RIP Ron Shandler Enterprises
by 07_08_World Champs on May 20, 2008 10:30 PM EDT
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PrintAccording to the WSJ and various other sources, Ron Shandler apparently sold Shandler Enterprises to a fantasy sports consortium earlier this year. As the owner of several fantasy baseball teams, like many others, I purchase the “Baseball Forecaster” each year. Several years ago however, I discontinued subscribing to Shandler’s website, Baseball HQ. There were several reasons I discontinued subscribing.
One of the reasons I originally subscribed to Baseball HQ was because of Shandler’s coverage of minor league players. Arguably, HQ staffer D. McKamey does a nice job analyzing young talent, but I sincerely believe John and the posters here do a much better job overall covering the minors than HQ.
Further, while the posters at that site do little to enhance information relative to minor leaguers, the information freely contributed by posters here by draft day alone, is off the charts. My hat is off to John and all of you that contribute to make this site what it is. Job well done!!!
In addition, I quit subscribing to HQ because Shandler himself got a little hard to take after a while. Over the years he (and his staffers) appeared to have grown increasing thin-skinned about criticism, and less able to tolerate dissenting opinion of any kind.
Further, Shandler constantly denigrated anyone that started a new website offering information free of charge, and would appear mortally offended by anyone who happened to use terms that he and his staff were responsible for developing.
In conclusion, while I would agree that Mr. Shandler has made some contributions to the field/industry over the years, his contributions the last few years in particular have been negligible, and his grumblings, increasing difficult to tolerate.
Any other thoughts?
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John's View
The original poster does not reflect John’s view regarding Baseball HQ or Ron Shandler, whom John regards as a friend.
BaseballHQ
Has there been any info that Baseball HQ is done? From what I read, it will remain the same with only the ownership changing.
As long as the Forecaster remains amongst the very first fantasy guides to be published, I don’t expect there to be any effect. However, if the Forecaster ends up getting published later, then I can see this move being a net negative for the buyer.
HQ minors coverage
Derrick McKamey puts out a very good book rating minor league players called Minor League Baseball Analyst. He has a unique rating system that is very helpful is comparing players and their potential.
"There is no crying in baseball"
Unique but
His rating system is a little generous at times. It seems every player is somewhere in the 9’s but just a different letter by the name.
Overall, I do like Baseball HQ, it has some good stories and little blurbs every day.
Disagree on ratings
Few of his players get 9s. He tends to have a range of 6s through the very rare 10s, but that’s because nobody cares about the 5s and below. Even the 6s can mostly be ignored. I would say most players are 7s and 8s, not 9s.
And no, that’s not prospect inflation. 1s and 2s and 3s are for players who are not even very good at the minor league level. You don’t really reach the majors until you hit the 6s and above, so that’s why the names you are interested in are the ones with the higher numbers. That 1-through-10 range is for ALL of minor league baseball and the major leagues. In such a system, it’s not surprising that you only see the upper end of the range. The lower end are not worth your time to consider. It would be like a D or F from John.
by FunWithHeadlines on May 21, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
I’ve been a subscriber for years and have found Deric’s ratings and analysis very helpful. Not only does he rate prospects on a 6-10 scale, but he assigns a letter grade of A-F to indicate how close the player is to achieving their potential.
The only two players I can remember receiving a 10 are Justin Upton and Clayton Kershaw.
He is a trained scout who sees all, or nearly all, of the players he rates.
Flaxseed oil dependent
McKamey
I really like him. No sense in making him sound mediocre. McKamey is really good.
"That ain't no etch-a-sketch. This is one doodle that can't be un-did, homeskillet."
Business owners have a right to defend their intellectual property
Re: “Further, Shandler… would appear mortally offended by anyone who happened to use terms that he and his staff were responsible for developing.” Yes, I think I’d be mortally offended if someone was ripping me off too.
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