk single and ground out but that’s all they could
get of Perez. Greenwell hit a homer in the 9th to close the scoring and Myers picked up his 3rd save. Paw wins 4-1 leads series 3-2.
Game 6 @ Paw; Downs vs Browning. In the top of the first Tartabull stake LW to a 1-0 with a two out homer. The Pequots came right
back in the bottom of the first. With two outs Puckett singled Greenwell walked Evans drove Puckett in with a single then Lynn
drilled a 3 run homer. Back to back singles followed but the inning ended without any more scoring at 4-1. In the third, LW got two
runs back as Van Slyke hit a two run homer and threatened to score more before the inning ended with the scored 4-3. LW tied the
score in the seventh. Pagnozzi singled went to third on a Kruk double, Van Slyke walked to load the bases, Reardon replaced
Browning then Tartabull walked forcing in Pagnozzi to tie the game 4-4. In the eighth LW finally got the lead by scoring two runs on
four hits and a Whitaker error. Down 6-4 the Pequots came back with a run of their own in the eighth on consecutive singles by
Greenwell, Evans and Lynn to cut the gap to 6-5.The Whippets stranded a man on third in the 9th setting up a dramatic bottom of the
ninth. With Worrell pitching, Boggs led off with a single and was sacrificed to second by Downing. Kirby Puckett then took Worrell
deep to give Paw the championship.
Pawcatuck use timely hitting and solid pitching to defeat the underdog Lake Wobegon Whippets and successfully retain their FBNA
crown in a hard fought series. Congratulations to the Pequots Jim Jalutkewicz for repeating and to the Whippets Jim Ferguson who
had to knock off the tough Galactic and Salem to reach the finals for a great series.
American League All-Star’s:
catcher: Boone, LaValliere
1st:
Joyner, Mattingly
2nd:
Alomar, Lind
ss:
Larkin, Smith,O.
3rd:
Gruber, Molitor
of:
Canseco, Gibson, Strawberry
Tartabull, Henderson,R., VanSlyke
Palmeiro, Brunansky
dh:
Incaviglia,
Pitchers: Higuera, Stieb, Moore, LaPoint
Jones, Davis, Smith, Worrell, Leiper
MVP: Canseco
Cy Young: Heguera
Rich Hamell
National League All-Star’s:
catcher: Steinbach, Pena
1st:
Galarraga, Clark,W.
2nd:
Sanberg, Barrett
ss:
Ferandez, Uribe
3rd:
Boggs, Gaetti
of:
Winfield, Puckett, Bonds
McReynolds, Bulter, Henderson,D.
Gwynn
dh:
Greenwell, Deer *tied
Pitchers: Jackson, Gubicza, Browning, Clemens
Eckersley, Myers, Franco, Henneman,
MVP: Puckett
Cy Young: Gubicza
Jim Jalukewicz
H - 51
FBNBA Second Annual All-Star Game. Played at Pawcatuck Stadium
I was the manager for the AL while Bob Mendez guided the NL. Top vote getter for starting pitchers Danny Jackson started for the
NL while the top voter getter for pitchers in the AL Teddy Higuera started for the AL. Gary Gaetti and Kevin McReynolds who hit
back to back homers were vote Co-MVP’s.
Americans 010 000 000 - 1 8 3 (LP) Higuera
Nationals 004 102 00x - 7 10 0 (WP) Jackson (S) none
Higuera(3), Stieb(5), Smith(6), Leiper(6), Davis(6)Jones(7),LaPoint(8)Moore and Boone(4)Lavalliere
Jackson(4), Gubicza(4), Franco(6), Clemens(7), Henneman(7), Myers(8)Eckersley(9)Browning
Larry Hill resigns for the league he is #70. Bob Figella will take over the Washington team in 1990. Bob names his team Hazardville
Powderkegs.
1990 (by Rob Bruno. Printed in December 1999)
AL President Mike Gerack NL President Dave Gineo.
Jan & Feb.
Mike Gerack sent in “Notes from the Florida File” where he made his predictions for the American League. ALE 1-Salem. 2-TEEM.
3-Dragons. 4-Baton Rouge. 5- Hazardville. ALW 1-Galactic. 2-Lake Wobegon. 3. Florida. 4-Yorktown. 5-Topeka. (Final Results 1
TEEM. 2-Salem. 3. Baton Rouge. 4- Dragons 5. Hazardville. 1- Galactic. 2-Yorktown. 3- Florida. 4- Topeka. 5- Lake Wobegon.)
Steve Walters sent a letter to all members about “OUT OF POSITION PLAYER RULE”. We had voted not to use this rule but Steve
wanted it so he sent out his request “Harold Richmond didn’t say this is on optional rule! He intended it to be used as a permanent part
of the Superadvance Rule!” Steve writes “F-B-NBA says no. Who do you think is right, Real Baseball Managers such as Dave
Johnson and Whitey Herzog as well as SOM game creator Harold Richmond or fellow gamers in the FBNBA? If you voted against
using the player out of position rule, as Harold Richmond intended and as Real Baseball Managers do use, do you really think you are
more knowledgeable on this subject than they!?” Steve’s letter did not make a difference as only one other member called me agreeing
with him..
Dates to remember are published. Dave Gineo sent in a list of available players for the draft. Roland Klee gives several Klubbers their
unconditional release in his “Klubbers Klips”.
In my “NINER NOTES” I announced that Tommy Lasorda freaked out over “SLIMFAST” and that Wild Bill Holawaty takes over as
manager for the 89ERS for the 1990 season.
I do not have the number of managers that showed up at the draft or the draft results for 1990. But on draft day we lost a member. I
made a call to Mack Smith in round one and he made his choice. In round two he did not return my call. Mack had one or two other
drafts going on at the same time. I tried to reach him two more times before Dave Gineo opened Macks written draft instructions to
make his next choice. We then continued with the draft. As members called Mack to update him on the draft he now realizes that he
missed round two. He calls the draft and wants me to stop the draft and go back to round two to let him draft. I told him I could not do
that. he basically accused us (the people in person at the draft) of cheating and reading other members emergency draft instructions.
Most members have been in person at least once at the draft and know we do not open the EDI unless we cannot reach a member on
the phone when it is his turn. I tell Mack to go pound sand and if he doesn’t like it I’ll be happy to send his league fee back to him.
Mack leaves the league and we use his Emergency Draft Instructions to finish his draft. He is #71 to go. Tristram Coffin takes over the
team after the draft.
March 1990
Steve Walters sends a letter to the Commissioner to give his opinion about trading of even round draft picks. He expresses his opinion
again about the out of position player rule and the balk, wild pitch, passed ball/super advanced additional supplementary stealing
system. When Steve did not like something or when he wanted to have some rule changed he did not give up. Steve wanted the player
out of position rule but he did not want the new stealing system. “Optional and Untested. Why were we FBNBA members not given
the choice to keep the same system as last year? If you are upset at being forced to choose between two untested rules which happen to
be optional rules anyway please let our Commissioner know and request a new vote on this issue which would include a choice for
last year’s system.” The rest of the league did not agree. No new vote was taken.
A copy of the draft, odd and even rounds were printed. Protected rosters where sent out.
April & May 1990
Roland Klee responds to Steve’s letter. “Harold Richman runs a terrific company… BUT HE IS NOT GOD. Most of the
improvements that come about in the last 20 years are the direct results of suggestions from his customer. That’s us, folks, we’re not
that dumb after all.” Roland reminds everyone that there was plenty of time to lobby one’s stance on the issues, consequently “I don’t
think we should risk a precedent”.
Dave Gineo sends in his “DEVIL DOOLES” that the 1990 season will be a ‘new look” team. After reaching the NL Championship
series for 2 straight seasons only to lose to the FBN Champ Pawcatuck, GM Gineo felt it was time to make changes. Debra Cope
sends in a story about her team in “DRAGONFIRE”. Other members contributed: Mike Holbrook, Mike Gerack, Steve Walters and
Jim Ferguson. Mike Gerack also sent in his first column “From the President’s Corner”. In the May issue Dave Gineo, Bud Drapeau
and Glen Boucher send in NL news. Dave Gineo also sends in ‘PLAYER PROFILE” Will Clark is the first of many that Dave sends
in. I send in “Minor League News. I use the computer game and the nonactive players from each team and set up a minor league. The
H - 52
league had four teams ALE, ALW, NLE and NLW. (not very creative) In the first ML game the ALW beat the ALE 3-0 as Hanson
and Young combined on a four hitter.
Bud Drapeau, Bob Mendez, Jim Jalutkewicz, Roland Klee, Jeff Merklin and I all send in team news. Mike Gerack sends in his second
“From the President’s Corners”.
The 1990 season started out the same way that it finished…. with exciting pennant races in three of the 4 divisions. After about 40
games: USJarheads had 1 ½ game lead over Willimantic and 2 games over Pawcatuck in the NLE. New England had a 2 game lead
over Windsor and a 3 game lead over Connecticut and Klee’s in the NLW. In the ALE Baton Rouge had a 1 game lead over TEEM
and in the ALW Galactic already had a 7 game lead over Yorktown.
June & July 1990
USJarheads increase their lead in the NLE to 6 games over Pawcatuck. In the closest race that I can remember in the FBN Connecticut
and Windsor are tied for first 1 game ahead of third place New England and Klee’s and 2 games over 5th place Poqunock after 68
games. Glen Boucher in his “HAWK HI-LITES” writes: After obtaining security passes and getting permission from his personal
psychiatrist, reporters were allowed to speak with Hawk GM Glen Boucher about the status of his team. His reply “THIS TEAM
SUCKS!!!” Enough said I guess”. That from a guy that has his team in first place! Florida’s Mike Gerack has trade talks with a
number of teams with no success.
Deb Cope calls me and resigns #72 from the FBN for health reason’s. She has decided to give up her Dragons and just relax. Deb did
have a medical problem she was always very nervous. (Many members feel the beginning of the end for Deb was when she traded her
favorite player Cal Ripken away. I tried to find Deb in 1999 to ask her if she would like to contribute to the 25th Anniversary but could
not locate her. Glen Boucher, it’s on your head.) Ralph Billings takes over the team and will rename the team for next year Space
Coast Cannons. For the members that remember Ralph, “Space” anything in his team name was appropriate. I think Ralph loved to
make trades more then he liked playing the games. He came and left the league I think three times. BUT, he was always on time and
always handed in all his stats. That is why we kept taking him back
Baton Rouge 41-24 leads Salem in the ALE by 5 games. Galactic is running away with the ALW at 49-13 12.5 games over Yorktown.
NO HITTER: Nolan Ryan pitches a no hitter for TEEM. Looking up the old report I can not tell what team he pitched it against.
4 HR games: Rob Deer had two 4 HR games for the Chief’s. They are the only 4 HR games in team history.
Klubber Klips “Friends and relatives of Windsors Hawks owner Glen Boucher have become distressed over his increasingly bizarre
behavior. A man in a white suit and a white truck who didn’t appear to be the Good Humor Man was stationed outside the gates of Jim
Bouton Field and moved quickly when Boucher exploded during another frustrating loss. Roland retained the services of attorney Sue
M. Bigg of the firm Dewey, Cheedham and Howe. And filed suit the next day. Boucher in the “NOTES FROM THE NEST: answers
Roland “ “Owner and Idiot for Life” Has been sniffing large quantities of airplane glue. It is well known that this substance can cause
brain damage. Klee can ill afford to kill off his few remaining brain cells”. The league members have become friends and friendly
“jabs” are throw at each other.
I mailed out a copy of the 1991 schedule for the league to review.
August Sept. 1990
Team reports have become a main staple in the newsletter. Without them the newsletter would not be as good as it has become. In
every report an average of 10 members have been sending in detailed stories that are interesting, funny and best of all personal.
SECOND NO HITTER: Nolan Ryan pitched his second no-hitter of the season in a 13-0 rout at Lake Wobegon. He walked 6 and
struck out 12. Ryan was 21-6 with 6 starts remain.
Mike Gerack AL President, who has made the trip each year to Norwich, CT for the league draft, goes on vacation and stops in at
Urbanda, IL and visits Jim Ferguson for lunch. “We were able to spend a couple of hours talking baseball. Jim told me of a news item
that will not allow him to make the trip to participate in person for the next years draft. He and his wife are expecting their first child
in Feb. And no he will not be willing to trade this player for a number 1 draft pick.”
As you can tell the guys in the league are not just members of a strat league they are becoming friends. That’s when the league became
as solid as it is today.
The National League East ended in a tie between USJarheads and Mystic Holstiens. The Jarheads won the coin toss and won the home
field advantage for the one game playoff. It was Candiotti vs Saberhagen. The game was a nail bitter as Mystic had a 2-1 lead going
into the bottom of the 9th. USJ had runners on 2nd and 3rd but could not score. Mystic takes the NLE.
final standings…..
H - 53
TEEM
Salem
Baton Rouge
Dragons
Hazardville
Won
102
94
89
54
51
Lost
60
68
73
108
111
GB
--8
11
46
49
PCT
.630
.580
.549
.333
.315
Galactic
Yorktown
Florida
Topeka
Lake Wobegon
Won
111
88
82
76
48
Lost
51
74
80
86
114
GB
--23
29
35
63
PCT
.688
.543
.506
.469
.296
Mystic
USJarheads
Pawcatuck
Willimantic
Allyn Street
Won
92
91
88
82
60
Lost
71
72
74
80
102
GB
--1.0
3.5
9.5
39
PCT
.564
.558
.543
.506
.370
Windsor
Connecticut
Klee’s
New England
Poquonock
Won
94
89
83
79
67
Lost
68
73
79
83
95
GB
--5
11
15
27
PCT
.580
.549
.512
.488
.414
AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFF RESULTS: TEEM defeated Salem in five games. TEEM split the first two at TEEM and went on
to sweep Salem in Salem. Series MVP Nolan Ryan. Galactic defeated Yorktown in six which featured offensive explosions from both
teams. Eric Davis was named series MVP hitting .318 plus he had a key 2 run homer in game sixth to tie the score in the 6th inning.
(Bob Figella and Bud Drapeau played the series.)
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFF RESULTS: Mystic defeated USJarheads and Windsor defeated Connecticut in four games. In the
NLCS Mystic takes the NL playoffs beating Windsor in six. Mystic took the first three games. The first featured a shutout by
Saberhayen beating Hurst 3-0. The second game was a more spirited affair with timely hitting by the Holsteins overcoming a 3 homer
attack by the Hawks with the final outcome 8-6. Game 3 was the most exciting of the series as Mystic took a 2-0 lead in the seventh
only to be tied in the 9th. Franklin Stubbs two single of Ekc in the 10th was the winning blow. In game 4 Bruce Hurst beat Saberhagen
1-0. The Hawks hit two grandslams in the 2nd inning of game 5 going on to a 13-8 win. But Mystic romp in game 6 winning 14-1. Jeff
Hamilton had 6 RBI and hit .410 for the series.
1990 FBNBA World Series
In a Strat-o-Matic classic matchup, TEEM came back to defeat Mystic in seven games. Mystic had TEEM on the ropes with a 3 game
to 1 lead; up 9-7 with two outs in the ninth, but TEEM refused to lose. Paul Molitor took Roger Clemens deep with Greg Gagne
aboard to force extra innings in this back and forth game. In the 12th Kevin Mitchell and Robin Yount hit back to back homers for a
11-9 lead. Eric Plunk survived a wild bottom of the 12th for the win. Tim Burke took the loss.
TEEM breezed through the last two games. Game six was never inn doubt; TEEM won 6-1. Game 7 featured the pitching dominance
of Saberhagen and Ryan. MVP Nolan Ryan threw a near perfect game. His only flaw was a two out single in the eight by Glen
Wilson. Saberhagen was almost as good allowing just 1 hit before tiring in the seventh.
The first game was bobbled away by Glen Wilson. Wilson made two errors in the first when TEEM took a 2-0 lead. Mystic was held
scoreless until the ninth when Jack Clark homered to bring Mystic back to 4-1. Mystic rallied with a Baines single, a Stubbs single, a
walk and a Wilson RBI single. Franklin Stubbs was then thrown out at the plate by Robin Yount to end the game.
Mystic dominated game two winning 10-2. Harold Baines was the star with a double, two home runs and six RBI. In game three
Mystic parlayed a three run second inning into a 4-2 victory. Greg Litton had the big hit, a two run triple for Mystic. Game four
featured a six run third for Mystic. Lance Parrish and Clark had two run homers in the inning. The 8-5 Mystic victory set up the
exciting fifth game.
Congratulations to Bruce Kutler on his first league title and to Ed Graboski on an excellent season.
On the voting ballot was a question to allow Jim Ferguson to stay in the league or to remove him due to lateness. Jim ended the season
with 100 -BP’s.
The league voted to put Jim on probation but to give Jim another chance.
American League All-Star’s:
dh:
Bell, Henderson,R.
catcher: Tettleton, Boone
1st:
Davis, Mattingly
2nd:
Alomar, Browne
3rd:
Wallach, Molitor
ss:
Thon; Fernandez.
of:
Sirra, Yount & Davis, E.
Coleman, Bradley & Mitchell
SP:
Ryan, Blyleven & Bosio
RP:
Russell, Landrum, Acker, Hickey & Smith,L.
National League All-Star’s:
dh:
Baines; Guerrero
catcher: Parrish; Berryhill
1st:
Clark,W. & Davis,G.
2nd:
Sanberg, Franco(the only two that got votes)
3rd:
Johnson; Lansford
ss:
Ripken; Dunston
of:
Gwynn, Puckett & Carter
Smith,L., Greenwell & Hayes
SP:
Saberhagen, Langston & Clemens
RP:
Pena, Montgomery, Myers, Eckersley & Dibble.
MVP: Mithcell,K.
Cy Young: Ryan,N.
MVP: Johnson, H.
Cy Young: Langston,M.
H - 54
Bruce Kutler
Glen Boucher
Dean Morris joins the league around November 1990. Dean was introduced to SOM by Bruce Fogg.
3rd Annual FBNBA All-Star Game
The All Star classic was held 11/20/90 at beautiful Pawcatuck Stadium. Managers for the game were Bill Nieman handling the AL and
Jim Jalutkewics handling the NL. Tossing out the first ball was Pawcatuck’s mascot, Molly the Wonderdog, who promptly chewed up
the ball into pieces. This turned out to be about the most exciting action of the game.
Americans 010 200 000 - 3 9 3
Nationals 000 000 00x - 0 6 0
(WP) Ryan (Save) Russell
(LP) Saberhagen
Clubhouse Chitchat:
Of the 15 hits in the game 15 different players got hits. Mystic Holstien pitchers Saberhagen and Clemens spent the day stepping on
their utters combining for 3 IP, 3 runs, 1 walk and allowing 6 of the 9 AL hits.
1991 (by Rob Bruno. Printed in December 1999)
AL President Mike Gerack NL President Dave Gineo.
Jan. & Feb.
The new year starts with news that SOM my not get the cards out on time. They changed printers and it may be the end of February
before they get mailed out. Feb. 17th was already set as our draft day and plans have been made. We could not change the date. I
recommended that we make preparations to draft without the cards. I recommended that everyone purchase John Lamann’s Baseball
Bulletin to see the actual hits and obp for each player. It turned out that we needed to worry because the cards were late.
Ralph Billings had to drop out of the league because of work related problems #73. Because of our backup manager list we do not
miss a beat. Dean Morris takes over the Space Coast team and renames them the Bristol Royals.
Scott Ellis rejoins the FBN as a backup manager. Scott said “ it was time to come home>”
Bob Figella sends out a list of all the available players for the draft. Bob continues to do this for the league.
Jim and Susan Ferguson have twin boys!! Congratulations go out from the league.
Jeff Merklin sends me a copy of his 1974 West Jeff Jerks year book to include in the January Newsletter. It listed the team colors of
Blue, Green and Yellow. The cap was blue with yellow “shield” in front with the letters “J’ and “W” in green lying over each other.
Green brim. Jeff had a home and road uniform shown at the bottom of the page. He also had the Jerk Stadium dimensions at 325 and
335 down the lines, 365 and 375 to the power alleys and 405 to centerfield. Ticket prices $6 club, $4 field level, $3 plaza and $2
general admission seats. (Bring back 1974!)
Draft day Feb 17, 1991.
We did not have a torrential down pour as in 1989 or a snow storm as in 1990 all we had was a new phone system to worry about.
Excitement was building as 13 members made it to the draft. Boucher, Figella, Drapeau, Klee, Fogg, Morris, Gineo, Mendez, Hamel,
Graboski, Jalutkewicz, Nieman and me. At 11:00am the League Awards were handed out. At 12:00 Jim Ferguson called into draft
headquarters to make the #1 pick… Ben McDonald. After 6 full rounds and part of the 7th the draft ended at 4:15 PM when Jeff
Merklin mad Jay Tibbs the 133rd pick. On the “Buddy System” Kutler, Coffin, Gerack, Walters, Holbrook, Merklin and Ferguson
made the draft look “tailor-made”.
From US Jarheard Scuttlebutt by GM Nieman: Brunism. Any proper name rendered unrecognizable when spoken; a common
characteristic of this phenomenon is that it is usually irreversible; once spoken the botched name is forever imprinted on the speakers
brain (i.e. Brunolized) and will be mispronounced on all subsequent utterances…. This condition has given rise to new scientific study
(BRUNOLOGY) which deals exclusively in deciphering anagrams into proper names.
EXAMPLES OF BRUNISMS: Klees Clobbers, Oscar Ozacar and Fred Mandreeky.
Jeff Merklin finally gets his cards on April 2!!
Our 2nd and 3rd backup mangers for 1991 are Ed Griffin from North Reading, MA and Ed Glass from N Grosvenderdale, CT.
I make predictions for 1991: NLE - Willimantic NLW - Connecticut ALE - Salem ALW - Galactic.
April 1st was our official “Opening Day”
H - 55
Our 4th & 5th backup managers are John Sedeyn from Wayne, NJ and Gary Gerack, Mike’s brother, from S Carolina.
As the season gets underway Willimantic has a 2 game lead over Mystic. Windsor leads Connecticut by 2. Salem leads TEEM by 6 ½
and Galactic leads Lake Wobegon by 5 ½.
Some Newsletter Notes from 1991:
Lime Sox Lowlights. “WHAT A JOKE!! Mgr. Fogg never plays well using the team’s instructions by his own admission - but this
season is a catastrophe!! New England’s batting average on the road is .190 which brings the team average UP to a robust .182.!!” (If
only we had the CDROM game in 1991)
Klubber Klips: Once again, GM and Owner-For-Life Klee was pleased with his selections on Draft Day. “We had another tremendous
draft this year and we will claim a play-off spot at the end of the season. I already see that there are signs of panic up in Windsor this
spring!”
Dave Gineo’s Player Profile is Bobby Bonilla - Bobby is off to a great start for the Warriors. Bonilla is in the top 2 leaders in 4
categories.
US Jarheads: The Jarheads are ready to begin a 30 game swing through the NLW. USJ has posted a winning record against the NLW
the past 2 years. We will be hard pressed to perform a “three-peat’, we are looking to get well against New England., Poqunnock, and
Klees Klowns!”
From the President: Since we have several new members in the league, I feel it is my duty to give them information to help them
assimilate into the league…. Draft day 1989…… Florida is picking in the 6th round. The phone rings and the picks of the previous
round are read off. Then the familiar “you have 2 minutes to make your choice.” GM Gerack answers without hesitation, ‘The Sun
will proudly take Duane Ward, Toronto”…….. The tape at this point is somewhat unclear, but apparently the words, something to the
effect “a steal, getting Ward, … who would believe he’d still be available.”……Minutes later the phone rings again. It’s Rob. “Mike
Duane Ward was taken in the 4th round. You’ll have to make another choice.” ……The reply “Oh, yes sure I knew that. Ward was
taken in the 4th. Well…hmmmm…let me see…well…that’s it, is Wells from Toronto available……”Yes.”….”Ok then, what I really
meant to say was David Wells, Toronto.”
Niner Notes: The 89ERS new world is a winning world. After saying for years they had nowhere to go but up the Allyn Street 89ERS
finally might get there. (In the 56 game report Allyn Street was in first 1 ½ games in front of Willimantic.”)
Galactic: Gooden has 3 shutouts. Lee Smith 0 ER in 17 1/3 IP. (2008 NOTE: I drafted Gooden #1 in the ’86 draft. Steve tried to get
the #1 from me in a number of poor offers. I finally traded Dwight to Steve years later. I don’t remember what I got in return.)
Bristol: Big offensive problems. Need some big right handed bats.
Bruce Kulter from TEEM sends a letter to AL President Mike Gerack and Commissioner Bruno: “Why is there nothing about the
American League in the Newsletter? Let’s at least have standings.” I write Bruce back: “I print what I get. Ask your fellow American
League members. The National League is doing fine.” I don’t know what Mike said back. The American League was more laid back.
It was probably because they did not play face to face and they did not know each other as well as the members of the NL knew each
other. This will change when the AL finally starts to use the same reporting form that the NL has been using. In the next newsletter 9
of the 10 American League members sent in league notes. The only member not sending in a team report… yep, Bruce Kulter. Go
figure.
Mike Gerack asks the AL members to send in their Best and Worst trades.
Port Chester: Best so far: Port Chester trades John Farrell and Dion James for Vince Coleman and Eddie “Ballgame” Williams.
Worst so far: Trading Hough and a #4 for August and Ruffin. The #4 would have been Chuck Nagy. OOPS!
Bristol: Best: Doug Jones from New England for Rob Deer
Worst: Dan Pasqua and a #4 from Willimantic for Dave Winfield. I thought Winfield was washed up.
Salem: Best transaction: C.Fielder, Plesac, Webster for Carols Martinez, Andujar and Caderet in 1989.
Worst transaction: Cutting Dennis Martinez before the 1987 season.
Florida: Best: BJ Surhoff for Key and then trading Key for McGwire.
Worst: Trading Seitzer, Samuel and Valenzuela for Garrelts, Briley and Worthington.
At midseason Willimantic took over first in the NLE by 1.5 games over Allyn Street. In the NLW Windsor had built up a 10 game
lead over Connecticut. In the ALE Salem had a 7.5 game lead over Port Chester. In the ALW Galactic lead Lake Wobegonn by 16.
Mystic and Poquonock were piling up the -BP’s 29 & 21 respectively. TEEM was next with only 11. Lake Wobegon who lead last
year with 100, was being a good boy at 2.
H - 56
The Eastern Divisions were the only pennant races in 1991. After 135 games Allyn Street took over first from Willimantic by 2.5
games. After 145 the lead was reduced to ½ game. Salem had a comfortable lead over Port Chester by 7.5 games. After 140 games the
lead was cut down to 3.
In Dave Gineo’s PLAYER PROFILE Ellis Burks was hi-lited. “Burks has been “Mr. 89ER” this year leading the team in five
offensive categories. ACQUIRED - via trade with Florida - 5/90. (Burks and Jeltz to AS for O.Guillen)
Bruce Fogg announces that he is planning the 1st Annual FBN Golf Tournament - The tournament was held each year until 1998.
With a first place at stake Willimantic and Allyn Street travel to Las Vegas to play their last series. That’s right we asked our wives
they said go so we packed our bags and went out to Vegas!! Mendez went right to the sports betting parlor…. what would the
commissioner say…. hey as long as he bet on his team to win!!! It is an exciting series and with two outs in the bottom of the 9th and
the 89ERS winning 2-1 Kevin McShit…. I mean McRengels hit a 2 run ballpark homer to defeat the 89ERS. Allyn Street goes on to
drop 4 of 6 to rival Willimantic dropping the 89ERS out of 1st place and into 3rd behind Mystic who won 3 of 4 from Connecticut to
move into 2nd. Allyn Street goes on to take 4 of 6 from Mystic to finish 2nd.
Salem
Port Chester
TEEM
Bristol
Hazardville
Won
105
99
89
73
49
Lost
57
63
73
89
113
GB
--6
16
32
56
PCT
.648
.611
.549
.451
.302
Galactic
Lake Wobegon
Florida
Yorktown
Baton Rouge
Won
99
88
74
73
51
Lost
63
74
88
89
111
GB
--11
25
26
48
PCT
.611
.543
.457
.451
.315
Willimantic
Allyn Street
Mystic
Pawcatuck
USJarheads
Won
90
88
86
82
69
Lost
72
74
76
80
93
GB
--2
4
8
21
PCT
.556
.543
.531
.506
.426
Windsor
Klee’s
Connecticut
Poqunock
New England
Won
102
92
91
61
59
Lost
60
71
72
101
103
GB
--10.5
11.5
41
43
PCT
.630
.564
.558
.377
.364
KLUBBER KLIPS: “Do you believe in miracles?? Among baseball scholars, there is general agreement that there are only three true
miracles in the history of sport: 1914 Miracle Braves, 1950 Miracle of Coogans’s Bluff and the 1969 Miracle Mets. Well move over,
George Stallings. Step aside Bobby Thompson and get out of the way Ron Swoboda. Make way for Spike Owen!!
It was only six months ago that the sporting world was scoffing at GM and Owner-For-Life Klee’s bombastic boasts that the Klubbers
would contend for a play-off spot. For awhile the naysayers seemed right as the Klub got off to its traditional slow start. With fans
wearing paper bags over their heads and numerous Klee effigies swinging from local flora, the man with an eye for free food stepped
to the plate.” (That’s right folks Roland said his team would do it and they did. He is also right “the man with an eye for free food” )
I ask for voting items and if anyone is interested in running for Commissioner, as my two year term is up at the end of the year, and
AL President because Mike Gerack needed some time off. Steve Walters calls me to let me know he wants to run for commissioner
and Bob Figella said he will run for AL President. Dave Gineo will run again for NL President.
AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFF RESULTS: Port Chester beat Galactic but there is no report.
WOBEGON UPSETS SALEM IN 7 GAME CLASSIC. The Lake Wobegon Whippets used timely hitting and masterful managing to
upset the Salem Psychics in a seven game series.
Wogeon needed a dramatic comeback in the seventh game for the victory. Down 4-2 in the top of the ninth with only two hits to that
point, Wobegon rallied against Salem stopper Lance McCullers. With Jerry Browne on first, McCullers gave up a single to Al Davis
then a walk to Ron Gant. Llyod Moseby followed with a single driving in Browne. Gene Larkin then singled in Davis to tie the game.
Chris Sabo then forced Gant at the plate. Tom Pagnozzi then came up with the bases loaded and doubled into center driving in Mosby
and Larkin for the dramatic victory.
ALSC: Port Chester Drowns Lake Wobegon in 5 games, Wins AL Pennant. The Port Chester Molesters used timely hitting and superb
bullpen work to defeat the Lake Wobegon Whippets four games to one. Reliever Rick Mahler was named series MVP picking up two
saves in two games while giving up only 3 hits and no runs in 7 2/3 IP.
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFF RESULTS: Willimantic beat Klee’s but there is no report.
Allyn Street beats mighty Windsor in 6!! Allyn Street used great pitching by Ramon Martinez and Greg Hibbard at the nest to win
both games 7-3, and 4-2 to take a 2 game lead back to the “school yard”. The Hawks take the first two at the ‘yard’ 3-1 and 5-0 behind
Belcher and Hurst to even the series. In game 5 the Hawks take an early lead 3-0. After 21 innings of being shutout the 89ERS finally
score a run. Down 3-1 in the 7th Allyn Street with one out rallies for 3 runs as the tying and winning runs score of Hawks closer Dave
Smith. Allyn Street lead series 3-2. In game 6 Fred McGriff hits a 3 run homer in the first to take the edge off the game. Allyn Street
wins 7-2. The bullpen is given the MVP award for the series allowing 1 run in 21.2 IP.
NLCS: This was the best playoff series I was ever involved in. Bob Mendez and I played the series one evening after work at Liberty
H - 57
Mutual. After we started to play we never looked up at each other again during a game. It was do or die time. Willimantic beat Allyn
Street in 7 games after Allyn Street had a 3 to 2 game advantage. I believe Kevin McShi… McReynolds had something to do again
with the Willimantic win.
1991 FBNBA World Series
Using some great pitching by the “Beastie Boys” bullpen, the Port Chester Molesters won their first F-B-N-BA World Series title by
defeating Willimantic four games to one. The two teams met as the Molester GM drove to rural (and I do mean rural) Windham, CT to
meet the formidable National League Champs.
The Molesters got off to an inauspicious start, as Tony Phillips hit the first pitch of Game 1 into the right field seats. The Warriors
scored again in the 2nd to take a 2-0 lead before Port Chester rallied to win the game 4-3.
Game 2. After a George Brett RBI single gave Willimantic a 1-0 lead in the first, Vince Coleman hit a leadoff homer to tie the score 11. Paul O’Neill homered to make it 2-1, but Junior Ortiz run scoring single evened the score a 2 before the decisive 6th inning. With 2
outs, Brook Jacoby walked and O’Neill singled. Dave Justice was walked intentionally to load the bases and when Rob Ducey was
announced as a pinch hitter Rick Honeycutt relieved Warriors starter David Cone. Ducey was replaced by Dale Murphy, who
connected with a Grand Slam that provided the winning margin in what became a 6-4 Molester win.
Game 3 took the series out of the friendly confines of Port Chester’s Lyon Park and into Willimantic’s “ZOO”, where Charlie Leibrant
was lying in wait. Earlier in the season, Leibrandt and a committee of relief pitchers had no hit the Molesters and when Jamie Quirk
and Kurt Stillwell delivered RBI hits to give the Warriors the lead, things looked bleak for the AL Champs. However, a Joe Oliver
double keyed a 2 run rally for Port Chester inn the 3rd. By the 6th the game was turned over to the bullpens. John Tudor pitched 3 2/3
hitless innings for PC, while the Warrior bullpen was dominating until the 9th when a bizarre chain of events took place. With 2 outs
Mike Kingery singled off Terry Mulholland. After Jacoby singled and O’Neill walked, Steve Frey hit Rob Ducey with a pitch with the
bases loaded to force home the winning run.
Game 4, the first two Warrior batters reached on errors! Bobby Bonilla followed with a 3 run homer. With the score tied at 3 in the
13th, George Brett hit a 2 run homer to win the game.
Game 5, Willimantic used a clutch hit by Kevin McReynolds to take a 1-0 lead. Willimantic scored first in all 5 games. The Molesters
rallied with 3 in the 3rd and one run in the 5th to take a 4-1 lead. Bonilla’s 2nd homer of the series brought the Warriors to within 4-3.
Willimantic had a runner on 3rd with 2 out in the 6th but George Brett was foiled on a 1-13 single chance. The Warriors didn’t
threaten thereafter, and when John Tudor retired Bonilla on a popout to end the game the Molesters had won the World Series.
John Tudor was the obvious MVP. He won games 1 and 3 and saved the deciding game 5. For the series he pitched 13 innings,
allowing only one run on two hits. Having attained the highest pinnacle of success, Tudor announced his retirement effective
immediately. Next year his number 30 will become the Molesters first retired number.
The 4th Annual FBNBA All Star game was play on the computer letting “HAL” make all the strategy moves while Bob Mendez and I
made the substitutions. The game was played at the 1990 World Series winner’s TEEM Stadium.
National League All Stars: W.Boggs, D.Magadan, K.Puckett, D.Henderson, W.Clark, F.McGriff, B.Bonds, K.McReynolds,
B.Harper, M.Tettleton, E.Burks, K.Griffey, B.Bonilla, J.Clark, J.Franco, C.Ripken, S.Dunston and R.Sandberg. Pitchers: R.Clemens,
R.Martinez, D.Smith, B.Hurst, J.Gleaton, F.Viola, R.Dibble and R.Myers.
American League All Stars: A.Trammell, C.Biggio, R.Henderson, M.Scioscia, R.Gant, D.Strawberry, A.Dawson, L.Dykstra,
J.Canseco, K.Gruber, T.Wallach, C.Fielder, E.Murray, A.Davis, H.Reynolds and B.Doran. Pitchers: C.Finley, D.Johnson, N.Ryan,
E.Whitson, D.Wells, L.McCullers, D.Eckersley and J.Agosto.
Nationals
012 000 010 - 4 11 1
(W) R.Martinez (S) R.Meyers
Americans
000 000 010 - 1 2 0
(L) C.Finley
MVP: C.Ripken - Ripken’s RBI single in the second with 2 outs scored Harper. In the 8th his RBI double scored J.Franco from first.
The National lead the series 3-1.
At the game GM and Owner-For-Life Klee was photographed working the stands as a Cracker Jack and Hot Dog vendor. The game
was played on November 19, 1991.
November 23, 1991 - Elections are over and I’m elected commissioner again by an over whelming 15-0 margin. The vote for Steve
was 1-14. It made me feel that the league appreciated what I’ve been trying to do, make the league more democratic and as good as it
can be with better communication.
1992
FBN HISTORY By Ed Griffin
I was a backup manager asked to finish the season for the Mystic Holsteins, who’s owner Ed Grabowski, for work related reasons took
a leave of absence. I took over the team after only about 10 games. Ed never sent me the stats for the 10 games…making it easy on me
usage-wise. The team was crummy, but had a few good players like Roger Clemens (who ended up winning the NL Cy Young award
that year) and John Kruk.
