Up North With BoSoxi

1. Being that you are rather quiet here, none of us have really gotten to know you. Please describe yourself as a person. Where are you from? What do you do for a living? Do you have any kids, and if so, what ages? What other activities and hobbies do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I don't think I'm that quiet(I'm not like spencer who talks to himself)...It all started way way back in 1964 when the world was graced by my presence in a little hospital in providence Rhode Island(i still live in Rhode Island unfortunately)..been working at a retail company since i was 22 years old they finally had to give in and make me manager of the store after i out lasted everyone else that was there ..I don't have any kids that i know of maybe someday I'll get a knock at the door from some kid looking for his dad but i just won't answer..I am single with a gf and asked all the time by my cousin why i don't just get it over with and get married. I tell him I see how it's aged him and i'm smart enough not to take the plunge..as far as hobbies it used to be playing baseball and football but the passing of time and my knees has me watching more then playing now a days..if you want to know more about me then you're a little weird or a stalker.

Haha well said. I've always liked your sense of humor and this is just a great example of it. I've been in retail in the past so I know what it's like, but I'm happy to hear that all that is going well for you. I was in Rhode Island once for a Boy Scout camping trip well over a decade ago. It's a nice state, but really tiny.

2. I don't think I really need to ask which MLB team is your favorite, based on your forum name. But which Red Sox players were your favorites to watch while growing up?

Of course you don't have to ask I'm a huge Brewers fan lol ..but if Ii have to give you my favorite players get ready kids for a trip back in time growing up in the mid 70's early 80's the Sox were loaded in the line up with Yaz, Rice, Fisk, and Lynn(who could of been a hall of famer if the Sox didn't trade him) but my favorite player back then use to be Dwight Evans. He played right field and had a gun for an arm. He wasn't the greatest hitter when he started but as the years went along his power number went up to where he was a 30/100 guy..actually met him a few times at sports conventions back in the day and still have the signed baseballs..and yes Evans should be in the Hall of Fame.

Sounds about right for a Sox fan your age. The Sox had some great teams back then, with those guys you mentioned, plus Eck, Luis Tiant and Don Baylor near the end of his career. I of course never saw Dwight Evans play because he was before my time, but after looking at his career numbers, I agree that he should be in the Hall of Fame. Maybe one day the Veteran's Committee will look into it and finally get him in.





3. The Sox have been through a lot over the years. But in recent time, 1986 and 2003 have definitely stood out for fans. Which of the two seasons had the worse ending and why?

Wow someone doesn't know 1978 when the Red Sox had like a 15 game lead on the Yankees for the division and with the hall of fame lineup (Fisk, Yaz, Rice) it looked like a sure thing that they would make the playoffs ..I can't remember the reason for the collapse (I'm sure injuries) but I remember at the end of the season the Red Sox and Yankees were tied for the division and a 1 game playoff(in) was going to be played at Fenway park...we all went over to my friend's house to watch the game and the Sox were pretty much in control shutting out the Yankees until.......Bucky f-in Dent and the next thing i knew Yaz popped up ran to first base with his head down and the Yankees were jumping all over the field and went on to win the world series...1986 well was 1986, the only time I have ever cried after a game ..my dad was a (yankee fan) went to bed yelling looks like your g-damn Red Sox are finally going to win one after the Sox took the lead in extra innings..even he had a shocked looked on his face when i woke him up to tell him they lost ....2003 was bad but i was used to it by then... you expected the Red Sox to lose ..2011 the Sox had the best record in baseball going into September but the beer and chicken crowd put an end to that.

I knew of the 1978 Red Sox, but like I said, 1986 and 2003 were more recent, hence why I included those 2 seasons in particular. But yeah, 1978 must have been rough as well to collapse then lose the play-in game at home to the Yankees in such an unlikely fashion as it turned out to be. I have DVD's of the entire 1986 World Series, even though I've seen certain clips hundreds of times, but the Red Sox dominated the series early on, but when the Sox lost Games 3 and 4 at home the way they did, it was clear that the Mets had gained momentum. Game 6 was simply miraculous and Game 7 was the icing on the cake. Sucks I wasn't alive to see it with my own eyes.





4. After the bitter ending in 2003, the Sox finally were able to persevere and end their 86-year drought by winning the 2004 World Series. What was going through your mind after the final out. How happy were you, exactly? Was that the happiest day in your entire life? What exactly did you do to celebrate? Were you at the ticker tape parade? And besides the final out itself, what was your favorite memory of the series?

