Fantasy Baseball Changes Us

[Gashouse6]

I just realized how different I'm going to look at the Majors now that I'm playing fantasy baseball. Instead of cheering for just the STL Cardinals, I'm going to be cheering for my players. Here's an example of what could happen:

Card's Chris Carpenter is pitching a no hitter through 5. Pittsburgh's Jason Bay is up and belts a homerun over the fence. In the past, I would throw my hat down on the ground and turned off the TV. Now, I'll be jumping up and cheering since Bay is on one of my teams.

It's just something I was thinking about.

[chrismarullo]

A lot of so-called "taditionalists" hate fantasy sports for this very reason. I participate in several competitive leagues simply for fun. If I don't have money ridding on the outcome-which I never do-I don't get too worked up about the outcome.

Plus, it helps make you much more knowledgable about the game in general. A ot of fans only know the league their team is in. Fantasy sports forces you to expand your horizons.

[Sberl]

I play fantasy baseball and I like it, but no way, when Cards play there's no fantasy baseball for me, let's go Cards!

[BlindUmp]

(Ah. My first post at BBF!)

Funny. My dad, an Arizona native and die-hard Diamondbacks fan, now wears a Cincinnati Reds cap everywhere because he owns the Reds in an OOTP league. It's funny what affect these "fantasy" games can have on us.

[grizzly451]

Welcome to BBF BlindUmp! Hope you enjoy posting here

Plus, it helps make you much more knowledgable about the game in general. A ot of fans only know the league their team is in. Fantasy sports forces you to expand your horizons.

I've been in fantasy baseball for 6 or 7 seasons and thats a very true statement for me. I used to mainly just know guys in the NL, specifically in the NL East, but you end up picking up more and more info.

For me its really gotten me in-depth into the game. I watch games now with a lot more info on players of any team. And of course I follow most all the teams now as my players will be scattered across the teams.

[astromaker]

If you find yourself troubled by rooting for teams playing against your team you could always try drafting more players (especially starting pitchers) on your team and fewer on other teams in their division (this works better for some teams than others ). My team for instance has Lance Berkman, Andy Pettitte, Chad Qualls, Brad Lidge and Jason Lane; though it does also have Albert Pujols, Juan Pierre, Jason Bay, Zach Duke, and Chris Capuano.

[digglahhh]

You always have to root for your "real team" first.

I'm in several leagues, some for pretty nice stakes. When you're in multiple leagues the permutations get crazier.

For instance I own Ortiz in one league, so I want an MVP season from him. But then what if I'm chasing the guy who has Ortiz in my other league. Everyday I have my pitchers giving up homers to my hitters in one league or another. You can't even get worked up over it, just root for the Mets and hope I win the league that is the highest stakes.

[Cubsfan97]

I feel that way too. Last year I had Chris Carpenter and Roger Clemens on my team, so when They played the Cubs it was hard as hell to watch. I was praying for like 1-0 wins with the Starter getting a no decision.

[Erik Bedard]

I find it helps to draft as many players on your favorite team as possible. That way you can root for your favorite team and know that it affects your fantasy team as well.

[Hooligan1]

I personally have become a baseball fan as a direct result of getting talked into participating in a fantasy league with some friends a few years ago. I find myself having no real team rooting interests, rather I root for my favorite players regardless of team. I also, of course, root for guys who are on my fantasy roster in a given year.

[raysnbran]

I dunno know

I find it helps to draft as many players on your favorite team as possible. That way you can root for your favorite team and know that it affects your fantasy team as well.

I'm a Rays fan. If you were in my shoes, should I follow your advice?

[AznInvasion]

I find it helps to draft as many players on your favorite team as possible. That way you can root for your favorite team and know that it affects your fantasy team as well.

This strategy is one of the most prevelant mistakes in fantasy. You should try and make the best team regardless of bias. I used to not draft yankees at all, but I finally gave in this year. I'm glad I did. You can't ignore players just cuz they on a team. You gotta keep an open mind. It's a key to success in my opinion. Plus, if your favorite team starts to struggle at one time, ur fantasy team divebombs.

[SoxSon]

I'm a Rays fan. If you were in my shoes, should I follow your advice?

Actually, raysnbran, there is a lot of talent on that field in Tampa Bay.
Draft Crawford, Gomes, Cantu, Wigginton...they're all doing well.