From the end of the season to the end of 1997
| RULES MEETING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED The annual Rules Meeting has been scheduled for 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. (see above announcement) at Art and Kathy Johnson's house on Saturday, January 10. The digital camera will be there to update the "Champion" page of our CJRL web site. Wear your best "Rules Meeting" clothes, as "in-action" shots will be taken for the web page. IMPORTANT: In the interest of time, please write down any rule considerations, questions, or concerns that you may have. The CJRL Championship trophy will be awarded at that time, and we will take care of some rule changes/clarifications. The following will be discussed: EXPANSION--The National League will be expanding by two teams next season. Should we expand accordingly by at least one team? Let me know what you think by email or phone. BID PROCESS--Should we continue to run the sealed bids all at the same time, like we did with McGwire, Alvarez, and Hernandez, or should we do it another way? If you have any other rules and/or clarifications that you would like on the agenda, let me know as soon as possible. |
| DNTS ARE CHAMPS AGAIN! Debbie Streckenbein has done what no other CJRL team has been able to do: win the championship a fourth time! It was almost wire to wire for the DNTs. They began the season in first place, and were knocked out of first place by the Terminators on June 12. The Terminators held the top spot for 3 weeks, but on July 3 the DNTs regained first place and never looked back. |
| DNTS HIRE "DREAM TEAM" TO DEFEND AGAINST CHARGES OF HOCUS POCUS Debbie Streckenbein has been charged with using fortune tellers, palm readers, and the Psychic Friends Network to help her plan her transactions for her unprecedented fourth CJRL title. Attorney General Janet Reno has appointed Judge Joseph Wopner as the Special Prosecutor in the case. When reached for comment, Judge Wopner stated: "I know you have been sworn in, and I have read your complaint." To combat the charges, Streckenbein has hired the team of Sheck, Shapiro, and F. Lee Bailey to defend her. Streckenbein stated: "If they're good enough for the Juice, they're good enough for me". |
| SECOND-HALF FEES FOR THE 1997 SEASON The second-half fees were as follows: Cassville Crew $20.00, Devil Dogs $25.00, DNTs $50.00, Hayley's Heroes $30.00, Knuckle Knockers $15.00, Ladykillers $71.25, Las Vegas Gamblers $10.00, No-Names $11.25, Peacekeepers $47.50, Super Kings $25.00, Terminators $42.50. Second-half fees have all been paid in full. |
| WINNERS SHARES FOR 1997 The winners shares for 1997 are as follows: 1st Place: DNTs, $705.06; 2nd Place: Terminators, $352.53; 3rd Place: Ladykillers, $169.22; 4th Place: Knuckle Knockers, $112.81; 5th Place: Super Kings, $70.50. |
From the week of September 21, 1997
| DNTS UTILIZE PSYCHIC FRIENDS TO TRY AND FINISH IN TOP SPOT With just over a week remaining in the regular season, the DNTs seem to be a safe bet to finish as CJRL champions for an unprecedented 4th time. Rumors have surfaced that DNTs owner Debbie Streckenbein has been using fortune tellers, palm readers, and the Psychic Friends Network to help her plan her transactions. Psychic Friends spokesperson Dionne Warwick was quoted as saying: "Debbie came to us for help, and we obliged. Rich Loiselle was the first player we helped Debbie find. We saw him in our crystal ball, and after his success, we helped her with Mark Smith." An investigation into this "hocus pocus" is presently underway by the CJRL Investigative Committee, headed by Attorney General Janet Reno. A special prosecutor is expected to be selected this week. If found guilty, Streckenbein faces up to 10 years in prison and $14.25 in fines. |
| LADYKILLERS MAKE LAST MINUTE TRADE AT THE DEADLINE Just before midnight of the trade deadline, the Ladykillers sent newly acquired starting pitcher Andy Ashby to the No-Names for power hitting catcher Joe Oliver. After pitching for his third team in just over a week, Ashby was overheard saying: "First Johnson trades me, then Taylor. I get the feeling that if the trade deadline didn't occur yet that Wilson would trade me too. Whatever happened to loyalty in rotisserie baseball?" |
