Owner Interview - jimt14120

 

This will be the 1st of a series of interviews with Addicted User owners.  I’ll be starting with jimt14120 the owner of the Jackson Five of the National League South.  He is the current commissioner of the ULB, has played 368 seasons, and has captured 8 World Series Trophies.

“jimt, lets started with where you live?”

“I live in Northern New York, specifically the Buffalo area.”

“Which team do you follow?”

“Originally, I was a fan of the Big Red Machine and wanted to be Johnny Bench.  However, a trip to California in ’76 got me to an Angels game, and I jumped ship.  I’m still a fan and with the lean years far outweighing the playoff appearances I guess you can call me a diehard fan.

“So would you say Bench was your favorite player?”

“Early on the would have been my answer, however, the Angels grabbed Rod Carew and how could you not be a fan of his.  Then when Jim Edmonds came on the scene to patrol CF and started appearing on highlight reels with his remarkable defensive plays he took over as the man in my eyes.”

“What would you say is your favorite baseball memory?”

“Like so many of us I played Little League.  In the District Championship game our starting pitcher got hammered.  I was called in with only 1 out.  The first batter I faced, I lost control and drilled him in the back.  I can’t admit that it was a purpose pitch because that would just be wrong.  But if it had been on purpose, it was perfect.  The next batter was able to get out of the way of the first pitch, but it set the tone.  They thought I was wild and gave me free reign as I struck out 14 without allowing a hit.  I was also able to hit a walk off 2-run homer to cap the game of my life.  I’d love to tell you this was the beginning of my baseball career, yet I actually peaked at 12 and this was simply the highlight of a short but brilliant career.  I’d be remise if I didn’t thank Nolan Ryan & Bob Gibson for their insights into pitching that I read in a couple of Sports Illustrated books.”

“How did you find HBD?”

“By accident.  I started playing HD, then started playing SIM baseball.  I then took the leap into HBD and have never looked back.”

“How many teams can you handle at one time?”

“I’ve had as few as two and as many as 11 or 12, at the moment I have 8 teams and that seems to be a good level.  People don’t realize that as a commissioner I’ll get involved in swaps to help fill so that will lead to a few extra squads.”

“How do you like to build your team?”

“It really depends but typically I emphasize pitching, defense, & OBP.  I’m dying to try to field a team with 80/80 + range & glove players.  Someday.”

“What is your favorite HBD team (past or present)?”

“Season 17 WS Champ in ULB, the world I’m the commish.  The following season I constantly posted in the WC as the RWSC (Reigning World Series Champ).”

“What’s your favorite aspect of the game?”

“Building a team, trying different theories.  Plus, the uncertainty.  I’ve had juggernaut teams get swept in the playoffs, you never know what’s gonna happen.”

“What would be the one thing you change about HBD (what’s the most important thing to fix)?”

“The permanent ratings decline from injuries.  It just doesn’t work like that in real life.  Also, unless it’s a 1st rd pick it just doesn’t feel like anyone from the draft pans out.  And finally coaching.  Not enough FI’s, plus you should be able to sign coaches to multi-year deals, and fire them during the season.”

“Thanks jim, appreciate you taking the time.”

“I hope I wasn’t too long winded.  I’m Italian and like to talk.”

“Nope, not a problem at all.  I thought it was interesting stuff.”

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