coldzipper

As 2011 has come to a close, a new champion has emerged.  In Cold Zipper’s 7th year, the 7th new champion has been crowned.  Peter Rimmereid of Garlicion is sitting pretty right now as king.  Garlicion has been known as a top contender in the league for years, but has never been as close as he was in September of 2011.  In the final weeks, Peehands folded, Dumpster Donkeys couldn’t hold it together,  and Garlicion had pushed hard in the final days to become champion.  I had the opportunity to have a question and answer session with Garlicion.  

It feels great to finally win it all.  In the last three years I’ve finished in third once and fourth twice.  It just gets old being a bridesmaid.  I’m looking forward to defending my title.

I always try to build an equally good offense and defense.  However, in the draft I do usually focus on offense first.  Eight of my first ten draft picks were offensive players.  I just think it’s easier to find good pitchers still late in the draft and on waivers.

I do think my draft strategy was a big part of my success.  However, Flying Buttresses had the opposite strategy and he still finished in fourth.  I was pretty confident it would work but I was a little nervous about it.  I’ve noticed over the years that much of the draft is a crapshoot.  Many players do far worse or far better than expected.  Every year there are your Adam Dunns and your Curtis Grandersons.  By having a lot of middle round picks, I was hoping for less risk and more potential.  However, now that this has been done, I’m not sure how next year will work out.

My best pick of course was Jacoby Ellsbury at 85, and my worst was Chone Figgins at 125.  However, I would consider most of my picks a success.  Seventeen of my 21 picks were still solidly on someone’s team at the end of the year. 

I regret dealing Kuroda and Garza for Tommy Hanson.  Hanson got hurt a few weeks after I got him, and Kuroda and Garza did a little better after I traded them away.  I’m actually amazed that I still won after this trade.  Also, I don’t think I would have won without my last two trades which gave me a boost in triples, steals, and walks.

Milquetoast used to be my nemesis because in both 08’ and 09’ he finished one spot ahead of me.  On both of those last days he passed me with a CG.  But since Milquetoast is gone I make it a goal to never let a rookie beat me.  That didn’t happen last year.  I also enjoy beating historically good managers.

Flying Buttresses seems like he might be good every year as he finished 1st and 4th his first two seasons.  

The only time I was pretty confident was at the end of the second to last day when I gained 7.5 points.

I was hoping to win it all, but in no way did I suspect to win.  This league has gotten so competitive that nothing is guaranteed.  Even getting a top five finish is quite an accomplishment.  

She is probably feeling a little of both.  She was excited for me for about 10 seconds, but also glad I can show her a little more attention. 

I spent less time this year than in the past.  Because of my draft strategy, I just had fewer players to add and drop throughout the year.  However, often during the evening I would follow my stats while my wife and I relaxed on the couch.  I probably spent anywhere from 7-15 hours a week following it.  However, I probably only needed to look at it about 15-30 minutes a day.  

The story of the name is a little strange.  In 2007 I was invited to join this league. At the time, I really didn’t like baseball or follow baseball that much.  I just liked fantasy sports so I thought I would try it.  At the time, I didn’t know the difference between a SP and a RP.  I didn’t know what CG, save, hold, ERA, or WHIP meant.  So, I didn’t care too much about the league or my team name.  I didn’t really think I would be in the league for so many years either.  I was at my desk at Bethel trying to think of a name.  I looked up at the book shelf on my desk and saw a bottle of garlic pills my grandmother had given me to take care of some cold or something (strange, I know).  So, I decided on Garlic Lickers.  Two years later I didn’t really like the name so I transformed it into Garlicion.

-Every player and stat counts.  All 21 players are your team need to contribute.

-Balance is key.  It’s better to be a little above average in all categorizes than great in a few and horrible in others.  If you have more than enough of one stat, you need to trade.

-Never trade with Walapin’ Walabees.  It probably won’t work out for you.

For everyone who is discouraged with their season this year, this video is for you (See below). Thanks for a great season.  I look forward to beating you all again next year.