Q&A: Phillyfan33

Pawtucket Penny Pinchers (AL) phillyfan33 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Who is phillyfan33
38-year-old man from New York, now living in Tennessee. Married 8 years, to a wonderful wife, and have a 18-month-old son we adopted when he was 3 days old.

How did you learn about whatifsports.com?
Was actually a part of kbrick's AAA league, and heard about this through that.

Which games of ours have you played?
Sim leagues basketball, and baseball, tried Dynasty basketball, 1 season of football, and now only am involved in HBD

Besides sports, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?
loving spending time with my wife and son, after being in a family that was not close, I vowed to be the opposite with my family.

Which five people, past or present sit at your dream roundtable discussion?
Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson, Ronald Reagan, Pete Rose , and finally for comedy Dean Martin

Who are your favorite players of all-time?
Mike Schmidt, John Kruk, Steve Carlton, and Cole Hamels

Which are your favorite teams of all-time?
Phillies, long time fan since 76'

Did you play baseball or basketball (or other sports) growing up?
played baseball for 12 years, some in college, tried football a couple years in High school, we won state title 1 year, and lost in the second.....13-0 12-1, last game of the year I got 5 ribs broke on a sandwich hit across the middle....that was enough for me to see I was not a "football" player

What is the top sports-related thing you want to do in life that you have not yet done?
I want to take my wife and son to a pro game, when he is old enough, experience it, and have the memories I have of being at a game.

What would you consider your greatest WIS moment?
just last season in another league. I made it as a division winner, 81-81, and knocked off 2 teams in the playoffs with over 100 wins, 104 and 100 wins. than lost in the LCS....

In Hardball Dynasty, how do allocate your budget?
honestly it depends on my plan for that year, whether I need more for free agents, or if I try and rebuild, and allocate my money to prospects and scouting.....

How do you approach off-season events with players such as arbitration and free agency?
I honestly have a plan before the season ends, and I look at all franchises, to see who is up for free agency, and if I would be interested in pursuing a certain player.....about half way through the season, or later, I always make some "cheap" FA signings and to this point, they have been great.

What is your general strategy for hiring/re-hiring coaches?
I try to see who wants to stay, and re-hire them, and the ones that want to change levels, I try to balance who I want where, and if I need to pursue a big time coach or not.....If I am allocating money to rebuild, I want a great coach at the levels my young guys are in

How do you finalize rosters at each level? What role does spring training play in your decision making?
before spring training was a time to play some young guys and get them the experience at the Ml level, but with the rule passed a little while ago, players ratings could be affected by not playing them, so now I try to play my starters at least half of the games, and than spot fill the young guys here and there.

What is your basic strategy for setting your starting lineups and pitching rotation?
starting line-up really needs a speedy guy, and than a contact player to set the table for a few power hitters. After that, a couple of middle of the road hitters, followed by a good contact hitter, or sacrifice bunt guy, before the pitcher's position.

What do you believe are the most important individual player ratings for performance?
batting eye, glove, and gb/fb ratio's

How do you approach in-season player events like the draft, international prospects, waivers and promotions/demotions?
most of the time, I see what my players at the Ml level would be doing in a few seasons, I.E. retiring, free agents, etc. I try to visualize that and then build my draft settings to help my ML team out by their departures. waivers have been great to do right as the season is coming to an end, players are cheap, and they have signed back with me at least 75% of the time the following season.

Do you think your strategy will be conducive to building a multi-season dynasty? Or, do you feel that your team may be great for a couple seasons, but then must rebuild?
I feel that someday I will get a nice system, after being so 'trade happy" early on, I am finally learning a bit on how to run a team, but I feel my team always under achieves for some reason.

