The Love of a Good Book

Some people have cigarettes; others have alcohol; some unfortunately have harder drugs. For me, I have……a good book. A good book is very addicting for me; once I’m into it I can’t stop. I literally “cannot put it down.” I recently re-read The Cardturner (by Louis Sachar, a 3-year anniversary for me) and planned to space it out over the course of a couple days; instead I found myself consuming the whole novel (not that bad because it’s a teen book but with some pretty philosophical adult themes) and finishing it, it’s that good. It’s always a good sign when a reader both reads it a second time, and can’t stop reading it the second time even though they know how it ends. Read the book. Seriously, it’s worth it.  

Here are other signs of a good book:

1.)    I felt myself nodding or saying “that happens to me!” several times during the book, like when the narrator describes how his emotions about the girl he used to dislike he now likes, or even mundane things like fearing that his car will break down.

2.)    Have a likable, cute little sister. Even though very few of us have the pleasure of having a fun little sister (I satisfied the little sister-possessing part but don’t think my own little sister would even describe herself as “cute” or “likable”), it’s so much better in a book because they can dazzle us and make us wish we had one.

3.)    Inspiration. I’ve read dark books with important themes like “Invisible Man” or “Of Mice and Men” or “Lord of the Flies” and while they are timeless classics for a reason, they don’t inspire confidence in the human race. “The Cardturner” does; it reminds us that there is still some hope out there, that there are good people, and however “false hope-mongering” it is, gives us dreamers something to feed ourselves. Ultimately, I like these kind of books better, when, at the end, I have to take a walk and just think and just bask in the glow of the book, the goodness and the hope that it exudes. That’s when you know it’s a good book.

4.)    The ending is totally unexpected. I did not see that ending in The Cardturner coming, but it just puts everything together. Authors, I know it seems fundamental, but not everyone does this. Publishers might not care, but readers do.

5.)    It has “perfect motion” in the sense that the story moves almost seamlessly, transitioning from one subject to another in a very logical but sometimes spontaneous way, perfect spaced to keep the reader guessing but enough to keep them hooked and feeding some information. Sometimes authors just don’t get this because they have the ending in their mind already and don’t realize how the story unfolds to the readers; Sachar gets this (he’s had like 20 years to refine his craft and his early works, Sideways stories from Wayside School, weren’t bad neither)

I’ll never understand poetry and why people love it, but from what I understand great poetry is how it flows, how it transitions from one word to the next in an artistic form. A good book will do so it. It will develop characters in a way that allows the reader some room to develop but also put great distance in it. I like to call this “perfect motion” and it applies to many facets of life.

We all aspire to that “perfect motion.” At work, millions of dollars are pumped into getting the most efficient work product from workers, the most efficient way to move products from one place to another (industrial distribution management, something I almost majored in during college). In sports, players try to get to the end result as smoothly as possible, whether with crisp passes or teammates or handoffs to running backs. I try in every writing to get that perfect motion to deliver my ideas to you. I hope I was at least somewhat successful here.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan 

Spring Training

This past weekend I attended 4 games in 3 days at MLB spring training in the Phoenix area. Some observations:

Apparently spring training is a big deal; the rental car agency had a map of all the Cactus League baseball stadiums in the area for visitors to use.
Each stadium we went to was pretty full; almost reaching the capacity of 16,000 or so.
Most of the stadiums look the same; a mini-version of the MLB baseball stadiums with the large expanse of Arizona desert in the background.
Star players sit out liberally; it's somewhat disappointing when they are not in the lineup.
It's easier (and less taxing to the wallet) to see the players in person. We sat on the right-field line for a Seattle-Padres game on a Friday night and apparently the managers decided to send their star players home early, almost in order of seniority on the ballclub. Former Yankees legend Robbie Cano smacked a double in the 2nd inning and promptly left the game and the stadium, leaving down the right field line and 10 feet from us. I definitely used the opportunity to shout out encouragements to favorite players like Cano and Andrew Cashner (had his head down, didn't acknowledge anyone) and heckle players I've been angry with (Ian Kennedy) as well as encourage players who I currently own on my fantasy baseball teams (Huston Street). It's a pretty interesting contrast between those players who don't acknowledge anyone from the crowd even though it's positive and those who give a head nod or wave or even shake someone's hand. It seems to be an inverse correlation between how successful/famous a player is with how much acknowledgement they give out. (The more famous they are, the less friendly they seemed).



