Hello Managers,
It’s my honor to announce the winner of Baldelli’s Modern Life XI, managers Doc, and Dave from the team, Life of Ke’Bryan! Congratulations to the champions!
And congratulations to Alternative Bats for a historic Cinderella run to the finals from 8th place, beating out the strongest regular-season team in BML history to make the finals.
In April it seemed that this championship moment for Ke’Bryan was destiny, but the road to glory was arduous and far from a sure thing. In April, Ke’Bryan had the most draft dollars, unbelievable keepers, and found themselves in the weaker regular-season division. However, injury after injury, unlucky trades, and poorly performing star players (I’m looking at you Cody Bellinger) dropped Ke’Bryan from an early division lead down to 7th place. Even late in the season, the playoffs were not a guarantee. Ke’Bryan lost their last two weeks in the regular season (four out of their last six matchups), making the playoffs by just a couple of games.
But playoff performances are what make champions – those who rise on a Sunday to grip the bat and swing like it’s October are the ones who spray the champaign. This season featured three underdogs knocking off top teams in the first round of the playoffs. Ke’Bryan, On the backs of All-Stars Trea Turner and Juan Soto, knocked out #2 CoMeesh, #3 Jags, and finally #8 Alternative bats to claim the title. Honorable mention to Jags, a playoff regular who finished in 3rd place, his best result since 2018.
Historians cannot write the story of the 2021 season without mentioning the unparalleled performance of It’s Milk Time and manager Dave Edwards. Their winning percentage of .691 is a Baldelli’s Modern Life record memorialized in our newly formed record book.
The final prize payouts for the season are as follows:
- 1st, Life of Ke’Bryan $1,200
- 2nd, Alternative Bats, $500
- 3rd, Jags $200
- Best Record, It’s Milk Time $300
- Other Division Winner, CoMeesh $200
- Playoff birth $50 (each), in no particular order: Life of Ke’Bryan, Alternative Bats, Jags, It’s Milk Time, CoMeesh, Bonerko for Konerko, Tokin’ Asian, Yankee and the Brave.
If your team won a prize, I’ll be in touch soon.
Change has come to Balldelli’s Modern Life – The era of auction drafting and more focus on single-season play than dynasty has begun. To learn about the rule changes proposed for 2022, please visit the rules roadmap. We’ll be switching some 5×5 categories, raising the payout dollars for making the playoffs, allowing same-day player adds, and more.
My fellow managers, the only bad thing about Fantasy Baseball is that the season ends. However, in our newly discovered free time, I want us to come together as men, watch the MLB playoffs, and root for the teams that feel like home. Go ________! And good luck to you next season.
CoMeesh
Commissioner, Balldeli’s Modern Life