Interview with Brian Potrafka,
Ravenswood Infidels

BIGGEST DADDY: Where the hell did you get the name, "Skism?"

BRIAN POTRAFKA: The word often used to be a litmus test for when I've had too much to drink. Usually followed by the word, "flazm." I must really like the way it sounds, because I like to repeat it often, with varying inflections, emphasis, and volume.

BD: What are your impressions of the league so far?

BP: Cmon, haven't I gushed enough already? Well, specifically I thought there was a radical amount of trading this season. Very impressed with the write-ups and analysis on the playoffs, and the game by game, sometimes 1/2 inning by 1/2 inning updates on the message board.
Like I said before, for some odd reason this usually seems to be the area where otherwise good leagues drop the ball, or at least don't give it the attention and pomp it deserves. Some great rivalries here too. And that the Infidels have the best logo in all of sports (big ups to Mike G!)

BD: What has surprised you the most about the BDBL?

BP: The commissioner has been really prolific lately, and the energy level he keeps up here constantly impresses. Surprised that there's no salary cap during the season, and there aren't more people who think this is a good idea.   That Mike Glander allegedly has never listened to Rush "Biggest Hypocrite" Limbaugh. The results of the latest World Series.

BD: Where do you envision the Infidels finishing in 2004?

BP: Way too hard to say at this point, but I guarantee we will be bloodthirsty competitors.

BD: Why did you choose the "Infidels" as your team name?

BP: I like the word, the way it sounds, what it stands for, and the context in which it is usually used. "I reject your doctrine." "I am your enemy." "Your temples will crumble." "Rivers of Blood!", etc.

BD: I noticed you're a Cubs fan. Was I your favorite player when you were growing up?

BP: I grew up a Reds fan, until I fired them in 1994. But I lived in Illinois and watched the Cubs on GN and you represent a type of athlete
I always thought were cool, good fat pitchers.

BD: How did you discover Diamond Mind Baseball?

BP: Was raised on Strat, and was looking for a good computer simulation in the early 90s, discovered Pursue the Pennant which lead me to DMB.

BD: I noticed every guy on your coaching staff is named, "Larry." What's up with that?

BP: Just a very odd coincidence. Names are the last thing this organization cares about.

BD: My crack research staff tells me you're quite the comedian. How did you get into that business, where do you perform, and how come you've never been very funny on the BDBL forum?

BP: Your crack staff has a very highly developed, eclectic sense of humor then. "Business?" That's a good one. I did it because I like being an ass in front of as many people as possible with 100% of the attention. And felt provoked I guess by not liking what I saw passing for stand up "comedy". I perform whenever I can, mainly in Chicago. I'm usually at the Lyons Den every Monday night. As to your last remark, Glander himself said I wrote the funniest thing EVER on the message board when after the Zito traded I popped in and said something about how my league experiences have been that the commissioner always seems to get more advantageous deals. I guess you had to be there. Yeah. Not just very funny, funniest EVER single thing written! So put that in your pipe and smoke it.

BD: My staff also tells me you have quite a connection with former franchise owner Brian Hicks. In addition to performing stand-up together, you were in the same league with his brother, Robert, and Brian illustrated a book you published, entitled, "Small and Wrong." (That makes you the second current BDBL owner to have published a book - at least that I know of.) Apparently, Brian himself also published a number of books without telling any of us. Can you tell us a little something about your book?

BP: "Small and Wrong" contains such favorites as "Gay Ass Lighter Flick", "Everybody Briefly Enjoys a Fool", "A Tape, A Joint, or Some Money", and "Jimmy Haatz Pee Pee Shock Shack" available through me for 10 bucks, autographed.

BD: So, aside from doing stand-up comedy, writing books and playing in the greatest fantasy baseball league on the planet, what do you like to do for fun?

BP: umm...heh heheheheh. uh...

Besides that, I also formed a 16" no glove softball team this summer with my comedy brethren. At a practice after the first game I broke my right pointing finger in 2 places. Which was fun. Finally finished reading "Don Quixote" this year. 20 rep breathing squats.

BD: What are your favorite TV shows?

BP: I don't watch anything regularly and haven't seen many shows in the last 20 years. "King of the Hill" is a classic. I watched a couple episodes of "Joe Schmo" and thought it was funny. Usually when I'm looking at it its turned to "Animal Planet."

BD: Favorite all-time movies?

BP: To name a few in no particular order...U-Turn, Unforgiven, all the Eastwood Sergio Leone films, Taxi Driver, Casablanca, the Godfather, Three Kings, Cinema Paradiso, Eraserhead, Waiting for Guffman, Office Space, Dirty Work (with Norm Mcdonald), Spinal Tap.

BD: If Hollywood made a movie of your life, who would play you? Who would be your romantic lead?

BP: Myself: former MLB catcher Scott Servais. Romantic lead: Exene Cervenka from "X."

BD: If you were a contestant on "Survivor", what would you bring as your luxury item?

BP: Mango butter.

BD: What type of music do you listen to? What's in your CD player right now?

BP: All types. Had to check CD player. Hayseed Dixie, hillbilly AC/DC cover band.
Long time Black Flag/Rollins band fan. Snoop! President of the "All Sports Band" fan club.

BD: Are you married? Any kids?

BP: Engaged. Doubtful I have any children.

BD: Aside from the day you were accepted into the BDBL, what is the greatest thrill of your fantasy baseball career?

BP: Being down 3-1 in the Three Run Homer League World Series, and coming back to win 3 straight, over the reigning champion who beat me the previous year, after I blew a 3-1 series lead.

BD: How closely do you follow the minor leagues and amateur ball? What sources do you use for this type of info?

BP: Not very closely in a broad sense. Baseball America is a good source. Minor league stats and boxscores on espn.com.

BD: Any trade rumors you can share with us, concerning the Infidels?

BP: There's this crazy rumor that I am getting a plenty of offers that don't appeal to me and that negotations have been frustrating and led nowhere. I will neither confirm
nor deny this.

Okay, since the World Series is over I am proud to announce Casey Fossum is the newest Infidel! Booya!

BD: Thanks for your time, Brian!

BP: No, thank YOU, oh great one!!