What would happen if every job had a spring training? Moving to a remote location for a week/ a month to work out the kinks of a job, sit out on certain days if you have job security. It could also be a chance for some companies to get a "on-the-job" look at prospective employees, so that candidates who are rejected normally have a chance to show off their skills and "make the team." I know some companies have this already, but I think it'd be pretty tough in today's economy, where there are so many contract attorneys, freelancers, people moving from job to job, that the investment of setting up this kind of facility would not pay off. People are just not loyal. Even in baseball, you set up spring training for a month, but the players who attend can be traded, can be released and picked up to another team, have their contract end at the end of the year and move on. I really don't think it's worth it in a vacuum. Obviously the teams are charging poor saps like me to watch the games, so as long as they keep coming the teams will keep putting on spring training.

Really, though why do people go to these spring training games? Think about it, if you're a fan of a baseball team living in that city, there are 82 games during the regular season that one can go to, games that actually count for something, not to mention possible playoff games. Why go all the way to Arizona thousands of miles away to watch games that might end in a tie, where the stars might not play if they don't feel like it? I don't get it. The answer probably has something to do with loyalty (don't know much about), the American baseball way, and cities other than LA/San Diego/ South being cold all winter. People in cold cities want to got to the Grapefruit League in Florida or the Cactus League in Arizona to get away from it all, for the guaranteed 70+ degree temps, to summon some hope that summer and baseball is coming, even though it just added 5 months ago. Or maybe they just want to sit on a lawn in Scottsdale, Arizona, and be able to watch a baseball game and vacation. Whatever the case, Spring Training 2014 will always be a fascinating memory and embodiment of the American baseball spirit for me.


Fantasize on,

Robert Yan

Love me, Love me, Say that You Love me

Listening to “Lovefool” by the Cardigans which amazingly came out in 1996…..hmm is that right?

I’m not calling it a success yet, but I’m happy to report that recently I’ve been dating a girl who I like for several weeks now, and (I think) we actually like each other! Imagine that! It’s really one of the most awesome feelings in the world to know that someone else in the world cares about you. Obviously I have friends and people who appreciate me as a friend, but having someone like me is a pretty rare experience and one that I treasure while it’s ongoing. It makes dating worthwhile and all those other failed dates seem like just a slight detour that I just learned from.

It also emphasizes that online dating is good and all, but meeting someone organically is still the best policy. My special friend and I met and started talking, so we built up a nice repertoire already, a solid foundation of conversation that I could see myself continuing over a date or something. It builds a more solid foundation than the dating site conversations over the internet that don’t come over real well, there’s no looking into one’s eyes to see if they’re genuine or not.  

When I am with my date, it feels like minutes are hours, and hours are days……and not in a bad way like in a lecture or anything. I feel like I’m in a different world of interpersonal experience, like everything I do at work or at home watching sports is pretty insignificant (not that I devalue my work) compared to what is going no at that moment, where we’re getting along perfectly. It also helps that we have a lot of common interests (I knew watching Veronica Mars while studying for the Bar would pay off! We recently both watched the Veronica Mars movie separately without knowing that the other was slightly interested in it). Honestly, I am having fun on these dates, as opposed to feeling like it’s a bit of work.

An internet date seems somewhat like work, there is a set 2 hours or so I devote to that, and then afterwards it’s pretty much over. We don’t see each other over the course of the week, not much interaction over the course of days. It’s not consistent contact. (Maybe that’s just my failure to do so, but I think it’s an inherent flaw in online dating). My special friend and I have a consistent way of contact that I really appreciate and I think it roots from having kind of been friends first. We have a Tuesday night facebook-chat session that goes on for quite a while. I used to just let Tuesdays go by! (No dodgeball, generally a quite sports night, a mid-week school/work night) Now I really look forward to that time. I have a really positive outlook on life right now, and I think it’s because of this relationship I have…..it’s very healthy for me, almost as healthy as laughing 2 times a day.

