Senior League Non-Divisional Rivalries
I've decided that Senior League needs a lot more bitterness and rivalry. Since I have the ability to create history from scratch, all teams now have an out of division rival. Their rivalries are based off anything from their team name, location, or general philosophy. They are as follows:
Cincinnati Dinosaurs vs Houston Slugs: The only two senior league teams named after mascots battle it out for The Zoo Key. The winning team gets a large golden key along with smaller copies for each player. They also get to spend the night in the opposing team's city zoo. The history of the rivalry has been totally even so far, with teams alternating wins through the first six seasons and neither team winning more than two seasons in a row. Neither team has been particularly impressive through their GLB history but in this league, that could change in an instant.
Overall Record: 7-7
Current Holder: Houston
Leeds Chartered Accountants vs New York Lindy Hoppers: These two teams are known for their epic struggle for the Work vs. Play Trophy. The hefty bronze trophy, featuring a woman dancing on the desk of a man trying to work on spreadsheets, is far from just a hunk of metal to these two teams. Rather, it represents the entire philosophy by which each team lives their lives. The winner gets glory and affirmation, as well as deciding the music that is piped into the opposing team's home locker room every game until the next grudge match. Bad blood exists between the two teams, and fights have been known to break out in the stands and even on the field. New York owned this rivalry early on, winning the first 4 until a hard fought comeback Leeds victory in season 11. Leeds responded by winning 5 straight a few seasons after their first victory. The most memorable matchups are of course the Season 18 championship and the Season 19 rematch, with the teams splitting the two. With the two teams becoming powers in the league, the rivalries have just that much more on the line.
Overall Record: 8-8 (1-1 playoffs)
Current Holder: Leeds
Saskatoon Sleepers vs. Nashville Naps: With names like that, this game by all rights should be a snoozer but the battle for The Golden Pillow is anything but. The prize is a large golden pillow that travels with the team everywhere they go. If they fly, it gets its own seat. If they go by bus, it gets its own row. The losing team must also buy the winning team all new mattresses, pillows, and comforter sets. Knowing that their comfort is on the line along with their pride, each team brings its very best game. The series has been mostly even so far, with Nashville dominating in the early series but Saskatoon controlling the latter half of the games. This season, Nashville managed to break a 4 game losing streak to Saskatoon, resulting in much rejoicing as after 4 years their mattresses were in awful shape
Overall Record: 8-6 Saskatoon
Current Holder: Nashville
Hartford Walkers vs. Louisville Rollers: The only sporting rivalry in the history of sports to take place alongside a medical equipment expo, the Hartford- Louisville rivalry is a big day for doctors and players alike. The game, in which the teams compete for the Perambulatory Plate is the capstone of a three day event where doctors, pharmaceutical reps, and football fans intermingle and listen to speakers, view new product lines, and make important deals. As such, the edge on this rivalry is a little less than some of the others because how can you be angry after 3 days of free stuff? Louisville had trouble finding that edge for a long time, going 2-8 over the first 10 seasons of the rivalry. Since then, they've won four straight, and observers wonder how the Walkers will be able to respond.
Overall Record: 8-6 Hartford
Current Holder: Louisville
Washington Wrinkles vs. Jacksonville Grandpas: There are seasons in life, and in The Battle for the I-95 Corridor there are seasons as well. The well known highway is clogged southbound at the beginning of the summer, and northbound at its end. The retirees already in Jacksonville resent the carpetbagging yankees of DC coming down and taking all the prime beach locations all summer long. The bitter feud, which began in streetfights on boardwalks and outside of K&W Cafeterias, has since been formalized between the two representative teams. Now I95 find itself again at the epicenter of an ages old conflict; the pride of an entire region is on the line and neither team wants to give an inch. The Wrinkles have absolutely pounded the Grandpas, winning 11 of their 15 meetings, but the Grandpas hang their hat on two things: one, they are the current champions of the rivalry, and two, in the only playoff meeting between the two teams in Season 8, Jacksonville administered one of the worst beatings Washington has ever received.
Overall Record: 11-4 Washington (0-1 Playoffs)
Current Holder: Jacksonville
Eugene Elderly vs. Phoenix Retirees: The two most western teams in the Senior League honor their legacy by battling for The Wagon Wheel. The story behind the wheel is that in the first season, as Eugene made their way down to Phoenix on the bus, the players stopped to stretch their legs. In the sand of the Arizona desert, a player noticed a wagon wheel uncovered by recent wins. He pulled it out and brought it with him to the game, whereupon a Retiree player challenged him to bet it on the matchup. Thus, the most decorated rivalry in Senior League was born. With 5 trophies between the teams, this is usually an epic game where the winner wins more than just bragging rights but favorable playoff position. Along with that, the Season 15 championship was decided between the two bitter rivals. These teams define success with their division and league championships, but the season is empty unless the Wheel sits in the trophy case right where it belongs.
Overall Record: 10-7 Phoenix (1-2 Playoffs)
Current Holder: Phoenix