This one starts with a gunfight where no one’s shot and ends with tears at a funeral for a clown. Ready?
In the opening scene of the classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Robert Redford‘s Sundance is on a winning streak playing cards, and one of the losers accuses him of cheating. It’s clear the aggrieved party is a gunfighter, and if Paul Newman‘s Butch Cassidy doesn’t calm things down, someone’s going to die.
“He’ll draw on you,” Butch tells Sundance. “He’s ready. You don’t know how fast he is.” When that doesn’t defuse the situation, Butch moves to Sundance’s other ear. “I’m over the hill, but it can happen to you,” he warns. “Every day, you get older. Now that’s a law.”
Indeed it is. And heading into this, our 15th year of This Thing of Ours, I was wondering if maybe I’d gotten too slow to play this game, given that last year I managed to hum myself out only a few hours into Day 1. It’s no unreasonable fear. Sooner or later, no matter how skilled or lucky you are, you’ll find yourself in a situation that’s too much for you. Just ask Butch and Sundance.
As it turned out, I was happy to be wrong. Both Mrs. LDBC and I won this year. So perhaps I’ve still got some hill left to climb.
That said, I did find myself in a situation I could no longer handle. Which explains the missing stats and graphs and why, if you filled out the reporting form, you may have noticed there are no longer any questions about which version took you out, where you were when it happened, etc.
I confess: it got too big for me. These past few years, it was taking me so long to clean up the answers and make the charts that it became a chore, and the whole point of this game is to bring some fun to a season that’s all too dark for too many folks. So I jettisoned the weight, and I apologize to anyone who’s disappointed at the missing numbers and visualizations.
Will they be back? You never know, since blasts from the past return to wreak havoc whenever you least expect them. This year, it was that 1988 clip of Grace Jones doing LDB on Pee-wee’s Playhouse. A good number of people got taken down by a clip of carolers intended to challenge perceptions of race, and even the long-in-the-tooth poison episode of The West Wing got at least one person.
It’s humor. It’s pathos. Like John Kittredge‘s downfall at the hands of a band in clown makeup (see below). Is there any better combo of comedy and tragedy? I’m guessing it wasn’t one of John’s favorite moments.
When I was in college, I worked a summer job at Prudential Insurance. One afternoon, we were all sitting on the steps to our building, enjoying the sunny weather.
“Who’s this clown?” said one of my co-workers.
I looked up, and sure enough, there came a clown in full regalia and face paint, on his way to deliver balloons and such for someone’s birthday inside. We moved aside so he could head to the doors and get buzzed in.
On his return trip, ours backs were to him, so we didn’t know to clear a path. We didn’t even realize he was there until he tried to make his way down the hill next to us, tripped on his big clown shoes, and tumbled head over heels until he landed on the sidewalk and rolled to his feet. We all broke into applause at his pratfall skills.
“Fuck you!” he screamed at us, holding his elbow, his voice breaking.
We dropped into stunned silence as he walked away, prodding his arm with his other hand. We’d honestly thought he’d wiped out on purpose to put on a show.
After he’d made his way into the distance, the shuffling of his big clowny toes on concrete the only sound to mark his passing, we all busted up again. It was sad. It was painful. We felt bad for him. But there was no denying the hilarity of it.
And isn’t that the spirit of this game we play? It’s sadness, pain, poor timing, tears, and laughter—funny until it isn’t. And is again. Much like the classic episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show when Chuckles the clown has died, and Mary is offended by everyone using his death as an opportunity to mine jokes. Until the funeral, when everybody else is appropriately somber, but Mary fights to contain her guffaws during the eulogy. When told she should feel free to laugh because it would’ve made Chuckles happy, she bursts into tears.
That’s what we’ve been doing for 15 years now. We laugh at the misfortunes of others, cry for our own, and vice versa. Hell, even Fresh Air‘s Terry Gross got into the act this year, assuring listeners in the intro to a segment that LDB would not be played.
We’ve lost some friends. (For Fawn!) We gain new ones. (I still can’t believe we’ve been doing this long enough for people’s kids to now play as adults.)
And through it all, we’re pulled along by the magic ingredients of this effort: A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants.
The most important element, of course?
The knowledge that we’re all in this thing together.
In that spirit, if you’re left with anything extra after the holidays, please consider a gift to Americares, our usual good cause. It’s not required; just if you can do it and are of a mind to.