Do you have any favorite players from any of your HBD teams?
one of my favorites was from my early season in philly, was StuffY O'Malley. 100 power 0 contact. Ronnie Dunn was my biggest mistake, should have never traded him away. Julio Salinas is my best pitcher, keeps plugging along near the end of his career. I have a guy in Mr. October, Mel Elder, he is going to be a beast, and I would love to see how many MVP awards he will receive

How much time do you spend on your Hardball Dynasty teams? How much do you think is necessary to be competitive?
I think your should spend at least 15-20 minutes a day for each team you have....at least I do

Who are the users you respect the most?
many many users, included are kbrick, schlemiel, ferguson, sbarrouque, goldenboy, basilleaf, nordique, yanks21, mrploppie, blownranger, eacadca, philpitt, poconomets, koby, and many more from previous leagues

What is your favorite aspect of HBD?
no matter how poorly I do, or how bad I stink, no one can fire me, all I have to do is re-up and try it again next season

What is your least favorite aspect of Hardball Dynasty? As it is still a relatively new game, if you could change three things about HBD, what would they be?
coach hiring, way too long, and If I could change it, there would be 3 year deals for all coaches, and eliminate part of the frustration before the season begins. Also a button to automatically re-sign your minor league players, instead of having to submit an offer to one at a time. Kind of long if you have 30 or so.

If you were in one of our games, which sport would you play? At which position? And, what would you be rated?
HBD baseball....third base/outfield decent power, contact, very good defense, and I am very patient.

New Britain Bombers (AL) 2U23L View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Q: Who is 2U23L?
A: I am a 36-year old child in view of God's mercy, from Manchester, New Hampshire.

Q: How did you learn about whatifsports.com?
A: I don't recall exactly, but I am positive it was inevitable.

Q: Which games of ours have you played?
A: All simleague games, Basketball Dynasty, and this one.

Q: Besides sports, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?
A: Sports is my passion. It helps pass the time in this facade. Besides sports, it would have to be everything behind the curtain.

Q: Which five people, past or present sit at your dream roundtable discussion?
A: Michel de Nostradamus, Enoch, John Titor, king Kukulkan, and my best freind Aaron all hosted by Jesus Christ.

Q: Who are your favorite players of all-time?
A: Reggie Jackson, Ozzie Smith, Pete Rose, Mario Lemieux, Barry Sanders, Tom Brady, Pedro Martinez, Spud Webb, and Michael Jordan.

Q: Which are your favorite teams of all-time?
A: Montreal Canadiens, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and the Boston Celtics.

Q: Did you play baseball or basketball (or other sports) growing up?
A: I played Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, and Tennis

Q: What is the top sports-related thing you want to do in life that you have not yet done?
A: Play pro ball

Q: What would you consider your greatest WIS moment?
A: Winning the American League 3 years in a row

Q: In Hardball Dynasty, how do allocate your budget?
A: Right now it's all about signing my core players to long term contracts and keeping them healthy, and giving them the best chance to win through coaching.

Q: How do you approach off-season events with players such as arbitration and free agency?
A: I do not haggle wth free agents. I wait until the moment the free agency period is over and sign quality players who weren't acquired probably due to a draft pick that noboby wanted to part with. Case and point Kordell Hollandsworth. As far as arbitration is concerned, if i feel a player will be a "core" player I will sign him to six-year deal. If not I may arbitrate him once, and release him the following year or try to trade him during that year.

Q: What is your general strategy for hiring/re-hiring coaches?
A: I try to hire the best coaches I can. Top 5 if possible. Loyalty is a key factor in how I hire.

Q: How do you finalize rosters at each level? What role does spring training play in your decision making?
A: Best players possible, spring training play is of no importance to me.

Q: What is your basic strategy for setting your starting lineups and pitching rotation?
A: Again best players possible

Q: What do you believe are the most important individual player ratings for performance?
A: All of them. Different kinds of players need to excel in different ratings.

Q: How do you approach in-season player events like the draft, international prospects, waivers and promotions/demotions?
A: Right now i have scrapped the entire prospect part of the game to focus on keeping my team competitive and healthy for a good length of time. I will however take for instance a number of first-round picks from previous years and try to package them for 1 good prospect that could eventually become a core player.

Q: Do you think your strategy will be conducive to building a multi-season dynasty? Or, do you feel that your team may be great for a couple seasons, but then must rebuild?
A: I think my strategy is definitely conducive to building a multi-season dynasty.....Unfortunately the National League will not comply.