TEEM managed by Bruce Kutler, who sadly passed away in 1996, won the American League Pennant defeating Taxachusetts in
round one. Rich Hamel played this series, and told me that Taxachusetts had a golden opportunity to win the series when TEEM’s
faulty instructions called for lefty Mike Flanigan to pitch to lefty crusher Cecil Fielder. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, the “dumb” move
ended up working out as Fielder made the last out of the seires. TEEM went on to defeat the Willimantic Warriors in the World Series.
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The Warriors had only won 87 games, but beat heavily favored Connecticut (which had won 106 games) in the NLCS.
The owner of the Galactic Gladiators Steve Walters, who was charter member of the league left after the end of the season. The
Gladiators were like the New York Yankees of the FBN, having won several titles, and been a top echelon team for the entire time the
team was in the league as best as I can determine).
The Galactic team was then tossed in with the Mystic team and Ed Glass and I drafted from those two teams. The Mystic team was
awful but the Galactic team was so good that there was enough talent to make the new North Reading Hogs and North Grosvenordale
Demons both competitive. My understanding was that people were not too sad to see the Gladiators broken up. Everyone was sick of
them winning and I guess Steve Walters’ methods were sometimes called into question.
Bruce Kutler then left the league. Dom Statile who was the first backup was offered the team but decided to wait for expansion.
Ed Grabowski who was next on the backup list (I guess he decided it would be better to become a backup than to take back the team
he had wrecked) was awarded the TEEM franchise. I didn’t quite get this at the time. The guy blows off the league in 1992, leaves a
crappy team, doesn’t even send in the stats for the games he played. Then he gets to come back in the very next year and take over a
better team. He should have been forced to take his old team or take a hike; if you ask me. I’m sure Ed Glass and I would have gladly
agreed to give Ed Grabowski back his crappy team and have us redraft from the TEEM and Galactic teams….but what can you do, the
boy beat the system. I think it was due to some kind of Evil-Ed-Triangle thing going on, for which I claim almost total innocence.
(Editors Note: With expandition coming that took all the other backup members so Grabowski was lucky that we needed him at the
time.)
Additional 1992 History by Rob Bruno printed December 1999.
Bob Figella is the new American League President. He sends a letter out to all the American League Owners. Bob wants to expand the
AL section of the newsletter. “I believe everyone would enjoy the league and the newsletter more if more information was included in
it.” Bob asked the AL owners to complete a new report sheet similar to what the NL had been using for the last 2 years. “I would also
like to ask for articles or comments about your teams. Stats are interesting but stories make the difference. You must have something
to say.” It worked as the newsletter finally becomes a complete FBNBA newsletter.
Scott Erickson pitched a no hitter. It is the first in Admirals/West Jeff (combined franchise history).
Biographies are printed for the first time in years.
1. Jeff Merklin - Yorktown Admirals. 31, Attorney, married to Mary Beth for 7 sevens. Has been in the FBN since inception, with a
2 year hiatus during Law school.
2. 2. Mike Gerack - Florida Sun. 41, Math Teacher, married, 4 children. Started playing Strat with the 1962 season. Joined FBN
1988.
3. Bud Drapeau - Taxachusetts Chiefs. 31, Attorney, married. Started playing Strat in 1975 and member of FBN since 1989.
4. Bob Figella - Hazardville Powderkegs. 30, Quality Control Manager, single. Started playing Strat in 1986. Member since 1990.
5. Roland Klee - Klee’s Klubbers. “The Klunky Klutz of Klubberdom The Unauthorized Biography Of a Legend by Kitty Kelly
Born in poverty to an immigrant German porcelain enameling apprentice and his wife, GM and Owner-For-Life Klee has
achieved the ultimate American dream - ownership of a franchise in the FBNBA. No age given, single. Played Strat since 1967.
6. Ed Griffin - backup manager, 33, married. Played Strat in 1970.
7. Ed Glass - backup manager, 30, single, radio announcer/DJ. Has played Strat since 1987.
8. Rob Bruno - 42, Insurance Salesman for Liberty Mutual, married Annette, 3 children. Started playing Strat in 1975. Joined the
FBN in 1985. Won the NLW Division 1986, National League President 1987, 1st term as Commissioner 1988.
9. Bob Mendez - Willimantic Warriors. 28, Insurance Salesman for Liberty Mutual, married. Never before played Strat until joining
the FBN in
10. Bruce Fogg - New England Lime Sox. 41, Insurance Salesman, married. Introduced to Strat at age 19. Joined FBN in 1986.
11. Bill Nieman - US Jarheads. 42, Special Ed. and Adult Educator, married, 2 children. Marine and Viet Nam Vet. Played Strat since
1963 vs close friend Jim Julutkewicz owner of the Pawcatuck Pequots. Starting 6th season in the FBN.
12. Dave Gineo - Connecticut Blue Devils. 29, Accounting Manager, single. Joined the FBN in 1987.
13. Mike Holbrook - Baton Rouge Silver Bullets. Married with 3 kids, Research Chemist. Started playing Strat face to face in 1973.
Member of FBN since 1988.
14. Jim Ferguson - Lake Wobegon Whippets. 31, married to Susan with twin boys. Works for the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. Played Strat since 1970
15. Rich Hamel - Salem Psychics. 24, single, Computer Engineer. The Psychics, after a dismal 61-101 first year have massed a career
total 456-354 over 5 seasons.
16. Dean Morris - 28, moved to the US from Peterborough England age 11. Late introduction to the great American past time has not
limited my enthusiasm for the sport. I am a baseball fan-atic. I thank Bruce Fogg for Introducing me to Strat; my wife Michelle
has a “special” place in her heart for Bruce because of the wonderful way in which Strat has enriched our marriage.
17. Bob Figella boldly predicts that his Powderkegs after back to back last place finishes will avoid the cellar this year. “Salems
rebuilding could give us the break we need” stated GM Figella. Hazardville and finished 51-111 and 49-113 the two previous
years.
18. Roland Klee as in prior years presented several awards on Draft Day. The Nostradamus Prize for Fearless Forecasting went to
Lime Sox owner Fogg for his masterful prediction two weeks before the season ended that the Blue Devils would go all the way.
Psychic owner Hamel and Chief Chief Drapeau also won the Ivan Boesky Awards for frenzied trading. Fogg once again won a
certificate by selecting Rafael Belliard, this year’s Walter Mitty award winner. Oscar Azocar Certificate for Draft Wizardry was
not handed out until Royals owner Morris plucked Turner Ward from the waiver wire.
H - 59
I made my predictions for 1992. Pawcatuck will bounce back and win the NLE while Allyn Street will come in second. Windsor will
repeat as NLW Champs but Connecticut will make them sweat it out all year. TEEM will win the ALE but Taxachusetts, that’s right
the old Poquonock team will finish second. Yorktown will take the battleship out of dry dock and win the ALW in the last block just
beating out Lake Wobegon. Galactic will not make the playoffs for the first time in the team history.
Windsor will beat Pawcatuck. Yorktown will beat TEEM. Yorktown will win the World Series in seven.
Dave Gineo’s NL section of the newsletter is still top shelve including his PLAYER PROFILE. In each issue Dave profiles a player.
This issue was Steve Buechele - 3B - Connecticut Blue Devils. Age 30. HT 6’2’’. WT 190. Born - Lancaster, CA. Acquired - via trade
with Taxachusetts - 1/92. Dave then would include high lites of the player. Buechelle has been a huge bonus for the Blue Devils
batting .314 and leading the team in HR (13) and RBI’s (46). He is also in the League’s Top Ten in BA, Runs Scored, RBI’s and
HR’!! (Dave has always like the exclamation point!!) He has not made an error in 50 games at 3B also.
Scott Erickson throws the first NO-HITTER in Admiral history versus Lake Wobegon. Manager Merklin is quoted “if memory serves
me correctly its only the second no-hitter I’ve played in the 19 years I’ve been playing.”
Remember the Mack Smith incident on Draft Day 1991? Well Mack is writing for STRATFAN and he decides to rip the FBN in print.
Bruce Fogg takes offense to this and writes a letter back to STRATFAN. Here is excerpts from Bruce’s letter…
I just recently received my Sept-Jan. issues of StratFan…… I was surpised by comments made in an article written by Mack Smith…
titled “Mail Leagues Heading Downhill”….Mr. Smith alludes to two negative experiences last year with PBM Leagues. The first
involves a 16 yr old league in which I have been a member for the past six years and involves a situation which occurred on draft day
in Feb 1991. Mack says his phone never rang and thus his draft list was used to secured a 2nd round draft pick.
…twenty teams in this league, with 14…in CT. Thirteen…were present at “League Headquarters” on Draft Day and seven including
Mack were drafting by phone. We all sat by and watched our commissioner and then his assistant make three attempts to reach Mack
at home…a five minute wait…selection was made from his list and we moved on. After several teams had made additional selections
we finally heard from Mack who said his phone never rang. Mack voiced his displeasure with the selection made from his list and our
commissioner explained that backing up the draft at his point was not an option.
None of us ….felt any animosity toward Mack….I think we all empathized with his situation…However we are also in agreement…
Commissioners actions… appropriate.
Mack goes on to say he violated all his rules in joining our league, citing high turnover, and a constitution not to his liking. …I’ve
been a member for 6 years and this is the first complaint I have heard about our constitution…..a constitution which has evolved over
16 years of successful league play….As for high turnover…there are 6 managers who preceded me into this league…17 of 20 have
completed at least the last 3 seasons. Our last casualty?….You guessed it! Mack Smith!
Bruce’s letter goes on but I think you get the idea. What Mack told me on that draft day was he did not trust us at the draft. He felt we
read all the written draft lists that were sent in so we know who the “phone” members wanted to draft. All I can say is I’m glad 90% of
the members have been to a draft in person at least once and know the truth.
After a third of the season Allyn Street lead US Jarheads by ½ game, Connecticut lead Windsor by 11, Taxachusetts had a 10.5 game
lead over TEEM and Florida lead Galactic by 2.
Pequot Points: After threatening to move for over a year, Pawcatuck relocated the franchise from Connecticut to Duluth, GA due to
dwindling attendance at Pawcatuck. Jim Jalutkewicz renames the team Hotlanta.
Expansion Update: …FBNBA will be expanding in 1994….calls asking how the league will handle expansion…important that we get
this information to you ASAP….(I go on and explain the 7 steps we had decided on about expansion.)
Roland Klee proclaimed himself League Scholar and Archivist-for-Life Klee. He tells the league he is disappointed by the lack of
response to his request for league memorabilia, histories, and other artifacts…I was hoping to establish an FBN Hall of Fame at the
end of the year……it appears that only nominees will be Klubbers. Can the league survive that??? . He gives his address and tells
everyone to “keep those cards and letters coming.”
At mid-season Allyn Street lead Willimantic by ½ game and US Jarheads by 2. Connecticut lead Windsor by 12.5, Taxachusetts lead
TEEM by 11 and Florida lead Galactic by 4 and Baton Rouge by 4.5 games.
After 2/3’s of the season the only change in a pennant race was in the ALW the new leader.…Yorktown, 1 game in front of Galactic
and 3 in front of Florida.
In the September 23rd new letter I report some Good News: Ed Groboski informs me he can take over his team again in October. Ed
had been on 26 business trips so far this year. Ed plans on using a lap top next year to play most games. He said he would not be able
to play many face to face games because of his work schedule.
I also report some Sad News: At the end of this season the FBN will lose a Charter Member of the PBM part of the FBN. Steve
Walters….Steve is leaving the FBN to from his own league….we wish Steve well in his new challenge.
This was not a total surprise. Right after the draft members started talking that Steve did not draft like a member that was staying
around. He went for the good card only. We even asked him about it at the time but he said nothing. I also feel the over whelming
defeat in the commissioner race did not help matters for Steve.
H - 60
Sept 10th newsletter we talk about expansion again. The establish teams did not want to lose more then 6 players to the new teams. The
league officers want the maximum to be 9 so the expansions teams my draft someone with some talent. This debate went back and
forth. We had to put it to vote again.
With 75% of the season over Willimantic took over first place from Allyn Street. Connecticut still lead big in the NLW. Taxachusetts
lead TEEM by 4.5 in the ALE and Yorktown had built a 6 game lead over Florida.
October 12, 1992. I remind everyone that the league fee was due. 1993 draft day will be Feb. 16 and the season will open Mar. 22. I
review the new schedule that will be used for the first time. We will change from playing the same team home and away at the same
time, a schedule that the league had used forever, to the kind of schedule we now play. This cut down road instructions from 32 series
to 18. This idea came from a combination of help from Steve Walters, Bob Mendez and Bruce Kutler.
The league would realign in 1993.
NLE: Allyn Street, Willimantic, US Jarheads, Mystic, Taxachusetts and N. Grosvenordale.
NLW: Connecticut, New England, Bristol, Klee’s, Windsor and Manchester.
ALE: TEEM, Salem, Hazardville, N. Reading and New Jersey.
ALW: Florida, Baton Rouge, Yorktown, Lake Wobegon, Pawcatuck and S Carolina.
Oct 30th newsletter I announce that I’ve made a constitutional change removing -BP’s from a team when a manager leaves so the new
member will not be saddled with the old teams faults.
Voting Items listed for vote. One was a non-binding issue. The issue was league alignment. Should the league have 3 divisions with 8
teams in each? Four divisions 6 teams. Ballpark ratings were a hot topic. Should we limit the difference from righty and lefty? No
less than 2 or no greater than 18? And yes again, adopt SOM rule for outfielder out of position rule. Establish default instructions to
cover omitted situations in Road Instructions. Add excess E-ratings to road instructions.
The final records
Taxachusetts
TEEM
Port Chester
Hazardville
Salem
Won
93
90
85
66
41
Lost
69
72
77
96
121
GB
--3
8
27
52
PCT
.574
.556
.525
.407
.253
Yorktown
Galactic
Florida
Baton Rouge
Lake Wobegon
Won
97
94
89
75
72
Lost
65
68
73
87
90
GB
--3
8
22
25
PCT
.599
.580
.549
.463
.444
Allyn Street
Willimantic
US Jarheads
Pawcatuck
Mystic
Won
91
87
86
72
64
Lost
71
75
76
90
98
GB
--4
4
19
27
PCT
.556
.537
.531
.444
.395
Connecticut
Windsor
Klee’s
Bristol
New England
Won
106
91
88
67
67
Lost
56
72
74
95
95
GB
--16
18
39
39
PCT
.654
.556
.543
.414
.414
There are no records about the playoffs. All we know is in the National League Allyn Street beat Windsor. Willimantic upset
Connecticut in round one. In the NLCS Windham beat Allyn Street for the second year in a row in seven games to move onto the
World Series. Two Wild Card teams meet in the World Series and TEEM defeated Willimantic in five games.
In the Fifth Annual All-Star game the National League defeated the American League 3-1. (W) G.Maddux (S) S.Farr (L) Eckersly
MVP: S.Mack
Bob Figella’s American League section was outstanding. It included player photo’s, team logo’s AL team after AL team finally
contributing to the newsletter. Yes, the American League had finally caught up with the National League in representation in the
newsletter.
Because of work Ed Groboski does not return as an active member #74. He signs on as a backup.
Charter member resigns: Steve Walters (75) who was in the League from the beginning of PBM decides to call it quits. Steve left with
the most World Series Championships 5. He won 9 League Championships. Steve was a very good manager but his heart no longer
belonged to the FBN.
I hold a re-entry draft with the Galactic and Mystic teams. Ed Griffin and Ed Glass are the two new managers.
1993 History by Ed Griffin
As always, the fun officially began during the draft in late February. Looking back, that draft turned out to be one of the worst in
memory in terms of the long term productivity of the high first round picks. The Hawks from Farmington Valley (or some place else
in CT….this franchise tends to move frequently) chose first. As history proves out, this was not unusual…every year, the Hawks and
GM Glen Boucher seem to own 3 of the top 5 or so picks…even though most of the time, the Hawks had a great record. Anyhow, the
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Hawks chose Will Cordero. After that, Florida GM Mike Gerack chose Pat Listach, Call Eldred and Mosies Alou (the only high pick
that panned out). Other immortals selected in the top ten included Dave Fleming and Tim Wakefield ( who would end up being cut
and then redrafted in the top 10 again in 1996). Glen Boucher scored the two steals of the draft selecting Tim Salomon 10th and Mike
Piazza 22nd. Scott Cooper was taken 21st…ouch. Glen had taken Ken Griffey Jr. 1st overall in ’90 so he was well on his way to
building a powerhouse though the draft…something few others if any have managed to do.
(2004 – note. Bruce Kutler (76) resigned sometime in 1993 before the season started. Ed Graboski comes back.)
A month or so later, the season begins, the Hogs and Demons compete for the first time, and TEEM is no Mystic. Ed Grabowski (77)
does not finish the year. Bob Mendez ends up managing the Mystic team at the end of the year. Ed tries to get back into the league a
few years later, but a vote is taken and he is not allowed to hose the league again. Score one for democracy!!
Amazingly, the Demons and Hogs both reach the post season as wild card entries. The Demons get in by defeating the Williamantic
Warriors in a one game playoff where the Warriors had a big lead (I think 7-0 at one point) but ended up losing. Ed Glass, nick named
The Demon Seed, quickly alienated many members of the league with his obnoxious and generally insane behavior. He took the
Demon/Devil theme a bit too far, speaking about human sacrifice and other inappropriate gibberish in the news letter, while calling
people on the phone day and night leaving sometimes offensive messages. However, he did assemble a pretty decent team that year
which finished at 97-66. Andy Vanslyke had a huge season for the Demons leading the league in hitting at .337 while legging out 52
doubles, 20 triples and scoring 126 runs. Vanslyke might have been voted the league’s MVP if everyone hadn’t detested owner Glass
so much.
The Demons didn’t get past the first round of the playoffs. They were dispatched by the perennial powerhouse Connecticut Blue
Devils, who has won 106 games for the second straight year. Dave Gineo’s Blue Devil were led by Barry Bonds (.323, 41 HR, 131
RBI, and 107 runs - who I think was voted MVP) and Greg Maddux (294 IP, 25 Wins, 2.25 ERA - Cy Young). However, once again
the Blue Devils failed to make it to the series as they lost to Commissioner Rob Bruno’s Allyn Street 89ERS in the NLCS. An
interesting parallel between Strat and real life was taking shape as Barry Bonds’ post season swoons were contributing greatly to the
Blue Devils failures just as they had done for the Pirates and Giants. Years later, Bonds was gone and the Blue Devils finally reached
the promised land. The 89ERS (101-61) who were led to the post season by Fred “The Crime Dog” McGriff (33 HR, 123 RBI, 101
runs) and Julio “one year wonder” Valero (17 wins, 2.47 ERA) had defeated Roland Klee’s Klubbers in round one. The Klubbers
(100-62) rare playoff appearance was in great part due to the regular season heroics of Juan Gonzalez who klubbed 51 HRs to lead the
league and also tied Bonds for the league in RBI with 131. Frank Castillo also contributed mightily as he won 2 games for the Klub.
In the American League, Mike Gerack’s Florida Sun (95-67) had defeated the Port Chester Molesters in the first round while the
North Reading Hogs (94-68) had defeated the Hazardville Powderkegs. The Kegs (89-73) managed by Bob Figella were the winner of
a rather week Eastern Division. Melido Perez was a star for the Kegs winning 23 games, striking out a league leading 252 batters and
posting a 3.02 ERA. The Molesters (85-77) managed by Tristran Coffin were pitiful offensively, but had some good pitchers including
Kevin Brown who won 15 games while leading the league with 289 innings and posting an ERA of 2.92. In the West, MVP Frank
Thomas who hit .333 and paced the league with 124 RBI led Florida to the division championship. Runner-up North Reading was led
by Roger Clemens, who went 19-9 with a 2.68 ERA in route to his second Cy Young award, and John Kruk who led the league in
hitting .352. The first year Hogs prevailed over the Sun in the ALCS. The Hogs won when Roger Clemens shut out the Sun in game 7,
2-0. The Hogs would prove to be an annual thorn in the side of Florida as the Hogs would also eliminate them from the post season in
four of the next five years.
The Hogs and 89ERS played the World Series face-to-face and the Hogs won an exciting series 4-2. The Hogs won the first three
games before the 89ERS came roaring back to win the next two. In game six, the 89ERS also came back from an early deficit to tie
the game only to see the series slip away when John Kruk hit a two out bases loaded single in the top of the 9th inning to drive in the
winning runs!
After the Season, the FBN expanded from 20 to 24 teams. The new teams were the Derby City Dragons (Steve Sprague) the Mid
Maine Musselmen (Chris Gager) and the Junkyard Dawgs (Jack Brajak) in the AL and the Carmel Cougars (Bill Siebler) and the
Bolton Blue Ballers (Dom Statile) in the NL. There were five new teams, four to expansion and one to replace Mystic. There was an
expansion draft held where the Mystic team was available and the existing teams protected 18 players. Most of the first picks of the
draft were from the Mystic team. The first 5 players selected were Matt Williams (Mid Maine), John Smoltz (Bolton), Paul Molitor
(Junkyard), John Valentin (Derby City) and Mike Mussina (Carmel). The bone head award went to Ed Glass who forgot to put Chili
Davis on his protected list (Davis hit over 30 HR’s that year). Junkyard scooped Davis up. Jack Brajak and Ed Glass were known to
dislike each other prior to this draft….I don’t think this helped much. Chili Davis went on to outlast Ed Glass in the League and is still
having a fine career for the Dawgs (now Barons).
Additional 1993 By Rob Bruno printed December 1999
The “Valentine Day massacre” Owner and GM For-Life Roland Klee starts a patrician to change the draft for 02/14 to 02/21. I could
see anyone else bring this up for vote anyone except Mr. Klee. PLEASEEEEEEEE. The Draft was postponed to the 21st and every
year since IF the draft would fall on Valentine weekend it has been changed to the following week. We never knew that Roland was
really “cupid”. I said cupid not stupid!
Dean Morris renames his team KC Monarchs.
Jim Jalutkewics renames his team Hotlanta Scorpions.
Ed Glass names his team “Demons”.
Ed Griffin names his team North Reading Hogs.
H - 62
Joe Hults called from Portsmouth, NH to say hello. Joe had left the league a number of years ago. He had remarried, given up Strat
and had taken up darts.
Opening day at Strat-O-Matic was late, Jan 27 so we had to call in our protected rosters so we could stay on our schedule.
Bruce Kutler leaves the league because of work he is #73. Dom Statile was the first backup and was offer the team. Dom declined
stating he wanted to enter as an expansion team. Ed Groboski was the 2nd backup and took over the TEEM.
Draft Day 02/21/1993. Fourteen members attend.
The expansion teams will come from Waterbury, CT, Louisville, KY, Bath, ME. and Marion, IL. Backup managers are from
Wethersfield, CT and Mission Vigeo, CA.
March 1, 1993 newsletter. We are still voting on how to help the expansion teams. We vote on giving them 3 additional players from
the undrafted pool, to give the 120% or 150% for AB’s and IP’ed or to give no extra help. No extra help passed.
Ed Groboski fell behind right from the start and by June 28th had 31 ½ -BP’s and was put on probation. No trades would be allowed
until reviewed by the Commissioner and the League Presidents. A vote was taken to either remove Ed from the league or to access
penalties to him for additional missed reports. If he missed any other Won/Lost reports he would forfeit his #1DP! One DP would be
forfeited for each missed report. The Vote was 11-9 to remove Ed. The League Official’s decided that no trades would be allowed and
that Mystic would not be eligible for the post season. Bob Mendez volunteered to play the remaining games.
Bob Mendez and I announce that we plan on taking a trip to the Hall Of Fame on Friday August 13.
An original expansion manager did not stay around to get to the draft, Lenny Luchtefeld (#78), decided he did not want to build a team
from the ground up. He told me he had joined another league. Jack Brajak will take his place.
The Expansion Draft would be October 30th. There would be 27 rounds. The order of the draft was decided when GM and Owner-ForLife Klee drew names out of a hat. #1 Mid Maine, #2 Bolton, #3 Junkyard, #4 Derby City #5 Plainville.
In the Regular draft #1 Junkyard, #2 Derby City, #3 Bolton, #4 Plainville #5 Mid Maine.
Todd Barber (#79) the Plainville owner decides to give up his franchise. I don’t know if he felt the established teams where not doing
enough to help the new teams or not. He never said why he decided not to take a team.
Dateline: September 26, 1993 a story by Peter Gammons on ESPN reporting the awarding of a franchise into the FBN to Carmel, CA.
According to owner Bill Siebler 41, Security Manager of West One Bank, 28 year veteran of Strat, the new stadium will be built on
the 18th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Club. Team nickname “Cougars”.
Mendez and I report back that we went to Cooperstown. We played Strat in the children’s section of the public library. The Warriors
won 4 of 6. This was our second trip away from home in two years with the Warriors, two years ago we went to Vegas. (Make note:
never travel again with the Warriors to play a series away from home.) Right after the series Mendez then challenged Bruno to another
series in Vegas!!
Dave Gineo puts in a recent item from the “Sporting News”
“The Ballplayers pledge of allegiance”
I pledge allegiance to the Almighty Dollar of the United States of America,
and the money for which I play,
one contract, under negotiation, unbreakable,
with singing bonuses and
incentive clauses for all.
The 6th Annual FBN All-Star game:
NL 3 - AL 2 (W) R.Martinez (S) Montgomery (L) Nabholz (CO-MVP) F.McGriff and Tettleton (HR’s)
Bruce Fogg holds his 3rd Annual Golf Tournament. Eight members were in attendance, the best turnout in the tournament history. Bob
Figella won his 2nd consecutive FBN Golf Championship. Figella carded a 47 in nine holes breaking the tournament record by one
stroke.
Hotlanta changed the team nick name to Possums. “We got killed on the road so much last year! So it is officially now the Hotlanta
Possums. Glen Boucher after MANY MANY MOVES renames this team Farmington Valley.
The final 1993 records
Hazardville
Port Chester
Mystic
Salem
Taxachusetts
Won
89
85
81
76
62
Lost
73
77
81
86
100
GB
--4
8
13
27
PCT
.549
.525
.500
.469
.383
Florida
North Reading
Baton Rouge
Lake Wobegon
Yorktown
H - 63
Won
95
94
89
75
72
Lost
67
68
79
83
95
GB
--1
12
16
28
PCT
.586
.580
.512
.488
.414
Allyn Street
N.Grosvenordale
Willimantic
US Jarheads
Hotlanta
Won
101
97
96
75
52
Lost
61
66
67
87
110
GB
--4.5
5.5
26
49
PCT
.623
.595
.589
.463
.321
Connecticut
Klee’s
New England
Windsor
Kansas City
Won
106
100
80
64
39
Lost
56
62
82
98
123
GB
--6
26
42
67
PCT
.654
.617
.494
.395
.241
1994 by Rob Bruno printed December 1999
Jan ’94 - I predict that Port Chester will win the NLE. Allyn Street will come in 2nd. Connecticut will win the NLW with Windsor
coming in 2nd. North Reading and Florida will win the ALE and ALW with Salem and Baton Rouge coming in 2nd.
Roland offers to get the League History up to date. I ask the league members to send him everything they have. The only person that
sends him anything is Rich Hamel. So I start updating the history in 1998!
Bruce Fogg made his 8th consecutive trip to Glen Head NY for opening day where he and KC Monarchs GM Dean Morris waited in
line for the cards. Bruce writes that the cards look good and that he is looking forward to draft day. Bruce also informs everyone that
he intends to organize a preseason tournament sometime in late February.
Rich Hamel makes his predictions: ALE 1. Hazardville 2. Salem 3. N Reading. ALW 1. Florida 2. Baton Rouge 3. Lake Wobegon.
NLE 1. Allyn Street 2. Port Chester 3. Willimantic NLW 1. Windsor 2. Klee’s 3. Connecticut
Feb 14 - Draft Day: Sixteen members made it to draft headquarters. Jeff and Mary Beth Merklin came in from Ohio. Mike Gerack
from Florida. It was a great day in the FBN. Bob Mendez, was there at 09:00 AM, next me, Bruce Fogg, Dave Gineo, Bill Nieman,
Tristram Coffin, Glen Boucher, Roland Klee, Ed Griffin, Rich Hamel, Bud Drapeau, Bob Figella, Mike Gerack, Jeff Merklin, Mary
Beth Merklin, Ed Glass and after putting his car into a snow bank, Dom Statile.
The draft started at 11 with Bud selecting Jason Bere #1 and after six hours around 05:05 Glen picked Mark Davis as the last 1994
draft pick.
Twenty players are picked up off the “wavier wire. Can these players be that good? Or did a number of us have to fill AB and IP
requirements?
I’ve avoided saying much about Ed Glass because most League members will remember him. But for future members I’ve decided to
include one of his very mild team news items.
Demon Dope: As he called his team news. He starts out telling everyone “the Demons are back…in a new ballpark “Mountain of
Doom”{…built on the ashes of the Demon Dome burned down by our Demonic Lord Satan…new scouts are Charles Manson and
Richard “the night stalker” Rameriz…Satan feels this is a rebuilding year so we will have no human sacrifices, no losing your first
born for losing close games, no bad evil things happening his season at the hand of Satan.” Then he goes on in his first message of the
new season to attack a league member “we’re happy to accept the bogus (league member’s name) “dinosaur” award. Again Mr.
(members name) has to copy everyone else and give an award at the draft. Obviously the man has no creative spirit and can’t come up
with an idea by himself. What a Jerk. We can’t wait to play his team and whip their butts. - That’s it from the Anti-Christ - Ed Glass”
That was his message to the league right after the draft.
Another time Ed called a league member and left a very nasty message. “You f------g jerk. Return my calls. F-U!” This was left on an
answering machine where the team members wife and young children were the ones that played it back. Ed usually was not so
belligerent in person. But, on the phone he had more nerve to be “crazy”, if you want to call it nerve.
The League was thinking to put a “gag” order on his team news…but free speech was fought for by League members.
New members get right into the swing of things as in the first seasonal newsletter includes nice articles by Dom Statile, Blue Notes:
telling everyone the Blue Ballers have a solid outfield…infield will see platoons…the starting pitching staff has ERA below 4.56
Bolton was off to a 8-12 start.
Bill Siebler, Cougar Snarlings: writes the Cougs got off to a slow start when they were swept by Allyn Street and dropped 3 of 4 to the
Marine Corps (all at home). His Pitching Coach was Rodney Danerfield, team ERA after first block 3.80. GM Lee Iococa made tough
decision when he traded Jay Buhner but felt getting three starting regulars for 1995 would lessen the middle infield problems.
In this first seasonal newsletter 9 out of 10 NL members and 7 out of 10 AL members all sent in items The Blue Baller management
actually sent in two lengthy items for the newsletter. Talk about being ready to play!
Other team’s news headings: Klubber Klips, Monarch Mumblings, Niner Notes, Molester Madness, Possum Poop, Scrap Pile Notes,
Hog Notes, Whippets, Chiefts, Sun Strokes Greetings from the Lobesterdome, Baton Rouge Notes, Draggon Droppings, Jarhead
Scuttlebutt, Lime Sox Lowdown, Demon Dope, Devil Doodles, Warrior Waves.
After a 3rd of the season Port Chester lead the NLE by 6 over US Jarheads, Farmington, Connecticut, and New England were all tied in
the NLW two games over 4th place Klee’s. In the ALE North Reading lead Salem by 2. In the ALW Baton Rouge had a 7 game lead
over Florida and Lake Wobegon.
Mike Gerack writes in his Sun strokes –Notes from the Florida File 20/20 Hindsight –Reviewing the 1994 Draft.
H - 64
Round 1—22 of the 24 picks look like good ones. The only two questionable picks JT Snow—CT(where is he now) and Phil
Leftwich—FS(not a power pitcher). Bernitz isn’t quite ready but should be a good player.
Round 2—Steals—Watson, Newfiled(he can hit!), Mondesi.
????Maybe –Arocha, Tarasco, Rapp
Overrated—Tuffy Rhodes—FS(after a 3 HR opening day we hope for a strike)
In Round 4 under ????--the other P. Martinez. <Today 12/99, we know he was a steal>
Mike covered all the rounds and did a nice job.
In July Bob Figella lets me know he will not be able to run for AL President because of limited time due to work. I ask AL members
to let me know who is interested in the job. I post the salary at $20.
At midseason Port Chester lead Willimantic and Allyn Street by 8. New England had a 1.5 game lead over Farmington. North Reading
lead Salem by only 1. Baton Rouge and Florida were tied and had only a 1 game lead over Lake Wobegon.
July 25 Newsletter: I list that we will vote again in November for commissioner and league presidents. I’m running for Commissioner,
Dave Gineo is running for NL President and Ed Griffin, Mike Gerack, Steve Sprague and Jeff Merklin are running for AL President. I
ask if anyone else is interested in running of an office to let me know. I ask the members running for AL President to write up an
article tell the League why the wanted to be President.
To save on paper I have now started reducing news items to 65% of their original size and I start to cut and paste items in the
newsletter.
Draft Day 1995 is announced as Feb 19…Plan ahead…
Mike Gerack tells us that on Friday Aug. 19th the Sun bus left for a hastily scheduled trip to Baton Rouge. The trip was scheduled the
day before when team owners agreed upon a day to begin there series. Mike made an overnight stop in Pensacola and arrived in Baton
Rouge at high noon. Mike states that the afternoon saw the two teams engage in mortal combat. Final stats for the 3 day trip 1500
miles 4 wins and back to work on Monday. Mike thanks the Holbrook family for their great southern hospitality. Mike is the second
member of the FBN that finally got to meet Mike Holbrook. The other member was Roland Klee. So, now the league feels sure there
is a Mike Holbrook….not that we doubted GM and Owner-For-Life Klee but for free food Mr. Klee is know to say almost anything.
Major League Baseball was on strike and we had to decide what the FBNBA would do for 1995. It was easy…we would add the
missing percentage of games to the AB’s and IP’ed on the players card and add our regular extra 10%.
At 49-54 I dump Casey Stengel and his coaching staff.
Bruce Fogg (I should say B.C. Nostradamus) announces the 4th Annual FBN Golf Tournament for Saturday September 11. Past
winners are as follows: 1991-Bruce Fogg & Dave Gineo tied at 49. 1992-Bruce Fogg and Bob Figella tied at 49. 1993-Bob Figella 47.
Last year was the first team event as Bud Dreapeau joined NLW managers Bruce Fogg, Dave Gineo and Dean of Strat Morris to
defeat NLE managers Bill Nieman, Bob Mendez, AL President Bob Figella and the Commiss Rob Bruno 217-221.
Bruce tells us that after playing 8 holes in the inaugural event back in 1991 Roland Klee, the Klubber mentor was “karted” off from
the course on a stretcher with two bloody stumps which used to be hands dangling along side. His final score was record 1XX.
(Editors note: we all love picking on Roland because Roland loves all the attention!)
Manager Bruno brings his 10 year old son, Dan, to Roland’s to play Klee’s. During one game Manager Bruno yells out Shit! His son
Dan is surprised and taken back. GM and Owner-For-Life Klee could only muster PLEASEEEEE MY VIRGIN EARS! I have to tell
Dan please do not tell your mother about my swearing. After a stop at Burger King to bribe, I mean, feed Dan, I think he will keep
quiet.
When the League voted to expand it also voted to expand rosters the following year. I inform the League that we will expand roster in
1995 to whatever number equally divides into 24 teams. If Strat puts out 960 cards we would expand to 40. If they put out less cards
we would expand by less. We expanded the rosters to 37 in 1995.
With 75% of the season over Port Chester had a 7.5 game lead over Willimantic, Connecticut was now in first 2.5 games in front of
New England. North Reading was 8 games in front of Salem. Lake Wobegon had taken over 1st in the ALW 2.5 in front of Florida.
In 1994 we allowed all starting pitchers to start on 3 days rest. We vote again in November if we want to go back to SOM rule of only
an * starter being allowed to pitch on 3 days rest. To expand rosters every year until it reaches 40. Also, a rule that would make it
mandatory that a starter must go at least one inning, allowing the bases loaded or give up 3 runs before he can be removed. This rule
came about because one manager would announces his starter, say a lefty, so the other manager would load his lineup with right
handed batters. When the game started he would let the starter face one batter and then replace him with a right handed reliever. Other
members started to call me and complain. The member total me he felt it was good stragey. I was po’ed at the member and I let him
know it. I also told him what he was doing was wrong. I was not very nice to him. He did stop right away. He has been an asset to the
league ever since. His “Inside the F-B-N” is just one of the extra things he does for the League. And yes, the player out of position
H - 65
rule comes up again. Ed Glass announces that he will change the team name to Money Inc. starting next year. The League is relieved
that the Demons will be gone. Maybe Mr. Glass will not be so obnoxious?
