November 23, 2007
by "Biggest Daddy" Interview with
Chris Luhning,
Kansas Law Dogs
Biggest Daddy: Chris, welcome. First
off, I'd like to congratulate you on your first BDBL league
championship! We all know that unless your team's mascot is a Zoot,
winning that thing is definitely elusive. What was it like to get that
final out?
Chris Luhning: First off, let me wish all the BDBL members & their
families a Happy Thanksgiving!
You know, Tony & I decided that we would play 3 or 4 games the first
night and then start again the next night. I was fortunate to take a 3-1
lead in the series, but really felt uneasy the whole next day. Was it a
mistake to bring back Santana on short rest when he threw over 100
pitches in game 1? Was I going to blow a 3-1 lead in this year's World
Series, like I blew a 3-2 lead against the Zoots in 2001? When Papelbon
got Bonds to ground out to Vizquel for the final out I gave a big Tiger
fist pump and did a little dance! I was excited, relieved, proud and
just felt like all the moves that were made during the season were
justified! The Kansas franchise can now add their name to the trophy as
one of champions of the BDBL.
BD: At what point during the post-season did you know that your team was
going to win it all?
CL: I don't think I ever felt that way, but to be honest I was
surprised that all three series went as smooth as they did. I really
felt like the toughest series I had was in the ELDS against the Slyme.
BD: Is there any letdown, knowing that now that you are number 1, there
is nowhere to go, but back down?
CL: 2008 is going to be a tough year for Kansas, I knew that about
halfway through the 2007 season. A lot of my players were having down
years. That was the reason why I decided to make all the moves I did, to
put myself in the best position to win the World Series. Santana,
Beltran, Dye, Overbay, DeJesus, Mussina, Reyes, Rodney. All were being
counted on in 2008, and all underperformed. I think the only guys that
had better seasons were Wright and Saito. I should be in the wildcard
race, but back to back championships isn't going to happen.
BD: What was 2007's signature moment? In other words, what image will
you be placing on the Law Dogs media guide next season?
CL: The entire playoffs was our signature moment! It was the most
enjoyable time I've ever had playing in the BDBL. To all of you who
haven't made it and to you who have but haven't won, it is the most
rewarding feeling you can get. Mike, I know the playoffs have been tough
for you, but keep building for that moment!!! It doesn't get any better!
BD: Turning to 2008, what key ingredient (if any) was missing from the
2007 championship team that you will try to ensure exists on your 2008
roster?
CL: 2007 was a very special team, it was balanced in all areas. It
all started in 2006 when I decided to move out of Coors field and end
the nightmarish softball games and move into Camden yards where I could
build my team around strong pitching. My pitching staff rivaled that of
the Cowtippers with Santana, Mussina, Clemens, Sanchez and Hill. As a
team the 2007 Law Dogs only made 59 errors, that's a .990 field
percentage. We were strong up the middle with Vizquel & Grudz who only
committed 7 errors between them. With Beltran, Posada & Vizquel swinging
from both sides of the plate and the rest of the lineup balanced with
lefties and righties, we were able succeed against both lefties and
righties. And finally, the bullpen was solid at the beginning of the
year, but once we added Papelbon and Reyes I don't think anyone could
match us from the 6th inning on. Missing ingredients and weaknesses?
There weren't any.
BD: Tell us a little about life away from the ballpark. What do you do
to bring home the bacon? How long have you been a married man?
CL: Well, I've been married to my lovely wife for 7 years now. She
is very understanding of our hobby and enjoyed meeting you guys that
stayed with us during the BDBL weekend.
This spring I had to close my sports card shop, I owned it for 6 years
and the shop had been a fixture in our suburb of KC for the past 32
years. It was a sad day, but the card business just continued to decline
each year since 2001. I really think one of the biggest factors was the
emergence of eBay. It is a great company that allows millions to buy and
sell from home and it took a lot of my customers and we suffered.
