Each year, LEAF bids farewell to owners who have, for one reason or another, decided not to return. So that we never forget them and the impact they had on our league, we would like to take this moment to pay tribute to our fallen comrades, gently place a flag over their casket, and play "Taps" on the kazoo in their honor.

Farewell, 2002

Eric Stark

 

Viagra Big Men (2000-2002)

 

2002: 9th Place overall, with 1,347 points, 439 points out of first

2002: Head-to-Head record - (6-8, 4th place, Rest of the World Division)

2001: 11th Place Overall with 82.0 points, 70 points out of 1st.

2001: Head-to-Head record - 7-7 (second place, Cocalico Division)

2000: 12th Place overall, with 49.5 points, 92 points out of first

2000: Head-to-Head record - 3-11 ( fourth place, Ephrata Division )

Notable: Made gradual progress every year &endash; if he would've continued at this pace, he would've won the league in 2005. Will be remembered: For "Gary Anderson, keeper." And dropping starting running back James Stewart in late September 2002 for Moe Williams.

 

 

Mike Ruth

 

The Razorbacks (1999-2002)

2002: 12th Place overall, with 1,123 points, 663 points out of first

2002: Head-to-Head record - (2-12, 4th place, Ephrata Division)

2001: 10th Place Overall with 90.0 points, 62 points out of 1st. (988 total points)

2001: Head-to-Head record - 6-8 (third place (tie), Ephrata Division)

2000: 5th Place overall, with 134.5 points, 7 points out of first

2000: Head-to-Head record - (10-4, Cocalico Division Champion)

1999: 7th Place overall, with 99.5 points, 67.5 points out of first. (864 total points)

1999: Head-to-Head record - 8-6 (second place, Central Division)

Notable: Lost to brother Todd in the first round of the 2000 playoffs, 117-87. First charter member of the league since 1999 to bow out of the league. Will be remembered: For his season-killing trade of Marshall Faulk, first pick overall, in 2002. And for his fiscal promptness. Holds dubious record for most points out of first place using the revised system of scoring introduced in 2002.

Farewell, 2001

Terry Hainley

 

Ephrata Zephyrs (2001-2001)

 

2001: 12th Place Overall with 68 points, 84 points out of 1st. (988 total points)

2001: Head-to-Head record - 3-11 (fourth place, Ephrata Division

Notable: Shrewd drafting of Rich Gannon and Curtis Martin with his first two picks, despite not actually attending the draft. Lack of activity doomed a potential contender. Will be remembered: For his uncanny resemblance of Ned Flanders.

 

 

 

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Farewell, 2000

Mark Haines

 

Juniata Pig Snoots (2000-2000)

 

2000: 10th Place Overall with 76.5 points, 65 points behind 1st. (1,086 total points)

2000: Head-to-Head record - 6-8 (third place, Cocalico Division)

Notable: Competed with second-best fantasy receiver that year (Rod Smith), and made the most of that one Steve Beurlein. Will be remembered: For remarkable forsight, dropping Fred Beasley to pick up an unknown Ahman Green... which he then traded to Troy for Warrick Dunn.

 

 

 

 

Butch Goshert

 

The Butches (2000-2000)

 

2000: Sixth Place Overall. (129.0 points, 12.5 points out of first) (1,273 total points)

2000: Head-to-Head record - 9-5 (second place tie, Ephrata Division)

Notable: Finished in a respectable sixth place during his first and only season. Was only 10 points away from a money position, and 12.5 points away from the champion. Contended for a money position until the final week. Missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker. Will be remembered: For his alleged "liberation" of tools from fellow owner Mike Ruth, rendering his return to the league unlikely, despite his promising start.

 

The Big Green Machine (1999-2000)

 

1999: Sixth Place Overall - 100.0 points (67 points out of first place)

1999: Head-to-Head record - 8-6 (Won Eastern Division Title)

2000: Eighth Place Overall. (104.5 points, 37 points out of first)

2000: Head-to-Head record - 5-9 (fourth place, Cocalico Division)

Notable: Impressive debut season. Despite finishing sixth place overal, managed to win the Eastern Division, and played in the first LEAF Super Bowl, where he lost to Eric Kilhefner 71-46. Finished in a respectable sixth place during his first and only season. Second season struggles may have been attributed to his absence at the second draft. Will be remembered: As the "Tuel Man." 1999 Second round draft pick: Doug Flutie.

Farewell, 1999

Harry Bidelspach

 

Boris Badinov's Mud City Manglers (1999-1999)

 

1999: Fifth Place Overall - 122 points (45 points out of first place)

1999: Head-to-Head record - 5-9 (3rd place, Central Division)

Notable: Won MVP prize for high-scorin' Peyton Manning (228 points), the last pick of the first round. Tragically, he never received his winnings from the league. Holds 1999 record for most points by a tight end in a game (19 - Tony Gonzalez). Drafted an injured Garrison Hearst in Round 4.

Will be remembered: For his draft strategy, involving Todd's notes.

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Gagliano

Cartman's Oars (1999-1999)

 

1999: Eighth Place Overall.

1999: Head-to-Head record - 2-12

Notable: Despite his abominable head-to-head record, Joe was able to remain competitive in the overall standings. Was one of the holdovers from FFA Football.

Will be remembered: His superior chili cooking skills. His unrequieted love for Thurman Thomas, fantasy projections be damned!

 

 

 

 

Tim Hagy

The Gator Tails (1999-1999)

 

1999: Ninth Place Overall.

1999: Head-to-Head record - 5-9

Notable: He may have resembled Bernie Kozar, but not when it came time to calling playc on the field. Was on the unhappy side of one of the two most lopsided games of 1999, when Grandpa's Meat toppled him by a score of 93-36... a 57-point difference.

Will be remembered: As the guy who drafted two quarterbacks with his first two picks, and RB Skip Hicks in the fifth round, while Stephen Davis sat undisturbed throughout draft night. Also, as Mike Ruth's Roomie.

 

 

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May they Rest in Peace, and may the NFL gods smile fondly upon them.