That Moment in Time

[DOUGHBOYS]

We watch these games as baseball fans. We enjoy the game. And sometimes, there is that one defining moment where we have to divide our thinking into that of a baseball fan and that of a fantasy player.
We may see Chris Davis hit a mammoth homer. A homer we know that no other player in baseball can duplicate at the moment.
As such, we'll think-
"Wow, that ball was crushed!"
"I wonder if he's clean?"
"I want him on my fantasy team next year."
It didn't have to be this year. In fact, in Davis case, if we saw that moment in time last year and followed through on your 'want', you were rewarded.

Not every moment in time has to be on the field. Years ago, I was hooked on drafting Alfonzo Soriano while he was on the Yankees. It wasn't because of something I saw on the field. It was one comment in a NY paper.
He mentioned that he followed his own stats and where he was in relation to the rest of the players in the league.
I liked that.
Most players are afraid to say something like that. They'll think it selfish or unteamworthy (shuddup spellchecker, I made up a perfectly good word). Soriano liked to follow his own stats. From a fantasy angle, it showed me he cared about how his stats were stacking up on the field.

When Yoenis Cespedes burst onto the scene, a video was released, I assume, by his agent, showing some of the physical prowess of Cespedes. There was a lot of jumping. A lot of running. And some lifting.
During this video, I decided to myself that I would not be a Cespedes owner.
I didn't care what kind of athlete Cespedes was. If being an athlete was needed to conquer baseball then Bo Jackson would have held more records than most. Michael Jordan would have succeeded. A curveball and slider can even make the best athletes look silly.
As is, Cespedes is like Jackson in that he's fun to watch, but as a baseball player, there are skills he lacks.
But worse from that video, came the thought of how tight Cespedes body was. This is great on a beach.
In fantasy baseball, it means disabled list. Ironic in that he looked so able.

I had a moment in time today. I am already starting to turn my attention to next year. I am grading players, making notes, and making a few lists.
In the background was the beginning of the Pirates-Cardinals game.
Starling Marte was on second base. Two outs. 2-1 count on Alvarez, a left handed power slugger against the right handed Lance Lynn.
On that count and with two outs, Marte thought it wise to steal third base against Yadier Molina.
A boneheaded play.
And the boneheaded play was summarily rewarded with being thrown out stealing and making the third out of the first inning at third base.
The baseball fan said 'Bonehead'
The fantasy baseball owner moved him up the list.
You see, this act proved to me that Marte is more interested in personal numbers than team numbers.
A no-no for real players, a boon for fantasy owners.

After commercial, Marte was roundly criticized by broadcasters. His owners were probably thinking, 'Thanks for trying'.
During the off season, it'll just be chalked up by the Numerish as a caught stealing and they'll talk about his percentages and stuff.
I'll remember that he cares just as much about my fantasy team as he does his real team.
I like that. And better, it'll just show up during the off season as a bad stat.

[rockitsauce]

I had a moment in time the other night.

It was getting late in the evening and rockitsauce desperately needed Josh Reddick to come through with a hit and blessed be the fantasy gods that bearded freak knocked one up the middle to bring in Lowrie (had him too). This was either bottom of 7th or 8th and all of a sudden I was elevated from 10th place and $60 reward to 1st and $500.

And then that wanna be Bo Jackson creep Cespedes comes up to bat. Ordinarily I'd have no fear that this idiot would strike out on 3 pitches, but this is the Houston bullpen and evidently they didn't get the memo not to throw this guy a dead on fastball. He promptly smashed one into the left field seats and in less time than you can say I just lost $420, I lost $420 when I dropped from 1st to where I would end the night 7th ($80). Not bad for $10, but still.....

This game drives you crazy, but sure is fun. I'm with you Dan on your recent comments about having more flexibility to make moves. It's one of the reasons why I prefer the daily action over season long. If I want Miggy today he's mine. If he walks 3 times that's cool too because a walk is same as a hit. He got on base dammit that's what he's supposed to do! Plus he'll plant one mistake in the seats for sure.

I also actually had the same Mr. Reddick in my lineup the day he mashed 3 bombs. It was total luck. I only had a small amount of cash left to finish off my roster and since he was starting in he went. The problem was I went cheap on SP and JOE SAUNDERS IS A BUM I WILL HATE FORVEVER.

That is all.

Keep up the fine work Dan.