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0 Subject: 2021 - The Final Lap

Posted by: Guru
- [330592710] Mon, Jan 04, 2021, 12:45

I've been managing the RotoGuru site non-stop since late 1997. Clearly, the site has evolved in many different ways over that time. For awhile, the message forum seemed to be the dominant feature, serving as a community "gathering place" well before social media was even a "thing".

For the past 5 years or so, the statistical focus has been on supporting a variety of daily fantasy sports sites, notably FanDuel and DraftKings. I've also continued to offer several unique RotoGuru contest formats, notably Football Pickoff and the Market Madness Contest.

I've also continued to sponsor and organize the RotoGuru Invitational leagues for both Football and Baseball. The Basketball league was turned over to other interested Gurupies in 2019.

While the Forum continues to exist, it is now primarily a means of communication for those in various leagues organized by Gurupies. Many of those leagues have long histories, much of which is essentially diaried at the forum.

I've been mulling for several years now what my end-game plans should be. Revenue from the site is adequate to cover marginal expenses, but the time required to manage the stats production and league organization can be a burden at times. My wife and I hope to do more traveling in the next decade as we enter our seventies. While I have generally been able to find ways to keep the site operating while traveling, it is a distraction that I would rather not have to accommodate. And frankly, 24 years of doing this is enough to have whetted my appetite.

So --- my current plan is to effectively "retire" from most RotoGuru duties at the end of 2021. What does this mean? Candidly, I haven't figured out all of the details, but my current thinking is as follows:
  • RIBC and RIFC leagues will continue to operate in 2021. After that, I will likely wind those leagues down - or perhaps turn over the reins to someone else to organize.
  • Statistical production for daily fantasy sports will end with the completion of the 2021 NFL season. Baseball stats will be generated for 2021, and NBA stats will be generated for the current season, but not for the 2021-2022 season.
  • Pickoff and Market Madness may or may not continue to be offered after 2021. I'll wait to see how I feel about those in 2022.
  • I do expect to leave the Forum in place beyond 2021, so that you can continue to use it for league organization. I may even continue to participate in some of those leagues.

Just thought I'd clue you all in on my current thoughts and plans.
1GO
      ID: 517342812
      Mon, Jan 04, 2021, 13:20
Thanks Guru - a much needed break I'm sure - you deserve it. Thanks for all your work these many years. We are all thankful.
2Bean
      ID: 304422310
      Mon, Jan 04, 2021, 14:45
Thanks Guru - Take that victory lap!
3Perm Dude
      ID: 3310302519
      Mon, Jan 04, 2021, 16:41
A well-deserved retirement. You played longer than Omar Vizquel!
4Toral
      ID: 9541311
      Mon, Jan 04, 2021, 17:39

Thanx for your dedication and effort for all these years.

Also it was considerate to soften the blow by letting us know a year in advance. I'd been fearing that this shoe would drop for quite some time now. I appreciate that we have a year to accommodate ourselves to the new reality -- for me at least, fantasy sports will never be the same.
5RecycledSpinalFluid
      ID: 31526820
      Tue, Jan 05, 2021, 18:07
Wow...its been a long run. I'm trying to think now, which I saw first, Rotoguru.com or my oldest kid (who came along in mid '98...) I'd venture to say its close.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you are doing!
6GO
      ID: 517342812
      Wed, Jan 06, 2021, 09:27
Guru - How do we get some metrics before this is all said and done. A list of every handle who ever posted... how many (did I win most posts ever,?!) pretty sure I have that locked up for General Fantasy Sports section, go RWF.

Is that some data you even have available?
7Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Wed, Jan 06, 2021, 12:30
[6] - it looks like I do have a bunch of text files (about 30 files, 70MB of data) logging every post made (date, poster's handle, forum area, thread # - but not the message itself in most cases), but I have no interest in consolidating it. If someone wants to try it, I can zip them all.

Almost 20 years of data.
8GO
      ID: 517342812
      Wed, Jan 06, 2021, 15:06
Thats insane that you even have it all. Maybe someone with some computer savvy would know what to do with it. I'd be at a loss.
9Seattle Zen
      ID: 301361318
      Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 12:03
This place has been amazing. Thank you. Looks like that after over 20 years of trying, I won't be making the Hall of Fame. :(

Really hope the RIBC will continue but I do have concerns that without an active forum, it will be difficult to find replacement managers. The amount of time I spend preparing for the slow draft is staggering, I love the format and will be sorely disappointed if it turns to dust.
10Species
      ID: 43712611
      Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 12:33
Guru - I have wondered when this day would come for a long time. I hope you slow down from this labor of love and swell with pride from the community that you created when you decided to merge your professional intellectual acumen with your love of sports.

I find it incredible to have been the 5th person to be inaugurated into the RotoGuru Hall of Fame way back in March 1999 (the first of three from this braggard) and think back fondly to the entirety of my time in this community. I would imagine there are over 1 million posts in those 20 years of forum activity. That is something to be proud of - bringing together a mishmash of sports / data fans from all across the world to unite in some common interests.

