Say hello to the newest member of the Blue Crew! After much consideration of some great feedback, I made my decision. I am a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers. I am Thinking Blue! Brad Penny is so hot right now… Ok, I’ll stop. While there were many suggestions, the best arguments came from Cardinals, Angels, Yankees, and Red Sox supporters, and I considered each team carefully, but these are the main reasons I absolutely rejected them.

1. Each of those teams has won a World Series recently. I refuse to pile into anyone’s bandwagon.

2. I am not from any of these cities, nor were my parents. (Don’t let the Angels confuse you. They are from Anaheim.

3. I have been to Dodger stadium multiple times and lived down the street from it for 4 years. Technically, that is a reason to choose the Dodgers, but you’re picking up what I’m throwing down.

I was a little disappointed that there was no lobbying from other teams like the Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, or Detroit Tigers (they still exist?). No joke, until the White Sox won the World Series a few years ago, I thought they went the way of the Washington Senators. I’d have to say that Mike Sciosia’s comment really sealed the deal for me (seriously, he reads my blog… check out the comments). If the coach/manager of one of the rivals of the Dodgers can still claim to be a Dodger at heart, I’m sold.

My next task had me transition from real life baseball, to fantasy baseball. As Marlo from The Wire says, “My name is my name!” (this is the future of many Wire references). My fantasy baseball team name should be clever, and say something about me and my hopes for the season. Also, it needed to not be lame. As I sat in the parking lot that is the 405 freeway listening to my never ending source of inspiration (Tupac Shakur), his lyrics from “Better Dayz” spoke to me: “Keep yo’ head up and try to keep the faith and pray for better days.” I realize that becoming a baseball fan so late in life (late being 23, I ain’t that old) will require perseverance and positivity. Therefore, get ready for BatterDayz (meaningful AND not lame) to rock the RotoHog scene. It was that or Str8Buntin’.

Once I picked my team name, I decided to read an MLB fantasy preview. I learned so much! These players (who I don’t know) are really good at these things (that I don’t know what they are), but are weak in other areas (that I’ve never heard of). There is a solid chance I would have understood just as much if it were translated en espaňol. Out of the top 100 fantasy players, I had possibly, vaguely, potentially heard the names of 36. Only 36! Hanley Ramirez? Nope. Jake Peavy? Psssh… Aramis Ramirez? Nada. Once I learned that Mark Teixeira’s last name was not pronounced Teex-air-a, he was added to my list. Bottom line: I’ve got my work cut out for me.

Luckily, I have people like JibJab (pronounced zheeb zhahb, if you weren’t sure) to help me. He has given me advice on certain players, reminded me that the Kansas City Royals also exist (how many teams are there??), and clued me into key baseball stats like q-max. I had never even heard of q-max, but apparently it is a common statistical category, like ERA, and essential to having success in RotoHog. When pitchers throw 102 mph, they have earned a q-max +2. If they only throw 98 mph, that is still q-max +2, and you don’t say q-max -2 because q-max can’t be 0… I’m still not sure how that works, but JibJab said he is always available to give me free tips.

While some of you all may not agree with my choice to root for the Dodgers, I hope you appreciate my attempt to understand the sport. Clearly, I am in over my head. Here is where you all come in. I need to know more about the Dodger’s history (nicknames, famous plays and players, and random facts every fan should know). Also, who are your favorite players and why? Since when did Tony Parker’s wife start playing baseball? Calm down, I’m joking. I’m not that blonde. What is your fantasy team name and why? Opening Day is almost here and I don’t want my bosses to call the bullpen just yet.