Shooting the Scene with the Don

1. Similar to at least most of your NC friends here, you are on the quiet side. Describe yourself a bit for everyone else that doesn't know you as well. What do you do for a living? What do you envision yourself doing with your career 10 years from now? Where did the "Don Basucci" name originate from? Is that your alter-ego?

I do tend to be on the quiet side on message boards just because I find myself very busy and don't have time to get caught up in a lot of the discussions that go on. In person though I tend to be a bit more talkative with people I'm comfortable around, especially my pals. We have a lot of good nights together that end up with some great stories in the morning. Right now I actually work for the YES Network and NBC sports as a freelancer. I do production assistant work for both networks more so at YES. I also do film work on the side. In 10 years I hope to be making money from my films. Hopefully one day you will see them in theaters. Don Basucci originated from Habes probably. I think he started calling me Basucci. I have many nicknames from family and friends, most notably, Donnie, Don, Ballgame, Basucci among others. What can I say, I'm a people person.

That's awesome to work for 2 well known sports TV companies! Is working on TV a lot different than with films? Any particular shows you help produce? I'll look out for them!





2. Being that you are a known Yankee fan, which of the Yankees' championships teams between 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 meant the most to you? In other words, which of those seasons do you remember most fondly? Which Yankees were your particular favorites at the time?

That is a good question and hard because during the years I was not as passionate about the Yankees as in the 2000's. I was young and into many things back then. I would say the Subway Series World series is the one I most remember. To be honest, I really got into baseball around 2001, the year the Yankees lost to the D-Backs, I remember that vividly. Of course I remember watching playoff games with my brother and dad. Jeter was always a favorite along with Paul O'Neill. The best moment though has to be in 2009. I really felt like that was the first time I saw the yanks win a championship and was with them through it all. It was a great moment.

1998 was when I really started following baseball. I remember how amazing the 1998 Yankees were and how I was actually happy the 1999 Yankees beat the Braves in the World Series that year. As for the 2000 Subway Series, it was awesome to see the Mets get as far as they did, but the ending was very disappointing. The Yankees earned it though. The Mets made a few critical mistakes and the Yankees took advantage. I just wish the celebrating was not at Shea Stadium. Sucks the Mets haven't gotten back to the Fall Classic since.





3. With the news of Alex Rodriguez's involvement in the Biogenesis scandal coming to a verdict probably within a week, what is your opinion on the entire matter? Do you think A-Rod should accept a suspension through 2014, or try to fight the whole thing while risking a lifetime ban? As a fan, what would be the best outcome for the Yankees? And has A-Rod's Yankees legacy been more positive or negative, overall?

I like A-rod, been an A-rod guy since day one. Think he is and was a tremendous player. I hope to see him play with the Yankees again even if that is not the outcome most people would want. I really don't see how they could suspend him for more than 50 games when he never failed the first time, doesn't make sense. If they are going to suspend I think they should suspend him for the rest of the season and be done with it. Lifetime ban? For what? The guys career is winding down already. He might as well fight it. I don't see this ending up well for A-Rod and thats a shame. Among the many people in baseball who took PEDS he might get remembered the most for doing it and fucking up. It's his own fault. Was the juice worth the squeeze?

I used to like A-Roid a lot when he was with the Mariners at the beginning of his career. I thought he would become the greatest shortstop ever. Then he went to the Rangers and put up even better numbers and I thought the sky was the limit for him. When he went to the Yankees, I was ok with him for a few years, but then he turned into a complete drama queen and ever since then, I cannot stand him at all. I personally think his rep and the fact that he already admitted to using steroids, in addition to the obstruction of justice shit is why he will be facing a potential lifetime ban. Is it a little over the top? To a certain degree, yes in my opinion. But am I anxious to hear about A-Roid less and less in the future? You better believe it.





