Fantasy Expert: A Baseball Memoir, Historical Tell-All, and One Stat Geek's Personal Journey Through Heaven and Hell

by Ron Shandler

An entertaining and incisive chronicle from one of the foremost authorities in fantasy baseball Ron Shandler is a self-described rotoholic. In the beginning, he hoarded newspaper box scores and pored over every number at his disposal. Then came the compulsion to create his own numbers. A monthly newsletter expanded into an annual Baseball Forecaster book, which spawned a media company, websites, tournaments, and more. Part memoir, part madcap history, Fantasy Expert is a fascinating and wide-ranging look at the modern growth and development of the game that went from cottage industry to national obsession. In chronicling his own escalating journey from rotisserie baseball hobbyist to professional authority, Shandler tells parallel tales of the rise of fantasy sports, the expanding baseball information industry, the increasingly sophisticated technology employed to gain an edge, and the fellow rotoholics who make it all possible. He also delves into the impact of fantasy baseball on the sport of baseball itself.Written with humor, honesty, and a deep passion for baseball, this is a must-read for anyone interested in the history, progression, and future of fantasy baseball.

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2024

Reviews

[Chris Witt · Rating 3 out of 5]

At its best, an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the history of those who wrote about fantasy baseball during its infancy.

At its worst, an autobiography that too often meanders into the details of who wronged Shandler throughout his career.

This is obviously a very niche topic, but I think that if you played Rotisserie/fantasy baseball in the 80s and 90s you'll find some good nuggets in here.