CFBL 1997, Year #8

Clubbers Shock Playoff Field With Huge Upset

The regular season was dominated first by the Casuals, then by the River Rats - but then the two teams that reached the playoffs with losing records, the CLUBBERS and the Young Guns, finished one-two.  And it was the CLUBBERS who pulled themselves from a 1-6 start during the regular season and a 1-3 during the playoffs -- who emerged with their first championship in their six seasons in the league. 


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: Designated hitters can be picked only up as DH during the draft or during the season.  No limit on the number of starting pitchers on the roster at any one time.  Major change in SP points: a) one point for every 0.10 era point (almost double from previous years); and b) eight points for an SP win.

Season: The Casuals got a strong jump on the field and won the first two-thirds of the season.  The Rats stayed in close pursuit through the first two thirds and maintained their winning ways during the last third to pass the faltering Casuals. The Rats set a record for most wins during a regular season and opened a large lead over the Cactus Scouts for their record over the history of CFBL.  The Cactus Scouts played steady ball for the entire season and were the only other team to finish above .500.  They finished third.

The Young Guns played mediocre ball (thanks to some close losses) and finished in a 4th place tie, good enough to make the playoffs.  The CLUBBERS got in a hole early, then with a huge shopping spree and some smart pick-ups barely were able to hang on to a 4th place tie -- a tie they would have lost with a tie-breaker against the Guns -- for a playoff berth.  The Homeboys, Black Sox and Pomegranates stayed out of the playoff hunt most of the season, although the Sox attempt at a late season rally fell short.

Final Standings:

     River Rats:  17-4

     Casuals:  15-6

     Cactus Scouts:  11-10

     Clubbers:  10-11

     YOUNG GUNS:  10-11

     Black Sox:  9-12

     Homeboys:  7-14

     Pomegranates:  4-16

Playoff Standings:

     Clubbers:  9-3

     YOUNG GUNS:  8-4

     River Rats:  6-6

     Casuals:  4-8

     Cactus Scouts:  3-9

Playoffs: The Rats stayed hot into the first week of the playoffs and appeared headed for their first FBL championship.  They faltered slightly in week two, losing two games by less than five points, then were slaughtered by all comers in week #3.  The Young Guns also got off to a good start the first two weeks and appeared headed toward a show-down with the Rats in week #3 only to falter (not as badly as the Rats) and finish second.  Instead, it was the CLUBBERS who overcame years of adversity and bad regular and post-seasons starts to emerge as the 1997 champions.  Bolstered by a strong starting pitching staff (Pettitte, Mussina, Erickson, Estes), the CLUBBERS went 4-0 in each of the last two weeks to vault over the Rats and the Guns.

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, home of the Texas Rangers