ITL Participation Review

Participation Review: ITL© June 07, 2006

Well, we're a third of the way through our fantasy baseball season, and the general consensus, much like every year, is that the participation has been sub par at best. In order to best determine each member’s participation in league activity, I will break down statistics (maybe) and put forth my un-biased (maybe) opinion on what each member brings to the table. The categories being taken into account will be: Message board activity, team spirit, and owner potential/growth. Message board activity includes any and all postings, but you don’t get points for posting bullshit. Team spirit refers not necessarily to the ability of the team, but how each owner feels about his team, and the actions he takes toward making them better. Owner potential/growth is probably the most heavily weighed factor here. It is based on what I feel are the key components to being a quality owner in this league. Taken into account will be owner’s age, social life, school, career and sexual orientation. These will be determined on a scale of 0-5. Zero being we could give a shit if you were gone, 5 being the league would be in dire straights without you. Here's what we've got so far:

Michael Boyd

Message board activity: Michael is a regular participator on the message board, and certainly has his hot and cold moments. While he remains constantly active and opinionated, many of Boyd’s nonsense posts have hurt his grade a little here. Nothing he can’t make up in the long haul. Grade: 4.5

Team spirit: This category is a bit tricky. By being voted consensus underachiever by his fellow league mates, this tells me one thing: Boyd knows how to win, and has the players to do it. He’s proven he can in the past, and the league expects him to rebound from his slow start. With 42 moves to date, he is constantly looking for ways to improve his squad, and that is what we are looking for here at ITL©: Dedication. Grade: 5

Owner Growth (Potential): Like stated above, Boyd knows how to win. At a ripe 21 years of age, a mind full of baseball knowledge, a mouth to back it up, and the single life as far as the eye can see, the sky is the limit for Michael. If he can avoid doing something stupid, like getting a girl/boy friend who won’t let him watch ESPN, Boyd should be a mainstay in ITL© activities for years to come. His only clear cut downfall is that he blows. Grade: 4

Overall Participation/Value: 4.75 – Don’t go anywhere Michael, this league needs good men like you.

Jeff Boyd

Message board activity: If anyone has noticed, Jeff is anchor that keeps our message board grounded. Not only does he bring participation, he brings much needed insightfulness and constant bits of entertainment and knowledge to us. If Jeff wasn’t a fresh law school grad, I would encourage him to get into sports journalism. His enthusiasm lacks nothing, as evidenced by his recent road trip and constant updates. Grade: 5

Team spirit: After last week’s thumping of Th***er Dan, Jeff is floating on cloud 9. Sitting at a 6-3 record, his team looks to be here to stay. If young stud Lincecum can bring the heat through the dog days of summer, Jeff has to like his chances. Only thing that could hurt him here is if drunk-karaoke Jeff gets a hold of his computer. Expect him to make an October run. Grade: 3.5

Owner Growth (Potential): At 25 years old, Jeff is entering and exiting his prime. He faces the same problem Michael does, but I don’t see the potential for being pussy-whipped that Michael has. If Jeff had to choose sex or sports, the choice is clear: jerk off to ESPN the Magazine. Downside: He’s getting older, and with age comes responsibility. He didn’t get a law degree for the hell of it. Expect participation to slowly decline in the coming years. Grade: 3.5

Overall Participation/Value: Despite the last 2 scores, I’m giving him a 4.5. Jeff is one of our most dedicated owners.

Kevin Reyes

Message board activity: Not much to say here. As the Commish, Kev does more then pull his weight. Constant updates at our fingertips, and a fearless leader, Kevin is the face of the ITL© message board. Grade: 5.

Team spirit: Never one to be shy about his knowledge, Kevin seems to know what he’s doing come draft day. Even in his 2nd best fantasy sport, He brings it hard, all year long. With 3 Bo-Sox to cheer for and a 7-2 start, it’s gotta be hard to not cheer for your team, Kev. Grade: 5

Owner Growth (Potential): Headed into his final year of Harvard, Kevin certainly has kept up his end of the bargain. Found a solid balance between school/girl/fantasy. Expect nothing less in his final year on the East Coast, but like Jeff, law school won’t exactly leave him hours of free time. Grade: 4.

