TEAM: Osty Spoos (DEFUNCT)
OWNER: Doug Osterloth
ESTABLISHED: 1987
CHAMPI0NSHIPS: 0
YEARLY FINISHES: 5, 5, 5, 6, 2, 5, 10, 7
MANAGER: Harry Ostdiek-C with 8 career games right around the turn of the century- 3 for 21 career
HISTORY: The Osty Spoos were named in part after the fine beverage Asti Spumante. The Nickname “Mounties” was added years later by fellow co-owners, when after a night of imbibing, Doug tried to "mount" a co-worker. In deference to good taste, no more needs to be added. The Osty Spoos were a charter team back in 1987 and were the hard luck team of the league. The Spoos, for years plagued by an inability to select pitchers (see Rick Mahler), finished their opening year by suffering the indignity of losing the last money spot on the last day of the season to the Pinsitters.

1988 and 89 were also years that were almost to be, both concluding with fifth place finishes. In each year the Spoos had dominating hitting led by such stars as Will Clark, Kevin McReynolds, and Howard Johnson. However, the Spoos could never get over the hump.

The lead-footed 1991 version fared even worse, collecting a league record low of only 89 steals, on their way to a sixth place finish. Yet, there were bright spots in a disappointing season. The Spoo ownership actually began to get a knack for selecting pitchers such as Tom Glavine.

In 1992, all the pieces came together as the Spoos, led by surprise performances from Dave Hollins, Curt Schilling, and Moises Alou, and a pitching staff that set a league record for wins with 111, finally placed in the money by finishing second.

With a strong nucleus returning, things looked bright for the up and coming Mounties. Many GM's pegged the Spoos as the early favorites. The Spoos spent much of 1993 in title contention. But, a rash of injuries to key personnel (Bobby Kelly, Mosies Alou, Delino DeShields) seemingly froze GM Doug Osterloth into a state of inactivity. As a result, the Spoos finished a disappointing yet respectful fifth, continuing their trend of hard luck despite a shrewd mid-season switch of closers (Mike Stanton for Darren Holmes).

1994 proved to be a dismal campaign for the Spoos. A poor draft, poor trades, and all-around poor seasons doomed the Spoos, who managed to even fall behind then roommate, Marsupials in the overall standings. A solid but extremely unbalanced roster went to waste with an eighth place finish.

The Spoos folded following the 1995 season.

BEST TRADE:
The Spoos trade erratic pitcher Kelly Downs to the pitching poor (not to mention hitting poor) Young Ones for slugger Kevin McReynolds in 1988.

WORST TRADE:
The infamous Rafael Palmeiro, Andy VanSlyke, Storm Davis, and Benito Santiago for Ted Power, John Russell, and Stanley Jefferson fiasco with the Pauly Ticks. A close second was the disastrous trade of Felix Jose and Jose Rijo for the tender hamstrings of Vince Coleman, also with the Ticks. It was after the latter of these two trades that Spoo owner Doug Osterloth made the pledge, "I'll never trade with you again, even if it makes sense. Something bad always happens."

FRANCHISE MVP: Tom Glavine

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