Either way, I wish you and yours the happiest Happy New Year, and I leave you with the words that started it all.
For Mike!
Puh-rum-pum-pum-pum, people.
The Quick and the Dead

LDBC-Elfies: Tragedy and Triumph Captured
LDBCer Tales from the Trenches
John Kittredge – L
Killed last week by an entire ensemble of clowns strolling around slaughtering people. Literally, red-nosed clowns.”
Carroll Wills – L
My audible groan got me momentary attention at the ordering kiosk.
K Anne Del – L
If only I hadn’t stopped to pee before I left, I could have gotten out before he sprung up from behind the cash register.
Lisa Burnand – L
Seriously, Lisa, seriously!?!?!? IG Arkkangel Drum Corp? Oh!!! Look!! They’re doing an LDB tribute. And you didn’t consider that they might do a drum tribute to LDB on their IG site? I deserve to lose.
Barbara Scharfenberg – W
…and the angels shone their light upon me and said, “Fear not, you got this, Barbara.”
The Book of Winners
Chapter 12, verse 26
The Victorious and the Vanquished: The LDBC Wall
| Name | Result |
|---|---|
| A., Cristina G. | W |
| A., Deb | L |
| A., Desiree | L |
| A., Dorothy | W |
| A., Justin | W |
| A., Kenzie | W |
| A., Laurie | L |
| A., Meg | L |
| A., Molly | L |
| A., Rebekah | L |
| A., Tricia | L |
| Abel, Dana | L |
| Adams, Cathy | L |
| Adams, Pat | L |
| Adler, Ellyn | L |
| Almjeld, Susan Gartman | L |
| Alpine Princess, Anne | L |
| Anderson, Sue | W |
| Anthony, Kathy M. | L |
| Arabella, Arabella | L |
| Arby, Audrey | L |
| Arkless, Mary | L |
| Armbruster, Tom | L |
| Arnld, Joni | L |
| Aronoff, Janee | L |
| Ash, David | L |
| Ashkenaz, Peter | L |
| Ashkenaz, Scott | W |
| Austin, Wren KDA | L |
| Av, John | W |
| B., Anna | L |
| B., Bee | W |
| B., Carl | L |
| B., Cheyenne | L |
| B., Colleen B. | L |
| B., Dawn | L |
| B., Debbie | L |
| B., Ellen | W |
| B., Fiora | L |
| B., Geni | L |
| B., Glenn | L |
| B., Hailey | W |
| B., Hannah | W |
| B., Jennifer | L |
| B., Jennifer | L |
| B., Jess | L |
| B., Jodi | L |
| B., Karl | L |
| B., Kelly J. | W |
| B., Landon | L |
| B., Laura F | W |
| B., Laura | W |
| B., Laura | W |
| B., Laura | W |
| B., Lisa | W |
| B., Liz | W |
| B., Marnie | W |
| B., Maureen | L |
| B., Melissa | W |
| B., Penny A. | L |
| B., Petra | L |
| B., Phoenix | L |
| B., Stacie | W |
| B., Tricia A. | L |
| B., Mike Jr. | L |
| B.P., Hank | L |
| Babb, Dana | W |
| Babcock, Jenna | L |
| Baker, Brian P. | W |
| Baker, Elizabeth | L |
| Balsam, Jess | L |
| Baltes, Scott | L |
| Barker, Craig | L |
| Barker, Jennifer | L |
| Bauer, Renée | W |
| Beachy, Susan Campbell | L |
| Beck, John | W |
| Bee, Linda | W |
| Berg, Tricia | W |
| Bingham, Craig | L |
| Blakeslee, Jennifer | L |
| Blanchard, Joanne | L |
| Blankenship, Erin̈ | L |
| Blum, Kelli | W |
| Bonfield, Dan | W |
| Boni, Paul | W |
| Booth, Brendon | W |
| Borck, Nathanael | W |
| Boyd, Amanda | W |
| Braine, Kathryn | W |
| Bremer, Gloria | W |
| Brittain, Lucretia | W |