Q: Do you have any favorite players from any of your HBD teams?
A: I only have 1 team, and my favorite players are the Benson brothers, Roger O'Donnel, and John Hernandez.

Q: How much time do you spend on your Hardball Dynasty teams? How much do you think is necessary to be competitive?
A: Alot!! I couldn't say how much is needed

Q: Who are the users you respect the most?
A: I respect all the users in this league . . . but if i had to name-drop. I think nordique93 makes me angry with his ability to acquire players. As good as I think I am at this game I am always learning or being beaten to the punch by him. I also think that phillyfan33 embodies the entire soul of all the users who make up the general personality of this league.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of HBD?
A: All

Q: What is your least-favorite aspect of Hardball Dynasty? As it is still a relatively new game, if you could change three things about HBD, what would they be?
A: None

Q: If you were in one of our games, which sport would you play? At which position? And, what would you be rated?
A: I would be Todd McLain of the Cinncinatti organization - take 40 rating points from his power and distribute those points equaly between health, durability, and arm accuracy. Man would I love to get McLain on the Bombers!

Q&A: Lenbo1212

Salem Buck-Toothed Walruses (AL) lenbo1212 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Q: Who is (Lenbo1212)? A: My name is Len. I'm a 44 yr old tax accountant, married, and father of two boys, ages 10 and 8.

Q: How did you learn about whatifsports.com?
A: Saw it mentioned in a Sports Illustrated note in 2001, logged on, tried a spring training team and have been hooked ever since.

Q: Which games of ours have you played?
A: Sim League Baseball, Hoops Dynasty, Hardball Dynasty and recently Clutch Racing Dynasty.

Q: Besides sports, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?
A: Astronomy (and the US Space program history in particular), orienteering and strategy games.

Q: Which five people, past or present sit at your dream roundtable discussion?
A: Hmmm, first would be any of the astronauts who walked on the moon. I'd love to hear a first-hand account of the experience. Otherwise anyone who was a pioneer in his/her field to try and gain insight into their motivations, thought processes and inspirations - people like the Wright Brothers, Beethoven, any of the founding fathers.

Q: Who are your favorite players of all-time?
A: I always had a soft spot for Jay Johnstone. Currently I'd go with Chase Utley.

Q: Which are your favorite teams of all-time?
A: Any Philly team will do but no season will ever compare to the 1993 Phils (although this year's edition is giving them a run).

Q: Did you play baseball or basketball (or other sports) growing up?
A: I ran track until sophomore year in high school.

Q: What is the top sports-related thing you want to do in life that you have not yet done?
A: I'd love to attend a World Series game involving the Phils. Short of that a Ryder Cup match will suffice

Q: What would you consider your greatest WIS moment?
A: Has to be my first World Series win with a $160M White Sox team. Ed Walsh single-handedly carried that team through the playoffs.

Q: In Hardball Dynasty, how do allocate your budget?
A: As I was too loyal in the beginning to the veterans on the team most of it goes to player salaries. I've totally bagged international scouting for all the reasons previously mentioned and used those funds for advance scouting and training/medical.

Q: How do you approach off-season events with players such as arbitration and free agency?
A: I try to avoid arbitration if at all possible by either signing them to contracts or releasing them if the demands are totally ludicrous. I'll use free-agency to fill a hole or two where my minor leaguer is still a year or two away.

Q: What is your general strategy for hiring/re-hiring coaches?
A: Rehire anyone who wants to come back and then find the best value for the open positions.

Q: How do you finalize rosters at each level? What role does spring training play in your decision making?
A: You know spring training messed me up for a few seasons and I got caught up in some gaudy numbers from some prospects only to have them bomb in the regular season. Then I remembered the words of Lou Brown regarding Willie Mays Hayes hitting off a guy who'll be "bagging groceries next week" and I took it for what it is. Give the prospects a look and avoid injuries till the season begins.

Q: What is your basic strategy for setting your starting lineups and pitching rotation?
A: I'll look over the sims suggestions and laugh. Then I go for speed at the top, good contact at 2 and 3 and the power at 4. If the makeup allows I'll repeat the same pattern for 5-8.