From the week of August 30, 1997
| CJRL TRADE DEADLINE APPROACHES The CJRL trade deadline is coming quickly. No trades can be made after midnight August 31 until the end of the season. Trades made during the off-season are unlimited, free, and not subject to position eligibility requirements. |
| LADYKILLERS AND TERMINATORS MAKE SWAP The Ladykillers sent one of the National League's two 100+ mph hurlers to the Terminators for three players. Robb Nen, a veteran Ladykiller in the last year of his contract, becomes a Terminator who will basically be a "rent-a-player" for just over a month. Going to the Ladykillers are outfielder Bernard Gilkey, pitcher Andy Ashby, and Dodger outfield prospect Karim Garcia. Ashby is also in the last year of his contract. Gilkey, although mired in a season long slump, has four category potential, and Garcia adds to the Ladykillers immense reserve list of prospects. When asked about the number of players on Bob Taylor's reserve list, Tommy Lasorda stated: "This guy Taylor can field a Triple-A All-Star team with all those guys! I wouldn't want to pay his team payroll." |
| LADYKILLERS TRADE YET AGAIN! The Ladykillers made yet another trade, this time sending injured outfielder Brian Jordan and Royce Clayton to the Cassville Crew for Ellis Burks and Delino Deshields. Both Burks and Deshields are in the last year of their contracts. Jordan has big time potential, but has had back problems the last couple of years. This trade is noteworthy in that it includes 3 players from the same team. Jordan, Deshields, and Clayton all are members of the St. Louis Cardinals. |
From the week of August 16, 1997
| TERMINATORS MAKE WINNING BID FOR OTIS "MY MAN!" NIXON The Terminators, looking to solidify their line-up for the stretch run, acquired speedster Otis Nixon in a five-team sealed bid. The Terminators used up the rest of their FAAB money to get Nixon. Terminators owner Larry Johnson was quoted as saying "We wanted him, we got him." The bid results were as follows: Terminators--$27.50, Super Kings--$15.00, Ladykillers--$1.75, No-Names and DNTS--zero, as they have both exhausted their FAABs. |
| UPDATED FREE AGENT BUDGET TOTALS Here are the updated FAAB totals for each team as of August 16: Cassville Crew $27.75 (Roger Cedeno=$7.25), Devil Dogs $0.00 (Mark McGwire=$35.00), DNT's $0.00 (Curtis Goodwin=$3.25, Roberto Hernandez=$31.75), Hayley's Heroes $32.25 (Turk Wendell=$2.75), Knuckle Knockers $35.00, Ladykillers $9.25 (Aaron Boone=$7.75, Juan Acevedo=$2.25, Brett Tomko=$5.50, Gabe White=$10.25), Las Vegas Gamblers $32.00 (Terry Mulholland=$3.00), No-Names $0.00 (Wilson Alvarez=$35.00), Peacekeepers $27.50 (Chuck Carr=$7.50), Super Kings $21.50 (Tripp Cromer=$6.50, Greg Colbrunn=$7.00), Terminators $0.00 (Carl Everett=$3.00, Ruben Rivera=$4.50, Otis Nixon=$27.50). |
| GAMBLERS AND SUPER KINGS VIE FOR COLBRUNN The Super Kings and Las Vegas Gamblers were involved in a sealed bid for lefty power-hitting first baseman Greg Colbrunn. The Super Kings won, bidding $7.00 against the Gamblers bid of $5.00. Gambler co-owner Jim Brudnicki Sr. stated "We wanted Colbrunn, but I guess the Kings wanted him more. With Rickey Henderson going to the American League, we need to fill that hole. It looks like I'm going to have to look to our Triple-A affiliate, the Reno Diamond Studs". |
| PEACEKEEPERS QUICK ON THE MOVE FOR CHRIS "FRANKEN" STYNES The man with 7 straight hits to open his season was a sought-after commodity. Five teams indicated an interest in Chris Stynes, but the Peacekeepers called one day ahead of everyone else. The Reds have been giving the youngster a look, and thus far he hasn't disappointed the faithful. |
| LADYKILLERS WIN BID FOR GABE "GABBY" WHITE The Ladykillers and the Peacekeepers, who just completed the Brogna for Clayton trade two days ago, again locked horns, this time in a bid for young Gabe White of the Cincinatti Reds. Bob Taylor of the Ladykillers won the sealed bid, which was very close. Taylor bid $10.25, while Mike Chodroff of the Peacekeepers bid $9.00. Chodroff wasn't very happy losing White, hoping for him to replace the injured Alan Benes. Chodroff stated "I'm going to take care of Taylor. I don't know when, I don't know where, but he'll be taken care of." When asked for a response to these harsh words, Taylor replied "I'm shaking, I'm shaking!" |