4. Onto the league known as BBSBL...your Rangers looked really look good in 2000 and barely missed the postseason. This season though, the Rangers are now 10 games under .500 with just two weeks to go. What happened this season? What particular reasons if any could you point to for the Rangers struggling this season? Could this sudden decline affect your future plans in general?

Ah the fucking rangers. I tell you, my pitching was not what I thought they were. We're young (Mulder, Suazo, Davis - injured for the year, Burns) but I thought these guys would perform better. Fultz and Steve had meh years too. As for my offense you can't say enough about what Griffey did for us, carried us, but we needed more and we lost a lot of production. Belle had a horrible year, Stocker was batting 200 for quite some time. Morris FUCKING stinks. I lost production at first base and third. Pod went down with an injury. Pudge has fallen off. The only guy that showed improvement was Holliday. So when your starting lineup is just two guys, its going to be a struggle. I don't think this effects us too much. I have young pitching which is good. Never have enough pitching. Just need to get my offense in order, some young bats (Hall, Larson, Hafner) up and coming. We need guys to develop. We shall see.

Yeah the Rangers definitely suffered with injuries at times and Griffey could only do so much on his own for the lineup. Holliday has been good and Pudge has been decent, but no one else in your lineup has done much this season. The Podsednik injury blows. Fultz has had a down year, to my surprise. Mulder and Soderstrom have had decent seasons, while Suazo seems to not get as much run support, if anything. Osuna has turned into one of the best closers around, but the rest of your bullpen has been awful. Being a GM at a hitters park myself though, I can relate to what you got going with your team. I think the Rangers can still compete, but you got some work to do this offseason.

5. Speaking of your future, what do you envision the Rangers doing in the next five seasons? How do you see the AL West playing out in the next five seasons? Will the A's keep running the division, or could other teams really step up within a few seasons?

The A's have a solid squad. They have the pitching right now and if I can get my pitching there I think we can compete with them. The Mariners are far off but have a really bright future. To be honest, no idea what the Halos are doing but they're ahead of me. I think I could have a really good starting five.

The A's lineup is aging, but they still have young pitching and that is what will keep them competitive for a long time in my opinion. The addition of Big Papi has helped the A's lineup produce even better than before.

The Mariners could have a bright future down the road, but they probably won't be ready until 2004-2006 at the latest.

I really don't know what to think of the Angels. Jmich is around, but at the same time, he isn't always around and the lack of general activity could hurt the Angels in the future. They need more great hitting prospects, but seem ok with pitching prospects. Their major league hitters look good, although Edmonds hasn't been playing as well. Their pitching has been meh. Jmich should honestly try to shed salary at this point and find a legit direction for the the Angels to go in. Aside from their Wild Card season in 1999, the Angels have been a consistent .500 team and they need to figure out what they're gonna do to get better.





6. Why haven't you tried to trade Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez in particular? Pudge isn't getting any younger and has not exactly lived up to expectations at any point in his BBSBL career. Is the catching market thin enough of that you want to keep Pudge simply because you don't think you could sign or trade for a better catcher?

Exactly, you put it best. Don't really see myself getting a better catcher on the market. Maybe a cheaper one, but right now Pudge is a lock to play great d and hit me 15-20 HRS and 80 RBIS. Can't really ask for anything else. Wish he played like he did a few years ago but it is what it is. I might try to trade him this offseason actually. If there is any interest hit me up.

I thought Pudge would be a top 3 overall catcher in this league, behind Piazza and maybe Posada, but that has not been the case. Pudge has been decent here. His numbers overall aren't that bad actually, but with his real life major league career as good as it was, I simply expected him to be more of a superstar instead of just a regular catcher, which is what he is. Real surprised though that Pudge has only won 1 Gold Glove Award thus far.

7. What kinds of improvements do you need to make in the offseason? What pieces are you missing in order for the Rangers to reach their full potential?

I need to get my infield in order. I think I want speed on the base paths. We don't have enough of it. I need to fix a lot of holes right now. I need to see improvements from my pitching. My bullpen is suspect. Hard to find good relief. A lot of things need to be changed. Don't know how much will be able to get done.