Q: What do you believe are the most important individual player ratings for performance?
A: Judging from my past performances I have no clue, lol. For hitters I look for high contact and a similar rating against both righties and lefties. For pitchers I'm a control freak (Mitch Williams in 1993 taught me the value of control) and similarly the ability to get batters out from both sides of the plate.

Q: How do you approach in-season player events like the draft, international prospects, waivers and promotions/demotions?
A: I just be sure to draft enough at each position to fill the rookie league. I don't do much in-season promoting except for the higher round draft choices who will hopefully be the nucleus in the near future.

Q: Do you think your strategy will be conducive to building a multi-season dynasty? Or, do you feel that your team may be great for a couple seasons, but then must rebuild?
A: I fully expect to have to rebuild almost every year.

Q: Do you have any favorite players from any of your HBD teams?
A: Calvin Cho was a favorite even though he frustrated me to no end. Currently Josh Davis would be my favorite.

Q: How much time do you spend on your Hardball Dynasty teams? How much do you think is necessary to be competitive?
A: I usually get about 20 minutes a day which is probably at least half as much as is needed for sustained success in this game.

Q: Who are the users you respect the most?
A: I've always had great respect for eschwartz67. He's always been willing to offer advice to the newbies or just provide insight on something he's discovered.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of HBD?
A: Watching the draft picks develop to the point they are ready for the bigs.

Q: What is your least favorite aspect of Hardball Dynasty? As it is still a relatively new game, if you could change three things about HBD, what would they be?
A: Can't find much fault with the game. I do go along with the hire coaches for multiple years idea. Or at least make loyalty rating mean something. It drives me nuts when a 70 loyalty is ready to go in one year.

Q: If you were in one of our games, which sport would you play? At which position? And, what would you be rated?
A: I'd like to think I'd make a decent AA bench coach.

Q&A: Vdaino

Santa Cruz Zumans (NL) vdaino View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Q: Who is vdaino?
A: vdaino is a 39 year old entrepreneur from New Jersey. I am married and have a beautiful 3 year old daughter who is the center of my world.

Q: How did you learn about whatifsports.com?
A: Bill Simmons, of course.

Q: Which games of ours have you played?
A: Everything except Hockey and Car Racing (are you kidding? CAR RACING? LOL).

Q: Besides sports, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?
A: reading, writing, guitar, music, coaching and eastern "religion"

Q: Which five people, past or present sit at your dream roundtable discussion?
A: Muhammad Ali; Buddha; Ralph Waldo Emerson; Neil Young; and Jenna Jameson

Q: Who are your favorite players of all-time?
A: Pete Rose; Steve Carlton; Charles Barkley; Moses Malone; Marvin Hagler; Aaron Pryor; Evander Holyfield

Q: Which are your favorite teams of all-time?
A: '80 Phillies; '82-83 Sixers; '86 Penn State Nittany Lions

Q: Did you play baseball or basketball (or other sports) growing up?
A: I played baseball and basketball . . . SS, 3B and pitcher (usually after a flame thrower, my painfully slow stuff would throw them off) and point guard (who liked to post up Moses-style.)

Q: What is the top sports-related thing you want to do in life that you have not yet done?
A: I want to participate in a white-collar boxing match.

Q: What would you consider your greatest WIS moment?
A: beating the heavily favored schedule1's New Orleans Magnolias in 5 games to win the L.E.G. championship

Q: In Hardball Dynasty, how do allocate your budget?
A: mid-level payroll, heavy on all scouting, medical and training, zero international

Q: How do you approach off-season events with players such as arbitration and free agency?
A: I usually go through arb with 1st year arb eligible players, 2nd year players I sign long term if they are core players and release/trade players with high demands. Free agency, I usually pick up bullpen help, backup catchers and OF bats.

Q: What is your general strategy for hiring/re-hiring coaches?
A: Re-hire as many as I can. I HATE COACH HIRING

Q: How do you finalize rosters at each level? What role does spring training play in your decision making?
A: I do not pay much attention to the minor leagues. I just make sure my top prospects advance and that I have every position covered . . . and still my pitchers get fried.