| PEACEKEEPERS AT IT AGAIN! Peacekeepers owner Mike Chodroff, known around the CJRL as "Trader Mike", is at it again, this time swapping shortstop Royce Clayton for Ladykillers first baseman Rico "Suave" Brogna. The Ladykillers need speed, and Clayton provides exactly that. Clayton seemed a bit upset by the move, saying "Chodroff can kiss my $&@! I play and play and play for him, and this is the thanks I get?" Brogna wasn't thrilled either, adding "I played for (Ladykillers' owner) Taylor in the minor leagues. He likes those young guys. He picks up this kid Helton over here. He made it clear that I wasn't important to this organization. All I had to say was play me or trade me, and he did." |
| PEACEKEEPERS AND TERMINATORS SWAP CARDS The Peacekeepers and the Terminators completed the first trade in the CJRL this season, with the Peacekeepers sending starting pitcher Donovan Osborne to the Terminators for catcher Tom Pagnozzi. The move should help the Peacekeepers with their salary cap, as Pagnozzi has the minimum salary of $0.25. The Terminators have been looking to solidify their pitching staff and are taking a gamble on Osborne, who gave up 8 earned runs in 3 innings to the lowly Phillies in his last outing. When asked to comment on the trade, owner Larry Johnson of the Terminators stated "Mello Yellow better pitch well over here, or he'll be packing his bags in no time flat!". Peacekeepers owner Mike Chodroff added "Pags needs to heal. We're planning on him helping us next season. As for Osborne, he was nothing but trouble. Johnson doesn't know what he's got himself into". Crafty lefty but often injured Pete Schourek also goes to the Peacekeepers to complete the deal. |
From the week of August 3, 1997
| TRADE DEADLINE MADNESS!!! The "soft" trade deadline, that is, the deadline before players must clear waivers to be traded, has come and gone with a bang! With Mark McGwire going to the Cardinals, and the San Francisco steal of the White Sox pitching staff, the CJRL phones have been ringing off the hook. In fact, they have been ringing so much that our answering machine is on the fritz! Be sure to call Larry Johnson to make moves until further notice. Ten out of the eleven CJRL teams made a claim on McGwire, with Bob Taylor conceding that he doesn't have enought FAAB money to have a chance. Nine teams claimed Roberto Hernandez, and eight claimed Wilson Alvarez. |
| TRADE DEADLINE BID RESULTS! The Devil Dogs, DNTS, and No-Names came out the big winners in this season's big trade deadline sealed bids. Here are the results of the three sealed bids: MARK MCGWIRE Terminators: $27.50, DNTS: $31.75, LV Gamblers: $32.00, Cassville Crew: $0.25, Super Kings: $28.50, Hayley's Heroes: $20.00, Peacekeepers: $27.50, No-Names: $35.00, Knuckle Knockers: $35.00, Devil Dogs: $35.00 -- WINNER!!! (Tie-breaker with No-Names and Knuckle Knockers, was lowest in standings) ROBERTO HERNANDEZ Terminators: $10.00, DNTS: $31.75 -- WINNER!!!, LV Gamblers: $5.00, Cassville Crew: $7.50, Super Kings: $10.00, Hayley's Heroes: $25.00, Peacekeepers: $27.50, No-Names: $2.50 WILSON ALVAREZ Terminators: $27.50, LV Gamblers: $10.00, Cassville Crew: $20.00, Hayley's Heroes: $30.00, Peacekeepers: $27.50, No-Names: $35.00 -- WINNER!!! |
| DNTS BACK IN TOP SPOT! The DNTS are showing that they are not through yet! Pitching has been the hallmark of Debbie Streckenbein's team all year, and with the return of a healthy Joey Hamilton and a healthy Shane Reynolds, the DNTS may keep the top spot for some time to come. Hamilton, who started the season miserably, has one nine straight decisions, and Reynolds is playing for a team which has won 13 of their last 15 games. When asked to compare her staff to the Atlanta Braves, Streckenbein replied "The Braves staff?--upstarts and rogues--never heard of them!" Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone could not be reached for comment. |
