Different

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DOUGHBOYS
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Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2005 6:00 pm

Different

Post by DOUGHBOYS » Wed Oct 21, 2020 7:23 am

Hall of Fame NFBC player Mark Srebro believes that this past year should have an asterisk next to winners names.
Most, do not agree.
We went into the 'sprint' season knowing what was ahead. Covid had ruined any chances of normalcy.
It even ruined the chances of 'normalcy' of a two month season.
Covid delivered things we had never seen before in the NFBC.
A shorter season.
An interrupted season.
Different rules on the field.

The key word in all this is...different.
It was different than any other year we have ever had.
So different that Mark cries foul for winners.
It's understandable from one view.
The overriding factor is that we all KNEW it would be different.
So holding 'different' against winners is not the right thing to do.

This post is not about last year or the validity of winners however.
I just finished the first 50 round DC of the year.
THAT was difficult.
As the first DC, drafters enter the draft blind to a lot of facts every year.
We don't know where free agents will sign.
We don't know trades.
We don't know long term injury.
We know all those facts going in.
This year is different.

We drafted without minor league play from the year before.
We didn't have any rule 5 facts.
No hot minor leaguers moving from A to AAA.
How do we know where to place former hot minor leaguers who had teams not think enough of them to move up last year?
Such as Matt Manning and McKenzie Gore?
Is Wander Franco the number one prospect by default?

What about pitchers?
No pitcher will throw 100 innings this year.
Will that ruin arms for next year?
Will Starters go back to throwing 200 innings or will teams 'Dodger' them and get them out of games early.
The Verducci Rule will be obliterated this coming year.

And what about the back end?
There are maybe 10 bona fide Closers for their teams this upcoming year.
Some teams have quit using the one Closer approach.
Some teams lose their Closer like Melancon with the Braves, Hendriks with Oakland, and the White Sox with Colome.
Is Kenley Jansen through?
St Louis seems to have seven candidates to Close, none better than the other.

Heck, we don't even know the rules for the coming year.
Will there be a DH in the National League?
Seven inning double headers? (Fantasy folks flip their middle finger at that one)
The three batter rule for relievers?
Schedules?

The worst part hasn't even been mentioned.
Covid.
It hasn't gone away.
It could still effect the upcoming season. Like it or not.

To me, whoever wins this league just completed will need more luck than skill.
Does that deserve an asterisk?
I don't know.
But, it is a little dangerous for our game as a whole.
When our game becomes more luck than skill, I believe that some folks will lose interest.
In this way, we need normalcy. We need things NOT to be different.
If Covid is still around for the coming season, along with all the other factors mentioned, the winners will need more luck than this past season.
Whether calling for asterisks or not, That, would not be a good thing for our hobby.
On my tombstone-
Wait! I never had the perfect draft!

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Gekko
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Re: Different

Post by Gekko » Wed Oct 21, 2020 8:25 am

Hi Doughy!!

"Most do not agree". :lol:

While everyone deserves to be acknowledged and congratulated for accomplishments, I don't compare the skill set an owner demonstrated over a 60 game season with that of a 162 game season. The gap is simply too large for me.

And yes, as the luck% increases, I agree with your assessment "some folks will lose interest."

Again, good job for everyone doing well in 2020. :)

*

DOUGHBOYS
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Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2005 6:00 pm

Re: Different

Post by DOUGHBOYS » Wed Oct 21, 2020 6:12 pm

Gekko wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 8:25 am
Hi Doughy!!

"Most do not agree". :lol:

While everyone deserves to be acknowledged and congratulated for accomplishments, I don't compare the skill set an owner demonstrated over a 60 game season with that of a 162 game season. The gap is simply too large for me.

And yes, as the luck% increases, I agree with your assessment "some folks will lose interest."

Again, good job for everyone doing well in 2020. :)

*
Hi Mark!

Is it the length of the season or the whole Covid thing?
For example, what if we start 2021 in earnest with a six month schedule.
But Covid interferes with the season.
It's knocked down to 120 games.
Do you feel it should be Asterisked again?

2020 was far different from anything we've done.
I understand your asterisk comments.
It was a shorter season and unlike all other seasons.
As for me, I'm on the fence about whether more luck or skill was used for winners.
But I cashed in more than half my leagues, so I lean towards skill :lol:

And what if Covid IS still around in March, Mark?
Will you play in big events?
As of now, for me, I'd say yes, but I could change depending on the severity of the pandemic at the time.

