The Triple Crown in the era of those born in the 1980s and onward has been non-existent. I speak of the two main triple crowns, Horse Racing, last won by Affirmed in 1978, and baseball, last won by Carl Yazstrzemski in 1967.
I have many problems with this situation. Not "The Situation" from MTV's pasta fest Jersey Shore, but the fact that we cannot celebrate a triple crown achievement. I mean there's three crowns involved. Everyone loves crowns. Its gotta happen more often. Additionally, there are only two celebrated triple crown achievements? Guffaw and pshaw I say to that, and respectfully submit the admission as the third celebrated triple crown: The Triple Crown of Fantasy Football.
Fantasy football is America's number 2 pastime, right behind the actual NFL games themselves (but not by much). Any argument that the NBA or MLB is more popular than fantasy football is silly. Ask yourself, who do you really care about more, impressing your friends and basking in the pride of Suck My Vick, No Romo's victory over Trentitive Edwards, or the Yankees umpteenth "World Championship" in a league where there is no competitive balance?
Accordingly, the Triple Crown of Fantasy Football needs to be recognized. What, you may ask is the triple crown of fantasy football?
10-12 Team Standard Champion---it doesn't matter how you play, whether its a TD heavy, or big play heavy league, whether you use ridiculous bonuses for milestone games, whatever. If you win your league then you are awesome. This is the home runs, or Kentucky Derby leg of the triple crown. It means the most, and makes you remembered in the annals of history no matter what.
Pick Em Champion---again, many ways to do it, confidence points, point spread, etc. Of course the most manly way to do it is to pick with the spread, but if you win one of these leagues you deserve the RBI or Preakness.
Suicide Pool Champion---Like batting average, and the extra long Belmont Stakes, the suicide pool champion may be the most difficult leg of the crown to pull off. If you can get past the Raiders beating the Eagles, Steelers, and Bengals, you still have to defeat the 50-60 plus individuals that are usually involved in such pools.
Any man who pulls this off is a Triple Crown winner and should be lauded by friends. Perhaps Goodell could use Ochocinco's fine money to create a Fantasy Czar who would take applications from potential Triple Crown winners and present an official certificate, with NFL logo, congratulating them on the monumental performance. Let's make this happen!
It should be noted:
The Extraordinary Pahnts! my fantasy football squad (12 teams, standard scoring with defensive players) finished a 3 seed and needs a big game from Antrell Rolle to continue in the playoffs.
My pick em league squad (22 members, point spread, all games, no confidence points): The Bills Make Me Want to Shout! are in second place 3 games down.
My suicide pool picked the Titans this week, and is one of 6 remaining teams. The league started with 62.
I'm dreaming of a Fantasy Football Triple Crown.
