One of my favorite animated movies is the original (2002) Ice Age.

Having just recently had a newborn baby girl – it will be a comforting breath of fresh air to once again watch some CGI animated/cartoon kids flicks – like Ice Age 3 on a more frequent basis.

My first daughter, who is now well into her teens, has grown-up well beyond her “Pocahontas” and “The Lion King” era, as well as the harder for parents to understand – Pokemon phase. (Thank goodness!) Let me get this straight, Skye…Wartortle is the adult version of Squirtle? Okay, I think I got it. Heheh.

Fast forwarding to next year (2009) among other things, I look forward to when my entire family can gather together to witness this latest installment in the Ice Age series – Ice Age 3 Dawn of the Dinosaurs. What can I say – Scrat cracks me up!

Surely, if the wee one takes a liking to it – we will be watching Scrat chase that elusive acorn over and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over… (Ahhhh – one of the many pleasures of being a “Daddy” once again!)

To anyone who has stumbled across, and read portions of this Ramble & Gamble blog over the past ten months, WaiverSharks.com wants to extend a sincere, heart felt wish to you & your family, and we hope that you enjoy a warm and safe holiday season.

Since 2005 fellow WaiverSharks.com writer/contributor Ryan Roach has commissioned a near perfect fantasy baseball keeper league - which continues to evolve, and improve year after year.

Recently, all the guys who strategize each and every summer in this ultra competitive Yahoo Fantasy Plus league - chipped in to buy a suitable trophy to present to the leagues annual Playoff Champion.

Much deliberation went into the naming of the cup – as well as a fairly lengthy process to have the actual award built.

So, it is with great pleasure that we unveil the 1st photograph of the cup that is coveted “only slightly less” then Lord Stanley itself!

Ladies and gentlemen we present:

“The Longorious”

For those who feel that perhaps we have reached “Geekdoms Summit” in awarding a trophy to a Fantasy Baseball winner, ponder this…

They hand out a pair of Hollywood primadona’s each year an award for “Best on Screen Chemistry” (MTV Movie AWARDS) so really is this any less worthy then awarding say Vince Vaughn for faking on screen fireworks with Jennifer Aniston really really well? Seriously. If that’s not bad enough – I hear they even give out trophies for bowling! C’mon, next you’re going to tell me they have their own leagues!

That being said – SIMPLY PUT: I think trophies are fun.

And I’d encourage other serious fantasy keeper leagues to pitch some dough in, and buy a year end “bragging rights award” for your respective fantasy sports league.

Congratulations once again to ALL our leagues past victors – and best of luck to ALL fantasy baseball managers on taking THE LONGORIOUS home in 2009.

League Champs
2005 - Scott Woodall
2006 – Scott Woodall
2007 – Ryan Windram
2008 – Scott Woodall

Playoff Champs
2005 - Cam Crowder
2006 – Scott Woodall
2007 – Ryan Roach
2008 – Craig Miller

2009 SLEEPER CANDIDATE ALERT! 

There was a time no one knew who Eric Gagne was.

A fastball that occsionally touches 101 M.P.H. coupled with a knee buckling breaking ball -should one day help Johathan Broxton become one of Major League Baseball’s top closers.

But - are we out to lunch in thinking the Big Kahuna could lead the Los Angeles Dodgers – as well as the entire National League - next season in Saves?

Well - we don’t think so! And neither does fellow hoser Russell Martin! High Five!

Here’s why…

The Dodgers  were contenders in 2008 despite a team that consisted of a plethora of under achievers – some aging stars – and some very young - but still raw talent.

So one should only assume they will only be better next season - right?

We would think the Dodgers will only add to their arsenal of talent via free agency and trades this winter – and the young arms that their rotation consists of will continue to progress - thus making for many more save opportunities during the LA Dodgers 2009 season.

Broxton has been honing his late innings skills as the Dodgers key set-up man for the closer Takashi Saito for the past 2 seasons - but WaiverSharks feels a passing of the guard is justifiably imminent.

The experience ”JB” gained the past couple seasons - especially 2008’s 2nd half closing opportunity - that arose when Saito injured his shoulder, only helped to solidify Broxton as the heir apparant to the coveted 9th inning closer’s role.

Saito’s future with the Dodgers is currently murky at best - even if he does resign with Los Angeles - there are no guarantees he will close - or how long his aging shoulder will hold up.

Meanwhile - Broxton’s bullish fastball is that which most classic closers need to have in their repertoire. (Broxton possesses wicked stuff – he’s touched 101 MPH on the radar gun a couple times this year.)

Broxton pitches in the National Leagues weakest division for a team that doesn’t often blow away it’s competition in what is very much considered a pitchers ballpark.

(Was that 3 very good points in one sentence? -Yep.)

For those naysayers who watched him turn in a few bad outings in 2008 – can we remind you this big bastage (6’4” – 290 lbs) just turned 24 years old this past summer!

A closer’s mindset is almost as lucrative an asset as his physical ability. Broxton could carry both ingredients of closer success into next season. The writing is on the wall.

“BROX” WILL ROCK in 2009!