I have had OCD since childhood. I used to channel it towards scoring every Sox game over the radio or TV and mulling over stats and data. That being said, I played sports every waking hour I was free from school, sleeping or eating. We used to shovel my driveway to play basketball in winter. We'd have to bring the ball inside and run hot water over it, because the cold made it go flat. The dirt and grime on the ball literally wore all my finger prints off my chapped fingers- no joke.
I used to take medicine for the OCD, but I stopped many years ago. I still have tendencies to get caught up in data, but I channeled some into my work and into my biggest two passions: the Red Sox and contract bridge.
I tried out for the University of Notre Dame baseball team and made the first cut, but I never really had a chance as a walk-on. I player inter-hall sports at ND, which was very high level- lots of all state players. The football was in pads. We won the football championship my freshman year (I was a WR & DB.) and my senior year (I was the QB and DB.) The pick-up basketball games at The Rock, often included guys like Orlando Wooldrige and football players that we all state in high school basketball.
We also won the basketball championship my freshman year, and I was our high scorer in the final game. I was a fierce competitor, and maybe that comes out here, at times, when I feel challenged or put down.
I don't think I fit into any one category. I am certainly a "stat geek," but not in a way maybe most people think about them. I've played the game to know enough about team chemistry and all the intangibles and nuances that go into winning or losing.
Sox 4 Ever
I've said it before and I'll say it again, stat geeks, and geeks in general, are my favorite people in the world. They are awesome.
Have any of you ever read the comments posted in a Fangraphs article? Excellent stuff.
Believe it or not... I have. And I found them fascinating.
I don't mean to minimize them, but while I find them fascinating I also take them with a grain of salt because they completely ignore the human element in the game. The only place I can think of immediately where statistics can almost guarantee a winner is in counting cards at blackjack and that's because it completely rules out the human element.
It's a mere moment in a man's life between the All-Star game and the Old Timer's game.
-Vin Scully
Blogging is as close as I get to OCD, but I too am a long time bridge player and loved all sports until about 40 when it boiled down to PT and golf. I only played one wonderful summer of Babe Ruth league, after which it was basketball, tennis, volleyball, softball, pool, ping pong, racquetball, squash, etc.
I was best at basketball but enjoyed football, baseball and softball more. I played volleyball and racquetball a lot- not much soccer. When young, I played hockey on an ice pond 3 houses down from my home. I dabbled in tennis but like team sports more. Never golfed.
I got into bridge in my mid forties and became the fastest ever to become a Bronze Life Master in the State of Maine. (I only play online, now.)
Nice to see we have many things in common.
Sox 4 Ever