Q: What is your basic strategy for setting your starting lineups and pitching rotation?
A: High OBP players at a premium, control and vs. RH and LH is what I look for in starting pitchers. I always seem to have shut-down closers.

Q: What do you believe are the most important individual player ratings for performance?
A: Good question. let me know when you know the answer.

Q: How do you approach in-season player events like the draft, international prospects, waivers and promotions/demotions?
A: I am spending more time on the draft as a series of poor ones have hurt me. I am ranking my top 50 - 60 now. I target 5 - 6 players at levels I think I can get them. I do not chase international players anymore, too expensive. I check waivers every so often and let Sparky handle in-season promotions in the minors.

Q: Do you think your strategy will be conducive to building a multi-season dynasty? Or, do you feel that your team may be great for a couple seasons, but then must rebuild?
A: my strategy is to have a competitive team every year with a chance to compete for the championship every year.

Q: Do you have any favorite players from any of your HBD teams?
A: Sam Rodgers; J.D. Seneca and Jake Berry from Evangeline; Adam Foster; Chad Lee (never should have traded you, Chad); Footsie Stewart; Matty Fernandez and Hal Sheldon from L.E.G.; Bosco Morton, Magglio Bennett and Bartolo Escobar from Stickball . . . no one from the Negro League yet . . . BUMS!

Q: How much time do you spend on your Hardball Dynasty teams? How much do you think is necessary to be competitive?
A: I spend too much time and not enough time . . . I am competitive but I'm no sched.

Q: Who are the users you respect the most?
A: kbrick; Schlemiel; schedule1 and bbqjason are all great owners

Q: What is your favorite aspect of HBD?
A: the sheer depth of the game. . . It is amazing and an incredible value at the price.

Q: What is your least favorite aspect of Hardball Dynasty? As it is still a relatively new game, if you could change three things about HBD, what would they be?
A: Did I mention that I hate COACH HIRING? 1) Coach hiring sucks 2) and Coach hiring; and 3) Coach Hiring

Q: If you were in one of our games, which sport would you play? At which position? And, what would you be rated?
A: I would play SS in HBD. i would be a speedy great fielding SS with a great eye, a real pest at the plate; a clutch hitter who delivers in the crunch.

Q&A: Eyetoeye

Salt Lake City Steamboats (AL) eyetoeye View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Q: Who is eyetoeye?
A: John, 40 year old living in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Have also lived in Ohio, California, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Q: How did you learn about whatifsports.com?
A: I was a Strat-o-Matic freak as a kid and found their online game through the Sporting News web site (I believe). One of the owners on that site asked if I had ever heard of WhatIfSports and suggested I try it.

Q: Which games of ours have you played?
A: Just Sim League baseball.

Q: Besides sports, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?
A: Reading, TV, current events.

Q: Which five people, past or present sit at your dream roundtable discussion?
A: Jesus, Roger Staubach, Drew Pearson, Hank Aaron, and Jim Tressel.

Q: Who are your favorite players of all-time?
A: Being a Reds fan, any of the Big Red Machine of the 70's. I also loved Nolan Ryan and George Brett.

Q: Which are your favorite teams of all-time?
A: The '76 Reds, the greatest lineup in the modern era. Also a Cowboys fan in football and Ohio State fan.

Q: Did you play baseball or basketball (or other sports) growing up?
A: Just baseball. I was a fairly good player in my younger days. I led my little league in home runs one season, and led my junior high team in batting one season, hitting over .500. It started to go downhill once I hit high school.

Q: What is the top sports-related thing you want to do in life that you have not yet done?
A: Attend a Game 7 Reds World Series victory, or attend a Super Bowl. I would also like to visit Wrigley Field.

Q: What would you consider your greatest WIS moment?
A: I still remember my first sim league champion. It was a very low salary cap league and every platoon I had worked perfectly. I also won a league with only players from 1985. I remember the 1985 John Tudor was pretty unbeatable.

