Interview with Nic Weiss,
Marlboro Hammerheads

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?

NIC WEISS: Without a doubt, the BDBL has been the greatest fantasy experience of my career. Great knowledge. Great gameplay. And, most importantly, a great community.

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

NW: As of this writing my team sits four games below .500. We were beyond terrible last year, and I didn't expect to compete until 2010. I was then graced with two aces that dramatically sped up the competitive process. I think we can win the division this year, but the thought of having to face one of two monster teams worries me.

BD: What is your favorite aspect of the BDBL?

NW: The BDBL gives me time out of the day that I can relax. I work a combined full-time between two jobs. For the past week I've worked from 11PM - 8AM and have never missed a 9AM class. I've got a lot of things going on, but the BDBL gives me an opportunity to zone out and live in our own little fantasy world.

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

NW: Chapter One, Marcus Thames three pinch hit go-ahead home runs. I thought the whole thing was a joke.

BD: Who is the one GM that you consider your largest rival or target?

NW: Every time I play Skizm I try to get him riled up. I always talk about how great it feels that I've got Melky Cabrera to hit multi home runs and how I have such a great farm team that I could blow him away with any offer.  However, his philosophy of strong GB rates translating well to the BDBL is something I've been working to emulate.

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

NW: I'm going to go with Steve Osborne of Nashville. I've sent Steve three trade offers and so far we've only had to minimally rework one of those deals. Talking trades with Bobby is always interesting, he values players WAAAAY different than anyone else I've ever talked to. Peburn and I have a lot of discussion but it never goes anywhere. I sent out a lot of trade offers.

BD: How did you first hear of the BDBL?

NW: From Bobby in early high school. We were at a cross country meet discussing our all-time greats teams and he brought it up. I sent in an application and I remember saying that Kendry Morales was overrated and would never amount to anything.

BD: Hey! He's doing ok with the Angels this year! What would it take for you to exit the league?

NW: Grady Sizemore retiring.

BD: What is your favorite BDBL memory?

NW: My infamous first trade: Randy Winn, Jamie Burke, Mike Timlin for Fred Lewis, Gerritt Cole, Bill Bray, and Edwar Ramirez. People EXPLODED over this trade when all it involved was a platoon player vs LHP, 25 innings of average relief, and a backup catcher. Oh well.

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

NW: My favorite trade was during the offseason. It went relatively unnoticed and I'm not sure how. Vicente Padilla and Jeremy Affeldt for Jake Arrieta, Rick VandenHurk, and Jason Bergmann. I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to...throw in....Mike Moustakas in my deal with LA. I've tried at least 10 times to get him back from Slymar.

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

NW: Bobby, without a doubt.

BD: Who is the craziest character in the BDBL?

NW: John Duel, for always being prepared to battle words with Glado.

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

NW: We don't have a Hall of Fame.

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

NW: Gotta be the Devil Rays. I've still got young talent oozing from my farm and I'm built around pitching and defense.

BD: Have you had enough time to get a good feel for how you like to manage games? If so, what is working for you?

NW: I pitch out, bunt, steal, hit and run, guard the lines. Far too much micromanaging. I had Jamie Burke successfully steal a base vs. Salem earlier this season. Overall though, micromanaging the bullpen has not helped us close out the games.

BD: You finding that it's more difficult to manage games or run a franchise?

NW: Running a franchise is more difficult, but ultimately more enjoyable. The draft was 10 days of incredible excitement for me. I didn't have anything else to do but sit online and wait for the lots to end. I love picking farm players. The skills I've acquired as a successful prospector have translated well into finding successful penny stocks.

BD: How's the college experience going so far? It is everything that you hoped for? What else do you need to accomplish?

NW: I'm finally through jumping through hoops with GEN ED's and requirements so I can focus on getting my degree in economics. I have my own room for the first time in my life. I never have time to eat, and have even less time to sleep. I do calculus and theory derivations until the cows come home. I've got plans for grad school once I leave here and I'll be checking out some schools while in California for BDBL Weekend. But overall, college has been a lot of wasted loan money. I should have used it to gamble.

BD: Thanks, Nic!