At the Villa with bigbuhner

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

Well, I don't know about smexy, but here goes! My favorite era of baseball is the 70's, which I remember quite fondly, so that should age me about as great as a fine glass of Cristal. I'm a teacher, and as such, I'm gonna try to keep these answers down to a short paragraph, which is 5 sentences as I tell my kids, since you ask so many damn questions! I have been playing OOTP for near 12 years now I guess on line, and currently am in 6 leagues, but this is my only version 5. My claim to fame in regards to this league is I once took over the team that Erbes was kicked out of in GABL, and even made Erbes my first manager! Pretty sure some GM's thought I was still Erbes kickin' it around DanChevy style! To quote Jim Thome, "My wife is my rock." My handle comes from the one and only Mr. Jay Buhner, whom I slightly named my son after, and I rocked the Buhner buzz cutt for over ten years! As for making Erbes get all frosted over, I once touched Justin Timberlake! I'm just sayin.

40 years would be an awfully long time to age Cristal. A fine glass of Cristal would do just fine from the 2000s

2. Alright now that that's over with, we can get down to business. So recently you were named amongst the "nefarious 3" who had red in their ledger. Several GMs (myself included) wanted harsher penalties for this. Do you feel you got off easy? How did you let this happen? How many overdrafts did you have in your bank account last year?

Do I feel I got off easy? Sure. I would have been open to sanctions. I f'd up.... and as I stated I would still be open to my own self imposed sanctions. I will gladly accept only 100K for this interview to get me back to even, and donate the rest to the Little Sisters of the Poor (otherwise known as the Cleveland Indians in BBSBL!)

How did I let this happen? Well, I made the mistake of assuming, and we all know what that means, that when I made a request and was told it was "done" that it also meant it was "done" on the bank total. I know better now to keep track of that shiznit myself and not to trust the Wall Street bankers, whomever they may be, in this league!

As for overdrafts, I only had whichever was my last one that I requested, probably the 5 mil to boost Olerud up to good for average. I would also like to point out that I went NOWHERE near as far into debt as the other clubs, and as soon as I saw I was in the red, I slashed 1 mil off and dropped down to just 100K in less than a day. I also tried to make a trade or two to add some cash flow to cover that. What's done is done, time to move on!

Ah, I meant your actual bank account. It was a joke.

3. Describe your plans for the upcoming season. You definitely switched gears midseason last year when your team started winning, so what direction are you moving towards this year?

When I came into the league I was primarily looking to add as many players to my club who I treasured in real life. I was never a fan of "The Schilling", so moving him for my fave in Bone was no problem for me. Since that point, I have been trying to add as many 25-30 year olds as I can get my hands on who can contribute to a winning club. I didn't mind moving guys such as Dykstra, who didn't fit any of my criteria for picks or whatnot, and then moving those picks for players I coveted, like say an Omar. Once my club started making a surprise run, I felt I had to look into making a deal or two to stay in the race. That ultimately didn't really happen, but it wasn't for lack of trying! This year expect more of the same. I think we are a pretty damn solid club, so I might be looking for that one batter to put me over the top, but I think this club is solid in every position, aside from maybe catcher. The NL East is a beast, but we expect to be playing meaningful baseball in September again this season!

You've got a solid squad. Good luck!

4. Piggybacking that question, let's talk about the NL East. We had four teams in the mix last year. Describe your competition and make your predictions, yourself included.

My prediction is simple: the NL East will once again win the World Series, as long as the commish doesn't keep resimming. I am actually gonna stake my own claim to the title this season! Now, I honestly don't think we can bump back over Florida like we did standings wise two seasons ago, but get this: in our inaugural season Florida was in third place, the next year they won it all. Who was in third place in the NL East last season? Yup, you got it!

I think Atlanta is taking steps back, but they'll probably still be in the mix this year. I feel like this year the division is still mine, but the NL East is definitely tough.

5. All sorts of buttfuckery went on during the draft. What are your thoughts on the draft process? Do you have something against lists?

Ah the draft! Don't get me started! Here is what I have against lists: I sent my first list in and stated to please not make my pick right at the beginning of my time, as if I were around I would like to do so myself. My pick was slated to be the first pick of the morning, which would be at 10 EST. I went to work and fired up the computer first thing in the morning, I think even at 8 or 9 EST. When I went to bed the night before, there were still 3 picks to go before me, and it was already 9:45, so I was thinking I would be good to go in the morning, only to find that Erbes auto'd for me in the middle of the night! It's no biggie, but honestly what is the reason to have rules if they are not followed? So, from then on, when I knew I was gonna be around to pick, I didn't bother to send a list because I want to make my own picks.... can't trust Erbes with everything... or is that anything?

