Interview with Brian Potrafka,
Ravenswood Infidels

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?

BRIAN POTRAFKA: My interest in the league is still high because of its excellence, even if my interest in baseball has declined.  It's really hard to believe a league this good exists.

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

BP: Mixed. I'm coming off 2 straight years of losing the OLCS. Technically, graded on a curve, that might be considered "good", but I don't feel good about it at all.
It's been a decent 5 year run as a GM though: 4 division titles, a .543 winning percentage, and 1 championship. I'm not sure how bright the future looks, but this will definitely be a down year.

BD: What is your favorite aspect of the BDBL?

BP: Since I'm limited here, I'm going to kind of cheat and say its overrall greatness. It's so thorough and top notch in all the important areas: owner continuity, league longevity, frequent detailed articles about the league from Mike, lots of banter on the forums, high level of competition, comprehensive historical information archived and easily accessible, the website, good people, and the annual BDBL weekend. I'm sure I forgot a few things, but you get the idea.  I feel like I've said the same thing almost verbatim in another interview, but that's my answer.

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.

BP: Getting crushed by Salem in last year's OLCS. My offense was non-existent the whole series. I had a pounding headache and no matter how many Miller's I drank it wouldn't go away. Then the furious, drunken "resignation" afterwards. Then the logistical planning of many bad things. Then laying in the dark in my room unmoving for the entire next day.
I had a feeling of dread about this series the entire week before it started. I was quite frankly a raving sociopath heading into it (just ask Mr. Distefano). In retrospect, my reaction was inevitable.

Another low low low point, which will bother me for a long time to come, is trading Tim Lincecum to Allentown.

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

BP: Since I've played Salem 4 times in the playoffs, that would have to be my biggest rivalry.

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

BP: I don't have a standout favorite. Quite a few least favorites though.

BD: How did you first hear of the BDBL?

BP: Through the former owner of the franchise, Brian Hicks. I followed along before I joined or knew I would become a league member.

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

BP: For good? Going too far and getting kicked out.

BD: What is your favorite BDBL memory?

BP: Easy to guess I would think. Winning it all, in my first year. I was an underdog in every series, and every team I played had won over 100 games.

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

BP: Best might have been the trade for Halladay. It took a long time to work out, and I was in the right place at the right time. Sylmar had to dump major payroll quickly, and my deal was the best he'd gotten.

Worst: see #4 above, and let's never mention it again.

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

BP: I would hate to see anyone leave. Me, I guess.

BD: Who is the craziest character in the BDBL?

BP: Steve Osborne is probably the owner I would least like to have really, really pissed off at me.  But I think he'd be fun to drink with at a BDBL weekend.

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

BP: I'd say Brian Giles and maybe Jose Vidro (from the Mimes era), Adam Dunn and Johan Santana. Robby Cano is certainly headed there too. With only 10 years and so much player movement it's hard to choose. A lot of players have had great seasons for the franchise, but weren't here long.

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

BD: I dunno. Maybe the Arizona Diamondbacks, if they played at Busch Stadium.
Or Cleveland, if God didn't hate them.

This year's team might be the Senators with Walter Johnson.

BD: Aren't you sick and tired of finishing in 1st place?

BP: I am not the slightest bit tired of that. But like it or not, we are going to take a little break from it. 

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

BP: I am less likely to trade top prospects for guys like Eduardo Perez and Garrett Stephenson. I still have moments, but in general I am more concerned about the future than I used to be.

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

BP: Top 3:
    1-The increase in farm size from 5 to 15. 
    2-The reduction of owner turnover to almost zero over the past 4-5 years.
    3-The minimum 2 year signing for type H players.

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

BP: I loved the Chicago BDBL weekend, but my first BDBL weekend, especially that first night in Cleveland was a blast and will always stand out.

BD: How often are you participating in the stand-up comedy circuit?  Or do you find yourself stuck all too often at the day job?

BP: Not that often. I am about quality over quantity. "Unveilings" if you will.  If I don't have something new to say, I don't feel compelled to perform.  I don't do a circuit. I don't like comedy clubs.  I don't really like people. I don't like repeating myself.

Since the Lyon's Den closed I don't have a regular comedy hangout.  I do maybe 10 booked shows a year.  But I'm really looking forward to performing with Doug Stanhope in April.

BD: Thanks, Brian!  

BP: Yer melcome!