And how do I know she likes me back? Well there’s the laughing at jokes, initiating conversations with me, returning my texts, agreeing to go on dates with me…….that never happens for me! It’s like I can do no wrong, like walking on water!

The same walking-on-water feeling can be had in playing fantasy sports. Sometimes when a player that I’ve invested a prodigious amount of time and effort into suddenly starts producing, I feel like they actually are starting to love me back. “Hey, you do notice that I’ve drafted you in every draft in the last 3 years, thanks for noticing!” In fantasy hoops this year that player is Isiah Thomas, aka “The Pizza Guy” cuz he delivers. I’ve followed his career ever since his time at University of Washington and this buzzer-beating shot narrated by Gus Johnson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlcJbATdMfA. He came into the league with no hype as the 60^th overall pick in 2011 but stuck with the Kings, emerged as an exciting rookie, and then finally “was freed” this year after starting the year behind Greivis Vazquez, of all people. Our relationship is very special, and I’m glad I’ve stuck around long enough to see it all the way through.

Being liked in real life and in fantasy sports is like a fantasy come true. (cue cheezy music)

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan 

March Madness or "It's a Big World Out there"

One of the most underrated aspects of this time of year (March Madness) is how many facets this country has, just as represented in the NCAA tournament field. Every year it happens: as I’m filling about my bracket, I exclaim: “This is a university?” My enduring memory of this is the March Madness Selection Sunday show (which I used to look forward to eagerly all year as the kickoff of March Madness, but don’t anymore partially due to the advancements of the internet as well as the Fighting Illini not making it to the Dance very often) and understanding which teams are in, and where they’re going, like the Catamounts of Vermont going against the Jack Rabbits of South Dakota St., or Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, etc. This year is no different, as there’s some new teams I’ve never heard of (and I’ve been following the NCAA for about 15 years) like the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, the Delaware Blue Hens (Delaware is a state?) and the Cal Poly Mustangs. Long live the NCAA Tournament.

The safe pick (and smart one, IMO) is Florida, IMO. Everyone on ESPN picked Michigan St. and had Louisville going very far, but one of those 4 seeds might get upset in the first round! Arizona I think is the “value” pick; haven’t got any press at all despite being a 1 seed and terrific season.

This time of year I understand it’s also “Madness” for aspiring medical doctors……especially people from my high school, this was the year that they “got matched” for a position after years and years of schooling…….let’s see, it’s been 9 years since I graduated from high school. A testament to the amount of dedication it takes to get through med school, and as I understand it they’re still not done…….2 years of residency awaits. It reminds me of how different people’s paths converge, as some close friends from high school are now entering almost a completely different world, something foreign to me that I might not ever understand. Even if one lives in the same city as another, or in the same apartment complex, or in the same room, even, as roommates, the lives they lead can be completely different due to there being so many people in the world, so many different lives that one could lead, it’s almost unfathomable.  I often embrace this when I go on vacation or like on a ski trip or something to another state……..there’s such a big world out there, it’s good sometimes just to get out of one’s little bubble and branch out, explore, see how others lead their lives.

Finally, this “little fish in a big pool” concept applies to fantasy baseball too. No matter how deep one’s league is, there’s ALWAYS going to be players still out there that can still be fantasy factors. I’m in a 14-team league with 21 roster spots (so almost 300 players are already rostered) but there are still consistently players who contribute from the waiver wire all the time. Last year, my first 2 additions off the waiver wire were Daniel Murphy and Matt Carpenter, who led tremendously successful seasons. This year, there are intriguing candidates on the waiver wire who can make big impacts like Justin Smoak, Mike Moustakas, Josh Reddick, Tim Hudson, etc., etc. Some of these players WILL make a significant impact on the fantasy season; we just don’t know who those are going to be yet, but it’s pretty satisfying to find out, especially if you are pre-emptively able to pick them up. So the lesson is, even if you messed up at your draft last weekend, don’t give up: it’s a big world out there on the waiver wire, embrace the enormity of the fantasy world and the real world.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan 

