My fellow Pickers,

I understand there has been some grumblings over the fact that their has been no Commissioner Corner over the last week and into this week.  I will confess that my commissioner duties have prevented me from sitting down to write the weekly address.  Between the negotiation trip to Las Vegas and having to counsel a certain picker, the time has just flown by.  We’ll cover that and much more in this week’s address to the PYX Nation. 

As you all know, I took a trip out to sin city last week and represented the PYX in a discussion with some major players to take our PYX public and on the national scene.  I met with representatives of major financial institutions.  These key players took a close look at The PYX website and liked what they saw.  They felt the potential for growth was significant enough that this league is sitting on a gold mine!  However, during the negotiations, it soon became apparent that the current PYX membership would suffer if we engaged in a major conversion.  This venture capital group was proposing something that didn’t make me feel comfortable.  I will not sell out to “the man”!!! – That’s for the benefit of you Mr. Aquino, because some day you will join us once again.  Needless to say, negotiations broke down.  Things became pretty ugly at that Vegas casino.  Threats were made---and things got a little bit out of hand.  Yes, O.J got arrested, but I came out okay. 

Also…after doing further research with our legal team, it was discovered that there is another website that does our PYX concept for free!  So it would be hard to compete with this website which does not charge a membership fee and is backed by a major newspaper and gives away prizes.  These are things that we have discussed, but obviously, we are light years away. 

Upon returning from Vegas, I received a frantic call from PYX members located in West Michigan.  It appeared that my assistance was needed immediately.  It was being reported on Wood TV-8, WZZM TV-13, Grand Rapids Press and the Lanthorn that there was a picker that was threatening to quit The PYX if they didn’t get a win this week.  Their current record of 0–3 was shocking to say the least.  So I got into The PYX presidential car and headed with the motorcade to the town of Kentwood, Michigan.  I was going to make an attempt to get VP Bonn to remain in The PYX and not end it all.  After a lengthy discussion, I was able to convince Gary to stay in the league and not give up on life.  I pleaded with him to “not throw away his efforts”, unlike the Hamilton Federation.  I pleaded with him, “You can turn things around Gary.  I have faith in you.” After much soul searching, I am pleased to report that it must have done some good because Gary did achieve a win in week 4 (Although it was just a win over Gene Koon).  “What happened, Gary?  Did you and Gene bet on a Hooter’s lunch with the loser having to stand on the chair while singing and doing the chicken dance?

As I look back at the data from week 3 and 4, it’s very interesting to see how well everyone picked in week 3 and then we come to the next week and you begin to wonder “What Happen?”  Congratulations to our pickers of the week, for week 3.  For the first time this year, we have had multiple pickers in week 3 – Way to go Rene, David, Thomas, Joe Thome & Linda.  You are the best of the best.  From the west coat of Michigan to the West Coast of the US, they achieved a weekly high of 12 wins. 

Once week 3 and week 4 was in the books, the debate turned to--Which PYX conference is superior?  The NFL has shown us that the AFC is the stronger in recent years, but in our case the opposite has occurred, the NPC is more superior to the AFC at the earlier stages and that brings up a valid question:

 “Did someone stack the deck, when these divisions were created?”  (Euchre club members, talk amongst yourselves and let us know what you think – post your answers in the forum). 

Who is now the best picker?  Could it be the former members of the “Saturn Boys” Peter and Kevin?  Or Steve Harryman from the Metro Brotherhood?  Or even better yet--- that wonder from the West Coast “keep it up” David Seeyle?  Or would it be Al "I love Pot Pie” Nowak?  Place your bets ladies and gentlemen.  Let’s see who can run the table and doing something that has never been done before in the history of the PYX.  Go undefeated in the regular season.  Shoot, if Grand Valley can do it, it can’t be that difficult (Go Lakers, 3 wins away from setting the all time consecutive winning streak).  \

Continuing on the topic of who’s the best – There was an interesting matchup that was going to take place in week 4 that already started to brew in week 3.  Again, it was reported that there were a group of people from the Metro Brotherhood and the Hamilton Federation seen marching down Blue Star highway in an attempt to prove they were the best before the matchup even took place.  Who would pull out the battle of West Michigan and prove PYX supremacy, only time would tell.

 Week 4 was the opposite of anything that has ever happened in the history of The PYX.  Across the board, people finished with subpar records.  In another first, I think this is the first time that no one reached the 10 win plateau.  There was only 1 person who came close, getting 9 wins and running away with the Picker of the Week trophy this week…and it is…………………………………………………….

Well looky there, lo and behold it’s me!!!….That’s right, Kevin Haranczak is the Picker of the Week.   I can’t believe it.  Thank you…Thank you very much!!  Autographs?  While I have given the picker award to myself, I will not be taking it alone this week as I will also be giving it to another picker who did something that is another first.  When I saw this statistic, I was shocked beyond belief.  This individual not only picked one loner but followed it up with a second loner as well.  Congratulations Mr. Cushman, I don’t know how you did it, you must have Skilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllz.  Matt Cushman is the only picker ever to pick 2 loners in one week. 

Speaking of awards, we have a new one to give out this week.  This award appropriately named the Homer “Doooogh” Simpson award goes to a picker who picked up the win for the week by not picking a game.  How this individual pulled this off, I don’t know??  I think I need to contact the people at Guinness book of world records because I don’t know how he won by missing a game.  Way to go Mike, U the man.    

The biggest buzz of the week was the upcoming matchup between Steve Harryman and Steven Nicolet.  After reporting in week three that these two were seen on Blue Star Highway getting ready for the matchup of there lives, in an exhausting battle that has never been seen like that in such a long time.  Steve brought his game and threw the bomb causing him to win the game and remove Nicolet from the unbeaten ranks.  Also in a not so shocking up date-- Al Nowak also fell from the realm of the unbeatens.  Yes, yours truly took care of half-wack-no-wak!  I accomplished something that Paul Landry failed to do.  I got my “Pot Pie” and ate it to.  My thanks go out to Patti for such a tasty treat.  There you go “Big Dog” I have started the job now all you have to do is finish it in week 6. 

To those of you who remain unbeaten, I wish you continued success as you shoot for that 16 & 0 record.  Remember you can do it.  In another “I can’t believe it moment”, I wanted to let you all know some big news... I have been summoned to Washington D.C. to meet our commander and chief to give him a personal invitation to join The PYX.  As “Farmboy” continues to falter and either not make picks or pick very few winners, I may consider having “Dubya” on standby to take over his spot.

I wanted to also take care of a few housekeeping items and remind everyone that if you are interested in running for the office of COMMISSIONER, your election materials are due by the end of next week.  Also, now that we are in the bye weeks, I wanted to remind everyone that it is still in your best interest to pick during your bye week.  Yes, it is optional…but, your picks will count toward your overall picking percentage, but will not count in your head-to-head record.

All I can say is what a perfect time to be in The PYX, unbelievable things are happening and changes are coming.  Please stay tuned.  And as Howard Jones says “Things can only get better”.

Sincerely,

 “The Commish”