| LADYKILLERS GET PROSPECT HELTON Bob Taylor made one of his patented rookie moves this week, picking up Colorado super-prospect Todd Helton. Helton was called up to the big show this week to play some first base and outfield, and to get a chance to show his stuff. Taylor stated "We've been scouting this kid for some time. He has the attitude and ability to play like a Ladykiller." |
| "PRESTO!" COMES THROUGH WITH UP-TO-DATE STATS AND SCORES Joe Schott of the Cassville Crew has suggested that teams in the hunt for the top spots at this important part of the Rotisserie season try a sports stat phone line called "Presto!". According to Joe, it is run by the Asbury Park Press, and is free if you live in Ocean County, New Jersey. The number is (908) 505-8001. After you call, punch in 8800, then make your choices. |
From the week of July 17, 1997
| TERMINATORS BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN! The Terminators have regained first place this week, despite a prolonged slump by the pitching staff. Owner Larry Johnson has been actively pursuing pitching through trades and free agent acquisitions. Most recently the Terminators picked up Dodger rookie prospect Dennis Reyes, the first left-handed starter for the Dodgers since Bobby Ojeda several years ago. Johnson has been contacting team owners about the availability of pitching talent through trade, but so far without any success. The Terminators hope that Pete Schourek will return to form when he makes his first start Saturday after a month on the Disabled List. |
| GAMBLERS SHOWING ROOKIE PROMISE The Las Vegas Gamblers, new to the Central Jersey Rotisserie League this season, are making a valiant effort at respectability. Whereas most rookie teams rarely make it out of the cellar in their first year, the Gamblers are presently in ninth place, but only 4.5 points out of sixth! To go a step further, they are only 13 points out of the money. One has to wonder where the Gamblers would be without so many injury problems. The ownership team of Jim Brudnicki and Jim Brudnicki Jr. look forward to the return of Kevin Tapani to their starting staff. If he can pitch well, he will be a welcome addition to Greg Maddux and Kevin Brown. |
From the week of July 10, 1997
| FIRST-HALF FEES Due by Tuesday, July 29! If your first-half fees are not received by Bob Taylor by July 29, you will not be allowed to make any further transactions until your first-half fees are received. Mail your checks to the address listed on your stat report. As per our new rule, Bob will call any team owner if their money hasn't been received by Tuesday, July 22. However, after that date, it is the team owner's responsibility to contact Bob to make sure that the money has been received. First Half Fees: Cassville Crew = $65.00, Devil Dogs = $20.00, DNT's = $35.00, Hayley's Heroes = $30.00, Knuckle Knockers = $20.00, Ladykillers = $70.00, Las Vegas Gamblers = $35.00, No-Names = $32.50, Peacekeepers = $12.50, Super Kings = $32.50, Terminators = $62.50. The first-half total fees were $415.00, which may be a new first-half record! |
| FREE AGENT BUDGET TOTALS AT ALL-STAR BREAK Each team began the season with a Free Agent Acquisition Budget of $35.00. The following totals are what each team has left as of the All-Star break: Cassville Crew $27.75 (Roger Cedeno=$7.25), Devil Dogs $35.00, DNT's $31.75 (Curtis Goodwin=$3.25), Hayley's Heroes $32.25 (Turk Wendell=$2.75), Knuckle Knockers $35.00, Ladykillers $19.50 (Aaron Boone=$7.75, Juan Acevedo=$2.25, Brett Tomko=$5.50), Las Vegas Gamblers $32.00 (Terry Mulholland=$3.00), No-Names $35.00, Peacekeepers $27.50 (Chuck Carr=$7.50), Super Kings $28.50 (Tripp Cromer=$6.50), Terminators $27.50 (Carl Everett=$3.00, Ruben Rivera=$4.50). |
| DNT'S REGAIN FIRST PLACE After being ousted from first place by the Terminators for about a month, the DNT's have regained the top spot. Pitching has been the key, and with Shane Reynolds coming back soon from the Disabled List, look for the DNT's to get even better. It has been the opposite for the Terminators pitching staff, with both Ramon Martinez and Pete Schourek going on the DL. It looks as though Martinez may be through for the year. |
