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Viva Murillo!

So you’re 8-1 and dominating your league. Or maybe you’re 7-2 and on top of your division. Things are going well, you’re working through injuries and bye weeks and—with a little luck—you’re looking good for a playoff spot. Even if you’re 6-3 you have to feel pretty good about where you are at this point.

With all that in mind, it’s time to start really focusing on your team. No, not that one; the other one. You know, the one that’s 2-7 and has more injured players than victories? The 3-6 disappointment that isn’t living up to its potential? That team. You didn’t forget them, but it’s tempting to ignore them for the better-performers. But really, they’re the ones that deserve some serious attention.

Sometimes things just don’t go your way. But when you signed up for the league, participated in the draft, set your lineups, worked the waiver wire and followed the scores, you made a commitment to many other people. This commitment won’t take hours of effort, and you don’t need to lose any sleep about a failing franchise. But you do owe them a lineup of the best possible players you can field. You need to look at the waiver wire and snag the best options. You should always put up a fight and make your opponents earn their wins.

There’s nothing worse than having a playoff spot decided because some loser abandoned their team before the season ended. If you were a contender, you wouldn’t want to get bumped out of the playoffs because another team had a guaranteed win on their schedule. Those owners don’t deserve their team, entry fee or not. Are you going to be one of them?

Why should you be a cupcake for your best friends? Are you a weed waiting to be trampled by their marching boots? In most leagues there are still five games left—plenty of time to put together a winning streak, do some trash-talking and defeat some of your friends. There are probably starters on the waiver wire (more injuries means more opportunities), and you’ve got priority. So don’t roll over like a sleepy puppy; sink your teeth into your opponents instead.

Oh, by the way, do I need to mention that you might still have a shot at the playoffs? Wouldn’t a comeback from the cellar be particularly sweet? Wouldn’t it be a story you’d remember for years? It might not happen—probably not, to be honest—but you have a chance. With the way things have been going this season, the league leader could be an ankle away from falling apart. At least put yourself in the position to take advantage of some good luck if it comes your way.

So, yes, enjoy the impressive run your successful team is having. Think about the playoffs, and work toward making a good team better. But save a few minutes for the other teams, and the other leagues that you’re a part of this season. You joined them for a reason, so be a good owner and do your job. If not to be competitive or to trash-talk your opponents, do it because it’s the right thing to do.

Besides, what goes around often comes around. Next season you could be a team in contention, and it would be a shame to watch your competition get cheap wins because a lame owner couldn’t fulfill his obligations. You don’t want that to happen next year, so don’t be that team this year. Bad record or not, it’s still your team. Run it.

Everyone talks about their successful teams, but feel free to mention some disappointments below, and what you’re doing about it. You can also reach Michael Murillo at vivamurillo@gmail.com.

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