| Brock, George | L |
| Brock, George | W |
| Brooks, Jamie M. | L |
| Brown, Michele | L |
| Browning, Heather | L |
| Bubier, Gavin PI. | W |
| Bubier, Jason A. | W |
| Burks-Wright, Andrew | W |
| Burnand, Lisa K | L |
| Butcher, Elizabeth | L |
| C., Aden | W |
| C., Amanda | L |
| C., Ann | W |
| C., Caroline C. | L |
| C., Carolynn | L |
| C., Casey | L |
| C., Catherine | L |
| C., Chris | L |
| C., Chris | W |
| C., Claudia | L |
| C., Dawnell K. | L |
| C., Erica | W |
| C., Holly A. | L |
| C., Ivan | L |
| C., Jason | W |
| C., Jay | W |
| C., Jenya | L |
| C., Karen | L |
| C., Karime | L |
| C., Kristin | L |
| C., Lauren | W |
| C., Michelle | L |
| C., Nancy | L |
| C., Rachel | L |
| C., Roo | W |
| C., Sean | L |
| C., Shannon | L |
| C., Sylvia | L |
| C., Tammy | L |
| C., Tina M. | W |
| C., Tom | W |
| C., William | L |
| Caldwell, Colin | L |
| Call, Bri | W |
| Canan, Kate A. | L |
| Carney, Ann S. | W |
| Carr, Kim | L |
| Carvalho, Lisa M. | W |
| Casey, Rayelenn Sparks | W |
| Catlin, Katherine Eppich | L |
| Cee, Karen | L |
| Chapman, Daniel P. | L |
| Chavez, Ermando R. | L |
| Chipman, Jayann | W |
| Christophe, Andre | W |
| Cicero, Donna | L |
| Cicero, Morgan | L |
| Clark, Nicole | L |
| Clayton, Betsy | W |
| Clements, Kristi | L |
| Clevenger, Carey | L |
| Coffey, Julie E. | L |
| Colón, Yvette | L |
| Conley, RoxAnn | W |
| Connors, Kimberly Anne Hachac | W |
| Conroy, Heidi | W |
| Cope, Ben J. | W |
| Cox, Sarah | L |
| Craig, Emily | W |
| Crane, Susan | L |
| Cronin, Michael | L |
| Cummings, Dan | W |
| Cunningham, Kit | W |
| Cyr, Nathan Thomas | L |
| D., Andy | L |
| D., Bea | L |
| D., Becky | L |
| D., Christina | L |
| D., Dave | W |
| D., Erik | W |
| D., Francesca T. | W |
| D., Jason | L |
| D., Joan M. | W |
| D., Joshua | L |
| D., Justin | L |
| D., Karen | L |
| D., Karen | W |
| D., Katie | L |
| D., Kimberly A. | L |
| D., Mickie | L |
| D., Mike | L |
| D., Nicole | L |
| D., Rebecca | W |
| D., Ruth Ann | L |
| D., Sara | L |
| D., Sarah | L |
| D., Sean | L |
| D., Sharon | L |
| D., Sharona | L |
| D., Stephanie | L |
| D., Tara | L |
| D., Thom | W |
| D., Tim | W |
| Daboo, Kim | W |
| Daniel, David | L |
| Davenport, Jessica L. | L |
| Davis, Jesse | L |
| Davis, Tina | W |
| De Santis, Solange | L |
| DeJarnatt, Jessica | L |
| Denehie, Elizabeth | W |
| Dersch, Maryanne | L |
| Dillon, Sara | W |
| Djakov, Lyen | L |
| Donnellon, Ryan | L |
| Douglas, Kim | L |
| Douglas, Kim | L |
| Dudek, Maida | L |
| Dulchinos, Don | W |
| Durham, Murphy | L |
| Durkin, Charlotte | W |
| Dyer, Marc D. | L |
| E., Eric | L |
| E., Jane | L |
| E., Justine | L |
| E., Kate | L |
| E., Kelly | L |
| E., Robbin | W |
| E., Sara | L |
| Eckert-Chu, Corrin | W |
| Edwards, Tanya | L |
| Ellis, Stephanie | L |
| Ellis, Stephanie | L |
| English, Chris | L |
| Epstein, Nancy D. | L |
| Ess, Kevin | W |
| Eynouf, Erica W. | W |
| F., Alyssa | L |
| F., David V. | L |
| F., Doug | L |
