Fireside Chat with csc5782

1. Tell us a little about yourself. I want the dirty details.

Ah, well I'm a 13 year old stuck in a 30 year old body. When I started playing Front Page Sports Baseball '98, I was known as "CSC" and had the best roster updates out there, at least I'd like to think so. That experience got me into online fantasy sports, prior to the Yahoo! or CBS public leagues. Then I migrated over to OOTP5 by joining the CBL and helped form the GABL. So I've been into this game for the longest time, but much more leisurely at this point; since then I've graduated from Architectural School and got my Masters in Planning. Married, bought a townhome to fix up, economy went into the tank, laid off, got a hot dog, got a new job as a Code Enforcement Official and had a baby. And yet, I'm still stuck with you guys. I've know Jeff and Matt for a lonnng time.

Damn I was still jamming some Will Smith in elementary school in 1998. Cool stuff though.[/i]



2. Let's touch on the draft. Shit was going down left and right. What are your thoughts on the draft process?

The draft was a bit weak, but there should be variety. There are no sure thing QB's in the upcoming draft, no? As far as the process, I believe there were too many cooks in the kitchen (so I suggested the "draft" username) to help streamline it. While we got 4 rounds done in a couple days, I think we jumped the gun on auto picks. I am OK with pushing it along, but we need to exercise some patience, particularly in the first round. The funny thing was that I forgot I moved my first round pick and ironically, the guy who was picked in my old spot was...BJ Ryan, who I actually targeted until I realized I didn't have a pick But I got him and let go of Abreu, who, for some reason, never showed up on the top 100 charts. I suppose that was the norm because Vlad wasn't up there either, no?

I think people need to send lists. The way the pace of the draft has been going, you should be able to sign on at least 5-8 picks away and send a list in with 5-8 names. Just my opinion. I have no issues with the autos.

3. Describe your plans for the upcoming season. You won a heated division race, then a surprise upset over the favored Giants. What's in store for this season?

I was thrilled with the comeback in the last 4 games in the season and upsetting the Giants. I am disappointed, though, because I thought pitching was my strength. Wrong. I am happy to have Hampton in for a while and Piazza tied down long-term. I hope to get another bat and need to acquire a reliever (or 2 actually) to support Wagner. My bullpen is rather weak. I like my rotation much better with Oswalt in the mix. Gonzalez and Ryan should be ready next season so I will consider moving Kile, Reynolds and Swindell. In the end, I expect to make the playoffs.

Yeah, I think you'll make them again this year.

4. And on that thought, let's talk about the NL Central. You were neck and neck with Pittsburgh. Describe your competition and make your predictions, yourself included.

The competition is weak, but tight. I admit that I don't have the best team, but I like my moves to get O'Neill, Piazza, Burnitz and hopefully one other bat to support Bagwell and Biggio. Again, pitching is supposed to be my strength so I am hoping to prove that last year was a fluke. While I prefer to win 120 games, being able to be in the hunt and be forced to make good decisions makes me a better manager. I like the competition. It's a far cry from the GABL Yankees where I was .500 or better for 30+ seasons. I needed that jolt. I like the moves Pittsburgh and the Cubs have made. Cardinals are lingering out there, quietly making moves. Cincy is a rebuild, so I expect to win the division. I am thinking 93 wins with a 3 game lead.

Yeah I think it'll be close again, but I still think you'll pull out the division. Especially if you pick up another bat, like Canseco.

5. Let's touch on the Central a little longer. Chicago Cubs GM, play34basketball, has claimed that not only the division is his, but the entire NL. How do you feel about that? What's your rebuttal?

If he means in 2000 through 2003, sure. It's mine now.

Lol play

6. Since your draft was about as eventful as mine, do you prefer good prospects or proven talent?

The answer is boring, but I prefer both. I like a balanced approach, but I think it is to a fault. I sometimes have too much depth at the #4 or #5 spot and have a ton of AAAA guys. It was difficult for me to part with Garcia, but Piazza is a player I've never had before. In the end, I prefer a balanced minor league system (always 2-3 people in the top 50 or so) with good talent at every position. I don't have to have Griffey or ARod, but I suppose Piazza might fit in there. I broke the mold to go after someone like Piazza.

LOVE Piazza. From my limited experience with OOTP, I can safely say I prefer proven talent. Prospects seem so risky to me.

7. Let's talk about erbes. How do you feel he's done as commissioner here? Any suggestions for him?

I think he's sloppy to be honest. Quick shooting and rushed. Perhaps we expect too much of him (not that he's BAD per se), but that we are literally pushing for too much too quickly. But that's my 30 year old mentality kicking in. I do like seeing sims frequently. Advice I have is to be consistent.

I think erbes has been great. It has been a little sloppy to start, but it's hard to argue with the results. I doubt any other OOTP leagues are this active, especially if the sim schedule is slower.



8. Now onto danppd or johnchevy, whatever his name was. What kind of dirtbag needs to cheat in this fashion? Let's just talk about how ridiculous this was.

Dan I get, and he seemed to be a good owner and easy going, but the whole john thing stunk, no two ways about it. It is extremely disappointing and kind of put a blur to the whole middle of the season. Happy it is resolved.

He/they was/were so immature.

9. So it's Oswalt time, is it? Predict his season with reasoning. Where do you think he actually ranks amongst young SPs?

Yup, he's in the SP4 hole right now and I expect him to go 12-10 ish with a 3.75 ERA. I don't expect him to break out for good until 2 more seasons. I think he ranks in the top 5 of young SPs. He's solid, but not Brilliant all the way across.

Yeah I'm not very sold on Oswalt yet. I don't think he'll help you much at all this year, but definitely no point being in the minors anymore. Gotta live with the growing pains.

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

GMs: Cubs, Braves, Giants, Twins, Royals. Aside from Cubs, I've known them forever. I know I forgot someone.

Posters: play, erbes, ashes, losang, braves --- the life of the forum.

11. Who is your favorite player in real life? And if he's in the league/coming into the league, what would you give for him?

Jeter: I like OBP and the ability to score; leadership and loyalty is important to me as secondary skills. What would I give up does not matter because Erbes will never give him up. Simple as that.

Answer the question fully, douche!

12. Give me the top 5 most desired young players or prospects, and why?

Johan Santana --- I'm still miffed about this.
CC Sabathia --- Damn.
Lance Berkman --- Because he should be an Astro.
Freddy Garcia --- I miss him already.
Todd Helton --- No comment.

Hot damn at Santana and Sabathia.



13. If you could switch teams with anyone else in the league, which team would it be and why?

Yankees because those are my boys!

14. Let's hear a crazy fact about you. Keep in mind the last time I asked someone this, he told us he could suck his own dick..

I'm hearing-impaired: A disability that is easy to hide on the interwebs.

Don't get too crazy now!

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

I have to go with the Giants and Yankees with the Giants taking it all. Spencer knows what he's doing. Erbes has the league password.

Lol that shady ass erbes...thanks for the interview!