2007 Golden Gibler Award for Roster Futility

Los Angeles - Boston Teabag Party

After a close race over the final four weeks of the season, the Avery vs. Avery duel for the Gibby has come to a dramatic end. Mac Avery and Team Gutterballs has snatched the Golden Gibler Award for Roster Futility away from the lustful arms of wife Kelly and the LL Urban Achievers. With 31 roster moves and 58 points from first place, Maude finished with 1798 Gibby points. The Dude, on the other hand, surged into first place with 1950 points (52 moves and 37.5 out of first in the final standings). Even using the old metric (position X moves), Mac would still have won (8th X 52 = 416 pts; 10th X 31 moves = 310 points).

The 2007 Gibby will shine as a symbol of despair, as it will be wedged in between Mac's two LACBL championship trophies. That is, of course, after he stops taking it to bed to taunt Mrs. Avery.

Pleasant surprises, and otherwise.....

Which player has been your biggest overachiever (+)? Who has been the biggest disappointment on your squad (X)? Allow me to answer for you.....

(in no particular order)

1. NTAC: + is BJ Upton - this blue-chip prospect somehow made it through the entire draft and Marc wisely scooped him from the wire. Upton has been the 43rd most valuable player thus far.

X is Chris Carpenter. Hey, at least he got 6 (bad) innings in.

2. Four Dingers: + is Ryan Braun. That was easy.

X is a bit tougher, but I'm naming Michael Young, whose 770ish OPS is a disappointment.

3. One Hitter Quitters: + has to be Carlos Pena. Don't you remember all the experts calling him to bang 40+ long balls this year? Neither do I.

X is probably Roy Halladay. Not a huge dropoff, but K's are on the weak side.

4. Cleft Assholes: + is Brandon Phillips. He's the 10th most valuable player thus far. Damn.

X not any huge underachievers here, but I'm tabbing Zambrano, who has not quite been the Cy Young contender many projected him to be. I might also be naming him because I hate the way throws an "I just K'd the last batter to win the World Series!!" celebration after he manages to strike out Jason Marquis with 2 on and 2 outs.

5. Gutterballs: + Has to be Eric Byrnes - 47 SBs!

X is Jason Bay - this former borderline 1st rounder is hitting a robust .248.

6. Crazy 88: + is Magglio Ordonez - taken with a flier kinda late in the draft, the best hair in baseball is putting up MVP type numbers.

X is easily Rafael Furcal. Jeff, are you still mad at me for taking this piece of shit (.688 OPS)?

7. Boston Teabag Party: + is tough, but I'm picking Valverde, who has been absolutely dominant this year, especially compared to his 2006. An excellent value.

X is probably Joe Mauer. Is he still using the pink bat?

8. LLUA: + is probably Aaron Rowand - one of the most clutch bats in the game, and a top 40 player this year.

X no huge letdowns here, but Johnny Damon has not done much.

9. Gas House Gorillas: + is Fausto Carmona. 18 wins and a 3 era.

X is probably Miguel Tejada. Did not have the bounce-back year many were expecting.

10. Ghetto Revival: + has to be CC Sabathia, who is proudly carrying the Bartolo Colon "guys who are probably 3-3 1/2 bills but can actually pitch" banner.

X is easily Vernon Wells. Sucked, then got hurt.

...And then there were two!

With only 18 days left in the fantasy baseball season, Josh Poulette and Jeff Fine have dug in their heels for the final battle for LACBL supremacy. Only two points separate these heated rivals from each other atop the leaderboard. As Josh tries desperately to claw and climb his way to the top of Mount Angeles for the first time, a red menace looms overhead (See picture). The final 2+ weeks of the 2007 season will answer the burning questions left in Los Angeles:
(1) Will the Crazy 88 dodge the teabag and shimmy up the face of the LACBL to the top?
(2) Which Sonka will bring home 3rd place, and have Mama Sonka recognize this achivement by putting his picture higher up on the Sonka family fridge?

(3) Will Mac or Rich prevail in the battle for 7th place?

(4) Will Kelly bring home the Golden Gibler? The scoring method may matter, as the GCS (Gibby Championship Series) computer ratings suggest that a Battle of the Averys looms for Roster Futility glory.

Stay tuned!