| F., Kelly | L |
| F., Mara | L |
| F., Mary | W |
| F., Nessa | L |
| F., Wes | W |
| Faucher, Vince | W |
| Fermenich, Justin | W |
| Fernandez, Julia | L |
| Field, Jonathan B. | L |
| Finnegan, Sheila | L |
| Fintschenko, Pete | L |
| Fischer, Molly L. | L |
| Fisher, Stella | L |
| Fitzgerald, Mark | L |
| Flanagan, Dolores | W |
| Fletcher, Barbara A.M. | W |
| Ford, Carl | L |
| Fox, Elizabeth | L |
| Fox, Frosty | W |
| Frank, Libby | W |
| Frank, Zilpha (Lisa) Banlaki | L |
| French, Darcie | L |
| G., Amanda | W |
| G., Anissa | L |
| G., Anna | W |
| G., Chloe | L |
| G., Dan | L |
| G., Drew | W |
| G., Emily | L |
| G., Jen | L |
| G., Jenny C. | L |
| G., Joseph S. | L |
| G., Josh | L |
| G., Katie | L |
| G., Leah | L |
| G., Liz | L |
| G., Matt | L |
| G., Mel | W |
| G., Michael | W |
| G., R. | W |
| G., Randi | L |
| G., Sarah | L |
| G., Scott | L |
| G., Valerie | L |
| G., Wendy | W |
| Ganz, Claudia | L |
| Gardner, Jon P. | L |
| Gardner-Smith, Fran | L |
| Geer, Linda | W |
| Geer, Linda | W |
| George, Cindy K. | L |
| Giangrande, Tina | W |
| Gibbs, Natalie | L |
| Gilbreth, John D. | L |
| Goldfarb, David A. | W |
| Gough, Laura J. | W |
| Gow, Jimmy | L |
| Gracey, Pat | L |
| Grady, Cynthia | W |
| Grassdottir, Evalena | W |
| Gray, Iris | L |
| Green, Karen | L |
| Green, Megan | L |
| Greene, Emily | W |
| Greer, Johann | W |
| Grieve, Kelly | W |
| Griffin-Whitehead, Dena | L |
| Guterman, Lila | W |
| H., April | W |
| H., Barbara | L |
| H., Bill | L |
| H., Cate | L |
| H., Chas | L |
| H., Chris | L |
| H., Emily | W |
| H., Eric | L |
| H., Erin | L |
| H., Jeff | L |
| H., Jeff | W |
| H., Kendra | L |
| H., Kristi | L |
| H., Larry | L |
| H., LauraRose | L |
| H., Lillie K. | L |
| H., Lynne | L |
| H., M. | W |
| H., Rebecca | W |
| H., Robyn R. | L |
| H., Rosie | W |
| H., Sherry | W |
| H., Stephanie M. | W |
| H., Stu | L |
| Hall, Ferna | L |
| Hamilton, Chris R. | W |
| Hamilton, Reid | W |
| Hamnes, Tara | L |
| Hannah, Katie | L |
| Hargraves, Donald C. | L |
| Harkey, Sharon Lee | W |
| Harrell, James | L |
| Harris, Jill M. | W |
| Harshbarger, Shandi Anastasia | L |
| Hart, Denyse | L |
| Harter, Tristan | L |
| Harvey, Larisa M. | W |
| Hatcher, Cody C. | L |
| Hawkins, Dillon | L |
| Hawley, Rob | L |
| Hays, Brenda and Bille | L |
| Heaney, Tim | L |
| Hennessey, Christina | L |
| Henning, Ben | L |
| Henson, Karen M. | L |
| Herman, Robin | L |
| Herr, Kristi | L |
| Hess, Elias | W |
| Hess, Jen | L |
| Hildebrand, Charles L. | L |
| Hill, Renee | L |
| Hindman, Joyce H. | W |
| Hoffman, Dean A. | W |
| Holley, Allyson | W |
| Holmes, Anita | W |
| Hooker, Jonathan | L |
| Hoppenstedt, Jonathan E. | W |
| Hoppenstedt, Madeline | L |
| Houlihan, Christopher | W |
| Houltham, Stephen | L |
| Howell, Becca | L |
| Hubbell, Sunni | L |
| Hubbell, William | L |
| Hudspeth, Ann | L |
| Hummel, Morgen J. | L |
| Huntley, Amber | L |
| Husted, Rachel | L |
| HZ, DJ | W |
