Diamonds All Start out as Coal
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:54 am
Last year, Glenn Lowy and I had a discussion on these Boards about how tough some leagues are compared to others. Glenn felt that the more money that was on the line, the tougher the league.
Stupid.
Not Glenn, his argument.
Getting to know fantasy football and baseball, I played in some tough home leagues and hard online leagues as well.
In those early days, not much money was on the line, but the bragging rights we had over our friends was worth a monetary reward, maybe more in some cases.
The folks that do the Platinum or Diamonds or whatever other gem they want to come up with to make their leagues sound superior are good players. They have to be heavily involved in fantasy baseball or they wouldn't waste the time to enter.
Because they CAN spend multi thousand dollars in playing this game though, it does not make them better players.
Some Yahoo players right now are better than some NFBC'ers.
You know it and I know it.
Think how snobby we would be if we didn't accept that fact.
Either they choose to be king of Yahoo leagues, have never heard of the NFBC, or have simply decided not to play in high stakes games.
Their choice.
Glenn's main argument is how in a multi thousand dollar league, every move is scrutinized and well thought out because of the money on the line.
I can understand that.
There are three things that drive fantasy baseball players.
The drive for monetary reward.
The drive to be the best, which includes bragging rights and recognition from fellow players.
The drive for mind play. This includes the 'fun', the 'excitement', the gambling....all the emotions.
The drive for money is a strong one. What Glenn forgets is that these folks already HAVE lots of money, otherwise they wouldn't be entering.
Unless they are 'Lee Trevino'ing' it.
Lee Trevino supposedly bet a guy $5,000 on a round of golf, with only a couple of bucks in his pocket.
And I get that we're going to look for a lost $20 dollar bill around the house, turning over furniture, checking the laundry, while not even missing the dollar we lost too.
That $20 is worth the extra effort.
The drive for money is a strong one.
I get it.
But in this case, money does not make for stronger players, maybe more focused players, or even desperate players in some cases, but not better players.
Every person that's played fantasy baseball at a higher level wants to be in LABR or one of those other 'expert' leagues. As far as I know, besides side bets, there is no money on the line.
This is the emotional drive.
The drive to show others how good we are.
LABR is made up of a bunch of writers, some who are now getting help from outside sources, such as workmates, other writers, or even NFBC'ers.
Is this the premier league?
No.
Not even close.
But if entering, it would fill that need for our inward spirit to show the world how good we are at this game. Participating in a league that is known nationwide would show others that we got game.
There are millions of fantasy baseball leagues. Most play for the enjoyment alone. No money on the line.
They could be as good as an NFBC'er or they may have to work to even make it to Yahoo Kid status.
It doesn't matter to them. They're in it to have fun. To have something to think about during the day. To have a rooting interest when the home town plays.
Major money winners in the NFBC don't impress me much. The only dollar amount that is shown, is how much money was won, not lost.
And I'm sorry, but winning a Diamond, platinum, or any other gem league does not make one a better player.
I know I'm ruffling a few feathers here.
But, I've always believed that money does not make the player, the player makes the money.
To be honest, there is no league that is better than others.
Not Diamonds, Platinum, or LABR.
The only league that matters and that we care about is ours.
There are hundreds of great players out there and hardly any participate in these leagues.
For me, Greg knocked it out of the park with the Main Event.
The Main Event is THE testing ground for any person that has those dreams of LABR or a Diamond or any other need that needs filling.
The Main Event is where we separate the good from the bad and the bad from the ugly.
And if emerging from the Main Event like Shawn or Steve or Lindy, one can enter one of those money events.
But, they'd be the first to tell you, it won't make them a better player.
Stupid.
Not Glenn, his argument.
Getting to know fantasy football and baseball, I played in some tough home leagues and hard online leagues as well.
In those early days, not much money was on the line, but the bragging rights we had over our friends was worth a monetary reward, maybe more in some cases.
The folks that do the Platinum or Diamonds or whatever other gem they want to come up with to make their leagues sound superior are good players. They have to be heavily involved in fantasy baseball or they wouldn't waste the time to enter.
Because they CAN spend multi thousand dollars in playing this game though, it does not make them better players.
Some Yahoo players right now are better than some NFBC'ers.
You know it and I know it.
Think how snobby we would be if we didn't accept that fact.
Either they choose to be king of Yahoo leagues, have never heard of the NFBC, or have simply decided not to play in high stakes games.
Their choice.
Glenn's main argument is how in a multi thousand dollar league, every move is scrutinized and well thought out because of the money on the line.
I can understand that.
There are three things that drive fantasy baseball players.
The drive for monetary reward.
The drive to be the best, which includes bragging rights and recognition from fellow players.
The drive for mind play. This includes the 'fun', the 'excitement', the gambling....all the emotions.
The drive for money is a strong one. What Glenn forgets is that these folks already HAVE lots of money, otherwise they wouldn't be entering.
Unless they are 'Lee Trevino'ing' it.
Lee Trevino supposedly bet a guy $5,000 on a round of golf, with only a couple of bucks in his pocket.
And I get that we're going to look for a lost $20 dollar bill around the house, turning over furniture, checking the laundry, while not even missing the dollar we lost too.
That $20 is worth the extra effort.
The drive for money is a strong one.
I get it.
But in this case, money does not make for stronger players, maybe more focused players, or even desperate players in some cases, but not better players.
Every person that's played fantasy baseball at a higher level wants to be in LABR or one of those other 'expert' leagues. As far as I know, besides side bets, there is no money on the line.
This is the emotional drive.
The drive to show others how good we are.
LABR is made up of a bunch of writers, some who are now getting help from outside sources, such as workmates, other writers, or even NFBC'ers.
Is this the premier league?
No.
Not even close.
But if entering, it would fill that need for our inward spirit to show the world how good we are at this game. Participating in a league that is known nationwide would show others that we got game.
There are millions of fantasy baseball leagues. Most play for the enjoyment alone. No money on the line.
They could be as good as an NFBC'er or they may have to work to even make it to Yahoo Kid status.
It doesn't matter to them. They're in it to have fun. To have something to think about during the day. To have a rooting interest when the home town plays.
Major money winners in the NFBC don't impress me much. The only dollar amount that is shown, is how much money was won, not lost.
And I'm sorry, but winning a Diamond, platinum, or any other gem league does not make one a better player.
I know I'm ruffling a few feathers here.
But, I've always believed that money does not make the player, the player makes the money.
To be honest, there is no league that is better than others.
Not Diamonds, Platinum, or LABR.
The only league that matters and that we care about is ours.
There are hundreds of great players out there and hardly any participate in these leagues.
For me, Greg knocked it out of the park with the Main Event.
The Main Event is THE testing ground for any person that has those dreams of LABR or a Diamond or any other need that needs filling.
The Main Event is where we separate the good from the bad and the bad from the ugly.
And if emerging from the Main Event like Shawn or Steve or Lindy, one can enter one of those money events.
But, they'd be the first to tell you, it won't make them a better player.