January 8, 2010
New manager on board.  
FRANKFORT, IN. - I received word from Mike Cascarano, manager of the Glendale Cougars, that he has resigned as manager of the team due to increasing health issues. Mike, had just returned to SPB for the 1972 season, after a 10 year absence. He was a long time SPB manger though, serving through the first 8 years of Seasons Past history, back in the 1990's. I was very sorry to hear that he will not continue, and I wish him the best, and hope he gets back to the point where he can field another SPB team in the future. Thanks Mike for all your years of being a manager in Seasons Past Baseball. Taking over the franchise will be an eager new manager in Seasons Past. His name is Don Brenner. Don is a 46 year old general contractor, who makes South Carolina his home. He is a huge Phillies fan, and therefore his new team name will be the Piedmont Phillies. He will retain Yankee Stadium for his home park. He is anxious to join our league and establish himself as a solid manager. If you would like to welcome Don to SPB, or to contact him, his email address is roughing56@hotmail.com. Welcome aboard to SPB, Don. May your stay be a long and fruitful one. :-) His full manager bio page will be pasted to the managers page, and he will be added to the SPB - I manager listing on our website

January 1, 2010
1972 Voting booth open.  
FRANKFORT, IN. - The voting booth is now open and ready to accept your votes for the 1972 All Star teams AND the '72 Award Winners. With the New Years holiday weekend coming up, this would be a great opportunity to get you voting done early! So, be sure to vote soon for BOTH Awards & All Stars of 1972. It will be considered your final act of the 1972 season. Thanks for taking care of this.

December 28, 2009
1972 World Series goes 7 games......Spiders top Rats.  
FRANKFORT, IN. - SPB I Commissioner Gary Plunkitt gives his highest congratulations and a hearty hats off salute to Chris Williams, also known as the "Professor", and to his Cleveland Indians, the true surprise team of 1972. The Spiders held of last years championship team, the Flushing Rats, managed by the Italian Stallion, Joe DeZarlo, and beat them in a taut 7 game series, one of our best, and certainly one of the more surprising upset wins in SPB - 1's long 19 year history. 

Plunkitt, the veteran Commish, also announced that with this upset win, a victory that polishes off the 1972 season with a flourish, that the trading lamp for preparing for the 1973 season, our (20th!) is now lit. Please send all confirmations of trades in SPB I to the league office, as you make the trades. Remember, trades must be confirmed by both managers with the Commishes office, before they will become official. Thanks to all for a highly successful SPB I 1972 season!

December 23, 2009
1972 Usage reports
DAYTON, OH. - Just what you have been waiting for......the much-anticipated end of year usage reports. Congrats to everyone who were able to keep their players within their limits.   

December 21, 2009
1972 Final stats posted
DAYTON, OH. - The final stats and power rankings for the 1972 season are now posted. Congratulations to the following managers and teams on their winning these titles: AL East: Flushing Rats (Joe Dezarlo) 105-57 AL West: Dayton Triangles (John Turnbull) 99-63 NL East: Cleveland Spiders (Chris Williams) 95-67 NL West: Rockford Forest Citys (Terry Baxter) 103-59 Usage reports and draft order will be posted soon, as will Playoff coverage.

July 11, 2009
1972 Fearless predictions
DAYTON, OH. - Joe Dezarlo puts himself out on a limb bye making his 1972 predictions.  Good Stuff Joe!

June 18, 2009
Belated 1971 Season recap
DAYTON, OH. - Our crack beat writer, Joe Dezarlo, has provided us some juicy nuggets and a recap of the 1971 season.  Thanks to Joe for putting this together. It's a good read! 

May 18, 2009
Drafts complete
DAYTON, OH. - I will echo Commissioner Plunkitt's comments that the draft weekend was great as usual!  Trading is open until Gary sets a deadline for sometime in late June.  Joe Dezarlo has captured Saturday's draft transcript from this weekend's festivities.  Thanks joe! 

May 8, 2009
Protected player numbers
FRANKFORT, IN. - This is the official call for all protected rosters to be submitted for the 1972 season. The drafts will be held early on May 16th, but I will be starting email picks on Thursday (May 14th). So because of this, you MUST have your protected roster to me by Saturday, May 9th. I will set 8PM as the final due time this coming Saturday. If you do not have your list to me by that time I will have to set the rosters myself, for all missing teams. Of course, I will do this to the best of my ability, but I hope your all able to get you lists in yourselves, to avoid my having to do them. I will then get the 1972 files out on Sunday with all Phase II players (unprotected) showing on each roster.

