Fantasy vs. Reality

by the pinstripes on Apr 9, 2008 4:54 PM EDT

It seems like just yesterday that I ordered my first Extra Innings package back in the mid 90's. I had just moved to Vegas from Providence, R.I. and had become extremely saddened by not being able to listen to the Yanks on the radio. There was nothing like listening to John Sterling and Michael Kay along with the occasional game on WPIX. Until now! Finally, tons of baseball games to pick from on the dish. I was absolutely beside myself that I was going to be able to see almost every Yankee game on T.V.

For many years I would watch game after game. All Yanks all the time. That lasted for 5 yrs give or take until I became severely addicted to fantasy baseball. It took no time for the game of the night to be based completely on fantasy. Are any of my pitcher's pitching? Any prospects I want to see? etc...

I hate to admit it but my favorite team has become a collection of players that make up my fantasy teams. Sure I still love the Yanks and will watch when they play a meaningful game but there is no doubt my fantasy team's performance is much more important to me than that of my favorite baseball team.

Which is more important to you?

Poll

What would piss you off more?

your favorite baseball team losing

35 votes

a bad night for your fantasy team(s)

30 votes

65 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 7 comments

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Comments

Nice topic....

I think you hit the nail on the head. I still root and cheer for my team, but I would much rather watch Lincecum or Verlander pitch (I have both on my sim team) than watch a Mariner game.... unless F-Her was pitching.

It's making homerism much harder to detect. It used to be someone was a homer for the 25 players on their team's roster. Now, it's for the 20 or so players on their fantasy roster... which is spread out from the NL West to the AL East.

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Apr 9, 2008 5:16 PM EDT 0 recs

Fantasy vs Reality

I can't tell the difference;)

by rwperu34 on Apr 9, 2008 6:05 PM EDT 0 recs

hahahahaha

being in a league with this guy, I can't say I'm surprised....

I love my fantasy baseball, but I'll take a win for the Brewers over a 3 HR day from Kelly Johnson anytime :)

I'll warm up with you anytime

by ufoboy90 on Apr 9, 2008 6:25 PM EDT 0 recs

You're all geeks

Really? This is what the internet was invented for - to keep track of how your team is doing while you watch your team actually play.

Fantasy baseball has been great for the game, I feel. It's increased interest, it's raised the profile of a great many players, and as such is slowing eroding the east coast bias (at least at the major league level). But I will never feel a loyalty to my fantasy team that trumps the one I feel for an actual team.

Also, pinstripes, ufoboy, and I are all in a league. After last night, I was 12th, pinstripes was 13th, and ufoboy was solidly in last at 14th. Shows what we know.

When asked why I was a Mets fan, I responded, "pain is my lifeblood."

by wrightHOF on Apr 9, 2008 6:29 PM EDT 0 recs

Let's see

I prefer my real team to make the playoffs over my fantasy team winning the season. But, in a day to day basis, i root more for my fantasy team, they are my guys, i choose them, also i'm very competitive.

by jahs34 on Apr 9, 2008 7:27 PM EDT 0 recs

Fantasy vs. Reality

Well, I'm in the top 3 of both of my leagues right now (should improve), and my Tigers have gone 0-7. I think I'd prefer a couple wins for the Tigers at this point, thank you.

Plus I tend to avoid the whole "my team vs. my fantasy team" conflict by drafting a lot of National Leaguers.

by demondeaconsbaseball on Apr 9, 2008 8:44 PM EDT 0 recs

Extenuating circumstances

I did vote for my fantasy team, but it does come with an asterisk. You see my favorite baseball team is the Orioles, and Angelos is at least as responsible for my losing interest in the team as is my fantasy team. He'll probably also be the one that converts me to being a Nats fan. (I live between Wash and Bal.) But on the football side, my allegiences are clearer - the Redskins are far more important than my fantasy team.

by journeymen on Apr 10, 2008 12:44 AM EDT 0 recs