| CREW CLAIMS MCGUIRE The Cassville Crew made a waiver claim this week, claiming rookie first baseman Ryan McGuire off of waivers from the Devil Dogs. McGuire played well in David Segui's absence, but has been used mostly off the bench recently. |
| PEACEKEEPERS BEAT OUT DNT'S FOR CARR In a close bid, the Peacekeepers acquired troubled centerfielder Chuck Carr. The Peacekeepers bid $7.50, while the DNT's bid $7.25. The Houston Astros hope that Carr can provide some spark in the centerfield spot, which has been dreadful thus far this season. |
From the week of June 20, 1997
| KNUCKLE KNOCKERS CONTEMPLATE NAME CHANGE TO WEED WACKERS The suddenly resurgent Knuckle Knockers, solidly in third place with a solid pitching staff, are thinking of changing their name to the Weed Wackers. No reason for the possible name change was given. Mike Giglio, owner of the Knuckle Knockers, stated: "I think it will be a good motivator for the players. Besides, if they slump, I make them come to my house to do yard work". Marlon Brando, playing the lead role as John Hudek in the movie version of the Knuckle Knockers story, was quoted as saying "The horror . . . the horror". |
| PEACEKEEPERS UNABLE TO KEEP THE PEACE After holding tight to fourth place for the early part of this season, the Peacekeepers have dropped four spots to eighth place in only one week! Peacekeeper owner Mike Chodroff, a protege of George Steinbrenner back in the 1970's, has not looked happy recently at Peacekeeper home games. When asked about the recent drop in the standings, Chodroff stated: "We can't have chaos here. No sirree Bob. No chaos. Can't do it. Won't have it". Peacekeeper player representative Todd Zeile has hinted that some of the players are upset that Chodroff sent last year's NL Rookie of the Year Todd Hollandsworth to the minors. Zeile commented: "I can't say anything on record. I don't want to be in Mr. Chodroff's doghouse". |
| DEVIL DOGS GET MCGUIRE--BUT WHICH ONE? The Devil Dogs claimed rookie first baseman Ryan McGuire from the free agent pool this week. To look at the stats, it would seem that they picked up Mark McGuire of the A's. After only two weeks on the Dogs roster, McGuire has 3 home runs, 9 RBI's, and is batting a hefty .422. Not bad for a DL replacement for David Segui, also of the Devil Dogs. |
| LAS VEGAS GAMBLERS OPEN NEW PARK The Las Vegas Gamblers father and son ownership tandem of Jim Brudnicki and Jim Brudnicki Jr. have announced a plan to open a new ballpark for the team in--where else?--scenic Las Vegas, Nevada. Presently playing on a Little League field in Deptford, NJ, the Gamblers have the lowest fielding percentage of any team in the major leagues, except for the Dodgers. Las Vegas Gambler players Gary Sheffield and Greg Maddux were on hand for the groundbreaking, as well as famous actor Nicolas Cage, star of Honeymoon in Vegas and Leaving Las Vegas. The elder Brudnicki was heard to say "If this doesn't put them in the stands, I guess I'll have to see if I can coax Ron Bloomberg out of retirement". |
| LADYKILLERS AND NO-NAMES CHALLENGE TERMINATORS FOR USE OF "HOSPITAL WARD" NICKNAME The injury bug is very contagious, and the Ladykillers and No-Names must not be taking their vitamins! Currently, six Ladykillers and 5 No-Names are on the DL, which has their respective owners concerned. Presently, the Ladykillers are without Kevin Elster, Brian Jordan, Mark Smith, Darren Dreifort, John Ericks, Mike Grace, and Paul Wilson. The No-Names on the shelf include Jermaine Allensworth, Osvaldo Fernandez, Mark Portugal, Mark Thompson, and Jamey Wright. |
| PEACEKEEPERS FIND PEACE After a last place finish in their first season with the CJRL, the Peacekeepers are talking championship! Currently in 4th place, they are poised to take a shot at first. One big reason for the fast start is a lack of injuries. Only Donovan Osborne has spent any time on the Disabled List for the Peacekeepers this season. The only other transaction made by the Peacekeepers has been to reserve Russ Johnson. When asked for a reason for his team's early success this season, owner Mike Chodroff stated: "Clean living!" |
