Fellow Managers, 

Since 2013 this league has known manager Nester Avelar by many names: Crochet Rocket, Saved By The Bellinger, Marlins Budget Cmte, or simply as an OG. Today, it is my honor as commissioner to add one more name to the list — Champion. Congratulations on winning Baldelli’s Modern Life XV! 

Nestor strode into the playoffs pennant winner of the Rusty Kuntz division (108-85-7 his most team wins since 2019). Despite being a top seed, the playoffs are never easy. In the semifinal he was paired with none other than the reigning back-to-back league champion, Token’ Asian. The matchup came down to an exciting Sunday night where both semifinal matches were tied 5-5. Just 3R, 1HR, 2 RBI, 2SB, and 0.06 OBP separated Crochet and Asian offensively. When the dust settled Monday morning, as the higher playoff seed, Nestor had the Yahoo playoff tie break and moved onto the finals against Pampered Birds. In the semi’s Pampered Birds mega offense belted out 17 homers (Jo Adell had 5 himself) and knocked in 42 RBI. He had a catcher in the 50HR club. The bar was high, but then the week started Crochet Rocket came out of the gates on fire. He led going into Sunday 8-2! But as Sunday always does somehow, the two teams stats curved more towards the middle. On Sunday night it was 7-3 and then all of a sudden 6-4. The season came down to one final game — Red Sox vs Yankees, September 14th. 

Nestor had the option to sit or start his team’s namesake: Red Sox ACE Garrett Crochet. Pampered Birds, needing Ks and WHIP had to start the opposing Yankee pitcher Will Warren. In a gutsy call, Nestor played his ACE. It was the right call. By the second inning the Red Sox had a six run lead, had battered Warren, and Crochet was on his way to a gem 6IP, 12Ks, 1QS. With that the league had a clear winner. Congratulations again Nester, you earned the title of Champion. 

As we wrap up another season, I want to thank all the league managers for giving their effort, time and dedication to the league. It is that dedication which makes the league special to us all. There are 141 days until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. May your off-season be filled with wild rumors and dream draft picks.

Keep chasing that perfect lineup, 

Misha

Manager: CoMeesh
Commissioner
BaldellisModernLife.com