| I., Pete | L |
| I., Rob | L |
| J., Christi | L |
| J., Jeanette L. | L |
| J., Maddy M. | L |
| J., Mark R. | L |
| J., Sarah | L |
| J., Serena | W |
| J., Steve | W |
| Jackson, Jon | W |
| Jacobs, Brittany | W |
| Jacobson, Meredith | W |
| James, Gregory | L |
| Jenkins, Lizzie M. | L |
| Jenks, Vanessa Dawn | L |
| Jo, Debbie | L |
| Johnson, DJ | W |
| Johnson, John J. | L |
| Jonas, Rebecca | W |
| Jones, Tracy D. | W |
| Joseph, Jeff J. | L |
| K., Alicia | W |
| K., Andrea | L |
| K., Beth | W |
| K., Ed | L |
| K., Edva | L |
| K., Glen | L |
| K., Helen | W |
| K., Jimbo | W |
| K., Justin | L |
| K., Kat | L |
| K., Keturah | L |
| K., Kevin | L |
| K., Krista Lea | W |
| K., Lauren B. | L |
| K., Nate | W |
| K., Paulette | W |
| K., Perri | L |
| K., Sasha | L |
| K., Virginia | L |
| Kadatz, Amy | W |
| Kamensky, Michael | W |
| Karst, Laura | L |
| Karst, Leslie | L |
| Kashuba, Amy | L |
| Kay, Mereille | W |
| Keaskowski, Savannah S. | L |
| Kelly, Adam Rod | W |
| Kent, Jess | L |
| Kilgore, Addie | L |
| King, Judy | W |
| Kittoe, Jeff | L |
| Kittredge, John | L |
| Klasel, Shelby | L |
| Knauerhase, Robin | W |
| Kneeland, Mishell | W |
| Knight, Andy | L |
| Knop, Josh | W |
| Knop, Josh | W |
| Kohn, Tina | W |
| Kopacka, Trina | W |
| Kovalenko, Kanya | L |
| Kragick, Dana | L |
| Kraiger, Michael | W |
| Kramer, Sarah L. | L |
| Kuhn, Julia | L |
| Kunz-Slagle, Nicole L. | L |
| Kushmaul, Crystal | L |
| Kutrubis, Allie | W |
| L-C., Lorien | L |
| L., Angela | W |
| L., Audrey | W |
| L., Bridget | W |
| L., Brigid | L |
| L., Cara | W |
| L., Carolyn M. | L |
| L., Carrie | L |
| L., Chris | L |
| L., Dana | W |
| L., Diana L. | L |
| L., Diane | L |
| L., Doug | L |
| L., Jason | L |
| L., Jena | W |
| L., Jennifer | L |
| L., Jennifer | W |
| L., Jeremy | L |
| L., Joni | L |
| L., Kate | W |
| L., Kris | W |
| L., Lauren | L |
| L., Lisa | L |
| L., Molly K. | L |
| L., Sabrina | L |
| L., Stephanie | L |
| L., Zed | L |
| Landrum, Steve | L |
| Lane, Justin | W |
| Lang, Michael | L |
| Larkin, Nancy | L |
| Larsen, Laura | L |
| Laughlin, Robert | L |
| Lebowsky, Beth | L |
| LeClair, Joe | L |
| Lee, Amanda | L |
| Lee, Lori L. | W |
| Leigh, Stephen | L |
| Lerner, Mark | L |
| Leslie, Michael | W |
| Leveridge, Brett | W |
| Levitan, Stacy | L |
| Lindner, Karl | W |
| Lindsey, Amanda B. | W |
| Lockwood, Rose H. | L |
| Lumbago, Scott | L |
| M., Barb | W |
| M., Bobbie | L |
| M., Chris (Mac) | L |
| M., Courtney | L |
| M., Darren | L |
| M., Debra | L |
| M., Debralee | L |
| M., DJ | L |
| M., Drew | L |
| M., Eliana | L |
| M., Finch | W |
| M., Haylea | L |
| M., Imogene | L |
| M., Jeff | L |
| M., Jennifer | L |
| M., Jim | L |
| M., John | L |
| M., Karina I. | L |
| M., Kate W. | L |
| M., Kathleen | L |
| M., Katy | L |
| M., Killashandra | L |
| M., Kit | L |
| M., Leo | W |
| M., Meg | L |
| M., Melanie | L |
| M., Mia | L |
| M., Michele | L |
| M., Mike | L |
| M., Nancy | L |
