Logging Off
I’ve been thinking about how to start this post for a week, and it looks like I’ve decided on writing about how I’m still thinking about what to write. I guess I always have been better at talking about baseball than about myself.
The conclusion of the World Series will also mark the conclusion of my tenure at FanGraphs. Later this week, I’ll begin my new job working for a major league front office. I can’t say too much about the specifics of what it is I will be doing or who I’ll be doing it for, but just know that it is an incredible opportunity, and one which I am unbelievably excited to begin.
On the one hand, this was an easy choice for me to make. I’m living out a childhood dream, doing what I can to help a major league baseball team win actual games (I think I can finally give up my dream of one day playing). On the other hand, it was an incredibly difficult decision to make. I adore FanGraphs. I look up to my co-workers. I love interacting with each and every one of you, the readers, in my chats, on Twitter, and even in the comments (mostly). There’s so much about this job that I love. Writing about baseball for a living, for FanGraphs in particular, was a dream I set out to achieve in college. Working for a major league front office was a dream I never realistically thought I could achieve. I’m beyond grateful to have been given both of these opportunities.
There’s no sense in this going on any longer than it has, but I have to thank Dave Cameron and David Appelman for taking a chance on me two-and-a-half years ago based on a silly article I wrote in the Community Blog section about Brian Dozier’s baserunning. My first article for the main site was a silly one about Kurt Suzuki’s baserunning, so shout out to the Twins, too, I guess. The Davids gave me my first real shot in this industry, and without them, none of the opportunities I’ve been given since them would be possible. I will forever be grateful toward these two people, not just on a professional level, but more importantly on a personal level, too.
Thanks to Jeff Sullivan and Eno Sarris and all the amazing writers here at FanGraphs who inspired me to be a better writer long before I began working for the site, and then especially once my work began appearing alongside theirs. Thanks to Carson Cistulli for putting up with my habitual tardiness and for making the posts I gave him enough time to edit become much better than what I gave him. Thanks to all the guys in the Cleveland media who have made my time in the Progressive Field press box these last three years so much fun, and to all the fellow writers I’ve met over the years who welcomed me with open arms into your awesome, unique, talented community. And lastly, thank you, the reader. The readership of FanGraphs is such a fantastic, bright, curious group of individuals who genuinely inspire and challenge all of us to be better at our jobs. I can’t thank you all enough for reading along.
I suppose it’s only fitting that my goodbye post went several hundred words longer than I intended it to. And there aren’t even any .gifs.
August used to cover the Indians for MLB and ohio.com, but now he's here and thinks writing these in the third person is weird. So you can reach me on Twitter @AugustFG_ or e-mail at august.fagerstrom@fangraphs.com.
Good Luck!!! I have enjoyed your work. I’ll miss it, but happy for your opportunity!
I always felt you do a great job on your articles, I hope you apply that same passion to the team you work for unless they compete with my favorite team in which case I hope you sabotage that team, either on purpose or inadvertantly.
But seriously, congrats!
Awesome, August! I’m so happy for you! You’ve been masterful in your work here and elsewhere! Wishing you the very best!
It was always delight to read your pieces, Fagerstrom. Hopefully the Indians can do the business tonight against the parasitic Cubs.
I hate that clubs keep gutting Fangraphs, but that just shows the quality of people and production that comes through here.
Good luck August. Thank you for all that you have done here!
I like to think of it as Fangraphs slowly, methodically colonizing the front offices of MLB. In the short-mid term, that should result in some backchannel insights enriching Fangraphs’ articles; but in the long term, I expect and demand outright bottom-up revolution. When the day comes, Dave Cameron shall utter the word, and every team press release shall tout FIP and wRC+ rather than ERA and RBI; every front office will insist their managers use their best relievers according to leverage, not inning; and every organization in the game shall demand robo-umps.
Good luck August. We dont always tell others when they are appreciated. But, I want to tell you that your contributions are appreciated.
Wow, congratulations, August! Your writing will certainly be missed, but what a fantastic opportunity, I kind of hope you’re going to join Kiley with my Braves, that’d be awesome. Best of luck to you and yours, I’ll remain always remain a fan.
Well, equipped with an 80 grade name, it was just a matter of time.
Better be the Indians!!! And if not, hopefully not any other AL Central team.
Congrats and best of luck to you, August.
Sad to see you leave us, but good luck in your next adventures. Is this why you did away with the man bun?
Can’t believe he’s going to the Yankees smdh
Damn it. This is one of those moments when I’m supposed to be a good adult and congratulate you on your new job. Instead, I want to be a petulant child and kick and scream because you’ve been my favorite writer on this site for the last year and I don’t want you to go away. I hate you for leaving to follow your dreams.
(Okay, I don’t really hate you. But you’ll be very, very missed. Yours were pieces I read and looked forward to religiously, even if it wasn’t about a subject I cared about. So thank you.)
Congratulations! Can’t pretend I’m not a little sad, though. Your combination of insight and a constant sense of humor will be missed. I can only hope that you’ll be working for my team!
Great news, and completely expected. The mystery team that hired you is both smart and lucky.
