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KNOW THY ENEMY

June 22, 2001
by "Biggest Daddy"

Interview with Chris Schultheis, Massillon Tigerstrikes

BIGGEST DADDY: Tell us something about yourself. Got a wife? Kids? What do you do for fun?

CHRIS SCHULTHEIS: I'm a married (since 9/3/94) 31-year old accountant with 2 kids (Ryan-5 & Alexa-2 ... going on, well at least 6). I met my wife at S.U.N.Y. Plattsburgh during my freshman year of college where she was in her sophomore year studying Elementary Education. She's been an at-home mom ever since Ryan was born but will be getting back into teaching this fall. We live on the east end of Long Island in a summer resort area known as "The Hamptons". For family fun during the summer season we like to take the kids to the ocean and local beaches. My wife and I enjoy happy hour at the beach clubs and the nightlife is great when we can find a baby-sitter. Get a group of guys to come down for the weekend. I guarantee a good time but be sure to take Monday off from work so you can attend the best Sunday happy hour you will ever find. Check out www.boardybarn.com to see what I mean.

BD: On your resume, you list the Ultimate Fantasy Sports league. Is that a rotisserie league?

CS: The fantasy baseball league I have been in since the 1991 season is run by a company in California called Ultimate Fantasy Sports (www.ultimatefs.com). It's not a "rotisserie" league in that we do not use categories of stats or a salary cap. Instead we play a 148-game head-to-head schedule. It's a 2-division, 16-team league and we keep our entire rosters from year to year. I've won this league 3 times and have been fortunate enough to make the playoffs every year since 1993.

BD: I assume you'll be moving the team to New York next season. What will be the name of the new team?

CS: New York Bomb Squad. My UFS team name is Bomb Squad and I've sort of grown attached.

BD: What's your initial impression of the BDBL?

CS: I'm just happy I got in so soon. The first time I saw the BDBL web site was about 6 months ago and I think I nearly begged the Commish to let me into this league. I love the 24-team format because it spreads the talent and makes things more realistic and challenging. The contracts, salary cap and other thoughtfully constructed rules are a true GM's test and gives every owner a chance to win without having to wait 3 or 4 years. The web site content and format speaks for itself. I am a little curious over the fascination with Rick Reuschel and how the League (Eck/Ozzie) and Division names came to be.

BD: What's your initial impression of the Tigerstrikes franchise?

CS: Let's just say that I can't wait for the free agent draft. We have a few stars (Giambi, Rivera, S.Green) under contract through 2003 so at least there's a foundation to build upon. Matt Morris will anchor the staff next year and beyond after we sign him to a multiyear contract this offseason. I'm a little disappointed in the lack of farm talent. I will be focusing a lot of attention in that area during the Chapter 4 transaction period. I would comment on the roster spot held by Brian Cole but I don't want to offend the former Tigerstrikes owner or friends of his in BDBL.

BD: Who on the Tigerstrikes roster is untouchable?

CS: No one is untouchable. I'm not yet attached to any of these players except for possibly Mariano Rivera and Matt Morris. I own both Rivera and Morris on my UFS fantasy baseball team. I'm guessing that the impact of multi-year contracts and salary caps will limit my use of the term "untouchable".

BD: You've got Jason Giambi and Doug Mientkiewicz both at first. What do you plan to do about that next season?

CS: Funny you should ask. Stay tuned. I've got something cooking.

BD: Okay, we need to know. Revenue disparity in baseball: an ever-expanding problem that will eventually crush the game unless something drastic is done, or just a bunch of owner propaganda?

CS: It's difficult to be objective about this subject when you're a Yankee fan used to Uncle George buying your favorite baseball stars. However, this is a major problem than cannot be ignored if the game is to survive and flourish. First of all, I haven't studied any of the revenue-sharing proposals but there is no way the Yankees or other large market teams should be subsidizing a Montreal franchise, for example, that can't draw 10,000 fans to see them play the Toronto Blue Jays. That franchise is pathetic and needs to be put out of its misery. MLB needs to nail down which markets will support baseball and which will not before revenue-sharing becomes a viable solution. As part of this process, the number of teams needs to be reduced by 2. Only then will revenue sharing work as a means of promoting a competitive balance in baseball that is sorely needed.

BD: Who would you rather slap across the face: Bud Selig or the host of TV's "The Weakest Link?"

CS: I can't stand that B#$@H!! Sorry, you struck a cord.

BD: Which is better: "Bull Durham" or "Field of Dreams?"

CS: Field of Dreams. Although I love the part in Bull Durham where Tim Robbins repeatedly shakes off Kevin Costner's sign. After a meeting at the mound, Costner, frustrated with Robbins' insistence on going against his call, walks back to the plate and utters to the batter .... 'Fastball'. The first pitch is hit a mile long but Costner gets pissed when the batter shows his pitcher up by standing at home plate to admire the shot and kicks his ass to first base. Classic. I'm still laughing. I change my mind. I love that scene. Bull Durham.

BD: David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar?

CS: This is boring but I have no opinion here.

BD: Howard Stern or Don Imus?

CS: Howard Stern. However, I don't listen to talk radio all that often. I catch Howard's TV show every once in a while. FYI: Beattlejuice just did a promo gig for a bar that recently opened in town called the Foggy Goggle. If you're a big fan I'll see if I can get an autograph next time he's out.

BD: Amber or Colleen?

CS: Amber. I could go into detail but I'll leave it at that since my wife is right here watching me type this.

BD: The 1978, 1996 or 2000 World Series?

CS: Wow. That's hard. The 1978 World Series was great but I was a kid and it didn't bring a tear to my eye the way the long awaited 1996 Series victory did. 2000 was a dream come true for all Yankee fans for obvious reasons. I just got chills thinking about the Leyritz homerun. 1996 hands down. It wasn't that hard after all.

BD: Have you seen any movies lately that you'd recommend to BDBL owners?

CS: Not lately. But my all-time favorites are Shawshank Redemption and Braveheart.

BD: What website do you visit most often? What are your favorite non-baseball websites?

CS: ESPN.com is probably my most visited website. I'm embarrassed to say that I don't have a favorite non-baseball web site. Most of my time on the Internet is spent looking for an edge in my fantasy baseball leagues. If you put a gun to my head I would have to say cbsmarketwatch.com or my personal banking and E*Trade sites. Please don't kick me out of the league.