CFBL 1996, Year #7

Young Guns Sweep Playoffs For 2nd Crown

The YOUNG GUNS put together a spectacular offensive team -- in the “Year of Offense” -- picked up good starting pitching late in the year, then dominated the playoffs with a 9-0 record for their second championship title.  The Homeboys came back after missing the playoffs for three years with a 7-0 third third and tied the GUNS for first place, before collapsing in the playoffs.  The Pomes barely beat out the Clubbers for a playoff spot and held on for a second place playoff finish.  The River Rats made the playoffs for the 7th straight time, but again managed to play mediocre when the playoffs arrived. 


team (bonus pick)

     Clubbers:  Maddux

     YOUNG GUNS:  Griffey

     Casuals:  Bonds

     Homeboys:  Belle ($72)

     Pomegranates:  Bichette

     River Rats:  Walker

     Cactus Scouts:  Salmon (Belle)

     Black Sox:  Matt Williams

New Rules: Thursday night pick-ups; a disabled list ($2 per player per week for players on a MLB DL); a 2/3 through-the-season trade deadline; an extra playoff week for a run-off, if necessary.  All weekly updates were sent out via computer fax.

Season: The GUNS, Clubbers and Casuals got out of the box fast, but only the GUNS were able to sustain it for the season.  The Homeboys and Rats got hot in the last third going into the playoffs, with the 'Boys catching the GUNS for best overall record.

The GUNS built their team with a fine draft, deft trades and excellent late season SP pick-ups (the A.L Cy Young award winner Hentgen for $2 in week #16).  While their SP was good, the Guns' strength was their potent offense, which set record after record during the season.

The Homeboys kept an inordinate number of their original draftees (16 going into the playoffs), especially for an active owner, and the draft formed the nucleus of the team.  The H'Boys strength was not centered in any one part of the game.  They played the entire last third of the season without a loss, the first time that has been done for a third of a season since the "thirds" was introduced two years ago.

The River Rats came on strong at the end, having overcome numerous injuries during the year.  The Rats did a reasonably good job at rebuilding their SP staff and getting by with a solid offense.  They never seemed to be in the top couple of teams in the league at any one time, but managed to play consistent enough to win.  The Pomegrantes snuck by the sleeping Clubbers for sole share of 4th place, largely on the strength of their Rockie-OF and an early season trade that brought them season-hot OFs BAnderson & Burks and SP Ashby -- all for OF Sosa.  All of this in spite of a Pome team that seemed to put the team on cruise control for most of the season.

Final Standings:

     YOUNG GUNS:  14-7

     Homeboys:  14-7

     River Rats:  13-8

     Pomegranates:  12-9

     Clubbers:  11-10

     Cactus Scouts:  8-13

     Casuals:  8-13

     Black Sox:  4-17

Playoff Standings:

     YOUNG GUNS:  9-0

     Pomegranates:  4-5

     River Rats:  3-6

     Homeboys:  2-7

Playoffs: The GUNS recovered from a so-so third third to totally dominate the playoffs, finishing with a 9-0 playoff record, most won by a lopsided score; the GUNS' average win each week was 42.6, 57.3, and 14.0 points.  The Pomes held on to capture 2nd. The Rats, used to playoff collapses, took 3rd.  The red-hot Homeboys cooled off considerably after the first week of the playoffs.

Reds pitcher Joe Nuxall, Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati