Comments on: Previewing the Playoff Matchups: AL

By: Teej

Teej — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:13:10 +0000

Your point is a fair one, but is the comments section really supposed to be a referendum on the quality of each article? I’d rather talk about the topic at hand than discuss where the writer could have done better. The writers post a ton of short blurbs all week long. If one of them doesn’t do much for me, I’ll just move on, because there’s a lot more fun stuff about baseball to talk about, and focusing energy on something I’m not interested in is a waste of my time.

For me, it’s just an attitude thing. People who feel like they’re entitled to something they didn’t do anything to earn tend to rub me the wrong way. Particularly when the criticism comes laced with sarcasm and other demeaning tones that are creating a standoffish form of dialogue everywhere on the Web. That’s what bugs me — far more than someone simply telling the writer he could do better.

Not to mention, this isn’t THT or BP, where there are 5,000-word dissertations on a topic. It’s a blog centered on quick-hit stuff. This was a simple summary of what’s coming up, and looking at the quality of the two teams who are still in a race.

By: noseeum

noseeum — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:49:24 +0000

Why is no comments better than criticism? What’s wrong with criticism? It’s best if it’s constructive, of course, but what’s wrong with people expecting more from fangraphs?

I don’t really get the people who prefer a “nothing to see here” strategy. If you like the article that’s one thing, but “Yes, it’s not good, but don’t be mean and point it out?” That’s a weird stance.

By: Teej

Teej — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:49:41 +0000

Why would you do any of those things when you can be a dick instead? It’s the Internet! Get with it, man.

By: Justin

Justin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:24:17 +0000

Just months ago all these negative comments would have not surfaced. Instead people would just not comment on the article, read another, or state their own opinions on the match-ups.

By: mattymatty

mattymatty — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:56:41 +0000

As Travis kindly pointed out, nobody cares what I think, but I have to say, as a huge fan of Fangraphs and someone who reads the site multiple times per day (and thank you to all the authors for your generally excellent content!) this article was a disappointment to me. Not much was offered in the way of analysis, and not much much was pointed out that I as a baseball fan did not already know.

All that said, everyone needs a mulligan from time to time and if they sold fangraphs t-shirts, I’d own one.

By: Travis

Travis — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:13:07 +0000

In other words, go somewhere else, email Appleman directly, or ignore it and get over it. No one cares what you think, and while you think you have some right to criticize, the reality is that you are a reading free content and they can write whatever they want with or without your approval.

By: Travis

Travis — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:11:42 +0000

I enjoy whining about free content with an undeserved sense of self importance as though there were some reason that someone should write an article that not only amuses me, but that matches my theory about the same player. Should the article meet neither of those guidelines, I prefer to personally insult both the author and his content as though my opinion was one of authority, even though I am a nobody and have no right/reason to criticize something I don’t pay for.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:07:41 +0000

if you’re reading this site you already know what the AL playoff matches will be. it’s pointless to devote an entire article to them.

if you want to spur a discussion between the readers that’s fine. but as the article stands it’s stupid and wouldn’t even be published in a high school paper.

By: noseeum

noseeum — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:22:49 +0000

Maybe there’s a little too much snark or insult, but this article was definitely mailed in.

It’s a blog, so the best way to make this a much better post is to make it an open thread.

Title: AL Playoffs Open Thread
“Hey folks, here’s the matchups. Who do you think will win?” And let us have at it in the comments.

By: Ezra

Ezra — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:59:24 +0000

I agree with Travis. Your comments just aren’t worth surfing, fans.