Baseball is all about statistics. We display our fanhood by fantasizing over the accumulation of numbers. Nearly every ball that leaves the yard impacts our statistics in some way, and we know it. Nowadays, the players know it as well.
We also know that our players aren’t playing for fantasy number, but for the numbers on their paychecks. However, in most cases the biggest fantasy numbers will get you the bigger paycheck. It is not far-fetched to claim that each member of your fantasy team is devoting their tireless efforts to you. In some ways, it’s the truth.
As our teams developed from 2006 to now we grew attached to certain players, and truly believed they were just playing for us. In all likelihood, Miguel Cabrera will never play another game where numbers aren’t accumulated by Colin’s Team. An appropriately named “I Still Love Cabrera” kept him in 2006, after “Please Cabrera” enjoyed his success in 2005.
We grow attached to these players, because we were smart enough to take them. Everything that they have done well has benefitted us in a major part of our lives. But, some players aren’t as embraced in our fantasy community as most would expect. This begs the question; How important are these milestone season in terms of fantasy value?
Recently we witnessed Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit. The Captain has been the face of baseball for over a decade, at least in terms of positive publicity. There have been bigger names, but they were only positive when being tested for steroids.
Jeter had never been a top fantasy pick, but has surprisingly never been kept. The first 3 years of keepers Jeter was a legitimate keeper option, but was never embraced by a Boston-born manager. This can’t be entirely blamed on loyalty to the Nation, as there have been quite a few of our pinstriped neighbors to the South kept in the Diamond Dynasty. This year Jeter reached 3,000 hits in a less-than-mediocre season for Richie’s 8th place team. The career accomplishments obviously mean less in fantasy perspective, as you can’t use past success in any given season. But, Jarrett certainly enjoyed Bonds’ career home run record, as he finished in 4th place.
There have been several single-season accomplishments since the inauguration of the Diamond Dynasty. K-Rod set the single season saves record in 2008, but the one category star couldn’t help Alex reach the playoffs. This underlines the no closer pitching staff that some managers have tried, and Adrian has succeeded with.
Ichiro set the single-season hits record in 2004. This happened while on Chuck’s team, so the results area somewhat skewed. Chuck finished in tenth, ahead of Jarrett and all-time loss leader, Paul. Other feats of note: Barry Bonds set the single season walks record for Richie in 2004. Tam Names=Overrated finished 3rd. Jimmy Rollins, in 2007, set the all time record for At-Bats in a season, and led TJ to a 4th place finish and third round loss.
But, not every milestone was a positive one.
In 2004, Adam Dunn set a single-season record for strikeouts by fanning 195 times. Dunn accomplished this feat for Tam names=Overrated, a team captained by Richie that finished in 3rd. The incredible number of punchouts didn’t hurt Richie’s season, as Dunn clubbed 46 homers.
Three years later Ryan Howard struck out 199 times, setting a new single-season record in Major League Baseball. James managed the newest strikeout king, and rode his 47 home runs to a championship.
The following season Mark Reynolds made his mark on the record books, striking out 204 times, and taking Jarrett to a six place finish, and first round loss.
It doesn’t end there, Mark Reynolds followed his 2008 campaign with an insurmountable 223 strikeouts in 2009. Jarrett didn’t learn his lesson the year before, but was rewarded for his loyalty. Jarrett managed Reynolds & Co to a Yahoo! Championship and the most controversial third place trophy of all time.
So what do all these milestones mean in terms of fantasy value?
Pretty much nothing. The findings were inconclusive.
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