Past Interviews: Bob
Sylvester, Sr. |
May 1, 2002 Interview with Ken
"The Shark" Kaminski, BIGGEST DADDY: Do you have an exercise/workout routine? SHARKY: Yes, eye/hand coordination routine. I have the
fastest click on the internet. SHARKY: Mr. Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) - same build
and same hairline, fortunately not the same line of business and the same
"girlfriends" on the side (did I say fortunately?) For Mrs. Sharky, I'd choose
Mrs. Billy Bob Thorton herself, Angelina Jolie. Do I have to explain why?
Something about a girl who carries a vile of her husband's blood around her neck that
touches me deeply (and that body and those lips don't hurt either.) SHARKY: The Commish branded me with that nickname back in
1996 when, assuming I was this shy, untalkative person when I joined his innagural AM Best
Roto League, I turned out to be "Trader Jack" incarnate - pouncing on every
player that had more than 2 HRs for the week and offering every trade imaginable even if
it didn't make any sense. In fact I credit Mike with SHARKY: Anything that doesn't get crumbs on my keyboard
(i.e. liquorish, gum, beer) SHARKY: Baseball Roto - I've won about $4,500 total ($3,100 last year.) I was in one league from 1996-1997, two leagues from 1998-1999, three leagues in 2000, and I'm now a member of only one league. Football Roto - I've won about $2,000 ($1,000 last year.) I was in two leagues between 1996-1997, and I've been in three leagues from 1998-present. Baseball simulation leagues (DMB): I was in one league (the BDBL) from 1999-2001 and I'm now in two. Football Simulation (Dave Koch Sports): one league from
2001-present. SHARKY: Roto is based on jumping on the hottest guy and hoping he continues and looking at the standings and seeing where you can afford to give up points to gain more points (ie. Saves for SBs). Paying close attention to the transaction wire, callups, injuries, position changes, etc.. is vital to winnning. I have been very successful. Simulation is the complete opposite. It is based on
previous years stats. I must have trouble translating stats to on field production. OPS,
WIN SHARES, PLATOON ROLES, GB%, QUALITY STARTS, things like that. I feel I am better now
than I used to be and I think after this year I will put a team out there that will
compete every year. SHARKY: We don't go out much anymore with three kids, but
when we do they are always in tow, so the best place for us to eat as a family is Chuck E.
Cheese. Only place I know where you don't get "shhhhhhhed" by a 70 yr old couple
when your son starts burping out loud. Only place where you can sit and relax while your
kids run wild and they are allowed to do it. Also the only place where your kids can get
exhausted and fall asleep on the 20 minute ride home so you and your wife can have some
quiet, personal time alone - which basically means she goes and watches "Trading
Spaces" on the Home and Garden channel and I can catch a Met game or surf the net for
my latest "johnny-come-latelies". SHARKY: It would look like a heavy-set, balding guy with prescription sunglasses, a baby blue "Marlboro Soccer Coach" shirt (stained from painting of course), baggy sweat pants (also stained from mowing the lawn), black beat up sneakers with white laces and carrying a Dunkin Donuts coffee in one hand, a bag of bagels in the other hand, 3 papers stuffed under one arm and the latest Baseball Weekly stuffed under the other arm. Its head would be facing up so that it would look like it
is praying to GOD that my life has to get more exciting than this. It would also have the
ability to suck in its stomach for when you play with him and Beach Barbie at the same
time. SHARKY: Too much time - I will admit to that. I probably
spend 20 minutes before I come to work, 10 minutes after I walk thru the door when I come
home (actually I have it timed perfectly that I turn on the computer when I walk in, go
get changed, come down and sign on, go to the bathroom, come out and whalla, perfect
timing). At night, either while the kids are "resting" or already in bed I will
pop on an avg of 30 minutes a night. Depends on the TV schedule and if my wife and I have
"personal time" scheduled on the calendar for that evening (we try to schedule 3
personal nights a month if possible) - that usually takes 10 minutes (hee hee). SHARKY: I only use free sites (except I use Baseball
America $35) but that is more for DMB and just my general knowledge. I would never pay. SHARKY: "Screw you Mike, defense does win!!! And
who needs Manny and Chipper?? Ichiro is GOD!!!" Sound good? SHARKY: Theme music - most of the time it is "I wear
my Sunglasses at night" by Corey Hart. I do like Phantom of the Opera and I love a
Philly 80's only music station I get in my car by my house (Central Jersey). Yes, I can
say I am living in my teen's. SHARKY: Well, I did turn down a trade that would get me
Randall Simon who is off to a torrid start this year and, oviously, he will hit 35HRs and
100 RBIs and bat around .310 so I really messed up on that one. I also could have had the
2nd overall pick this year AND Kevin Appier for Javier Vazquez (pick would have been
Mussina). That really hurt because, one, I should The killer for me will be Ichiro and Varitek for Manny and
Chipper. I seriously didn't want to do that one because I knew Chipper was moving to LF
and thus losing some value and I was never a Manny fan and I really thought Ichiro was a
game breaker. If I could do it again I MAY have done it (hee hee). My season would
definately have been different but, again, it was a $14 No Mike, I don't regret the Nevin trade. I still get Lowell
for another year and his awesome defense at the hot corner. DeJean and Lowe have been
great for me as well. in fact Lowe may save my season these next two chapters when I start
him ten times. Plus Lowell is off to a torrid start this year. SHARKY: Yep, right next to my Paulina Poriskova and Kathy
Ireland posters from college. SHARKY: I never said I gave up. My offense is still great with Ichiro, Alomar, Konerko, Sierra, Posada and solid contributors in Lowell, Guillen, Finley and Clayton. My bullpen is intact with quality relievers. I have a stud LH reliever who has been atrocious so far (Matthews) who can only get better and still has 70 innings available. I get Ben Sheets for 150+ innings, Bud Smith for 65+ innings, move Lowe into the rotation 90+ innings, still have Eaton who can be dominating in the right park. I move Redman in as my second left-hander (two starts) who isn't too bad and I have Ponson as my innings-eater and could also be good in the right park. I spent a lot of time looking at the parks I play in and setting up my rotation to take advantage of the park factors and the lineup I am facing. I play key games against Bear Country and Stamford that can give me the swing games I desperately need. I have a great schedule this chapter. I will give myself two more chapters. If I can stay within 5-7 games of the wildcard before Chapter Four ends I can swing some trades for a pitcher or two. I will use my best pitchers as much as possible now instead of spacing out their starts. If I fold down the stretch I can get a few free agent
starting pitchers for the innings I will need for the rest of the year. I really think I
have a legitimate shot. I don't think Stamford or Bear Country are that much better than
me. I know my offense is just as good if not better. If I win it will be with offense and
bullpen and a little luck. I can get quality innings from Eaton, Lowe, Smith and Sheets. SHARKY: At least the wildcard, and I can see winning the
division but Salem will be tough with the way their rotation may perform for them next
year - Mussina, Tomko, Lowe. My offense, based on how my players are performing in the
majors right now, could be very good if not great. RF-Ichiro, LF-Sierra, C-Posada,
1B-Konerko, CF-Finley/Encarnacion, 3B-Lowell, |