Interview with Brian Potrafka,
Ravenswood Infidels

Biggest Daddy: Hello Brian! Thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.  So skiz -- can I call you skiz? -- what the hell is going on with your franchise?  From first to worst quickly! And ugly! How did this happen?

Brian Potrafka: Right out of the gate this year’s team showed their true colors. I knew that unless they majorly overperformed I'd be fighting to be near .500. So I moved my biggest chip early and it went from there.

We've played better this chapter, and I think I have to finish 22-39 to get a $1 million bonus. But I might've just made that up, I don't know.

BD: How much of this is due to DMB, as opposed to your managing style?

BP: It's the laws of probability.

I bitch about the game all the time, when I know very well wacky things happening are the norm until your sample size is huge.

My managing style, hm, I don't seem to make many right decisions this year. My GM'ing style of overpaying to get exactly the part I need the last 2 years has more to do with the current situation. The cupboard was pretty bare after a lot of good, young talent was sent off in 04 and 05. Another big reason to go the direction I did when I did.

BD: Your message board rants are well-known. What do you hope to accomplish with them? Are you really filled with rage? Or is it all for show? Are you secretly having a love-affair with DMB?

BP: It just comes out, like a current transfer. But it's a way of holding on. I feel slightly less powerless if I can just translate some of what I’m feeling. Slightly less murderous.

I spend more time laughing till I can't breathe than being mad. I'm an amiable hedonist. A simple man.

But I’ve never been a good loser.

I have an open love/hate affair with DMB. Depends on the day, the moment which one it is.

BD: Generally speaking, does DMB have a mind of its own? Or can you skew the results with your managing?

BP: I don't know how much, but it helps/hurts somewhat of course.

I can't quantify the supernatural element that's seemed part of the game since I played card and dice Strat-O-Matic, but it's definitely there. Baseball players are superstitious for a reason.

Anyway, I go by the book for the most part, so hopefully I've been an average manager.

BD: What are you more annoyed with: DMA or the Chicago Cubs?

BP: The Direct Marketing Association really gets my goat!

Oh wait. If you meant "DMB vs Cubs" then DMB hands down.

Because I care about it, as opposed to the Cubs. I'm a baseball mercenary since 1995. I have no baseball team but the Infidels. The Cubs being listed as my favorite is a data entry mistake on my profile. I put down the Oakland Raiders, baby.

BD: Have you grown up as a Chicagoan, or have you lived elsewhere? What is life like in Ravenswood?

BP: Outside of 2 months in Phoenix, and Army summers in Georgia and New Jersey, I'm a Central Illinois hick till 19 when I hitchhiked to Denver. There for 2 years. Then Seattle a year. Then Denver again. Ending up here in Chicago at 27.

Ravenswood is great. It all blends together as Chicago, but this neighborhood is ideal for me. Nice area, centrally located to the places I go to. Affordable rent. Jewel across the street. A 20 min bike or bus ride to work. Cheap haircut nearby. Girlfriend blocks away.

BD: Getting back to the BDBL, what is the best trade you've ever done?

BP: I've had a lot of trades that worked out very well, but I might have overpaid. People like Eduardo Perez, Jayson Werth, and Garrett Stephenson who were all acquired at too high a cost but all had complete monster years in the BDBL. The Johan trade is an exciting work in progress. The Kelvim Escobar trade was thought well of I think.

BD: What needs to happen for the Infidels to get back into contention in upcoming seasons?

BP: Stay the course. Hope that the 2nd half of MLB 2006 is similar to the first half. The development of some of the young arms could be a big bonus.

BD: What needs to happen for the Cubs to get back into contention in upcoming seasons?

BP: Like it usually does in any single, isolated year they contend: be lucky and avoid injuries. Making bad jokes about the Cubs misfortunes is the day-to-day hack world of regular guy sports banter in Chicago and come in my head automatically. Let's not give this another moment's thought.

BD: If Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's HR record, will you be clapping or scowling?

BP: Both.

BD: What's with this Chicago Style Hot Dog with tomatoes, celery salt, chili peppers and a pickle spear?

BP: I don't know, but the more condiments the better. Put a damn pickle on a hot dog and attach civic pride to it. Yea! That and the strict "no ketchup on hot dogs" policy enforced here.

BD: What do you like to do in your spare time?

BP: Nothing constructive. Gluttony is probably at the top of the list. Self-medicate, avoid people, and bask in my laziness.

BD: XBOX360 or PSP2?

BP: 100% PC

BD: Taste of Chicago or Summerfest?

BP: Hell no.

BD: Mark Grace or Sammy Sosa?

BP: I'd like to start a new wave of Sammy Mania here in Chicago again. Grace seems like a good drinking buddy choice.

BD: 105 heat index or -12 degree wind chill?

BP: Probably the cold. I lived in Phoenix in the summer and that sucks the life out of you.

BD: Coke or Pepsi?

BP: Is it really a huge difference? Flip a coin. Dr. Pepper or Fanta Grape would be a tougher choice.

BD: Johan Santana or Edwin Encarnacion, Felipe Lopez, Trot Nixon, Jae Seo, Scott Olsen, George Kottaras and Richie Robnett?

BP: Depends whether you're rebuilding or competing. Santana's the best but that's quite a booty there.

BD: Do you still keep in touch with former BDBL manager Brian Hicks? What's he up to these days?

BP: Yep, since Junior High. He's doing well in Madison, and is a walking comedy gold mine.

BD: Thanks for taking the time to be with us. Good luck in 2007!

BP: You’re welcome and thank you.