I now manage a retail store for a company called Vintage Stock. We
buy, sell and trade movies, music and video games. We also deal in
sports cards, comics, vintage toys and a few other things. It's a small
Midwest company, similar to a Game Stop (if you have one of those in you
city).
BD: What has become of your card shop inventory?
CL: That's funny! My shop has consumed my office, garage and shed.
We have to park our cars outside and have a small path to get in and out
of the garage. I'll be doing as many card shows until I can get my
office and garage back!
BD: We know your dogs play a large part in your life. What type of
racing do they participate in? I am sure it's safe to say that most of
the readers are not familiar with this gig.
CL: Ah, the wienerdog races...I know Mike gave me a hard time about
that! Yes, my boys are a big part of my life. I had to put my oldest
down this summer, after 14 years, it was a sad day. For any of you that
have had to do that, you understand. I still have two little guys, and
one is very competitive, while the other is not. Each has won trophies:
Jackson for the fastest wienerdog in Raytown, and Blue won the "Belly
Scratcher" award for rolling over and wanting his belly scratched at the
start of the race.
BD: How will you be spending the holidays this year?
CL: Hopefully it will be a relaxing holiday season. Nothing planned
with the family, so I'll try to find a much time as I can to talk trade,
scout for prospects and continue to build the Kansas franchise for
another successful season in 2008.
BD: Kansas City Royals. I mean, what else can I say? KC can't hold onto
1985 forever. What will it take for this franchise to actually win
something?
CL: Great question! This franchise still hasn't recovered from Mr.
Kaufman passing in the early '90's. When he passed a board was
instituted to run the franchise until a new owner was found. Well, that
took several years until the Glass (Mr. Walmart) family bought the team,
and Glass hasn't done anything to help! Dayton Moore was hired as GM
last year, and hopefully he can turn this once proud franchise around.
BD: Who the hell is Trey Hillman?
CL: Trey was groomed in the Yankee organization, has spent the last
5 years in Japan, has taken a franchise similar to KC to the Japan World
Series the past two years and won one of them. He believes that good
pitching and defense is what wins! I believe in that formula...so I'm
excited to see what he can do.
BD: Tell us something about Kansas City (the city) that we don't know
that we probably should know?
CL: 1. We have more fountains than any other city in the US, and
second in the world behind Paris. 2. Missouri hates Kansas! Most of KC
is on the Missouri side, but the wealthy part of KC is on the Kansas
side. We hate those snobs over there who don't have to pay any of the
taxes for the sports teams, and then hold the majority of the season
tickets. I live on the Missouri side, even though my team name is the
"Kansas" Law Dogs, I just didn't think "Kansas City" or Missouri" Law
Dogs sounded right.
BD: What are your top five favorite albums?
CL: 1. NIN "Pretty Hate Machine"
2. Blue October "Consent to Treatment"
3. Nirvana "Nevermind"
4. Blue October "Foiled"
5. Blue October "Aruge with a Tree, Live"
BD: Did Drew Peterson murder his second wife? Did Drew Peterson murder
his latest wife?
CL: Ah...ya.
BD: George Brett or Bo Jackson?
CL: Bo Jackson...best talent to ever play the game. Too bad he got
hurt. He did things on a baseball field we had never seen! Do any
of you guys remember??? The throw from the RF wall that was a frozen
rope to get Harold Reynolds? His HR in the all-star game off Ryan?
Running on the side of the outfield wall after making a long running
catch? His career ended too soon! Damn, Raiders!!!
BD: 7th Heaven or Nip/Tuck?
CL: Are you serious? The Office!
BD: Barry Bonds or Michael Vick?
CL: Again, are you serious? Who cares?
BD: Brian Williams or Katie Couric?
CL: Williams. He was great on SNL.
BD: Amber Bock or Long Island Iced Tea?
CL: I'm a Budweiser man. Wasn't the tour awesome!!!
BD: Chris, thanks. It was a pleasure. And I wish you the best of luck
going forward.
CL: It was good to see you again, Big Daddy! If you or any of our
great owners (friends) are in KC look me up! Can't wait to see everyone
next year at the BDBL Weekend '08. |