Final 1994 Standings:
North Reading
Salem
Hazardville
Taxachusetts
Mid Maine
Junkyard
Won
116
107
94
76
52
46
Lost
46
55
68
86
110
116
GB
--9
22
40
64
70
PCT
.716
.660
.580
.469
.407
.284
Lake Wobegon
Florida
Baton Rouge
Hotlanta
Yorktown
Derby City
Won
101
97
97
71
50
37
Lost
61
65
65
91
112
125
GB
--4
4
30
51
64
PCT
.623
.599
.599
.438
.309
.228
Port Chester
Willimantic
US Jarheads
Allyn Street
Demons
Carmel
Won
93
88
86
80
73
56
Lost
69
74
76
82
89
106
GB
--5
7
13
20
37
PCT
.574
.543
.531
.494
.451
.346
Farmington Valley
Connecticut
New England
Klee’s
Bolton
KC Monarchs
Won
103
100
95
92
70
69
Lost
59
62
67
70
92
93
GB
--.3
8
11
33
34
PCT
.636
.617
.586
.568
.432
.426
Voting Results: Jeff Merklin wins the election for AL President. Jeff has 14 votes. Steve Sprague was second with 5. Mike Gerack and
Ed Griffin were 3rd and 4th.
We voted to go back to the SOM rule for * starters, to add a rule that a starting pitcher must go 3 innings or give up 3 runs, and the
outfielder out of position rule failed again. I inform the League that we will not vote on this issue again for at least 2 years.
National League Playoffs Round 1:
Port Chester Vs Connecticut.
Game one Maddux Vs Darwin. The game is tied in the top of the 9th 3-3, when Connecticut scores two with Barry Bonds hitting a HR
for the insurance run.
Game two: Rijo Vs Johnson. In Bond first AB since he took Darwin deep he contacts of a Johnson fastball to give CT the lead. With
the score 2-1 CT, in the top of the 9th Bonds hits his 3rd HR of the series to ice the game 3-1.
Game three: Brown Vs Sabehagen. Port Chester gets to Sabehagen early to score one in the first and 3 in the second. CT fights back as
Bonds hits his 4th HR of the series. Bonds would hit his 5th HR but PC held on for an exciting 7-6 win.
Game four: Darwin Vs Maddux. CT scores 3 in the 2nd before Darwin can get an out and Maddux pitches a complete game striking
out 8. CT 4 PC 2.
Game five: Johnson Vs Rijo. Scoreless after 3, with 2 outs Biggio triples and Williams doubles him in. Johnson is PO’ed and uncorks
a wild pitch. CT builds a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 9th PC rallies to tie the game 3-3. In the bottom of the 9th Matt Williams doubles,
Bonds fly’s out Mattingly pinch hits and sends one out for a CT win.
MVP Bonds .368, 7 runs, 1 double, 5 HR’s 7 RBI
Willimantic Vs Farmington Going into the series Glen Boucher states that the Hawk management was terrified to face the 20 side
die rolling antics of Bob “Midas” Mendez. Those of you who have not played Bob in a face to face situation should keep it that way.
He tells the rest of the League that many will testify that whenever there is a big role on the line its an automatic for this freak of
nature, when he touches the die it turns to gold.
Game 1: Tommy Green pitched 8+ innings of 7 hit baseball as this game was never in doubt as the Hawks win 7-3. LP-Cone
Game 2: The Warriors jumped out to a 4-0 lead as Terry Mulholland held the Hawks to 3 singles through 6 innings before the Hawks
score 1. The Hawks make it close by scoring 2 more in the 8th but run out of gas in the 9th. LP-Clemens
Game 3: At the “Zoo” the Hawks take a 3 run lead after 5 only to see the lead diminish to 3-2 going to the 8th. Belle parked his 3rd HR
of the series and Farmington wins 4-2. WP-Avery Sv-Martinez LP-Stewart.
Game 4: Another tight one developed as the two pitchers from game 1 dueled once again. The score remained 2-1 Warriors after 8.
The Hawks manage to tie the game in the 9th only to see Willimantic come back with a run in the bottom of the 9th to win.
WP-X.Hernandez LP- Greene
Game 5: After 4 innings the score was tied 1-1. In the bottom of the 5th the Warriors score 2. The Hawks bounced back in the top of
the 6th on s Tim Salmon’s two run HR. The score remained that way until the Hawks manufactured a run on a sacrifice bunt. Hawks
win 4-3. Manager Boucher said to his chagrin that he had used the strategy 3 or 4 times in the last five years.
H - 66
Game 6: “its clear to me on this day Midas was defecating tin or aluminum dice instead of the usual 20 sided gold ingots.” At the Nest
the Hawks take a comfortable 3-1 lead after 4 but the resilient Warriors tie the game in the 5th and take the lead in the top of the 6th. In
the bottom of the 6h Mike Aldrete launched a 3 run HR to give the Hawks a 6-4 lead. Once again the Warriors come back to tie the
game in the 8th. In the bottom of the 8th it was time to play “Hawk” ball as Luis Gonzalez and Tim Salmon hit back to back HR’s and
the Hawks score 2 more in the inning to make it 10-6. The Warriors valiantly mounted a comeback but fell short by 2 giving the
Hawks the 10-8 win. WP-G.Harris Sv- West LP-X.Hernandez
American League Playoffs Round 1:
Florida Sun Vs North Reading Hogs
Game 1 Eldred Vs Gooden @ North Reading
Both pitchers start out well. In the third the teams exchange a run. The Hogs pickup another run in the 8th to set up a wild 9th. With a
runner on second because of an error and one out Roberto Alomar hits a 2 run HR to give the Sun a 3-2 lead. But in the bottom of the
9th the Sun defense let it down as Larry Walker dropped a fly ball for a 3 base error. Wetteland then proceeded to throw a wild pitch to
tie the score. In the bottom of the 10th Wetteland again struggled and Stanley went deep for a 2 run HR as the Hogs win 5-3.
W - Olson
L - Wetteland
Game 2 Burkett Vs Astacio @ North Reading
North Reading carries the momentum into game 2 with a big first inning as the bat around and score 3. In the third the Sun score 2 as
Alou comes through with a 2 out 2 run double. The Hogs add a run in the fourth but the Sun come back big in the sixth. Down 4-3
Walker starts the 6th with a solo HR. as the Sun score 2 to take a 5-4 lead. The Sun score 4 more in the 9th to put the game away.
W - Burkett
Sv - Wetteland L - Astacio
Game 3 Ruffin Vs Leftwich @ Florida
North Reading jumps out in this one as Damion Easley hit a two run HR in the 4th. That rattled Lefwich as he walked the next 3 batters
and R.Henderson then drove home another run. Frank Thomas answered right back with a HR in the bottom of the inning. The
pitchers took over allowing single runs by NR in the 7th and FS in the 8th. Final Score 4-2 NR. W-Ruffin L-Leftwich S-Bedrosian.
Game 4 Gooden Vs Eldred @ Florida
Florida bats come alive winning 12-5. All Florida starters had at least one hit. Alou went 4 for 4 with 2 walks. W-Eldred L-Gooden.
Game 5. Astacio Vs Burkett @ Florida
Starts out as a pitchers duel. Florida score 3 in the fifth and Hogs tie score in the 6th. With the bullpens holding Ricky Henderson leads
off the 7th with a HR which turned out to be the winner. 4-3 Hogs. W-Belinda Sv-Poole L- Burkett
Game 6 Sanders Vs Ruffin @ North Reading
With their backs to the wall the Sun responds with an offensive explosion winning 12-5. The Sun had built an 11-0 lead by the top of
the 4th. W-Rojas L-Ruffin
Game 7 Elred Vs Gooden @ North Reading
The Sun’s bats stay hot as they jump to a 2-0 lead in the first. At 3-0 their bats go cold and the Hogs break through in the third to make
in 3-2. The Hogs score 4 in the 4th to make in 6-3. Florida ties it in the 7th on Frank Thomas HR. With the Hog bench depleted in the
bottom of the 9th they work the bases load with one out. Andre Dawson lofted a fly ball “B’ over the drawn in outfield for the winning
RBI. W-Johnson L Wetteland
Series MVP: Mike Stanley. In the series the Hogs averaged 7 pitchers per game. Their bullpen was the difference but n o one pitcher
stood out so Ed Griffin selected Mike Stanley.
Lake Wobegon Vs Salem
Gm 1 LW 5 SP 4
Gm 2 SP 3 LW 0
Gm 3 LW 6 SP 4
Gm 4 LW 2 SP 1 (12innings)
Gm 5 LW 6 SP 4
National League Championship Series Farmington Valley Vs Connecticut
This series lived up to its billing. The two teams with the best records in the NL and long time rivals faced off.
Game 1: Blue Devils 5 Hawks 1 Greg Maddux. Enough said. WP- Maddux LP Avery
Game 2: Blue Devils 5 Hawks 2 Jose Rijo. See game 1 comments. WP- Rijo LP- Greene
Game 3: Hawks 12 Blue Devils 9. After one inning of play the Hawks found themselves down 5-1. Things were looking awfully grim
for the Hawks. Down 6-2 the Hawks finally showed life and smashed three homers to take a 7-6 lead in the 4th. The Hawks built their
lead to 12-6 before Connecticut score 3 more to make in close at 12-9. WP-G.Harris Sv- Martinez LP- Saberhagen
Game 4: Hawks 6 Blue Devils 0 (series tied at 2) Hawks pitching held the potent Blue Devil Batters to four singles. Offensively, the
Hawks bashed three more long ones. WP-Avery LP-Maddux
Game 5: Blue Devils 5 Hawks 4 After six the Hawks were up 4-3. Rijo dominated Hawk batters the rest of the way. In the bottom of
the 7th and eighth innings the Blue Devils scored unanswered runs to making it 5-4 for the lead and victory. WP- Rijo LP - Martinez.
Game 6: Hawks 11 Blue Devils 7 In top of the first the Blue Devils took a 4-0 lead. The Hawks tied the game in the bottom of the
inning with back-to-back-to-back homers. In the bottom of the 5th the Hawks put this one away with another three homers The Blue
Devils scored three in the top of the eighth but it was not enough. WP- Langston LP- Saberhagen
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Game 7: Game seven started much the same manner as game six. The Blue Devils jumped out to a 3 run lead in the top of the first
only to see it diminish to a one run lead after the full inning. In the 2nd the Hawks tied the game. In the bottom of the 3rd the Hawks
took the lead for good on a Mark McGwire three run homer. WP- Avery LP- Maddux
Glen said that game 6 was the game that won it for the Hawks. The Hawks had 18 HR’s for the series and 31 in 13 games.
American League Championship Series Lake Wobegon Vs North Reading
Game 1: Whippets 5 Hogs 0. WP- Appier as he only gave up 6 hits in pitching the complete game striking out 4.
Game 2: Hogs 10 Whippets 0. The Hogs score in 3’s 3 times to even the series. WP- Astacio. As he and Smithberg held the Whippets
to just 3 hits to even the series.
Game 3: Whippets 5 Hogs 1. After not scoring a run for 15 innings Lake Wobegon breaks the ice when Belle hits a 2 run HR in the
3rd. WP- Finley LP- Ruffin
Game 4: Whippets 4 Hogs 3. North Reading score one in the first but Lake Wobegon comes back with 4 in the third as the knot
Gooden out of the game. The Hogs add single runs in the 5th and 8th but that’s as close as they make it. WP- Appier LP- Gooden
Game 5. Whippets score first with 2 in the 2nd. The score remained 2-0 going into the bottom of the 8th when the Whippets load the
bases with one out but can not score. In the top of the 9th the Hogs score 1 to make it 2-1 and with the tying run on 3rd Terry Pendleton
strikes out to end the series. WP- Benes LP- Astacio
MVP - Appier 2-0, 1.50 ERA, 1 for 4 .250 Batting Average.
1994 FBNBA World Series LAKE WOBEGON WHIPPETS vs FARMINGTON VALLEY HAWKS
Played by Bob Figella and Bud Drapeau Sunday 11/21/94 at 2PM….
Game 1: Appier Vs Greene. Both pitchers start out well. In the 3rd with one out the Hawks score 1. In the 5th the Whippets Lansing
beats out a squeeze attempt to tie the game. The Hawks threatened in the 6th with the bases load and one out but a 4-6-3 double play
ended the threat. The game goes extra innings and in the top of the 10th Dave Staton pinch hitting for Lansing delivered with a 3 run
HR. Farmington scores one in the bottom of the inning to make the score LW 4 FV 2. WP- Appier LP- Greene Sv- Dewey
Game 2: Benes and Avery hook up in a pitchers duel though five as the score is 0-0. In the 6th Lake Wobegon scores 1. In the 7th they
break the game open with 4 runs. Benes cruised to a five hit shut. LW - 6 FV - 0.
Game 3: Roger Clemens dominated the game as he tossed a 4 hitter with 7 K’s as FV won 5-0. LP- Finley
Game 4: Kevin Appier responds to Clemens masterpiece with one of his own. He tosses a 3 hitter, snubbing out 2 Hawk rallies where
they had the bases loaded. In series so far the vaunted Hawk power has been shut down without a homer. LW - 7 FV - 0 LP- Greene.
Game 5: The offenses come alive in this one. The Hawks jump out to an early lead with a run in the second. Whippets respond in the
bottom of the inning with 3 runs. In the 4th the Hawks hit their first HR of the series to tie the game. In the 5th the Hawks take a 5-3
lead. In the bottom of the 7th Will Clark homers deep off Harris to tie the score. The homer affected Harris as he later walked Connine
and Sabo. David West comes in for the Hawks and Deveraux greets him with a singles Manager Jerguson sent Connine and Griffey’s
throw was late (1-10) giving LW the 6-5 lead. In the 9th Gallego singled, DeShields bunts him to second. Griffey (4-21) weakly
grounds to first and Pizza whiffed to end the game. Lake Wobegon 6 Farmington 5. Lake Wobegon wins the 1994 FBNNA World
Series in 5 games. MVP: Kevin Appier 2-0, 18 innings 2 runs allowed.
Seventh Annual FBNA All-Star Game played at the home of the 1993 World Series Champions North Reading Hog’s.
The American League comes away with an exciting 5-4 win as Dean Palmer breaks up 4-4 tie with single driving in Sammy Sosa with
the winning run. The AL snapped 4, game losing streak with the win. W- Beck Sv- Henneman L- Avery.
NATIONAL LEAGUE 000 022 000 - 4 14 0
AMERICAN LEAGUE 000 400 10X - 5 10 0
Manager of the Year: AL - Jim Fergusan. NL - Bruce Fogg.
GM of the Year: AL - Rich Hamel. NL - Dave Gineo.
1995 20th Year of PBM By Rob Bruno printed December 1999
01/18/1995 Issue 1: Commissioners Comments: I wish everyone a Happy New Year and tell them about auto accident that keep me
out of work for 4 days this month. The year started out rough for me…down one car but I was ok and I was back doing what I
enjoy….thinking Strat. SOM opening day would be Jan 27th which was late. We had to mail in our Protected Rosters without seeing
the cards.
Florida Cougars? Carmel Sun? Mike Gerack asks. The Florida Sun and Carmel Cougars make a 2nd trade with each other that now has
7 former Sun players on the Carmel roster.
Tris Coffin had moved his team to Syracuse which created animosity back in Port Chester. He tells us that he has not selected a
nickname yet.
02/06/95 Issue 2: 20th Year of PBM and 21st Year of the FBNBA. I review Draft Day Feb 20, procedure. Protected Rosters are
published. Roland Klee tells the league we are lacking something that he feels we need……..a league handshake, hat, uniform, song or
cheer. “What we need is an official league greeting. I propose that it be ‘BOMBO”! As Klee was wrestling with such weight matters,
his consultants, Kleevis and Klub Head were perusing the past six Klubber drafts.
02/20/95 Issue 3: I reminisce about 1988, by first draft as commissioner. The draft was held in my home and we had 10 members
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present using one phone. Seven years later Jim Ferguson flies into Boston to meet Rich Hamel. Friday Rich, Glen, Jim F., Roland,
Mike and Gary Gerack went into Boston and enjoyed the night life. Saturday, Mike and his brother risk their life’s as they travel to
Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame. While Rich, Jim F. & Glen went into Hartford to see the Whalers play the Penguins. Later that
night Bob F. joined Roland, Glen, Mike, Gary, Rich & Jim F. at the Prospect Café to top off the night. What a Draft Weekend!
Sunday I got to Draft Headquarters at 08:30AM. For the first time Mother Nature cooperates with us and we have a beautiful day,
clear sky and the temperature in the 50’s. Other members in attendance: Ed Griffin, Jeff Merklin, Jeff and his wife Mary Beth were
entertained by Ed had his wife Jennifer the night before the draft, (the FBN is becoming a family affair), Tris Coffin, Bob F, Ed Glass,
Bill N., Bob M., Dave G., Dean, Bruce, Chris Gager from Bath, ME. who stayed at Jack Brajak’s home in Malden, MA the night
before the draft and Jack. Just before the draft started Dom and Bud arrived.
Bruce Fogg started things off by hanging about 7, photos of Dave Gineo from Dave’s 1980 high school year book. What GREAT
FUN! Dave would win any contest for best look alike of Gene Sharlett.
Mike Gerack than gave me a complete book binder of every newsletter for 1994.
I hand out League Awards. They went to Glen as NLW Champion, Tris Coffin as NLE Champion, Ed Griffin as ALE Champion and
after a five year absence from being at the draft, to Jim Ferguson the 1994 World Series Champion.
Bruce Fogg handed out a life time service award for time spent and given freely to the FBN. The award was presented to me.
Next for $1 we could take a chance on the number of correct draft picks that Nostradamus would predict that would go in Round 1.
The tie breaker would be guessing numbers 13, 14, and 15 correctly, this would almost be impossible since these picks belonged to
GM and Owner-For-Life Klee!
The first call was made to Steve Sprague who answered his phone “Derby City draft central” and the draft was underway. The first
pick was Carlos Delgado. The pick was applauded. Roland stopped the draft a number of times to pass out his annual awards. The
Donette Bichette award went to Dean Morris for drafting Rico Brogna. “This guy is so over rated he shouldn’t even be in the majors.”
Now you know why Mr. Klee is usually under .500.
A great day was had by all….
Bruce Fogg planned a “roast” of Mr. Klee for March 12.
Draft Day 2000 - Is announced to be Feb 20 - the 25th Anniversary of PBM in the FBN. Roland is planning a real celebration. He is
hoping to have the draft in a warm weather location.
03/13/95 Issue 4: From the President’s Desk: Jeff Merklin thanks all the members for making his trip to the east coast a great
experience. “Our ‘communication highway” continuing to improve.” He thanks Ed and Jennifer Griffin for their hospitality. Merk
hopes to continue the tradition of excellent AL Presidents. He asks very one to send him how they arrived at their team name. He asks
the AL members to include in the reports who may be “on the block”.
Ed Griffin send is a Hog Update that after a league championship and a division championship Hog-management has decided to retool
the team via a youth movement.
Rich Hamel in his Psychic Vibes tells the league that the return of the Psychics as a team to reckoned with had been marked by the
reappearance of a number of players who were dealt away and have now been brought back.
Dave Gineo and his Blue Devils enter their 9th season on the heels of three straight 100+ win seasons. Dave predicts the NLW would
look like Farmington, New England, KCMonarchs, Bolton and Klee’s. He does not say where Connecticut would finish.
Mike Gerack writes in Notes from the Florida file—Sun strokes that he was all smiles after the 1995 draft. Starting from the #5 pick
he got the players he wanted.
Roland sends an article to STRATFAN “Fly-By-Night League is anything but” If Glen Head, Long Island is Mecca, Then the nondescript of Norwich, CT is at least Woodstock for members of the 24 team Fly-By-Night Baseball Association. In February, managers
celebrated the leagues 20th anniversary by making the trek to Connecticut for the annual Draft Day festivities. A record 20 team
owners, some with full entourages, came for the President’s Day Weekend from as far away as Florida, Illinois and Ohio. And not just
to sit in a hot sweaty room to draft cardboard players and play with plastic dice. Trips were planned to Boston, Cooperstown and the
giant Foxwoods Casino just up the road from Draft Headquarters. He also tells of the fun on draft day, the remarkably stable enterprise
of the FBN, running from March to October, 162 game schedule, and about our annual golf tournament.
04/03 Issue 5 and 04/24 Issue 6: Major League Baseball was on strike so if there are no cards available for 1996, the 1996 draft picks
traded will be frozen until the real players come back.
Before the newsletter is mailed the MLB strike had ENDED!!
Bruce Fogg holds his annual preseason tournament - won by Allyn Street.
Bill Nieman, Ed Glass, Jim J. Dave, Bob M., Dom, Roland, Bruce, Glen, Bud, Dean, Jack, Chris, Ed Glass, Steve Sprague and me all
send in nice team news for the newsletter.
05/10 Issue 7: I plan the first ALE and NLE “shoot out” at the League Office. Sunday June 25th at 9AM. Please RSVP.
Jim Bullinger hurls NO HITTER vs KC. Bullinger becomes the first Jarhead to pitch a no-hitter as USJ blasted the Dean of Strat 10-0.
Bruce Fogg sends in his League predictions: ALE 1-Salem 2-Hazardville 3-Syracuse 4-No Reading 5-Junkyard 6-Mid Maine.
ALW 1-Folrida 2-Lake Wobegon 3-Baton Rouge 4-Carmel 5-Yorktown 6-Derby City. NLE 1-Taxachusetts 2-Allyn St. 3-Willimantic
4- Jarheads 5-Hotlanta 6-Money Inc. NLW 1-Connecticut 2-Farmington 3-Monarchs 4-New England 5-Bolton 6-Klee’s.
Playoffs: AL- Salem beats Lake Wobegon. Florida beats Hazardville. NL- Connecticut beats Allyn St. Farmington beats Taxachusetts
Florida beats Salem. Connecticut beats Farmington. World Series: Florida beats Connecticut.
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05/23 Issue 8: Jim Nohit-Nohit Bullinger hurled 2 face to face no hitters in a span of 8 days. He pitched a game in between the NoNo’s in which New England hit him pretty well. What was amazing was that Bill Nieman’s previous no-hitter came in the very first
strat game that he had played 35 years earlier Vs. his friend Jim Jalutkewicz. Bullingers first no hitter was Vs. Dean Morris and it was
a 10-0 blowout. Bullinger walked 2 and fanned 9. His 2nd no hitter was Vs. Bob Mendez a 2-0 victory with 3 walks and 5 K’s.. For
the season Bullinger was 11-7 4.35ERA and 4 shutouts, 6 CG. USJ almost had a perfect game. Jose Rosado goes 8 2.3 face to face
with Connecticut without a base runner. Jose Vina ended the perfecto bid with a clean single. UJS won the 1 hitter.
Bob Figella, Rich Hamel, Ed Griffin, Jack Brajak, Ed Glass, Bob Mendez and me all show up for the first ALE - NLE “Shoot Out”.
Bud Dreapeau could not make it so Bruce Fogg from the NLW took his place.
06/09 Issue 9: 60 games into the season Allyn Street was in first in the NLE 3 games in front of Taxachusetts and Money, Inc.
Farming-ton Valley had a one game lead in the NLW over Connecticut. In the ALE Hazardville had a 3 game lead over Salem and in
the ALW Florida lead Yorktown by 2.
Email had become the in thing. Jeff Merklin asked everyone on line to drop him an email so he could compile a complete address list
that I could add to the Managers Directory.
07/12 Issue 11: We were using the new schedule this year and a PBM member sent in a suggestion that the ALW schedule for 1996
been changed back to the old format. I ask if anyone else is interested in doing so. I gave a report on the “Shootout” of June 25th.
Coffee, donuts and muffins were on the table as members started to arrived at 08:10AM. Trade talks between Tris and Ed Glass
started early. It was a great day for strat, hotdogs, hamburgers and a mixture of colorful language. Mendez used every 4-letter word
you could thing of because he was missing homers by one digit. The ALEast teams were nasty guests as they beat up the NLEast 2115. The only two NLE teams with a winning record were Willimantic 4-2 and Allyn Street 6-4. Connecticut had taken over first from
Farmington and Salem move past Hazardville. Allyn Street and Florida still lead their respected divisions.
08/08 Issue 13: *** A MUST RESPOND MESSAGE *** This week was very interesting in the FBN. I make a trade with
KCMonarchs to help my team for the playoffs, go on vacation, and come back to a “buzz saw”! Ed Glass made six trades. The news
of these trades to the members hit the fan like cow shit. No fewer than 16, members called Jeff M. and Dave G. or me to voice their
complaints on how ridiculous some of the trades were and something had to be done. It looked as if Ed Glass was trading away his
team for the following year to get into the playoffs this year. The members feared that at the end of the year Ed G. would leave the
league because he had destroyed the ball club. Money, Inc did look like it was going out of business and that next year he would not
have enough AB’s or IP’ed. Ed’s side of the story was he is preparing his team for a playoff run and he will trade his draft picks for
established players to fill the holes. Ed’s mistake here was that he had already traded picks 1-5 for 1996!
As Commissioner I felt I could: 1. void the trades. 2. Allow the trades but freeze the players on the new teams until 1996. 3. Allow the
trades if additional players were sent to Money, Inc. 4. Do nothing. 5. Move the dues month up to August to make sure very one was
returning for the 1996 season. I decide on #5.
08/10 Issue 14: Hazardville was back in first in the ALE. Florida’s lead over Yorktown in the ALW was down to 1 ½ games. Allyn
Street had built a 10 ½ game lead over Taxachusetts in the NLE. Connecticut in the NLW had moved 4 ½ games in front of
Farmington.
08/17: Tris Coffin had built up over 20 –BP’s for the second year in a row. Because he has on probation I call for a vote to either let
Tris stay in the league or to remove him for his continued lateness. The results would be in the next newsletter
08/28 Issue 15: The vote was over whelming to remove Tris (#80) from the league 17 – 3 with 1 abstained. Tris was a different kind
of “bird”. He was a nice guy that marched to his own drum. Deadlines did not bother him and –BP’s did not matter. But his lateness
and the trades that he had made with Ed Glass had turned the member’s against him.
I have to give a warning to league members that if you call a member and leave a message on the machine with profanity you’re gone
from the FBN, no if and or buts you are gone. (this note was intended for was Ed Glass.)
09/11 Issue 16: Ed Glass (#81) resigned upset over what had happened to Tris Coffin. I send Ed his $20 back and at this point most
members were glad to see Ed go. He had upset members with his crazy behavior and foul mouth. Tony Childers and Frank Simonutti
are the newest members of the FBN. At the end of the season Money Inc and Port Chester players would go into a re-entry pool.
Our Jeff Merklin was inducted to his high schools Football Hall of Fame. West Jefferson each year inducted new members and Jeff
was one on five. Class of 1978: A quarterback on the Roughriders state championship team in 1976 and 1977 Merklin passed for 2200
yards and 20 touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons.
09/25 Issue 17: We need backup managers to keep the league running smoothly. I ask the members to let me know if they have
someone interested. Most of the membership has now come from a recommendation from another league member. We have not
needed to advertise in Stratfan in years. In the pennant races Allyn Street and Connecticut lead their divisions in the NL by 8.5 games.
In the AL Hazardville had an 8 game lead in the ALE and in the ALW Florida still had a 4 game lead.
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10/09 Issue 18: With the birth of his son, Tony Childers decided to stay a backup member. Dave Sanborn will be the newest member.
I put out a message that Ed Groboski would like to come back to the FBN as a backup. I also ask for voting issues.
10/23/95 Issue 18: In the American League Jeff Bagwell of Hazardville just missed the Triple Crown .370 Ave, 163 RBI and 64 HR.
Frank Thomas of Florida beat him with a .375 Ave. Andy Benes of Lake Wobegon won 24 games and Mike Mussina lead the league
with a 2.66 ERA. The National League Leaders: Tony Gwynn – CT. .359 Ave. Albert Belle – FV 159 RBI, Matt Williams – CT 66
HR. Greg Maddux – CT lead the league with 32 Wins and a 2.54 ERA.
Won
Lost
GB
PCT
Lost
GB
PCT
Hazardville
107
55
--.660
Florida
103
59
--.636
Salem
99
63
8
.611
Yorktown
98
64
5
.606
Port Chester
91
71
16
.562
Lake Wobegon
93
69
10
.574
Junkyard
67
95
40
.414
Baton Rouge
89
73
14
.449
Mid Maine
61
101
46
.317
Boise
62
100
41
.383
North Reading
47
115
60
.290
Derby City
44
118
59
.272
Allyn Street
Taxachusetts
Willimantic
Money, Inc.
Hotlanta
USJarheads
Won
100
89
82
81
67
60
Lost
62
73
80
81
95
102
GB
--11
18
19
33
40
PCT
.617
.549
.506
.500
.414
.370
Connecticut
Farmington Valley
Klee’s
KC Monarchs
Bolton
New England
Won
116
110
73
72
70
64
Lost
46
52
89
90
92
98
GB
--6
43
44
46
52
PCT
.716
.679
.451
.444
.432
.395
American League 1995 Playoffs Round 1:
Hazardville beat Yorktown (no report).
Salem Vs Florida Game #1 Candiotti Vs Eldred at Florida. Both Candiotti and Eldred pitched well as did the bullpens. The score was
3-3 after 9. In the 10th with 1 out Daulton triples an Baines followed with a sac. Fly to give SP the lead. In the bottom of the inning
Alomar doubled and the Big Hurt followed with another double to tie the score. Moises Alou singled sending Thomas to third. Scott
Bankhead relieves Mike Jackson and with playoff jitters walked Larry Walker and Pudge Rodrifquez to lose the game. FS 5 SP 4.
Game #2 Fassero Vs Burkett. A pitchers duel. FS scored one in the first. In forth they score one on a Rodriquez dinger. The Phychis
could not score until the 6th to make it 2-1. There would be no further scoring as Fassero went the distance for the win. FS 2 SP 1.
Game #3 Merker Vs Nagy. Like the first two games this one would be dominated by pitching. To start the game Bernie Williams gets
only his 2nd hit of the series… a double… and his unfamiliarity with running the bases was made evident as Bobbie Alomar pulled the
hidden ball trick… one down. 0-0 to the 6th when FS scores on a wild pitch. 1-0. SP facing a must win situation drew even in the
bottom of the inning. FS came back in the top of the 7th as hot hitting Pudge Rodriquez hit a solo HR. In the 8th Rojas walked Ripken,
Wettland then came in and walk Sosa. Harold Baines K’ed but Ray Lankford dropped a flyball allowing Ripken to score the tying run.
The relief pitchers then bore down and there was no more scoring until the top of the 12th when Larry Walker led of with a HR. Final
in 12 innings FS 3 SP 2.
Game #4 rematch of game one. A contingent of broom toting Sun fans were seen scattered about the Homer-Dome in Salem, NH.
With only the most optimistic of well wishers holding any hope for the beleaguered Phychics, yet another pitchers duel was about to
take place. SP scored single runs in the 2nd and 3rd. Candy-man’s knuckler was dancing like Fred Astaire, as SP led 2-0 after 7. FS had
back to back doubles in the 8th sending Candiotti to the showers. Mike Jackson then came in to get the Big Hurt and retired the
slumping Alou on strikes. However, Larry Waler then hit a 2 run HR FS 3 SP 2. In the bottom of the 9th Baines (1-15) took John
Wetteland deep. It stayed that way until the 12th when Cal Ripken hit a 2 out HR off Aquino. SP 4 FS 3.
Game #5 Burkett Vs Neagle. Salem’s bats come alive as they score 8 runs in the 4th to over come a 2-1 deficit to go on to win 13-10.
The sloppy Sun committed 5 errors in the game. In a gesture of unparalleled generosity the North Reading Hogs federal expressed the
mascot, Winky the Wonder Pig, to Salem to provide moral support for what appeared to be a hopeless task.
Game #6 Fassero Vs Sanders Winky the Wonder Pig is now sweetheart of all Psychic faithful. In wake of that crazy game 5 the
advantage reverts back to the pitchers. Through six Fassero is practically untouchable as the Sun can only muster two harmless
singles. Surprisingly, Sanders meets the challenge. In the 7th SP broke the scoreless tie as Baines led off with a single, Bass-Master
tripled, Scooper singled and Williams doubled. Salem holds on for the 3-0 win. The series in now tied,
Game 7 Candiotti and Eldred. Alomar’s HR in the bottom of the 3rd started the Sun out on the right foot. But, the Sun bullpen now
stumbled as the Phychics roared out to a 7-2 lead at the 7th inning stretch. FS were not done as they come back in the 8th to make it 76. In the 9th King fans leading off, Lankford walked, Barberie walked, Alomar K’s, Thomas hits a grounder to Gallego E4, bases
loaded. Moises Alou up with the bases loaded. Alou is 5-28, he’s due. The count 3-2, the pitch…STRIKE THREE…HE’S
OUT…IT’S OVER…UNBELIEVABLE Salem comes back down 3-0 to win the series. Series MVP: 4 way tie. Wally Joyner 3HR’s
12 RBI, Mike Jackson saved last 3 games. Cal Ripken 12-30 9R’s, Winky the Wonder Pig.
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National League 1995 Playoffs Round 1:
Connecticut beat Taxachusetts (No report)
Farmington Vs Allyn Street Game #1 Roger Clemens Vs Ramon Martinez at the “school yard”. 0-0 with two outs in the third when
Farmington’s defense makes three errors in a row to give the 89ERS a 1-0 lead. Allyn Street scores another run on Fred McGriff’s
homerun in the sixth. Martinez retires the first 14 batters that he faces. He’s removed in the 7th and the bullpen finished up the 3 hit
shutout. ASt 2 FV 0
Game #2 Pedro Martinez Vs Steve Trachsel. Paul Molitor hits a homerun in the first to give the 89ERS the lead. In the second after
Shane Mack doubles, Martinez is wild and walks three batters to force in a run. After not scoring in 14 innings Farmington scored on a
single and two errors. 2-1 ASt. In the 8th with two out Griffey is HBP to put two men on and Albert Belle up. Bruno brings in Cox but
Belle greets him with a HR. FV 4 ASt. 2
Game #3 at the Nest Jimmy Key Vs Steve Avery. Allyn Street scores one in the first, 2 in the 4th on homeruns by Matt Mieske and
Ryan Thompson. The Hawks answer back with a 2 run HR by Tim Salmon. But, Allyn Street gets another HR by Mieske and win
easily 7-3.
Game #4 Rematch of game 1. Farmington scores 3 in the 2nd on a 2 run HR by Mike Piazza and a solo shot by Todd Zeile. More HR’s
in the 4th by Belle and Ryan Klesco made it 5-1. Griffey add’s a 2 run HR in the 6th. Hawks win 10-1. Series tied.
Game #5 Rematch of game 2. Allyn Street scores 2 in the 2nd on a two out 2 run HR by Thompson. With the score 2-1 the Hawks have
a chance to take the lead in the 4th. Bruno goes to the pen for Shane Reynolds to retire Piazza. The bullpen goes 6 innings and K’s 10
as AS wins 6-1.
Game #6. With bad weather at the “school yard” the Hawks surprise the 89ERS and start Steve Karsay. ASt goes with Key. Salmon
hits a solo HR in the 2nd to give FV the lead. AS ties it in the 4th. In the 6th Klesko hits a pinch hit 2 out HR to give FV a 2-1 lead.
David West is in from the bullpen for FV. The 89ERS come back Mack the series MVP comes though with a two out double to drive
in the tying run. AS takes the lead for the first time in the 8th on an RBI hit by Molitor. Todd Jones and Josias Manzanillo finish off the
Hawks. ASt wins 3-2 to move on to the NLCS.
Shane Mack .333 AVE, 5D, 3RBI was MVP. Unsung Hero: Ryan Thompson in for defense hits .333 1D, 2 HR, 4 RBI.
Voting Ballot mailed out to the members.
11/06 1995 Issue 20: Comments are listed pro and con for the voting items. The draft order is listed too. I list past champions and ask
for help in finding past Manager and GM’s of the Year winners.
American League Championship Series Hazardville Vs. Salem
Game 1 in Hazardville - Tom Candiotti and Pat Hentgen hooked up in a pitching duel with Candiotti coming out ahead with a 2-1
win. Wally Joyner delivered the first run of the game with a first inning solo homer. In the 6th, Joyner scored an unearned run to give
Salem a 2-0 lead. Hazardville tried to come back in the bottom of the inning with Marquis Grissom scoring the Powderkegs run but
Kegs left runners on first and third as Candiotti work out of the jam. Mike Jackson worked 1.2 innings to earn the save for the
Psychics.
Hazardville came back to take game 2. The Powderkegs jumped on Jeff Fassero for 2 runs in the first and one in the fourth for a 3-0
lead. Bill Swift held the Psychics at bay until the 6th when they managed to push across a single run. Salem drove Swift from the game
with a run in the 8th to close the game to 3-2 but Tony Castillo stopped the rally. Trevor Hoffman worked the 9th for the save.
Game 3 took the series to Salem. The home town crowd had plenty to cheer about as the Psychics jumped all over Rich Scheid with
3 runs in the first and one in the second. The Powderkeg bullpen fared no better as the Psychics ran off with a 12-2 win. Kevin Bass
had 5 RBI. Charles Nagy picked up the win.