| M., Nicole | W |
| M., Rebecca | L |
| M., Ross | L |
| M., Saoirse | W |
| M., Shelli | L |
| M., Stacy | L |
| M., Tina | W |
| M., Twila | L |
| M., W. F. | L |
| M.S., Dina | W |
| Madesclaire, Marine | W |
| Mahon, Jeny | W |
| Mallon, Kelley | L |
| Manguchei, Kendyce | L |
| Mansfield, Lily | W |
| Manson, Tycho | W |
| Mara, Janis | L |
| Marracco, Muffy | L |
| Marshall, Laura | W |
| Martin, Matthew Quinn | W |
| Martinez, CJ | L |
| Maru, Mariah | L |
| Mc., Andy | L |
| McDonald, Stef | L |
| McElligott, Kevin | L |
| McElroy, Jill E. | L |
| McFadden, John | L |
| McGrath, Katie A. | W |
| McKinney, Shelley | W |
| McNally, Hugh Bootleg Xmas | L |
| McNeely, Alvin | L |
| McNiel, PJ | L |
| McQueary, Michael | L |
| Meister, Ever | L |
| Melton, Holly | W |
| Melton, Morgan | W |
| Melzer, Kam | L |
| Messinger, Eli | L |
| Milbrath, Philip | L |
| Miller, Claire | W |
| Miller, Russ | W |
| Milton, Denise | W |
| Moilanen, Kristin | W |
| Moon, Hannah | W |
| Moore, Erin | L |
| Morigeau, Christopher Joseph | W |
| Mornacki, Megan Anne | W |
| Morrison, Cathy | L |
| Morrison, Paul T. | L |
| Murphy, Eric C. | L |
| Murphy, Heather Murphy | W |
| Musson, Michael | W |
| N., Amy R. | L |
| N., Angie | W |
| N., Justin | W |
| N., Mikey | W |
| N., Olivia | L |
| N., Ron | L |
| N., Stephanie | L |
| N., Victoria | W |
| Nassivera, Jenn | L |
| Nathan, Don | W |
| Neilclan, Starry | L |
| Nesbit, Garry | L |
| Newton, John W. | L |
| Nickels, Brenden | L |
| Nickerson, Catherine | L |
| Nixon, Jen L. | L |
| Noon, Francis | W |
| Nordstrom, Elizabeth | W |
| Nordstrom, Ron | W |
| Norris, Eric H. | L |
| Norton, Jo | L |
| O., Carol | W |
| O., Jukie | L |
| O., Kris D. | L |
| O., Ollie | W |
| O., Rachel | L |
| O., Tatiana | L |
| O’Leary, Pat | L |
| O’Neill, Judy | L |
| O’Phelan, Betsy | W |
| Olfers, Carey | L |
| Olschanski, Stephen F. | W |
| Olsen, Kate | W |
| Olson, Kara L. | L |
| Olson, Khloe | L |
| Olson, Min | W |
| Ortiz-Kane, Angelique | L |
| Osgood, Damon | L |
| Ozenne, Stephanie | L |
| P., Camryn | L |
| P., David A. | L |
| P., David | L |
| P., Eddie | L |
| P., Esther | L |
| P., Gael | W |
| P., Hunter | L |
| P., Jackson | L |
| P., Janell | L |
| P., Jenice | L |
| P., Jessie | W |
| P., Lauren | L |
| P., Ray | L |
| P., SK | W |
| Pannunzio, Charles | L |
| Peck, Gayle Windrum | L |
| Peck, Michael (Mr. LDBC) | W |
| Pellissier, Denise | W |
| Peters, Jami | L |
| Peters, Mike J. | W |
| Peterson, Cheryl | L |
| Peterson, Nancy D. | L |
| Pez, Jane | W |
| Phaiah, Caitlin A. | L |
| Poblete, Rex | L |
| Polk, Christopher | W |
| Polk, Michelle | L |
| Porter, Brett G. | W |
| Pound, Michael | L |
| Pretz, Jessica | L |
| Pride, Nomy | L |
| Princehouse, Jill | L |
| Prober, Melissa | L |
| Queen, Snow | L |
| Quimby, Lisa | W |
| R., Alec | L |
| R., Amy | W |
| R., Clara | L |
| R., David | L |
| R., Doug E. | L |
| R., Jamie | L |
| R., Khajha | W |
| R., Kristen | L |
