Fantasy Baseball Expert Interview: Todd Farino

Welcome back to the newest installment in our series of interviews aimed at giving readers insight into the minds and backgrounds of those fantasy writers and pundits who have reached the level of "expert." It seems there has been an explosion in the number of people claiming the title in the last few years, but no one seems to know where they come from. These interviews aim to change all that, while also giving aspiring "experts" (such as myself) some advice on both how to break into the industry and ways to improve your fantasy skills.

Our guest this week is Todd Farino, the founder of Fantasy Baseball Search and the creator of our Expert League.

 

In your opinion, what makes you a fantasy expert? (basically the polite way of asking - why should people listen to you?)

 

I don't really like to call myself an expert.  I'll leave that to the readers.  I love to analyze baseball from a strategy POV.  I think the reason why I have success and hopefully why people should listen to me is I don't beat around the bush.  I tell it like it is.  Some analysts won't risk their reputation on tough calls, but I will.  I have a history of winning, playing tough competitors, and backing up everything I say.  If people want to take advantage of skills that I have built over the past 18+ years the more to them.  I still feel I have alot of growth left to do and I'm constantly revising my strategies every season.  The key to winning is to stay ahead of everyone else.  I do that the pretty well so far and I don't succumb to the pressures of the industry.  I'm very raw in that sense.

In addition to the traditional columns and blogs, what is it that your website does?  Specifically, what is the "search" aspect?

 

The search aspect was created years ago when Google and Yahoo weren't as refined as they are today.  Currently, we only allow fantasy baseball sites oriented into our index.  The bonus is, we give the site an initial rating based on certain parameters, then we allow the users to rate the sites based on their own experience.  We also will update our ranking at the sites request.  We also focus on customer service.  We enjoy chatting with the customers, so I try to do as much as I can to interact with fellow fantasy baseball fans. 

 

How many years have you been playing fantasy?

 

I've been playing fantasy baseball since 1991-92.  Back then me and my friends Aaron and Rusty carried around a purple spiral notebook with all the point totals for everyday of the season.  Eventually I wrote a MS Basic program to tabulate the totals, but data entry wasn't any easier.  It was fun to play, but the internet has definitely made it easier.  Nobody with a sane head could play in more than one league before the internet.

 

How many years have you been writing?

 

I've been writing fantasy sports for about 3 years now.  I've been actually writing since high school for the newspaper and as well as a reporter at UNLV while I was in college.  I've written lots of other stuff as well.  So you can say I've written off and on for about 18 years. 

 

How did you get your start?

 

My start in fantasy sports was simple.  I ran a web design company that I started in college and decided to launch a search engine for fantasy football and baseball.  Back in 2003 the search engines were really bad about clarifying what was fantasy sports and what was porn.

 

What made you want to get into the industry?

 

At first I wasn't that interested in getting into the industry, but fantasy sports is the wild west of sports right now.  Nobody really has a firm grip on it, so I threw my hat in with the hopes that when the dust settles I'll find success.  So far it's going pretty good.

 

What advice would you have specific for people who want to break into the industry?

 

If you want to break into the industry, stick to your guns and what made you successful.  Don't change anything just because someone says negative things about your advice.  Once you change, you've sold out like many of the fantasy baseball guys out there.

 

Speaking from a programmer's perspective, do you think there are further technical innovations coming to the fantasy industry or are the commissioner programs as good as they are going to get?
 

I think there are big strides that can be made in fantasy programming.  There is so much that can be done with player stats that the commissioner programs haven't even gotten into yet.  Yahoo! does some good things and so does CBS, but neither has perfected it.  I think the job will be done when all the users stop saying, I wish I could do this. 

What would you like to see improved?

 

I'd like to see the all around format improved.  For example in CBS, I'd like to see who my lineup is facing each day.  I'd like to know probable pitchers, and I like split stats to be worked into the overall stats.  Now if they can only force teams to accept bad trades the work would be done.

 

I'd also love to see league systems have the programming capability to allow managers to swap out injured players during the game just like it would happen in real life.  As long as both players were still playing that day, you designate backups for your starters and if they go down, your guy goes in.  That is something that needs to happen.  Roster changes on the fly.  Same thing if players sit, but you don't get to your lineup in time.  Have a designated back up to start.

 

Time for a round of favorites.  Team?

 

My favorite team since 1989 has been the Boston Red Sox.  Before then I followed Fred Lynn around.

Player?

 

Growing up, my favorite player was Fred Lynn.  I don't really have a favorite active player, but if I did I'd say David Ortiz or Jon Lester.

Fantasy memory/moment?

 

My favorite fantasy moment was beating my brother Chris Farino (www.profantasybaseball.com) for the first time in 2006 in his own PROFESSIONAL league.  He always had my number and as an expert himself he is quite the challenge.  He hasn't beaten me at baseball since.

Who is your single favorite fantasy writer at a site other than your own?

 

Right now I love Scott Engel from Rotoexperts.com.  I swear we are lost brothers from a bad hospital.  His philosophies and style are nearly identical to me, so I love reading his work. 

What advice would you have for people who are playing in their first season?

 

Read my fantasy baseball bible at www.fantasybaseballbible.com. It gives you a heads up if you are new to fantasy baseball.

Do you enjoy fantasy sports more or less since you entered the industry (as opposed to when you just played them)?

 

I have to admit that I enjoy it less.  There is a pressure to do well and sometimes playing great just isn't in my control.  I find myself far more frustrated when I have a bad week then I use too.

 

Do you enjoy sports more or less?

 

I love sports just the same as I use too.  Sports is one of the most important aspects of my life.  I don't know where I'd be without it.  My family comes first, but sports is right behind.  I'm the guy at the wedding checking scores on my Iphone.  My family understands and accepts it!

Do you enjoy podcasting more than writing?  You seem to have a good time on the air.

 

Podcasting is a ton of fun.  I can't say I love it more than my closer report, but I do love it.  My passion for fantasy baseball is strategy, so I get to scream about that for a couple of hours a week on the podcast.  The writing is great as well.  Right now I'm focused on building the most complete closer report on the web and so far I'm doing that. Check out www.thecloserreport.com.  Both are a joy, but the real kick is talking to the listeners in the chat room or answering emails about closers.  Its always a joy to talk baseball.  Frankly, I wouldn't have met my hero Cory Schwartz and you Toby if I didn't do the podcast, so it also helps create strong relationships. 

You are the commissioner of our league.  Do you think there is any extra challenge in being a commissioner in an expert league as opposed to a home league?

 

Not at all.  In an expert league there is really no work at all.  As you can see the league is fun and quiet.  Experts don't talk much, but they are very active with their teams.  Regular leagues talk more and that can lead to hurt egos, plus you have more bad trades and problems.  Overall, there is no need for a commissioner in a expert league.  At least mine.  However, if you don't stop winning, I'll have to pull out the "rookie can't win" clause and take away wins.  Back off Mergler, maybe next year.

 Thanks to Todd for taking the time to answer these questions.  On a quick programming note, I'll be taking Memorial Day off and will be back with Marry, Bury, Date on Tuesday.  Have a great holiday weekend everyone.