Here is the number of players each team can protect:

18 Protected Players
Flushing Rats (Joe DeZarlo)
Frankfort Tigers (Gary Plunkitt)
Asheville Tourists (Rich Applegate)
Cleveland Spiders (Chris Williams)
Las Vegas Thunder (Mike See)

19 Protected Players
Schaumburg Saxons (Vin Onstott)
Niskayuna Red Storm (Don Rahn)
Rossville Cubs (Rick Ryan)
Dayton Triangles (John Turnbull)
Baltimore Stallions (Greg Henning)
Lafayette Chiefs (Steve Ehresman)
Kansas City Bombers (Bob Calicchia)
Evanston Black Sox (John Ungashick)
Rockford Forest Cities (Terry Baxter)
Amboy Dukes (Al Schweitzer)
Fairfax Peppers (Ron Peterson)
Hollywood Stars (Don Zminda)

20 Protected Players
Twin City Replacements (Marc Robinson)
Glendale Cougars (Mike Cascarano)
Blue Ridge Mountaineers (Steve Brunner)
Kenosha Eagles (Dave Lauer)
Spirit Mountain Volcanoes (Marc Hollingsworth)

Thanks everyone for meeting this deadline in SPB I.

April 29, 2009
Changes for Rookie Draft day
FRANKFORT, IN. - I am having to change the draft structure and time because Don Zminda notified us a few days ago that he has scored 8 tickets for the Cubs game. :) Since the game has a noon start, we will have to move the draft time for Saturday up from the normal SPB 11AM Eastern start, and in addition begin the rookie draft earlier by email. 

Managers making live picks will come into the auditorium around 8:30AM CENTRAL (Chicago) time on Saturday morning and we will finish it up. ALERT: This would be 6:30 AM on the West Coast! 

We will start the email part of the rookie draft mid Thursday May 14th, say 4PM for the 1st round one pick. We should get at least the first two full rounds (if not more) in during this email draft before Saturday mornings Auditorium start time. Of course managers MUST make their picks as quickly as possible for both the email part, and during Saturdays LIVE draft in the SPB chat room (Auditorium).

The LIVE Auditorium online draft begins Saturday morning at 8:30 AM Central (Chicago) and we will finish it up as early as possible. We will have to be able to complete the remaining rounds in 2 to 2 1/2 hours Saturday morning, or we will have to switch to email to finish it. But since we will only be going 8 picks into round 6, we should be ok. Of course, if managers have plans for that morning, you will have to send me a draft list for your team. I would have to HAVE TO HAVE YOUR LIST by Thursday, May 14th. 

We have 8 managers attending in person at the Chicago draft. They are Chris Williams, Gary Plunkitt, John Turnbull, Joe DeZarlo, Dave Lauer, Don Zminda, John Ungashick, and Rich Applegate. 

Additionally, we do have ONE (1) ticket left for any manager not listed above, as Dave will not be attending the Cubs game. So if anyone wants to change their mind, and join us in Chicago, we can fix you up with a nice ticket for just a small price. Let me know ASAP, if this enticement puts you over the edge, and you would like to go. If I hear from no other SPB I manager by Wednesday (April 29th), we will search among Chicago friends to use it.


March 1, 2009
Draft date set for 1972
FRANKFORT, IN. - All SPB I -1972 Managers, The date is now set in stone. We will have our 1972 rookie and Phase II drafts on Saturday, May 16th. Starting time will be announced later. But the draft is certainly going to be on the weekend of Friday the 15th through Sunday the 17th. 

Right now there are six managers who will be attending for sure. Then there are another 5 who say there is a chance they could be there. If all 5 make it we will have 11 in attendance for this event. The "I will be there guys" are: John Turnbull, John Ungashick, Dave Lauer, Joe DeZarlo, Chris Williams, and myself. The ones still hoping to work out being able to attend are: Steve Brunner, Rich Applegate, Don Zminda, Al "Doc" Schweitzer, and possibly Ron Peterson.

Anyway, for those who say they probably will not be attending, your allowed to change your minds at any time. :) I hope some of you will consider coming to the Windy City after all. Regardless though, I will be there on Friday probably mid afternoon, arriving with John Turnbull, and possibly another. Should be a lot of fun for everyone.

I will announce the starting time for the draft in the near future, once we have a better idea of what is happening and when. For those attending this event, I will be looking forward to seeing you again in May. :-)

February 1, 2009
Team Name change
FRANKFORT, IN. - Marc Robinson has decided to change the name of the Mill City Millers to the Twin City Replacements. All team stationery has now been changed. 

February 1, 2009
Managerial Changes
FRANKFORT, IN. - It is my duty to announce the resignation from SPB I, for two long time managers. Lynn Miller has given up the Elkhart Eels and Mike Boling is dropping the Kansas City Red Streaks. I hate to see these guys go, for both have a long history in this particular league. However, the good news they both will remain in SPB with the other two leagues they belong to. Thanks for your years of faithful service guys!

