It's the classic team edition of the Check Swing. How do today's FBLG teams compare to famous squads from the days of yore? Find out below.
1. Ryan's Rangers (1,134 points, 5-1, last week 1): A rough week led to Bill's team recording its first loss of the season. The Rangers actually posted the second-lowest total of the week thanks to the un-contributions of Gio Gonzalez and Emilio Bonifacio. Blast from the past: A stud outfielder, good pitching depth and a second baseman bursting onto the scene? Gotta be the 2001 Mariners.
2. Danger Zaun (1,046 points, 1-5, last week 2): The Rich/Brian team laid an egg in getting drilled by E-3. Jose Fernandez, Andrew Cashner, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Desmond, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Khris Davis combined for a whopping 19 points. Blast from the past: Plenty of speed, good pitching and a mediocre offense? Sounds like the 1985 Cardinals.
3. E-3 (1,041 points, 4-2, last week 4): Adam's team got double-digit-point weeks from everyone but A.J. Burnett in rolling to another victory. With David Wright, Allen Craig and Ryan Howard heating up, is this the most dangerous team in FBLG? Blast from the past: A dominant ace, a lights-out closer, and veterans up and down the lineup? It's the 1998 Yankees.
4. Rocky Mountain High (1,031 points, 4-2, last week 3): Monster weeks from Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez weren't enough for Jon's team. Blame the pitching: Lance Lynn, Dan Haren, Kenley Jansen and Tim Lincecum combined for 6 points. Blast from the past: With all this offense from a Colorado shortstop and a Colorado outfielder (but questionable pitching), this has to be the 2007 Rockies.
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Nolan Ryan (right) pitched for the 1969 Mets, then was a
teammate of Frank Tanana (in the Tailpipe)
with the California Angels. |
5. Fresh Fish (1,028 points, 3-3, last week 5): Rick's team put up a FBLG-high 189 points this week, thanks to 36 points from Clayton Kershaw and a 19-point week from Steve Cishek. However, Brandon Belt is hurt and Dan Uggla is losing playing time. Blast from the past: Look at all those Miami players on the roster! Must be the 1997 Marlins.
6. Tanana in the Tailpipe (1,009 points, 4-2, last week 6): Did a team with Welington Castillo, Juan Lagares and Ryan Ludwick just take down the top team in FBLG? Yes, Matt's team did just that that because of Chase Utley, Adam Wainwright and Cole Hamels combining for 71 points. Blast from the past: A couple of aces plus a surprising upset means these guys are the 1969 Mets.
7. Pitch You Blockhead (994 points, 2-4, last week 8): Scott's team picked up its second win behind the continued excellence of Jeff Samardzija and the power of Neil Walker. Unfortunately, it's Yonder Alonso time at first base again because Adam LaRoche is injured. Blast from the past: Alonso has actually boosted his batting average to .200, which means he might "Wally Pipp" LaRoche out of a job. This is the 1925 Yankees.
8. Misfits (972 points, 3-3, last week 9): Reid's team posted a 187-point week despite lackluster performances from Travis Wood, Adeiny Hechavarria and Carlos Ruiz. Aaron Harang got back on track this week, though. Is Charlie Blackmon the MVP of our league so far? Blast from the past: Blackmon is going to hit .370 with 46 homers, so this is the 2002 Giants.
9. Arbitration Losers (970 points, 3-3, last week 7): It was another ho-hum week from Team Tim. With 20 points, Gerrit Cole was the top performer, but he needed two starts to do it. Will Michael Cuddyer come off the DL and join Denard Span and Ben Revere in a Minnesota-refugee outfield? Blast from the past: Yadier Molina and Matt Holliday? A crappy third baseman? Problems at shortstop and second base? Looks like the 2011 Cardinals.
10. Rookies (918 points, 1-5, last week 10): Things aren't looking good for Henry's team, with Juan Uribe getting hurt and the Braves outfielders doing Braves outfielders things. Perhaps newcomer Devin Mesoraco can provide a spark for the offense. Blast from the past: Is it too obvious to choose a Braves team? Since the Rookies haven't yet turned the corner, they must be the 1990 Braves.