Game 4 featured another matchup of Candiotti and Hentgen. The game was 1-1 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th when Salem
broke through for 3 runs with 4 straight hits. Two insurance runs in the bottom of the 8th were needed as Hazardville had the tying run
on deck in the 9th but Mike Jackson closed the door for the 6-2 win. Salm 3 games to 1.
Game 5 featured Melido Perez versus Denny Neagle. Needing the win the Powederkegs jumped on Neagle for one in the first and
four in the second. Reggie Sanders had a 2 run homer in the spurt. Perez made the runs hold up for a 5-2 win sending the series back
to Hazardville.
In game 6 Charles Nagy and Swift were the starters. Bernie Williams greeted Swift with a homer on the first pitch of the game. In
the 2nd, the Psychics loaded the bases but only managed 1 run to pull out to a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning Andres Galarraga
led off the inning with a solo homer to cut the lead in half. Salem came right back though as Harold Baines delivered a 1-4 ball park
homer with 2 men on to strech the lead to 5-1. Nagy looked in control but after a lead off double in the 6th he was pulled for
Scott Bankhead. Bankhead was no mystery to the Kegs. Bagwell greeted him with a 2 run homer. Galarraga followed with a single.
After Sandy Alomar flew out, Hayes singled and Reggie Sanders went deep to erase the Salem lead and push the Kegs oout front 6-5.
John Franco worked the 8th and Trevor Hoffman worked the 9th to send the series to the seventh game.
Candiotti and Hentgen were the starters in game 7 and both pitched great. The game was scoreless into the bottom of the 7th. Both
teams had base runners in most innings but couldn’t push across a run. Candiotti was pulled after 5 innings to let the bullpen bring it
home. Toby Borland came in but in the 7th began running out of gas. Hayes led off with a single. Sanders followed with a
walk. That was enough for Borland as Scott Bankhead came in to face Ozzie Guillen. Guillen sacrificed both runners over bring up
Pat Kelly with runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Mike Jackson came in to try t0 put out the fire. Kelly hit on pass the drawn in
infield to give Hazardville a 2-0 lead. The 8th was scoreless. Hoffman came in the 9th. With two on and one out Hoffman bore down
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and struck out Baines. Glenallen Hill then provided the heroics as he tookk Hoffman deep with a ballpark homer to give the Psychics a
3-2 lead. In the bottom of the 9th Jackson was still out there. He struck out Sanders. Guillen singled and Kelly delivered a shot into the
gap to send the game into extra innings. Hoffman worked a 1-2-3 10th. Larry Anderson came in to face Bagwell. He walked. Galarraga
single putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Sandy Alomar delivered the deciding game winning single.
Pat Kelly was named series MVP for his glove work throughout the series and timely RBI’s in game 7.
National League Championship Series Allyn Street Vs. Connecticut.
GM 1: R.Martinez (18-9) Vs G.Maddux (32-4)
Great pitchers dual as Maddux gives up 2 hits over 5 innings and Martinez only 1 hit going into the bottom of the 5th. Bonds works a
lead off walk. He’s eased by MacFarlane on a forceout. Mattingly then walks. Finley groundball X to Knoblauch infield single. Ozzie
Smith lifts a sac fly scoring MacFarlane for the only run of the game. 1-0 CT.
GM 2: S.Trachsel (19-8) Vs B.Saberhagen (23-5)
Allyn Street scores in the 1st on sac fly by McGriff. Trachsel retires the first 10 batters that he faces but after a Franco single Gwynn
followed with a homer. Matt Williams doubles and after Bonds grounds out MacFarloane tripled Williams in for a 3-1 CT lead. In the
5th Connecticut continued the on slaught scoring 3 more runs, 2 on another Tony Gwynn homer. 6-3 CT
GM 3: O.Hershser (16-6) Vs J.Key (11-12)
With one out in the 1st the Blue Devils had 5 straight hits or walks to score 3. After the second out and the bases loaded Bruno pulled
Key and brought in Cox to get the BIG out before the game got out of hand. In the bottom of the first the 89ERS tied the score when
McGriff, Mack and Merced all had a two out RBI hits. Brogna hits a lead off homer in the 3rd to give the 89ERS a 4-3 lead. In the 4th
lead of doubles by Mieske and Vizcaino and a single by Knoblauck made it 5-3. With no outs Edgar Martinez walked. Gineo brings in
McElroy to face Brogna. Bruno counters with Molitor. Molitor hits it hard…. what a play by Matt Williams 5-4-3 TRIPLE PLAY!
Knoblauch is hbp in the sixth and is lost to Allyn Street for the next two games. AS hold on for a 7-3 win.
GM 4: Maddux (1-0) Vs Martinez (0-1)
McGriff hits a 2 run homer in the first to give AS the lead. Matt Williams answers with a solo shot for CT. Both teams play great “D”
until E.Martinez makes 3 errors in the 7th but CT can only score 1 run. In the bottom of the inning E.Martinez atones by getting a lead
off single. He steals 2nd. Gallagher playing because of the injury Knoblauch bunts him to 3rd. Molitor PH for Brogna and singles him
in for a 3-2 AS lead and win.
GM 5: Rijo (17-3) Vs Trachsel (0-1)
Bonds leads off the 2nd with a solo HR to give CT a 1-0 lead. McGriff does the same for AS in their half of the inning. A wild pitch
and a pass ball in the 5th gives CT the lead. CT scores single runs in the 7th and 8th to win 4-1.
Before game 6, Commissioner Bruno and NLPresident Gineo return a phone call to Belmont, MA were the ALCS was Salem up 3
games to 1 and Salem had 4-1 lead in game five. Commissioner Bruno gives Salem and Connecticut permission to start selling World
Series tickets.
GM 6: Key (0-0) Vs Saberhagen (1-0)
CT wants to put AS away early as they score 2 in the 1st. Gallagher a last minute replacement for Merced hits a HR to cut the lead in
half. CT comes back to score one in the 2nd. Down 3-1 Bruno pulls Key. In the 3rd Knoblauch is HBP but is not injuried. This
motivated the 89ERS as E.Martinez singled. Gineo thinks about walking McGriff but Saberhagen rather face McGriff then Shane
Mack. McGriff gets it all 3-run homer to give AS the lead. In the 7th with 2 outs McGriff is up again with a man in scoring position
and kiss it goodbye 7-3 AS lead. CT isn’t finished as doubles by O.Smith, Gwynn and Franco makes it 7-5. Bonds leads off the 8th
with a HR and Benzinger PH follows with a HR to tie the score 7-7. No one scores in the 9th. In the 10th with runners on 1st and 2nd
Bruno sends R.Martinez to PH for Harper vs Riskey and Martinez singles in the go ahead run. In the bottom of the 10th with 2 out
Benzinger singles. Gineo sends Vina to PH and he doubles in Frazer who went in to PR. To the 11th. Riskey retires the first two batters
before Branson doubles. This time Gineo intentionally walks McGriff to face Mack. Mack answers with a 3-run HR. Cox finishes off
the Blue Devils in the bottom of the 11th to tie the series.
GM 7: Martinez (0-1) Vs Maddux (1-1)
In the first with one out Molitor walks. E.Martinez singles him to 3rd. Maddux strikeouts McGriff. Mack singles off Maddux’s card to
score Molitor. AS 1-0. In the bottom of the 2nd with one out Bonds doubles, MacFarlane follows with a hard shot (BP HR 1-13) its 14!
AS still leads 1-0. Maddux retires 13 of the next 14 batters. The score is 1-0 going to the 8th. O.Smith leads off with a triple but AS
gets out of the inning. In the 9th AS goes 1-2-3. Shane Reynolds is the last pitcher in the 89ERS bullpen and must face Gwynn,
Williams and Bonds. Gwynn singles off Reynolds card. The winning run is at the plate in NL HR King, Matt Williams. Williams flys
out. Bonds K’s. CT is down to their last out. Reynolds K’s MacFarlane to give the 89ERS the NLChampionship.
NLCS - MVP Fred McGriff .346, 4 homeruns, 11 RBI. Unsung Hero’s: The bullpen 34IP, 25K’s 2.10ERA.
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The Fly-By-Night Baseball Association World Series: Allyn Street Vs Hazardville
At Hazardville:
GM 1: R.Martinez Vs. P.Hantgen. The 89ERS score one in the first but with the bases loaded and only one out they could have
scored more. Sandy Alomar ties the game with a homer in the 2nd. The Keg’s score 3 more in the 3rd to take a 4-1 lead. Shane Mack 2run homer in the 6th makes it a 1 run game. In the 9th Molitor PH for Harper and walks. Trachsel is sent in to bunt him over to 2nd. The
third PH G.Young flys out. With two down Knoblauch doubles to tie the game. Extra innings. In the top of the 13th the 89ES blow a
chance to score with runners on 2nd and 3rd . In the bottom of the inning hayes leads off with a single. Sanders singles him to 3rd. With
no outs Disarcina tries to drop down a squeeze and pops out into a DP. Holy Cow! After 16 4-4 score. In the bottom of the 17th inning
with 2 outs Bagwell on first Alomar ends the game the way it started (3-8) roll for a 2 run homer. HZ 6-4.
GM 2: Trachsel Vs Swift: Alomar hits another homer in the Keg’s 2nd. After a lead off single to Knoblauch, Swift retires the next 9
batters. In the 4th 7 straight batters reach base and 6 score, 3 on a McGriff homer. AS goes on to win 11-5.
GM 3: At the “School Yard” Scheid Vs Key. Galarraga hits a 2 run homer with 2 outs in the first to give HZ the lead. The Keg’s score
a solo run in the 3rd, but with the bases loaded and no outs they could have scored more. Mieske leads off the 89ER 5th with a homer.
In the 6th E.Martinez hits a 2 run homer and with 2 outs Harper doules in a run to give AS a 4-3 lead. The AS bullpen did the rest as
they shut out HZ the rest of the game. AS leads the series 2-1.
GM 4: Hentgen Vs Martinez. HZ scores 3 in the first looking to blow the AS away early. McGriff’s 3 run homer in the 89ER first ties
the game. The Keg’s come right back with 3 more runs in the 2nd and 2 in the 5th and 7th and one more in the 9th to win big 11-3.
GM 5: Perez Vs Trachsel. Fred McGriff hits a 2 run homer in the 1st. Hazardville misses a chance to score in the 2nd leaving 2 men on
base. AS scores 2 more in the 4th. The Keg’s miss another opportiunity to score in the 6th stranding 2 more. The 89ERS score one more
on a McGriff double. HZ strands two in the 8th and one more in the 9th for 9, men left on base ans AS wins 6-0.
GM 6 goes back to the “Canyon” Key Vs Swift. The Keg’s need this one and they score one in the first. In the 3rd Galarraga’s 3 run
homer makes it 4-0 HZ. In the 89ER 4th with two outs McGriff doubles, Mack RBI single, Merced walks, Kreuter RBI single,
Thompson does the same to make it 4-3. Jose Vizcaino pops a 3 run homer to make it 6 runs with two out and a 6-4 AS lead. The lead
doesn’t last as HZ comes back as E.Martinez boots one. Bagwell singles and Galarraga follows with a BP homer to give HZ the 7-6
lead. Swift has pitched well since the 4th retiring 15 of 16 batters. In the 8th after E.Martinez singles, Figella brings in his closer
Hoffman to face McGriff. McGriff greets him by hitting the only solid hit on Hoffman’s card, a triple to tie the game. Mack strikesout.
Mercied walks. With the infield in Brogna hit a ground to 2nd to score the go ahead run. G.Yound PH and reaches on an error. Ricky
Jordan PH double puts AS ahead 9-7. In the 9th Knoblauch leads off with a homer and with 2 outs McGriff contacts. The last run is
scored on Shane “I’m on my way to Japan: Mack’s solo homer. AS 12 HZ 7.
McGriff was awesome. Post Season stats: .289AVE, 17R, 22H 6D, 2T, 9HR, 26RBI .766SLUG AVE.
Bullpen: W-8, L-2, 6Sv 88.2IP 75K 2.03ERA
Key Trades: Rico Brogna, Paul Molitor, Danny Cox and Dave Gallagher all played BIG in the postseason. Brogna .321AVE, .571
SLUG, Molitor .278AVE, .350OBP, Cox 1-1-1 2.45ERA and Gallagher’s defensive saved a number of games.
Eighth Annual All-Star Game at Lake Wobegon the 1994 FBN World Series Champions.
NL 9 AL 7 (W) Hudek (S) Howe (L) Leiper (TRI-MVP) Bonds pinch hit 3 run homer. A.Belle 2 run homer. T.Gwynn two out single
that drove in the go ahead run.
Manager of the Year: AL - Bob Figella. NL - Rob Bruno
GM of the Year: AL - Rich Hamel. NL - Rob Bruno
Two new members join the FBN in 1996, Frank Simonutti from Jackson, TN and Dave Sanborn from Bridgewater, MA. MLB went
on strike in 1995 costing the FBN AB’s and IP. To offset the lose we increase the AB & IP totals on the cards by 112.5%.
Ed Griffin writes INSIDE THE F-B-N. It is an in depth preview of all the teams. He does one for easch division. It is a hell of a job.
He picks Connecticut, Bolton, Allyn Street & Hazardville in the NL. Baton Rouge, Florida, Salem & North Reading in the ALE.
Jan ‘96 - Opening Day at Strat looks like it will be late and protected rosters will be due without seeing the cards. I inform everyone
they can purchase John Lammama’s Baseball Bulletin at a cost of $30 for six issues to get the fielding ranges, e-ratings hits and OBP.
A list of dates to remember is included in the newsletter.Ten deals are listed, four by Connecticut. One deal Gineo made was a 12
player deal with Bud Drapeau split evenly. It was one of many Dave did to change his team around completely after another heart
breaking loss in the post season.
Feb ‘96 - Bruce Fogg will hold the BC Nostradamous Pre-Season Tourament on in March at League Headquaters in Norwich. The
doors will open at 08:30. 15 trades are reported. Dave Gineo announces with all the personnel changes(17 players traded since
01/29/96) that their will also be a move to a new location. As Dave purchased a home in Glastonbury. He names his new stadium the
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“DevilDome” and brings out a new team logo. Dave has traded this year Tony Gwynn, Barry Bonds and Oril Hershiser to name 3 all
stars. But, it will pay big in 1998! A copy of the draft order is inclulded in the newsletter for review. DRAFT DAY Feb 18th - Fifteen
members made it to the draft including both new members Simonutti and Sanborn. Mike Gerack from Florida made the trip again.
He’s done it every year since he came into the league in 1994. Jeff Merklin came in from Ohio. Others: Bob Mendez, Dave Gineo,
Bill Nieman, Roland Klee, Bob Figella, Bud Drapeau, Glen Boucher and me from Connecticut. Ed Griffin and Jack Brajak from
Massachusetts. Rich Hamel from New Hampshiere We had another a great day. The draft started with Glen drafting Chipper Jones #1.
The Draft ended when Bill Silber draft Ben McDonald 223rd.
Mar ‘96 - The Pre-Season Tourament was played on the 9th. Six teams entered - Allyn Street, Connecticut, Hazardville, Klees, New
England and Salem. Hazardville 4-1, Connecticut 3-2, Klee’s 3-2, New England 3-2, Salem 1-4 & Allyn Street 0-5. In round two
Allyn Street surprise Hazardville. Salem did the same to Connecticut. Klee’s beat New England. Klee’s had a bye in round three as
Allyn Street beat Salem. That would mean the 0-5 89ERS were now in the Championship with Klees. Could Allyn Street repete as
Pre-Season Champs? No way said Mr. Klee as his Klubber’s defeated Allyn Street in the finals easliy 10-3.
Steve Sprague builds a new stadium for his team for his Derby City Dragons and asks the commissioner to please use larger type so he
will no longer need to read the constitution with a magnifying glass.
Mike Holbrook writes about the coming new season and high hopes for his Silver Bullets. Dom Statile adds B.S. New Bull that his
rosters has 17 new players since 1995 and Boltons defensive should be one of the best in the FBN.
Apr ‘96 - As the season starts the Jarheads take 6 of 8 from last years World Series participants, the 89ERS and Powderkegs to take a
lead over the Powderkegs by 3 games in the NLE. After a 1-7 start the Powderkegs went 11-1 to get back in the race. In the NLW it
looks like it will be a three team race as the Gunners lead the Bulldogs by percentage points and the Hawks by only 3 games. The
Warriors and Lime Sox are off to horrendous starts 4-10 and 5-15. Roland Klee continues to write excellent articles for the newsletter.
Telling everyone how brillent he is by acquiring Gold Glover Kleevon White who dropped a fly ball on his first chance to cost the
Klub a game. Roland then cancels his annual order of gloves from Bethlehem Steel.
In the ALE Salem leads North Reading by 4 games. In the ALW Baton Rouge has a 1 game lead over Florida, a 2 game lead over
Lake Wobegon. Ed Griffin reported that the Hog’s had gotten off to an excellent start before getting steamrolled by the powerfull
Phychics. Mike Holbrook said after a slow start the team turned it around going 15-5. Jim Ferguson was complaining that even with
the addition of 16 luxury boxes on the roof of Bunsen Field behind home plate, the Whippet owners wanted more or they may move
south. New member, Dave Sanborn writes his first article for the newsletter and introduces us to the Bat Park and his manager Glenn
Hubbard and coaching staff. Rich sent in a great report about his Spring Trainging foray when he saw 8 games at 8 different stadiums
in 4 days. He reported that he was totally burnt out from watching 24 hours of baseball in 4 days. He drove a total of 685 miles.
I took all the non-active players from the teams and set up a minor league season. The games were play on the computer using “HAL”.
May ‘96 - Salem still leads North Reading in the ALE. Rich states that afer 32 games the Psychics do not have a pitcher with an ERA
over 4.00. Jack tells us that the pups will hence be addressed as the young dawgs as the have been responding to standing room only
crowds at theJunkyard by getting off to the best start in team history. The Dawgs are in third. Baton Rouge now leads by 3 in the
ALW but it is Yorktown that is now in second. Jeff is taking his team on the road as he plans to play the Dreamers face to face. Frank
states that his manager Sidd Finch and the boys will be waiting for them. Ed invites the NLW to visit his home again for the
ALE/NLW shootout. In the NLE the Jarheads lead Hazardville by 3. In the NLW Bolton has taken over first and lead the Gunners by
1 game. Bruce Fogg unveils the B.C. Nostradamous preseasonn favorites. Salem and Baton Rouge in the AL. Taxachusetts and Bolton
in the NL. The team “cursed” to “WIN IT ALL” AKA the “Curse of Nostradamous” because no team picked to “WIN IT ALL” has
ever made it to the World Series, is the Salem Psychics. Bruce will hold his annual FBN golf torunament on June 22.
June ‘96 – Merk’s the President’s Corner has been including a section called “ON THE BLOCK” were AL teams can list players they
want to move. It gives GM’s a chance to put out feelers to the entire league. Salem has only 15 losses but 7 have come in extra
innings. Ed in his “Whine of the Month” says “In the words of Nancy Karrigan “Why me?” As the injury bug has hit the Hogs.”
Salem leads North Reading by 2 but Junkyard is only 3 behind. In the ALW it is Florida and Baton Rouge tied with Yorktown down
only by 1
It’s a fun time in the West. Frank sends Paul O’Neill, Randy Johnson, Dave Magadan and Alehandro Pena to North Reading for
Albert Belle, Jim Abbott, Greg Olson and #4DP. OUCH. Was Ed Griffin smiling with this deal!
The Jarheads have opened a 5 game lead over Hazardville as pitching continues to be their strength. The team ERA of 3.73 is 2 runs
less per game then last year when the Jarheads were cellar dwellars. Bolton is 2 games in front of Arsenal and 5 in front of
Farmington. Bolton management is getting tired of hearing time and again that its success this year is due to last year’s deal with
Money Inc. “I am sure that my attempt now to set the record straight will not be the end of it but at least I want my say.” Dom goes on
to try and explain why the deal wasn’t the vicious rape that most members have been called it. (Editor note: Hey, I’m no lawyer but
Ed Glass gave it up freely. How could it be rape☺)
June 30th the 3rd Annual ALE/NLE ShootOut took place in Norwich. The final records for the day were North Reading 5-1, Junkyard
5-1, Salem 4-2, Allyn Street 3-3, Jarheads 1-5 and Hazardville 0-6. Based on the results Allyn Street moved into 2nd place in the NLE.
July ‘96 - North Reading now leads Salem by 5 in the ALE with a 54-26 record. In the ALW Baton Rouge 51-31 leads Florida by 4.
After standing pat for over a year, the Sun finally brighten their prospects for the 1996 playoffs by trading for a starting shortstop
Barry Larkin, dh David Justicfe and Geronimo Pena. Mike Gerack was ecstatic over the deal. “Since trading Ozzie Guillen the Sun
have been auditioning a great number of players for the position with little success.” In Merks Presidents Corner he states that it looks
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like it’s all over but the shouting for these four teams as it they have things on cruise control. Bill Sibler in his Snike Bites tells us that
David Wells pitched a no-hitter against the Jarheads. Wells walked 2 and stuck out 6. Frank tells us that Belle is doing great since the
trade with 18 RBI in 20 games. But, in his next breath he tells us that Belle is being shopped around.
In the NLE the Jarheads 49-31 lead Hazardville by 3 and Allyn Street by 5. Bolton 62-24 lead Arsenal by 5. Hotlanta 23-57 and New
England 24-60 are looking towards the 1997 Draft already.
In Minor League News Jason Isringhaus made history as he pitched the first no-hitter in the FBN minors. A complete game win where
only his one walk to R.Aude prevented him from pitching a perfect game. He struck out 4. In another minor league game combination
of ALE teams beat the combination of ALW teams in 17 innings 1-0. The ALW teams score the lone run in the top of the 17th on a
K.Young homerun. A.Embree took the loss as he went 10.1 innings striking out 13. M.Lee in 2.1 innings got the win.
In the second newslette of July we learn that Albert Belle has been shipped out to Framington by Frank for Willie Green, Jeff Conine
and Don Wengart.
Aug ‘96 - North Reading’s lead has been cut to 3.5 over Salem. Baton Rouge increased its lead to 5 over Florida. Frank made a trip to
Boston and played Salem, Junyard and North Reading face to face. In other face to face action Mike Gerack visited Mike in Baton
Rouge. Holbrook was the perfect host as he “let” Gerack take 4 of 5. For the first time in Psychic history a Salem batter hit for the
cycle. Hogs feeling the pressure as they drop 2 of 3 to Salem and Junkyard. Chris Gager said his Mussellmen keep droping games
regularly but of course this means that we’ll once again be fairly high in the draft. Talk like this in the past would cause all kinds of
complains from league members. I think we, in the FBN are maturing!
In the NLE the Jarheads lead the 89ERS by 7. Bolton has a 7.5 game lead over Arsenal. Cecil Fielder hit his 200th career HR for the
Chiefs. Connecticut climbs close to .500. New England in at .300. Klee’s Klub was lingering under achievement and Klee blamed the
weather. Jarheads had hit a new high water mark of the year at 23 games over .500.
Jim Jalutkewicz shares his OLYMPIC REORT with the league. On 07/26 he and his family hopped into his car at 5:15 and drove 120
miles to Colubus, GA to the Olympic fastpitch softball venue. They saw the USA beat Chinese Taipea 4-0, and mainland China
demolish Puerto Rico 11-0.
The All-Star teams were chosen early this year. Americans - dh Davis, Murray. ca Lopez, Ausmus 1b Thomas, McGwire 2b Biggio,
Garicia 3b Thome, Brosius ss Larkin, Valentin OF Lofton, Gwynn, Belle, Soas, Cordova, Walker and Sierra SP Johnson, Fernandez,
Mussina, Valdez, Nomo and Brown. RP Percival, Wetteland, Blinda and M.Madduz.
Nationals - dh E.Martinez, Canseco ca Piazza, Wilson 1b Bagwell Jaha 2b Knoblauch Young 3b Gaetti Castilla ss Dunston Vizquel
OF Bichette, Sanders, Gonzalez, Bonds, L.Johnson and Bell SP Smoltz, R.Martinez, Smiley, G.Maddux, P.Martinez and D.Martinez
RP Henry, Henneman, Reed and Charlton.
Sept ’96 - Salem is 2 games up on North Reading and 5 up on Junkyard. Baton Rouge is up 4 on Florida. The Hogs continue to
struggle and they fall out of first. The Dawgs are only 2 games behind them. Dreamers start the clearance sale as they unloaded
Gibson, Dawson and Mato to US for Tim Pugh and a DP.
The 1996 All-Star Game:
Am. League 020 130 001 - 7 11 1 (W) H.Nomo
Nat. League 200 000 000 - 2 5 1 (L) G.Muddux
With five games left Allyn Street has tied USJarheads. Bill Nieman hopes that reinforcements may add the much needed fire power to
the thinning front lines. Bolton is 20 games in front of Arsenal as they are riding a 21 game winning streak!!
Oct ’96 - North Reading wins a one game playoff over Salem to take the ALE. Baton Rouge wins the ALW. USJarheads win ther
NLE and Bolton wins the NLW while setting a FBN record for wins at 123.
North Reading
Salem
Junkyard
California
Bridgewater
Mid-Maine
Won
105
104
92
81
64
58
Lost
58
59
70
81
98
104
GB
--1.0
12.5
23.5
40.5
46.5
PCT
.644
.638
.568
.500
.395
.358
Baton Rouge
Florida
Yorktown
Lake Wobegon
Derby City
Phoenix
Won
100
97
82
70
69
50
Lost
62
65
80
92
93
102
GB
--3
18
30
31
45
PCT
.617
.599
.506
.432
.426
.329
USJarheads
Allyn Street
Hazardville
Taxachusetts
Willimantic
Hotlanta
Won
94
92
87
80
58
52
Lost
68
70
75
82
104
110
GB
--2
7
14
36
42
PCT
.580
.568
.537
.494
.358
.321
Bolton
Arsenal
Connecticut
Farmington Valley
Klee’s
New England
Won
123
95
84
83
80
44
Lost
39
67
78
79
82
118
GB
--28
39
40
43
79
PCT
.759
.586
.519
.512
.494
.272
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1996 AMERICAN LEAGUE AWARDS:
AL MVP – Sammy Sosa
AL CY YOUNG – Jsmaul Valdes
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Marty Cordova
AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Mike Holbrook
AL GM OF THE YEAR – Rich Hamel
1996 NATIONAL LEAGUE AWARDS
NL MVP – Dante Bichette
NL CY YOUNG – Greg Maddux
NL ROOKIE OF THEYEAR - Garret Anderson
NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Bill Nieman
NL GM OF THE YEAR - Dean Morris
AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISIONAL SERIES:
Baton Rouge sweeps Salem 4-0.
North Reading over Florida in seven.
NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISIONAL SERIES:
Arsenal over USJarheads in six.
Bolton over Allyn Street in five.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Baton Rouge over North Reading
NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Arsenal over Bolton in seven
THE FBNBA WORLD SERIES
Arsenal over Baton Rouge in seven.
Series MVP is shared between Tom Glavine and Dante Bichette.
Dean writes that Barry Bonds post season was a disaster! Here are some interesting Barry stats, I can’t believe we still won.
vs USJarheads 0-23, vs Bolton 3-22, vs Baton Rouge 5-22. Total 8-67 .119 ave.
Started the post season hitless in 36 AB’s. First hit not until the second at bat of this 11th post season game.
In the ninth inning or later, Bonds was 0-7.
Hit only 1 homer in post season. A solo shot. He had 56 homers in the regular season.
Drove in 6 runs despite batting third most of the time in 20 post season games.
Made 3 errors inclinding 2 in one game against Bolton.
Jan 02, Issue 1 - The start of our 22nd year and all 24 members are back from last year. We vote to follow as many of SOM rules as
possible. We will bring an outfielder in when an outfielder is injured and an infielder when an infield is injured. We still will not use
the “Closer Rule”. Draft Day - February 16th. A copy of the draft order is list for review. Dom renames his team Jersey City G-Men.
Feb 03 Issue 2 - Bruce Fogg annouces that his Pre-Season Tournament will be March 1st. Mike Gerack writes is 1997 the year of the
Sun? Dom Statile congratulates Ed Griffin for the excellent job he’s done with Inside the FBN. Rich Hamel says with nothing to do he
plans on retool Salem this year. Feb 17, Draft Day - I could not find a write up about draft day. All I could find was the draft.
Connecticut draft number 1 and Dave’s selection was Edgar Renteria. Hotlanta took A.Jones. Farmington took D.Erstad. Maine took
Alan Benes and Bridgewater took Nomar Garciaparra fifth. The last selection of the draft was made by Glen Boucher when he took
W.Gonzales as the 181st pick.
March 10, 1997 Issue 4 - Dreamers will have a new look this year as Frank Simonutti will start new people at every position except C,
CF and RF. Bill Sibler said the post draft review is mixed for the Rattlers. We didn’t sign a lot of quality but we defintiely lowered the
teams average age! Joe Carter only needs 32 homers to be the first person in the FBN to hit 300 homers for one team, said GM Bud
Drapeau. Fred McGriff at 272 HR only needs 28 to reach the 300 mark but McGriff plays in the School Yard were a BP HR is 3
The BP HR at the Blue Dwarf in 19 when closed and 20 when open. I think Carter has the better chance.
April 23, Issue 5 - In the National League USJarheads take the early lead in defending the crown. USJ 12-8, ASt. 13-11. In the West
Connecticut 17-7 have a 2 game lead over Farmington Valley 17-11. In the American League North Reading wants to repete and the
start off at 14-6 while Bridgewater in 19-9 only percentage points behind. In the West Baton Rouge last years ALW champs are 14-6
with Florida 2 back at 12-8. Jim J. says relative to last year’s dismal season, the Possums are off to a good start at 11-13. Dave G. is
happy with CT’s fast start. Dave S. writes that the Bats offense has improved and this should be a good year. Watch out for the
BAT’s! Bob Mendez and his Warriors had their first losing season in 1996 and he says this year even looks worse. The Defending
Champions USJarheads made it to the Championship game of the Pre-Season Tournament before falling to the Hogs. Roland states
that the worst pitching staff in the FBN acquitted itself quite well with a 5.03ERA. Chris Gager travel down I95 to play ftf with his
division.
May Issue 6 & 7 - Joe Cater and Fred McGriff are tied at 281. The NLWest is going to be a dog fight as from top to bottom only 6
games separates the teams. Connecticut and Farmington tied at 26-14 and Jersey City is 1 game back at 27-17. New England at 22-22
is in last place. In the NLE USJarheads lead Allyn Street by 4.5 with a 27-17 record. ASt is 20-19. Possums get burned by the NLW.
Gunners off to a so so start. Chiefs go on a 3-14 free fall. Roland reports he has a chance to be on Jeopardy at the Mohegan Sun.
ALE/NLE Third Annual Shootout Picnic scheduled for Sunday June 21st. RSVP. Carter 288 McGriff 282. Roland did not make it past
the qualifying round. He said he was deflated, but he made up for it at the buffet table. Bobby Bonilla of the Warriors reached the 200
career HR plateau. In their 2nd season the Dreamers find themselves in a race. As May ends they are in 2nd place 6 back of the Bats.
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June Issue 8 & 9 - Good races. Lake Wobegon 40-20, Baton Rouge 42-22 & Florida 42-30. Bridgewater 42-22, California 35-29 &
North Reading 34-29. USJarheads 37-23, Allyn Street 35-29. Farmington 43-21, Connecticut 41-23 and Jersey City 36-24. Snake
Bites for the Rattlers as the 3rd block has not started well. Devils feel they are back in playoff contention. Bruce announces that the
Mickey Mantle Memorial Golf Tournament is set for June 28th. Bruce changed the name of the tournament last year to honor Mantle.
The fourth annual ALE/NLE shootout was played on June 22 in Malden, MA at Jack’s apartment building. Jarheads, 89ERS, Chiefs,
Warriors, & Powderkegs all made the trip to play the Hogs, Bats, Musselmen, Dawgs and Psychics. It was a great day. The woes of
the Gunners continue as they are barely over .500. But, Mike Gerack is pleased because the three team race in the ALW is reminiscent
of years past when he was in the same type of battle with Galactic.
July Issues 10 & 11 - Junkyard manager Jack Brajak was late on reports and that was not like Jack. We finally find out that he was in
the hospital for away. We removed his -BP’s for the latness. We should have known something was wrong because Jack had aways
contriuted to the newsletter with his “Dawg Scents”. This year he hadn’t sent in anything but stats.
USJarheads 52-34, Allyn Street 50-38. Farmington 53-25, Jersey City now in 2nd at 52-28 and Connecticut 50-28. Milestones: Possum
Points - Wade Boggs only 60 hits from 2000. Devil Doodles - Edgar Reteria has solidified the Blue Devil shortstop situation which
was a disaster last year. Lime Sox Lowdown - Trading Eric Davis forced some changes in the offensive lineup. Golf Tourmanment
postponed until July 26. G-Files - Jersey City went 162 games last year and 72 this year for a total of 234 games while only being
shutout onces. Jarhead Schuttlebutt - Jarheads made several roster moves to prepare to re-enter divisional play. Keg Rumblings Powderkegs competed in ALE/NLE shootout at 6-4. “It was an ejoyable day by all”. 89ER Numbers - “After 2040 FBN games I
finaly make it to .500! 1020-1020 and I’m a happy camper”!
ALE Bridgewater 49-31, California 44-36, North Reading 42-39.Florida 55-29, Baton Rouge 57-31. Hog Wash - Hogs continue to
have a dissapointing season. I am ready to give up on the season. Baton Rouge Notes - Baton Rouge has survived so far this season
with major comebacks. M-Notes - As the season passes the halfway point as in past seasons we can’t match power with the
opposintion. We will entertain any and all offers for our ’98 draft picks. Jeff Merklin and his family move to a new home in
Marysville, OH.
Aug Issues 12 & 13 - TAXACHUSETTS TELEGRAM July 25, 1997 - Joe hits 300. Joe Cater became the first player in modern FBN
The Road to 300
history to hit three hundred homeruns for one team when he went deep against Pedro J. Martinez at the Nest
1990 54HR
yesterday. (Editors Note: McGriff at 296)
1991 22HR
1992 42HR
Standings: USJarheads 69-44 lead Allyn Street 65-48 by 4 games. Farmington Valley 85 29 are back after one
1993 37HR
year out of the playoffs and no one in the NLW will catch them The race is for the Wild Card spot. Jersey City
1994 39HR
66-41 still in front of Connecticut 66-47.
1995 39HR
Mickey Mantle Memorial Golf Torunament was held July 26th. 4 participants Bill Nieman, Bob Figella, Dave
1996 35HR
Gineo and Bruce Fogg. Individual Honors to Bob Figella…..Rumor has it that the reason Bob Figella keeps
1997 32HR
changing jobs, is that he needs the time off so he can spend time practicing for this event every year….as Bob
successfully defended his title.
Boggs Watch - Wade now stands at 1,964 with 136 available AB’s left. Devil Doodles - Terry Steinbach playing 10th season for the
Blue Devils drafted in the 1st round #8 overall played in at least 102 games in every season at the ripe old age of 35 having “career
year” in 112 games batting .269 with 41HR’s and 104RBI with 73 runs scored. Jarhead Scuttlebutt: finished block 17-8 in NLE
winning all 5 series. Trailing Allyn Street 2 games to 1 come back to win last two to hold off the 89ERS. Klubber Klips - Standing
before the sink, admiring his hansome mug, he heard the doorbell ring…Klee ignored the initial gonging. …realizing that the buler
was on vacation (the maid has gone on a permanent vacation if you have seen Klee’s domain)…the odiferous owner peared out of the
window….to see…the source of the unwelcome noise. A vaguely familiar face….Klee relunctanly…answers the door…Klee realized
quickly the sinister snicker…belonged to his worst nightmare, no not Boucher…..it was Dean of Strat who travelled up from Georgia
to deliver the results of the 5 game sweep he had administered to the Klub just days earlier…..At least the smile was sincere.
Standings Bridgewater 60-43, North Reading 63-50, California 61-52. Baton Rouge 70-38, Florida 55-29, Lake Wobegon 64-44.
President’s Corner: The races…are heating up as we go through the dog dasy of August….California apparently forgot their stash as
are tromped during a real life road trip to massachusetts….Whippets will just not give up…..The early Vegas “over/under” line next
season for losses by Farmington Valley Hawks has been set at “10”….Dreamers Weavings - yes the boys traveled to MA to play the
Hogs, Dawgs and Bats. Outcome 6-9. Hog Wash:
ABOUT FREIKING TIME!!! Hogs finally showed signs of life….after 44-44
start…went 28-9 over last two months. Baton Rouge Notes - Mike Gerack and family rolled into Baton Rouge for a 5 game series.
Series won 3-2 by Florida. Mike H. thanks Chris Gager and Ed Griffin for their help setting up a trip to Maine for Mike.
Greatlocations, loved Fisherman’s Wharf Inn, great memories of Maine.
Standings at the end of the month Allyn Street has over taken USJarheads. Bridgewater still up 4. Florida has tied Baton Rouge.