The good news is John Turnbull came up with a manager from the early years of Seasons Past, as Mike Cascarano will be taking over the Eels team. Welcome back Mike! It has been a while. I hope you enjoy your return to SPB.  *Note*....The Eels Franchise was originally Mark's when he left SPB-1.  It is also my privilege to announce that another long ago manager from the past is joining SPB I. Bob Calicchia is our newest addition, returning to SPB after quite a spell. Welcome back Bobby! He will be taking over for Mike Boling who left the Kansas City Blues recently. Bob will be keeping the team in K.C., but they will have a new nickname. The team will now be known as the Kansas City Bombers. Also our other returning manager Mike Cascarano has decided to pull the Elkhart team name, and they will now be know as the Glendale Cougars. Both managers also decided to keep playing in the same home park as before. No park changes occur this time.

January 18, 2009
1971 World Series Champions!
FRANKFORT, IN. - My very best congrats goes out to hard driving Joe DeZarlo for leading his Flushing Rats to a hard fought and convincing World Series win. He took on the mighty Las Vegas Thunder, led by the boy wonder, Mike See, and took them down in just 5 games. To the entire story and stats of the 1971 World Series, just click on the results highlighted on the LH side of this webpage. There you will not only find stats, but boxscore, game reports from the managers, and other goodies. Also the full story of the '71 A.LCS & NLCS can be found there as well. So check it out! Well worth the read! Way to go Joe, you finally nailed down the SPB I # 1 title.

January 6, 2009
1971 World Series set
DAYTON, OH. - Congratulations to "Mover Mike" See's Las Vegas Thunder for his stirring come from behind win knocking off a very tough Tourists team, led by the hard charging Parson, Rich Appplegate, to win the N.L. crown. Sounds like it was a real rock'em sock'em series guys! So the World Series is set now set to play with the Thunder taking on the Flushing Rats, a constant dominant force in the A.L. over the last few seasons. The Rats have "Jersey Joe" DeZarlo at the helm, so it should be a match of two young and clever managers who get the best from their teams in this years series. The Rats defeated their A.L. opponents, the Frankfort Tigers led by "The Old Curmudgeon" Gary Plunkitt a few days earlier. For those of you who missed it, the entire story of both 1971 LCS series can be found on the SPB I webpage. 

Good luck to both Joe & Mike in this coming series. It should be a real Battle Royale!!

December 22, 2008
1971 Usage reports
DAYTON, OH. - As is customary at the end of each SPB season, we present to you the following:  Overusage and Use or lose reports.  Enjoy!

December 22, 2008
1971 Final Stats posted
DAYTON, OH. - The Final stats and power rankings are now posted for 1971.  Congratulations goes out to our 4 division winner for the just completed season.

In the American League East, the Flushing Rats, led by Mgr. "Super Joe" DeZarlo rolled up 104 wins on the way to outdistancing both the Schaumburg Saxons, and the Niskayuna Red Storm who tied for 2nd place with 91 wins. "Terrific Tim" Johnson managed Schaumburg from April through July before having to resign for health reasons, and "Valuable Vin" Onstott led them down the stretch for August and September games. The Red Storm are managed by "Dandy Don" Rahn. Congratulations Joe on another fine job with this consistently good team

In the National League East, the Asheville Tourists, led by their peerless leader, "Reverend Rich" Applegate also won 104 games, but this was the closest race of all, thanks to another fine job by the astute "Old Professor" Chris Williams, who coaxed 101 win out of his Cleveland Spiders, just missing the title. Congratulations to Rich on another fine job!

In the American League West, the Frankfort Tigers racked up the crown by picking up 108 wins. This team was a constant hodgepodge of lineup changes, with most all players contributing to the "Old Curmudgeon's" (manager Gary Plunkitt) success. Finishing 9 games behind the Tigers, were "Trader Rick" Ryan's charging Rossville Cubs who garnered 99 wins on the year.

Finally, "Marvelous Mike" See led the pitching rich Las Vegas Thunder also to 108 wins in a virtual walk over "Terrible Terry" Baxter's Rockford Forest Cities, who finished 2nd, a distant 19 games behind with 89 wins.

A job well done! Hats off to our winners!! 

November 6, 2008
New manager in place
DAYTON, OH. - I have the new manager taking over the Saxons from Tim Johnson for play of all August series. Vin Onstott, a current SPB manager in two other leagues will be taking the reigns of this team. I told Vin to have his MP's out by the 5th. He will be sending his August MP's to Chris Williams and Steve Brunner. Feel free everyone to welcome Vin as the manager. His email is: vonstott@aol.com.  Be sure and keep Tim and family in your thoughts and prayers.

