Interview with Anthony Peburn,
New Milford Blazers

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?

ANTHONY PEBURN: Thanks, B Diddy. I am addicted to the BDBL and think about how to improve the Blazers on a daily basis.


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

AP: We've had success? We are the worst team in the history of the league from a wins standpoint. I think I have infused enough young talent to turn that around. I'm gunning for you one at a time until the Blazers have eventually picked you all off and we're on top. I'm creapin' on you for #23, Jim.

BD: What is your favorite aspect of the BDBL?

AP: The airtight rulebook. I've tried to find loopholes. Believe me.

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.

AP: When Billy told me he couldn't win with the team I helped him build in 2005. I thought I did good job of putting the pieces in place and was devistated. Then the whole VORP thing happened.

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

AP: The whole Benes. We are on the verge of our FIRST division title, and I kinda want to stay there.

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

AP: Skiz. No BS involved. He lays it on the table.

BD: How did you first hear of the BDBL?

AP: Billy Baseball thought my roto success would somehow translate in to the BDBL.

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

AP: Getting kicked out.

BD: What is your favorite BDBL memory?

AP: Playoff run and WS trip, although I got my ass handed to me in the WS (thanks, Tony, and Jim Edmonds)

BD: What is your best trade ever? And your worst?

AP: Worst was the Haren deal. I was blowing up my team anyway, and had already decided that Haren and Bay would be gone by the end of the year to make the team my own, but damn, I shouldn't have been so stubborn to want to make the ENTIRE team mine. I negotiated the deal to get Haren, anyway. I don't think I've made a good trade yet.

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

AP: Me.

BD: Who is the craziest character in the BDBL?

AP: Skiz, although I kinda miss Steve. He was fun when he was active.

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

AP: Zach Day, Wes Whissler, Kevin Cash, and anyone else Marazita dumped on us back in the day. No really, Helton, Conine, Winn, and currently Cust. That's why we're 24 out of 24.


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

AP: Marlins, minus the rings. We have a great young core, though.

BD: You and Glander don't seem to pick on each other as much these days? True or False.

AP: True, not as much fun to kick him while he's down. I do it anyway sometimes, though. I picked on him a little too much a few years ago, but my team was SO bad, I was just passing the time.

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

AP: Acquire young talent. Always my goal.

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

AP: VORP rule. I'm proud to have inspired it.

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

AP: Billy coming over for the OLDS, watching the end of Game 5, saying "Great Job", and then taking off.

BD: What is Billy Baseball doing these days? Is he involved with the Blazers in any way at all?

AP: He is the Assistant to the Traveling Secretary. He is the trainer at Bethel High School and is co-owner of a performance place called "The Edge". U2 always seems to be playing there.

BD: Have you exposed your boys to the BDBL yet?

AP: My middle son has a 7-3 playoff record when sitting in my lap. Otherwise, they run around and disctract me or hit buttons while I'm playing. Most recently, my oldest got the IF to play in against Skiz............with 2 outs.

BD: Thanks, Mr. Peburn!

AP: Thank you very little.