Can you guys read EK's blog?

I haven't been able to read them because the ESPN site won't log me on (even though I can read some of the other Insider columns).

Eric Karabell

I got in just fine. Let me know if you need me to send you the newest entry or something.

Thanks anyway Havok -

ESPN says my Insider access expired 7/22 - That makes sense I guess, since I was on the free ESPN Mag promo from last season's Fantasy Baseball screw up.

I'll check my latest Mag (cause they still send that to me), and just renew with that sub number if I have to.

I hate their stupid marketing BS with "Insider" and pay content. The free fantasy games are the right idea; why do they still think they can charge me to be an "Insider"?

Whatever E$PN - I'll just find another way to get the critical Insider columns - or not. It might not be worth the effort.

Here is a great breakdown of the fine ESPN Magazine:

(It's a bit long, but there are some really funny lines in it! Make sure you read the Comments section!)

It Sucks!

Here is Part 2 of his adventure:
Part 2

Funny!

Man, are you guys really reading Eric Karabell? That guy rolls off some of the *worst* baseball advice. I used to like reading his stuff because he was succinct and to the point, but over the course of the season I've seen how absurd his "predictions" have been.

Here's a funny little take on just that topic matter: http://razzball.com/karabells-genius-misunderstood/

Karabell's terrible? Really?

Hmmm....While I really like the Dipity timeline, I'm not sure 6 mistakes over 20 weeks makes him the *worst*. Hell, I made 6 mistakes today.

Have you seen the volume of content EK churns out? He's doing more than his share. Plus football, plus radio, plus podcasts - kinda like TMR.

Perhaps the volume of work exposes him to more mistakes in the long haul. It makes him "shit it and spit it" as the kids say.

Let's look at Hater Bell's criticism from May 27th (just an example):
EK puts Nate McLouth ahead of Hanley Ramirez in his fantasy MVP rankings.
McLouth - 22HR, 87R, 75RBI, 14SB, .277AVG
Ramirez - 27HR, 96R, 56RBI, 28SB, .297AVG

Yeah - that's just dumb.


EK says he likes Cliff Lee for AL Cy Young, and that Lee will threaten 20 wins and keep his ERA near 2.50.

HB says EK sux, and doesn't know shit.

Lee is 17-2, with a 2.43 ERA right now.

So that's a pretty good one.

And on it goes.....

I agree with bookie. Karabell does put up some quality stuff, it's just picking through his sheer volume to find it. I'd like to see the comparable timeline of things Karabell has gotten right. Not exactly both sides of the coin were shown in that timeline.

Maybe Karabell should take his time and look for more quality over quantity but at the end of the day, you do what pays the bills. If the editors just want more pieces, I guess we can't really complain.

BTW, those two ESPN Mag articles were hilarious reads. The original letter was great but the comments put it over the top.

Havok,

I loved the two pieces. At first I thought "Oh great - more homophobes and racists", but if you read them closely, it is pretty damn funny!

"More shirtless dudes....."

Karabell has some good stuff from time to time. Though I have come to the conclusion that the "experts" opinions are no better than my own and there is an overload of fantasy info out there. Next year I plan to use (i) a player news site like Rotoworld or Rotowire so that I don't have to read every sports section out there to have the latest info, (ii) Baseball HQ for projections and player evaluations as I think they are by far the best out there (and the most analytical as opposed to being based hunches) , and (iii) the RR folks for insight and opinions on specific questions I face entering the draft and then throughout the season.

On another note, I love those links that BB posted!!!

I think you just about nailed my strategy Daver. I rely on my own "hunches" throughout the season, I don't need those of other so-called experts. Keep yourself knowledgeable and around the game, form your own opinions, run them past the boards to make sure you're not missing something obvious... then watch the success roll in.

clean out your cookies and then try logging in, I'm having the same problem lately and this seems to do the trick.