Dreams

Shout out to my roommate lance, who I’ve indirectly referred to on this blog without him noticing and is one of my massive readership volume of 5.  Lance and I will be participating in a fantasy draft this Saturday morning at 7:30AM, the earliest I’ve ever woken up to do almost anything, much less fantasy drafting. It will definitely interrupt my sweet dreams, which brings us to the topic of today’s session: 夢へ(yume e) or 夢(yume).

In my opinion, dreams are a way for us to escape the realistic world we live in…..we need a break after the 16 hours that we have to deal with of real life thought, aka going to work, paying bills, driving to different places, worrying about real life problems, etc., where we need dreaming to set it off. What we dream about are things that happen in an alternative reality other than our own, almost like watching a movie and getting lost in another world. The scenes in a dream seem distant and surreal because the fantasy world we dream about wants to block itself off from us and not be discovered so as to grant access without revealing how to get to the dream world without needing dreams. That’s why we see so many conceptually similar things (last night I dreamt about going to Australia, completing this large research project).

I also think dreaming could be some sort of extension of us in an alternative reality, like the Matrix if we had made a different major life decision earlier in our lives, and our dreams our bits of what we could have become (like if I hadn’t gone to USC Law school, what my life would have been like at Washington University of St. Louis, the other school I would have went to, which I constantly wonder about). This makes sense because rarely are my dreams (as I remember them, which I can’t do with a great amount of certainty) way out there like aliens or zombies or anything, they’re usually pretty realistic with the modern world and part of me, just not my life. I also wonder if dreaming is a way to prepare us for when we pass away, where these alternative realities will unite and humans go into a different sort of dimension, like the dreams as a gateway to these alternative realities.

No I am not hallucinating or using strong narcotic substances. I realize there is something called science that totally negates everything I said. But really, dreams are so vivid and bordering on reality that I can’t but think that there’s a non-zero chance that something like what I’ve described is true, especially if the “everything happens for a reason” can be believed. Why else do we spend 8 hours sleeping every night and a large proportion of that dreaming?

Next big new invention idea: how to program dreams so that we select what dream we can have for that night. I sometimes wish for this the morning before a big interview or a big dodgeball game, but not entirely certain it’s ever come true.

I also feel like a good night’s sleep necessitates having a solid dream or two. I often find myself sleepy or tired the morning following a night where I don’t’ remember dreaming.

Dream on,

Robert Yan 

The Parallels of Dating and Dodgeball

I like making never-before-done parallels (hikaku in Japanese, 比較)between 2 almost diametrically opposed things, so this is probably the first essay/ article ever done comparing these 2 things. 前例のない = unprecedented.

In dodgeball, everyone starts in the game and then people get eliminated and have to leave the game as they get out, so let’s use that as a baseline of comparison (getting out in dating would be like stop dating that person)

1.)    Every game of dodgeball is different. The rules may be the same, the players may be the same, but so many different balls are in play and so many different things going on that there a lot of things going on. You never know what can happen at the beginning of the game, whether you’ll be dodging, blocking, jumping, whatever. It’s a lot of adapting to whatever the other team is doing and reacting to things.

Similarly, every date is different. The dating rules may be the same, the people on the date may be the same, but so many different emotions and conversations are in play that you never know what can happen at the beginning of a date, whether you’ll be laughing, eating, joking, enjoying, whatever. It’s a lot of adapting to what your date wants and reacting to what she/he says/ does.

(See what I did there?)