Q: In Hardball Dynasty, how do allocate your budget?
A: I play with a low player salary, just because it interests me more. Therefore I am usually heavy into scouting. With the lower player dollars I am able to place more than average dollars in most categories.

Q: How do you approach off-season events with players such as arbitration and free agency?
A: Arbitration is on a player-by-player basis. I don't mind paying for producers and want no part of underachievers. I am not a big player in free agency, other than filling a spot, here and there, with someone who I think I can develop.

Q: What is your general strategy for hiring/re-hiring coaches?
A: I rehire everyone I can. There are certain coaching spots that I won't overpay for, and I really haven't noticed any difference in my team's performances. I think if you have solid players, you win, regardless of the coaching. Although I don't despise coach hiring as much as most owners, it would be nice to sign them for 2-3 year contracts. Everything in this game is so realistic, I don't know why they haven't added that, yet.

Q: How do you finalize rosters at each level?
What role does spring training play in your decision making?
A: I usually use spring training to determine my 24th or 25th roster spot. However, it seems that a sizzling spring training usually translates into a lousy first month of the regular season. As for minor-league promotions I make sure my major-league prospects keep on track, and moving up, based on performance.

Q: What is your basic strategy for setting your starting lineups and pitching rotation?
A: Nothing high tech, my best players play. I do value good defense up the middle and will sacrifice a little offense for it. As for pitching, I had several years of agonizing bullpens. I made a focus of fixing that, and I finally have a group I like.

Q: What do you believe are the most important individual player ratings for performance?
A: Splits for hitters and pitchers. Control for pitchers, since there is enough offense in the game, I don't need to help by walking alot of people. I like starting pitchers with three good pitches.

Q: How do you approach in-season player events like the draft, international prospects, waivers and promotions/demotions?
A: I take the draft very seriously. I usually spend a few days reorganizing my draft list, and have gotten some really good 3rd-7th round picks, as a result. I enjoy trying to find the diamond in the rough. I've recently cut back on the international prospects, even though there are superstars to be had, there. . . I just don't like the huge price tags. I'll keep an eye on the waiver wire when I feel like I need to add someone at a specific postion.

Q: Do you think your strategy will be conducive to building a multi-season dynasty? Or, do you feel that your team may be great for a couple seasons, but then must rebuild?
A: I always laugh at this question. I'm waiting for the first person to say "Yeah, I shut down my entire minor-league system to try to win this year." I like having a competitive team, but haven't quite gotten over the hump, yet.

Q: Do you have any favorite players from any of your HBD teams?
A: Wesley Jordan has been my catcher since year 1 and just produces every year. I had to let Bobby Joe Monroe go, this year, which was tough. He is my franchise's all time wins leader. I also like any player who exceeds his ratings. I root for them even if they never make it out of Low A ball.

Q: How much time do you spend on your Hardball Dynasty teams? How much do you think is necessary to be competitive?
A: I check in every cycle and spend 10-30 minutes "managing." As for how much time is necessary to be competitive, I would defer to the guys who have won titles, on that one.

Q: Who are the users you respect the most?
A: Kbrick is great and has always runs a great league, even back to the AAA sim leagues. I also respect all of the owners who have won titles. It is so difficult to do and I try to analyze their strategies.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of HBD?
A: Just managing "my team." It is such a great stress reliever to log on and disappear into the fake world that is HBD.

Q: What is your least favorite aspect of Hardball Dynasty? As it is still a relatively new game, if you could change three things about HBD, what would they be?
A: I don't hate anything about the site, I really like that they are constantly tweaking the game, making it better. Three things I would like added, or changed are the multi-year coaching contracts. I wish there was some benefit to keeping the older vets on your roster; like a coaching or mentoring rating that would mirror their value in real life. And I wish 100 health rating players wouldn't get injured.

Q: If you were in one of our games, which sport would you play? At which position? And, what would you be rated?
A: Definitely HBD. I would be a first baseman, good glove, no speed, good eye, doubles power, and good makeup. A Mike Lowell type player.