When the ball was hit back to Foulke, I started screaming "Oh my God". Everyone was at the house screaming and yelling then I just watched the TV as the Sox streamed on the field almost in stunned silence thinking maybe it was a dream because the Sox never win ..I watched every interview and the trophy presentation then turned to the Red Sox station NESN for the rest of the night pretty much not aware of the other people in the room ..the party lasted till 430 in the morning. If anyone that was there talked to me I pretty much don't remember what they said I was just glued to the TV..the thing I will remember was Johnny Pesky's face as they handed him the world series trophy it was like handing the trophy to all the past Sox players and fans who suffered for 86 years ....we were going to go to the Red Sox parade but ended up watching it on TV .. my favorite memory of the series had to be the series before when the Sox came from 3 down to defeat the Yankees ..the Sox were so hot after that the Cardinals just laid down and died in the world series lol.

I remember that series well myself. I was really hoping the Sox would finally win it and they did. It was great to see a curse like that get broken and for an entire city to feel revived and in such great spirits. Sure the players on the field won the World Series, but at the same time, all the former Sox players and fans all won it as well. Then again, all Boston sports teams were very successful in the 2000s decade, so good for them. The day I finally see the Mets win a championship, I don't even know what I'll be like. I will obviously go to every event and will probably party like crazy for a week straight haha. It was awesome to see the NY Giants win 2 Super Bowls, but neither of the two could ever compare to the Mets winning.

5. Was the 2007 season also just as special, being that the Sox won again that year? Or will no season in Sox history ever be able to top 2004?

Any season the Sox win the world series will be special but 2004 was totally different. There were prob a handful of people still alive when the Sox won in 1918...the 2004 win was for every former player that tried and failed to win it for the Sox and it was for the long suffering fans of New England ..where the 2007 win was for the hardcore fan( the casual fan saw the win in 2004 and that was enough for them) and the players on that team.

That sounds about right. Being that the Red Sox played the Rockies that season, there also wasn't as much overall hype because it was the Rockies' first trip to the Fall Classic. The Cardinals on the other hand have arguably been the most successful team ever in the NL, so that is another reason why the 2004 World Series was as awesome as it was. But for how many years the Sox fans had to suffer, winning that second championship in 2007 was nice to see. I should also mention that in 2005, another long curse was broken when the White Sox won it all. Who knows if/when the other Chicago team will ever win again.

6. Fenway Park has existed forever. When was the first time you saw a game there in person? How often do you go there each season? Will the Red Sox ever have a new stadium, or will Fenway Park never get torn down for all eternity?

First time I went to Fenway Park was Aug 20, 1975. It was a trip during summer camp. Looouieee Tiant pitched against the Royals. Unfortunately the Red Sox lost ..here's the box score if anyone is interested.. www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA197508200.shtml
Being 11 years old I was like wow when I saw Fenway but I'm sure it was a dump. It was an aging park filled with drunk spectators lol..my brush with greatness moment at Fenway was the 1990 Tom Brunansky catch that gave the Red Sox the American League East title ..he made a diving catch in the right field corner and being in the bleachers, we were the only section that knew he made the catch ..the best part is they showed the catch over and over and you can see me stupidly standing there in my Red Sox jacket ..i doubt they will ever tear down Fenway. I'm sure some time in the distant future the Sox will have a new home and Fenway will be a museum/park for people to use.

That's a pretty cool first game to ever be at. I never knew about the Brunansky catch, but I'm definitely going to try to find a video clip of that on YouTube shortly. It would be tough to imagine stadiums like Fenway, Wrigley or even Dodgers Stadium ever get torn down. Those places are just so historic, but time will tell.





7. Ok enough about the Red Sox and the Green Monster and that pesky pole. Your BBSBL Cardinals finally seem to really be moving in the right direction. Your pitching looks very solid, with Todd Van Poppel and Joey Hamilton leading the way. New addition Scott Atchison has been great as the closer since being traded. Offensively, the trio of Corey Patterson, Pat Burrell and Michael Young look to all have bright futures in this league. Definitely some great cornerstone players to build around.

What more do the Cardinals need to do to be able to place higher in the NL Central. Any glaring holes that you think you will need to address by the trade deadline?

It's about time someone praised the goings on in St. Louis lol ..I have 3 holes that need to be addressed. A catcher: Leyritz has died, Marrero just plain sucks and I just got a good pd on Kevin Cash but he looks more to be a backup then a starter..next hole: I need some power at 3rd base. You need a power bat at 1st and 3rd. Klesko is having a good season at 1st but he just is not hitting for power anymore. I think if I want to hang with the big boys in the national league I need another bat to drive me in some runs. And last a shortstop: I think i could get by with what I have this season but its def a position that needs to be upgraded.

