Dumbass

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

Dumbass

Post by DOUGHBOYS » Mon May 03, 2021 10:10 am

I haven't written much since the season started. Some of my friends wanted to know why.
The answer is easy.
I'm a dumbass.
Although this may sound like self-loathing, it really isn't.
In fantasy baseball, we all are a dumbass some seasons. Even the best players, are a dumbass for a period of time.

When I'm a dumbass, I don't feel like writing as much.
Seriously, what right does a dumbass have to expound on players he likes or dislikes?
Who wants to listen to a dumbass?

My downfall started when believing that pitchers who didn't rely on the almighty strike out, would do well.
These pitchers included Kyle Hendricks, Zach Davies, and Brad Keller.
Collectively, these pitchers have an ERA just south of your temperature.
I thought of these fellas as 'real' pitchers. relying on smoke and mirrors to get batters out.
Especially since they do not possess the smoke of throwers who permeate baseball right now.
Turns out, I was the dumbass for believing.

According to my wife, I am not a dumbass.
I explained that my teams are doing badly.
No major injuries. It's that most of my players are not playing as I thought they would.
Francisco Lindor is hitting like a girl (yes, I know that is not politically correct, but to say Lindor is hitting like Rafael Mendoza does not do it justice)
Jose Abreu? Mr. Consistency. Yeah right.
Anyway, my wife is convinced that it is not me who is the dumbass. It is my players!
I tried telling her it doesn't work that way, since I'm the dumbass who recruited these players.
At the same time, I like thinking of Davies, Hendricks, Keller, Lindor, and Abreu as all dumbasses.
Uh, even though the kingpin dumbass would have to be me.
I believed in those dumbasses.

For the last few years, I wasn't a dumbass.
My teams did pretty good.
I should have reveled in that more.
This game has a way of making us look very bad at times. This year, it is my turn.

The worst part about being a dumbass is the other folks affected.
I touted some players that other folks drafted because I was high on those players.
True, they made their own decisions when drafting, but I feel badly.
And it goes back to why I haven't written much.
Again, who wants to listen to a dumbass?
This may sound like a pity fest, it really isn't. It's fantasy baseball.
Some seasons we nail it, others we don't.

For those of you who want to say "It's still early."....
Don't bother.
The writing is clearly on the wall for me.
I feel like a guy going 100 MPH on the interstate. Just flying, having a great time(Draft Season).
And as I pass the bend (the actual season), I pass the Highway Patrol and in my rear view mirror, I see red and blue lights.
Reality sets in. Time to pay for my transgressions.
I'm (my teams) being busted.
Right now, following the analogy, I am trying to talk my way out of the ticket.
A desperation move that will fall on deaf ears, both to the cop and to the fantasy Gods.

I don't give up.
I admire players who busts it out of the batters box on a ground ball sure to be an out.
That is how I will be with my lineups and FAAB.
I won't go down without a fight.
This is where being a dumbass is harder than being arrogant.
Arrogance allows us to throw away these teams as if they never existed.
The dumbass in me will remember all the moves that I have to make even if receiving no benefits.
It will be a reminder to be better again next year.
On my tombstone-
Wait! I never had the perfect draft!

ChipChopChip
Posts: 116
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:46 pm

Re: Dumbass

Post by ChipChopChip » Mon May 03, 2021 2:24 pm

It is still early. I still can't believe that I have so many shares of Strasburg.

skmetz51
Posts: 35
Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2015 10:10 am

Re: Dumbass

Post by skmetz51 » Mon May 03, 2021 5:11 pm

Hey Dan, Hope you keep writing; I miss your wit and pearls of wisdom. I learn more from -- and are entertained/enlightened by -- you than just about anyone. We all know success in fantasy baseball is a combination of smarts, knowledge, experience, skill, research and luck and you obviously possess the majority of those. And it really is early, but getting later every day. One thing we know for sure: Things should probably look a lot different a month from now. Who knows who will get injured, and what call-ups will make an impact. Anyhow, I and a lot of us on the Boards sure appreciate all you do and hope you keep it up. Thanks, Steve M/LetzGoMetz

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

Re: Dumbass

Post by DOUGHBOYS » Tue May 04, 2021 7:25 am

ChipChopChip wrote:
Mon May 03, 2021 2:24 pm
It is still early. I still can't believe that I have so many shares of Strasburg.
It is early, Jim. But veterans know when they have a team to match the year. I missed.
I liked Strasburg too.
A little story....
My wife had carpal tunnel and had to go see a specialist. I volunteered to go with her, specifically so that I can ask questions about Strasburg....
Oh, and lend support to my wife :lol:
My wife lays out her symptoms to the specialist and they set up a surgery.
I said, "Hey Doc, since I have you here, I'd like to ask a few more questions...."
He obliged.
After five or six questions about Strasburg's condition, which he answered each in great detail, he asked why I had interest in symptoms not matching my wife's condition.
I told him that I was into fantasy baseball and that Strasburg was the subject of the questions.
He turned to my wife and said, "I will write up the paperwork to get the ball rolling on your surgery".
Then turned to me and said, "I will write up the paperwork on Mr. Strasburg's consultation fee"
He was kidding and he was right on in explaining Strasburg.
He told me that the carpal tunnel should not be a problem for him at all, but in going back to work, that he may unconsciously overcompensate and effect another body part. I drafted Strasburg thinking that carpal tunnel would not be a problem.
But, I'll be damned if that doctor wasn't spot on about the other body part!
On my tombstone-
Wait! I never had the perfect draft!

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

Re: Dumbass

Post by DOUGHBOYS » Tue May 04, 2021 7:33 am

skmetz51 wrote:
Mon May 03, 2021 5:11 pm
Hey Dan, Hope you keep writing; I miss your wit and pearls of wisdom. I learn more from -- and are entertained/enlightened by -- you than just about anyone. We all know success in fantasy baseball is a combination of smarts, knowledge, experience, skill, research and luck and you obviously possess the majority of those. And it really is early, but getting later every day. One thing we know for sure: Things should probably look a lot different a month from now. Who knows who will get injured, and what call-ups will make an impact. Anyhow, I and a lot of us on the Boards sure appreciate all you do and hope you keep it up. Thanks, Steve M/LetzGoMetz
Thanks for the kind words, Jim. I hope everything has gone well for you.

I still enjoy writing and will continue.
I love the game. I love the NFBC. I love the space here.
Even though I was wrong about players this year, it doesn't stop the fact that I get to talk about baseball with some of the most knowledgeable folks I know.
A true pleasure here.
Thanks again, Steve.
On my tombstone-
Wait! I never had the perfect draft!

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