CJRL 1998 January-March Headlines
From March 20, 1998
O'REILLY BROTHERS PULL GAMBLERS FRANCHISE OUT FROM UNDER WYNN AND TRUMP
In a surprise move, Jim Brudnicki Sr. and Jim Brudnicki Jr. sold their ownership share of the Las Vegas Gamblers to entrepreneurs Tim and Bill O'Reilly. This move surprised many in the sports world, as Donald Trump was rumored to be the front-runner for the team.
The deal reportedly is for $30 plus the rights to the movie version of the Las Vegas Gamblers story. Neither of the Brudnicki's could be reached for comment. It is thought that the movie rights to the Gamblers story will be worth about $17.54. As a part of the agreement, the Las Vegas Gamblers new name will be the Spiders. Tim O'Reilly stated that "I'm not saying that we cheated Trump or Wynn, but we did. All I have to add is that there's not a darn thing they can do about it".
Steve Wynn was present at the press conference but would not comment on the situation. Speaking from the Trump Castle Casino-Hotel, Donald Trump stated "If O'Reilly thinks that I am going to stand for this, he's got another thing coming. They are messing with the wrong man. I know the art of the deal, and they will feel my wrath".
DNTS USE "LIFT AND SEPARATE" STRATEGY TO TRY AND REPEAT AS CJRL CHAMPS
Debbie Streckenbein, owner of the four-time CJRL champion DNTs, has made public her strategy for the 1998 season. Streckenbein disclosed the strategy to her manager Whitey Herzog during a press conference Monday. When asked about the plan, Herzog replied "Whatever. Which way to the can?" Streckenbein explained her plan as "Lift and Separate", which she described as a variation of the classic battle strategy "Divide and Conquer". When asked to give more details of the "Lift and Separate" plan, Streckenbein stated "I don't have to tell you or anybody anything!".
The mood at the DNT's spring training camp in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey, was not very positive. Pitcher Shane Reynolds commented "I probably shouldn't say anything because she pays my check, but Streckenbein is out of her *&$%# mind!".
ARACHNIPHOBIA UNSETTLES CJRL WITH ADDITION OF THE SPIDERS
Members of the CJRL are feeling a lot of anxiety with the expansion Spiders entering the league. Tim and Bill O'Reilly, owners of the Spiders, vow to weave a web of intrigue this season. When asked about his view of the upcoming season for the Spiders, Tim O'Reilly said "See the ball, be the ball."
It still remains to be seen how effective this 'be the ball' strategy will be for the Spiders. The question will be -- Are their 'spider-senses tingling' with Rotisserie knowledge and instinct, or will they be stuck in the 'tangled web they weave'?
GAMBLERS TORN BETWEEN VEGAS AND ATLANTIC CITY
Rumor around the CJRL is that Jim Brudnicki Sr. has been meeting with Atlantic City casino mogul Donald Trump about selling the Las Vegas Gamblers franchise. Trump, formerly owner of the USFL New Jersey Generals, has been trying to enter the CJRL, but is 10th in line on the waiting list for an expansion team.
In a recent development, Jim Brudnicki Jr., co-owner of the Las Vegas Gamblers, was seen leaving the headquarters of Trump's rival casino developer Steve Wynn. When asked about the subject of the meeting with Wynn, Brudnicki Jr. was quoted as saying "All I can tell you at this time is that we are in negotiations, but nothing has been agreed on yet." Wynn has been quoted as saying that he would also like to purchase the Gamblers franchise and rename it the Atlantic City Gamblers.
NEW TEAM OWNERS APPROVED
At the Annual Rules Meeting held on January 10, it was approved the the CJRL would expand by two teams for the 1998 baseball season. This was done to mirror the National League expansion which was also by two teams.
Three new teams have been accepted into the CJRL. Brothers Tim and Bill O'Reilly have purchased the Las Vegas Gamblers franchise. Greg Costello will be one expansion team. Greg was interested in participating last season, but there were no openings. He decided to check out the league anyway, helping out as our Auction Draft Day auctioneer. He did a great job and we are all excited to have both new teams this year. Tom Kaminski will be the other expansion team. He became aware of the CJRL through this web site, and his team will be Kaminski's Poles. Tom has previous experience with rotisserie baseball, and should be a valuable addition to the league.
Jim Brudnicki Sr. and Jim Brudnicki Jr., the exciting new team from last year known as the Las Vegas Gamblers, are not able to participate this season. They sold their interest in the franchise to the O'Reilly brothers, as mentioned above. They did well, and may come back to the CJRL in the future.
ROSTERS AVAILABLE ON THE WEB
Final rosters will not be mailed out. To see updated rosters to help you prepare for the 1998 Auction Draft, check out the "Rosters" section of this CJRL web site.
The rosters have been updated as of October 17, and include all moves made during the 1997 season.
Note: Correction made to Ladykillers roster on March 15, 1998. Hideo Nomo salary was changed from $2.50 to $3.75, and contract status was changed from "***" to "LTC-2/1".
From February 23, 1998
IMPORTANT DATES HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED
The two most important dates on the CJRL calendar have been set. The EXPANSION DRAFT/ROSTER PROTECTION meeting will take place on Saturday, March 28, at Art and Kathy Johnson's house. The time will be 6:00 p.m.
***REMEMBER: Each team will protect nine players from expansion. Then, after expansion has occurred and every team has lost two players, ROSTER PROTECTION occurs. You may protect for the draft from zero to 15 players. Long-term contracts must also be disclosed at this time or they will not be allowed.
AUCTION DRAFT DAY will take place on Saturday, April 18 at 5:00 p.m. The tentative location is Art and Kathy Johnson's house, but we are trying to get the Jackson Knights of Columbus hall if possible. This is due to having about four more people present at the draft as a result of expansion and teams with partners.
Keep an eye on this update section for further information regarding the draft location.
RULES UPDATE
Not many changes to the rules have been made this season. Along with the expansion, it was approved to increase the money positions for the prize money pool. Now, instead of the top five teams being paid, it will be the top six.
All other rule considerations, including the way the FAAB bids are done with multiple bids in the same day, have been tabled until the EXPANSION DRAFT/PROTECTED ROSTER meeting.
DNTS CLEARED OF WRONGDOING IN FOURTH CHAMPIONSHIP
Debbie Streckenbein has entered into a plea agreement where she admits no wrongdoing during the 1997 CJRL season. She had 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.
Under the agreement, Streckenbein has agreed to undergo extensive psychiatric testing, including searching for her issue of Baseball Weekly in a giant maze, and "Annoyance Therapy" where she must remain in a sensory-deprivation tank for hours at a time listening to Harry Caray's rendition of "Take Me Out To the Ballgame" over and over. Attorney General Janet Reno has stated that due to the lack of evidence, and the trouble involved in finding a jury which would not be biased against Streckenbein, "It was the best we could do under the circumstances. I think Debbie, and all other Rotisserie Baseball team owners, will think twice before using underhanded methods of winning their leagues".
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.
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