Sept 1997 Issues 14 7 15 - When any controversy came up in the past usually someone got hurt over it. Well , as I’ve said lately, the
league has matured and we have all grown up a little and we have become friends.Here is what happen. Dean calls me to see if players
that he has already traded to Rich Hamel as PTBNL going to Salem at the end of the season could he now trade them to someone else
as long as the other person knew it was only for the remainder of this season? I check the consitutiion and didn’t see anything wrong
with it. I check with a league president and he said he couldn’t find anything wrong with it. Wow, Dean found a way to realy double
dip. Dean made the deal with Frank. When the deal was announced some league members were upset and said the deal should be
voided. I told them it had been approval already but we could vote on not doing this kind of trade in the future. Dean and Frank
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decided that it was in the best interest of the league to cancel the trade. And that is what they did on their own. Do you think this
would have happen just a few years ago? Or do you think this would ever have in Major League Baseball?
Allyn Street got hot and lead USJ by 4 games with 29 remaining. Farmington Valley at 103-39 are playing to break Jersey City’s alltime won lost record. Jersey City is 5 games up on third place Connecticut. Cecil Fielder hit his 300th FBN homer and 250th as a Chief.
Wade Boggs has 1,979hits only 21 more needed in 34 games. Will he reach 2000 hits in 1997? Connecticut is on its way to their 9th
90+ win season in 11 years. Dave Gineo won 89 & 84 in the other two seasons. That’s winning baseball. Congratulation’s Dave.
Bridgewater 81-56, North Reading 75-58, California 68-57. Baton Rouge has a 1 game lead over Florida and Lake Wobegon is back
in the race only 7 behind Florida. Jim Ferguson said that Chris Sabo, longtime Whippet in his final season , is going out with a band…
hitting .390 with 6HR, 18RBI in 85AB’s.
Oct Issues 16 & 17 Allyn Street 100-62 clinches NLE. USJarheads 92-70 and on the strength of a 54-31 .635 NLE Divisional record
return to the playoffs for a second straight year. Farmington does not break the FBN won lost record as they finish 119-43. In a very
exciting finish Jersye City 94-68 is the Wild Card winner as they just beat out Connecticut 93-69 and Arsenal 92-70. What a finish in
the NLWest. Wade Boggs got his 2000th career hit vs. the Taxmen on the road. Boggs finished the year with 2017 hits.
Bats, Sun take regular season titles. The season saw the upstart Bridgewater Bats and the always potent Florida Sun take the American
League titles. Both teams were fairly much in control for most of the season. Hogs clinched a wildcard spot on the final game of the
season. California had 5 left at Salem, but even a sweep would only bring them to within one game. California in only their second
season finished at 90-72 and extended the contact of manager Sidd Finch.
Dave Sanborn and his family move to Plymouth, MA.
Steve Sprague of the Derby City Dragons is leaving the league due to illness. He finished out the season but said he will not be able to
continue. We all wish Steve the best. Steve is number 82 to leave the league.
Tony Childers, who Steve brought into the FBN as a backup, will take over the team. “The flag was officially transferred on 10/07/97.
The team will remain in Louisville. The name will be changed to the Louisville River Bandits. Tony is 35, married to Carol and they
have one son.
Final 1997 American League Standings:
Won
Lost
Bridgewater
96
66
North Reading
92
70
California
90
72
Junkyard
69
93
Mid-Maine
67
95
Salem
49
113
PCT
.593
.568
.556
.426
.414
.302
GB
--4
6
27
29
47
Florida
Baton Rouge
Lake Wobegon
Yorktown
Derby City
Phoenix
Won
113
103
98
72
55
42
Lost
49
59
64
90
107
120
PCT
.698
.636
.605
.444
.340
.259
GB
--10
15
41
58
71
Final 1997 National League Standings:
Won
Lost
Allyn Street
100
62
USJarheads
92
70
Taxachusetts
79
83
Hazardville
71
91
Willimantic
59
103
Hotlanta
59
113
PCT
.617
.568
.488
.438
.364
.364
GB
--8
21
29
41
41
Farmington Valley
Jersey City
Connecticut
Arsenal
New England
Klee’s
Won
119
94
93
92
74
69
Lost
43
68
69
70
88
93
PCT
.735
.580
.574
.568
.457
.426
GB
--25
26
27
45
50
1997 AMERICAN LEAGUE AWARDS:
AL MVP – Mark McGwire
AL CY YOUNG – John Burkett
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Hollandsworth
AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR – DaveSanborn
AL GM OF THE YEAR – Mike Gerack
1997 NATIONAL LEAGUE AWARDS
NL MVP – Mike Piazza
NL CY YOUNG – Kevin Brown
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Renteria
NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Rob Bruno
NL GM OF THE YEAR - Glen Boucher
AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISIONAL SERIES:
North Reading over Florida in seven.
Bridgewater over Baton Rouge.
.
NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISIONAL SERIES:
Farmington Valley over USJarheads.
Allyn Street over Jersey City in seven.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
North Reading over Bridgewater in five.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Farmington Valley sweeps Allyn Street in four.
THE FBNBA WORLD SERIES
Farmington Valley down 2 games to 3 come back to beat North Reading in seven.
Ed Griffin wrote in HOG WASH - “THERE IS NO SANTA CLAUS” - The 20 sided die read 3 (HR 1-10 or Flyout) and in what
seemed at the time to be excruciationly slow motion, Glen jumped up yelling “THE HAWKS ARE FBN CHAMPIONS”
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American League All-Stars: dh Thomas, Klesko ca Hundley, Lopez 1b McGwire, Palmerio 2b Alomar, Sanberg 3b Thome, Cirillo
ss Larkin, Rodriquez OF Buh er, Lofton, Gwynn, Sheffield, Sosa, Mondesi and Lankford SP Valdes, Burkett, Belcher, Schilling and
Appier RP Nen, Beck, Plunk, Wetteland and Peciral.
National League All-Stars: dh Berroa, Molitor ca Piazza, Steinbach 1b Galarraga, Jaha 2b Knoblauch, Young 3b Caminiti, C.Jones
ss Renteia, Jeter OF Griffey, Bonds, Belle, L.Johnson, Gonzalez, Anderson and Finley SP Brown, Maddux, Smoltz, Clemens, Hill and
Guzman RP Hoffman, Osuna, James and Crabtree.
The game is not played until July 1998 when Bruce Fogg played the game for me. Results are listed in the 1998 history.
Ed Griffin and his wife move to Caribou Street in Bedford, MA. Ed changes his team name to Caribou Street Hogs.
In October I announced that the league would have re-alignment for 1998. Jim Jalutkewicz had moved awhile ago to Duluth, GA and
when Dean Morris moved later to Marietta, GA it was the best interest of the league for face to face games to get them into the same
league and division. Hotlanta would leave the NLE and move to the ALW. Arsenal would leave the NLW and also would move to the
ALW. Tony Childers would take his team to the NLW. Bill Sibler would leave the ALW and move to the NLW. We were not done
yet! Frank Simonutti wanted to play his friend Jeff Merklin face to face and he was also willing to travel to play Hotlanta and Arsenal
so I move Frank to the ALW. Mike Holbrook moved to the ALE to make room for Frank in the ALW.
ONCE AGAIN I’LL SAY IT, WE HAVE MATURED AND EVERYONE IS WILLING TO HELP OUT!
1998 FBN SEASON by Dave Gineo - printed February 2000
JAN ’98 – Ed Griffin completes his 3rd annual “Inside the FBN” newsletter predicting the following results:
NL EAST
NL WEST
AL EAST
AL WEST
1) Allyn Street
1) Farmington Valley 1) Baton Rouge
1) Florida
2) U.S. Jarheads
2) Jersey City
2) Salem
2) Lake Wobegon
3) Hazardville
3) Connecticut
3) Caribou Street
3) Arsenal
4) Taxachusetts
4) Klubbers
4) Junkyard
4) Yorktown
5) Windham
5) New England
5) Mid Maine
5) California
6) Louisville
6) Phoenix
6) Plymouth
6) Hotlanta
(check out the Final Standings later to see how he did!!)
JAN ‘ 98 - Biggest off-season trade sees Connecticut acquiring Sammy Sosa and the 3rd pick in the draft from Louisville and then
trading Sosa to California in a large deal for Raul Mondesi. At the time, Mondesi made a huge difference for the Blue Devils. But, as
of this writing, Sosa is coming off two huge HR seasons. Also, Blue Devils threw in a pitcher named Omar Daal who has turned into
be a solid southpaw starter.
FEB ’98 - DRAFT DAY – Feb 15th - A very nice, clear & cool day saw 16 GM’s in attendance including long distance travelers
Mike Gerack from Florida, Dean Morris from Georgia and Chris Gager from Maine. Local GM’s included Jack Brajak, Dave
Sanborn, Rich Hamel, Ed Griffin, Dom Statile, Roland Klee, Glen Boucher (and son Brett) , Bud Drapeau, Bob Mendez, Bill Nieman,
Bob Figella me and new dad Dave Gineo. (whose daughter was born 4 days earlier). Trophy presentations were made including the
League Championship trophy to Glen and his powerful Farmington Valley Hawks. Jim Jalutkiewicz almost missed the draft. He
thought the draft was the next week and when I called him- I caught Jim as he was leaving to go fishing.!! Jim was sorry to miss
fishing but very happy we caught him in time!!
TOP 5 PICKS IN THE DRAFT - 1) Jose Cruz, Jr. to New England 2) Vladimir Guerrero to Farmington 3) Matt Morris to
Connecticut 4) Rick Reed to New England and 5) Ben Grieve to Hotlanta.
LAST PICK - #180 Curtis Pride to (who else?) Farmington Valley
SOME STEALS (looking back now) - #81 Keith Foulke to Lake Wobegon (what a 1999 card) #60 Pokey Reese to California #34
Kevin Millwood to Klee’s
BRUTAL PICKS (in hindsight) - #11 Garrett Stephenson to Arsenal, #12 Chris Holt to Jersey City, #14 Jeremi Gonzalez to Jarheads,
#23 Jose Mercedes to California and #24 Ken Cloude to Hazardville ( hmmmm, picking pitchers is quite a crapshoot!)
Bruce Fogg hosted the 4th Annual B.C. Nostradamous preseason tournament. The Caribou St. Hogs defended its preseason title
beating the Connecticut Blue Devils 4-3 in the finale coming back from a 3-0 deficit. (This would be an interesting preview of what’s
to come at the end of the season.)
APR ’98 – Season begins with favorites in the AL – Florida and Baton Rouge taking early leads. At 16-4, the Silver Bullets are off to
their best start since 1990 when they were 19-1 but played .500 ball the rest of the season. The Hogs are led by 10 HR’s from BIG
MAC in 20 games while the California Dreamers flounder at 8-16. Dreamer management had two words to say – “WE SUCK!” In
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the NL – as expected – Allyn Street takes command of the NL East at 14-6 while the Hawks lead the NL West at 16-4. Surprisingly,
the Blue Devils hang fairly close at 15-9. New manager Tony Childers of the Louisville Bandits is welcomed to the league with a 923 record but is enjoying himself immensely. He states “THIS IS DEFINITELY THE BEST LEAGUE I HAVE BEEN IN!”
MAY ’98 - Rich Hamel publishes his story of his spring training trip to Arizona with Whippet GM Jim Ferguson called “Boris of
Arabia – A Baseball Journey in the Desert” 5 days, 8 baseball games and a hockey game thrown in. Rich and Jim also meet Bill
Siebler of the Rattlers. Rich’s annual rankings were as follows:
Favorite Park – Tucson Electric Park (Diamondbacks)
Worst Park – Phoenix Stadium (Oakland)
Up and Comers – Ben Grieve, A.J. Hinch
Here and Impressive – Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Brown, Mike Sirotka, Kenny Rogers and . . . . . yes – Kevin Mitchell!!
Kill Me, I’m Lame – Manny Alexander, Jeff Suppan, Rich Aurillia, Mike James
Put a Fork in Me-I’m Done – Paul Wagner
On a more serious note, Junkyard Dawg GM Jack Brajak resigns as Manager of the Dawgs due to health problems #82. He needs
some time to rest. He continues his duties as Owner and GM but the games will be played by interim manager Joe Rutka, a good
friend of Bill Nieman.
MINOR CONTROVERSY – During the interleague block of games, Mike Holbrook made a mistake on his relief instructions for road
games. With the –1pt penalty/series, he accumulated –6 BP’s for the six series. He requested this be reduced to –5BP’s so that if he
did not miss any deadlines the rest of the way, he wouldn’t lose his draft position. He also noted that in most blocks of games there
are only 2 or 3 road series so the penalty would be less. Commissioner Bruno allowed the league to vote on Mike’s request and the
results were 1) keep Mike’s –BP at 6 but 2) for the future – maximum penalty would be –3BP’s.
JULY ’98 – Halfway thru the season results: NL EAST – The Chiefs hold a slim lead over the surprising Windham Warriors while
the 89ers are hanging close. NL WEST – Hawks are completely dominating with a gaudy 66-16 record and 18 game lead over
Connecticut and Jersey City who were playing good ball at a .580 clip. AL EAST – Caribou St. Hogs with an impressive 58-22
record hold a 7 game lead over the Psychics with Baton Rouge just 1 further game behind. AL WEST – Florida Sun hold solid 4
game lead with a huge battle for 2nd place between the Gunners, Admirals and Whippets.
Results of the 1997 All-Star game are reported by Bruce Fogg. The AL wins 2-1 in 14 innings. Curt Schilling was named MVP
getting the win while pitching 1 hit ball for 4 innings.
AL President Jeff Merklin announces his “First Half Awards” for the AL:
MVP – Mark McGwire 34 HR’s and 99 RBI’s
CY YOUNG – Randy Johnson 15-2 2.66 w/ 202 whiffs
MANAGER OF YEAR – Rich Hamel, Salem – “deft trades, drafts and excellent road instructions has this recently miserable team
ahead of the powerful Silver Bullets for 2nd place in AL East.”
FINK OF THE YEAR – Jeff Merklin, Yorktown – 40-14 home record is said to be due to a very “hot” computer . . . . hhmmmmm!
SURPRISE HITTER OF THE YEAR – John Mabry, Hogs – With a .349 BA and .408 OBP, he personifies the type of player GM
Griffin likes
DUD HITTER OF THE YEAR – Troy O’Leary, Whippets – at .219 BA not very close to his real life .309 BA
SURPRISE PITCHER OF THE YEAR – Frankie Rodriguez, Possums – nice stats for a punchless team 3.40 ERA 5-6
DUD PITCHER OF THE YEAR – David Wells, Dreamers – 3-14 5.89 28 HRA – may challenge Kevin Tapani’s FBN record of 61
taters given up.
AUG ’98 - Some voting issues trickle in - 1) Draft actual ballparks in reverse order of finish 2)Change penalty point system – any
violation other than overuse would carry a flat –2BP
The Caribou St. Hogs, despite being in 1st place, make a major trade announcement. “Big Unit” Randy Johnson along with Dave
Burba, Walt Weiss and Dave Martinez will be traded to Yorktown in exchange for young fireballer Barolo Colon and Neifi Perez at
season’s end. How this will affect the Big Unit (who is 16-2 at the time) the rest of the year is a worry to Hog management.
STANDING UPDATE – NL EAST – Chiefs hold big 12 game lead as the 89ers, Warriors, Jarheads and Powderkegs all battle for 2nd
place – within 3 games of each other. NL WEST – Hawks at 100-25 while Blue Devils edge two games ahead of the G-Men for 2nd
place. AL EAST – Hogs in command at 89-40 while Salem opens 4 game lead over the Bullets for 2nd place. AL WEST – Florida
and Arsenal playing over .600 ball and in command. Admirals try to hand in 5 games out of a playoff spot. Dreamer, Bandits and
Rattlers all battling for WORST record at around .250 records (31-91)
Commissioner Bruno issues the preliminary schedules for the 1999 season for everyone’s review to correct any errors. A new format
will be used in 1999. Series will be in the following order and length - 5-4-4-2-4-4-5 Managers liked to start the season with 5 games
series since everyone would be “pumped up” and finish the season with 5 game series vs. rivals down the stretch for the playoffs.
GM Klee and the “KlubKar” paid a visit to “lovely Louisville” to welcome?? our newest member of the league – Tony Childers of the
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Bandits- to FBN face-to-face play. Klee, known for his sometimes loud and unruly behavior was surprisingly calm during losses in
the first two games of the series. According to Roland, this was due to Tony’s famous and sumptious lasagna which he inhaled in
seconds and then went back for more. The Klub eventually won the last two games to split the series.
SEP ’98 – STANDINGS UPDATE – NL EAST – Tax Chiefs clinch title with a team record 97 wins while 89ers, Warriors, Jarheads
and Kegs still battle ALL within 2 games of each other. NL WEST –Hawks at 109-28 while Blue Devils open 7 game lead over rival
G-Men by taking 4 of 5 games in recent series. AL EAST – Hogs at 101-46 holding 4 game lead over Silver Bullets who are trying to
hold off the Salem Psychics. AL WEST – Florida and Arsenal remain in control playing over .600 ball
GM Klee writes a lengthy article questioning the validity of our “reliever rest rule” which requires a reliever to rest after two
consecutive appearances or else come into game “tired”. He cites examples from Bobby Valentine’s use of relievers for Mets games
between June and September showing several times a reliever was used in more than two straight days without any significant loss of
effectiveness. Klee asks for a vote to repeal the rule.
GM Mike Holbrook of Baton Rouge proposes a realignment of the FBN into 3 divisions in each league with a schedule reducing the
#of series from 44 to 43. Playoffs will follow the Major League format.
A league vote to allow Ed Glass (of “DemonSeed” fame) back into the league FAILS with a vote of 14 NO 2 YES 8 abstained or no
response
OCT ’98 - FINAL STANDINGS:
NL EAST
NL WEST
1) Chiefs 102-60 1) Hawks
129-33
2) 89ERS 87-75 2) Blue Devils 98-64
3) Jarheads 86-76 3) G-Men
89-73
4) Kegs
83-79
4) Klubbers 77-85
5) Warriors 81-81
5) Saints
54-108
6) Bandits 36-126 6) Rattlers
39-123
AL EAST
AL WEST
1) Hogs
112-50
1) Sun
105-57
2) S.Bullets 105-57
2) Gunners 97-65
3) Psychics 104-58
3) Admirals 90-72
4) Dawgs
71-91
4) Whippets 85-77
5) Bats
53-109 5) Possums 60-102
6) Mussel Men 51-111 6) Dreamers 48-114
SALEM is the hard luck loser winning 104 games but missing the playoffs. In the last series vs Mid Maine Salem won 4 games by a
total score of 26-3 but lost Game Two 8-5 and that was enough to knock them out of the playoffs. The 89ERS meanwhile make the
playoffs with only 87 wins (17 less than Salem) but finished with a big series vs. their arch-rival Warriors taking 4 of 5 games to
overtake the Jarheads.
1998 SEASON AWARDS:
NL MVP – Raul Mondesi, CT .341 231 hits 145 runs 142 RBI 45 DBL 43 HR 30 SB
NL CY YOUNG – Roger Clemens, FV 29-4 2.28 ERA 269 K’s
NL ROOKIE OF THEYEAR - Scott Rolen, HAZ .299 100 RBI 188 runs
NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Dave Gineo, CT
NL GM OF THE YEAR - Glen Boucher, FV
AL MVP – Mark McGwire, CST 52 HR’s 147 RBI 127 runs .401 OBP
AL CY YOUNG – Curt Shilling, BR 25-9 2.55 ERA 369 K’s
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Brett Tomko, CST 15-5 4.24 ERA
AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Ed Griffin, CST
AL GM OF THE YEAR – Rich Hamel, SAL
PLAYOFFS:
AL - Florida over Baton Rouge 4-0
Caribou St. over Arsenal 4-1
Caribout St. over Florida 4-2 on to their 2nd FBN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
NL - Farmington Valley over Allyn Street 4-0
Connecticut over Taxachusetts 4-0
Connecticut over Farmington Valley 4-3 in one of the biggest upsets in FBN history as the Blue Devils came back from a 3-1
series deficit to win and head to their FIRST FBN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (CT had finished 31 games behind FV)
1998 FBN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
The two teams who met in the pre-season tournament final survive the season and meet again. The Hogs are home to start and take
advantage winning two close games 7-6 and 3-2 for 2-0 series lead heading back to Connecticut. The Blue Devils bats finally
awaken at home winning games 3&4 by 8-4 and 8-1 scores. Then, in the crucial Game 5, the CT bats pound Randy Johnson for a 6H - 82
1 lead and Mike Hampton makes it hold up as the Blue Devils head back to “The KrukDome” with a 3-2 series lead. Game 6 saw
veteran knuckleballer Tom Candiotti of the Hogs faceoff against Blue Devil prize rookie Matt Morris. An Eddie Taubensee 3-run
HR sends Candiotti to an early shower and Morris 4 hits the Hogs over 8 innngs for a 4-2 win and the CONNECTICUT BLUE
DEVILS are the 1998 FBN CHAMPIONS!!!!
1998 OFFSEASON – NOVEMBER VOTING RESULTS:
Most items (16) failed but the ones that did pass of any significance are:
1) New ballparks can be built with a max change limit of 2 each year rather than 5.
2) Allow changes to playoff rosters between each playoff series
1998 ALL-STAR GAME results in a National League victory 7-5 with a 4 run rally in the bottom of the 9th capped by a Jeff Bagwell
3 run HR. This snaps a NL two game losing streak and brings the overall series record since 1988 to 7-4 Nationals. Bagwell was
MVP of the game while Armando Benitez gets the win – Jeff Shaw the loss.
1999 by Rob Bruno printed January 2002
1999 the 25th anniversary of the first FBNBA season! Thank you Dave Smith wherever you are. It will be a fun season.
A rules committee of Jim Jalutkewicz, Mike Gerack, Jeff Merklin, Dave Gineo, Bob Mendez, Tony Childers and myself to review the
SOM rules and our Constitution to see if we could bring the differences together. We also would make it manatory for members to
send in their end of seson rosters to the commissioner to help members make trades. Roland Klee and Bill Nieman are our only
representatives at Glen Head for opening day of SOM. I start re-typing Scott Ellis’ league history. I hope to add all the years from
1989. Ed Griffin and Dave Gineo volunteer to help.
Draft Day Feb. 21. A new record is set with 17 members at the draft. Four flew in for the draft: Jim J., Frank Simonutti, injured
ankle and all, President Merklin and Mike Gerack. Others: Roland, Rich Hamel, Glen Boucher, Ed Griffin, Dave Gineo, Dave
Sanborn, Joe Rutka, Brian Favereaux, Bob Figella, Bob Mendez Bill Nieman, Bud Drapeau and me. Glen and Bud also had there
son’s there too, Brent and Sam. Bill Siebler, Tony Childers, Mike Holbrook, Jim Fergueson and Dean Morris were on AOL. Only
Chirs Gager used the phone. Dom Statile missed the draft as he was becoming a Godfather. Past members that left the league for 1999,
Bruce Fogg and Jack Brajak. The first pick in the draft J.D. Drew made by Glen. Next, Bill S. suprised everyone when he went with
Kerry Wood second. Bill had told us before the draft that he would take T.Lee so when he made the switch everyone was surprised.
Glen took Lee 3rd and then traded him to Tony. The draft ended when, yep, Glen drafted L.Stevens #181. 16 players are pickup on the
waiver wire.
Ed Griffin trades away his championship players to retool for 2000. Gone are Mark McGwire, Paul O’Neill, Randy Johnson, Jamie
Moyer Tony Fernandez, Walt Weiss, Jeff Reed, Jim Leyritz, G.Swindell, Mike Timlin and Jeff Shaw. 40% of his roster! Ed said “I
just figured it was as good a time as any to suck it up for a year of two.”
Kevin Brown of Lake Wobegon no hits Plymouth.
Chris Gager owner of Mid Maine decides to leave the league #83. Jack Brajak will run the team for the rest of the season. Barry
Shanks will take the team over in 2000. We are down to one backup, time to run an ad.
Allyn Street wins 100th game agaisnt Windham.
National League Races: Barons have the early lead. Warriors are surviving with pitching. Farmington steamrolling over everyone.
Jersey City, Klee’s, and Connecticut within 2 games of each other for second.
American League Races: After a slow start Silver Bullets doing it with pitching and hitting. Psychics are in second also because of
hitting and pitching. In the ALWest the race is only between California and Yorktown.
Standings:
ALE - Salem 56-33, Plymouth 43-34, Baton Rouge 49-40, Mid Maine 29-32, Caribou Street 21-60, Louisville 19-69.
ALW - California 71-22, Yorktown 59-38, Lake Wobegon 49-38, Florida 41-38, Hotlanta 38-51, Arsenal 33-48.
NLE - Windham 46-39, Wall Street 42-39, Hazardville 40-43, Allyn Street 40-43, Taxachusetts 41-46, USJarheads 36-51.
NLW - Farmington Valley 63-22, Jersey City 52-29, Klee’s 51-38, Connecticut 42-43, Silver City 34-43, Phoenix 29-60.
Psychic’s on a major tear because of pitching. California have scored an incredible 576 runs. Windham in first because of Mark Grace
and company. Hawks with the best hitting team .310 and pitching 3.27 leading the NLWest.
Rob Nen sets saves record for Dreamers. G-Files worst trade L.Gonzalez and S.Reed to Taxachusetts for B.Saberhagen and
G.Jefferies. Blue Devils go THUD!!! Frank travels to play FTF vs Dean and Jim J. 89ERS vist Windham on Kevin McReynolds Day.
Another member has told me that he may leave the FBN at the end of the season so I announce that no trades can be made with Mid
Maine. The two teams would go into a re-entry draft. McGriff played in his 1600 game. Greg Vaughn passed the 100HR career mark
as a Dreamer. The title “Mr. Psychic” Pete Incaviglia, the greatest Psychic of all time.
Standings:
ALE - Salem 8 games up on Baton Rouge and Plymouth.
ALW - California 16 up on Yorktown.
NLE - Best race - Windham & Allyn Street tied 2 games in front of Taxachusetts, 3 up on Wall Street and 4 up on Hazardville.
NLW - Farmingtonn 10 up on Jersey City and 12 up on Klee’s.
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David Wells throws no-hitter for Dreamers on the road at Louisville. Other team highlights Greg Vaugn had two 4 HR games in a 4
HR and 10 RBI game at Arizona.
Bill Nieman loads up the family car and travels to Jacobs Field in Cleveland. Harry gets a picture of Rocky Colivtio’s 374 HR for his
Dad. Ed Griffin writes about his love of the “Freak Card”,
Final Standings:
ALEast
Won Lost
Salem
109 - 53
Baton Rouge
96 - 66
Plymouth
89 - 73
Mid Maine
79 - 83
Caribou Street
36 - 126
Louisville
35 - 127
ALWest
California
Yorktown
Florida
Lake Wobegon
Hotlanta
Arsenal
Won Lost
118 - 44
100 - 62
87 - 75
85 - 77
72 - 90
61 - 100
NLEast
Taxachusetts
Wall Street
Allyn Street
Windham
Hazardville
USJarheads
Won Lost
84 - 78
83 - 79
81 - 81
80 - 82
73 - 89
64 - 98
NLWest
Farmington
Jersey City
Klee’s
Connecticut
Silver City
Phoenix
Won Lost
117 - 45
101 - 61
94 - 68
83 - 79
73 - 89
48 - 104
American League Divisional Series: Yorktown Vs Salem Kevin Brown Vs Randy Johnson in a supposed pitchers duel. Salem 21-1.
Salem sweeps Yorktown. MVP - Brown 2-0, 16.1IP, 16H, 1 Run, 4 BB, 16K;s 0.55 ERA.
Baton Rouge Vs California. California wins in 5. MVP - Nen 4Ga., 4Sv., 7.2IP, 1H, 0Run, 5BB, 13K.
National League Divsional Series: Wall Street Vs Farmington Valley. Farmington 11-0 in game 6 to take the series.
Jersey City Vs Taxachusetts. Taxachusetts wins game seven 7-1 behind Greg Maddux. MVP - Maddux 2-1, 0.69 ERA.
American League Championship Series: Salem Vs California done over the phone. California in 6. MVP - Greg Vaughn .333, 4HR,
11RBI, 5Runs. Dreamers move on to their first World Series.
National League Championship Series: Taxachusetts Vs Farmington Valley. Farmington won. No report.
FBNBA World Series: Farmington Valley Hawks Vs California Dreamers.
Game 1: FV 7 - CD 6. Game 2: FV 10 - CD 4. Game 3: CD 7 - FV 5. Game 4: CD 8 - FV 7. Game 5: FV 4 - CD 2.
Geme 6: FV 10-CD 7.
What an unbelievable final game. Hawks down 7-2 going into the 7th when they score 6 on 3 homers to seal their second title in three
years. It was the last game of the century. MVP - Ken Griffey Jr. who had 5 homers.
National League All-Stars: Canseco, Piazza, Bagwell, Biggio, Castillo, Garciaparra, Gonzalez, Griffey and Guerrero. Bench:
Salmon, Taubensee, helton, Easley, C.Jones, Jeter, B.Williams, Greer, E.Davis. Pitching: Clemens, P.Martinez, G.Muddux, Moyer,
Hermanson, Arrojo, Hoffman, Christianson, Mantei, Howry, Rivera and Shaw.
MVP - Griffey
CY YOUNG - Clemens
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Arroyo
MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Dom Statile
GENERAL MANABER OF THE YEAR - Glen Boucher
American League All-Stars: M.Vaughn, Kendall, I.Rodriquez*, McGwire, Offerman, Brosius, Larkin, Sosa, Ramirez & Bonds.
*Kendall & Rodriquez tied for starting catcher. Bench: E.Martinez, Palmeiro, T.Walker, Caminiti, A.Rodriquez, G.Vaughn, A.Belle,
Alou, Lanford(they tied for backup). Pitching: Brown, Wells, Glavine, Johnson, Schilling, Reed, Nen, Brocail, Jackson, Williams,
Gordon and Urbina.
MYP - Sosa
CY YOUNG - Glavine
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - T.Lee
MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Dave Sanborn
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Frank Simonutti
1999 ALL-STAR GAME - NL 7 - AL 6 (W) Mantei (S) Hoffman (L) Gordon (MVP) Chipper Jones.
2000 Season by Robert Bruno (Dec. 2004)
The 26th Year of the FBNBA and the 25th Anniversary of Play by Mail in the FBNA. Newest member Barry Shanks names his team
Maine Yaks and announces his management team as he joins in the fun. At Draft Headquarters Brian Favereaux and Bill Nieman are
waiting for me when I pulled in at 08:30. Others, Bob Figella, Bob Mendez, Bud Drapeau, Joe Rutka, Dave Gineo, Glen and Brett
Boucher, Roland Klee, Ed Griffin, Dave Sanborn and I. From afar - Frank Simonutti from Tennessee and Bill Silber from Arizona.
Glen picked up his third World Series award putting him third behind Steve Walters 5 and Scott Ellis’ 4. Roland Klee renames his
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“Award” from the Dante Bichette Award to Eddie “ballgame” Willams Award. It is give to the GM that drafts the most overrated
rookie. This year the award went to me for drafting Roy Halladay. Glen and Brett put the chat room together and during the draft Rich
Hamel, Mike Holbrook, Tony Childers, Barry Shanks, Mike Gerack, Jim Jalutkewicz, Jim Ferguson and Dean Morris all enjoy the
next best thing if you cannot be in person. Dom Statile, in a hotel in New Jersey, and Jeff Merklin busy at home had to use the phone.
Some how Glen did not have the number one pick, I don’t know how this happened. Tony drafts Kris Benson #1. Bob F. drafted Tim
Hudson. Rich drafted Gabe Kapler. Dean drafted Freddy Garcia and Bill Nieman traded the 5th overall pick to at the draft who drafted
Marty Barrett. The last draft pick Turner Ward #168 was made by Brian around 03:40PM.
As we prepare to start the 25th PBM season we lose Rich Hamel (84) and Bud Drapeau (85) because of work. Both take a leave of
absence. I ask Bruce Fogg if he will play the Salem home games by using “HAL”. He reluctantly agrees. I will play the Taxachusetts
home games. Dom will handle the Taxachusetts player stats. Brain completes a league disc and emails it to all members. Everything
seems to be fine but it isn’t. Next, Glen (86) now goes on leave of absence and Bill S. will play the home games. To show you how we
have matured Farmington a manager less team wins the NLW by 10 games. Bruce Fogg (87) gets upset over playing the Salem games
and emails me that he has decided not to play the games and for me to take him off the backup list. Bruce did not want to play games
that meant nothing to him and now he found himself wasting his time. It did not work out. I felt bad that he was so upset that he
dropped out completely from the league. I end up playing the Salem home games.
April: David Bell “Jarhead of the Month” .372 6 HR 21 RBI. Klubber manager, Ralph Kramden upset with team ERA 7.17 “One of
these days, POW, right to the moon.” Merk tells of team in ruins and hopes “real life” season will many good new Strat cards. Chris
Gomez in the 15th game of the season played in his 500th consecutive game for the Bats. Allyn Street lost its 1200th game. Mike
Holbrook final spends some money and hires a coaching staff. He also signed with Victoria’s Secret to provide 1st and 3rd base
coaches. For the right price he agreed to allow the girls the right to model various swimsuits and underwear from the 1st and 3rd base
coaching boxes. What has this league come to? Dave Gineo will keep the Farmington team stats. We mail all the Salem team stats to
Rich Hamel who will send in the W/L record for the newsletter.
May: Bill Silber now playing the Farmington home games. Dreamers hope they don’t suck after all as they are 28-21. Powderkegs
rolled to 16-8 vs. NLW. Hotlanta 18-23 are hitting and scoring well but defense has been a thorn in their side as they are on pace for
126 errors. Devils 11-1 vs. NLE. Allyn Street started 7-1 vs. NLW but finish 11-13. Klubbers logic: If you sat on a hot stove with your
feet in a bucket of ice water, that on the average, you’d be comfortable – Roland Klee. Baton Rouge completed its new Bengal Dome
with 8,000 seats in record time, reports Mike Holbrook. Warriors got smacked at NLW 7-17.
June: I’m now playing the Farmington home games. The manager-less Hawks continue to top the NLW. G-files report they are
looking for a good reliever. Jamie Moyer 16-1! Dreamers playing well and are 11 games over .500 as Sosa, Vaughn and Bell have
combined for 73 HR’s. Warriors continue to hang in with the pack. Connecticut using balance as 5 players have 40 – 45 RBI. 89ERS
starting pitching needs help with 5.58 ERA. G-Men love home 23-11 but hate hotel-cooking 13-14 away. Chiefs have hit 122 HR’s.
Baton Rouge skipper is not happy. It seems with Victoria’s Secret scantily clad models as 1st and 3rd base coaches the team bats have
gone cold. Hogs 17-15 at home and 23-7 on the road. It just goes to show you can’t be a “pig” at home. Possums report that both the
hitting and pitching has turned to the worst.
July: Baton Rouge Rondell White goes 6 for 6. Allyn Street records its 1300th win. Hawks climb 29 games over .500 without a
manager! Devils have 10 players batting over .286. In 1998 the Blue Devils won the FBN Championship with a team payroll under
$40 million. Just two years later Dave Gineo reports the team payroll has skyrocketed to $70 million. A whopping (he can say that
because he’s Italian.) 75% increase. Knights started the year like a ball on fire but have cooled. Chiefs are hitting more than 2 HR’s
per game as they are now at 194 in only 91 games. Klubber Klips once again a pre-season favorite (Watch out for the GRIFFIN
CURSE) the team is looking up at the competitors – Klub is in 4th 12 games out. Dreamers report Sosa has come up big with 13 HR’s
and 28 RBI as the team goes 12-2. Possums have split all 3 ALW. Mike Holbrook reports that his daughter got married and the
coming and going of a lot of family and friends. Congratulations to the proud dad!
August: Jamey Wright no-hit Wall Street 6-0. He walked 3 in the game and Hazardville made 2 errors so there were base runners
throughout the game. We say good bye to three friends. Rich Hamel who joined the FBN at age 18, in 1987. Rich known as “Make
Me An Offer” Hamel won the GM of the Year 5 out of 9 years. Glen Boucher who in this man’s opinion was the best at judging
talent ever in the FBN. Steve Walters won 11 Divisional Championships and 5 World Series. But, only 1 World Series in the Modern
FBN. Scott Ellis
won 7 Divisional Championships and 3 World Series. From 1977 to 1987 these two teams won it all except in 4 years. But, in the
modern FBN where the members are much sharper and you can not pull off outrageous one-sided trades, it takes guts, balls and a
baldhead to dominate. Glen won 7 divisional championships in 10 years and 3 World Series. If you ask me he would have won more
World Series BUT many times he would not play the post season games. He would be busy with real life things so he would ask
another member to play his games. I believe if he played the games he would have won at least two more World Series Plaques.
Bud Drapeau took over a team that when it was given to another “new” member that member quit the league because the team was so
bad. With trades and drafting Bud turned that Vermont/Washington/Twin City team around and won back to back NLE Championships in 1998 and 1999.
