It's not about the Mariners, and it is related to fantasy baseball, but neither myself nor the network are getting anything out of this. Rather, I'm just putting this up because I think a lot of you might enjoy it. Yesterday I got to see a sneak preview of Fantasyland, a Stephen Palgon documentary based on the 2006 book of the same title by Sam Walker. I already wrote my little piece on the movie over here, and you can read another summary over here, but in short, Fantasyland follows the story of an obsessive fantasy baseball owner who earns the opportunity to play a season in perhaps the world's most well-known and competitive fantasy baseball league, run by industry icon Ron Shandler. It's supported by anecdotes from fantasy owners, owners' wives, and Tom Candiotti, but at the heart is one Jed Latkin, who...no, I don't even have words. Dictionary.com defines "obsession" as "the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc." but I don't think that's good enough, here. If you've ever felt bad about the amount of time you spend reading LL, Latkin will make you feel normal again. The money quote, as Latkin describes his balance between life and fantasy trade negotiations:
Everybody says that the best day of your life is the day your kids are born.
But you don't necessarily have to be there.
By the way, there are scenes with players, too. Yeah. It hurts. It really hurts.
I'm embedding the 84-minute movie, which you can watch at your leisure. You know what? Avatar is cool, but it won't change your life. Fantasyland will change your life. I feel so much better about myself now than I did 24 hours ago.
(If you're annoyed by this post, shut the hell up, you're seeing it for free.)
0 recs | 42 comments
I'm only twenty minutes in and this is already painfully awkward.
BrianL - March 19, 2010
Oh my God he really is talking to the playes he drafted.
BrianL - March 19, 2010
I KNOW
Jeff Sullivan - March 19, 2010
Oh my God he's using the impending birth of his twins to try and coax someone into a trade.
This is the most painful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
BrianL - March 19, 2010
Talking to players at Spring Training is one thing. When he travels to see them before a game is just too much for me to watch.
mark sobba - March 19, 2010
I'm wondering how much money it took for him to get access like that.
And I wonder if he still has a job at his mutual fund today.
Wilder. - March 19, 2010
And he chose poor communicators like Gary Sheffield!
csiems - March 19, 2010
How long is this foray into the depths of the human psyche?
I think I could handle being disappointed in the world today.
JY - March 19, 2010
84 minutes
Jeff Sullivan - March 19, 2010
I read the book, really liked it too.
Schuxu - March 19, 2010
I can't believe how completely unashamed he is of all this
Good lord.
OlSalty - March 19, 2010
Jed getting nailed by the baseball is the best thing ever.
Wilder. - March 19, 2010
Just reading the comments
Makes me really, really glad I don’t have Flash installed so there’s no chance I’ll see this.
And I like documentaries. (“Afghan Star” and “Manhole Children” were standouts for me at SIFF last year)
That said, I can’t say any movie has ever in any way changed my life.
wandergeist - March 19, 2010
Thank you for this constructive and informative comment
Jeff Sullivan - March 19, 2010
Any time
wandergeist - March 19, 2010
I have played in many different fantasy leagues over the years.
But I never could sustain my obsessiveness for more than a month except in one format (Ultimate style on Sporting News). I have never played an auction league and am intrigued by how it works. Though it appears you should know the people you are up against for it to work well.
I gave up fantasy a couple of years ago, but I could see myself someday get back into it.
Wilder. - March 19, 2010
This is why I quit fantasy.
killer_ewok18 - March 19, 2010
Anyone ever read "The Universal Baseball Association", by Robert Coover?
rickpo - March 19, 2010
I love this book and can't wait to watch this
pdb - March 19, 2010
After you watch it tell me if I need to still read the book. It has been on my list but haven't done it yet.
Sec 108 - March 19, 2010
I can say independently of my watching the film that you need to read the book
It’s hilarious, interesting, and very well written.
pdb - March 19, 2010
It stays on the list then.
Sec 108 - March 19, 2010
Seconded.
It’s a blast to read, and while the characters are a little out there, it appears it’s much less cringe-inducing than the documentary.
Teej - March 19, 2010
Plus there is almost no overlap between the book and the documentary.
csiems - March 19, 2010
I loved Walker's book, but a movie?
Zach Sanders - March 19, 2010
The filmmakers really know how to set a hook, this opening two minutes grab your attention.
The players describing the levels of their obsession especially, a funeral? A car accident?
Kermit. - March 19, 2010
The obnoxious thing about this is the arrogance of the "experts."
I find it worse than Jed’s obsessions. They’re all just…really depressing folks.
harkening - March 19, 2010
Ron Shandler seems like an ass.
Wilder. - March 19, 2010
He's known to be pretty gruff and bitter.
Teej - March 19, 2010
I was going to say I was more appalled at the experts than at Jed personally.
Is it weird to drive some 7 hours to talk to a guy about a trade? Sure, but the scene at the end was especially bad when they said the point of the league was to be elitist and arrogant. I was glad to see Shandler lose to Jed.
Zwakamatsu - March 19, 2010
They were jerks for not letting him back in.
Really good and interesting movie too.
SeaKoala - March 20, 2010
After an unsolicited visit to my house I'd want Jed kicked out of the league as well.
BrianL - March 21, 2010
That guy was frightening
There’s no way I’d want to be in a league with him
Poochie - March 22, 2010
About a half hour in...
This movie is pretty damn amazing. Thanks for the link!
KAJI - March 19, 2010
Also, incredibly awkward.
KAJI - March 19, 2010
Incredible. Thanks for the link, Jeff.
After having a child of my own, I would love to see a “where is he now” bit on the guy, because there’s only so much bullshit a mother can take. I know from experience.
kevin_ess - March 19, 2010
Murray Chass is sure curmudgeonly.
Shocker
Mariner John - March 20, 2010
He sure is moley too
Dewey N - March 20, 2010
I thought the same thing!
bluemax - March 21, 2010
I found it very educational
But I agree with at least one of the wives – I like the actual game with the actual players and my actual team far better. Choosing fantasy teams (I have recently discovered) is fun, but I just want to pick the pet out, not take care of it.
I actually loved that he went to Shandler’s house – it obviously freaked Shandler out, and I always find it hilarious when people who are that smug are thrown off by someone else’s behavior.
The twins thing doesn’t bother me. What else was he supposed to do in the several-hours-plus his wife was in labor? Might as well get things done…
section331 - March 21, 2010
Jed's thinking
That his fantasy players play harder for HIM, however, is delusional and sad.
section331 - March 21, 2010
This is the most painful thing I have ever watched
Poochie - March 21, 2010
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