Fantasy Baseball Is a Great Game

Posted by Chris - January 9, 2008

A long time ago I read a book about the first rotisserie baseball league. As a young kid I thought it sounded like loads of fun. A couple of years later I heard my uncles talking about their fantasy teams, and was even more interested. However, at that point I was only 12, and a bit short on funds for league fees.

Fast forward to a few years later. I encountered a computer game called Baseball Mogul, which offered the chance to act as manager and general manager of any big league team. It was (and several versions later, still is) a brilliant game and I have played countless dynasties over the years. If only there were a version for my mac I would never – well, I’d never get any writing done for one thing.

When I was in college I tried one of those salary cap leagues where you compete for points, but everyone can use the same players and there’s a lot of turnover from trying to buy low and sell high. It didn’t impress me as a format. But later I got a chance to play in a 10-team mixed head to head league and I was hooked.

Fantasy baseball is a great game. Something happens every day. The season is long enough that a player can re-strategize in midseason, overcome bad weeks, and even prevail despite a lousy draft or auction and become a winner. Leagues can be shallow enough that there’s no need to be a hardcore fan, or deep enough that you learn every team’s emergency catcher. They can focus on statistics that are part of everyday English or use stats that would puzzle a physicist. The variety of experiences available keep the game from becoming boring.

Since I started playing this game I’ve learned a few things, but I think the central lesson is that there’s no need to panic. If you miss on a player in the draft or auction you will be able to adjust. Before you start bidding on a player, know your limit, and don’t exceed it (there are minor exceptions to this – but only if you’ve been lucky in filling up your roster to that point). Compete in the season for free agents and waiver wire fodder, and of course adjust when your players get injured.

It’s one of my absolute pet peeves when I see other fantasy owners decide to rebuild. They give up before they have to. In keeper or dynasty leagues, don’t decide you won’t try to contend before the draft or auction! If you focus on getting the players you need and pay attention during the season, you really can compete during the season. Most of your can’t miss prospects won’t ever be better than Reggie Sanders (not to diminish Reggie Sanders – he’s had a tremendous career - but in a given year you can replace his production). Be careful not to fall in love with prospects. For a real life example, think of the Tampa Bay Rays (that just looks wrong, doesn’t it?). They’ve been 2 to 3 years away for about 8 years. Don’t be the fantasy Pittsburgh Pirates.

I can understand trading your chips in come June or July. Not in April, or worse, February. Teams change closers all the time. You can pick one up when they change. It’s not like Manny Corpas slipped through anyone’s fingers on draft day 2007. Where did Josh Hamilton come from last year? Who expected that out of Ryan Braun or Hunter Pence? Did Magglio Ordonez outproduce his projections for 07? Carlos Pena? On a lower scale – Jerry Owens and Reggie Willits stole 32 and 27 bases, respectively, which is awfully helpful. Fausto Carmona wasn’t drafted in your league, I’m guessing. Jeremy Guthrie and Brian Bannister outperformed a lot of $10 pitchers. That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to players you could have picked up during the season. So – don’t give up before you start.

Besides, who wants to play for next year when you can try to make it this year? You’ll have more fun, and might make a move up the standings.