The past few days have been spent with me saying to wake me up when September ends, that I don't care any more, and asking is it over yet. September still has two more days after today but there aren't any more, barring one game playoffs, left in the Major League Baseball season. It has been a ruff ryde for me this year, lots of lows and one spectacular sixteen pick high. I had a good time throughout though and starting this series made it even more fun. Like the annoying Ben & Jerry's bumper sticker on that Prius in front of you always reads, "If it's not fun, why do it?" That is why I always come back to these games even though I can't quite pinpoint how to actually be successful at them.
As you can see from my profile page, I don't look like I did half bad. I was over .500 in my picks and said selections hit for a cumulative .293 average. Both of those statistics were higher than the top person on the leaderboard, even if I had to use my mulligan. You my boy Lucroy!
I just lacked a certain confidence in playing the game. Instead of trusting my instincts on a hitter, I would over analyze game splits, batting averages at certain parks, and other mitigating factors and end up back at zero. It is a fatal flaw both as a person and a BTS player but it doesn't sap the fun out of the game, the paramount reason for playing. Some, including myself at several points throughout the year, would say that the $5.6 million prize is the top reason to continue to beat yourself up for picking the wrong guy on the wrong day. I already have a job to make money (not $5.6 million but still) and not have fun, why would I subject myself to that any more than I needed to? I love the game of baseball and I feel this game helps me to amplify that affection. Fantasy sports as a whole should be used to garner a bigger understanding of all the players and nuances of the game. I feel that gets lost on a lot of people with each new challenge or contest that arises. Yes, money can drive a large number of people to fantasy sports leagues and these streak games but I once again ask "If it's not fun, why do it?"
I play for silly badges. I play for discounts I will never be able to use because I am fucking poor. I play for comradery and commiseration. I play because I am not ready for the baseball season to be over. I am hoping for there to be three one game playoffs tomorrow and from the looks of it, the overlords at Beat The Streak aren't ready for their game to be over with either. If today is the last day of Beat The Streak 2014, it has been first and foremost FUN. To all who played and to all who somehow stumbled upon my little rinky dink blog, I'll see you next year. If somehow the BTS gods grant us another day of picks, I'll see you tomorrow.
The end of Beat the Streak does not mean the end of Streaking In Public. ESPN's Streak for the Cash is year round so I am sure myself as well as some fellow Streakers will have plenty of entertaining rants, raves, and picks to make for your reading enjoyment. I know I will at least enjoy myself doing it, no matter how many people enter the hallowed corridors of the I Hate You Entirely Because of Streak For The Cash Hall of Fame. Here is my pick for today and as always HAPPY STREAKING EVERYBODY!
Image Credits: Turner/Cabrera, BTS Materials (mlb.com); Streak pick (espn.com)