One of my favorite animated movies is the original (2002) Ice Age.

Having just recently had a newborn baby girl – it will be a comforting breath of fresh air to once again watch some CGI animated/cartoon kids flicks – like Ice Age 3 on a more frequent basis.

My first daughter, who is now well into her teens, has grown-up well beyond her “Pocahontas” and “The Lion King” era, as well as the harder for parents to understand – Pokemon phase. (Thank goodness!) Let me get this straight, Skye…Wartortle is the adult version of Squirtle? Okay, I think I got it. Heheh.

Fast forwarding to next year (2009) among other things, I look forward to when my entire family can gather together to witness this latest installment in the Ice Age series – Ice Age 3 Dawn of the Dinosaurs. What can I say – Scrat cracks me up!

Surely, if the wee one takes a liking to it – we will be watching Scrat chase that elusive acorn over and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over… (Ahhhh – one of the many pleasures of being a “Daddy” once again!)

To anyone who has stumbled across, and read portions of this Ramble & Gamble blog over the past ten months, WaiverSharks.com wants to extend a sincere, heart felt wish to you & your family, and we hope that you enjoy a warm and safe holiday season.

Since 2005 fellow WaiverSharks.com writer/contributor Ryan Roach has commissioned a near perfect fantasy baseball keeper league - which continues to evolve, and improve year after year.

Recently, all the guys who strategize each and every summer in this ultra competitive Yahoo Fantasy Plus league - chipped in to buy a suitable trophy to present to the leagues annual Playoff Champion.

Much deliberation went into the naming of the cup – as well as a fairly lengthy process to have the actual award built.

So, it is with great pleasure that we unveil the 1st photograph of the cup that is coveted “only slightly less” then Lord Stanley itself!

Ladies and gentlemen we present:

“The Longorious”

For those who feel that perhaps we have reached “Geekdoms Summit” in awarding a trophy to a Fantasy Baseball winner, ponder this…

They hand out a pair of Hollywood primadona’s each year an award for “Best on Screen Chemistry” (MTV Movie AWARDS) so really is this any less worthy then awarding say Vince Vaughn for faking on screen fireworks with Jennifer Aniston really really well? Seriously. If that’s not bad enough – I hear they even give out trophies for bowling! C’mon, next you’re going to tell me they have their own leagues!

That being said – SIMPLY PUT: I think trophies are fun.

And I’d encourage other serious fantasy keeper leagues to pitch some dough in, and buy a year end “bragging rights award” for your respective fantasy sports league.

Congratulations once again to ALL our leagues past victors – and best of luck to ALL fantasy baseball managers on taking THE LONGORIOUS home in 2009.

League Champs
2005 - Scott Woodall
2006 – Scott Woodall
2007 – Ryan Windram
2008 – Scott Woodall

Playoff Champs
2005 - Cam Crowder
2006 – Scott Woodall
2007 – Ryan Roach
2008 – Craig Miller

My current Desktop Background - a simple, but cool wallpaper from HFboard.com

With several months still left before Pitchers and Catchers Report for Spring Training 2009 – I find myself slowly getting back into my former favorite Major Sport – yes, Hockey Night in Canada was for many past winters - my salvation.

I never expected the Toronto Maple Leafs to do much this season – and I won’t make any zany playoff predictions – but I’m happy to say that finally I am showing my countries national pastime a little more attention.

Sure, perhaps I am suffering from one too many double double’s from Timmy’s thinking my beloved Leafs are really nothing more than a team in a rebuilding year.

But strike me with a Zamboni for saying this – but they are a hell of a lot more fun to watch this year than many of the years past. And no – it’s not because I am a Mats Sundin HATER – not at all.

Fact is:

I am STILL waiting for my written apology from Gary “The Evil Troll” Bettman for the hockey strike we endured a couple years back – and I am weary of the signing of Brian Burke. Man, that’s a lot of cash handed out to ONE person…

But, alas things are looking up for “Leafs Nation”.

That kid we stole from the Montreal Canadians - Grabovski can skate like the wind. Ian White’s mustache makes me giggle every time I see a camera close up on that “Pornstache” My boyhood hero, Wendel Clark was given his due last week-end – and Luke Schenn aka “The Human Eraser” is my new Borje Salming.

They appear to have sewn up the GM they’ve been wanting for years. And now if they could just get former San Jose Shark Mike Ricci – a Scaborough native, to come out of retirement for the 2009 Playoffs!?

Oops! Playoffs? Did I say Playoffs?

Okay, perhaps I’m dreaming just a little too much…Ah well, having never experienced a Stanley Cup season in my entire life.

Dreaming is what helps keeps us Leaf fans alive inside - Go Leafs!