COPPERFIELDS reserve R Cedeno, activate L Niekro.

COPPERFIELDS reserve R Castro, activate B Ausmus.

RED HOTS reserve Od Perez, activate S Mitre.

RED HOTS reserve J Sosa, activate D Oliver.

RED HOTS reserve D Kolb, activate J Repko.

GRAGING BULLS reserve T Hudson, activate T Gordon.

GRAGING BULLS reserve I Snell, activate M Thompson.

KENNDOZA LINE reserve H Luna, activate S Finley.

KENNDOZA LINE sign R Branyan (.06), reserve him, waive B Bannister.

DEM REBELS claim R Langerhans on waivers, reserve B Johnson, release D Ardoin.

LAMBCHOPS sign D Wells (.10), waive E Marrero.

DOORMATTS reserve C Barmes, activate D Willis.

DOORMATTS reserve R Nolasco, activate B Webb.

DOORMATTS sign S Schoenweiss (.10), waive C Villanueva.

PICTS sign J Conine (.05), reserve him, release S Ponson.

DA PAUL MEISTERS activate R Ring for SRE.

It Can't Be Over Already, Can It?

We've been rather spoiled the past several years here in the CFCL.  It seems as far as we can remember we've had thrilling Septembers with down-to-the-wire finishes.  No such luck this year.  David Holian and His Ruffins have run off and hid from the rest of us, piling up a 20+point lead with fewer than 30 game to play, leaving us also-rans and the League Secretary to cry, "Dude, where's my Pennant Race?" It's becoming increasingly clear that there will be no need for a "Race Recap" in a few weeks, breaking down where points can be gained or lost in each of the categories as two or more teams battle to the death for the right to be called CFCL Champion.  It's equally clear that the TQS servers will get a break on the final day of the season this year.  I know they got a workout the past several years as CFCL contenders sat at their PCs hitting "Refresh" on the live box score every 20 seconds. It's hard to believe that only a month ago the Ruffins held a slim and tenuous 5-point lead over the second place Red Hots.

But in less than 30 days the Ruffins have quadrupled that lead and blown away the competition.  The lead they now hold is the largest lead ever held by a CFCL team on September 1.  In fact, during the period 1986-2005 (and excluding the strike year of 1994), there have only been 5 teams that held a double-digit lead at this point in the year:

- 17 points: 1990 Picks - 13 points:  1993 Copperfields - 13 points:  1995 Copperfields - 11.5 points:  2002 Lambchops - 10.5 points:  1999 Six Packs Perhaps the Ruffins shouldn't feel quite so secure, though.  The greatest Sept. 1 lead prior to this year, the 17 points McGwire's Picks were ahead in 1990, is also the largest lead overcome by the second place team.  Those upstart Copperfields, came roaring from behind to take the Championship from the Picks by a single point. On the other hand, 1990 was one of only three season in which the

Championship was won by a team other than the one that was in First Place on Sept. 1.

Before spoiling the  Pick's dreams in 1990, the Copperfields had overcome a 2-point deficit to win by a single point over the Bald Eagles.  The Coppers did it again last year, coming from behind to erase a 1 point Reservoir Dog lead on Sept. 1 to win by a point and a half.

It's probably safe to say the Copperfields will remain buried in 7th place this year, but there's no reason one of the CFCL's three newest owners couldn't make a charge and spoil all the Ruffin Fun.

More likely, though, the youthful trio will slug it out for Second.  And while I'm on the topic, let's hear it for the new guys!  A total of 5 years of CFCL experience between the three of them and they appear poised to take three of the four money spots.  What's gonna happen when these green beans get some seasoning?

As of this writing (reflecting the standings through August 31), Kenndoza Line holds a slim lead, but the Splendid Splinters and Mo's Red Hots are still within easy striking distance.  The points are out there to be had.

The DoorMatts are still nipping at the heels of the money spots, and Nick's Picts can still reasonably harbor dreams of sneaking past the Matts into 5th.

The Copperfields appear pretty secure in 7th, but check out that race for spots 8-10 -- the Stones, Bulls, and Meisters separated by just half a point.

The Lambchops and the Rebels ... well, ok, never mind...

Obviously, there's not going to be a down-to-the-wire pennant race this year, and "The Battle for Eight Place" or even "The Race For Second" just doesn't have the same charm.

September Stuff

As you can see in the transactions for Sept. 1, a number of CFCL rosters have beefed up a bit for the stretch run.  September not only means expanding rosters and increasing salary caps, but there are a few other things to start thinking about:

Awards Banquet – we need to start thinking about a date and location for this year’s banquet.  For the past two years we've met at Home Run Inn Pizza in Addison, which has worked out well, so that's probably the default option.  Usually what we do is find a date that works best for the largest number of owners and then select a location by trying to find something central to all the owners who can make that date.  If you already know of weekend dates in October when you won’t be available, let me know (I know I can't do October 14 or 21, which Cub Scouts has already booked up with camping trips).  

And in case you're wondering, I've already check with probably Champ, Dave Holian, and he says he won't be able to make it here for the banquet.  That strikes me as rather risky, because I think the last time we held an Awards Banquet without the Champion present was the year Bob Monroe won it, and look what happened to him.  The very next year, not only was he not in the league, but he eventually ended up having to move to Mississippi.  And to top it all off, he was still bald.  Dave, if you'd like me to photoshop a picture of you with a Bob-style do, I'd be glad to.  Just so you realize the risk you're taking. 

Awards Voting – I’ll be putting an awards ballot together in the next few weeks, but it’s not too early to start giving it some thought.  Matt G. has already gotten us off to a smashing start with his thread in the Forums.  As in past years, I'll select nominees for each of the categories (which are described in the Awards section of the website) and make suggestions for the write-in categories (MVP, Cy Young, etc.).  My method of selecting nominees isn't scientific or terribly thorough, and in the past I've inadvertently left off some worthy candidates.  If you'd like to suggest nominees from your team, or actively lobby for votes in the Forum, I'd more than welcome it.  

Opinion Survey – I will also most likely put together an end-of-season opinion survey.  If you have suggestions for survey questions – especially if you’ve got new rule changes/proposals – send ‘em on.

2007 – finally, as we ask at the end of every season, we’d like confirmation as to whether you plan to be back for next season.  The number of out-of-towners in the CFCL continues to grow -- this season we had one owner move from Chicago to Ohio and another transplant himself from nearby (comparatively) Bloomington to the wilds of not-so-close Nebraska.  Early indications were that the moves wouldn't prevent the out-of-staters from being at the Draft Table next year, which is good.  Whether in-state or out, if you’re considering not returning next year, please let us know so we can start the search for a replacement as soon as possible.

Hometown Discount Watch

In 2007, the teams that finished in 5^th-12^th place in 2006 will receive a budget of up to .06 to use toward reacquiring players who had played out their option with the team (B-contract players). The exact amount each team receives will be based on how far behind the 5^th place team they are at the end of the year, in terms of a percentage of the 5^th place team's point total.

Since the trade deadline has passed, here’s an early peek at the players who will probably be HTD-eligible in the 2007 Draft:

Record Book

Week Ending 09/01:  No new records were set this week.