A Different Look At CFCL History

A wise man once said “It is important to know from whence one came.” I don’t know who said it and if no one did say it, I think I would like to have said it; it sounds kind of cool.

Anyway, in what is becoming a multi-part story, I took a trip down memory lane of CFCL History. Being a statistics and numbers guy (as in Hank Aaron has 755 homeruns and the next active player in line to potentially pass him is Ken Griffey Jr. with 578. If you want to include Bonds and Sosa, then let Aaron’s number be indexed for steroid inflation), I noticed some interesting numbers and information about our current and past owners.

That’s almost as many teams that make the NHL playoffs each year: There have been 34 franchises in the 24 year history of the CFCL.

Two score and many drafts ago: Four teams have been in the CFCL for at least 20 years (Rebels & Copperfields – 24 years; Ruffins – 22 years; Lambchops – 20 years;)

Baker’s (not Dusty, dude) dozen: Of the 34 owners, 13 stayed in for at least 5 years. [Kenn and Teddy, you’re one year away from making it an even fifteen]

One is the loneliest number: Seven teams only stayed around for one year.

A long way to go and a short time to get there: The Bald Eagles were in the league for only six years and yet 90% of the Constitution is written because of him.

And somehow Steve Irwin wasn’t part of the CFCL: Seven franchises have been named from the Animal Kingdom [Big Dogs, Lambchops, Reservoir Dogs, Penguins, Eagles, Swordfish and Bulls]

Richie Daley has nothing on us: Six owners have been related. [Fred, David and Paul Mahlan – Father and sons; Rich and Matt Bentel – Cousins; Ken Welsch – Brother-in-law of Rich Bentel]

Down home country: One team was named for Americana. [Davies Crocketts]

Amazing but true: The now defunct Six Packs have a longer tenure (16 years) than all but five current owners.

Forgive me, father, for I have . . : One team was named for the clergy. [Fred’s Friars]

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas: Even though some anal retentive regulatory boards are trying to call this gambling, only one team had a gambling theme in its name. [Aces to Win]

Man, he looks familiar: One owner named his team, apparently after looking in the mirror. [Bald Eagles – if you knew Bob Monroe you know what I’m talking about. If you never met Bob (consider yourself lucky – that means you weren’t at risk of being coerced into a lopsided trade) check out the history part of the CFCL for Bob’s picture.

Hey that sounds familiar: Two teams are homonyms {not that there’s anything wrong with that}. [Picts and Picks]

Well what did you expect: We should have seen it coming. Of the teams that bailed after one year, the team names should have given us a clue they weren’t long for the CFCL. [The Apollos – named for a defunct space program; The Headless Horsemen – how long can you last without using your head? Aside from the 24 years exhibited by the Rebels, I mean; The Ghostbusters – really, no substance; The Spherechuckers – borderline racist name; Z-28s – a broken down, outdated car]

The question has to be asked: Who in the hell was/is Paul Skupien??! (owner of the Swordfish)

If this trip down memory lane didn’t make you feel old, then here’s this: HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all you dads out there!!