Matt Lindstrom Injured?

March 15, 2009

I’m watching the United States v. Netherlands game and Matt Lindstrom was just taken out of the game with an apparent injury. 

Lindstrom is expected to be the Marlins closer this year, and could dominate with a fastball that often hits 100 mph.  We don’t know yet if his injury is serious, but if he misses any length of time it will throw the Marlins bullpen into disarray.  Taylor Tankersley is the most obvious choice to replace Lindstrom, but Tankersley got shelled last year in an injury-filled season.  Other options include Leo Nunez (2.98 ERA in ‘08), Logan Kensley (4.23 ERA in ‘08), Scott Proctor (6.05 ERA in ‘08) or Renyel Pinto (4.45 ERA in ‘08).

The injury occurred in the 8th inning shortly after Lindstrom let up a homerun to Engelhard, who crushed a ball to right field.  Engelhard lingered at the plate, admiring his blast.  Lindstrom didn’t appreciate being showed up, and decided to bean the next batter, which almost set off a brawl.  A few pitches later and Lindstrom was taken out.

The injury didn’t appear too serious, but be sure to keep an eye on this over the next few days.

Written by Evan Rosen · Filed Under Player News | Leave a Comment 

Tales From The War Room

March 15, 2009

I am often asked about my favorite draft day stories.  After playing fantasy baseball for 21 years, I have quite a few.  From the time someone drafted Donnie Moore – after he committed suicide — to the time Eric Young was drafted in the 1st round (4th overall), I could write a book of war stories.  But here’s my all time favorite. 

On a cold day in March 1991, I headed over to my friend’s house in Central New Jersey to participate in a ten team, 4×4 American League-Only draft with my teammate, Brian.  Even back in those early days of fantasy baseball we knew enough to come to the draft fully prepared with rankings, a list of sleepers, and an injury report.  But we also had a trick up our sleeve. 

You see, everyone in the league knew that Shawn Hillegas, a relief pitcher on the Indians, was my Uncle’s brother-in-law.  Consequently, the other league members thought Brian and I would want him on our fantasy team.  But our goal was to the win the league, and Hillegas wasn’t exactly a star, so we had no intention of bidding on him.  Its like bidding on Luis Vicaino — you can do it, but it isn’t exactly a good idea.  Instead, we used my affiliation with Hillegas as a ploy.

Prior to the draft we scouted a young rookie shortstop named Travis Fryman, who was projected to hit 20+ homers and start for the Detroit Tigers.  We were confident that few people in the league knew about him even though he had 200 at-bats in 1990.  Yet, we took no chances.  We needed a ruse.  So, in the 18th round of the auction I started to nominate “Shawn Hillegas,” which according to league rules, would have required us bidding a $1 on him.  Midway through the nomination, Brian interrupts me and says, “no, we nominate Travis Fryman.”  I jump up off the couch, slam my notebook into the carpeted floor, scream a stream of curses at Brian and yell, “Travis Fryman?  That guy sucks — why would you nominate him” and storm out of the room. 

According to Brian, after I left the room everyone looked around at each other dumbfounded, and decided to “stick us” with Fryman for a $1, obviously under the assumption that Fryman wasn’t worth drafting.  After the auctioneer made the purchase final, I jubilantly ran back into the room, and to the astonishment of the rest of the league, slapped Brian five and added Fryman to our roster.

Long story short, Fryman hit .259-21-91-12 and we won the league by 15 points.  Not bad for a buck.  A stunt like that would never work in the fantasy baseball leagues I play in today, but it sure was fun back then. 

Do you have any fun draft day stories?  Share them in the comments section below.

Written by Evan Rosen · Filed Under Miscellaneous | 1 Comment