I have been watching the best show on television since “The Sopranos”. “The Tudors” is short on historical accuracy but long on action, sex, and intrigue--after a long week of work and reality, isn’t that what television is supposed to supply? If Henry VIII could tell the Fantasy League Commish anything, he would tell the Commish that everyone is happy at the top if the rabble is happy on the bottom (he would also tell us that having absolute authority over all the things divine and on earth is a pretty cool thing, but I digress). It is still lonely at the top sometimes.
One of the greatest things about Fantasy Pros 911 is the opportunity to meet so many people who have a passion for fantasy sports. All of the writers have a unique perspective on how they play the game and what it takes to be successful. The readers are awesome as well. The questions I receive are both thought provoking and pointed and reaffirm my belief that our site is “The Expert Site for the Expert Player”.
One of the many aspects of fantasy baseball that is the most intriguing is how many of my colleagues and readers alike participate in multiple leagues. I find it difficult to keep up with more than a few, but that does not seem to concern others, who seem to maneuver around multiple leagues on a daily basis with effortless glee. So I am asking, “How many leagues is enough?”
I truly enjoy being the Commish...most of the time! Sure I have the occasional dust up that requires quick action and some consternation among the league but for the most part there is great satisfaction in running a successful league.
Now that the season is underway, fantasy baseball commissioners are finding out if their offseason preparation has paid off. We all want to have smoothly running leagues, but even the best prep can't solve everything. Here are some recent questions that are coming up in various leagues that I think can apply to all of us.
I can't believe that a fantasy baseball draft can still give me that Christmas Rush. The excitement leading up to draft day is one of the few things that brings that great anticipation. I was reminded of that once again as I listened to my partner, Tony Cincotta, broadcast the most famous draft in the world, Tout Wars, in New York this weekend. The best of the best have been preparing for this special day for months and Tony was on hand to give us his play by play. Sure many people think that fantasy baseball is the world of geekdom but most of us who play just don't care. Draft day is cool!
I am beginning to really narrow down my tiers and rankings for my upcoming drafts. At this stage of my evaluations, I am looking at all factors to determine what players I will target and which ones I will shy away from. One of the more interesting components that I use factors in where the player is playing. Sure, we all hear about the "Great American Small Park" when we talk about the Reds, and you can't say Petco Park without saying "cavernous." But do these Fields of Dreams really make a difference? Let's take a look.
Since the season is inching closer and draft day is eagerly anticipated in many leagues, I am receiving a lot of questions about league set up and how to run a league during the season. What I am finding is that many of the questions are relevant to many commissioners so I thought it would be a good idea to share them.
Your fantasy team name says a lot about you. Everytime a fellow league owner logs into the league site you are making a statement as to how you play the game and what type of person you are. Naming your team the Colts or Yanks or Red Sox isn't exactly telling anyone anything other than "the guy that isn't going to be very creative about anything" especially trades and roster movements! Team names can be placed into various catagories and many times can give you at least a hint of how your opponent plays the game.
HISTORY MAN
My favorite AL team is the Cleveland Indians and has been for over 30 years. As a result, my team name in my longstanding league is Chief Wahoo's Tribe. I show up for draft day every year in my Rocky Colavito jersey and my 1951 Bob Feller baseball card with the big crease in it which makes it worthless to anyone but me. I was a history major in college so this team makes sense and says something about me. I LOVE THE JAKE
MY TEAM NAME LEAVES NO DOUBT HOW I PLAY GUY
We had a guy in our league for a few years who took the World War II term Blitzkreig and made that his team name. He was constantly on the league Web site adding and dropping players, making trade offers and posting on the message board. He was the league owner who was relentless from opening day to last day of the season.
THE GUESS WHERE I AM FROM GUY
You see this guy a lot in internet leagues since we are all from the four corners of the globe and your team name gives you an idea of regional affiliation. This can be a huge mistake. One owner's team name was "I am Nomar's Illegitimate Love Child". Needless to say, I held him up on every trade offer that anything remotely to do with the Boston Red Sox.
Not every team name that desiginates location gives an owner away though. One league owner I have competed against for years has the team name, "Rotterdam Rangers". Since he lives in Holland, that doesn't really give anything away.
I AM FUNNY AND CREATIVE SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE NOTICE GUY
I found a couple of these names at www.fantasyteamnames.net and these are just awesome. If you have listened to my radio show, you know that I love this site and the creativity that people display. Some of my favorites are:
Bynes When I Peavy, I'm Slowey Not Bedarded, and Can't Hide My Harden. If you are trying to be creative there are numerous sites on the internet that can help and this one is just hilarious.
THE INSIDE JOKE GUY
One guy in our league has the team name "Wompdaddies" while another guy carries the moniker "Gussie's Brewers". One guy is the league's champion beer drinker while the other guy is using his fraternity nickname. These guys aren't really telling you anything about how they play fantasy baseball but do have a pretty cool name if you can figure it out.
