There's a New Kid in Town

[DOUGHBOYS]

Communications within the NFBC is very important to me. During the years, we strike up long lasting relationships and those relationships, naturally, heat up this time of year. I am part of an Advisory Board that has shared ideas for years. We know each other, we value each others opinion, and more importantly, we trust each other.
It's one of the best things about being a veteran of the NFBC, the trust level is through the roof.
The other day I called Bob Mazur. Bob is one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet. I rooted for him before I even met him simply because we were from the same state. To meet Bob, is to like Bob.
Anyway, I gave Bob a call Monday. Here is how he answered-
"Hey Dan, sorry can I call you back? I've got Lindy on the other line."
It took about 15 minutes for Bob to call back and I spent most of that time chuckling. It wasn't Bob name dropping or inferring that I was 'second fiddle', it was just fact.
When Bob did call back I said
" Hey Bob, sorry can I call you back? I've got Shawn on the other line."

Now, I'm not trying to name drop. I wanted to use this as an example that NFBC veterans have in giving a backdrop in what is to come in this post.
I got a call from another NFBC veteran yesterday. I'm leaving this person's name out of this post because he may not look good to some after I relate our conversation, even though he said what most NFBC veterans have been thinking for years.

During the course of our conversation, he stated he was absolutely excited about the influx of new players into the NFBC. That it was about time the sharks had more chum and that he felt as if the same heads had been butting too long.

Let me take the last point first. I totally agree that it gets a little dull competing against the same fellas. After awhile, it seems we can pick players for drafters before they pick them because we know their style so well.

About the first and second sentences, I quietly disagreed.
After being in the NFBC for awhile, there is a certain arrogance in that the players in the NFBC are the best. And, even though it does sound arrogant, dammit, we are the best!
But also, I look at us as the Major Leagues and some of these newer fellas are working hard to knock us on our ass when they feel like they've arrived. This just happens to be the year where it seems the Bryce Harpers, the Mike Trout's, and the other rookies think they're ready. In the past, we may have been thinking these are 'Yahoo Kids'. I don't think they are. There's too many.

These fellas come from CDM, Yahoo, CBS, ESPN, Strat-o-matic, home leagues or what have you. It doesn't matter. They've played online long enough to think they're ready for the Bigs. I fear them a little. They'll bring new ideas and new strategies, at least I hope so, and they'll end up teaching us things, instead of the other way around.
It is very similar to the World Championship of Poker.
It was an 'Old Boys Club'. We knew who the best were. Then the internet boys came and broke up the club. Those old boys still have their reputations, but they're not the ones winning the tournaments now. Now, it's the kids from the internet leagues.
The same could happen here.
There's a New Kid in Town.
I don't want to hear it.
There's a New Kid in Town.

[Winston's Empire]

Completly agree Dough. When I look back at my first 375 Slow Draft this year, I knew 90% of the guys... When I did my 3rd Slow Draft, I knew about 25%. Some of the guys were drafting how you would figure, from last years cheatsheet. Others however were sharp from the KDS down to what round they were grabbing their second closer and catcher. They know what minor leaguers they want to fill out their 50 man team with and are ready for the challenge.
Will be interesting to see how some of the newer guys do, but some like Glenn in his first year will cash for sure.

[Glenneration X]

It's funny you mentioned that Max, and I find this thread very interesting. I was too stupid entering my first year to be in awe of some of these other players. I didn't know them. I didn't know of their accomplishments. I didn't know better. To me they were just other fantasy players just like me. However, I'm a history buff. I'm fascinated by world history, American history, of course baseball history. I try to learn the story of anything that I'm interested in, that includes the NFBC. Shortly after I started here, I learned about the history of this contest, the history of its players, and some of their ridiculous accomplishments. Now, I'm in awe of them.

I'm headed into my 4th year in high stakes fantasy now and in that time I've managed a couple successes. However, I can't help but still feel like one of the New Kids in Town. Compared to most of these veterans, I still feel like I have so much to learn. Those who've been here since the earliest years, those who've achieved enough to still be here, they've earned my respect, my admiration, and even a little bit of envy. I wish I found this place when it started. It sounds like it was a blast. It's something I'll never have, no matter what I may achieve here.

As Doughy pointed out, this year's New Kids in Town might come from CBS, Yahoo, ESPN, etc., the online world, where the game is played more anonymously, where history is what you scored in the last weekly period. They likely don't know much about the players here, their accomplishments. As Doughy said, many of them will come in like I did a few years back, cocky, wondering how they'll spend the 100K, unknowing of the challenge facing them, the great players they'll be up against. It won't be long before they learn. I did, they will too. At least it'll be a helluva lot more fun of a learning experience than school ever was.

[Edwards Kings]

Of the roughly 305 individual entrants so far that have locked up the 370 spots so far, I wonder how many are first timers to the Main?

[Spartacus]

Of the roughly 305 individual entrants so far that have locked up the 370 spots so far, I wonder how many are first timers to the Main?

Don't know Wayne, but I think C. Guggenheim Edwards is one for sure!

[Winston's Empire]

Of the roughly 305 individual entrants so far that have locked up the 370 spots so far, I wonder how many are first timers to the Main?

I was wondering this too! I remember when I first entered the big leagues and went to the Main Event in Chicago, I was a little scared that Bob Jurney was sitting at my table... He was on the cover of Greg's Magazine with a huge check that year after all! Bob was a very good guy to talk to at the draft and I remember Hanley falling to him in like the 5 spot and thinking "Here We Go", we are all screwed! I then hit one out of the park in the 8 spot and drafted Jimmy Rollins What a waste that was!
I am not afraid to admit I needed to take a 2 year break from the main and sharpen my game. I finished T-8th & 240/390 Overall that first year and knew I had some work to do. Well I am back in 2012 and ready to crack the Top 200 Baby!!!!