Interview with Nic Weiss,
Marlboro Hammerheads

Biggest Daddy:  Welcome to the league, Nic!  Tell us what makes you qualified to
rub elbows with the elite of the online baseball simulation world?

Nic Weiss: "Rub elbows with the elite of fantasy online baseball" -- you've got that right.  I've been on the waiting list for this league for at least two years, and in high school Bobby and I would spend a lot of our free time talking about the happenings of the BDBL. In truth, our talk was in hopes to start a future league of our own, but it seems that the second attempt at SJBA will fail like the first.

I've been doing fantasy leagues since 7th grade, and I excel at finding weaknesses in league structure. Nothing damaging or illegal, just looking at market inefficiencies that I feel have gone unnoticed. I took advantage of those inefficiencies in all my previous leagues, and hopefully I'll be able to do that in BDBL.

BD: You are inheriting a franchise that has had quite a history, including some outstanding seasons amongst a couple dreadful seasons.   Does the history of this franchise mean anything to you, or do you simply plan to reinvent it the way you see fit?

NW: A few days after I got the official call up to BDBL, I shot Sharky an email, essentially telling him that I was not going to gut his team and put all of his hard work to moot. The history of a franchise means a lot to me, but I am not going to let that stand in the way of business. I'm here to win.

BD: Given that the Hammerheads are off to a rough start this year, do you have
any immediate plans for the team?   Or are you looking more long term?

NW: With the way Sharky built his team, I really have to focus on the long term. He
collected quite a few interesting prospects -- a few who will help me next season
and a few who will help me further down the road. Like any team, it's important to win games now. However, I will not be sacrificing the long term goal for a few extra wins.
His team is solid, but it doesn't have Salem's staff or the offense of St. Louis. Definitely long-term planning.

BD: When the season ends, you can rename the team.   Will you disclose your thoughts about its new name?

NW: I've always had a special place in my heart for the Nicolopolis Rockers; with three teams already starting in the "N's" to go along with Cleveland Rocks, I doubt the Rockers make it to BDBL.

BD: How do you know Bobby Sylvester?  Tell us something about Bobby that we do not know.

NW: I met Bobby after my 8th grade year during Southwest Baseball. We were a bunch
of 13/14 year olds facing Senior Legion players and getting smoked. We've played
baseball together since then, sharing outfield positions. I remember during cross country, all Bobby and I would do is talk baseball. Then during the summers we would spend
all of our time at our bud Kyle's house and play MVP Baseball 2005. I'm not sure I could tell you something about Bobby that you don't know.  I don't like people talking about me and I won't do that to Bobby.

BD: According to the Highland Bulldogs website, you hit a robust .319/.398/.451
in 2006.  Should one of us draft you?

NW: Yes. Definitely. One of your farm spots needs to be wasted...secured...by Nic
Weiss. I always felt that I had a great eye, but got screwed by umpires. I was the only guy in batting practice that would specifically work at taking pitches. High school
umpires give the pitcher essentially anything close so that worked against me.

BD: Now, it seems Mr. Sylvester hit a team-leading .522, but in only 25 at-bats.   So, if the game is on the line, which one of you guys would we really want at the plate?

NW: I've always been one for pressure.

BD: Tell us a little about yourself outside of the world of baseball.   Married, kids?   Or should I say.... College?  Girlfriend?    How do you occupy your time and where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

NW: I just recently broke up with a girlfriend, first one in college. I spend a lot of my time going on adventures in the middle of the night. I play Wii. I play strategic board games. I enjoy long walks on the beach and romantic candlelit dinners. Like every college student. I spend a few hours a day doing homework. I did just buy the mlb.tv package though, so I got that going for me.

BD: What was the last meal you prepared that didn't involve a microwave or
cereal?

NW: Oatmeal.

BD: What personality trait of yours do others like the most?

NW: I don't know if people like it, but I don't tell people about myself.

BD: Which MLB team do you associate the most with?   In addition, is this your favorite team as well?  If not, which team is and why?

NW: I associate the most with the Cards. One of my good friends has season tickets
in the left-center bleachers so I get to go to quite a few games. 2004, 2005 final game in old Busch, McGwire's 1998 61. I've shared special times with the Cardinals. I'm not a fan of the Angels, the rally monkey is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen. I am not a fan of the Astros, they always seem to be going backwards.

BD: Do you have a favorite MLB player?

NW: Grady Sizemore, sexiest man in baseball.

BD: The other day, I saw Mark Redman pitching for the Rockies and Julian Tavaraz pitching for the Red Sox and I thought: "How in the hell are these pitchers still around?"   Now, tell me 10 players who, by 2011, you guarantee will be out of baseball.

NW: Like my grandma always said, "Why buy the cow when you get the sex for free"?

BD:  Which is the best sport to watch in person?   Which is the best to watch on TV?

NW: Baseball and baseball.

BD: With the price of gas at an all-time high, and its effects on the price of rice, milk, eggs, and wheat, the declining housing market, the Fed's recent slashing of interest rates (twice already in 08), and the weak US dollar, what advice to you have to the American public on how to proceed in 2008, particularly with their IRA's?

NW: How much time do we have?

BD: Trivial Pursuit night with close friends or bikini jell-o wrestling with the frat?

NW: That's tough. I'm a big fan of getting naked and wrestling in a vat of jell-o, but I've never been a big fan of sloppy seconds or dirty thirds. Trivial Pursuit.

BD: There Will Be Blood or Forgetting Sarah Marshall?

NW: I made a vow to not pay for a movie this calendar year.

BD: Writing a paper or reading a textbook?

NW: Writing a paper.

BD: Always late to class or first one there?

NW: I go to bed late.  Sometimes I wake up early, sometimes I don't.

BD: Thanks a lot for taking the time!   Good luck this year and with your future in the BDBL!