Yorktown being stricken with the standard emotion of fear of screwing up royally, is now putting out feelers for what appears to be
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the #1 DP overall. G-Men stock up for the playoff run by trading for Aaron Sele, Trot Nixon, Cal Ripken and Scott Hatteberg. Frank
Simonutti welcomes Dean Morris to Jackson, TN as the teams split the series. Plymouth, Hotlanta, Louisville, G-Men, Connecticut,
Farmington, USJarheads, Taxachusetts, Baton Rouge, California and Allyn Street all send in items for the newsletter.
September: The members vote in favor 12-8-1 abstained to hold a supplemental draft in reverse order of the final Y2K standings of the
three teams that lost their members. See 2001 Off-season controversy for more details.
Wall Street went into 2000 in a rebuilding mode but at 50-79, Joe Rutka fires himself and hires Murray Wills as manager. I announce
that Caribou Street will move from the ALE to the NLE in 2001 so Ed Griffin could play more games FTF. Dreamers feel they could
not defend the ALW title without going out and getting reliever Rudy Seanz and Jose Santiago, Tony Clark and Kevin Sefcik. All
from Hotlanta. Hotlanta feels by making the trade they improve their position in next draft. The cellar dwelling Taxachusetts team
puts a damper on Connecticut’s playoff chances reports Dave Gineo as the manager less Chiefs sweep CT in a recent series.
We welcome the three new members that will join the league in 2001, Jeremy Lavoie, Larry Huck and Kent Kennedy. Dave Gineo
reports that the team may set two new team records – team batting average over .300 and or a team ERA over 5.00. Dom hopes to
clinch the wild card vs. Dave and CT this up coming series. Dom also writes a nice item on the three parting members and states at the
end “I am fairly certain that the FBN has not seen the last of Bud, Glen and Rich and when time comes, I am also certain that they will
be welcomed back. (Bud returned for the 2002 season and Rich for the 2005. Glen is and has been the number one back up but still
does not have the time to devote to coming back….YET.)
On September 15 I mail the three new members a letter explaining the supplemental draft and how it will affect the players they will
have available to them.
October: The first phase of the Re-Entry Draft took place on October 1st with each new team selecting 4 players from the pool of talent
from Farmington, Salem and Taxachusetts. The first player taken was Pedro Martinez(FV) by Kent Kennedy of the Dakota Rough
Riders. The second player chosen was Vladimir Guerrero(FV) by Larry Huck of the Illinois Prairie Dogs. The third player was taken
by Jeremy Lavoie of the Orlando Red Sox, Nomar Garciaparra(FV). Filling out Dakota’s roster Chipper Jones(FV), Jim Edmonds(SP)
and Chan Ho Park(FV). Illinois other players Carlos Delgado(SP), Mike Piazza (TX) and Frank Thomas (TX). Completing Orlando’s
roster were Kevin Brown (SP), Darin Erstad(FV) and Ken Griffey Jr(FV).
The Supplemental Draft was not scheduled to start until Friday the 13th of October but the excitement of anticipation was too much for
Commissioner Bruno. I emailed the first four members and said the draft could start as soon as Yorktown was ready. The excitement
in the league was at an all time high. The Supplemental Draft had turned into a League “happening”. Merk took JD Drew (FV), Bill
Siebler took Scott Elarton (FV). The Supplemental Draft continued on October 9th. Dave Sanborn said, “I do not want to hold the
process up with its blistering pace so I would like to take Charles Johnson(SP). Joe Rutka who was away in Ireland during the draft
had given me a letter with his selection. The first three choices were the exact three players already taken. His final pick was Jermaine
Dye(TX), Brian Favereaux respond faster then a speeding bullet with “Silver City will select closer Trevor Hoffman(FV). Barry
Shanks proudly selected Bruce Chen(FV). Bob Mendez was away in Vegas when it was his turn to select so the League had to wait
until October 11th to resume the draft. Mendez was surprised that the Supplemental Draft had gone so fast as he responded with “the
Windham Warriors select Javier Vazques(FV). Jim Jalutkewicz took C.Guzman(SP), I took Lance Berkman(FV), and Jim Ferguson
after hearing that I took Berkman says “aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhh! and takes Derk Lowe(FV). Bill Nieman took Ben
Petrick (FV), Roland Klee took Gabe Kapler((SP), Frank Smionutti, “since US and Klee’s took the position players I wanted
California takes Brad Radke(SP). Mike Holbrook took B.Rekar(SP), Dean Morris all the way down at 15 was able to get Roger
Clemens(TX).
Next was Mike Gerack. “I’ll have our selection in a few minutes…. Florida Sun selects Tim Salmon(FV).” The rules were you had to
replace the AB’s with AB’s for the same position that you took. Mike’s replacement players did not play right field so Mike had to
forfeit Tim Salmon and his Supplemental draft pick.
Tony Childers who was busy with the playoffs and still celebrating the team’s victory over Arsenal said “Commissioner Bruno I don’t
know if you can hear me over all the noise …. the River Bandits select Daryle Ward(TX).” Dom Statile selected Tim Salmon(FV).
Bob Figella selected Brad Fullmer(TX). Ed Griffin made the last selection saying “I can’t believe I’d get a 32 HR guy picking 31st” as
he selected Bob Higginson(SP). Dave Gineo abstained and did not select a player in the Supplemental Draft.
Players selected: From Farmington 16, Salem 9, Taxachusetts 6.
National League EAST
1) Hazardville 100-62
2) US Jarheads
86-76
3) Allyn Street
81-81
4) Windham
75-87
5) Wall Street
61-101
6) Taxachusetts 57-105
National League WEST
1) Farmington 110-52
2) Jersey City
99-53
3) Connecticut
92-70
4) Klee’s
88-74
5) Silver City
70-92
6) Arizona
56-106
American League EAST
1) Caribou Street 106-56
2) Louisville
97-65
3) Baton Rouge 94-68
4) Maine
71-91
5) Plymouth
57-105
6) Salem
55-107
American League WEST
1) Florida
96-66
2) Arsenal
94-68
3) California
93-69
4) Lake Wobegon 85-77
5) Hotlanta
77-85
6) Yorktown
43-119
American League Divisional Series: Caribou Street takes Arsenal in 5 games 4-1. Louisville takes Florida (no report)
National League Divisional Series: Farmington takes US Jarheads in 5 games 4-1. Hazardville takes Jersey City in seven 4-3.
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American League Championship Series: Caribou Street sweeps Louisville 4-0.
National League Championship Series: Farmington takes Hazardville in six games 4-2.
FBN World Series: Farmington takes Caribou Street in six 4-2.
American League All-Stars: Stairs, E.Martinez, I.Rodriquez, Sweeney, McGwire, Palmerio, Bell, Alomar, Cirillo, Tatis, A.Rodriquez,
Larkin, Sosa, Walker, Everett, Ramirez, Bonds, Sheffield. Pitching: Johnson, Mussina, Lima, Ashby, Wells, Brown, Faulke, Mathews,
Johnstone, Wagner, Urbina and Zimmerman.
National League All-Stars: Belle, Olerud, Piazza, Leberthal, Bagwell, Klesko, Alfonzo, Biggio, C.Jones, Ventura, Garciaparra, Jeter,
Burnitz, B.Williams, Griffey, Green, V.Guerrero, J.Gonzalez. Pitching: P.Martinez, Millwood, Hampton, Moyer, Schmidt, Rosado,
Hoffman, Williamson, Benetiz, Rivera, Howery and Rocker.
The American League beats the National League 7-3. (W) Lima (L) Rocker
(MVP) Pudge Rodriguez as he gunned down Nomar Garciapara in the first inning that killed the NL chance for a big inning. Plus,
Pudge added a 2 run homerun and 3 RBI.
Awards:
AL MVP – Sosa
AL CYY – R.Johnson
AL Manager of the Year – Dean Morris
AL Rookie of the Year - Benson
AL GM of the Year – Tony Childers
NL MVP – Burnitz
NL CYY – P.Maritnez
NL Manager of the Year – Bill Nieman
NL Rookie of the Year - Williamson
NL GM of the Year – Bill & Harry Nieman
Both League Presidents put out great end of the year Newsletters full of stats. Jeff included some special information about some of
his staffers that make the AL office run so smoothly. He included a photo of AL Vise-President for Disciplinary Affairs Mary Beth
Merklin displaying the number 1959 which he said represents the record number of games missed by California Dreamers players due
to misconduct suspensions in 2000. A photo of AL Vice-President For Statistical Analysis Meredith Merklin showing her prediction
for the number of wins that California Dreamers would have in 2001 (two). A photo of the AL President and his intern Colin Merklin
nervously awaiting the outcome of the vote on the Supplemental Draft. Last a photo of Jonathan Merklin AL Vice-President in charge
of assessing “penalty points” dress in the required employee business suit. (Jokers costume)
As you can tell from all the fun “poked” at each other, the FBN has become a League of Friendships!
2001 FBN SEASON by Dave Gineo - printed October 2002
OFFSEASON CONTROVERSY - The FBN lost three top-notch members after the 2000 season as Rich Hamel (Salem), Glen
Boucher (Farmington Valley), and Bud Drapeau (Taxachusetts) all resigned their teams due to time constraints. They were all longtime members of the league and left with very good teams. Rather than finding three replacement managers and having a typical “reentry” draft, a plan was suggested that all current FBN teams be able to draft one player from the pool (and return one player back to
the pool from their own team). The argument for this idea was that long-term current members of the league should benefit from
drafting a good player off the resigning teams rather than let three brand new managers get a real good team right at the start which
was considered unfair. Opponents of the plan believed that whatever team a current manager had, it was their development of the
team that led them to the position they were in – whether good or bad. There was no reason to suddenly be able to grab a good player
in exchange for a poorer player. Also, there was a precedent of “re-entry” drafts in the league and the new managers coming in
always were able to draft from the original pool of players without anything taken out by current members. Opponents of the plan
dubbed the new idea the “Vulture Draft”. A vote was taken and by majority the plan was put through so that current members could
draft a player from the open pool and return a player with an equal number of AB’s or IP’s back to the pool with some minor
restrictions. After this “Vulture Draft”, the new managers would then hold a “re-entry” draft out of the remaining pool of players. All
current teams participated in the “Vulture Draft” except for the Connecticut Blue Devils. Owner Dave Gineo was a staunch opponent
of the “Vulture Draft” and chose not to participate. Owner Gineo also resigned his position as N.L. President after the 2000 season
citing time constraints. Gineo was NL President for 11 years.(1990 - 2000). Bob Figella, owner of the Hazardville Powderkegs,
became the new NL President. Rob Bruno remained as Commissioner and Jeff Merklin as AL President.
TOP 5 PICKS IN THE 2001 DRAFT - 1) Rafael Furcal to Allyn Street 2) Pat Burrell to Yorktown Admirals 3) Barry Zito to
Wall Street 4) Terrence Long to Wall Street and 5) Mark Redman to Central Illinois.
LAST PICK - #166 Scarborough Green (who??) to Orlando Red Sox
SOME POTENTIAL STEALS (looking back now) - #57 Alfonso Soriano to Allyn Street #43 Mark Buehrle to Hazardville #122
Marty Cordova to Yorktown (had a career revival year in 2002) and #150 Raul Ibanez to Anarchists.
BRUTAL PICKS (in hindsight –so far) - #14 Rob Bell to Klee’s, #26 Kevin Walker to Arizona, #10 Julio Lugo to Lake Wobegon
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APR ’01 – Season begins with the Caribou St. Hogs charging to an early 7 game lead in the NL East going 25-8. But they were
matched in the NL West by the new Silver City Knights of Brian Favereaux (took over the old New England Lime Sox) who started
24-9. In the AL, the California Dreamers got off to a quick start at 22-11 in the West while in the East, no team emerged but
perennial powerhouses Baton Rouge and Florida were right in the thick of things.
The Connecticut Blue Devils announce their inaugural inductees to the Blue Devil Hall of Fame – they are Orel Hershiser, Jose Rijo
and Terry Steinbach.
Dreamer GM Frank Simonutti says, despite the team’s fast start, it is only a mediocre team and puts veterans Greg Vaughn and Rob
Nen on the trading block.
MAY ’01 - The Hogs and Knights continue to play strong ball both at 40-17 a third of the way through the season. Hog’s GM Ed
Griffin notes how much fun he has had this season playing so many face to face games since joining the NL West. So far, he has
played 36 of 57 games face to face. He also noted Randy Johnson is off to a great start as usual going 9-1 2.83 ERA. As for Silver
City, despite their hot start, they only held a 3 game lead over the Connecticut Blue Devils who were playing good ball as well. In the
AL, Baton Rouge was pulling out from the pack in the East holding a 6 game lead over the surprising Maine Yaks club of Barry
Shanks. In the West, Hotlanta, a championship team in the late 80’s, which fell on hard times during the 90’s, was in first place for
the first time in many years and California began to drop from the top as predicted by their GM. The Dreamers moved into full
rebuilding mode sending some veteran talent away for draft picks. Rafael Palmeiro went to Lake Wobegon, Rob Nen to Maine and
Andres Galarraga to Arsenal. In return, the Dreamers received a first round pick, two second round picks among other things.
JUN ’01 – Allyn St 89ER GM Bruno watches his team fall to 31-40 and admits this will probably be a “lost season” as the team is
batting a paltry .256. George Foster is replaced as hitting coach by former CT Blue Devil hitting Coach Chris Chambliss. The team
has hope for the future with a young budding start – 2bman Alfonso Soriano. In the AL, Hotlanta continues its excellent play at 42-19
opening a surprising 10 game lead over Florida. The Possum offense is averaging 7.2 runs/game led by veteran Edgar Martinez and
youngster Andruw Jones. Southpaw Mike Sirotka is 11-0 despite a 4.71 ERA. Lake Wobegon saw their recent acquisition of Rafael
Palmiero pay dividends. In his first 10 games, Palmeiro was batting .333 with a .500 on base %.
In other news, Dreamer owner Simonutti issued a good-natured threat to Arsenal Gunner owner Dean Morris regarding Barry
Bonds. With Bonds to get a monster card for the 2002 season, Simonutti plans to intentionally walk Bonds every time he comes to the
plate to face the Dreamers. This is in direct payback to the strategy employed by Morris against the Dreamers’ Sammy Sosa in which
Morris walked Sosa for 9 straight games in 2000.
JUL ’01 - Halfway thru the season results: NL EAST – Caribou St. Hogs dominating the division at 65-22 leading the Hazardville
Powderkegs by 13 games. Wall Street next closest trailing a playoff spot by 7 games. NL WEST – Great battle for the top spot as
Silver City and Connecticut have been within 2-3 games of each other all season. Jersey City looks to be out of the race in 3rd place –
13 games behind the front running Knights. AL EAST – Tight, exciting 3-team battle between Baton Rouge, Lake Wobegon and
Maine – all teams within one game of each other. AL WEST – Hotlanta is still in control with a five game lead over the new re-entry
Orlando Red Sox. Traditional power Florida struggling 10 games behind first place and 5 games out of 2nd place.
The Maine Yaks have been one of the surprising teams this season utilizing a strong offense, which is batting .290 and slugging
.480. The Yaks are on a pace for 238 HR’s led by A-Rod’s 24 HR’s and 79 RBI’s. The Dreamers have pulled one of the all-time
great collapses going 3-29 over the last month after the trade of Palmeiro and Galarraga.
INTERESTING NOTE – To get a feel for what league has the best players, Mike Holbrook used “Lamanna’s top 100 draft list” and
checked off which league the players were in. To his surprise, the NL had 56 to the AL’s 44 players in the Top 100. The AL had 11
of the top 15 players but the NL picked up the majority of guys after that.
Parity reigns . . . .
STATS – The HR leaders in both leagues have 33 HR’s – Sosa in the AL and surprising Miguel Tejada of Hazardville in the NL
Darrin Erstad of Orlando and Vladimir Guerrero of Illinois both are flirting with batting .400 halfway through the year. Erstad at .399
and Guerrero at .398.
AUG ’01 – The only major change in the standings occurred in the NL WEST where the Silver City Knights swept 4 straight four
game series and are on a 17 game winning streak which moved them 9 games ahead of the 2nd place CT Blue Devils.
TEAM NEWS – Bill Siebler, owner of the Arizona Antelopes, announced his resignation from the league (#88). Without going into
details, Bill has had a rough year and needs time off. From his resignation email he states “It was a great six years, but things change .
. . my thanks to you and all the other great people who contribute to the well being of the best league of all. Hopefully we can stay in
touch.” Bill will certainly be welcomed back if he wants to rejoin the league in the future. Commissioner Bruno does not immediately announce a replacement manager as he waits to receive all the League Dues and ensure there will be no other teams leaving.
SEP ’01 – STANDINGS UPDATE – NL EAST – Hogs clinch title with a 22 game lead over 2nd place Powderkegs. Wall Street 8
games behind ‘Kegs for playoff spot. NLWEST – Silver City Knights close to clinching division title with 10 game lead over CT Blue
Devils. No one close after that. AL EAST – Baton Rouge has 6 game lead in division with Maine and Lake Wobegon in a dead heat
for 2nd place. AL WEST – Hotlanta with 5 game division lead. Great battle for 2nd place between three teams all within 2 games –
Florida, Orlando and Arsenal.
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TEAM NEWS – Commissioner Bruno announces the replacement for the Arizona franchise and it is none other than Bud Drapeau former owner of the Taxachusetts Chiefs who took a year off from the FBN and is excited to get back in. The team will be moved to
Connecticut for the 2002 season and the infamous “Blue Dwarf” ball park will probably remain a historic landmark in Taxachusetts as
a new stadium with more pitcher-friendly confines will be built. The new team name will be the Poquonock SkyChiefs. Joe Carter
will return as manager and Mike Henneman as pitching coach.
GM Ed Griffin of Caribou Street writes a lengthy article about how much he has enjoyed his first season in the NL East playing so
many face to face games. He also notes Randy Johnson’s incredible season. The “Big Unit” went 29-3 with a 2.49 ERA striking out
353 in just 275 innings. The Hog offense was also impressive with three 40+ HR guys and four 100+ HR guys.
League Voting Issues were announced including dropping the SuperAdvanced WP/BK rule, dropping the robbing the homerun rule,
the bi-annual request to use “outfielders out of position” and adopting the Strat rule for Closer usage.
OCT ’01 - FINAL STANDINGS:
NL EAST
NL WEST
1) Hogs
113-49 1) Knights 113-49
2) Kegs
92-70 2) Blue Devils 103-59
3) 89ers
80-82
3) G-Men
83-79
4) Barons 79-83
4) Klubbers 70-92
5) Jarheads 69-93
5) Bats
69-93
6) Warriors 57-105 6) Bandits
54-108
AL EAST
1) S.Bullets 102-60
2) Yaks
101-61
3) Whippets 98-64
4) Illinois
69-93
5) Anarchists 59-103
6) Antelopes 58-104
AL WEST
1)Possums 97-65
2) Sun
94-68
3) Red Sox 94-68
4) Gunners 85-77
5) Dreamers56-106
6) Admirals 51-111
FLORIDA wins a playoff game against the newcomer Orlando Red Sox to gain a wild card playoff spot in the AL West. Lake
Wobegon loses out in a great battle with the Maine Yaks for the AL EAST wild card . In the NL, there were two powerhouses that
ran away with division titles winning 113 games each – the traditionally strong Hogs and the surprising newcomer Silver City Knights
while the CT Blue Devils get a wild card spot with 103 wins which was better than all the AL teams.
Statistically, in the NL – Todd Helton won the batting title at .395 with Travis Fryman at .361 in 2nd place. Helton and Troy Glaus led
in RBI’s with 148 and Helton led in runs scored with 143. Richard Hidalgo and Ryan Klesko were somewhat surprising winners in
the HR crown at 50 HR’s. Luis Castillo led base stealer with 79 swipes. Randy Johnson led the league in everything – ERA 2.49,
Wins 29, Strikeouts 353. Trevor Hoffman was Firemen of the Year with 101 points (3-2-51)
In the AL – Nomar Garciaparra won the batting title at .375 with Darin Erstad right behind at .370. Sammy Sosa slugged 65 HR’s to
win the homerun crown. Barry Bonds led in RBI with 161 and Darin Erstad scored the most runs at 162. Tony Womack led base
stealers with 47 swipes. Pedro Martinez led the league in ERA at 2.65 and Strikeouts with 335 while Kevin Brown won the most
games going 25-7. Rob Nen was Fireman of the Year with 71 points (5-7-40)
2001 SEASON AWARDS:
NL MVP – Todd Helton, SC .395 249 hits 143 runs 148 RBI 74 DBL 38 HR
NL CY YOUNG – Randy Johnson, CSH 29-3 2.49 ERA 353 K’s
NL ROOKIE OF THEYEAR - Terrence Long, WSB .304 85 RBI 79 runs 42 DBL
NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Bob Figella, HZ
NL GM OF THE YEAR - Brian Favereaux, SC
AL MVP – Sammy Sosa, CD .326 65 HR’s 155 RBI 129 runs
AL CY YOUNG – Pedro Martinez, CIA 16-8 2.65 ERA 335 K’s
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Julio Lugo, LW .307 28 SB
AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Jim Jalutkiewicz, HP
AL GM OF THE YEAR – Barry Shanks, MY
PLAYOFFS:
AL - Maine over Hotlanta
Florida over Baton Rouge
Maine over Florida 4-3
The Yaks were down 3 games to 2 but rally to win the final two games and become the surprising AL pennant winner and head to
their 1st FBN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
NL - Hazardville over Silver City 4-3
Connecticut over Caribou Street 4-3
Hazardville over Connecticut 4-3 as the two wild card teams in the NL meet.
Powderkegs rally from a 3-1 series deficit and down 3-0 in the 6th inning of Game 5 to win the NL pennant.
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In an all-wild card Championship series the Hazardville Powderkegs faced off against the newcomer Maine Yaks. The Yaks jumped
on top in Game 1 in front of the home crowd as Ryan Dempster out duels Jamey Wright in a 6-4 win highlighted by a Derrek Lee 3run HR. Then, in a big surprise, Maine’s Matt Clement miraculously out pitched Tim Hudson in a 6-2 Yak victory and a 2-0 lead in
the series. The Kegs rebounded back home in an easy 6-1 victory led by “wild man” Rick Ankiel. But after that game, the series got
ugly as the Yaks overwhelmed the Kegs winning game 4 14-3 with 19 hits and won Game 5 12-5 with 18 hits again beating Tim
Hudson. The MAINE YAKS became the 2001 FBN CHAMPIONS!!!!
2001 ALL-STAR GAME
The AL used the long ball to blast their way to a 9-4 thumping of the NL in a game played at the home site of the 2001 FBN Champs
– “Habitat of Yak”. Hometown hero Alex Rodriguez went 2 for 2 with a 3 run HR earning Co-MVP honors with Pedro Martinez
who pitched a 1 hitter over 3 innings stopping the NL hitters with 6 strikeouts. The AL now has a 2 game winning streak and has
narrowed the NL lead in the All Star games to 8-6.
2002 FBN SEASON by Ed Griffin
TOP 5 PICKS IN THE 2001 DRAFT - 1) Adam Dunn to Yorktown Admirals
2) Albert Pujols to Louisville River Bandits 3) Roy Oswalt to Hazardville Powderkegs (from CD) 4) Inchiro Suzuki to Illinois and
5) Juan Uribe to California Dreamers
LAST PICK - #180 Donaldo Mendez (who??) to Florida Sun
SOME POTENTIAL STEALS (looking back now) - #32 Angel Berroa (Klubbers..believe it or not…), #40 Brad Wilkerson
(Orlando), Brian Roberts #72 (Dragons) Ted Lilly #75 (Klubbers again?) #78 Michael Young (Jarheads), Johan Santana #111 (Lake
Wobegon) #179 Damaso Marte (Florida)
BRUTAL PICKS (in hindsight –so far) - #5 Juan Uribe (California), #?? Felipe Lopez (Illinois), #14 Bud Smith (Arsenal), #17 Jose
Ortis (Louisville), #19 Dave Williams (Urpaign)
APR ’02 –
NL- In the East, surprising Windham jumps off to a quick start going 20-9. Favorites Allyn St and Hazardville are tied for 2nd at 1712.
In the West, early returns are as expected with Caribou St leading at 16-9 and Jersey City in second at 13-7. Connecticut, the other
team expected to contend got off to a bad start at 9-16. Owner Dave Gineo laments that he thought he had put together a solid 1-2
punch with Radke and Morris but they stand respectively at 0-6, 7.12 ERA and 0-2, 6.68 ERA after six starts each
89ER Lance Berkman is off to a quick start with 11 HRs in only 29 games.
AL- In the East, perennial power Baton Rouge leads at 12-8 with lake Wobegon in second at 11-9. Defending champion Maine Yaks
find them selves in last at 11-17, in spite of Arod’s 15 HRs.
Out West the preseason favorites are not disappointing as the Florida Sun lead at 10-5 (lots of rainouts in FL I guess) and York Town
is second at 17-12.
MAY ’02 Due to work commitments and a move to LA from Massachusetts, the Bats Dave Sanborn takes a leave of absence. Rob will play the
remaining Bats games via computer. It’s a shame as Dave put together a good team.
NL- East Favorite Hazardville puts in gear in route to a 32-13 record….including a 21-2 run….mostly against the West. Buehrle and
Lidle are a combined 13-0 for the Kegs. Windham continues to hang in second at 28-17
Caribou St continues to roll in the West at 37-16. Randy Johnson and Steve Sparks are off to an impressive 15-3 combined start.
Jersey City continues in second at 30-19, while preseason favorite Connecticut continues to struggle at 17-32. Surprisingly the Blue
Devils seem out of it 12 games back of the second place G-Men.
AL- Lake Wobegon and Baton Rouge continue to rule the East tied at 30-19 and 28-21 respectively. Urpaign is right behind at 27-22.
Pedro Martinez is shining for the Dragons with a 1.69 ERA.
The Sun continues to set on the West running out to a 32-13 record and leading the second place Admirals by 6 full games. Maddux
and Glavine lead the Sun staff at 7-1 and 8-2 respectively.
JUN ’02 –
NL- The Powderkegs are running away with the East leading by 12 games at 47-18. Windham is still in second, but the 89ERS are
breathing down their necks.
Looks like a two team race in the West as the Hogs and G-Men run away from the pack. The autopilot Bats hold down 3rd but trail
second place Jersey City by 6 games. The G-Men acquire Joe Mays from the Jarheads greatly strengthening their rotation.
AL- Urpaign over takes Baton Rouge and moves into second one game back of the East leading Whippets.
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The Admirals make a big trade acquiring Luis Gonzalez in a deal that sent young stud Pat Burrell to the Chiefs. The trade pays big
dividends as Gonzalez spurs on a 17-3 run for the Admirals that bring them even with Florida in the AL West race. It’s a two team
race as 3rd place Hotlanta is 12 games back.
JUL ’02 NL-At 76-33 Kegs extend their lead to 18 over the 89ERS and 19 over the Warriors. Mark Buehrle and Corie Lidle lead the Kegs at
17-3 and 11-2 respectively. The Blue Devils negotiate unsuccessfully to bring Tony Gwynn back so that the long time Blue Devil
could retire in CT.
Out West the Hogs at 67-30 lead the G-Men by 6 and distant 3rd place Plymouth by 20.
AL- In a great seesaw battle Baton Rouge reclaims 2nd taking a two game lead over Urpaign after 101 games. The Silver Bullets took
3 of 4 in a huge series vs. the Dragons. Game three of the series was a classic pitchers duel…Pedro Martinez vs. Curt Schilling.
Schilling pitched the Bullets to a 4-1 win.
Yorktown trains Florida by 1 game in the West. Hotlanta looks in from a distant 3rd, 17 games back of the Sun. GM in training
Harper Morris quoted as saying of the Gunners “Dad, your team stinks”.
AUG ’02 –
NL- Wall St. passes the 89ERS & Warriors for 2nd at 69-60 (22 games back of the Kegs). No one seems to really want 2nd place.
An Unbelievable Game: Final in 21 innings: CS Hogs 10-18-1 CT Blue Devils 9-16-1 WP-M.Leiter (7.2 innings in
relief) -Combined 153 Abs -Glaus 3 for 10 -Piazza 2 for 9 -25Ks for Hogs pitchers, 20 for Devils pitchers….45 total in game!
Odd note: Blue Devils 18-12 in 1 run games, 50-55 overall, dispelling the notion winning the close ones can make or break a season.
AL- Dream Weavings: “We suck. Contract negotiations have begun with Mark Prior and Austin Kearns”.
SEP ’02
-Owner of the Silver City Knights has accumulated 40 BPs and is put up for a vote to be expelled from the league. The league votes
to keep him 13-4. Brian later decided to step down as owner of the team (#89).
NL- Unbelievable but true: BH Kim has given up 67 hits in 104 IP, with 102 Ks and 14 LOSSES!
FINAL STANDINGS:
NL EAST
NL WEST
1) Kegs
112-50 1) Hogs
112-50
2) 89ERS
85-77 2) G-Men
97-65
3) Barons
78-84 3) Bats
79-83
4) Warriors 71-91 4) Blue Devils 75-87
5) Jarheads 68-94 5) Klubbers
70-92
6) Chiefs
66-96 6) Knights
62-100
AL EAST
1) Whippets
104-58
2) SilverBullets 94-68
3) Dragons
89-73
4) Yaks
77-85
5) Prairie Dogs 66-96
6) River Bandits 56-106
AL WEST
1) Sun
109-53
2) Admirals 101-61
3) Possums
84-78
4) Gunners
69-93
5) Red Sox
63-99
6) Dreamers 51-111
2002 SEASON AWARDS:
NL MVP – Todd Helton
NL CY YOUNG – Randy Johnson, CSH
NL ROOKIE OF THEYEAR - Terrance Long
NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Bob Figella
NL GM OF THE YEAR – Brian Faveraux
AL MVP – Sammy Sosa
AL CY YOUNG – Pedro Martinez
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Lugo
AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Jim Jalutkewicz
AL GM OF THE YEAR – Barry Shanks
PLAYOFFS:
AL - Yorktown over Lake Wobegon 4-1
Florida over Baton Rouge 4-2
ALCS-Yorktown over Florida 4-0
NL - Jersey City over Hazardville 4-1
Caribou Street over Allyn Street 4-2
NLCS- Caribou Street over Jersey City 4-3
Hazardville over Connecticut 4-3 as the two wild card teams in the NL meet.
Powderkegs rally from a 3-1 series deficit and down 3-0 in the 6th inning of Game 5 to win the NL pennant.
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The Caribou Street Hogs became the 2002 FBN CHAMPIONS!!!!
2002 ALL-STAR GAME
The American League did all the necessary damage in the first scoring 3 runs on 3 hits off losing pitcher Mark Burhrie. The highlight
belonged to Vladimir Guerrero who brought the crowd to their feet when he doubled with 2 outs driving in two. Curt Schilling post
the win. Foulke recorded the save. The game MVP was V.Guerrero 1 for 1 D, 2 RBI. The win was the third in a row for the American
League. The Nationals hold a slim 9-7 edge the All-Star game.
End of an Era for AL
November 5th, Jeff Merklin steps down as AL president. Merk was A.L. president from 1995-2002, did a great job and his
contributions will be missed.
2003 Season by Robert Bruno (Dec. 2004)
February 28, Issue 1 - Things to look forward to in 2003? The year starts out with Draft Day 2003 in Norwich and we do mean
DRAFT DAY! The heating unit broke down and there was no heat at draft central. You just kept your coat and hat on and went with
the flow. Sixteen members and two son’s were at the draft. Bob F., Bill and Harry, Bob M., Joe, Bud and his son Sam, and me from
the NLE. Roland, Dom, Ed, Bruce and Dave G. from the NLW. Representing the ALW were Mike G. from Florida and Frank from
Tennessee. From the ALE Barry from Maine, Jim F. and Bruce G. from Illinois. The remaining members were all hooked up to a chat
room on AOL. Things did heat up luckily from Roland’s hot air as he would shout “Stop the draft – stop the draft” to signal someone
had made a “poor” draft choice and “won” one of Roland annual awards. Even without real heat everyone still managed to have a
good time. First 5 picks – 1. Mark Prior (HS), 2. Austin Kearns (PQ), 3. Josh Beckett (OR), 4. Eric Hinske (IL), 5. Sean Burroughs
(PQ) The last pick of the draft at 191 was Jessie Orosco (HS).
April 8, 2003 Issue 2 - Ed Griffin puts out his Preseason Newsletter called “Inside the Fly-By-Night”. It has all 24 teams broken down
man for man. He lists the strength and weakness of each team. He also goes on and explains what each team needs to do to improve.
Ed’s “IFBN” has become the American Express of the FBN. You better not leave home without it! Unbelievably great work and we
all appreciate Ed taking the time to do it. Plus, what Ed has done on the website is beyond expression. Ed has all the newsletters on the
site. He has all the trades listed. He has player histories and team histories. The managers directly is posted. So is the Constitution.
Everything a member needs to be on time, to find a fact, to have fun is all listed on the site.
Commissioner Note: I ask the NL teams to use a standard form that Bob Figella would like us to use when reporting team stats.
Jeremy is getting –BP’s faster than Roland can chow down… by April Jeremy has 19.5 –BP’s. He is put on probation and if he
receives 10 more –BP’s he will be put up for league removal. I tell the members to visit Ed’s website to see the future of the FBN.
NL News: President Bob F. in “From the President” states that some guy’s have been getting very lazy on their reports and its is
making it much more difficult putting the newsletter together. Bob puts a standard form out on MS Word for everyone to copy.
Dave G. reports that coming off a disastrous 2002 season, the first losing season in team history that the Blue Devils open the 2003
campaign with a mix of tempered optimism and concern. I report that I knew to improve on the success the 89ERS had in 2002 I
would have to improve on the pitching. So during the off season I made a trade for Billy Wagner and O. Dotel. Plus, I drafted Jason
Simontacchi in the fifth round with my first DP. Dom reports thus far the G-Men of Jersey have been utterly disappointing at 11-9.
Joe Rutka and his Wall Street team is doing it with mirrors as the team is 16-17 but only has a team batting average of .249.
AL News: Ed’s first Newsletter as AL President was packed with information plus news of the website he started for the FBN.
Mike Holbrook had just completed his 15th season in the FBN and he sends in a very nice item going over the team’s history. He
explains how he first named the team NO Hits but because it became too brutally close to the truth he renamed the team Baton Rouge
Silver Bullets. He tells of the chance ad for managers in the SOM Review that lead to a call to Rob Bruno and the rest is history.
He picks the 1996 team as the “Best All Time Bullet Team”. The ’96 team is the only Baton Rouge team to ever make it past the first
round of the playoffs and the team went all the way to the World Series losing in 7 games. The 1996 Bullets won 100 games.
Dean sends in the all time Arsenal Gunner team that includes Andres Galarraga who hit 62 HR in 1997, Barry Bonds 75 HR in 2002,
Dante Bichette 44 HR in 1996 and Matt Stairs 58 HR in 2000. LHP Tom Glavine 25-10 1996 and RHP Roger Clemens (remember the
Supplemental Draft) 18-7 2001.
Jim J. as expected states Hotlanta’s pitching is very week with a 6.01 ERA and a 2-8 record.
Frank says “What a difference a year makes. Trading the #1 DP for Randy Johnson was expensive but Johnson has been unhittable in
the 1st month, 6-0 thus far.
May 4, 2003 Issue 4
Commissioner’s Note: Ed has done a great job on the website. This will be the way we get the Newsletter and other important League
information. Jeremy picks up 5 ½ additional –BP’s. He is up to 25.
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AL President Ed Griffin has a Who’s Hot, Who’s Not Hot item listing different players from different teams. He also listed
ALL TIME TEAM RECORDS thru 2002. Connecticut 16 years 1522-1070 .587, Hart Street 10 years 933-688 .576, Florida 15 years,
1275-949 .573, Jersey City 9 years 826-632 .567, Baton Rouge 15 years 1309-1121 .539, Lake Wobegon 17 years 1431-1325 .519,
Maine Yaks 3 years 249-237 .512, Hazardville 13 years 1074-1032 .510, Allyn Street 18 years 1536-1488 .508, Klee’s 14 years 11481121 .506, US Jarheads 16 years 1294-1299 .499, Orlando 2 years 157-167 .485, Windham 14 years 1092-1176 481, Hotlanta 15
years 1138-1238 .479, California 7 years 537-597 .474, Arsenal 12 years 913-1031 .470, Poquonock 12 years 926-1058 .467, Wall
Street 5 years 301-347 .465, New England 17 years 1264-1487 .459, Urpain 2 years 148-176 .457, Yorktown 18 years 1329-1587
.456, Margaritavlle 7 years 507-627 .447, Illinois 2 years 135-189 .417, Louisville 5 years 278-532 .343.
(Note: I know that the USJ and Hotlanta numbers are incorrect. They both have 16 years in the FBN because they came in together in
1987 and managed the J&B Indians. Bill would later decide when another team became available that he had the time to take a team
of his own. I just have not added up the records.)