2.)    The whirlwind of activity at the beginning. In dodgeball, there is an opening rush where players from both teams run towards the center line for the balls which are resting on the center line, and because of the proximity of the players to each other there’s a flurry of activity wherein people get out at the beginning. In dating, especially on a first date where you’ve hardly/never met the date, everything happens very fast, like it’s in fast motion….names are exchanged, you decide whether you shake hands/hug/don’t do anything, and the date gets zooming from there. It’s a very exciting time, and if you can get through it safely, it’s better sailing in the next phase. Bonus points if you can even get someone else out in dodgeball, or if you make a nice icebreaking joke or compliment to your date.

3.)    Know your limitations. In dodgeball, you have to know that you’re not the hardest thrower out there, or that you don’t have the quickest reactions, or that you can’t be too far near the center line or that you’ll get sniped, etc. In dating, it’s cliche but it’s usually not a good idea to do too much or “not be yourself.” Usually that gets flushed out pretty quick, especially over the course of a 2-hour meal where literally nothing is happening except that the other person is getting to know you/judging you. I know what I do well in dodgeball and stick to that; same in dodgeball. I try to ask good questions about my date and let them do the talking, throw some jokes in if I know that they’re funny.

4.)    Protect yourself when you’re being offensive; leave  a little for defense. Often in dodgeball you go up to the line with a ball with a target in mind, but then get out yourself because something unanticipated happens. In dating, you’re sometimes too overzealous in going with your date. Take it slow; let someone miss you a bit. I’m still not sure about the “how long to wait before calling” rules of dating, but I do know not to go too long on the first date…….take it easy, don’t try to do everything at once, let there be something to be desired for date No. 2 (and old camp analogy is to stop playing a certain game before it gets too old, let the kids want to play it again next time).

5.)    Don’t swear. Be a good sport. Be courteous. Easy. Goes without saying in almost everything, not just these 2 arenas. Going on dates has actually helped me control my swearing, believe it or not. Dodgeball has not; I actually let loose a flurry of f-bombs sometimes proportionate with how much I screw up.

6.)    Don’t lie. If you get hit in dodgeball, even if the ref doesn’t rule you out, you should be honest and step out. Same in dodgeball, it works in 2 facets: 1.) no matter how much your pride is hurt, if the date doesn’t work out, be honest with yourself and accept not dating that person anymore, or if they don’t want to go out anymore I guess, and 2.) don’t lie about yourself just to make yourself look good/ keep the date going. If they don’t like the real you, the date shouldn’t happen anyway.

7.)    React quickly. A Robert Yan special, this is my special ability in dodgeball, and I feel like it works in dating too. (See my article on reaction time).  I make mistakes all the time during dates, especially with my mouth. However, I (think) I do a good job covering them up, like if I have a stain on my shirt and notice it, I go to the bathroom quickly and cover it, but most commonly I start down a line of thought that I shouldn’t go down, and then change it into a different, more mundane topic, or change it into a compliment. A real way with words, this Robert Yan fella.

8.)    The biggest thing about dating  and dodgeball is not to take it TOO seriously. Obviously it’s a big deal for marriage or "starting a life with another person" whatever that means, but individual dates will not make or break you as a person or who you are. Dodgeball comes along all the time, no need to beat oneself up over a bad one and lose sleep over it, just go to the next game. There are a lot of possible dating partners out there, just try to do your best on the next one.

Special shoutout to my current coworkers at the US Bank Building. Hope you enjoyed this one.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan

The Max Scherzer Theory

Depending on which fantasy league you use, or what kind of metrics, Max Scherzer’s value was different. Some value him at No. 6, some at No. 8 overall. No matter how you slice it, though, Scherzer’s numbers last year were TOP TEN OVERALL in the game. Not Top 10 starting pitching, Top 10 Overall. Only Clayton Kershaw was better than him, but Scherzer bested Kershaw in wins by 5 (flukey stat, I know) and strikeouts (not flukey at all).

There are so many arguments why Scherzer might not repeat what he did in 2013 (full season of health, BABIP risk, higher walk rate than other elite pitchers, flukey year, etc.) that I’m not going to go over them here. However, what’s NOT covered by most is the chances that Max Scherzer repeats (or comes close to repeating) his 2013 totals, which to me are the most likely scenario. That’s the Max Scherzer theory: We all know about the “the hate has gone too far theory” that I sort-of detailed in the David Ortiz Theory where a player gets downgraded too much due to a bad season or injuries or other factors, but the inverse is also true: sometimes fantasy managers don’t give enough credit to a breakout season, a sort of “shrug” response.

