DRaysBay User Guide: How to Comment

I don't think anybody who begins actively participating at DRB sets out to be below average. In fact, most probably start to post because they feel as though they can contribute in a positive manner. As a fringe poster, sabermetric novice, fully employed married adult, non-author, and a user that is "not a content generator" as once told by (name redacted), there are probably better qualified DRB users to provide their insight.

Since joining in 2009, most of my time is spent lurking rather than actively posting. In fact, on average I post less than 1.4 times per day (alt accounts not included). However, after years of "read more post less," I at least feel confident in being able to see trends in what kind of posts are better received in the community.

In my first (and probably last) article, I would like to share some of my thoughts on six different styles of post that are more likely to turn Columbia Blue.

This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but it may guide you in the right direction if you are looking for your next post to be recognized by the other nerd virgins. These are listed kind of, sort of, not really, in ascending order.

Truly horrible hot takes (the ironi-rec)

I don't want to draw more attention to any specific post publicly and get banned for a personal attack, but you know them as soon as you read them. Don't do it.

Classic reactions

Timeless pics or GIF's at a timely point. Any of the following images, if used at the right time, are still worth the effort and be recognized accordingly.

Posted after a Rays win:

Posted after a typical Rays trade deadline:

And a couple personal favorites:

Pretty much any picture of a Raccoon sleeping will do.

Also willing to accept pictures of Kevin Cash:

Analytical (lists or tables)

While it is doubtful many people even have any idea what the table even means or how to properly interpret said table, it is often a "tip of the cap" rec from less analytical users for the perceived effort placed into creating the table. Long lists with lots of numbers also fit within this category.

This category could also be known as a "Brian Andersbot" post.

Nice work, an important distinction on service time is that virtually every player is squeezed for seven seasons.

Super-Two guys just give you more of the seventh (or first) season. An example would be that in Smyly's first year he was on the roster for 154 out of 180 days or whatever. This wouldn't count as a full season, but because it's damn near he's eligible for Super-Two.

So you would get him for:

0.154 days at league minimum

1.154 one full season at league min

2.154 Another full season at league min

3.154 The extra year of arb due to super two

4.154 Second year of arb

5.154 Third year of arb

6.154 Fourth year of arb then he becomes a free agent

You'll notice that the team essentially got about as close to seven full seasons that you can get. On the other hand check out someone like Wil Myers who was pretty transparently jerked around and might be a reason why the team thought it would be difficult for him to ever flourish here:

0.104 Spent 104 Days on the roster his first "season" which avoided Super two, paid league min

1.104 First full season, paid league min

2.104 Second full season, paid league min

3.104 Third full season, paid league min

4.104 First year of arb

5.104 Second year of arb

6.104 Third year of arb

So let's say that he would have stuck around here. He would have given around two months less of performance than Smyly due to the gamesmanship, but the team gets essentially four years of league min instead of the three with Smyly. The team still gets essentially seven years of performance, give or take a third of a season, but they save substantially.

That ain't no cookie.

by Brian Andersbot on Jan 8, 2015 | 10:55 AM

Intelligence

Be the smartest nerd in the thread for the moment. Share information that nobody else has. Speak in an authoritative, yet non-arrogant manner to provide a perspective or some insight that is unique in nature. Say things people want to hear. A recent example is from the Justin O'Connor swing evaluation. No, I am not referring to budman3, but site author Curt Wilson. Take this...

A couple things.

One, yes hitters are thinking about other stuff, other then mechanics while hitting, in fact, I would say hitters do not think hitting mechanics in the least while hitting. They just simply can't. It is far to hard to hit at the professional level(Minors all the way to big leagues), to think about mechanics while doing it would compound the problem and just make it worse. He has to train the movements into his DNA basically. Which is the tough part. Who knows how long Justin's been swinging this way, I am sure for quite some time. A lot of reps, outside of the games, of the correct movements is what its going to take for it to become second nature. And by a lot of reps, usually it takes a lot.

This brings me to my second point. It's not always just about buying into the process. Yes, the player has to absolutely buy into the process. But to go through the season and try to make mechanical changes as large as these, is a very very difficult task. Not only that, how many opinions on his swing is he hearing, and are they correct? As crazy as it sounds, there is a lot of bad information at the professional level of baseball, going all the way down to little leagues. So is he in fact getting these correct teachings or theories? There is a good chance he is not through out all the coaches, but that is just a guess as other then Mottola, I have no clue what the Rays hitting coaches believe. I loved what I heard from Mottola, very outside of the box thinking, which thankfully is what the Rays, and a lot of organizations need. So does he need to buy into the process, yes absolutely. Is "the process" going to be the correct one that is going to get him on the right track? We don't know at this point. Lets hope Chad Mottola is filtering his great information through out the minor league coaches.

by Curt.Wilson.IA.Baseball on Jan 21, 2015 | 7:53 PM

Common sense

Just think clearly. DRB user lizzieray is very adept at making grounded, sensible statements or replies. lizzieray doesn't often use too much sarcasm, but often takes a breath and then respectfully questions other views with counterpoints that many times make other users run to a dictionary, history book, or a thesaurus to understand exactly what she wrote and why it is applicable. Here is one example.

Re: council vote, if I were teaching a class on conflict resolution and negotiation, I'd use this as a case study of what not to do.

These situations work best when all parties have some understanding of the drivers motivating the party on the other side, and can structure their "ask" in a way most likely to help the other party meet his or her needs. But in this case, the Rays leadership seems determined to treat city council members like poo on the bottom of a shoe, and city council members seem determined not to consider at all what will help the Rays run a successful franchise in the region.

The differences here are, or should be, over money - these aren't ideological or moral disagreements - so it should be relatively easy to find a number that makes everyone happy, or at least not miserable. They ought to be able to package this in ways to make city council members look like heroes who fight for the interests of their constituents, which is what they want. Come on guys, we're not talking about the future of Jerusalem here, how hard can this be?

by lizzieray on Dec 19, 2014 | 10:48 AM

Humor/Wit

Pretty straightforward premise here. There is plenty opportunity to make fun of players, posters, improper like grammer/spelling. The key is to do it in a clever way rather than grabbing the low hanging fruit. If you have ever thought "I wish I had thought of that", it is probably a relatively clever post. Puns are great, but not if they have been beaten like a dead horse (see the thinly veiled Colome reference there? Not that funny anymore).

Here are two of the best examples I can remember.

Text your vote

TB1 - Suspended for steroids/pot/meth

TB2 - Lost prospect status

TB3 - Toiling in the minors

TB4 - Traded

TB5 - Retired

TB6 - Doing community service for something involving a stripper

Thinking of changing my username to Baby with a mustache

by youcancallmeRayRay on Jan 11, 2015 | 12:04 AM

That post by Ray Ray had 40 rec's. Then there's this classic:

In fairness Joyce's offseason started in June

by Imperialism32 on Jan 21, 2014 | 10:06 AM

While I haven't been around since the beginning, I have been around long enough to see the commenter base expand, cee it contract, and see it start to expand again. DRB has been and will be a fun place to linger. In my opinion, it is most enjoyable when users feel enabled to share their opinions and ideas. Just please do so reasonably.

You can brush up on all of our Community Guidelines here.

Go Rays!