Other teams: Farmington 12 years 1190-754 .612, Salem 14 years 1200-1069 .529, Junkyard Dawgs 5 years 345-465 .426, Phoenix 8
years 413-873 .321.
AL News: Baton Rouge is back over .500 as they got hot against Hotlanta and Arsenal hitting almost .350, Hotlanta on pace to hit 149
HR. Arsenal in last place at 15-30 put Clemens and Bonds on the market. California all send in items. Frank sends in the Dreamer All
Time Team that includes Rafael Palmiero 2000 season with 33 HR and 124 RBI. Jay Bell 2000 season with 52 HR and 152 RBI and
Sammy Sosa 2000 year with 76 HR and 192 RBI. (And they didn’t win the World Series?)
NL News: Allyn Street Steve Trachsel completes both of his last two starts only to lose them 3-2 & 3-1 to start the year 0-6. Bruno
quotes Roger Craig of the 1962 Mets who lost 22 games that year. “You must be good to lose that many and for them to keep putting
you out there.” Connecticut hot man is 2nd year man Endy Chavez called up for action in Block 2 to rest Bernie Williams. Chavez is
hitting .458 in 17 games. Hart Street is atop the NLW as they the second month of the season at 16-8. US Jarheads contribute to the
newsletter letting the fans know they are on pace to lose 100 games. Bill decides to offer up his bullpen for trade…. NEED BULL
PEN HELP?? … THINK US JARHEADS – Escobar, Villafuerte, Y.Perez available.
May 19, 2003 Issue 5 – Commissioners Note: Jim Jalutkewicz has his first installment of “Rules Review, RI’s & Tips from Hotlanta”.
Jim would check a rule and clear up anything the SOM had muddy. Jeremy made it without any –BP’s this time.
AL News: May 14th was a banner day for Baton Rouge in real life as Shilling, Reed and Zambroano all started and had good outings.
Urpaign reports that the team is 3 games over .500 but they have been out scored 310-309. Hotlanta’s Adrian Beltre was voted Possum
Road Warrior by Jim J. as he hit .395 with 14 RBI and 4 HR’s all on the road!
“Rules Review, RI’s & Tips from Hotlanta” Jim clears up the CUTOFF PLAY SEQUENCE and includes a chart for easy reviewing.
NL News” Bill tells 11, Jarheads to report to Parris Island for a 72 hour “Motivational Experience.” But, allows Stevens .186 BA to be
excused from required attendance in recognition of his game winning HR vs. Poquonock. New England’s Bruce Fogg lets everyone
know “It is truly good to be back in the FBN.” Bruce took over the Silver City team this year when Brian stepped down last year.
June 3, 2003 Issue 6
Commissioners Note: MLB follows the FBN – It’s time for inter-league play.
“Rules Review, RI’s & Tips from Hotlanta” Jim gives a tip on RELIEF PITCHER INSTRUCTIONS. Also, Jim tells us if your
opponent has given you a Computer Manager to use, be sure you do the following 4 items. Pull down Lineups, Select ignore over
usage, check use Super Hal and use lineups for Primary.
NL News: Hogs lead the NLW 46-23, by eleven games. Connecticut, Jersey City, Margaritaville and Klee’s all with in 3 games of
each other. Hazardville 45-24 leads Allyn Street by 6 games. Windham and Wall Street only 4 back of Allyn Street.
AL News: In the ALE Maine 41-20 leads Lake Wobegon by 4. Illinois 2.5 behind the Whippets. In the ALW it’s a two team race with
California 42-19 leading Florida by 5. The rest of the ALW are far behind.
June 18, 2003 Issue 7
Commissioners Note: Time for League Fees.
AL President Note: The West continues to be a blow-out with California and Florida running away with it. With 19 wins in only 85
games Randy Johnson has a shot at breaking the FBN record for wins in a season. The record is 32 set by Greg Maddux in 1995 with
CT. The East continues to be interesting. Maine and Lake Wobegon hold their spots at the top, but Illinois, Urpaign and Baton Rouge
are all still within reach.
NL News: New England reports as we approach the halfway point of 2003 things are going just about as well as expected for the
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Angels. The Angels are in last place but 2004 is looking bright.
AL News: Baton Rouge 8-8 vs. the NL and has all but given up hope of any chance at the playoffs. California on the other hand is
playing at a .650 clip. Arsenal Who’s Hot Bonds OBP .555, 28 HR’s and 63 RBI. Hotlanta Who’s Hot the Bullpen 1-0 with a 1.93
ERA in 18 games Vs. the NL.
An outsider reading the newsletter may think that participation and interest in the League has not gone down with only 25% of the
members sending in an item for the newsletter. But, just the opposite is true. What has started to happen is with everyone now on line
most of the members are sending out news clips daily by email. What I needed to do was to cut and paste these emails to the
newsletter. I don’t catch on until later. In 2004 most of the newsletter is from emails.
July 8, 2003 Issue 8
Commissioners Note: Jeremy falls off the wagon and has gathered the –BP’s that push him over the limit. A league vote will either
give Jeremy another chance or it will remove him from the FBN. Jeremy will send out his appeal by email to the members.
NL News: Connecticut, Allyn Street, US Jarheads and Wall Street all send in items for the newsletter. At the mid point of the season
NLE: Hazardville is in first 57-30 followed by Allyn Street 54-35. Windham is in third 11 games back. NLW Hart Street 57-34 has a 9
game lead over Connecticut and Jersey City. National League Best: BA: Hazard .288. ERA: Allyn Street 3.72
AL News: Baton Rouge and Hotlanta contribute items to the newsletter. ALE Maine 56-37, Urpaign 51-38. Lake Wobegon 48-37.
ALW California 62-11. Florida 11 games back in second. American League Best: BA: Illinois .290. ERA Florida 3.58
Wednesday, July 9, 2003 Jack Brajak passed away. A few words from different members: (ED) Jack was a member of
the FBN from 1994 – 1998. Jack left the league because of health issues. He suffered from emphysema. His team was
the Junk Yard Dawgs….Jack was a character….cantankerous, but good hearted…(Dave S.)…when I first came into the
league…Rich, Ed, Jack and I would get together for each division block and swap playing FTF…the first time was a Jack’s
house….Jack was the first person I played and the instantly took the time and patience…..there seemed to be three
things important to him, his teenage son, baseball and strat….(Joe)…Jack felt he could not actively manage his team midseason 98…so I managed the…Dawgs…Jack and I spoke several times…he insisted it was now my team….but the tone of
his voice game him away – he missed the FBN and playing FTF…
(Bob M.) I remember going to Boston with the rest of the division to play Jack’s division at his apt. It was great… (Rich)..a
great guy with a gruff exterior but was a softy…a great guy to play FTF…(Dave G.)…the first thing that comes to mind
when I think of Jack Brajak is lasagna and that huge tray of lasagna that he brought to the draft for a couple of
years…plus some pretty good chili….
(Rob) Fun, food, strat and towers… is how I remember Jack…(Bruce F.) it was a shock to…read of his passing…Jack did
indeed bring a huge cauldron full of Chili which was the hit of the day… THANKS, AND GOD BLESS YOU JACK BRAJAK.
July 22, 2003 Issue 9
Commissioners Note: The League voted 18-0 to keep Jeremy in the league. 2 abstained. 4 did not vote. The League was in Jeremy’s
corner. Now it’s up to Jeremy.
NL News: Hart Street has cooled off after its 42-19 start they are 18-18 over their last 36 games. Jersey City has cut the lead to 6. US
Jarheads report that rookie Josh Phelps is hitting .309 with 10 HRs and 29 RBI in 178AB. Connecticut with a 9-3 record on the road
during inter-league play has gone 9 games over .500 – their high mark of the season.
AL News: Hotlanta reports, Who’s Hot? Nobody Who’s Not? Varitek .167, A.Jones 1.71. California continues to cruise through the
season. Randy Johnson 22-4 and Omar Daal 13-3 carry the pitching staff. Lake Wobegon lowlights M.Bellhorn .199, C.Finley 3-12.
Baton Rouge disappointed with Schilling and Mussina as they have lost every game they have started this round.
August 8, 2003 Issue 10
Commissioners Note: With the pennant races heating up a number of deals went down. “It’s trading time in the FBN!” Seven trades
are reported 26 players and 6 draft picks are exchange! As you can see a major enjoyment in this league is wheeling and dealing!
NL News: Connecticut reports a surprising 4 game sweep of rival Jersey City. Bernie Williams hit his 200th career HR. Hart Street
front office was very active in the trade market to try to cement the team’s playoff position. Hazardville stuck in a hitting slump made
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a bold move to improve for the stretch run as GM Figella acquired closer Gagne so Donnelly and Hammond could move to setup men.
New England also made several trades aimed at improving the team in the future. Allyn Street report the that the team had reached an
All-Time career record 10,000 BB.
AL News: AL President Griffin reports that the ALE is shaping up to be a good race. It looks like the Prairie Dogs, Whippets and
Yaks might battle right down to the end. The West is BORING unless you’re California or Florida. The third place Red Sox are 29
games out. Baton Rouge said next year we should be better as they are 55-54 13 games out. Florida Sun spots – After an abysmal inter
league stretch 3-9 home 6-6 on the road, the Sun made an effort in the division 12-8. Hotlanta with the season fading the goal is to
avoid losing 100 games. Maine Yak Exreta: Yaks management thrilled with their results within the division.
August 18, 2003 Issue 11
NL News: Allyn Street has pulled within 2 of first place Hazardville. Connecticut 6 ½ behind Hart Street. Hart Street so far this
month 0-5 vs. 89ERS and Powderkegs and 7-1 vs. Jarheads and Chiefs. Poquonock in a letter to their fans state they are concerned
about the media-created perception that the Chiefs organization has been soft with its players…. While in Italy….we decided….if we
lose a game a designated player will lose a finger….this proposal has its flaws…but we’re working on it. Bud was getting tough!
Jersey City a season of extremes riding high 19-5 vs. AL but now 3-13 against the NLW.
AL News: Bullets been playing well 9-3. The 3 loses have been 1 run games. Hotlanta Who’s hot? Andruw Jones .388. Who’s not?
Joe Borchard 1 for 17 .059. Dreamer Weavings – we finish block 5 16-4 increasing our divisional lead over Florida to 13 games.
September 5, 2003 Issue 12
Commissioners Note: With Ed Griffin’s team in the National League he was wondering how the American League members felt about
him as the AL President. So we put out and email and asked the AL members. I only printed four from Jim F., Merk, Barry, and Mike
Holbrook but others had said about the same in emails. Basically, they said Ed’s doing a great job as AL President…let him have the
opportunity to play a majority of his games FTF…no need to move him to the American League.
AL News: Baton Rouge season has been statistically dominated by two people – Tome and Schilling. Urpaign block 6 done. I need to
go 14-11 to equal last year’s record. Hotlanta it has been rough for the Possums against the ALE as we are 3-17 with 4 games to go.
California has struggled against the tough AL East 7-9 with 8 games outstanding.
NL News: Jarheads through 137 games are being pummeled and outscored by 212 runs. Bright spot Jeff Kent .302 39HRs 93 RBI.
The G-Spot – Jersey City has peaked and has gone from being 10 out, in danger of being in 4th place behind Klee’s, to only 2 games
out. Hart Street’s Ed Griffin says “Wow, on 9/1 the Hogs led CT by 6 ½ and JC by 8 ½. Now the lead is 2 over both.” Connecticut
finished 16-8 in the NLE. Allyn Street brings back Matt Williams after a four year absence to booster their playoff run.
September 15, 2003 Issue 13
Commissioner’s Note: In a recent series between USJ and ASt 89ERS the commissioner reported of a shameful beanball incident that
last all five games. “There is no room for cowards in a Jarhead uniform” mumbled Nieman as he rearranged the machine guns on this
tank towards McGriff and Williams. ☺
AL News: Amazing the Bullets who struggled all season on the road finished 8-4 on the road. California survive the block vs. the
ALE at 13-11. Randy Johnson moved to 29-5. Urpaign has drawn 659 BB and have given up 446. They need to win 3 more games in
the last two series to finish above .500. Barry has the Maine Yak’s fingers crossed…almost home on top. Hotlanta just playing out the
season. Jim is wondering how Shawn Estes and his horrible card could be leading the team with a 10-10 record.
NL News: Allyn Street visited first place Hazardville w/in 3 games of first. The team left 5 games out. Connecticut has now taken
over first in the NLW by ½ game over Hart Street and Jersey. Ed states it’s been a memorable season for the Hog’s. But, the
overachieving Hogs have hit the wall and I don’t see them bouncing back. For next year the Hogs will be retooling.
October 6, 2003 Issue 15 (this should have been issue 14 but I mislabeled them from here out.)
Commissioners Note: Voting items started to come in and I tell the members to check them out.
AL News: Hotlanta the Possums finished off the season going 3-2 against Arsenal FTF. (Many members make special trips to play
games FTF – Frank, Dean, Jim J., Merk, Barry, Ed, Mike G. Of course you have the Connecticut gang of Bruno, Figella, Nieman,
Mendez, Drapeau, Rutka, Gineo, Fogg, Klee (He travels cross country to play. I do believe Roland has been at almost very ones home
in the league.) and Statile. I guess the guys love their strat-o!) Urpaign only 5 games on the road against the River Bandits to go.
Guaranteed a winning season. Baton Rouge the disappointing season is over. California despite some rough spots against Yorktown
the Dreamers have won their second division championship. Randy Johnson led the way with 33 wins. (Johnson does set the new FBN
record for wins in a season.)
NL News: New England the Angels concluded their season in upbeat fashion by compiling a 16-9 record in the final block. Devil
Doodles after dropping 3 out of 5 to the last place NE Angels the Blue Devil’s rebound to go 8-2 to win the division.
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October 24, 2003 Issue 16
Commissioner’s Note: Voting issue please vote.
2) Allyn Street 100-62
3) Windham
82-80
4) Wall Street
78-84
5) Poquonock
60-102
6) US Jarheads 49-113
National League WEST
1) Connecticut
96-66
2) Hart Street
95-67
3) Jersey City
92-70
4) Klee’s
76-86
5) Margaritaville 68-94
6) New England 67-95
American League EAST American League WEST
1) Maine
103-59 1) California
107-55
2) Lake Wobegon 97-65 2) Florida
95-67
3) Illinois
92-70 3) Yorktown
75-87
4) Baton Rouge 86-76 4) Orlando
69-93
5) Urpaign
86-76 5) Hotlanta
61-101
6) Louisville
47-115 6) Arsenal
54-108
American League Divisional Series:
Florida upsets California sweeping the Dreamers 4-0.
Maine defeats Lake Wobegon.
American League Championship Series:
Florida upsets Maine sweeping the Yaks 4-0.
National League Divisional Series:
Connecticut defeats Allyn Street 4-3.
Hazardville defeats Hart Street
National League Championship Series:
Hazardville defeats Connecticut
FBNBA World Series:
FS 3 HZ 2
FS 4 HZ 0
HZ 9 FS 4
HZ 10 FS 6
HZ 9 FS 0
HZ 11 FS 7
Bob Figella wins his first FBN World Series title.
All-Star Game
AL Stars….010 020 100 0 – 4 8 1
NL Stars….000 300 001 1 – 5 10 0
W-J.Julio L-S.Williamson
With the NL Stars down by one in the bottom of the 9th Garret Anderson hits a homerun to send the game into extra innings. Jorge
Julio pitching in his second inning of relief retire the AL Stars in the top of the 10th. Bobby Abreu cracked a game wining homerun in
the bottom of the 10th to give the NL Stars the win. The National win snapped a 3 game American League winning streak. Co-MVP’s
Anderson and Abreu.
2004 Season by Robert Bruno (Jan. 2005)
November 2003 – Ed is doing a great job with the web site and has asked if anyone is interested in writing a column for the site.
Everyone agrees (and Roland just loved it) that Roland Klee is the guy for the job. Roland humbly accepts the job. “So now I’m a
columnist. I get to yell and scream about anything I want without ever actually having to know anything.” (He said it ☺.)
“I’m not sure what I’m going to write about, I’m not even sure what the title of this column should be.” (All of his columns are on the
web.) The name of his column – OUT IN LEFT FIELD
Dec 2003 - Roland has his second OUT IN LF column. He received comments and ideas from members after his first column and he
answer the members on parity in the FBN versus parityh in the bigs…plus he talked about the Red Sox – Yankee arm race… premirer
shortstop prospects….and enjoying the release of Strat’s range ratings….that he’s know as the Paper GM…inspired by the Whippet
encyclopaedia….and the pleasant conversation he had with a delighful customer service host from the game company.
January 04, 2004 – OUT IN LF Roland is excited that he got a respone from his column. “I must have hit a nerve. And then I get
called Mister on top of that.” He wrote about a “whuppin” and old teachers…plus Strat’s ratings book should be in the mail…about
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Pete Rose and how Selg must resist reinstatement…how late January is the worst part of the Strat year…and the signs of middle age…
Friday January 30, 2004 – The road trip to Glen Head for opening day. (for complete details go to the web site and pull up Roland’s
column) Bill Nieman drives Joe Rutka, Rob Bruno, Ed Griffin, Bruce Fogg, Roland Klee and Bob Figella to SOM on Long Island.
“Bill demonstrates a hidden talent for Formula One Winnebago racing as stays in the left lane bearing down on all the hapless
commuters in front of him.”☺ The temperature is about 20 and it is cold. We get the cards around 1PM and we are on the road home
around 1:15.
February – Fourteen people made it to the Draft including Mike Holbrook for the first time. The rest of the League used a chatroom
set up on AOL by Bruce Fogg. First five draft picks: #1 by PQ – Miguel Cabrera. #2 by US – Brandon Web. #3 by HS – Mark
Teixeira. #4 by CD – Jose Reyes. #5 HT – Jerome Williams. Last draft pick #186 by HS – Wes Obermueller.
OUT IN LEFT FIELD – Super Bowl, A-Rod, Michael Jackson, controversy about should Roland be allowed to eat lunch outside the
kichen arae during the draft, Eddie Ballgame Award are just some of the items inside.
March 2004 – We start the 31st season of the FBN with one of the most significant additions to the League, a WEBSITE. Ed Griffin
has added everyting anyone will ever need to know on how to play in the FBN and to find anything to learn about the FBN on the
website.
OUT IN LEFT FIELD – Taxes, good defensive first basemen, fielding improvement Roland would like SOM undertake, John Henry
Williams pre-mature death, basketball knowledge and more.
April 2004
NLE - US Jarheads and Allyn Street are tied for first at 15-10. NLW - Connecticut 14-6 while Jersey City 15-10.
ALE - Louisville 12-8 in front of Urpaign 11-9. ALW - Yorktown 17-8 and Florida 15-10.
OUT IN LEFT FIELD – baseball the perfect radio sport, checking out his new pitching sensation and his trip to Yankee Stadium with
his high school buddy.
Hotlanta – It’s going to be a long hot summer in Hotlanta as the Possums start at 4-11.
Heard on the Street – disappointed with the numbers being produced has hired Martha Stewart as GM as they start their 5th season.
Devils Doodles – Connecticut opened play in their 18th season in the FBN.
Allyn Street – untypical Bruno/Mendez series as the 89ERS take 4 of 5.
Hog Wash – as expected the Hogs are butal.
US Jarhead Scuttlebut – out hitting and outscoring the opposition, but still can’t win.
The G-Spot – JC’s hot streatk has been fueled by all of our hitters playing way over their heads.
Dreamer Weavings – off to a slow start 9-11.
Admiral Orders – the 2004 edition is off to a great start. The key is the the pitching staff that has posted a WHIP of 1.18.
Baton Rouge – started slowly again. It’s going to be an interesting season.
May 2004
NLE – Hazardville and Allyn Street are now tied at 28-21. NLW - Jersey City 34-17 and Margaritaville 2nd at 26-19.
ALE – Louisville 24-13, Baton Rouge 22-15. ALW – Yorktown 24-13, Florida 17-16.
OUT IN LEFT FIELD – Roland tells of landmark date March 25, 2004 the day of the “last trade” in the FBN and that he is always
looking for ideas for this column.
Hog Wash – Hogs continue to struggle…looking towards next year.
US Jarhead Scuttlebut – Garret Anderson earns Jarhead of the Month.
Allyn Street – Fred McGriff hit his 454 homerun.
Arsenal – Gunners have hit 81 homers in 41 games.
Baton Rouge – 2004 Bullets seem to be turning into a Jeckle and Hyde team – home and away.
Dreamer Weavings – continue to hang in the race or mired in mediocrity – depending upon the point of view.
Hotlanta – pitching mystifying so far with those doing real well or those that are doing really bad.
June 2004
NLE - Hazardville 40-29, Burlington 34-27. NLW – Jersey City 43-22, Connecticut 39-26.
ALE – Louisville 32-13, Urpaign 32-25. ALW – Yorktown 34-19, Hotlanta 32-29
OUT IN LEFT FIELD – from Bruce Fogg a very interesting story about a recent evening at Bristol’s Muzzy Field and a conversation
about “a stupid little game called Strat-O-Matic Baseball”, the Red Sox, his trip to Maine and more.
Heard on the Street – management satisfied at .500 as WS looking ahead to 2005.
89ER Numbers – with the team struggling it’s time to make a trade or two. Allyn Street trades for Greg Myers and Brad Wilkerson.
USJ Scuttlebutt – Jarheads climbed above .500 for the 2nd time this seson with a 39-36 mark.
Hog Wash – obviously looking towards 2005.
The G-Spot – Jason Schmidt crusing at 8-1. Offensively exceeding expectations…just hoping our luck continues.
Devil Doodles – glad to bet back playing their rivals in the NL West….offense has picked up recently
Hotlanta – at 32-29 breaks the .500 mark for the first time this season.
Baton Rouge – our tirade last newsletter apparently had some effect as the boys actually hit the ball in an away series.
Arsenal – under .500 with this lineup…Go figure.
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Orlando – Smoltz 1-0-14 still unscored on in 20.2 IP…the only highlight on this pathetic squad.
July 2004
NLE – Burlington 48-33, Hazardville 54-39. NLW – Jersey City 58-23, Connecticut 50-33.
ALE – Louisville 52-31, Baton Rouge 49-36. ALW – Yorktown 50-33, Hotlanta 46-41.
OUT IN LEFT FIELD – Inter-league play, disgarced former umpire, a ride to Bristol, CT., best and worst trades, Sixteen years
whaddaya get? Another year older, no title run yet. St. Peter, don’t you call me ‘casue I ain’t been, THE champion of the FBN. My
name is Rolanld Klee and I approved this column, and much more.
With NETPLAY available must members are playing FTF or by computer.
New England News – Angels have made a significant improvement over last year in many areas…
Devil Doodles – during the AL block CT brought up youngster Travis Hafner.
Urpaign – I got no hit in game 2 Vs Jersey City and lost game 1, 2-1.
Hotlanta – Possums have gone 11-7 against the NL…still hanging in playoff hunt.
Baton Rouge – got swept by Poquonock and Hart Street (the last place teams in the NLE and NLW).
Dreamer Weavings – the sun has officially set on the Dreamers season as the NL pummeled the Dreamers – we were only 7-15.
Urpaign – and I thought I could complet! I still hope to win 86…
August 2004
Commissoners Corner – Dave Sanborn has taken a new position with his company and goes on leave from the league. Jeremy has
over 20 –BP’s and does not want to go out for vote so he drops out of the league. I tell him if he sends in his stats I’ll keep him as a
backup. I refund him his League Fee of $20 but he never sends in the stats.
OUT IN LEFT FIELD – Another trip to Yankee Stadium, the 25th Anniversaray of Thurman Munson’s untimely death, talk of Allyn
Street’s 23 game winning streak and who stopped it and more…
NLE – Allyn Street 71-42, Hazardville 67-46. NLW – Jersey City 68-37, Connecticut 66-43.
ALE – Louisville 71-42, Baton Rouge 64-45. ALW – Yorktown 66-39, Hotlanta 56-53.
Jarhead Scuttlebutt – start the NLE block 6-2 but then the 89ERS put the USJ bats to sleep and swept the Jarheads. Rookie Brandon
Webb threw the 2nd 1 hitter of the season by a Jarhead.
89ER Numbers – Allyn Street gets hot and may have set a new FBN record with a 23 game winning street. In the streak all but 4
games have been played FTF or by NETPLAY. The streak ends Vs Klee’s.
The G-Spot – Ryan Klesko has been leading the league in hitting…hit his 30th HR to extend his streak of 30+ HRs as a G-Man to 5
straight years.
Hart Street – all this talk about the 89ERS great wining streak….well, the Hogs are currently on an 0-12 run.
Devil Doodles – 5 games ahead of last season at this time when CT won their division. However last years team went 33-16 down the
stretch. Doubtful that this team can match that performance.
September 2004
Commissioners Corner – Ed is keeping the stats for Margaritaville and I ask members to let me know if they are missing stats or W/L
record from Orlando. Jeremy was #90. The Orlando franchise sold to Rich “Make Me An Offer” Hamel. Ed and his wife are expecting
in January 2005 so Ed has requested a move to the American League so he will not be temped to travel and play so many games FTF.
With Ed’s new responsibility as being a dad soon everyone agree’s to his move to the AL West.
OUT IN LEFT FIELD – Time for September call up season, a story about Fenway, Roland and Bud Drapeau, hurricane and
Steinbrenner, welcome back Rich Hamel and more.
NLE – Allyn Stree 85-49, Hazardville 82-55. NLW – Jersey City 78-43, Connecticut 80-53.
ALE – Louisville 88-49, Baton Rouge 78-51. ALW – Yorktown 82-55, Arsenal 75-62.
Jarhead Scuttlebutt – riding an 8 game winning streak….having swept the basement of the NLW to climb…. 13 games over .500.
Garret Anderson the Jarhead record for RBI.
89ER Numbers – Allyn Street lost for the 100th time to CT. ASt. 64-100 Vs the Blue Devils.
Vicente Padilla pitched a no hitter on the road for the Chiefs vs. Arizona.
Devil Doodles – Rookie starting pitcher Chad Gaudin was brought up from the minors…3 players vying for team MVP honors. Great
strectch run going 9-1. The “Griffin Jinx” has hit as in the last three seasons, the team he picked to win the NLW performs poorly and
misses the playoffs…. (Ed picked Klee’s)
New England Angels – …I would ask all of you to consider… helping t faclitate the netplay aspect of the game….next year we could
appoint someone as our league statisticaina who maintain stats…and a league file. (this has not been done as of January 2005)
Arsenal – Several Gunner single season records will have new top 10 members shortly.
Baton Rouge – with the lull in the playoff race we have started thinking about next years version of the Silver Bullets…Our 17th
season…several Bullets have broken into the top 10 team season leaders and several more that have a chance.
Hotlanta – the team has gone south going 7-17 in the last block and off to a 3-7 start in the last block.
October 2004
OUT IN LEFT FIELD – Mr. 3000, “homers”, Ken Caminiti’s untimely death, Yankee/Red Sox, Retro-Eddy Award and more.
Jarhead Scuttlebutt – Jason Johnson took over team lead in ERA 3.36 and even his record 10-10. Garret Anderso is the unamimous
choice winner of the Jarhead of the Year Honors.
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Allyn Street – after Klee’s stopped our 23 game winning streak the team has played one game under .500 to drop out of first place.
Devil Doodles – have tried to put a little pressure on G-Men moving within 2 games going 16-4 vs. NLW rivals. Geoff Jenkins was
voted team MVP.
The G-Spot – G-Men clinched their first divisional title since 1996 but needed some help from CT to do so. A crucial loss by CT to
MV in the 161st game of the year left the door open for JC, who couldn’t wrap it up until the final day of the season against NE.
Baton Rouge – after a tremendous road trip winning 12 of 15 games…the Bullets have to sweep Louisville to win the division crown.
Urpaign – a winning record only 3 years after the original disaster! (First year 59-103. Since 266-220).
Hotlanta – three Possum’s have more than 30 HR’s this year.`
2) Allyn Street
96-66
3) Burlington
90-72
5) Wall Street
67-95
6) Poquonock
58-104
National League WEST American League EAST American League WEST
1) Jersey City
103-59 1) Baton Rouge 100-62 1) Yorktown
101-61
2) Connecticut 102-60 2) Louisville
99-63 2) Arsenal
87-75
3) Klee’s
82-80 3) Urpaign
91-71 3) Florida
81-81
4) New England 75-87 4) Maine
77-85 4) Hotlanta
76-86
5) Margaritaville 68-94 5) Lake Wobegon 72-90 5) Orlando
67-95
6) Hart Street
42-120 6) Illinois
63-99
American League Divisional Series:
Arsenal defeats Yorktown.
Louisville defeats Baton Rouge.
American League Championship Series:
Louisville defeats Arsenal.
National League Divisional Series:
Jersey City defeats Allyn Street.
Hazardville defeats Connecticut.
National League Championship Series:
Hazardville defeats Jersey City.
FBNBA World Series:
Game 1 Ponson vs. Oswalt
Louisville 200 030 000 – 5 9 0
Hazardville 001 022 20X – 7 11 1
W-Oswalt L-Cordero Sv. Gagne HR- Pujols Helton
Pujols and Helton power the River Bandits to a 5-1 lead but Ponson and Codero can’t hold the lead as the Powderkegs score 2 in the
5th, 6th and 7th for the win. Vidro (3 rbi, Sanders (2 rbi) Rolen (2 rbi) provided the big hits, Donnelly and Gagne shut down the River
Bandits to preserve the win. Hazardville leads the series 1-0.
Game 2 Ru.Ortiz vs. Meche
Louisville 000 100 040 – 5 6 3
Hazardville 030 000 12X – 6 8 0
W-Donnelly L-Foulke Sv. Gagne (2) HR- Helton (2)
A 4-1 Hazardville lead on a 2 run triple by Catalanotto and run scoring double by Bengie Molina looks good going into the 8th but
Louisville refuses to go down without a fight. They bat around in the 8th scoring 4. Hazardville shows some grit of their own scoring 2
in the bottom half. Gagne closes out the game 1-2-3 in the ninth. Hazardville leads the series 2-0/
Game 3 Hudson Vs. R.Hernandez
Hazardville 000 105 000 – 6 8 1
Louisville 000 003 000 – 3 7 0
W-Hudson L-Hernandez HR –Bagwell, Everett, Sanders
Tim Hudson was in control this game and a 2-run homer by Bagwell and a pinch hit 3-run homer by Reggie Sanders staked Hudson to
a 6-0 lead. Carl Everett provided some suspense with a 3 run homer for the River Bandits but Hudson bore down and held the Bandits
at bay the rest of the way. Hazardville leads the series 3-0.
Game 4 Buehrle vs. Ponson
Hazardville 001 002 002 - 5 8 1
Louisville 000 103 000 - 4 10 4
W-J.Rincon L-Soriano Sv. Gagne (3) HR Bagwell (2)
The River Bandits batters drool over the lefty Buehrle but he manages to keep the potent lefty-killing machine in check early. In the
top of the 6th Bagwell hits a solo shot for a 2-1 lead. The River Bandits score 3 in the bottom of the inning RBI singles by Kendall and
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Everett. A wild pitch by Juan Rincon gives Louisville the lead 4-3. In the 9th Rafeal Soriano comes in to preserve the win. Reggie
Sanders leads off with a single and immediately steals second. With 2 out Bengie Molina comes though with help of Ray Durham, a
single and error scoring Sanders. Vidro lofts a fly to Jordan in left and it is bobbled for a 2 base error as Molina scores. Olerud walks.
Bagwell hits a hard shot to Helton who can’t handle it for another error loading the bases as t0he River Bandit defense is self destructing. Rolen K’s to end the inning. Hazardville 5-4. In comes Gagne. Macias singles leading off the inning. Nunez bunts him to second.
Suzuki K’s. Hit machine Howie Clark pinch hits but Gagne K’s him to end the game. Hazardville Powderkegs win the series 4-0.
Series MVP – Bengie Molina. 7-14 (.500) with 5 doubles and played flawless defense.
Bob Figella wins back to back FBN World Series titles.
2004 American League All-Star team:
DH: Giambi, Delgado. Ca: Lopez, Kendal. 1B: Helton, Thome. 2B: M.Giles, Loretta. 3B: Blaylock, Charez. SS: A.Rod, Garciaparra.
OF: Bonds, Ramirez, Puluols, Suzuki, Sheffield and Grissom.
SP: Mussina, Loaiza, Brown, Mulder, P.Martinez, Zambrano, Schilling.
RP: Smoltz, Soriano, Cormier, Foulke, Marte and Villereal.
2004 National League All-Star team:
DH: Thomas, Palmeiro. Ca: Posada, Lieberthal. 1B: Huff, Klesko. 2B: Castillo, Vidro. 3B: Rolen, Lowell & Mueller. SS: Renteria,
Tejada. OF: Anderson, Ordonez, Jenkins, Nixon, Wells and Hidalgo,
SP: Halladay, Schmidt, Hudson, Prior, Nomo and Vazquez.
RP: Gagne, Mota, Dotel, Gordon, Donnelly and Wagner.
.
AMERICAN LEAGUE 000 010 000 – 1 4 0
(W) Nomo (Sv) Gagne (L) P.Martinez
NATIONAL LEAGUE 000 011 20X - 4 7 0
MVP Garret Anderson Home Run of P.Martinez turned the game around for NL
LEAGUE AWARDS:
Rookie of the Year:
Most Valuable Player:
Cy Young:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
H. Matsui - Lake Wobegon
A. Pujols - Louisville
E. Loaiza - Baton Rouge
NATIONAL LEAGUE
S. Posednik - Klee’s
G. Anderson - US Jarheads
R. Halladay - Allyn Street
General Manager of the Year:
Dean Morris – Arsenal
Tony Childers – Louisville
Dave Gineo - Connecticut
Rob Bruno - Allyn Street
Post Season News:
Roland Klee GM and Owner for Life of the Klee’s Klubbers has been sending in articles for the website called “OUT IN LEFT
FIELD”. Here are a few by Roland Klee.
November 07, 2004 – It’s the off season, the longest three months of the year. But, I have my new Bill James Redbook in hand. Wally
Backman fired, vicious rumors my vacuum cleaner doesn’t get frequent exercise and more….
November 14, 2004 – For a national correspondent like me who stakes my reputation, if not my living, on the words that folw form
this keyboard, writer’s block is my worst ememy. George Costanz, Seinfeld, Charlie Brown and more.
December 20, 2004 – In the real world of the FBNBA, there is no such thing as a formal Winter Meeting because our annual Andrew
Jacksons won’t even buy us a couple of hours at the Motel Six down the road….looking at 31 deals, most lopsided and more…the #1
most lopsided deal of the season has New England receiving a #2 selection from Illinois for the legendary Doug Waechter. An all
points bulletin has been issued for Bruce Foggg and he’ll be featured on a future episode of “America’s Most Wanted”. Look for a
middle aged man with bad knees and a mustache. After this deal, his most noticeable indentifying mark will be the smike on his face.
As you can see Roland has witt!
2005 SEASON by Rob Bruno (December 6, 2008)
January 02,2005 – Roland writes about one of the stranges weeks of his life. A co-worker dropped dead, he attends a wedding in the
church where he was christened. He visits a friend in re-hab and the week ends with a funeral for Marc Williams who was only 44.
LEAGUE NEWS: January 11, 2005 – Hailey Michelle Griffin is born at 12:20PM. 7lbs 11oz 20 ½ inches. Congratulations to the
proud parents Ed and Michelle Griffin. (Other members over the years have had children while in the FBN. But, now as we are all
much older we cherish things like this and report them.)
Opening Day at SOM Headquarters Glen Head. I don’t remember everyone that went. I remember Bill Nieman, Joe Rutka, Bruce
Fogg, Roland Klee and me. I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone. Hey it’s now December 2008 an I’m SOB. (Same Old Bruno) We get
there early. I remember walking around the small town and I think this is the year I ware my scarf around my head and ears. The other
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members are jealous of my fashion statement. I think we are up front maybe 4th or fifth in line. Hal comes out with donuts and
everyone cheers. I know I’ve forgotten someone because half of us waited in line while one group went to lunch. When that group
came back we in the last group go to lunch. We do this to keep our place in line. When the doors open everyone cheers again. Glen
Guzzo the author of “Strat-O-Matic-Fanatics” was at Opening Day signing copies of his book. The book is about the entire history of
Strat since 1962. From Hal Richman’s relationship with his father to the development of the game before it became a company to
some trouble early financially to what it is today. A few members do purchase the book and get it autographed and get a photo with
Glen. I do not buy the book which turns out nice because my wife’s sister gets it for me for my birthday.
February 13, 2005 – Jose Canseco has written a book about steroids in baseball. This changes the face of baseball with guys like
Bonds, Sosa, McGwire, Clemens and Palmeiro all looking like fools. The only player that stood up and said he used steroids and was
sorry that he did was Jason Giambi.