I agree that finding a speedy leadoff hitter and improving your bullpen should be your top 2 priorities in the offseason. Getting Podsednik back will help, but it's always good to have a second hitter that can steal bases and move runners over. As for your bullpen, best of luck finding good middle relief. It's difficult and especially with a team that plays in a notable hitter's park.

8. What have been your best and worst trades thus far and why?

Worst:
Chicago sends:
LF Albert Belle
MR Bobby Seay
$3M board cash

Rangers send:
1B Paul Konerko

Really strapped me with cash and was a quick fix. Guy under performed.

Good trades:
Griffey for Hamilton and Ross etc

probably a good move at the time and I still think a great move. Griffey has been great for me.

Yeah I think the Konerko trade may come back to bite you, although I think he was called up too early to begin with, so that could go either way. Hopefully Belle redeems himself next season. The Griffey trade of course was amazing, but he still needs more support in that lineup in order for the team to win more.





9. Has your busy work schedule played a large role as to why you haven't spent much time here posting a lot and writing or participating in articles? Or has it really been a combination of that and laziness in general? Please be honest!

I'm very busy and when I'm not working, I'm out partying or dating a new broad. Truth be told I just like being a part of a baseball sim and checking it every so often. I don't find myself writing articles because I find it a waste of time. But yes this all plays a factor. I'm enjoying summer.

I feel you there. If you simply just don't have a lot of time to devote here, then you can only do what you can. Show business is something else and if you are really passionate about it, then fuck everything else and devote yourself to it! A wise man once said, "Stay far from timid, only make moves when your heart's in it, and live the phrase 'sky's the limit'." I'm sure you could figure out who said that. It really seems like your career aspirations are going in a great direction and I can only hope that I can catch a break and find similar success with sports journalism in the future.

10. Between Habes, Nanz, James and Kellman, which of those 4 do you think will get to the World Series first and why?

None of them. Their teams are all far off and smell. But if I had to guess James...His pitching is pretty dirty.

You surprised me there. I thought you would go with Habes, but James has a good team for the future as well. He needs another big bat or 2, but his pitching is awesome. Obviously, I'd love to see the Mets do well and within a few years, James could make some serious noise in the NL East.

11. Speaking of Kellman, he's about to inherit an expansion Rays team. He has two great pitching studs to build around, but will not have much financial flexibility to work with. Furthermore, he will also have an ugly domed stadium to play in. What kind of advice would you give him for his new team? Do you think he could soon find success in the stacked AL East? Or is a long rebuild a better plan for now?

Buy a bullet and rent a gun. I assume a long rebuild will be in order but Kell knows how to deal so I'm sure he could make his way around the league and start building a contender in no time. He's a good gm. Maybe a good group date will get those old gm juices flowing.

Yeah it seems like Mark really knows OOTP and what he's doing. I think he'll put together a good rebuild plan and wait for the right time to compete. With the Yankees and Jays on the rise, and the Red Sox and Orioles hanging in there, it's very tough right now. But maybe within 4-5 seasons, an opportunity could be there for the Rays and I bet Mark will take advantage of it when he sees it.





12. Finally, which teams do you think will make the World Series? Who will win it all, and why?

The White Sox will win. I have a weird feeling about that Waldo character. He is up to no good over there in Chicago. They have a stacked line up and some solid pitching. But there's more to him than that, and he will show it to us.

Ciao paisanos!

That's a good pick there. The White Sox do seem more balanced, even though they now only have two dependable starters in their rotation. It will be interesting to see who Waldo chooses to start Game 3 of each postseason series he's in. Those games could go a long way in ultimately determining how far the White Sox will get. Chad Bradford looks like a stud closer. Did I mention they have the best lineup in the entire league? Yeah they look scary good.

Right now, I think an all-Chicago World Series will occur. Should be fun! Thanks for the interview, Dan! Best of luck with your Rangers and your production career!