As for the process, it's too late now, but this is the best process I have ever been involved in: You post the upcoming draft list around June 1st in season. Then you begin the draft, using the previous seasons standings of course, and let the draft run from that point until the end of the WS. This makes for real time draft trading and gives teams time to actually trade a pick that is up at that time and try to move down/up and whatnot. I never understand why the draft has to be done so damn quick right in the middle of the FA period and offseason, when it can be done at a slower pace during the season and foster more trading. But hey, not everybody can come up with these cool ideas!

Was your list used in the middle of the night because other lists were in/people were on to pick? If so, that seems right to me. If not, then I dunno. Drafts have been shaky but I think moreso on the GMs part, not the process.

6. Speaking of the draft, Juan Pierre is my fucking jam. You had three 1sts I believe, so how happy were you with your draft. Grade yourself.

Yup, 3 firsts, and at one point had 4! Looking forward to two more next year! I'll give myself a B for my grade. I'm not totally sold on Nelson Cruz, but once the top starters were gone, and with me already loaded up with Riley, Shields, and Beech, I felt I needed more bats. Might regret passing up Soriano, but Boone is gonna play there for awhile (if he resigns) and Cruz was a logical next in line for Buhner. I love Pierre, as my club is sorely lacking any type of leadoff man anywhere in the system. As for Lidge, I woulda rather had Ryan with that starting potential, and I also already have Mateo and Valverde in the minors, but I felt he was the best player on the board at the time, so I went with that theory. Overall, I think my club is pretty loaded all over the place for future impact players.

Give me Pierre.

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

Hmm.... what could one say other than "mehhh." That seems appropriate! I think he does a solid job making the league fun and interesting with the post pads and whatnot. I am not so sure about his consistancy. Sometimes he sticks to his guns, and other times he seems to let certain GM's bend him over like a 20 year old B. Spears. I don't think you can make exceptions for anybody, and what goes for one club should go for all clubs (I'm talking about the whole Cincy/Toronto shitwhich here). You can't assume that every new GM is gonna be solid, so hold em all to the same standards. I'm happy with my addition of Boone, but what I had to give up in the end was bullshit....there were other trades that went down shortly after mine that gave up less for similar players. I also don't enjoy seeing a commish always having the winningest club....but he does have the Yankees, so we'll see how that plays out! I'm always sceptical of joining a new league that the commish seems to rule in the first few season! The book is out! We're watching you!

I don't think erbes has been meh, but he does need to be a tad more consistent. Overall though he's done a great job. Also, erbes has the Yankees. Of course they will be amazing. I think the fact that he chose the Yankees is probably best for the league. Imagine him doing this with the Padres.

8. Speaking of erbes, we all know about his obvious bias against Boston, but as you know he was also one of the "nefarious 3," which conveniently face no penalty. Clearly erbes is a shady motherfucker. How do you feel about this? Would you let him sell you a car?

I don't trade with Yankees unless I am guaranteed a win in the deal. Now pitch like we all know you should Kenny Rogers! The "nefarious 3" as you call us should have been fined, at least dollar for dollar for every dollar we went over. I woulda been fine with that decision, but then again, I didn't mention my being in the red in my own bank forum and then still try to get upgrades! In other news, I'm tired of the rewards for this player of the week bullshit going to Colorado and the same clubs all the time! We've had ONE in two seasons, and only one other reward for performance. Totally rediculous when things like leading the league in saves (for one) gets you nothing at all, but you can have one good week and you get paid.

Yeah I was being facetious. Erbes is good peoples. But he should have punished you three, himself included. Dollar for dollar fine would have been nice.

9. 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.

If it was true, then it's one of the worst things I have ever witnessed in OOTP. Slightly worse than Erbes getting kicked out of almost every league he has not commished for being, well Erbes! I'm still surprised that he was (was he?) the same dude... I mean, I traded with both Toronto and Cincy during that time frame and never had a clue. I even talked to Toronto about trading him BACK his 1st round pick AND another pick later in the first for the potential rights to CC at the time! I have no ill will to the dude (dudes?), and was sad to see how that played out. Now who is the biggest cheater in the league? Hmm....

Lol, it was true. Clearly, given the lack of response. Or maybe we truly all just don't understand Canadian IPs.

10. What's up with Scott Rolen? Did you gripe about him? Dude can't even play defense that well, and even as someone who hates baseball, I know he won a bunch of GGs. Rough stuff..