| R., Laura | W |
| R., Mary | L |
| R., Mercedees | L |
| R., Michaela | L |
| R., Michelle | L |
| R., Pat | W |
| R., Phyllis | W |
| R., Reuben | W |
| R., Rick | W |
| R., Samantha | L |
| R., Steve | L |
| R., Susan | L |
| R., Tammey | L |
| R. – M., Suzanne | W |
| Ragan, Greg | L |
| Randle, Nadine | W |
| Ray, Sheri Graner | L |
| Rebach, Bob | W |
| Rees, Patricia | W |
| Reiss, Randy B. | L |
| Reznek, Abigail | L |
| Reznek, Karen | W |
| Rhodes, Tracy | L |
| Rice, Samantha J. | W |
| Richards, Allen | L |
| Riley, Kathleen | L |
| Rivera, Hector A. | L |
| Robbins, Patrick | L |
| Roberts, Bob | L |
| Robinson, Chris F. | L |
| Ronald, Brian | L |
| Rosen, Peg | L |
| Ross, Alicia | L |
| Ruggiero, Megan Michelle | W |
| Rutford, Doug | L |
| Rutford, Sue | L |
| Rykoff, Amanda | L |
| S., Adam M. | L |
| S., Alice F. | W |
| S., Alttara | W |
| S., Alyson | L |
| S., Amy J. | L |
| S., Andy | L |
| S., Art | L |
| S., Barbara | W |
| S., Becky A. | L |
| S., Clare | L |
| S., Dan | L |
| S., Danny | W |
| S., Debbie C. | L |
| S., Dee | W |
| S., Denine | L |
| S., Don | L |
| S., Erin | L |
| S., Ethan | W |
| S., Evelyn | W |
| S., Jennifer | L |
| S., Jenny | W |
| S., Jenny from The woods | L |
| S., Jesse | L |
| S., Jessica | W |
| S., Joe P. | L |
| S., Julie | L |
| S., Kelli | W |
| S., Krista | L |
| S., Lee Ann | L |
| S., Mar E. | W |
| S., Mary M. | W |
| S., Mary Jo | L |
| S., Mike L. | L |
| S., Mo | L |
| S., Neal | L |
| S., Nikki | L |
| S., Pauline | W |
| S., Sandy | L |
| S., Shawna | L |
| S., Suzaanne E. | L |
| S., Terie | L |
| S., Tristan | L |
| Sacchi, Christine Chase | L |
| Sailors, Kenneth M. | W |
| Salvador, Phil | L |
| Samons, Kelly | L |
| Samson, Phil | W |
| Samuelson, Michael | W |
| Sandberg, Cari | L |
| Sandusky, Sarah | W |
| Santa Clara, Fe | L |
| Satre, William P. | W |
| Scarberry, Melissa | W |
| Scarlato, Tracy | L |
| Schaad, Elwood | L |
| Schaus, Candace | W |
| Schmidt, James Patrick | L |
| Schneider, Debbie | L |
| Schreur, Lynne E. | L |
| Scott, Chris | L |
| Scott, Susan V. | L |
| Sebrell, Cheryl | W |
| Segall, Margaret | L |
| Shaffer, Chanda | L |
| Shengold, Nina | L |
| Shepherd, Larry R | W |
| Sherwood, Autumn | W |
| Shook, Carol Ann | L |
| Short, Jeff | W |
| Silverman, Riley J. | W |
| Simon-Grech, Machelle | W |
| Smith, Jenny | L |
| Smith, Maggie | L |
| Smith, Susan S. | L |
| Smith, Susan | W |
| Snyder, Elizabeth L. | W |
| Solliday, Jo | W |
| Solovay, Andrew | L |
| Sorenson, Greg | L |
| Speers, Misty | L |
| Spendelow, Howard R. | W |
| Stabenow, Liz | L |
| Stanislav, Beth | W |
| Stephens, Mike | L |
| Stevens, Andy | L |
| Stickley, Aileen | L |
| Stirrat, Pamela | W |
| Stogner, Celia | L |
| Stone, David R. | W |
| Strawser, Heather | L |
| Strelitzer, Jonas Mark | W |
| Sudell, Denise | L |
| Sullivan, Jim | L |
| Sussman, Anne | L |
| Swan, William James | W |
| T., Charli | L |
| T., Chris C | W |
| T., Joe | L |
| T., Larabee | L |