| TERMINATORS GET RIVERA The Terminators won the rights to Ruben Rivera this week during a sealed bid with the Ladykillers. Under the Free Agent Acquisition Budget of $35, the Terminators bid $4.50 for Rivera, while the Ladykillers bid only $0.75. While Rivera has much potential, and showed it last year for the World Champion New York Yankees, he is presently on the Disable List. It is also questionable if he will contribute this season with the Padres. Their outfield is already crowded with Tony Gwynn, Steve Finley, Ricky Henderson, and Greg Vaughn fighting for playing time. Most baseball experts feel that Terminator owner Larry Johnson overpaid for the talented Rivera, but when pressured for a comment by this journalist, Johnson stated: "Rivera will be just fine, as long as you parasites and leeches just leave him alone . . . just let him play ball." |
| LADYKILLERS ACQUIRE TOMKO Only days after losing a sealed bid for Ruben Rivera, the Ladykillers won the rights to Brett Tomko. Bidding against Dave Wilson of the No-Names, Bob Taylor of the Ladykillers acquired Tomko by bidding $5.50, while the No-Names bid $3.50. Tomko had a brief stint in the major leagues a couple of weeks ago and looked sharp. The only question is whether or not he will stick with the big club, or will he ride that Triple-A shuttle once again. With John Smiley and Mike Morgan on the Disabled List for the Reds, it seems that Tomko will be around for a while. |
| WALKER HELPS SUPER KINGS RISE IN STANDINGS It looks as though the presence of Chico Walker in the Super Kings' clubhouse has had a positive effect. The Kings have risen to 5th place as of June 5th. Raul Mondesi stated: "Chico is just a great guy to be around. Our owners put too much pressure on us to win. With Chico, he's been there before. He knows what it's like. And he makes a nice sandwich, a nice sandwich". Walker responded by saying "Raul who?" |
From the week of May 29, 1997
| TERMINATORS CONSIDER NAME CHANGE TO "HOSPITAL WARD" The injury bug has bitten the Terminators in a big way. Spending time on the Disabled List thus far this season are: Ray Lankford, Derek Bell, Kevin Orie, Tom Pagnozzi (twice!), and just this week Andy Ashby, Reggie Sanders (second time!), and Chris Jones. It may be hard to believe, but rumor has it that the Terminators are desperately seeking to trade for more reliable players. Tops on the list are such icons of durability as Sid Fernandez, Danny Jackson, and Ellis Burks. |
| DNT'S PAY OFF OFFICIAL SCORER Talk about the rich getting richer! Over the weekend, DNT's pitcher Curt Schilling gave up 9 earned runs in just under 3 innings pitched. Or did he? Word on the street has it that a representative of the DNT's delivered a yellow envelope to the official scorer in a dark alley in Philadelphia just after the game. Just what was in that envelope is anybody's guess, but the very next day the scorer changed what was at first ruled a hit to a Scott Rolen error. Result? Eight of the earned runs for Schilling become unearned. Coincidence? I think not! The DNT's are tightening their hold on first place, leading the second place Ladykillers by 14.5 points! |
| CREW GETS CEDENO The Cassville Crew won the rights to Roger Cedeno this week during a sealed bid with the Terminators. Under the new method of acquiring free agents, the CJRL is using the Free Agent Acquisition Budget. Each team has $35 in bidding units for players when more than one team calls for that player in the same day. The Crew bid $7.25 for Cedeno, while the Terminators came in light at $4.25. Cedeno has had the "potential" label put on him, now the question is "Can he deliver?" |
| SUPER KINGS GET CHICO WALKER The Super Kings, looking to repeat as CJRL champions, made a personnel move this week hiring Chico Walker as advanced scout. Walker, who was involved in approximately 98 moves made by the Super Kings in three years, was quoted as saying "Who are the Super Kings?--And get that microphone out of my face!" |
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