Compared to other pitchers, Scherzer’s 2013 season almost gets no credit. Scherzer had a better year statistically than Jose Fernandez, but I’ve seen Fernandez go AHEAD of Scherzer in a lot of drafts this season, primarily because of hype for the “awesomeness” that is Jose Fernandez, partly because Fernandez plays in an easier division and he recently proclaimed he was going for an under-2.00 ERA season. Whoopedy-doo. Let’s look at the stats that really matter: Fernandez did what he did in his ROOKIE season, meaning there is a very small statistical sample of his abilities. Sure, there’s a non-zero chance his stats get better, but there’s a better chance (because the stats are so good already) that his stats get worse, and significantly worse. It’s a big floor, in fantasy nerd terms. Whereas Scherzer, who’s not exactly a dinosaur at age 30, had a better season last year that should get more cred, has been getting better, and has a much higher floor……….we know that as long as Scherzer is pitching, the strikeout numbers will be there……..he’s struck out more than 200 batters in various seasons. People seem to forget that Scherzer himself was a top prospect much like Fernandez when Scherzer was coming up in 2007/2008, and in 2014 we’re finally getting a (very good) finished product. I think as good as Fernandez has looked he has some flaws and setbacks that he’s gonna experience.

Other guys that I like: Matt Holliday, a solid bet every season to go .300-25-100 in a great lineup, is going behind Yoenis Cespedes, Yasiel Puig, JOE MAUER, and Buster Posey. Please value his 23-ranked fantasy season and 37-ranked fantasy season the previous years a little more, please.

Jaysen Werth had the 28^th-ranked fantasy season last year, a fantasy stalwart at .318-84-25-82-10. A serious 5-category contributor whose manager has stated they will “run more this year.” No love. It’s not like these “old” (Werth is like 33, Holliday 34) can’t ever put up top-20 seasons, David Ortiz had a 17-ranked season last year at the age of 38!

Anyway, just food for thought going into a very important 2 weekends of fantasy baseball drafting.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan 

Life Rewind

Introducing the most cutting edge innovation of this century, the modern-day Facebook: it’s Life Rewind! (still working on the name, could be Your Life Rewind, or just “Rewind.” (lose the “the”- Social Network) Just like NFL Rewind, there should be a Life Rewind for every person, whether it be reliving the best day of your life, the best game you ever played in high school, the first time you brought a puppy back home, the week-long international trip……Your Life Rewind would have these files stored away and for you to access at any time. Sure, you could videotape your birthday party, or take pictures, but those are nothing compared to the extensive 24-hour, non-stop footage of Life Rewind. Extensive privacy issues are still being navigated and no word if this kind of invention has already been patented, but it would be great to have!

I always think back to some of my greatest memories and wish I could go back and experience them again, especially recently with some of my dodgeball games. The pure exhilaration and joy of doing well in dodgeball is great in the moment, but because of that adrenaline I can’t really remember the exact sequence of everything that happens and sometimes don’t even know what happened, it happened so quick. That’s where an instant replay of things happening in my life would come so in handy- it’d be watching the movie of my life over and over again! I could do that! Plus, like the coaches’ tape in NFL Rewind, you could go back to the games you played and point out specific flaws in your game and try to correct them…….that would be worth it in itself.

I could also “bookmark” certain times when I’m unsure of something and want to go back to that moment to analyze my thought process at the time, especially if in retrospect it was a WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!!! kind of moment. With Life Rewind, I could go back and see what I was doing when I drafted Joey Votto for an outrageous $59 at last year’s draft- had I been having a bad day, was I in a state of depression??? WHY????? But also relive the glorious moments when I added Matt Carpenter, Daniel Murphy, and Alfonso Soriano off the waiver wire for one dollar. The joy, the happiness! There’s certainly also times when the bookmark could be abused like when taking a test and then selling the footage of the test to someone later, but that can be hashed out.