Overall Participation/Value: 5. It will be a dark day for ITL when and if Kevin steps down. Things that I can see making this happen: World War III and he gets drafted, loss of major limb, Kevin coming out of the closet.

Daniel Thomson

Message board activity: Again, one of the best. Constant activity and excellent job filling his duties as co-commissioner put Daniel among our league elite. The only thing docking him points here is the occasional basketball reference. Grade: 4

Team Spirit: Hard to be happy with himself after last week’s massacre, but Daniel remains positive. Quite honestly, if I were him, I’d jump ship and start over. However, mad props for keeping your head up, things will turn around. Grade: 4.5

Owner Growth (Potential): Before Daniel met fantasy baseball, he didn’t know the difference between a base on balls and balls on his chin. Fortunately, this has changed, albeit he still enjoys balls on his chin. He’s got room to grow, and plenty to learn. I like Daniel as a perennial contender because of his willingness to learn and take chances. Grade: 5

Overall Participation/Value: 4.75. Daniel, this league loves you like a fat kid loves cake.

Cody Shumacher

Message board activity: With Cody’s knowledge of the game, his activity leaves something to be desired. He knows his stuff, and while trash talking may not be his forte, he is more then capable of battling it out with wits. We’re expecting him to step it up in the second half. Grade: 2.5

Team Spirit: With all but 5 of his players from the NL, Cody has a clear League of choice. Always confident in his squad, and with good reason, Cody knows how to win, goes out, and executes. It doesn’t matter what sport, at years end, Cody is somewhere among the leaders. Problem: Mets fan. Grade: 4

Owner Growth (Potential): Most likely to grow up and lock himself in his basement to watch ESPN all day: Cody. Just like Jeff, I could see Cody choosing sports over many essentials in life, which is highly commendable. Grade: 4

Overall Participation/Value: 3.75, more posting could raise his score by year’s end.

Steph(v)en Boyd

Message board activity: If the way I typed his name doesn’t say it, I don’t know what will. Steph(v)en is such an enigma in this league I don’t even know how to spell his name. He’s yet to start one thread, and I’m too lazy to see if he’s even replied to one. Nowhere to go but up, but I’m not counting on it. Grade: 0

Team Spirit: Hard to tell, he’s got a good squad, but I don’t think he knows it. Hey Kev, mind if I send some shit his way in a package deal for Santana and Sizemore? Grade: 0

Owner Growth (Potential): He’s reached his ceiling. Yes, believe it or not, he’s done. A newly wed has no chance in these circumstances. It’s like sending a high school basketball team to play the Spurs. Nail in the coffin, take the steaks off the grill. This has to be Steph(v)en’s last season. Grade: -1

Overall Participation/Value: -0.75. Steph(v)en, coach wants to see you in his office, bring your playbook.

Mike Duarte

Message board activity: Hey Mike, I’m not sure if you know this, but ESPN has a message board too. Yeah it’s a new feature, it’s great. Easy way to keep in touch with old friends, stir up some drama (I know you’re fond of that). You should check it out. Grade: 0

Team Spirit: Go… umm… StraightouttaMenifee? Hot Springs? San Diego? Loma Land? Where are you from again Mike? Better yet, where do you even live now? Well… call me sometime, 951.902.53… you should have the rest. Unless you’re busy helping your parents move, then just call me, we’ll make plans, and you won’t show. Grade: 0.5 just for kicks and giggles.

Owner Growth (Potential): Potential is there, desire is not. Mike is like the stud athlete who has all the potential to do well, but just doesn’t care. This is a stark contrast to the Mike we used to know. He has all the tools, but no motivation. So far, his 2nd go around with ITL© has been a disaster. You know the feeling you get when you step on a spider, and you have to look, just to make sure it’s really dead? Well, the spider’s dead. Grade: 0.

Overall Participation/Value: 0.25. Mike, we extended the invitation for you to return, and unfortunately, you accepted.