THE OVER THE TOP GUY
Fantasy team names are great for sure but some guys really take it to the next level. The pay for special shirts, caps, and custom logos. See Logo number 14 on this site http://bugehoobs.com/sports/best_fantasy_baseball_team_names/page/2. I don't know if these owners are really focused on playing fantasy baseball but I know that they are focused on LIVING fantasy baseball!
You should really think about your team name and what statement you want to make. Let me know what your team name is and why you picked it.
There are many things that make fantasy baseball fun, but one of the most enjoyable parts of being in a great league is the opportunity to match wits with the best. It's a rush to wheel and deal on the waiver wire to strengthen your team. Lets not forget when you enter into negotiations with the perennial contender and make the deal that YOU want is awesome. I guess what I am trying to say is that I want to win my league by achieving success against greatness.
Please note that the Commissioner's Corner is usually about how to run and improve your league. With the Academy Awards just completed, I felt it was appropriate for this topical article to run today. JRO
With so many people talking about the Academy Awards I thought it would interesting if we took those same Oscar categories and applied them to major league baseball. Surprisingly, they fit rather easily. So without further ado here are the categories, nominees and winners of the 2009 Baseball Oscars.
COSTUME DESIGN
New York Yankees
St Louis Cardinals
Boston Red Sox
Cleveland Indians
This debate could go on forever. Everyone could win this category but the classic "birds on bat" logo wins by an edge over the Yankee pinstripes. ST LOUIS CARDINALS
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Wrigley Field
Fenway Park
Camden Yards
PNC Park
New versus old is the theme here. If the Steinbrenners hadn't torn down Yankee Stadium a nomination would be a certainty and they may have won. This is a tough call and is actually a tie. WRIGLEY FIELD AND FENWAY PARK...Ernie Banks and Ted Williams trotting out on that field...you can close your eyes and see it.
VISUAL EFFECTS
Barry Bonds’ Head
OK, I could nominate others but what is the point.
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Baseball-Ken Burns
The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg
There Was Always Sun Shining Someplace: Life in the Negro Baseball Leagues
When It Was a Game
Ken Burns is great but "Baseball" didn't address any ball club or player west of the Appalachian Mountains. And who cares what ivory tower poets like Shelby Foote think about baseball? Hank Greenberg’s story, especially focusing on his Jewish heritage, is very compelling. Life in the Negro Leagues is outstanding and merits strong consideration but the winner is WHEN IT WAS A GAME. Home movies never looked better.
SHORT FILM, LIVE ACTION (CLASSIC)
Joe Morgan at the plate flapping his arm
Carl Yastrzemski holding his bat so high
Bob Gibson’s grimacing stare
Roberto Clemente going from first to third
All are worthy but Roberto Clemente was a joy to watch doing anything. He played the game as ferociously as any player I have ever seen.
BEST MAKEUP MODERN ERA (in this case mental)
Derek Jeter
Cal Ripken
Greg Maddux
Mariano Rivera
Keep flipping the coin until you find a winner. All could win but the Yankee Captain, DEREK JETER is a stoic rock in a circus of a clubhouse.
FILM EDITING
Mark McGwire
Alex Rodriguez
Roger Clemens
No winners, enough said
SOUND EDITING
AJ Pierzynski talking smack behind the plate
The crack of Albert Pujols' bat when he hits a home run
The catchers mitt pop from a Carlos Marmol fastball
My favorite beer vendor "Bernie the Beer Man" at Busch Stadium
Tough call on this one especially if you are talking about an April game or a July game. It gets hot in St Louis in July. I am trying not to show hometown bias here! Albert is so fun to watch but Carlos Marmol can sure make the glove sing so he wins by a slight margin.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Troy Percival
Kevin Youkilis
Shane Victorino
Dave Duncan, the best pitching coach in baseball
A winner needs a player who makes everyone around him better just by being there. Troy Percival's presence did that for the Tampa Bay pen.
BEST DIRECTOR
Tony LaRussa
Mike Scioscia
Terry Francona
Bobby Cox
All may make it in the Hall of Fame someday so this is a close call. Mike Scioscia is on the wrong coast in a weak division but he continues to show why he is a great manager on the field and in the clubhouse.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Lou Piniella
Bobby Cox
Carlos Zambrano
Dutch Rennert, when Dutch yelled "Strike,” everyone in the ball yard could here it.
Lou Piniella is old school and harkens back to the Earl Weaver/Billy Martin days of umpire/manager rifts. His antics still make the SportsCenter highlight reel. BEST SCREENPLAY 2009
The Cubs break the "Goat Curse"
The Yankees are cellar dwellers despite the bloated payroll
Scott Borasgets run over by a truck driven by Bud Selig
The Steroid Story is finally laid to rest
In a "pick ‘em" category I am rooting for all of the above, although getting rid of both SCOTT BORAS AND BUD SELIG in one fell swoop seems to rise above the competition.
BEST ACTOR
Albert Pujols
Ryan Howard
Hanley Ramirez
David Wright
In fantasy baseball it is still Hanley; in real baseball Albert Pujols is the winner. Let's hope he is not on that list of 103 names!
Let me know what you think of the list and what players you would nominate.
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