| T., Laura | L |
| T., Matt | W |
| T., Naomi | L |
| T., Natalie | L |
| T., Olivia | L |
| T., Stephanie | W |
| Tappan, Stacey | W |
| Taylor, Jack E. | L |
| Tepper, Michele | W |
| Tetreault, Brian J. | W |
| Thom, Craig S. | L |
| Thom, Neil Chandler | L |
| Thomas, Cathy D. | W |
| Thomas, Leila | L |
| Thomas, Sarah | L |
| Topher, Chris | L |
| Train, Brain | W |
| Trapp, Mike | L |
| Trobaugh, Phillip | L |
| Tsuchiyama, Don | W |
| Tucker, Melinda | W |
| Turiel, Josh | L |
| Underwood, Linda | L |
| Unruh, Laramie | W |
| V., Alejandra | L |
| V., Chven | W |
| Van Oss, Ilyssa | L |
| Vandermark, Bill | L |
| VanMatre, Jennifer | L |
| Vant Leven, Tony | L |
| Vassar, Matt | W |
| Vincent, Terry | L |
| W, Rebekah | W |
| W., April | W |
| W., Diane | W |
| W., Emma | L |
| W., Erin | L |
| W., Jackie | L |
| W., Jen | W |
| W., Karen | L |
| W., Kelsey | L |
| W., Kim | L |
| W., Kim | L |
| W., Lizzy | L |
| W., Lynn | L |
| W., Michelle | W |
| W., Monty | L |
| W., Vincent | L |
| Wacknov, Stacey | L |
| Wahl, Gretchen | L |
| Walden, Steven | W |
| Walker, Donna Wessel | L |
| Walker, Mary Wessel | L |
| Wall, Nancy L. | L |
| Walsh, Julie | L |
| Walsh, Tom | L |
| Ward, Jamie M. | L |
| Ward, Robin | L |
| Ward, Rowan | L |
| Ward, Terence | W |
| Warren, Andrea | W |
| Watkins, Laura | L |
| Watts, Kelly Lankau | L |
| Weber, Kendra | L |
| Wedge, Julie | W |
| Weintraub, Ross | L |
| Wells, Jeremy J. | W |
| Wenk, Sarah | L |
| Whitestones, The | L |
| Whiting, Joe | L |
| Willett, Lindsay | L |
| Williams, Damian | W |
| Williams, Sean | L |
| Williamson, Rebecca Rusmisel | L |
| Wills, Carroll | L |
| Wilson, Jennifer | L |
| Winter, Stacy | W |
| Wise, Richard S. | L |
| Wolfisch Cole, Terry | W |
| Woods, John | L |
| Woods, Lynne | L |
| Wrenn, Leslie | L |
| Y., Kiwi | W |
| Y., Robert D. | W |
| Yeshe, Ngakma | L |
| Young, Shelle A. | L |
| Z., Michael | L |
| Z., Nicole | L |
| Zee, Dianne | L |













































































































































OK, in 2024 the breakdown is 34/66 win/loss.
Would you share the previous breakdowns?
Just curious… PBB
Sure thing—it only varies by a few points each year, but you can see them all via this tag: https://littledrummerboychallenge.com/category/post-game-wrap-ups/
Thanks for continuing one of my favorite Christmas traditions! I feel bonded to you all through our mutual loathing of this ancient torturer of baby Jesus’ wee holy eardrums. May we all prevail in 2025!
Thank YOU, Tracy—and may we all, indeed! Onward!
Winning this year puts me in mind of watching those tenor and baritone church elders during the Christmas pageant of 1960. As these grown men bellowed “rumpumpum” multiple times at double speed before the melodramatic “PUMMMMMMM” that led into the last verse, I practically shat with second-hand embarrassment.
RIP fellows, but you must admit: You volunteered . . .