Matt Reyes

Message board activity: High expectations have left something to be desired for Matt. His best quality is his personality, catch phrases and all around good humor, but Matt hasn’t produced. I think we were all waiting with anticipation for the first Duarte/Reyes blow up, and both owners have let us down. Grade: 1

Team Spirit: Well, I think we were fucked in this category from the get-go. As Matt shot hoops and shouted “Just pick for me, I don’t care” as he walked back into the house on draft night, my heart sank. I wanted to go find the first bum on the street to replace him right there. Grade: -2

Owner Growth (Potential): This is becoming far too common: Matt has peaked, and he’s on the way down. I hope it’s just a seasonal thing, but we need consistent owners here. Maybe Hoop season will bring out the best in Matt again, but right now, I don’t see light at the end of the tunnel. The college life is over for Matt, and with that the fire in his heart for fantasy sports has seemed to die out. Grade: 1.5

Overall Participation/Value: 1. I’d say there’s a 1 in a million shot that Matt gets back to where he once was.

Brandon Burns

Message board activity: Well, the only thing we hear from Burns on the board lately his him bailing on league activities or letting us know he doesn’t talk shit. Grade: 0.5

Team Spirit: Hard to talk shit on a guy who seems to idolize Mother Theresa, but watch me. Burns missed the draft for his 1 fucking year anniversary. If I weren’t so pussy whipped myself, I would go on about this. He has AJ Pierzynski on his team. That’s enough to bend him over. Throw in Kenny I punched out a camera man Rogers, Jeff I have a chip on my shoulder Kent, and a guy named Bill Hall, and Burns team is up shit creek without a paddle. Oh, and I hear Piazza is gay. Team chemistry is clearly not on his mind. Grade: 0

Owner Growth (Potential): I don’t see any upside here. Burns has been a member for quite some time now, and he has never shown an active interest in our league. It’s a walk year for Brandon and he’s not playing like it. Grade: 0.5

Overall Participation/Value: 0.25. Not much reason to keep Burnsy around, minus the fact that he’s a saint, and I hear it’s good to have a few of those on our side.

Trent Bridges

Message board activity: I’m still holding out hope for Bridges, I really am. He’s got game, he’s got some knowledge, and he seems to have a good balance of sports/women/work in his life. I don’t know what it is, but I think there’s something that can really make him an impact owner and get him more involved. Grade: 2.5

Team Spirit: He’s got Carlos Delgado. I just wish someone would suck his…err.. I dunno. With some under-performing superstars on his squad, I think he has reason to be optimistic. If Soriano can get on track and the Yanks can carry some leads to the 9th for Mo, this team could be alright. Until then, expect the same. Grade: 3

Owner Growth (Potential): Like I said before, I see it in him. If he can avoid the influence of the older Reyes, I like Bridges in our league for years to come. Whether those are his plans or not, no one knows. Grade: 3

Overall Participation/Value: 3. Not tearing it up, but not exactly on the verge of extinction.

Steven Rojas

Message board activity: Strangely enough, Rojas manages to make pick ups, set his lineup, and date Duarte. Maybe all of that combined with his Air Force Duties limit his abilities to post, but I’m not letting him off that easy. Grade: 0

Team Spirit: 0-10. Missed the draft. Don’t give me the “he’s in the Air Force” line. Last time I checked, he didn’t have a clause in his contract that excuses government employed personnel from participating. His team sucks, and I don’t think he has a snowball’s chance in hell of turning this around. I’d be mad at Duarte too. Grade: 0

Owner Growth (Potential): He knows what a Point Guard is now. That’s about it. Well, according to my calculations, Rojas won’t be out of the Air Force for… 3,4, 5 a bagillion years. His fantasy run is coming to an end. Grade: 1

Overall Participation/Value: 0.33333333

Trent Knapp

Message board activity: I’m not one to toot my own horn, but I am writing this mother humping article aren’t I? And only 5 of you are going to read it aren’t you? Grade: 5

Team Spirit: Rooting for your favorite team is easy. Lucky for me, I have a few Halo’s to cheer for. Ryan Howard seems to be coming out of his funk, but Halladay is sliding. Gonna try and stay positive, great pitching staff should carry the load. Grade: 4

Owner Growth (Potential): According to a recent poll, barring a prison sentence, I should be in it for the long Haul. Tricky part: find the desire to compete come hoops season. Cross your fingers for the #1 pick. I’ll hand out blow jobs for Lebron. Grade: 4.5

Overall Participation/Value: Let’s face it, I’m solid. I’m going 4.75 for myself. Any questions, go fuck yourselves.