Newsletter Feb. 21, 2005 – Draft Day Feb. 20th. Fifteen members attend the Draft in person. Mike Gerack flew in from Florida and
Frank Simonutti from Tennessee. Barry Shanks drove down from Maine and Rich Hamel and Ed Griffin from Massachusetts. Dave
Gineo, Bruce Fogg, Roland Klee, Dom Statile, Bob Figella, Bob Mendez, Bud Drapeau, Joe Rutka, Bill Nieman and me all from
Connecticut. League awards are handed out to NLW Champions owner Dom Statile. World Series rings (plaque) were given to the
World Series Champions Harzardville Powderkegs and accepting the FBNBA League Flag was owner Bob Figella. For the American
Awards for Louisville, Baton Rouge and Yorktown those were mailed out earlier. Next, Bob Mendez announced there was one
additional award to present. The members represented me with a plaque for my years of service to the FBNBA. “I will display this
plaque with great pride!” During our annual “lunch break” this year we played “Let’s Make a Deal” for the first time. Some gag gifts
were “won”. Dave Gineo won a noise maker. Bill Nieman won a used set of 89ER dice. But, Dean Morris and Jim Jalutkewicz won
$10 each. Bob Figella won $10 of CT instant lotto tickets. The big winner was Bud Drepeau as he won the remaining $30 that was left
over from the Let’s Make a Deal game. Looking back at the draft now in December 2008. The first pick of the 2005 Draft was Zack
Greinke. (Who) The last pick at 188 was Mike Jackson. (Don’t call me Michael) Some notables: David Wright went 3rd to Bud. Ryan
Howard 15th to Rich. Kevin Youkilis 42 to Barry. No one else stands out.
2005 INSIDE THE FLY BY NIGHT – by Ed Griffin. Ed does a great job listing each team’s line ups vs. a RHP and a LHP. He lists
each team’s strengthens and weaknesses. Each year when Ed sends out “INSIDE” I know each member reads it cover to cover to see
what the new season will look like. Ed has “INSIDE” listed on the website and you only need to click on the link he sends out with his
news clip to get them. For some reason I only have one the American League East from 2005. Ed predicts Baton Rouge the champ
followed by Lake Wobegon. We will see….. Ed has been 85% correct on predicting the playoff bound teams.
March 13, 2005 Opening Day in the FBNBA
April 5, 2005 – First place teams - Maine ALE, Arsenal Gunners ALW, Hazardville NLE and Jersey City NLW.
April 15, 2005 – First place teams – Maine ALE, Florida ALW, Hazardville NLE and Jersey City NLW.
May 15, 2005 – Three early season trades took place. This is very rare today. Three good pennant races taking shape with on the NLW
looking like a lock as Jersey City leads Connecticut by 6.5. In the ALE Maine leads Louisville and Lake Wobegon by 4. In the ALW
Arsenal leads California by 1 and Florida by 3. The tightest race is in the NLE as Poquonock and Hazardville are tied and lead
USJarheads and Allyn street by 3 and 3.5.
June 2, 2005– I only have NL news. Poquonock leads Hazardville by 2. Jersey City leads New England by 7.
My sister in law gave me Glen Guzz’s book for my birthday. It is a good read.
Our first in season All-Star game is coming in July. The ballot will be in the June 15th Newsletter.
June 15, 2005 – Inter-League time in the FBN. All-Star selection time. Two trades. Maine leads Louisville by 6 and Lake Wobegon by
7. California leads Arsenal by 6. Poquonock leads Hazardville by 3. Jersey Ciy leads New England by 9.
National League Leaders:
Garciaparra batting .355, M.Cabrear 58 RBI. S.Rolan 21 HR, Hudson 2.57 ERA, Jt.Wright 13 Wins, Schmidt 138 K’s. Gorodn 24 Sv.
American League Leaders:
Suzuki .415, Bonds 71 RBI, Bonds 30 HR, Schilling 2.15 ERA, Clemens 15 Wins, Santana 164 K’s, Hawkins 22 Sv.
July 15, 2008 – League dues of $20 are due by July 31st. Two more trades. Maine now leads Louisville by 8. California leads Arsenal
by 8. Poquonock leads Hazardville by 4. New England has cut Jersey City lead to 6. In the NLW Salem has already lost 70 games. In
the ALW Yorktown is close behind with 68 losses.
August 01. 2005 – Maine and California still lead their divisions by 6 and 7 games. Poquonock leads Hazardville by only 2. The NLW
that I said was a lock, while New England has cut Jersey City’s lead to just 3 games.
The 2005 All-Star teams are announced.
American League starters – Pujols, Varitek, Helton, Durham, A-Rod, Renteria, Bonds, Suzuki and Edmonds. Pitcher, R.Clemens
National League starters – Hafner, V.Martinez, Morneau, Hudson, Rolen, Tejada, M.Cabrera, Finley and J.Guillen. Pitcher, Wright.
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Eight trades are reported.
August 15, 2005 – The first in season All-Star game is played.
AL Stars 000 100 003 00 – 4 6 1
NL Stars 010 030 000 01 – 5 10 0
W-B.Lidge L-L.Hawkins HR P.LoDuca MVP: Paul LoDuca with a walk off homerun in the 11th inning for the Nationals.
Maine leads Louisville by only 3 while California now leads Arsenal by 8. Poquonock still leads Hazardville by 2 and Jersey City has
come out of its funk and leads New England by 8.
September 1, 2005 – Hurricane Katrina hits the USA and caused a mess that has not been cleaned up as of December 2008 when I’m
writing this report. Three trades are reported. Hazardville has tied Poquonock in the NLE. Jersey City leads New England by 7.
Louisville River Banits must have drowned because the are now 12 back of Maine in the ALE. California leads the ALW by 7.
September 6 OUT IN LEFT FIELD by Roland Klee. I had to included this one. This month he lets us know it’s been almost two years
since bursting on the scene as our faithful national correspondent. In this report he explains “In an apparent lapse of judgment, the fair
and lovely Jennifer has accepted my proposal of marriage. OK, now pick yourself up off the floor.” Roland was 100% correct on this
one, we all had to pick ourselves off the floor. But truly, congratulations Roland! The emails that went “flying” around the league
were great. I only wish I had saved them. But, maybe Glen will comment again and I’ll add it later.
September 15 2005 – Maine and California lead by 10.5 and 11 games in the American League. Poquonock leads Hazardville by only
a half game. Jersey City leads New England by 6. I was asked who plays the All-Star game. In the past Bill Neiman, Bob Mendez,
Bruce Fogg and I think Joe Ruta has played them. I’ve played the last few on the computer letting Hal make all the strategy and I
make the substitutions. The future All-Star games are now played by the World Series opponents by NETPLAY or FTF.
October 1, 2005 – It is time to send in voting items. The officers running again for 2006 are myself for Commissioner. Ed “New Papi”
Griffin for American League President and Bob Figella as National League President. There are 11 items on the ballot as of October
1st. A new Brawl Rule, Expand the league to 26 teams, bring up a player from the minors to replace an injured player, add a third Wild
Card team, allow players to play out of position and another to allow players to play out of position only in extra innings.
1) Poquonock
102-60
2) Hazardville
96-66
3) Burlington
77-85
4) Allyn Streett
76-86
5) US Jarheads
73-89
6) Wall Street
72-90
National League WEST American League EAST
1) Jersey City
103-59 1) Maine
94-68
2) New England 95-67 2) Louisville
86-78
3) Connecticut
78-84 3) Lake Wobegon 84-78
4) Klee’s
69-93 4) Urpaign
82-88
5) Margartaville 62-100 5) Baton Rouge 75-87
6) Salem
56-106 6) Illinois
68-94
American League WEST
1) California
104-58
2) Arsenal
92-70
3) Florida
84-78
4) Hart Street
81-81
5) Hotlanta
77-85
6) Yorktown
59-103
November 6, 2005 Newsletter - I’m missing all the playoff news. The only information I have is from this newsletter where I congratulate Frank and his California Dreamers for winning the World Series. Here are the voting results on a few issues. The Brawl Rule
failed 2-21. League expansion failed 7-16. Player from the minors failed 6-17. Add a third Wild Card passed 16-7. All other items
failed. One new one that passed was “New Special Events/Injury Chart 11-9. This becomes the “green monster” of the next season.
November 16, 2005 – The 2005 American League Manager of the Year was Barry Shanks of Maine. The American League General
Manager of the Year was Frank Simonutt of California. The 2005 National League Manager of the Year was Bud Drapeau of
Poquonock. The National League General Manager of the Year was Bruce Fogg of New England.
Roland wraps up the year with a few “Out IN LEFT FIELD” articles. When Casey Stengel mutter something about forecasting being
difficult, “especially when it involves the future”, he must have been thinking of me, or at least of Bruce Fogg’s alter ego BC
Nostradamus. I’ve been looking at the columns I’ve written over the last year and aside from admiring the Pulitzer quality of writing,
have noted that there have been a few predictions. Not many, particularly because I leave that to my editor and his sister publication
“Inside the FBN”. Please note that he hasn’t posted this year’s edition on the web site, the better not to be held up to public scrutiny.
In any event, I come here to do my mea culpas…. I insisted that Barry Bond was a cinch to break Hank Aaron’s home run record. I
didn’t expect him to miss practically the whole year. Now at age 41, amid signs that his body is breaking down, it hardly seems to
have been a prudent call.... (Yep, Roland should leave the forecasting to Ed and Bruce. As we all know Barry ends up doing it.)
“I had to bring up BC Nostradamus because at the beginning of the season Bruce told me that I’d be surprised at how many more
games I’d win……he was write….but the Klubbers finished with their worst record ever tied with a bad 1997 team. But I was the
beneficiary of another one of his predictions. Fourteen long yeas ago as August turned to September, Bruce announce that Connecticut
Blue Devils would go all the way. With the Devils coming into the final series of the year four games ahead of the Klub, all Dave
Gineo had to do was win two of six gmes to secure this certain playoff spot. But in a rare display of clutch performance, the Klubbers
won five of the games, forcing a one game playoff, which was won by the miracle Klub behind the arm of Matt Young and the banjo
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bat of Spike Owen.
Confucius say, “He who live by the crystal ball, eat crushed glass.” (I told you Roland was good.)
December 19, 2005 So, the baseball writers won’t give me the credentials I so deserve in order that I may cast my ballot in the Hall of
Fame elections. So what, I’ll get over it……..When I get my membership card.
In the meantime he mentioned he can at least vote for the FBN elections….he mentions two choices for this year “two hitters both
were first baseman. Looking at the numbers, I think the clear choice is McGriff over Galarraga….slugging numbers were close to
identical but McGiff was far more Consistent than the big Cat……also McGriff had the handicap of playing his entire career in the
School Yard, a venue with the acreage that approaches a modestly sixed Texas ranch. (I agree, but McGriff did not get voted in.)
February 1, 2006 Newsletter: Opening Day at Strat-O-Matic. Dave Gineo sent in an article about opening day that was written by
Glenn Guzzo. It goes Gamers young and old(er) SOM lifers, and newbies, drove to SOM headquarters on Long Island, NY Friday,
Jan. 27 The line started at 3:30am 9 ½ hours before SOM opened the doors. By the end of the day about 300 gamers had shown up to
be the first on their blocks to have the new baseball cards and disks.
SOM creator Hal Richman chatted with some of the group. Our Bill Nieman was mention as having the claim of SOM seniority
among the visitors. He has been playing for 42 years and in his very first game pitcher Dennis Bennett hurled a no-hitter. I think the
game was play with his friend and now FBN rival, Jim Jalutkewicz face to face.
Ed Griffin was also mention with over 25 years of SOM loyalty as he led members of the Fly-By Night League to Opening Day.
Six trades are mentioned. 11 draft picks and 17 players change hands.
February 16, 2006 Newsletter – Two trades reported and the final 2006 Draft Order is listed.
February 22, 2006 OUT IN LEFT FIELD by Roland Klee
Roland writes about the Olympics, Sunflower seed spittin’, the 1500 meter sun sprint, and 2006 being the Year of the Waffle. A-Rod
first will not play in the World Baseball Classic, then he will play for the Dominican Republic, then the USA, then no and then USA.
Wow, in yesterday’s paper 12/06/08 this came up again. This time A-Rod has said he will play and he’ll play for the Dominican
Republic because it is his mother’s wish.
Roland also reports the he’s been keeping in touch with the weather forecast and it calls for highs in the low 30’s and “some snow
showers” for draft day.
Draft Day February 26th 2006. I don’t think it snowed. I don’t have a newsletter for Draft Day at this writing. I will check our website.
League Awards are handed out for last year Champions. The first round starts and Rich Hamel drafts Felix Herandez first. As soon as
Mike Holbrook drafted Chris Duffy at 24 to finish round one Roland starts to shout “STOP THE DRAFT” as he is ready to had out
the Eddie “Ballgame” Williams Award for the worst selection of the first round of the 2006 Draft. The “Award” was given for the
selection of Gustavo Chacin by me at number 9. In my defense I did draft Matt Cain at #5 and I needed a lot of innings. ☺ I still have
the “Award” today. The last pick at 185 was made by Ed Griffin, Darrell May.
March 8, 2008 OUT IN LEFT FIELD by Roland Klee – Roland writes how he was shocked and saddened by the sudden death of
Kirby Puckett from a massive stroke. He also wondered if it was too early or insensitive to wonder if the premature death may have
been a result of steroid use. He points out how Puckett had hit only 4 HR in over 1250 AB but than hit 31 in his third season and than
averaged 20 for the rest of his career. Roland notes from now on when an athlete dies young steroid use will be on everyone’s mind.
April 15, 2006 Our website manned by Ed Griffin is something to see. Ed updates it daily during the season. Each morning I get a cup
of coffee and then open the website. He has the latest Won Lost records and he has a new section for “Team Notes”.
Joe Ruta writes a great article about being “the final opponent to venture into the clutter on Congress Street – known for 17 years as
the home of Klee’s Klubbers – was too great a lure and thus WS took its home games to Roland’s palatial estate….”he warned me,
“the place may be a little messier than usual because I’m in the process of moving.” ….”messier than usual” is such a thing
possible???” ….I felt as though I was attending the final game of a storied venue – like the last game ever at Ebbets Field or the Polo
Grounds – the end of an era….it was more like going to a wake with an open casket – one final glimpse, one final engrained image.
Joe writes he has two thoughts. “one, is it possible to be “messier than usual” and two, I’m glad I didn’t eat before our series.” To
those who never had the pleasure, let me say that what Cooperstown is to baseball, the Clutter on Congress Street was to FBNers.”
One year one of us decided to play a joke on Roland and leave a half-eaten muffin on the window sill. The news hit the email’s and
many of us had a good laugh. Bets were taken on how long the muffin would be left on that window sill before a mouse got it. That’s
if a mouse would dare enter. I think one of the wife’s heard about it and said we were being mean. So, we decide that the next time
one of us visited our good friend, Roland that we would remove the half eaten muffin. No one remember to remove it and we do
believe that the half eaten muffin was still there when Roland moved out.
May 1, 2006 No trades made. To early for GM’s to panic. Urpaign leads Maine by 3 in the ALE. Hart Street leads Yorktown by 4 in
the ALW. Wall Street leads Allyn Street by 2 and USJarheads by 3 in the NLE. Connecticut leads Arizona by 1 and Klee’s by 2.
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May 15, 2006 Again no trades. AL race’s have Urpaign leading three team sby only 3 games. Hart Street up 3 over Yorktown. In the
NL Wall Street up 2 over USJarheads and Arizona and Connecticut now tied and Klee’s down by 1.
June 1, 2006 Inter-League games around the corner. Wall Street trades for John Smoltz to booster its pitching staff. Urpaign is now
tied with Maine in the ALE. Hart Street up 4 over Yorktown. Wall Street up 9 over USJarheads. Connecticut up 2 over Arizona and 3
over Klee’s.
June 18, 2006 Inter-League play has started. We loose Tony Childers to his job and family time. Glen Boucher will take over the team
in block 6 to give him time to get caught up to date. One trade made. Maine leads Urpaign by 1 and Lake Wobegon by 4. Yorktown
has taken over first from Hart Street by half a game. Wall Street leads USJarheads by 9 and Connecticut leads Arizona by 3.
AL Leaders: Guerrero .350, Teixeira 64 RBI, Ramirez 22 HR, Carpenter 2.28 ERA, Carpenter 9 W, Cordero 17 Sv.
NL Leaders: Holliday .367, Kent 63 RBI, Tracy 18 HR, Halliday 2.30 ERA, Myers, Weaver and Webb 10 W, Valverde 19Sv.
July 1 2006 A three team trade is made. It may be the first of its kind in the FBN. Dean Morris, Frank Simonutti and Jeff Merklin
pulled it off. Arsenal received YA#1 & #2 from California and YA#5 from Yorktown. California received a PTBN (Derek Lowe
effective series 34) from Yorktown. Yorktown received Roger Clemens from Arsenal.
July 15, 2006 All-Star ballot is due by July 22nd and a reminder that the League Fee of $20 is due by July 31st. Four trades reported.
Lake Wobegon has over taken his friend Bruce Gletty and now lead Urpaign by 3. Hart Street takes back first from Yorktown by 4
games. Wall Streets lead over USJarheads is reduced to 5. Connecticut and Arizona are now tied.
August 5, 2006 Eight trades are made. 13 DP’s and 20 players change teams. Glen has decide to trade away almost all the star players
from Louisville and rebuild the team to his style. One trade that members still talk about today is the “Pujols Deal”. Glen wanted as
many top first round picks as he could muster. He emails me would I have any interest in Pujols? I reply, does he play right field?
No, he plays first base. I’m not interested I have Millar. Glen continue to email me offers. I continue to say I’m not interested. I need a
right fielder not a first baseman. The rumor is Glen has a few to many to drink and while he’s out with friends he tells the the story. He
than sends another offer. Watch this he’ll still say no….. I reply, oh, ok I’ll do it. Glen is man enough to say ok deal. Glen gets JC and
NE #1 that I own and I received Pujols and AZ#2 and UR#2. I do believe it is the only trade and I mean the only time in any trade that
Glen got the short end of the deal. Remember the Cal Ripken deal that drove poor Debra Cope to retire from the FBN? Don’t feel bad
for Glen. Today is December 7, 2008 and Glen has already built another “Power House” team like his old Hawk teams.
August 15, 2006 Ed Griffin sends in a report on the ALL-Star game.
NL 202 000 010 – 5 6 0
AL 030 000 21X -6 6 0 W-Carrasco Sv. Cordero L-Valverde MVP – Manny Ramirez who went 1-3, BB 2 Runs.
Starting lineups:
Jetter, Bay, Hafner, Berkman, Ramirez, Cabrera, Johnson, Kent and Mauer.
Giles, Guerrero, Pujols, Lee, A-Rod, Ramirez, A.Jones, Barrett, Rollins.
Five more trades including six DP’s and 19 players.
Urpaign and Lake Wobegon tied for first in ALE. Hart Street up 5 on Yorktown in ALW. Wall Street up 3 on USJarheads in NLE.
Arizona up 9 over Connecticut in the NLW.
September 1, 2006 four trades 1 DP and nine players move teams. Lake Wobegon up 3 on Urpaign. Hart Street up 6 on Yorktown.
Wall Street up 3 on USJarheads and Arizona up 9 on Connecticut.
September 15, 2006 new voting items are listed. Four trades listed with two DP’s and 14 players are moved. Lake Wobegon and
Urpaign now tied. Hart Street up 7 over Yorktown. Wall Street up 7 over USJarheads. Arizona 9 over Connecitcut.
October 3, 2006 Glen names his team the Milford Oysters. Lake Wobegon leads Urpaign by 6, Hart Street over Yorktown by 5, Wall
Street over USJarheads by 5 and Arizona over Connecticut by 9.
October 18, 2006 –
1) Wall Street
97-65
2) US Jarheads
91-71
4) Hazardville
71-91
5) Allyn Street
70-92
6) Burlington
69-93
1) Arizona
100-62 1) Lake Wobegon 97-65 1) Hart Street
112-50
2) Connecticut
92-70 2) Urpaign
91-71 2) Yorktown
109-53
3) Klee’s
83-79 3) Maine
88-74 3) Hotlanta
79-83
4) Jersey City
74-88 4) Illinois
73-89 4) Arsenal
78-84
5) Salem
72-90 5) Baton Rouge 71-91 5) Florida
75-87
6) New England 55-107 6) Louisville
56-106
NL Wild Card: Taxachusetts lost game one but won the next three to beat the Jarheads to move to the next series.
AL Wild Card: Urpaign and Maine battle back and forth and the series goes the full length of 5 games with the Urpaign winning.
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AL Divisional Series:
Urpaign vs. Hart Street. The teams split at Hart Street. Urpaign takes 2 at Urpaign and the series goes 7 with Hart Street winning the
game 5-4.
Yorktown at Lake Wobegon. Lake Wobegon takes the two at Lake Wobegon. Yorktown sweeps Lake Wobegon at Yorktown to go up
3-2. Yorktown wins the series by beating Lake Wobegon in game six 9-0.
The FBNBA World Series is played on Saturday, November 11, 2006.
Game 1 Lowry (15-11) vs. Peavy (18-9)
CT 7-9-0 WP- Mateo LP-Cordero Sv.-Grabo HR – Hafner, Burrell, Johnson, Jones, Dunn
HS 6-10-0 CT jumps on top 2-0 in the second. Burrell homers in the 3rd to make it 3-0. The Hog’s cut it to 3-2 but the Blue Devils
extand their lead to 6-2 in the 5th. The Hogs battle back to tie the game at 6 on a Chipper Jones homerun. But in the 9th with one out
Dan Johnson smacks a home run off Chad Cordero to give the Blue Devils a 7-6 lead. Grabow closes it out.
Game 2 Sheets (11-12) vs. Prior (20-2)
CT 2-5-3 WP-Speier LP-Cabrera HR- Hafner (2)
HS 3-9-1 Hafner drills a 2-run HR in the 4th for CT. In the 8th the Hogs score 2 off Sheets. The Blue Devils threaten in the top of the
9th but Geoff Jenkins robs Jose Reyes of a BP HR. Cabrera loads the bases in the bottom of the inning and Valverde is brought in and
immediately wild pitches in the winning run.
Game 3 Morris (14-8) vs. McCarthy (6-3)
HS 1-5-0 WP – Ohman LP- McCarthy Sv. – Speier HR – Jenkins.
CT 0-2-0 Great pitchers duel. Morris is yanked after only 4.2 innings when Ohman bails him out of trouble. Jenkins leads off the 6th
with a homerun (1-4 chance or a double) and that’s it.
Game 4 Peavy vs. Lowry
HS 6-9-1 WP – Peavy LP – Lowry HR – Rivera
CT 0-3-0
After getting pounded in game 1 Peavy comes back and pitchers a complete game gem striking out 9 and walking none.
The Hogs got all they needed when they scored 5 times in the 4th chasing Lowry.
Game 5 Penny (16-11) vs. Weaver (18-10)
HS 9-15-3 WP – Cotts LP – Valverde HR – Encarnacion, Hafner (3), Burrell (2)
CT 5-7-0
CT scores two in the first and things look good. However, the Hogs bounce back in the 4th scoring 4, 3 on a blast by
Juan Encarnacion. Valentin homered in the 6th to extend the lead to 5-2. Betamit homer in the 6th for CT cut it to 5-3 and Burrell 2-run
homer in the 7th tied the game at 5. In the 9th the Hogs bat around and score 4 runs to pound the final nails in the Blue Devil coffin.
Series MVP – Geoff Jenkins hitting .316 with two game winning hits.
This was the first write up done by the winning manager BUT sent to me to email out to the membership. It was suggested by Rich
Hamel to keep the suspense in not knowing who won. Everyone does it now and it does keep the membership guessing.
January 1, 2007 – A reminder to order the cards. SOM said the cards and the computer game would cost $68 this year. That was $30
less than I paid in 2006.
February 3, 2007 – By Glen Guzzo About 220 devoted gamers braved bitter cold Friday to be the first to get their SOM cards and
computer products at the company’s annual Opening Day.
Gusting winds made the 10-degree temperature fell like well below zero.
Bill Neiman was first in line by showing up at 9am. Second in line was Roland Klee. This year Guzzo does not mention our league by
name. Instead “a 24-team league.
February 11, 2007 – Bob Figella worked on the “Official Player List” for the draft and this years draft will be 190 players long.
Protect rosters are email to the members.
February 25, 2007 DRAFT DAY – Reading the February 26th newsletter this evening I realize that for the second year in a row I did
not list the people that attend the draft. I’ll be sure to correct this for this coming draft (February 2009).
The first three picks went to Glen Boucher – Stephen Drew, Delmon Young and Justin Verlander. Glen had 6 of the first 11 picks and
8 of the first 25. The last pick of the draft #190 was traded from Yorktown to Florida and Mike Gerack draft Randy Messenger.
March 5, 2007 – Schedules, Rosters and Ball Park rangers emailed to the members. Would you believe that twenty-one players are
waivered and picked up on the Waiver Wire.
H – 106
March 15, 2007 – Opening day of the 34th Season in the FBNBA.
March 29, 2007 – For 45 years, Hal Richman and his family have controlled Strat-O-Matic and now he is looking for a company to
buy him out. Richman said that loyal players should not worry about the games’ quality diminishing. Gamers are worried.
April 1, 2007 – Baton Rouge is HOT off to a 12-4 start. Salem is RADIOACTIVE at 17-3. At the other end our news team Milford
Oysters are 2-14 and Arsenal is close behind at 5-15 and Klee’s is 6-14.
April 15, 2007 – Illinois is 17-7, one game ahead of Baton Rouge. California is 16-8 one game ahead of Florida. Taxachusetts 15-4 is
4 games ahead of Allyn Street and Wall Street. Salem at 19-5 is 3 games ahead of Connecticut.
May 1, 2007 – Baton Rouge 25-11 is 5 games ahead of Illinois. California 27-13 is 3 games ahead of Hotlanta. Taxachusetts 20-12 is
2 games ahead of Wall Street. Salem 29-11 is 5 games ahead of Connecticut.
May 15, 2007 – Baton Rouge 29-15 leads Illinois by 2. Californai 33-19 leads Hotlanta by 1. Taxachusetts 31-17 leads Wall Street
and Allyn Street by 5. Salem 30-14 leads Connecticut by 5.
June 1, 2007 Baton Rouge 35-17 leads Illinois by 2. California and Hotlanta are tie. Taxachusetts leads Allyn Street by 3. Salem has
now put away the NLW leading Connecticut by 14.
June 15, 2007 – Illinois has taken over first leading Baton Rouge by 2. California leads Hotlanta by 4. Taxachusetts leads Allyn Street
by 1.5. Salem leads Jersey City by 12.
July 1, 2007 – Baton Rouge is back in first 47-34, 2 games over Illinois. California 51-33 is 2 game ahead of Hotlanta. Taxachusetts
55-26 leads Allyn Street by 3. Salem 58-21 leads Jersey City and Connecticut by 14.
July 15, 2007 – The 2007 All-Star teams.
American League – C.Lee, C.Jones, Kendall, Hernandez, Morneau, C.Jackson, Kinsier, Barfield, Zimerman, A-Rod, Vizquel,
Bartlett, Guillen, Ramirez, Mathews, Dye, Alou, A.Jones and Ibanez. Pitchers: Martinez, Sabathia, Zambrano, Cook, Schilling,
Glavine, Putz, Zumaya, Wagner, Speier, Liriano and Otsuka.
National League – Cabrera, Howard, Mauer, Piazza, Pujols, Konerko, Cano, DeRosa, Wright, Stins, Ramirez, Jeter, Bay, Suzuki,
Holiday, Guerrero, Sizemore, Wells and Drew. Pitchers: Halladay, Smoltz, Webb, Santana, Oswalt, Mussina, Papelbon, M.Rivera,
Ryan, Nathan, F.Rodriguez and Capps.
Lady Jennifer’s surprise Birthday Party for Owner and GM for Life, Mr. Klee.
It was fantastic and yes Roland was BRUTAL. Jennifer’s plan to get Roland to his own surprise party is to call him and to tell him she
has car trouble. About 146 people had arrived at the Knights of Columbus waiting for Roland. Jennifer call’s Roland and tells him her
tale and that she is at K of C in Somers. We who all know Roland for years realize that is a mistake. He thinks with his stomach and
not his brain. “I’ll be right there dear.” He is only 15 minutes away. About 35 minutes goes by and I’m talking with Bob Figella, Joe,
Bill Bud, Ed, Glen and Bob Mendez when Mendez says, “Hey, isn’t that Roland’s car that just went by?” Yea, right Mendez! How
would Roland miss seeing his wife and her car. Jennifer was standing on the side of the road waiting for him. No way that it could
have been him. Well, well, well Mendez was right. Roland drives right by us as he is looking for Kentucky Fried Chicken not the
Knights of Columbus. He does show up 20 minutes later and has no clue on what is going on until he hears a familiar song. A song the
he wrote and has sung (yes, they had him on video signing it. As the guest are singing the song Roland finally looks up to the crown
and cannot believe what he is seeing….The look on Roland’s face was of shear joy and amazement. I’m so glad I was there to see it.
Roland’s song….
To the tune of God Bless America
God Bless my underwear
My only pair!
Stand beside them,
And guide them,
Through the rips and the holes
And the tears.
From the washer,
To the dryer,
To the clothes line –
I’ll meet them there!
God Bless my underwear,
My only pair.
God bless my underwear,
My only pair.
H107
Now for anyone that played Roland at his Condo, you know that his only pair of underwear NEVER saw a washer or dryer ☺
We all knew that Roland was a great reporter and writer in the FBN but little did we know he was a song writer too.
The party was also a “Roast Night” Bill Nieman had the honors of roasting Roland for the FBN. Bill did a hellva job. He had everyone
laughing even the people that knew nothing of SOM. Also, for the members that remember Roland’s hat with the KK on it. That he
left at a restaurant and no one there would touch it. It was still there when he went back for it. Well, once Lady Jennifer saw that hat
she called in the US Marines to destroy it. She played it smart when Roland was looking for it and could not find it. She just said “you
must have misplaced it dear. Marine Nieman after “roasting” Roland gives him a gift. It is a new baseball cap with the KK on it. The
first K facing regular and the second K facing backwards. Leave it up to the Marines to come thru. I think Roland was so touched he
almost cried. Bill, we all said it that night and I’ll add it to the history, NICE JOB!
August 1, 2007 – Illinois back in first by 1.5 games over Baton Rouge. California is 8 games in front of Hotlanta. Taxachusetts 9
games up on Allyn Street. Salem 15.5 games in front of Jersey City. The battles in three races is for the Wild Card.
The Nationals embarrass the Americans in the 21st All-Star game. The game was played by Ed Griffin and Dave Gineo.
NL 8-14-0
AL 2-4-2
WP – Oswalt LP – Martinez HR – Pujols 2, Guerrero, Holliday, Morneau, Ramirez. MVP – Pujols 2 for 3 two solo HR.
Nationals lead the series 13-8
August 15, 2008 – Baton Rouge leads Illinois by 4. California has wrapped up the West leading Hotlanta by 11. Taxachusetts leads
Allyn Street by 7. Salem has wrapped up the West. The only question is the Wild Card between Wall Street, Jersey City and
Connecticut.
September 1, 2007 – Baton Rouge leads Illinois by 3. The other divisions are done. Jersey City now has a 6 game lead for second over
Connecticut and Wall Street leads Connecticut for the Wild Card by 6.
September 15 2007 – We lost two members, Dean Morris #91 and Dom Statile #92. The newsletter reported that Dean Morris was
leaving because of work and family reasons. For Dom, all I put was Dom will be leaving at the end of the playoffs.
Here is why Dom was leaving. He had made a trade and he did not report it on time. All trades must be confirmed by both managers
before a deadline. The rule has been the same for all the years that Dom has been in the league. Dom makes a trade just before the last
in season trade deadline. The other manager emails in the trade-slip on time to me. Dom does not. He emails it out late. I must void the
deal per the Constitution. Dom goes nuts and accuses me of voiding the trade because I have a hidden agenda, which he states in an
email to the league that based on our team records my team, Allyn Street would be facing his team, Jersey City in the first round of the
playoffs. So, the commissioners (me) reason to void the trade was not because he (Dom) was late but it was because the commissioner
(me) was being underhanded and did not want Dom’s team to improve. I couldn’t believe Dom’s reaction. I wondered how the other
22 members would react to Dom’s comments. Well, needless to say the league members ripped into Dom and told him outright he was
an ass. They told him he was way off base. That in all the years that I have been the commissioner that I never did anything that would
hurt the FBN. What about integrity, honesty, fair play and the rules. Dom realized from all the emails that the members sent out
replying to his statements that he was looking like a real jerk. Don sends out another email stating that he can tell that there is a split
brewing in the FBN and since he did not mean to cause this split that he would drop out after the playoffs. He also stated that the
members that did not agree with him had misinterpreted his first email and that he was not attacking the commissioner. All I know is
that I did not see one email that agreed with Dom. I’ve always tried to put the best interest of the FBNBA first so on important matters
like this I will check in with the two league presidents, Ed Griffin and Bob Figella. I’ve found three heads are better than one and with
three members making decisions we avoid a dictatorship and it allows the FBN to run very well.
I also reported that Dave Sanborn had over 10 –BP’s, because he had traded away his first 3 DP’s for 2008 would have all his -BP’s
added to all of his 2009 DP’s.
October 1, 2007 – Brian Favereaux and Ed Groboski two former members of the FBN will be returning for the 2008 season. The reentry draft with the players from Arsenal and Jersey City was completed over email. I found two back up members and held the reentry draft before the playoffs. It may have been small of me to rush the re-entry draft but if Dom could not admit that he had made a
mistake, that he had over reacted, than it was time to say good bye.
The new teams are the Middlesex County Mud Cats and the Groton Pointers. (I made a mistake by asking Ed back into the league. His
daughter’s asked me at their mothers surprise birthday party if I could get their father back into the league. I asked Ed if he had the
time and if he wanted to come back. He said yes he had the time now and yes he would like to come back. It turned out that he would
not even make it to midseason. So much for using your heart to make a decision rather than your head.)
H108
October 15, 2007 –
2) Allyn Street 102-60
3) Wall Street
94-68
5) Burlington
68-94
6) Hazardville
68-94
1) Salem
115-47 1) Illinois
92-70 1) California
110-52
2) Jersey City
96-66 2) Urpaign
87-75 2) Hotlanta
96-66
3) Connecticut
94-68 3) Baton Rouge 86-76 3) Florida
85-77
4) New England 68-94 4) Lake Wobegon 82-80 4) Hart Street
80-82
5) Klee’s
66-96 5) Maine
56-106 5) Yorktown
64-98
6) Arizona
56-106 6) Milford
26-136 6) Arsenal
60-102
Wild Card Series – National League: Wall Street vs. Jersey City. Wall Street sweeps the G-Man. American League: Baton Rouge vs.
Urpaign. Baton Rouge loses game one but wins the next three to move on.
Divisional Series - National League: Allyn Street vs. Salem. Salem wins. Wall Street vs. Taxachusetts. Taxachusetts wins. American
League: Hotlanta vs. Illinois. With Hotlanta up 3 games to two game 6 goes 15 innings with Illinois on top. Game 7 is a re-play as the
game goes 17 innings with Illinois winning 3-2. California vs. Baton Rouge. Down 3 games to none Baton Rouge pulls off a miracle
and wins the next 4. The Silver Bullets pitching staff held California to a .220 average and had a 3.09 ERA.
League Championship Series – National League played via Netplay. Salem vs. Taxachusetts. The Chiefs win in six. American League
Baton Rouge vs. Illinois. Baton Rouge wins in five. Illinois gives them a hellava fight as four games go extra innings.
World Series – Baton Rouge vs. Taxachusetts
In the off season, these two teams made two major trades. On October 12, 2006 the Bullets traded Mike Mussina to the Chiefs for CT
#1 and TX #3. Then, on February 9th, the Bullets traded Jim Thome and pick #67 (Ryan Sweeney) to the Chiefs for American League
MVP Justin Morneau. These deals obviously worked out for both teams, as they now face off in the FBNBA World Series.
Game 1 at War Memorial Coliseum – Carlos Zambrano vs. Johan Santana
BR 012 030 202 – 8 13 0
TX 002 011 014 – 9 11 0 In the bottom of the 9th with two outs David Wright hits a 3-run walk off HR (1-14).
W- S.Rivera L- Tankersly. HR – Morneau, Loretta, Drew, Cameron, Wright (2)
Game 2 Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez vs. Mike Mussina
BR 001 010 000 - 2 9 0
TX 020 000 01x – 3 8 2 Thome HR in 8th is the difference.
W- Wheeler L- Sumaya. Sv. M.Rivera HR – Martin, Norton, Thome.
Game 3at the Bengal Dome Josh Beckett vs. Cha Seung Baek
TX 000 301 021 - 7 8 0
BR 000 202 020 – 6 14 2 W- M.Rivera L-Zumaya HR – Baldelli, Morneau
Game 4 Santana vs. Zambrano
TX 400 040 003 – 11 10 0
BR 000 310 000 – 4 11 1 W- Santana L- Zambrano HR – Thome
World Series MVP – David Wright. .417, .632 OBP. 8 runs scored.
H – 109

THE HISTORY OF THE FLY-BY-NIGHT BASEBALL ASSOCIATION

Transcription

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