CRL News

November 3, 2011

Gang,

Some very important news, something I need from each of you, and a reminder of an upcoming deadline.

First, I’m sad to say that Jim Fraser is taking his leave from the CRL.  I have spoken with him and understand his reasons.  His parting letter to the league is included at the bottom of this newsletter.

I’m sad to see Jim go for a couple of reasons:

 

·         He’s one of my closest friends

·         I brought him into the league all those years ago

 

Not only that, but according to my research, he is arguably the CRL’s best owner in history.  As part of my WIP tome, A Brief History of the CRL (relatively speaking – think Einstein, relativity theory, etc. – it may not really be brief, but it’s a hell of lot shorter than The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire) I’ve put together a table of finishes by all owners in CRL history.  I’ll publish the full table when I publish the History, but below is the gist:

Owner

Avg finish

Years

1st place

Bill McCausland

3.80

5

1

Jim Fraser

4.55

20

4

Dan Burchfield

4.59

17

4

Steve Spencer

4.81

21

5

Greg Fisher

4.86

7

2

Glenn Cekala

5.27

22

2

Dennis Cabana

5.27

22

2

Scott Cordova

5.55

22

4

Ken Alexander

5.86

22

3

Steve Torrens

6.00

22

2

Mike Look

6.08

12

1

Jim Purcell

6.14

21

2

Steve Hutcheson

6.37

19

0

Otis Johnson

6.45

22

0

Steve Farabee

6.48

21

1

Mike Thompson

6.56

9

1

Steve Kerr

6.67

18

2

Dave Rosellen

6.75

4

0

Vern Torrens

6.92

12

1

Doug Cugini

7.13

15

1

Marcus Cathey

7.17

12

1

Sanford Baker

7.22

9

1

Matt Cathey

7.67

12

1

Bill Fleisig

7.75

4

0

Terry Pederson

8.00

14

0

Rich Van Buskirk

8.75

12

0

Johnny Green

8.80

5

0

Keith Ellery

9.50

6

0

Ron Budd

10.00

2

0

Ron Merkt

10.00

2

0

Bob Silverman

10.00

1

0

Ken Pearson

10.00

1

0

Keith Oltman

12.00

2

0

Ivan Ard

0

0

 

 

 

I know Bill M (to differentiate from Bill F) has a higher average, but he doesn’t have the longevity – think of anointing a guy as a Hall-of-Famer after only five years (although it does make one wonder about his influence on the former Retinas franchise).  Spencer has more crowns, but not the average finish.  But Spence is pretty close in that category also.  Hence my use of the modifier, arguably.  (BTW, Ivan Ard’s years came out as zero because I don’t have the full standings for that first year – all I have is the top four.  So everyone who was around for 1990 that didn’t finish in the money has been slighted by one year in the “years” column because of the @count function in Excel.  If anyone has the final standings from 1990, send me a copy.  Besides, it’ll help my research for the History.)  Just so you know, the table above represents all years in the league, regardless of status as solo or partial owner – any year as an owner (and subsequent finishes whether as part of a group or solo) are counted.  For example, Greg was a solo owner for several years before partnering with Ken.  All of those years, whether solo or as co-owner, are counted.  And Weve was a partner with Glenn and Dennis before deciding to leave the originally Royal Flush and teaming up with Vern.

So anyway, with Fraser leaving, what should we do?

 

We have two options:

 

·         Find a replacement owner

·         Contraction

 

My vote, at least for now, is contraction.  Two reasons:

 

1.       It would not be fair to bring in an outside owner the year prior to a scratch draft

2.       It is very likely Houston is moving to the AL West in 2013, thereby contracting the NL by a team

If it turns out the Astros don’t move, we can always add another owner in 2013 and we won’t have the need for an expansion draft since it’s a scratch year anyway.  This is a league-wide decision, so please chime in with your thoughts.

Now to some unfinished business.

I mentioned in the last newsletter that I’d update all rosters (e.g., dropping option and L1 players, changing S2 to S1, etc.) by Nov. 1.  Unfortunately, I can’t do that yet.  It seems our league is still in “In-Season” mode (in what season, football season?) and the system will not let me update contracts.  I’ve emailed the stat service and will fix this when I’m able.  Meanwhile, I’d ask all of you to decide whom among your linked players you’d like the option of keeping next year.  That decision is still due by Nov. 14.  The list below only includes those teams I have not heard from.  If you do contact me by 11/14, I’ll waive the player on reserve.

Team 2 - Ronnie Cedeno/Stephen Drew, Edwin Jackson/Dustin Mosely, Joe Saunders/Jon Garland

Team 5 – Eric  Young/Casey Blake

Team 8 – Yuniesky Betancourt/Zack Cozart, Bryan Petersen/Charlie Blackmon, Dave Sapppelt/Domonic Brown

Team 11 – Juan Rivera/Matt Gamel

Also, don’t forget the rules changes I’m proposing (http://www.c-r-l.org/news/2011news/11News3.htm bullet points about half-way down).

See you all at the draft April 6

 

Finally, here is Jim Fraser’s heartfelt farewell letter:

 

November 1, 2011

The CRL League

Everyone,

As much as I hate to admit it – I have something in common with Tony LaRussa.  He retired from Baseball, I am doing the same.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my 19 seasons in the CRL, from the very first draft I participated in at Otis’s kitchen in 1993, to the last one this past season at the lovely Imperial Palace. 

Over the years, it has been a ton of fun.  Even puking my guts out in the Tropicana Garage after an all night session with my good friends Johnny and Jack, leaves me with fond memories.  Watching Scott put ball after ball after ball in a lake brings a smile to my face.  Trying to decipher exactly what Purcell was trying to say at a black jack table after his 20th Scotch was always interesting.  Watching John Smoltz (my new draft day closer) get lit up for 9 earned runs in a third of an inning on Opening Day with about 10 of you guys “cheering” him on at Harrah’s’ sports book will always be a hi-light.  Margarita’s in the Cathey Room anyone?  Loved having Kurt Schilling, in his prime for 3 years at $2 a year.   Messing with Kerr-man (May he rest in peace) was way, way too much fun.  Same thing with bidding up people I had no interest in at the draft(s) – although that Prick (and I mean that in the nicest way) Spencer would sometimes catch me and I’d get stuck with some stiff…..  Have seen some good people come and go, come back again, and hope I will do the same someday.

The fact is – I’ve got way too much going on, and some difficult economic decisions to make, and family comes first.  That’s really all there is to it.  I have survived two major reorganizations at work (ie more work, less money), we are still recovering financially from when my wife got sick, 2 kids in college now, and I must tighten the old family budget.  That means some frills need to go.  As soon as we weather thru this storm, if there is ever an opening, please consider me as an option.

I wish everyone good luck and limited injuries in 2012.  I will definitely miss the draft, Vegas, and all of youse bums.

Jim Fraser

Team 10

Fenway