The Knockout

Griff takes down the top seed, scoring champ, i.e. the clear favorite in the semis-finals (2000)

Domination, that’s what the league was about in the first year of Robioland, as I swept the league in 1999 by earning the top seed, taking the scoring title and winning the championship all in one year.

The following year, I was the early favorite to dominate once again. In fact, I did start the season 6-1, with two weekly high scores, but it turned out I would not be the dominator of 2000. Rick Mullin, Ruby Tuesday general manager, would assume that role. He came out firing in year two, winning his first three, scoring over 1,500 in all three contests. While he would hit a small speed bump, losing three of five, he would rebound in week nine, scoring 2,094 in a week ten win. After one more win, it was showdown time. In week eleven, Rick Mullin 7-3, second in the league in scoring would face off with me, defending champ, currently 8-2, league leader in points. If Rick wanted to get the top seed, he’d need to beat me. And he did, 1,619-1,394.

The win was Rick’s third-straight and despite having three more games to play, Rick had already earned his division title. He would go on to win his final three, scoring over 1,500 in all three (he broke 1,500 in five out of his final six regular season games). For the second straight year, a team finished the regular season as a scoring champ and a top seed. Rick was clearly the favorite to win the title.

In the quarterfinals, three teams pulled out close wins, while Rick easily defeated Jimmy, 1,432-1,198. Rick’s point total was the league’s best for round one. Now it was time for the semi-finals. #1 Seed Rick was one win away from taking on #2 Seed Robio. It was the match up everyone wanted.

There was one ‘small’ problem. Griff Coomer. While I did my part (barely) defeating #6 Chris (34 points), #4 seeded Griff pulled off the greatest upset in a young Robioland league, knocking out #1 seeded and top scorer, Rick Mullin, 1,398-1,313.

The defeat would end Rick’s seven-game winning streak (second longest at the time). Rick would play two more seasons in Robioland, finishing 14-16. While Rick made it back into the playoffs in both seasons, he would never win another playoff game, losing twice to the eventual champ, Jason (’01) and myself (’02).