A Sporting View: Tips to make your season a fantasy
The question has been asked whether “A Sporting View” would opine on fantasy baseball this season. Personally, I think fantasy baseball is a great thing. Back in the day, it was de rigueur for baseball fans to read the box scores in the evening paper, usually from that day’s game. Today, and this is an anecdotal observation, most people who are intently looking over box scores are those embroiled in a fantasy baseball league.
The old-time fan would read the box scores for pure entertainment, or so they could adequately keep up at the water cooler the next day at the office. You know the scene:
“Dimaggio hit two humdingers last night at Boston!”
“Yes, I’m certainly aware of that. I listened to the game on the shortwave last night.”
“Swell!”
Today’s fan enjoys the scenario a little differently. They get their scores up to the minute via cell phone or on the Internet. The water cooler element remains — except instead of talking like a fan, they talk like a general manager with vested interests (and they don’t dress as well).
“Dude…Frank Catalanatto hit two doubles last night.”
“Yeah, I know…I started him last night.”
“Sweet!”
A lot of people do have vested interests in the outcome of their leagues, though. I used to make fun of my brother-in-law for his nonstop fantasy football chatter. Then he won his league and pulled down enough jack to buy a plasma HDTV. I still make fun of him, but he has the better television set now.
I’ve played in a few fantasy leagues, and I confess — I’ve never won any of them. But I’ve been very close, often finishing second, and I’m always in the hunt. Here are some of my tips:
“Watch for injuries. Typically, a novice GM or impatient person will unload a star player if he falls injured early in the season. Take the risk and pick up a bonafide star, banking on a recovery for the second half.
“Analyze lineups. Look at the lineups of the best teams and pick the sleepers. For instance, Chris Duncan is an outfielder for the Cardinals that showed a lot of promise in the second half last year, hitting 20 homers. This season, he’ll be ahead of Pujols in the lineup. The kid’s gonna see some pitches, too.
“Look for relief. In some leagues, pitchers are only categorized as starters or relievers. Some pitchers begin the season as starters, but are then moved to the bullpen. Pick those pitchers up and place them in starter spots so you’re constantly amassing points on your usual starter’s off days. Then fill your reliever spots with closers, so you can lead the league in saves.