June 25, 2008
1971 Season Preview
DAYTON, OH. - Our local beat writer, Joe Dezarlo has given us some keen insight into the upcoming campaign.  Available in DOC and PDF format. Thanks Joe!

June 15, 2008
Kenosha Eagles preview
DAYTON, OH. - SPB-1 manager Dave Lauer has released his personal review of his 1971 team for the upcoming season.  

June 15, 2008
Position additions
FRANKFORT, IN. - Here is a list of 12 players who will regain positions for the 1971 season due to the recent passage of the rule reducing the number of games played at a position from 10 to 5 for retaining that rating in SPB. This only concerned players with more than 400 AB's. (See Constitution for complete change.)

PLAYERS WHO HAVE HAD POSITIONS ADDED BACK IN FOR 1971:
Cesar Tovar 3B
Maury Wills 3B
Willile Montenez 1B
Ron Santo LF
Bob Bailey 1B
Joe Rudi 1B
Carlos May LF
Rick Reichardt 1B
Ray Fosse 1B
Dick McCauliffe SS
Dennis Menke 2B
Al Kaline 1B

June 12, 2008
Manager change / Team swap
FRANKFORT, IN. - SPB I, II, and IV Managers, Following a most unusual request from a pair of seasoned SPB managers, I have decided to approve their strange "trade". Bill Lanke is giving up his teams in SPB I & IV in the move. Greg Henning is giving up his SPB II team. 

Greg will take over as manager for the Wabash Ravines in SPB I (1971) immediately. The league is due to start play on July 1st. So if you have any last minute deals involving the Ravines, please contact Greg during the next 10 days, before trading season ends. Greg will rename the Wabash Ravines to the Baltimore Stallions.

May 15, 2008
Stadium Change
FRANKFORT, IN. - The Mountaineers have decided to give KC Municipal Stadium the pink slip, and will move into the Oakland Coliseum as their home park. This makes KC Municipal (soon to be Royals) Stadium and Pittsburgh's 3 Rivers Stadium as the available parks for 1971.

May 11, 2008
Manager replacement
FRANKFORT, IN. - I am happy to announce that we have a new manager just in time for the 1971 season. Don Rahn will be taking over as leader of the former Lincoln Tunnel, due to Greg Stillwagon resigning suddenly from his leagues. Don will rename the team as the Niskayuna Red Storm, and will remain with the Montreal Parc Jarry as his home field. Welcome aboard Don! 

April 20, 2008 
Another  Team name change 
FRANKFORT, IN - Manager Marc Hollingsworth of the former Cascade Glaciers has decided to give his team a new identity for the coming season of 1971. The team has been renamed the Spirit Mountain Volcanoes, and will be dropping 3 Rivers Stadium (Pittsburgh) as their home park. The will now reside is spacious RFK Stadium (Washington), in the coming year. This makes Pittsburgh's 3 Rivers park, and the Oakland Coliseum as the available parks in SPB I.

April 18, 2008 
Slight Team name change 
FRANKFORT, IN - The Elkhart team will no longer be shocking to it's opponents! Manager Lynn Miller has dropped the Electric part of the team name, and will now be known as just the Elkhart Eels.

April 17, 2008 
1971 Call for protected rosters 
FRANKFORT, IN - With the Cooperstown draft now just slightly more than 2 weeks away, I am calling for your protected roster for the coming 1971 Phase II draft. Here is a list of how many players each team can protect:

18 Players
Rossville Cubs (Rick Ryan)
Hollywood Stars (Don Zminda)
Flushing Rats (Joe DeZarlo)
Lincoln Tunnel (Greg Stillwagon)
Fairfax Peppers (Ron Peterson)

19 Players
Asheville Tourists (Rich Applegate)
Las Vegas Thunder (Mike See)
Frankfort Tigers (Gary Plunkitt)
Evanston Black Sox (John Ungashick)
Rockford Forest Cities (Terry Baxter)
Cleveland Spiders (Chris Williams)
Kenosha Eagles (Dave Lauer)
Cascade Glaciers (Marc Hollingsworth)
Elkhart Electric Eels (Lynn Miller)
Wabash Ravines (Bill Lanke)
Amboy Dukes (Albert Schweitzer)
Mill City Millers (Mark Robinson)

20 Players
Blue Ridge Mountaineers (Steve Brunner)
Kansas City Red Streaks (Mike Boling)
Dayton Triangles (John Turnbull)
Lafayette Chiefs (Steve Ehresman)
Schaumburg Saxons (Tim Johnson) 

Deadline for your protected rosters will be Sunday, April 20th at 8PM Eastern time. Be sure to have your roster in by that time, or the League Commissioner will make the picks for your team. :-) Thanks everyone, and I hope to see many of you at the HOF draft!