NFBC Weekly Profile - Ante Meich

[Tom Kessenich]

There is nothing easy about fantasy baseball. And there is certainly nothing easy about winning a national fantasy baseball title.



Ante Meich has been playing fantasy baseball for nearly two decades and he understands these truths all too well. But the National Fantasy Baseball Championship veteran also knows there is one other essential truth that is rather helpful, not to mention, essential.

Good health is key.



“The game becomes a lot easier when your players actually stay on the field,” Meich said.

Good health has proven to be a valuable component for Meich as his team has gotten off to an impressive start in the NFBC’s Auction Championship. Meich took over the top spot in the standings two weeks ago and remained in first before being overtaken by Aaron Smith this week. Meich enters play today a mere four points behind Smith in the overall standings.



“I attribute my strong start to staying healthy, balance and great starts from Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson,” he said. “Other than ERA, which has gone from the 3.30s to 3.90s in the last couple of weeks, I’m in good position in all of the other categories.”



In addition to enjoying good health, Meich has also been able to overcome one post-auction concern he had with his team.



“Not spending for saves has worked out for now,” he said. “I hated leaving the auction of an overall event with just one closer but every year there are saves to be found on the Waiver Wire. I just can’t raise my hand (during the auction) when closers get into the teens.”



As he envisioned, Meich has been able to work the Waiver Wire effectively to address his Saves shortcomings so far this season. Among his top free-agent acquisitions to date have been Sergio Santos and Mark Melancon.



“I will need at least one of Santos and Melancon to keep his job to do well the rest of the way,” he said.



The 47-year old Meich joined the NFBC three years ago at the recommendation of his friend and fellow NFBC vet, Anson Chan. He joined a $500 satellite league and a $1,000 satellite league and finished third and first in those leagues, respectively.



“I’ve been hooked ever since,” said Meich who lives in Bayside, N.Y. with his wife and seven-year-old son.



Meich knows there’s still a long way to go before the national auction champion is crowned and a lot of baseball yet to be played. So he isn’t getting too comfortable yet despite having his team positioned firmly at or near the top of the overall standings for the past few weeks. That’s especially important considering he’s in a highly competitive New York league.



“The league is a list of Who’s Who of the NFBC’s finest,” he said. “Jeff Dobies. Ken Magner. Jason Duponte. Eddy Betancourt. Jim Christie. Chris Throop and RT Davis. Anson Chan. Larry Schechter. That’s pretty elite company, I’d say.”

[Red Sox Nation-]

Great start by Ante. I loved your drafts in NY. It's too bad I'm 3 of your leagues.



Good Luck the rest of the way.



Jason

[Glenneration X]

I sat next to Ante at last year's NFFC Main Event football draft. He ended up finishing 2nd overall (now everybody, please don't rush to be put into my league this year ).



He's a great fantasy football player and now I see he's a great fantasy baseball player as well. Throw in that he seems like a helluva guy and how could you not root for him. Great job so far Ante, keep up the great work and good luck the rest of the way.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Ante M!

Ante M!



So well known at every poker game,

a place where everybody knows his name.



Never met you, but love the name.

Congrats on the great start.

[Sack]

Ante:



Solid job with the Auction teams. Going to be a hard team to CATCH in both leagues.



Good Luck the rest of the way, good job with the profile TOM K!

[Sebadiah23]

Ante is a super nice guy at live events.



Good luck man.