At the office with Erbes!

1. Well, you're new to my interviews, but not really new to me, or most others here, but for the hell of it: Tell us about yourself. Throw in a few spicy things to perk our interest.

Oh hey. I'm the Commish! Nobody ever asks about me... Um it all began when I was in college. Mark Kellman turned me onto BBSBL and it's been love ever since. The next year I met my new best friends, Fernando Huertas, Aaron Haberdog, Donnie Baseball, James Masej, etc. I think we all have a special connection that started and ended at ESPNZone, DC. Not to mention I'm pretty sure Nanz jerked off in my bed the next year. I could smell him on my sheets. Anyways, I'm 23 work for the Bisons and I hate chowing on vag. I mean I'll do it, but I better get something in return.

Interesting stuff. How tiny are nanz's biceps?[/color]

2. I'm going to come out and say it. You shouldn't have broken up your squad. The complainers out there can suck it, you had a World Series-bound team easily. Why did you cave under the pressure and break up your Yanks? Or were you truly so bored you decided to throw away a winner?

I pretty much did it to keep Play quiet. I'm pretty sure he just wanted me to deal him all of my studs. I also didn't like the chirps that I was cheating in any way or that I got some unfair advantage by taking the Yankees. Jeter got an awesome PD + a TIA, Posada the same, I traded half my farm system for Rueter, got taken out back in my deal for Gonzo, and gave up a ton for Saito. If anything I overpaid for my team. Boredom was like 10% of it. I also know people tend to lose interest when they continually get dominated so I didn't want Break or Jah to get too disinterested.

I know what you mean when it comes to play. So whiny.[/color]



3. I'd like some more insight into the draft-making process. Do you enjoy it? Or is it a chore? One of the best parts about FBB was making the draft classes, but typically I'd only be making between 70-80 prospects. How about here?

I'm not sure how difficult it is to make prospects in FBB, but it's pretty horrible in OOTP. There's about 25 different categories that I have to modify for each player - name, birthday, height, weight, defense, hitting, pitching, etc. The list goes on and on. It's really fun for the studs because those guys will be around a long time and I'll get to see how they develop, but for the scrubs it's just a chore. Plus, everything I modify and change you guys see. It's not like FBB where there's a hidden potential. So that's the other boring thing. For example, if I give a guy Good in hits and a Brilliant in homers, but flip flop for it another guy - who has more home run potential in the long run? No idea because it's all random. Kind of lame.

Yeah it's annoying to make scrubs in FBB too, but there are more scrubs here, so that would suck. There's probably roughly the same amount of categories, but something about OOTP screams that it would be more annoying.[/color]

4. So...International Free Agents? Any plans moving forward with this? Not a big fan of only Japanese players accessible this way, since that isn't how it works in real life. Any changes possibly coming?

Yeah these will come back next season no doubt. With my season opening up this past week I just lost total track of time and forgot about them this season. They do need a tweak overall. The bidding isn't fun enough. I don't like that only 2-3 teams bid on each. Hopefully people seeing Irabu dominate will change their minds in the future.

As far doing players from other countries - probably not. Japan is the only country that has a bidding system like this in place per the MLBPA. Every other country is just straight up free agency. I'd rather add those players to the draft because they're always young and giving them a $5M contract would be dumb. So yeah just Japanese players for now.

Maybe there is a different way to handle Dominicans and whatnot. I dunno. Surely there's some creative way to spice up this aspect.[/color]

5. So I'm to understand this is the first time you've ran a league, correct? What were your expectations going in? Easier or more difficult than you thought? What's the most difficult thing to you about running a league? And finally, how long do you want this league to continue?

Yep first time running a league. It definitely gets burdensome at times. Especially when people are just complaining to complain. The hardest part is probably trying to keep 27 other guys happy. Definitely a lot of micromanaging. It's also tough because this is the first baseball sim I've ever seen use a reward system like we do so there's going to be growing pains, and yet guys still bitch and complain.

I'd love this league to go for as long as possible. Eventually we'll catch up with real time and at that point, who knows? Maybe we go fake players, retro players, restart? I'd be open to anything to keep the league going.

I think you've done well. I would probably hate retro like no other, but that's about it.[/color]

6. Several GMs were upset you chose the Yankees. Do you regret choosing them? Why or why not?

Not at all. They're my favorite team, it's my league, and I wanted to be the Yankees. It was happening. Do I regret letting Play bitch non-stop until he got his way? Probably. I think my roster is almost completely overhauled at this point anyways. Only Pettitte and Rivera really left. And I think I'm better off now for it than I was at this point last season.

Hmm. Alrighty.[/color]

7. Finally, let's talk a little about your team. You lost money recently, after throwing around some big numbers at players in typical Yankee fashion. You traded away Derek Jeter (wtf). What are your immediate and future plans for the Yankees?