Those are definitely 3 areas you could use an upgrade at and best of luck with filling the holes at those spots. Good catchers and shortstops are tough to come by. Third base might be a bit easier to find.

8. The NL Central has now become a lot more competitive. The Cubs are still on top of the division and look to stay up there for many seasons to come. The Astros have hung around, but are declining more than before. It seems like the Cardinals are now ready to compete, although the odds of winning the division this year are not particularly in their favor. The Pirates look like they are in a transition year, especially considering the fact that some of their young prospects have been brought up. The Brewers are finally in the NL, but are clearly rebuilding, as are the Reds, who in particular have a lot of work to do before they compete years and years from now.

How exactly will the NL Central shape up? Who wins the division this season? 5 seasons from now? Which team(s) have the brightest future in particular and why?

The Cubs are always wheeling and dealing so I'm sure he will keep his team at or near the top for seasons to come. I dunno what will go on in Houston..I'm hoping I'm setting my team up for playoff runs the next 5 or more seasons with a young outfield core and a young pitching staff. Just like the question before, I need to plug a few holes on my team and start to use my board money to beef up the players i have now..Pittsburgh has a lot of young players he's called up so hes looking at a few seasons for them to mature before he starts to contend ..the Brewers have a lot of pitching in the minors. If he can keep some and turn some to bring more talent to Milwaukee, he could have a chance down the road and last and still last Stutter is celebrating that he might win 40 games this season so we won't hear from him for a while lol.

The NL Central seems like it will always be tough and competitive. God knows how long the Cubs will keep being at the top. Probably at least until Play wins at least one championship, if it ends up happening. It seems like Crazy Mike wants to keep winning, while shedding payroll. The Astros may have a few more seasons left before age starts catching up with Piazza, Bagwell and his other big hitters. For you and your Cardinals, you have a good number of pieces, but you really just need to take advantage of what this league has to offer and make the most of it. Spend wisely on TIA's and IRI's. Use TIB's with the right players and make smart trades and then the Cardinals could really go somewhere in the next few seasons.

With the Astros on the decline, if anyone is going to stop Play and Cubs in the next few seasons, it will either be the Cardinals or Pirates. I like what Steve1213 has done with the Pirates. They have a core of young hitters and pitchers to build around. They have a direction and now they just need to fill in a few more holes. By 2004, they could be one of the premier teams in the NL. The Brewers are going to take longer to really put a good team together. Steve needs to tank a couple more seasons and get a few more solid prospects together. The Brewers actually could have become a contender by now if they didn't toil in .500 mediocrity for so long. As for the Reds, Stutter has more work to do with that team than he could ever imagine. I'll be stunned if the Reds have a winning season before 2010 because I honestly think Stutter's rebuild will have to last at least that long with how depleted his entire organization is. Ugh...





9. Has BBSBL become the most fun online baseball sim league you have ever been in? If not, which other league was better and why?

All of the sim leagues I have been in have been fun, but then they just become stale (even the one I ran which is hard to believe lol). This league has a lot of trade action and the extra bonus of board cash is a good twist to the game but as long as most of the owners stay active, this league will have a long life and you have to go on the site at least once a day for the babe of the day pictures so that's always a good thing.

I can't even imagine BBSBL ending before like the 2050 season. The sky is the limit for this league. The passionate GM's are all here. A few guys have slacked at times, but if they show in at least one way that they are active and care, then the sky really is the limit. There is so much activity here that it would take something huge for that to change. And yeah the "Babe of the Day" is always fun to see. Crazy Mike needs to make this a daily feature.

10. You seem to crack quite a few jokes towards Erbes. What is your opinion on what he has done as our commissioner? Are there any particular improvements he could make? Any opinions on some of the more recent controversies, including the tanking rules, the balance of draftees and the article mod/rewards?

Erbes was a pain in the ass in the league i simmed so I have to pay him back by cracking some jokes at his expense..I know that running a league is a pain sometimes, esp. when you don't have the time and you got a bunch of guys screaming for you to sim. Overall, Erbes has done a great job (don't tell him I said that). The sims have gone pretty smooth..I can't think of any improvements that need to be made right now..I haven't had any issues but I'm not like some guys on here that go crazy over every little thing ..I have no idea what the tanking rule is but i have no desire to tank what fun is it to lose every year to get a top pick that's kind of a lame way to win..i like that hitters got some love this past draft because its been all about pitching in the earlier drafts..the article reward thing I'm not into cause I'm really not into this kind of stuff but if I get board cash for spewing this crap, then all is good lol.