Yes. I originally griped about both Rolen and Rollins. I was basically told to stick it up my ass and smoke it. I've already pumped money into his average and power, and he can barely stick to a full time job. Todd Zeille keeps telling me dude is a stiff and he should ride the pine, but then I just give TZ a little extra food money to spend on whores and he is cool. I've shopped Rolen around to many clubs, and have got nothing more than a 2nd round type talent in return for him, so guess we have to keep trying to rebuild him. I've asked for other re-rates and position swatches only to be told to "do it myself with ST or board cash", such as Jacque Jones being CF only. But then I also had instances of just trading for a guy and getting him upgraded (see Omar Vizquel and his jokingly "won't win any awards with his glove" game comment), so I just let it ride. Overall though, I do think some clubs have an advantage on getting cash into their system, and worry that not too far into the future we are going to have far too many stud players due to upgrades.

Damn harsh stuff.

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

That's a good question!

TOP 5 GMS: (just top five...not 1-5)

1) Braves: due to having been in, or still being in, other leagues with him and having a past history. Fair trade partner IMO. Wish we were not in same division.

2) Boston: He makes Buffalo Bob look like a Boyscout when it comes to trades! I admire a dude who can flip garbage for gold!

3) Chisox: Always responds to trade offers, and nary a month sim wise goes by that he does not send me an offer out of the blue.

4) Giants: My place to go when I want to see how much some of my players are worth! Tough negotiator.

5) Danchevy: whomever he is/was, we always had good trade talks, and if he were both clubs, he was my biggest trade partner!

TOP 5 POSTERS:

1) ChiSox: gotta love the rubber ducky!

2) Giants: always sent from his blackberry or whatever the frick he uses, and always less then 10 words long!

3) Florida: Not afraid to say what is on his mind!

4) Erbes: mehhhhh Dude is straight up wack!

5) Cleveland: everybody always looks at a good car crash!

Lol danchevy? Get out of here. He isn't a GM here anymore and he's a schmuck.



12. What do you think of international players so far? Without divulging too much information, did you bid on anyone yet? Predictions for this upcoming wave? How do you think they'll fair?

Holey shit this is a lot of questions! I do not generally like this at all. I didn't participate in the Ichiro games, because I had no idea how it would shake down and didn't want to spend a gazillion bucks on somebody who I had no idea what the heck he would look like! I have so much pitching, that I didn't need to participate again this year, and besides, who wants most of these guys anyhow? I have no clue who will get these guys, but I guarantee at least one goes to Boston. I have no expectations for them, and I honestly think they will be second tier players, #3 starters at best. This whole game just ain't my bag..... right now!

Yeah I'm not too impressed with these next few guys. I love the concept though. Only sexier concept would be Dominicans lying about their age.

13. Give me the top 5 most valuable players in the league and a short reason why.

Now that's a loaded diaper!

5) Ken Griffey Jr. - Seattle:

90 Hr and 48 SB in two years at age 28. He is about to become the highest payed player in the game, especially if Seattle can't resign him. Plays solid CF defense. A force.

4) Mariano Rivera - NYY

Hard to take a closer in the top five, but this guy is automatic! 154 IP's and only 80 hits! Seriously! Plus still under arby years! Yikes!

3) Mike Mussina - Baltimore

Sorry all you other SP's, but Moose is under 30 still, makes less than 9 mil per and is signed up for a few more seasons, with a below 3.00 ERA and 46-16 won loss record. Single handedly more than any other player keeps his team on top.

2) Todd Helton - Toronto

Sorry Piazza, but this guy is so far ahead of his peers, and at such a young age! He could smash the record books by the time he is 30, and I don't see anybody else under the age of 25 touching this guy right now.

1) Larry Walker - Colorado

F you ManRam.... you got traded and caused more controversy than L. Lohan! Talk about your model of consistancy: 43/42 homers, 131/130 RBI, .353/.335 Avg., 25/23 SB's. Dude makes only 6 mil and is still in his prime years at age 31. Most valuable of all the Rocky mashers.

Damn Griffey is sexy as shit.

14. 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?

Roberto Clemente is my all time favorite player, and that isn't gonna happen in BBSBL. I already have Jay Buhner manning RF, and John Kruk as my manager, so I am good to go! I would have given up tons to land my Cleveland boys Thome and Manny, but that ship sailed long ago, with nary a response to my trade inquiries before they left town for a can of Viena Sausage and some used Tampax. Not gonna get raked over the coals for anybody I just have to have...sorry boys!



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

Hah.... this could change very quickly, especially after I picked Cleveland last season and then they had their fire sale!

AL CHAMP: Yankees

(hard to argue with this club, and thier leader!)

NL CHAMP: I called my shot earlier, so I'ma gonna stick with Philly.... we recently ran into Jose at the local pharmacist! Interesting chat! Me totally being a homer here and relying on superstition!

Enjoy the season boys! Hope I entertained at least one of you!

Bold stuff. I like it. Peace!