The Spokane Fightin' Fish knew something had to change in 2015 as they were set to finish their third season of RDBL play without a cash finish. An overhaul in player strategy followed, prioritizing overall upside in all acquisitions while aggressively prioritizing the Active Roster while dangling Draft picks and prospects along the way. What has followed is the most dominant run we have seen in League History as the Fightin' Fish have finished in the money in six of seven seasons with two League Championships, two Regular Season Titles and five Division Titles.
Another dominant season in 2023 earned President of Baseball Operations Michael Tirabassi the Executive of the Year Award, his second of his career, matching a RDBL Record. The Fish won the Regular Season by 461.5 points, the third largest margin in League History as Tirabassi's roster finished 1st in both Hitting and Pitching, joining the 2021 Lake Merced Goutfish and 2019 Asti Grape Stompers as the only Franchise's to accomplish that feat.
While the club came up short in the 2023 Playoffs, finishing second to the Lake Merced Goutfish, the Fightin' Fish led all teams in Full Season points for the fourth time since 2016. It's a remarkable, yet frustrating feat for Tirabassi who has only been able to win the League Title in two of those seasons.
Typically driven by star performers historically, the Fightin' Fish had the most balanced offense in League History with no player exceeding 387.0 Regular Season points yet still pacing the RDBL in scoring. Activation of the Year Runner-Up Julio Rodriguez led the way, slashing .281/.342/.472 while Corey Seager returned to the Franchise that originally activated him to slash .342/.409/.643 around IL stints.
Off-season additions Justin Verlander and Aaron Judge also battled injuries, but managed to dominate on the field with Verlander pacing all Fish pitchers in points while Judge posted a 1.025 OPS.
The Fightin' Fish set or matched seven Roger Dorn Baseball League Records in 2023 and now hold 22 Records overall, the most in the League including $4,990 in lifetime cash winnings.
Tirabassi joins Greg Shelley (2022, 2018), Ryan Atkinson (2021, 2014), Terry Shelley (2019), Jason Watson (2017, 2015), and Nick Holz (2013) as winners of the Executive of the Year Award.
Ryan Atkinson (Goutfish), Jason Watson (Devils) and Chris Ferraro (Maulers) also received votes.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you, thank you! It is truly an honor to be standing here today as the recipient of the Executive of the Year award in the RDBL Fantasy Baseball League. I am humbled and grateful for this recognition, and I want to express my sincere appreciation to all of you who have made this league such an incredible experience.
First and foremost, I must acknowledge the talented group of managers who make up the RDBL. It is your passion, commitment, and competitiveness that have driven me to elevate my game. Each and every one of you has made this league what it is, and I accept this award on behalf of the entire league, because it is…