As I've said before, if Erbes is consistent with his decision-making and is fair to all GM's and never plays favorites in an obvious way, then he is doing a great job here. I agree that some people complain too much about sims happening all the time. If Erbes wants to go at a certain pace, we gotta be patient. He shouldn't have to use every single second of his free time for this league. 60-70% of his free time is more than reasonable. I'm in no particular rush to get to fake players, for one. I'm trying to enjoy having players I grew up watching for as long as I can.

The tanking rules are what they are and people just need to be careful. If shit happens, then shit happens. I think Erbes made a mistake in the early drafts with making the pitchers noticeably better than the hitters. Being that the 2002-2004 drafts in particular are more loaded with pitching than hitting to begin with, he could have built his early plan around that and at least could have made the 1997-2001 drafts balanced, if not more favored toward hitters. But with the way things have happened, hitters have never been favored since we started and won't have the upper hand in drafts until 2005, which sucks. I liked the original article rewards, and as for the mod stuff, I really think a 3-man committee needs to happen. Hopefully, it will one day.

11. A few of your stud players seem like they could use a TIA somewhere in order to become even better, among other rewards. But you haven't really done too much in particular to acquire board cash, whether it be through articles or trades with other GM's. Do you plan on making moves soon in order to receive board cash? Why haven't you done so already? Are you simply not a big fan of the board cash system or is there another reason as to why you haven't gotten too much board cash yet?

I think I have acquired a lot of board cash when I took over the team. I had like 3 or 4 mill now i have over 13 mill which is the 3rd highest of any team. My problem is using it lol. I'm as cheap with board money then I am with my own money. I dunno why I'm waiting to use it for a major injury but I know the second i spend it to beef up my players someone will get injured and I'll be broke.

So you are just playing it safe, huh? I can feel that. To be honest, after seeing the Braves' ridiculous amount of injuries in what I believe was the 1999 season, it made look at board cash more cautiously to make sure I always have something in case I need it. In reality, I'm very cheap with money, but it's easier to spend freely with board cash just because I've always found ways to make back the board cash I spend.

At times, I've made written lists of what each of my core players still need, if anything. Plenty of GM's here could probably give you board cash spending advice if you want.





12. After the last post pad event, you made it clear that you were a big fan of Seinfeld when it was around. Who was your favorite character on the show? Favorite moment, if any in particular? Do you think Seinfeld is widely considered the greatest and most popular television show ever? If not, what other show would take the number 1 spot?

The funny thing is I never watched Seinfeld when it was on..not even a second of it..one night at a friends house he had it on and hes going on about how good the show is. I'm like sorry never watched it ..well it was like my friend was a drug dealer because I watched a few shows and now I'm hooked right down to reciting the lines as they say them lol..of course Kramer is the easy answer for favorite character, He's the Ed Norton of Seinfeld..for you youngins, Ed Norton was Ralph Kramden's neighbor in the honeymooners if you never saw the Honeymooners get the DVD..of the minor characters i liked Babu .."you very bad man". Is Seinfeld the best? It's up there. I liked Honeymooners, Archie bunker, and Seinfeld but I think the best written and best acted show was Gilligan's Island lol.

Every time I see Seinfeld, I'm like how can a guy not like that show? Maybe I'm biased because Seinfeld is a New York show and I'm a lifelong New Yorker. But the fact that the show is about nothing is what makes it fun to watch. It's about living day to day life. Kramer is actually my 2nd favorite character. I've always found Frank Costanza to be hilarious and every time he was in the show, I enjoyed seeing it. Some of his quotes are just epic. I know of the Honeymooners because my dad has the DVD and I've seen all the episodes with him. Great show for its time. Every New Year's Day, there is always a huge Honeymooners marathon, so it's not a bad way to spend your hungover first day of the year.





13. Last but not least, let's hear your 2002 World Series predictions and who you think will win it all.

Yankees vs Cubs with the Yankees winning in 5 ..real or in sim leagues, there never will be a parade in Chicago.

Not a bad prediction there. This could be the Yankees' year, but I think the White Sox could find a way back to the World Series, now that Waldo really has a dominant pitching staff. The NL is a toss-up. Until he lets up though, Spencer and the Giants remain the team to beat.





Thanks for taking part in this interview, BoSoxi! Until next time...