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slant.gif (102 bytes) Know Thy Enemy, 10th Anniversary Edition

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January, 2009
by "Biggest Daddy"

Interview with Tony DeCastro,
South Carolina Sea Cats

BIGGEST DADDY: Thank you for sitting down with us, for another installment of "BDBL: A retrospective". Generally speaking, how do you feel about the BDBL?

TONY DECASTRO: It's really been quite an accomplishment by Mike, and to a lesser extent other owners in the league. 10 years is quite a long time. I don't know how many years ownership has been in smooth sailing mode, but for the most part ownership has been steady for quite awhile now. That we all show up every year says a lot about what Mike's done with the league.

BD: How have you felt about the overall success of your franchise at this point?

TD: Well, I haven't broken Billy's (or is it Gene's) record yet...there's always 2009.

BD: What is your favorite aspect of the BDBL?

TD: Playing the games h2h.

BD: Tell us the absolute low point of your franchise, whether it was a particular game lost, or a particular trade ripped to shreds, or a particular fellow GM that ticked you off.

TD: In the '06 Championship series, in extra innings I was eliminated on a groundball to Omar Vizquel with the infield in...I can't remember the speed of the runner on third, but I don't think it was better than AV. Vizquel threw home - but late. Season over. The better team won the series, but I had fared really well against Villanova, and hated losing on something like that.

BD: Over the course of your time in the BDBL, who is the one GM that you consider your largest rival or target?

TD: The thing about sucking as much as I have is that you're not really in too many pennant races. One time I won the division easily. The other time was closer and I came from way back to win the division, but both Bob Sr. and I were going to the playoffs regardless. Winning the division meant a lot to me, but I suspect Bob was fine with the wild card. I generally want to beat my division opponents more than others.

BD: Name a GM that you absolutely love to talk trade with.

TD: Talking trade with Sharky was always amusing, if not productive.

BD: How did you first hear of the BDBL?

TD: DMB's league directory.

BD: What would it take for you to exit the league?

TD: Glander better have a damn good reason.

BD: What is your favorite BDBL memory?

TD: The 2006 division series against DJ. It was a 6-game series, which featured three extra-inning games...all won by me. I think I played five extra inning games the entire season that year, and was 2-3 in them.

BD: What is your best trade ever?

TD: Probably the draft pick trade with Jim Doyle in the 2001 pre-season. I can't even remember what I gave up, but it lined me up with the #2&3 picks in the draft, which gave me the two headed ace (Glavine & Clemens) that was instrumental in my 2001 division championship.

BD: And your worst?

TD: I don't know. I don't think I'm very good at trading so there's a lot to pick from...maybe getting Matt LeCroy from Glander for my first round farm pick (#2), I had Oswalt at the top of my list, and I would have gotten him. I also sent Nick Johnson to Glander for Dan Johnson a couple of years ago.

BD: Other than Glander, what GM would you absolutely hate to see leave the BDBL?

TD: Billy Baseball...wait a minute. Is he still with us or not?

BD: Who is the craziest character in the BDBL?

TD: Without a doubt Scot Romanosky. That guy is psycho!

BD: If your franchise had a Team Hall of Fame, which players would be members?

TD: That would be the ugliest HOF ever. Tom Glavine, who I seemed to always sign as a free agent every year he was available, and was the first Sea Cat chosen in the inaugural draft. He had an awesome season for our '01 division winning team. Barry Larkin (second Sea Cat), who hung around for quite a few years early in franchise history...stole a lot of bases, got on base, scored runs, reliable. Andruw Jones, who hit 60 homeruns in our '06 division winning season. He also hit 30 or more homeruns for us in four consecutive seasons.

BD: Tell us which MLB team that you feel like your BDBL franchise is the most like.

TD: I have no idea...The Mariners maybe. I'm trying to think of a team that shows up occasionally in the post season between many years of losing.

BD: Your team is either really good, or really bad each...why such dramatic swings year in and year out?

TD: I've built some decent farm systems. When I've felt close enough to win, I've pretty much gone all in, and that depletes the farm quickly. It's probably not the best strategy to compete year in and out.

BD: How has your overall team-building philosophy changed over the years?

TD: I'm still trying to find out what works for me.

BD: What has been the most significant change in the BDBL?

TD: The auction.

BD: Name your favorite "off-the-field" moment from BDBL Weekend or the league forum.

TD: I made it to BDBL Weekend I. It was great to meet the guys, but it's been so long ago that I don't recall any moments...other than it was amusing to watch Marazita and Glander argue in person. On the forum, that's easy getting Funk'd on the practical joke Osborne pulled, and I WAS IN ON IT!

BD: Tell a little about your life outside the BDBL....What else is occupying your time?

TD: I try to spend as much time as I can playing ball, reading, helping with homework, etc. with my son, Dylan. I've written two novels in the time I've been in the league, and I'm currently working on a third. I design religious buildings for a living, which can be very rewarding and frustrating...often at the same time.

BD: Thanks, Tony!