Yeah I went for it before breaking things up last season. I've trimmed some of the fat, moved some nice pieces, but also built a great foundation for my future. Crawford, Ducscherer, Ledezma, Furcal, Burrell, Baxter, etc. are all future mainstays. Heck I might not need them for a couple years. I really think we can be competitive this year if I land the free agents I want.

Moving Jeter, Posada, and Bernie kind of sucked. I got great hauls for all three though. Like serious roster changing pieces. It's not too often you can rebuild while competing. My pitching will keep me in it this year, even while losing Saito, who choked on dick in big games - so yeah not a huge loss.

I don't think you'll be too competitive this year, but we'll see. You do have some nice pieces though.[/color]



8. Talk about the AL East. Naturally, it's hyper-competitive. Boston has won it twice now, and Baltimore has floated around, in typical jah fashion, winning a bunch of games as well. Toronto could be on the rise. What are your predictions for the AL East this season. In the next five years?

LOL @ Toronto. Game takes credit like he actually built that team. I don't think Toronto is quite there yet. They pretty much need an entire bullpen and Game continues to ignore that. Plus he needs like three more bats and two more starters. And he hasn't signed anyone of substance in free agency.

It'll always come down to myself, Boston, and Baltimore. Jah hasn't signed anyone for this season and Boston is holding course. I could see all of us finishing with 90+ games again and duking it out in the last few weeks.

Boston is in trouble over the next 5 years. He has no prospects, no picks, an aging roster, and is leaking money. That's poor planning. Baltimore will be Baltimore. Jah will stay competitive just enough to stay in the hunt for the Wild Card each season and complain because he doesn't have the financial resources to compete. Game will mess something up. Detroit tried to compete, but failed. Maybe a second try will work. I like my chances in 5 years. I have young-ish core with top spects on the way and I should make money this year.

Yeah Game is pretty ridiculous. I don't think Jah will ever be relevant, but he'll probably hover around forever. Boston's future does look awful to me, but we'll see.[/color]

9. Give me the top 5 most valuable players in the league and why.

This is going to be so arbitrary but I'll try and in no particular order...

- Todd Helton: Most likely the best bat in the game right now. He's living up to his super high potential and could carry the Jays for the next 12-15 season.

- Johan Santana: Helton's counterpart on the pitching side of things. Play got lucky that Chris didn't know Johan was in the Astros system when we started and he's benefiting big time.

- Pedro Martinez: Best pitcher in the game right now. He's young and signed cheap. Can't beat that combo.

- Mike Mussina: Jah doesn't sniff the playoffs with this guy. Over 300 IP in each of the last 3 season. Can't put a price on that.

- Vladimir Guerrero: Todd Helton of the NL, but with speed. Dude will put Montreal over the top either this season or next. Deadly 1-2 of Vlad and Sheff. Yikes.

Pretty good list. I can dig it.[/color]

10. Who are your top 5 GMs and why? How about your top 5 favorite posters as well and why?

My top GMs would be Spencer, Play, bravesgm, Chris, and Styro. They all have success in one way or another. Play and Styro have built great farm systems, whereas the other three have won divisions and championships.

Favorite posters would be Nanz, Habes, bigbuhner, Styro, and myself. We're all a good combination of annoying and funny. Solid stuff.

Damn. I won a championship and have an amazing farm system. Good list though.[/color]

11. What made you want to start this league? How do you think it's gone so far? What would you like to change?

I started it because I suck at basketball sims and was afraid I would get CY'd and then have nothing to do with all my free time! I think the league has done pretty well so far. Lots of posting, good guys (mostly), and fun reward system. The only thing I'm worried about is expansion. We all know I'm the most gifted person inside of OOTP and I'm afraid I'll screw something up. Other than that things are peachy in my eyes.

I'm pretty worried about expansion too, but only because I question if we'll get two GMs active enough for my tastes.[/color]

12. Call out any GM in the league for any reason. What would you have done differently and why?

I really don't have a problem with anyone in the league. I just get tired of the bitching. When you're complaining about something, just take a step back and remember what you're complaining about and that there are 27 other guys who are affected as well.

Cop out. You said this already.[/color]

13. What are you excited for most coming up? Give us a sneak peek on something in the future? Any crazy scandals? Age debacles? Gambling problems? Steroids? WE MUST KNOW!

Haha it's pretty funny you ask this. I will be introducing a steroids type scandal next season. I'm sure people won't be happy about it, but oh well. I'd also like to develop a compensation pick system, but that will take some time to implement. And I think I'd be open to relocation if guys really wanted it.

Relocation is ehhh but I'm interested to see the steroid stuff.[/color]

14. Twitter? Really?

Hells yes. It'll be fine. I promise. I'm going to do rewards, updates, etc. It'll be more fun than a chore. Guaranteed.

Gay.[/color]



15. And finally, make your predictions. Who plays in the World Series and who wins it all?

Tough to tell at this point, but I think it'll be Montreal over either Boston or Oakland. Both are hawt right now.

Montreal isn't ready this year, but no doubt they'll be good for the foreseeable future.[/color]