Week 17 and season wrapup

Most of you who splash around in this pool know who he is and are aware that, for years, he has played the mild-mannered also-ran to the likes of the Brothers Krier, The Lannings, the Annas and Ann Maries. Here he is back in “those days”….



...and here he is after the recent makeover that probably gave him the edge he needed:

"I won? That rocks like a hurricane!"

Quite some time ago I promised to reveal our first Smoove Hall Of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and this year it is, in fact, Mr. Bell, who has been on board since we started this in 1998. He now has the credentials to go with the longevity. A bust of Kirk will be enshrined next to Smoove’s first set of heart-shaped 300-thread count sheets. Kirk’s fortune for winning it all is $175, as set out at the beginning of the season.

Congratulations to Bill Gullo, who captured second overall this season, plus is this year’s biggest money winner. He adds $135 to his week-by-week winnings of 120, for a sick, sick total of 2.3 gazil, er, $255. Also, a big attaboy to Aaron Lytle, who staged a furious rally in week 17 and edged perennial Goliath Steve Krier for third by a single point. Aaron secures the modest sum of $75 that goes with third.

Fun fact: first place is a Packers fan living in Chicago and second place is a Bears fan living in Milwaukee. But the real question: is anybody a Rex Grossman fan? Just sayin’.

Not to be outdone by anyone, irrepressible sophomore Anna Muchow (one point on the Bears last night) takes the Week 17 jackpot, just barely holding off Joel Van Kylen (who had 16 on the Pack). The outrage around here over this injustice is palpable. Even Sister Jowls is ticked.

Nevertheless, we have to recognize the fact that Anna alone cracked 100 in what is normally the toughest week of the season to do picks.

Stay with me as we address the last two pieces of business. First, you no doubt remember the vote approving the awarding of the Enron Face-Plant Trophy to the person who purposely tanks yet gets all his or her picks in on time, every week. The honor, or dishonor depending on how you look at it, goes to Chris Reuther, who finished with the season with the solid thud of a large iron saucepan hitting a concrete sidewalk in January. Roo gets $25 and a hunting trip with Vice President Cheney for his trouble (Creed’s booked, sorry).

Second, I’m getting my checkbook warmed up. Winnings are going out this week. If I’m likely to see you, you may get a check or cash from me personally, otherwise, watch your mail. Sharp-eyed observers who check out the finance page here:

http://smoove.beerlineonline.com/

will note that yours truly is looking forward to receiving the last of the entry fees this week, which will greatly assist in the payout of all winnings. On that financials page, a number in parentheses indicates that I owe you.

As always, it has been my great thrill to host the pool (and donate my $$ to the winners, as so many of us did this season). Have a lovely, peaceful winter (can one call this winter?) and look for me in March when we fire up the Madness pool. Next season look for the return of the Lannings and the Buckleys, as well as some online improvements I’m not at liberty to discuss…mainly because I’m not sure I’ll have ‘em done by then.