In all seriousness, I think this is an idea that might actually come to fruition in an altered form. People love taking selfies (see Oscar 2014 Ellen DeGeneris selfie) and people can be more narcissistic about media in this new century. Inevitably something where you can view everything you’ve every done should become available…..it’s a matter of how, not when.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan 

Taking an Off Day

I am not a professional athlete. I am not really even an athlete; I try to exercise every day for at least 30 mintues and lift 40-pound barbells once in a while. However, I sometimes get why athletes “have off days” and have grown to appreciate what professional athletes have to go through on a day to day basis. (Although not the part where some get paid millions of dollars to play).

For the last year and a half or so I have been very active in the Los Angeles dodgeball community primarily through World Dodgeball Society, a great organization with lots of great dodgeballers. I’ve enjoyed myself so much that I play 3 nights a week during the season, plus maybe a Saturday tournament (taking up anywhere from 2 to 8 hours) and maybe even an Open Gym where one just goes and practices for 2 hours. It’s been a bit of an obsession, but I’m drawn to it because I can pretend I’m a professional athlete where there’s a game almost every night and you have to make preparations for each game.

I’ve come to realize that it is very difficult to bring you’re A-game 100% of the time. I consider myself one of the more focused and dedicated players on the court most of the time, but even for me I lose focus sometimes. Part of that is we don’t have “coaches” or necessarily have monetary incentives awaiting us, but for me the “championship,” bragging rights, and a reputation to uphold as one of the better catchers in L.A. is very important.  However, just because

There’s the obvious physical component. Sometimes I am just tired, I have other things going on, I didn’t get a good meal, I didn’t eat a banana before the game, I just woke up from a nap, I didn’t get a good night’s sleep due to my roommate’s alarm waking me up/ the upstairs’ neighbors’ baby bawling throughout the night, etc. A good night’s sleep, actually, is essential for the “Reaction time” aspect of sports (see my Reaction time blog post about this).

It’s not just necessarily physical lethargy neither, it’s mental. Eventually, everyone loses some motivation. It’s like, “ok it’s not playoffs, it’s only a regular season game, I can turn it up later in the playoffs if I wanted to,” or “I just played last night, I don’t need to give max energy tonight” etc. Lots of things come out. Sometimes, especially if you ask some guys in the MLB, it’s actually probably more efficient to sit a game out, come back refreshed and healthy the next night with more motivation. I don’t necessarily adhere to that theory,

This past week has been abysmal in terms of dodgeball. I’ve been trying to diagnose the problem, trying to see if I’m late, or early, or slacking off, or pressing too hard. It may be one of those or a combination of some, but sometimes, I think one just gets unlucky and you go through a rough stretch, or that you got lucky before and the luck is evening out now (regression to the mean). Like a baseball hitter who’s suddenly hitting balls directly at fielders or hitting deep fly balls that die at the warning track, I’m going through a slump. Usually, though, hitters break out of those slumps. I just have to keep striving, keep working, stay mentally focused.

The lesson here, I think, if I understand where I’m coming from (and really, if I don’t understand it, the reader has no chance) is that you have to allow for some “maintenance days” in athletes especially in long seasons like the NBA and MLB where seasons are half the year, and in the MLB there’s a game EVERY DAY. Even if a player plays 162 games, you gotta expect an off day once in a while a la Robinson Cano, and don’t get upset just because they’re getting paid millions of dollars to play. Some of those athletes get that money regardless of what they do on the field, so a huge motivating factor is lost, and those athletes didn’t sign themselves to those huge contracts without proper incentivization.

I truly don’t understand how athletes get hurt so much, however. Obviously pro athletes are bigger, get hit by bigger people, and play more ferocious sports, but baseball players? C’mon suck it up. I pride myself by the number of bruises and achy joints I have to play through every night. 

Fantasize on, 

Robert Yan