Heading into the Friday, the matchup was tied at 9-9 and the horrors of the 2009 World Series started to come up again — the year that the Slammers and Gamblers battled for 16 days before the Gamblers won their first of two straight titles.
It ends at two.
The Slammers controlled the weekend and ran away with a 17-6-1 win.
For the Slammers, it's title No. 2 and his first since 2007, the first year the JLB was in action. The first title occurred when there were only eight teams in the League, and many of whom were not very interested in staying around. Only four teams from the original eight remain. So, this title in a way can be considered the first of its kind for the Slammers.
Still, the Slammers becomes the second two-time champion in baseball and wins his fourth JimmyJam Fantasy League title, having won once in football (2006) and once in hockey (2009). Eric Schiavo is also has multiple JJFL titles, winning titles in football (2007) and hockey (2010). Parker Dunbar has two titles, both in baseball.
The Slammers rolled to the World Series title after a Wild Card win over the NL East Champion, Outs. The 14-5-5 win in the first round spurred an 18-6-0 win over Ronald Duncan, the second-best team during the regular season, and a 17-6-1 win over the Gamblers, arguably the best team in baseball over the last three seasons — until this week.
Behind strong pitching, the Slammers posted ERAs of 2.05, 2.28 and 2.72 in the playoffs. Overall, the Slammers finish the season with a 3.14 ERA with a record of 145-103. The next closest win total was the Gamblers' 129, but he had a League-worst 130 losses to go with it. The Slammers also finished second with 1,706 strikeouts, second with 171 quality starts, third with 15 complete games and first with eight complete game shutouts.
The eighth came from Javier Vasquez in the World Series on Friday night, changing the complexion of the matchup.
The power was never there for the Slammers all season, finishing last in homers with just 157. And that showed in the World Series, with the Gamblers winning the HR category 12-6. But, where the Slammers were strong on offense during 2011 was singles (League-best 1,099), doubles (League-best 338) and RBIs (second-best 831).
The Slammers won all those categories, including RBIs, to take down the Gamblers.
It was a make or break season for the Slammers, who set up his squad in 2010 to be great in 2011. Many of his minor league keepers from 2010 into 2011 will not be eligible going into 2012. There will be some tough decisions to make if the Slammers hope to do what the Gamblers did in 2010 — repeat.
It was a fun season, and I look forward to February when we activate the 2012 edition of fantasy baseball. Until then, all waiver moves are off. Trades can be discussed but cannot be made until the game is reactivated in 2012.
Keeper rules will remain the same. If you have forgotten them, check out the blog archive.
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