Editor's Note: This is a reprint of the Dec. 10, 1997 Sports Page article previewing the Fantasy Bowl contest between the Cosmic Monsters and LTP. LTP won the championship 60-59.

LTP, Cosmic Monsters set to battle for Erie League crown

For just the second time in the eight year history of the league, two non-division winners will compete for the Fantasy Bowl title. In this one, the combatants maintain a friendly relationship that dates back nearly ten years.

In 1994, the second place Stormtroopers defeated the second place Cosmic Monsters 69-50 in a game pitting bitter rivals Storm Thomas and Brad Rzyczycki against one another. Rzyczycki is back once again but this year he will face off with Don Jones (pictured right), his high school baseball coach of four years during his career at Twinsburg Chamberlin.

Jones' LTP squad (11-4), finished the regular season at 9-4 and in second place in the Club Division. Rzyczycki's Monsters (8-7) turned in a sub-.500 regular season record to place third in the league's Diamond Division.

But at this moment, neither Jones nor Rzyczycki cares much about their regular season accomplishments. They're just happy that their teams are on fire at the right time -- when $500 is on the line.

As for the aspect of the friendly rivalry, both owners say the past relationship won't matter much once the games begin Saturday.

"I do think it makes it a little more special," Jones said of competing with a former player. "But when you're talking about money, I'd happily beat my wife in a card game for it! Seriously, there's like four guys in the league who didn't run shit all year and he's one of them. I'm glad he's here."

"I wouldn't go so far as to beat my lady for the money!" Rzyczycki (pictured left) laughed. "If I were playing someone I didn't know as well it might end up being just about the money. I've always valued his competitive nature. He's reflected in a lot of my own character and in my own competitive nature as a coach since I played for him for four years. To beat him would make me feel better for him getting those two lucky homers off me in practice!"

To get to this point, LTP knocked off the last of the division winners, Captain Tripps, 92-60. The eighth-seeded Monsters avenged their '94 loss to Thomas by whipping Storm's Gargoyles 95-52 -- one week after drilling the top-seeded Callouses 114-89.

In addition to knocking off favored opponents, both Jones' and Rzyczycki's clubs have ridden a similar strategy to the championship game -- draft a team and stick with it.

"I really do not believe in a lot of trades and major pick-ups during the season," Jones said. "I feel a true test in this game is draft day. Playing the team you drafted to become champion is the true test."

"That's where I think my respect should come from," Rzyczycki said. "I put a lot of time and effort into my draft day preparation because my job (assistant football coach at Mercyhurst College) is very time consuming during the season and I don't have the time to get knee deep in (research) like everyone else in the league does

As for the financial windfall awaiting the winner, both owners have different uses in mind.

If I win it will cover the new kitchen counter that I'm buying my wife," said Jones, who will also need to split his earnings with co-owner Steve Suder. (pictured right) "Plus, I'll gladly buy the beer when we all get together at the post-season meeting."

"I have something in mind," Rzyczycki said. "The money will go toward a good queen size bed because my old one's got a big dip in it from 'working out.'"

Once the dust settles, one of these two will have bragging rights for a whole year.

"I'm not a shitrunner but I'll do it if I win the league," said Jones (17-13, two seasons). "Plus, I'll have subtle comments for him during next softball season and I'm sure vice versa."

"I don't want to take shots at anybody," said Rzyczycki (34-28, four seasons). "I just want the respect I think I deserve. But, no disrespect to DJ -- reap it!"

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"All during the season in those owner profiles everyone mentions everyone else and they all fail to mention my name. I want some respect. I don't know if it's because I don't slam anyone or what but I just like to speak softly and carry a big stick. Even if I do win this I still don't think I'll get any recognition as manager of the year. I won't get an votes because I'm not everybody's buddy."

Brad Rzyczycki, Cosmic Monsters, commenting on his perceived lack of respect despite appearing in three playoffs and two Fantasy Bowls in his four years of ownership.

"Just like usual the ones that run their mouths end up with their foot in it. What does the division championship mean? $0. But a first round playoff win means $100. I hope Jody is able to buy food with that small amount of success he had when things were not on the line. I hope he is enjoying the playoffs from the outside looking in. Being able to be successful and humble is a virtue. He deserves this shot."

Don Jones, LTP, commenting on the first round loss by their divisional rivals, the Callouses.