Matt Does It All!
By Kevin on September 22, 2012
Congratulations to Matt Lorenzo! The MFL Franchise League season 7 champion. Matt’s great ride and domination in 2012 began all the way back on that chilly draft night in March at Casa De Haasa. Following a great draft, ESPN Power Rankings predicted that Matt would finish first! Take a look at this article from April, before the season began: Draft Results and Power Rankings
After being picked by the media as the #1 team, Matt rolled right through the regular season. He compiled a league best, 13-5 win-loss record and was voted league MVP for his great offensive lineup. I believe Matt was in first place during the entire regular season (Not an official statement, but I don’t recall anyone else taking it from him).
Just before the regular season ended, Matt lost 2 out of 3 games and I had actually thought his team was slowing down. We’ve seen it before, the hot regular season darling (Historically and usually Nick), goes flat just as the playoffs begin. This wouldn’t be the case for the 2012 Stonehenge squad, however. After the temporary cool down, Matt’s offense regained its MVP winning form and compiled a .332 batting average over the two week long first round playoff match-up against my Angry Rats. His boys belted 18 home runs to my 5 and Steve Stonehenge defeated the Rats for the first time in the playoffs after having previously lost our two prior playoff games (2009 and 2011).
The 2012 MFL Championship match began, featuring two team owners seeking their first ever MFL Franchise League Championship. Paswa had been to the championship before, losing to Nick in 2008. For Matt, it was his first shot at the coveted trophy (see prior playoff loses to Rats). The two week long championship series proved to be one of my favorite fantasy games that I have ever followed. It’s right up there with the Early/Paswa Football Championship of 2009 when Keith won on a late Monday Night TD after trailing by 28 points.
The two week long affair had it all. In the beginning, neither team could hit. Offensive stats were pretty slow to compile and the lead changed hands a few times. But, by the end of the series Matt’s offense proved to be superior, sweeping Paswa in the offensive categories 7-0. Even though Matt’s team ERA was 5.03, he managed to rack up 10 saves to Paswa’s 7, which proved to be all Matt needed to win the game. Paswa dominated the pitching categories 6-1, but his failure to nab any of the offensive categories was his undoing. He only fell short in Runs by 2, something that will probably haunt him over the long winter ahead. (You can view the details of their championship bout here.)
So, our 7th season has come to a close. It was another fun year in the MFL Franchise League. I’m proud to be a part of this thing with each and every one of the team owners who have played along side me. We couldn’t have kept this league going for 7 years without you guys. I’m looking forward to what I hope is one of our busiest offseason ever, as we head into the next 7 years of the franchise league.
Let’s get the discussions flowing on trades, winter meetings, and any rule changes or league modifications you fellas would like to see in the upcoming seasons. I wish you all the best and thank you guys for playing!