Congrats!
It’s always great, when a fangraphs writer gets a chance to as you say help a baseball team win actual games, it means that what you guys are doing here really does mean something and has a real impact as opposed to Jon Heyman writing about RBI and pitcher wins, best of luck to you.
Good luck August!
Congrats August!
You will absolutely be missed.
Congrats! Your work will be missed best of luck on your new work it sounds amazing
August, you are a terrific writer and a smart guy. You will be missed.
August, you are by far one of my most favorite writers. I will miss your FG pieces! I guess we’ll have to settle with Sullivan 😉
I guess now it’ll be easier for me to tell you and Eno apart.
Good luck August! One of my favorite authors during your time. Writing style and the way you participate in chats was very friendly and generally just put me in a better mood every time. Thank you!
Man, I love Fagerstorm articles. I guess being a fan of FanGraphs is like being a fan of the a superb minor league team…knowing there’s always a next stop. 🙁
Thanks for all your work.
Knew what this was about as soon as I saw the title. I have very much enjoyed your work here and will greatly miss it. Good luck on your amazing opportunity!
Good luck! But you should tell us what team you’re working for, so we can start a petition to have the team renamed The City Fagerstroms.
Goodbye and thanks, Fagerbun
Congrats! You’ve been one of my favorite writers at FG, so I’m sad to see you leave, but happy you get this cool opportunity.
Good luck, congrats, you’ll be missed for sure.
Dreams do come true. Congratulations, August. Well done.
which team? Is it a secret position .
So happy for you. I’ll really miss your work here. Hopefully one day you’ll write a book about how a front office works, based on your experiences. Good luck!!
Over and over, Fangraphs is losing prospect-focused writers to big league clubs. As a result, this prospect-laden team here needs to undertake a new method of ensuring that there’s always a player available to take the place of departed regulars.
@David Appleman – As the GM, here’s how you can avoid this. You need a FanGraphs minor league squad (let’s call it… Beach Report. Or maybe SC Nation) and so whenever anyone here gets called up by the big league squad, you can promote someone from A-Ball to their first professional writer job. These prospect writers can be graded on the 20-80 scale. August here was obviously a top level prospect before joining Team Fangraphs; it’s said he had a golden pen even back in High School. He probably could have assigned himself a pretty good grade, but is probably fairly bitter about his absolute lack of a signing bonus.
Either way, now he’s moved on. A new prospective prospect reporting prospect needs to be drafted, signed and developed. Our familiar and well-loved stalwart is leaving, and we must open our arms to embrace the newcomer.
Everyone, let’s give a round of applause for August. He did a great job here, and he’ll do a great job up with the big club. 🙂 I trust in Dave to hire a great guy we can all love just as much as August.
Good luck, August!
August: Congratulations!
I loved reading every single one of your posts.
We are going to miss you.
Good luck August, I enjoyed reading your posts here on fangraphs..
Thanks for all your writing and congratulations! You’ll crush it for whatever team you are going to.
I know you’ll be working with current and future players but never forget the guys who played in the MLB!
-E
I couldn’t be more bummed out about this. Happy you got a great new opportunity but selfishly I couldn’t be more unhappy about you leaving this site. FG always regroups and finds excellent talent to replace parting talent, but this time that will prove immensely difficult.
Congrats!
darn… you were one of the best! glad you’re on to bigger and better things though
I’m sad for me but thrilled for you, August. You put together an amazing body of work here. Here’s hoping you’re not moving on to the Cubs – they don’t need any more smart help!
Seldom a commenter but a constant reader of your work, but I felt the need to thank you for everything you’ve put out there for us readers. You somehow worked your way up to become my favorite writer on this website full of outstanding writers. Whoever is getting you next is incredibly lucky, and I only wish that we could have had you for a little bit longer.
You’ll be much missed, August! Good luck in all your future endeavors!
Best of luck August, you’ve earned this kind of spot.
(This must be what a Rays fan feels like when another one of their good ones leaves for greener pastures).
Has Bork reacted to the news?! How did he take it?
Congrats August!
Best of luck and congratulations! I just hope you’re not going to work for the Red Sox, b/c we need some somebody there to double check Dombrowski’s “gut” decisions…
I made an account for the first time to comment on this. August, you have consistently been my favorite writer on my favorite website on the internet. I’ll miss you here, best of luck.
Gonna be a bummer not seeing new posts from you, but I’m happy for you and your career in baseball! Best of luck going forward.
Really enjoyed your work, August. Best of luck. Hope we will eventually find out what’s next for you!
Congratulations August – go live that dream.
Your chats and your articles were the bomb (that’s a good thing).
Thank you, congratulations, and I wish you all the best in your future opportunity!
Will definitely miss your articles here but best of luck at your new position!!!
Congratulations, August. Enjoyed your work.
Nothing different to say, but I think it’s worth having many people say it: good luck, and I’ll miss you. I’ve always enjoyed your pieces.
You did well here, and obviously we liked your work.
Good luck, you will be missed.
August, your work here was fantastic. Thank you for all of the articles and insight, and best of luck in your next venture!