[IBL] Sand Crab Season is over

[Doug Palmer]

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…..  I think I read that
on a Captain Crunch cereal box back in the day.  Regardless, it certainly
seems apropos on this day after.  And the strange thing is, as I prepare
for the autopsy on the 2016 Sand Crab season, I’m not upset.  I mean, I
lost in heartbreaking fashion (bottom of the ninth?  Game 7?  Walk off
homer against my closer?....yup, checked all the boxes there), but I’m not
upset or heartbroken at all.  That series with Rusty was FUN!  Every game
close.  Every game down to one or two important decisions.

My goal this season was to make the playoffs and to win more games than
last season.  That’s it.  To finally rid myself of the “perennial cellar
dweller” moniker and participate in the post season for the first time in 7
years.   And I accomplished that.  Everything after that was gravy.  And
I’d say taking the AC #1 seed to 7 games is nice amount of gravy.  And in
the process, I learned a TON.  Besides, I couldn’t let Brent get a top 5
pick for Elvis Andrus! LOL

I learned that this is a game predicated not so much on luck (so much) but
moreseo on simple numbers and percentages (although the rollbot can be a
bitch sometimes).  And that sometimes, those numbers won’t work in your
favor.  I learned that while it’s possible to get through a season with a
lackluster #3 and even less…err…lustery #4 and #5 pitchers, that you really
need 3 studs  in the playoffs (sorry Kevin Gausman, but you didn’t quite
fit the bill).  I learned that cards aren’t players and that you don’t play
someone because you “like them” on your real life team (sorry Mark Trumbo,
but I never needed you off the bench).  I learned (through playing and
watching) that the playoffs are played tighter…closer to the vest…and more
conservative.  And I learned that the IBL has the best bunch of owners
around, bar none.

To all of the owners who emailed me with encouragement, and advice, and
constructive criticism, I say THANK YOU!!  It was fun being the Chicago
Cubs of the IBL for these last 7 years.  I had owners who I haven’t had the
fortune of playing against yet email me with support.  For that, thank you!!
And right back at ya!

So the season is over and I look forward to the draft and the research that
goes along with that.  And I count the days before the ratings come out and
finally, the cards for next season.  And then, set the goals for NEXT
season….95 wins and a deeper run into the playoffs.
Sand Crab Baseball 2017…..this time, it’s CRABtastic!

So until next season....

Doug Palmer
Baltimore Sand Crabs
2016 IBL AC West Division Champion
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.ibl.org/pipermail/members/attachments/20161128/e200173f/attachment.html>