Fantasy Baseball League Spans Four Decades

By Nick Cantone

It started in 1981 with a bit of curiosity and a stop at the old Nanuet Mall. Don Mallo noticed a magazine in the window of Waldenbooks featuring an article titled “The Year George Foster Wasn’t Worth $36.” Intrigued, he bought it, read it cover to cover, and quickly called a group of close friends. That same idea was debated over a poker game in a basement, and within a few months, in September of 1981, the Rockland Roto League was born. It would go on to become one of the oldest fantasy baseball leagues in the country.

Rotisserie baseball—named after the La Rotisserie Française in Manhattan where the original creators met—gives each participant the role of team owner. Like modern fantasy baseball, teams compete based on real MLB player statistics such as batting average, RBIs, and wins.

Don, now 77 and a lifelong Rockland County resident, still remembers the league’s first draft at the New City Bowling Alley. Superstars like Rickey Henderson and Mike Schmidt were among the first players auctioned off.

Unlike a traditional draft, the league uses an auction format. Each owner starts with a set budget, typically $250, to build a full roster of hitters and pitchers. Elite players command the highest prices, while the rest of the roster is filled through strategy, patience, and a bit of bluffing as owners try to outmaneuver one another while managing their remaining funds.

Trading is also handled differently. Rather than allowing deals at any time, the league holds scheduled trade meetings throughout the season. These gatherings are fast-paced and face-to-face, with owners moving from table to table pitching deals—more like speed dating than traditional negotiations. It’s part strategy, part sales pitch.

What has kept the league alive for decades is its strong sense of structure and camaraderie. Early on, members recognized that most leagues fall apart due to disputes, collusion, or lack of organization. To avoid that, they established clear rules and hold an annual meeting every February to review and agree on rules before the season begins.

Further adding to the nostalgia of the league is its winners trophy. Handcrafted by Crown Trophy in Pearl River, it has been engraved with the annual winners’ names since 1981. Don says, “It’s just like the Stanley cup, only with community roots.” It’s twice had to have its base enlarged to accommodate, a testament to just how long the league has survived and the new members it constantly brings into its community. 

Over time, the league has evolved into something more than just a game. It’s become a tradition, with original members now bringing in their sons to take on teams or help manage them, ensuring that what started as a simple idea in a mall window continues into the next generation.