Q&A: Johnnydancer

Santa Fe Conquistadors (NL) johnnydancer View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Q: Who is JohnnyDancer?
A: My name is Johnny and I am a dance instructor by trade. I am in my early forties, married, a native Texan and am a die-hard sports fan.

Q: How did you learn about whatifsports.com?
A: Three years ago, I was surfing the net in search of a challenging sports game to play when I came across whatifsports.com. I have been hooked ever since.

Q: Which games of ours have you played?
A: All of the dynasty games, but HBD is by far my favorite. I currently have three squads in HBD: the Conquistadors (formerly the Texas Swingers) the Florida Mojitos in OCD World and the Los Angeles Avengers of The New Guys World

Q: Besides sports, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?
A: Movies, reading and dancing.

Q: Who are your favorite players of all-time?
A: Roger Staubach, Fran Tarkington, Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan and Carl Yastrzemski

Q: Which are your favorite teams of all-time?
A: Dallas Cowboys

Q: Did you play baseball or basketball (or other sports) growing up?
A: Played football, basketball, baseball, soccer and track from childhood up until my senior year in high school.

Q: What is the top sports-related thing you want to do in life that you have not yet done?
A: Play one game of hockey and see what it is like.

Q: What would you consider your greatest WIS moment?
A: Making the playoffs for the first time in HBD.

Q: In Hardball Dynasty, how do allocate your budget?
A: I spend most of my budget on returning players and coaches.

Q: How do you approach off-season events with players such as arbitration and free agency?
A: In order to fill holes in my lineups, due to retirements, free-agency or injuries, I usually like to promote players from within my farm leagues first. I will only use free-agency as a last resort. I usually try to make my team as young as possible (easier said than done).

Q: What is your general strategy for hiring/re-hiring coaches?
A: Besides their loyalty to the team: Wins and losses.

Q: How do you finalize rosters at each level? What role does spring training play in your decision making?
A: At the beginning of the season, I pretty much know who is, or not, going to be on my team. Spring Training has little to do, if any, on who is going to be on my final ML roster. I rarely do trades and I use free agency to fill in gaps.

Q: What is your basic strategy for setting your starting lineups and pitching rotation?
A: I prefer to have a five Starting Pitcher rotation, one Mop-up, two Long Releivers, four Set-ups and one closer. I prefer pitchers with control and stamina. Having an offensive-minded philosophy for my team, I tend to favor players that specialize in power hitting.

Q: What do you believe are the most important individual player ratings for performance?
A: Pitching Control

Q: How do you approach in-season player events like the draft, international prospects, waivers and promotions/demotions?
A: Although I prefer offensive-minded team, I still try to draft the best pitchers possible and then gradually work them through my farm system

Q: Do you think your strategy will be conducive to building a multi-season dynasty? Or, do you feel that your team may be great for a couple seasons, but then must rebuild?
A: In my experience, my teams do pretty well for a couple of seasons and then they go into a major slump fo a couple more. At this time, I'm still looking for the right balance i order to sustain winning seasons.

Q: How much time do you spend on your Hardball Dynasty teams? How much do you think is necessary to be competitive?
A: On average, I spend at least a half hour a day on my teams.

Q: Who are the users you respect the most?
A: kbrick and leecountry (OCD World)

Q: What is your favorite aspect of HBD?
A: The opportunity to rebuild and improve your teams over a period of seasons.

Q: What is your least favorite aspect of Hardball Dynasty? As it is still a relatively new game, if you could change three things about HBD, what would they be?
A: Coaching, Coaching and Coaching. Coaches should be allowed to sign muti-year contracts with their respective teams.

Q: If you were in one of our games, which sport would you play? At which position? And, what would you be rated?
A: I would want to play football and be the quarterback.

Q&A: Reigny

Burlington Mountaineers (AL) reigny View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Who is reigny?
Reigny is really Jeff, a 41 yr old from Northern VA who only has two beliefs to base his life on. 1) Baseball is Life... the rest is just details. 2) I don't wanna grow up...I'm a Toys R Us kid.

