2004 CHAMPION   -   THE BARBARRYANS

In one of the closest finishes in league history, the Barbarryans fought off the hard charging Eight Men Out in the final weeks of the season and took home the Championship.

Although the final result was close, it did not appear that would be the case earlier in the season. The Barbarryans took possession of first place in the second week of the season and steadily built an imposing lead thereafter. By June 23rd, the Barbarryans point total stood at 113.5, good for a 31.5 point lead over the then 2nd place KrackerJacks. At that point it seemed a rout was in progress.   

This lead remained near 20 points or greater for the next two months, but then both the KrackerJacks and Eight Men Out made major trades at the deadline. Despite this, the Barbarryans maintained a 19.5 point lead as late as August 23rd.  During the next month, however, both Eight Men Out and the KrackerJacks whittled the lead down to single digits. By the last day, Eight Men Out, who had passed the KrackerJacks into second, but remained in a tight fight to keep their position, actually had an extreme outside shot to win, but ultimately the Barbarryans prevailed.

The Futurians added a level of further excitement by challenging the KrackerJacks for third place during the final month.

The Barbarryans relied primarily on a strong pitching staff, collecting 55 of the points in those combined categories.  The starting staff was led by Cy Young winner Roger Clemens, (18 wins, 2.98 ERA, 1.15 ratio, 218 Ks) and Jason Schmidt (18, 3.20, 1.076, 251). The bullpen was anchored by Octavio Dotel and Braden Looper with 36 and 29 saves respectively. The Barbarryan offense was steady if not spectacular, garnering only a fourth best 43 total points, and relying on depth instead of superior individual numbers. Not one player on the Barbarryans either scored or drove in 100 runs, despite that the roster contained some formidable hitters.

This is the Barbarryan's first VFBL Championship, but is the fourth consecutive year that they have finished in the money. In winning, the Barbarryans have broken a seven year period in which the only winners have been the Mutts, Monarchs, or MasterBlasters. Eight Men Out and the KrackerJacks have each set team bests in their order of finish. The Futurians have now finished in the money two of the last three seasons, and the fifth place Master Blasters have matched the Barbarryans as money winners for the last four years.

On the other end of the spectrum are the Monarchs. The 2003 Champions have achieved the dubious distinction of going from first to worst in consecutive seasons.