All of our best in your journey forward.
11JeffG
      ID: 44182712
      Fri, Jan 08, 2021, 12:43
.. and a well earned and well deserved retirement....

I have made life long virtual friends via this wild 20 year run, and my love of fantasy baseball was cultivated here. I'll get more sentimental when the wind down comes.

RIBC will carry on. We'll figure out a way. Guru will hopefully still be an active participant and we'll find a way to take over the organization.
12Tree
      ID: 161118314
      Fri, Jan 08, 2021, 12:57
a quarter century - that's impressive, to say the least.

Thanks for all you've done. I've made real world friends from this site, and play in leagues i likely would never have played in if not for Rotoguru.com.

Mazel Tov on an incredible accomplishment, and may your "retirement" bring you all that you desire.
13astade
      ID: 50263122
      Sun, Jan 31, 2021, 23:26
Guru, thanks for all of your efforts in the fantasy sports realm and for sponsoring additional games like Football Pickoff and Market Madness. It's been a lot of fun and I hope after your 'retirement' you can look back fondly on the community you helped to foster.
14loki
      ID: 4113129
      Tue, Feb 02, 2021, 10:31
Guru,
Let me add my thank you for all your time and efforts which have enhanced the enjoyment of fantasy sports for all of us.
Stay well.
15loki
      ID: 18140212
      Tue, Feb 02, 2021, 13:40
Guru,
Let me add my thank you for all your time and efforts which have enhanced the enjoyment of fantasy sports for all of us.
Stay well.
16 GoatLocker
      ID: 48158215
      Tue, Feb 02, 2021, 16:59
Wow, just saw the thread and very happy for you. We had been trying to travel, but of course the last year has made that rough. So many very close friends that I have made from here and call very good and close friends. Enjoy the travel. We have a 2022 cruise set and working on a 2021 in October to replace one we lost in 2020.

GL
17twolves
      SuperDude
      ID: 811161317
      Wed, Feb 10, 2021, 18:23
Guru,

Congrats on the planned retirement. Hopefully 2022 will be a great year for you and travel.

All the best.

Twolves

18Slowhand
      ID: 7261715
      Wed, Mar 17, 2021, 16:06
I joined shortly after it's inception and have my fondest memories from the early days when "the drinking Lamp was lit" and many of us (most are gone now) would chat on the forum. I too have formed many close friendships along the way and enjoyed the camaraderie and the unique games found here.
Having said that I wish you much luck and enjoyment in your retirement, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the years of enjoyment that your development and maintenance of this site has provided. I cannot imagine the time you have dedicated to us and you deserve more thanks than I can say. Good luck and safe travels.
19Chuck
      ID: 56271823
      Fri, Mar 19, 2021, 00:08
I'm here for Market Madness, something I love more about the tournament than a bracket. It's how I got my only Hall of Fame entry, and I'm super glad I made it. I remember finding this in the Smallworld days looking for some better analysis than they had.

Super thankful and still wear my Rotoguru apron with pride in the kitchen-- though my Guru underwear gave up the ghost long ago and my Guru shirts fit a man half my size now.

Always fond memories and wish you nothing but the best.

Here's crossing fingers for possibly future Market Madness in the future.
20holt
      ID: 491153264
      Sat, Mar 20, 2021, 03:36
You can't go Guru! Everyone else here are a bunch of jackasses! But seriously, I hope we can figure out a way to keep this great creation of yours going. Also, are there any pairs if guru underwear still available?
21Toral
      ID: 9541311
      Sat, Mar 20, 2021, 08:33
LOL Holt. Guess what; you're drafted. Pick 2 other non-jackasses (if you can find any), form a committee, and get Guru to work with you to facilitate a smooth transition.
22weykool
      ID: 6819220
      Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 22:44
Thanks for all your hard work Guru.
Pickoff and Market Madness are two of my favorite games.
Enjoy your well deserved retirement.
23Primal
      ID: 59353815
      Thu, Apr 08, 2021, 16:54
Can someone else take your place? NBA & MLB statistical data and daily FDP/DKP are so useful. There's nothing like RG on the internet at the moment. Please keep this site alive, it's a goldmine for DFS players.
24allhair allstars
      Sustainer
      ID: 50902421
      Wed, May 12, 2021, 21:52
Guru - congrats on your upcoming retirement and a job well done. Certainly you've earned it.
26pilewort
      ID: 456222420
      Sat, Jul 24, 2021, 21:26
What a run!!! Bests to you and your family. You not being tethered to the computer will be magnificent for your family. Now you can relive the '70s in your 70s. What fun!
27Bond, James Bond
      ID: 21622715
      Tue, Jul 27, 2021, 16:03
Guru.....simple thanks is not enough but maybe it has to be. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here many years ago before a slew of ailments prevented me from participating anymore. I just saw this message and just wanted you and all the others, to know just how much it meant to me then. Thanks to all!
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