How did you learn about whatifsports.com?
I played a free season of SIM baseball and got hooked.

Which games of ours have you played?
HBD, GD, Clutch Racing, SIM baseball, Soccer Dynasty, and HD

Besides sports, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?
I tend to read a lot, and I'm a couch potato for the History Channel and the Fox Soccer channel.

Which five people, past or present sit at your dream roundtable discussion?
Albert Einstein, Atilla the Hun, Thomas Jefferson, Ted Williams, Sarah Pallin (sorry, she's hot)

Who are your favorite players of all-time?
Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig

Which are your favorite teams of all-time?
2004/2007 Boston Red Sox, 2005 Washington Nationals, and any Green Bay Packer team

Did you play baseball or basketball (or other sports) growing up?
Baseball from T-Ball through high school, Soccer from first walking through my scholarship at Loyola

What is the top sports-related thing you want to do in life that you have not yet done?
I want to finally pass my Scuba Instructor's licensing test and then open my own scuba charter company in Australia.

What would you consider your greatest WIS moment?
Winning the division in the ARomano world with a team that had no chance

In Hardball Dynasty, how do allocate your budget?
I used to follow the Yankees.... buy buy buy. Now I keep payroll low and try to build up with IFA and draft. All scouting is at least 20 MIL per year.

How do you approach offseason events with players such as arbitration and free agency?
I've never had reliable results with FA, so I pretty much let them go. In terms of arbitration, if the player has performed well, I'll sign for the long term, if not.... I release them.

What is your general strategy for hiring/re-hiring coaches?
I try to keep them as long as possible. But when the salary demands get too high, it's just time to hire new.

How do you finalize rosters at each level? What role does spring training play in your decision making?
Spring training decides my ML, AAA, and AA teams. The Hi-A, Lo-A, teams are made up of my Rookie team getting promoted.

What is your basic strategy for setting your starting lineups and pitching rotation?
Strategy is pretty much going with the flow. If a player or pitcher is on a roll, they play. If they hit a wall, I bench them.

What do you believe are the most important individual player ratings for performance?
The R/L splits, but also the temper and health numbers.

How do you approach in-season player events like the draft, international prospects, waivers and promotions/demotions?
The draft takes me about two days to evaluate who I think I want. Out of 25 picks, if I can land 5-8 of my "wish list", then I'm happy. IFA players only if their numbers look good, waivers to help my minors more than anything. Promotion/demotions are always happening in my organizations.

Do you think your strategy will be conducive to building a multi-season dynasty? Or, do you feel that your team may be great for a couple seasons, but then must rebuild?
I'm still looking for my first year of a multi year dynasty.

Do you have any favorite players from any of your HBD teams?
Khoury Shaw (DH Monterrey Desert Dawgs/ Rice Not Lynn). He was my first trade and he'll retire a Desert Dawg when he wants.

How much time do you spend on your Hardball Dynasty teams? How much do you think is necessary to be competitive?
I spend about 2 hours a night on my teams. (After my wife and my daughter go to bed, because family is still more important)

Who are the users you respect the most?
ewd330 (allowed me to join the RNL league which got me hooked. madmuldoon -- My mother in law was diagnosed with M5 Leukemia and I was missing major time with all my teams. Patrick sitemailed me and took over all of my teams for awhile. He pretty much gave me the time needed to work through it. He was the reason why I play.... he's become my best friend (my worst enemy when we play)and I think he's the perfect example of what this game should be to us..... Friends coming together not only in game but in real life if needed.

What is your favorite aspect of HBD?
the amatuer draft

What is your least favorite aspect of Hardball Dynasty? As it is still a relatively new game, if you could change three things about HBD, what would they be?
1. Let's be able to hire coaches for multiyear contracts
2. We should be able to trade RL players the year they are drafted and also be able to trade away or trade for draft picks
3. Instead of FA demanding a certain amount of pay and refusing all, we should be able to negotiate more with them.

If you were in one of our games, which sport would you play? At which position? And, what would you be rated?
HBD... third base ... and I'd be a player rated in the high 60's or low 70's at the 27 yr old mark.