Always good to 'hear' from you, Mark.

On another subject...
I'm a little surprised myself that Greg has posted the rules for large contests so early.
As if Covid will not be here.
I believe that innings limits should be lowered to 900 innings for these contests.
First, Covid could hit in cutting games off the schedule.
Second, Starters do not go near the amount of innings in a Start as in the past.
Third, teams are using more and more bullpen games.
Fourth, no pitcher has thrown 100 innings this year. It'll be hard to expect 200 innings from a pitcher next year.
Fifth, 900 innings would be in line with last years 300 innings in two months 'sprint' rules.

I believe at the least it should be discussed....
On my tombstone-
Wait! I never had the perfect draft!

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Gekko
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Re: Different

Post by Gekko » Thu Oct 22, 2020 8:47 am

DOUGHBOYS wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 6:12 pm

Hi Mark!

Is it the length of the season or the whole Covid thing?
For example, what if we start 2021 in earnest with a six month schedule.
But Covid interferes with the season.
It's knocked down to 120 games.
Do you feel it should be Asterisked again?

2020 was far different from anything we've done.
I understand your asterisk comments.
It was a shorter season and unlike all other seasons.
As for me, I'm on the fence about whether more luck or skill was used for winners.
But I cashed in more than half my leagues, so I lean towards skill :lol:

And what if Covid IS still around in March, Mark?
Will you play in big events?
As of now, for me, I'd say yes, but I could change depending on the severity of the pandemic at the time.

Always good to 'hear' from you, Mark.

On another subject...
I'm a little surprised myself that Greg has posted the rules for large contests so early.
As if Covid will not be here.
I believe that innings limits should be lowered to 900 innings for these contests.
First, Covid could hit in cutting games off the schedule.
Second, Starters do not go near the amount of innings in a Start as in the past.
Third, teams are using more and more bullpen games.
Fourth, no pitcher has thrown 100 innings this year. It'll be hard to expect 200 innings from a pitcher next year.
Fifth, 900 innings would be in line with last years 300 innings in two months 'sprint' rules.

I believe at the least it should be discussed....
I don't want to spend much time rehashing. In summary, everyone draws their own line in the sand as to comparing seasons 2004-2019 (162 game season) vs 2020 (60 game season, 7 inning DHers, whole teams being shut down and owners having to absorb significant zeros, etc). To me, they don't compare equally (not even close). For others, maybe they believe they do. Heck, some people still believe the world is flat, so it wouldn't surprise me. :P

Again, everyone should be acknowledged for accomplishments. My concern is comparing vs history.

As for 2021, I sure hope COVID is effectively gone, either through herd immunity or a vaccine, and commerce restrictions have been eliminated. Most of us will have much bigger problems than fantasy baseball if this is still around.

BUT, through all of this, one thing has remained constant...Greg, Tom, Darik and the NFBC game is THE best. If I'm playing, it will be here. :)

DOUGHBOYS
Posts: 13088
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2005 6:00 pm

Re: Different

Post by DOUGHBOYS » Thu Oct 22, 2020 10:15 am

"BUT, through all of this, one thing has remained constant...Greg, Tom, Darik and the NFBC game is THE best. If I'm playing, it will be here. :) "

Now there is something that most can agree on :D

Above that, I believe the best fantasy players in the world call the NFBC home.
When winning a title here, any title, I believe it is a true accomplishment.
It is not just because of the high stakes. It is because with high stakes, the best gravitate towards our game.
Free leagues, home leagues, Yahoo and ESPN leagues...All these leagues lead up to the Major League of fantasy baseball.
The NFBC.
On my tombstone-
Wait! I never had the perfect draft!

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Gekko
Posts: 5944
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:00 pm

Re: Different

Post by Gekko » Sun Oct 25, 2020 8:08 am

DOUGHBOYS wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 6:12 pm
Will you play in big events?
My plan entering 2020 (26 week season) was no more than 4 FAAB leagues with the most important being the 10K Diamond Auction.

Entering 2021, I’ll be sticking with a max of 4 FAAB leagues. With Covid still around and additional risks due to coming off a 60 game season (SP inning jump), I don’t see myself playing higher than a Super. At this point, Maybe 2 mains and a super auction?

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