NFBC Weekly Profile - Lindy Hinkelman

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Tue May 24, 2011 4:03 am

In 2009, he made history. Two years later what does Lindy Hinkelman potentially have in store for the fantasy baseball world?

How about making history again?

Two years ago, Hinkelman did the seemingly impossible, winning both the National Fantasy Baseball Championship’s Main Event and its first ever Online Championship. He became the first fantasy baseball player to win two national titles in the same year. His total prize winnings that year netted him a cool $241,300 while forever cementing his place among fantasy baseball’s all-time greats.

Two years later, Hinkelman is striving to make fantasy baseball history again, albeit in a slightly different manner.

Entering play on Tuesday, Lindy’s name was everywhere you looked in the NFBC’s overall standings. He was in first place in the Auction Championship, second in the Main Event, eighth in the Double Play Live and 19th in the Double Play event.

“All three teams have gotten off to great hitting starts,” Hinkelman said. “Justin Verlander and Curtis Granderson are on all three teams and there are about 16 players that show up on two teams.”

No player in NFBC history has ever repeated as a Main Event champion and Hinkelman admits that with his team off to such a strong start in the event he has let his thoughts drift from time to time as he wonders what it would be like to further record his place in fantasy baseball history.

“Sure, I have thought about being the first person to win the Main Event twice,” he said. “But the first goal is to win the league. I’m in a tough league with the top five teams ranking at least 64th overall.”

When he sat down to map out his approach for the 2011 season in the Main Event, Hinkelman had some specific goals in mind.

“I wanted 100 homers, 100 steals and two aces with the first six picks,” he said. “At the quarter mark, Matt Kemp, David Wright, B.J. Upton and Granderson were on pace to exceed that. Verlander and Zack Greinke will anchor the pitching staff.

“The surprises for me was how my picks in the 17th through 21st rounds have turned out. I landed Asdrubal Cabrera, Jason Kubel, Eric Bedard, Anibal Sanchez and Yadier Molina with those five picks.”

Good fortune wasn’t reserved to just the Main Event, however. In the auction, Hinkelman struck gold with a bargain pickup as well.

“Lance Berkman has been the biggest surprise on my teams,” he said. “He cost only $5 in the auction.”

Hinkelman has been able to procure some assets off the Waiver Wire in his leagues as well. Among his top FAAB pickups so far have been Ryan Roberts, Justin Turner and Tyson Ross.

A longtime fantasy player with CDM Sports, Hinkelman joined the NFBC in 2005 and has been a permanent fixture in the event ever since. Married to his wife Patty for the past 36 years he has four children and will soon be welcoming his first grandchild to the world in August.

Life is certainly good for the NFBC’s favorite pig farmer in Idaho. Perhaps the only thing that could make it better would be to make fantasy baseball history again.

What do his teams need to do going forward to accomplish another majestic feat?

“The auction team needs some speed,” he said. “The Double Play team is way behind in wins. My son, Gabe, runs that team. The Main Event team could use a power arm or two.”

[ May 24, 2011, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: Tom Kessenich ]

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Tue May 24, 2011 4:57 am

I think this pic says it all...

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Tue May 24, 2011 5:06 am

Great article on a great guy.

Way to go Lindy!

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Tue May 24, 2011 5:11 am

Unbelievably impressive.

Outlaw · Post by **Outlaw** » Tue May 24, 2011 10:02 am

Great Write-up!

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Tue May 24, 2011 11:27 am

I dont know you personally but I must say YOU THE MAN.keep up the good work

Catch · Post by **Catch** » Tue May 24, 2011 6:45 pm

Lindy, great start to the season. I think changing from Imperial to Bellagio for predraft meal is the breakfast of champions.

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » Wed May 25, 2011 3:49 am

Originally posted by Catch:

Lindy, great start to the season. I think changing from Imperial to Bellagio for predraft meal is the breakfast of champions. Catch makes a good point. I think next year I'm going to follow you around the buffet tables and have what you're eating! Way to go, Jose.......

MadCow Sez · Post by **MadCow Sez** » Wed May 25, 2011 1:52 pm

Originally posted by Spartacus:

quote:Originally posted by Catch:

Lindy, great start to the season. I think changing from Imperial to Bellagio for predraft meal is the breakfast of champions. Catch makes a good point. I think next year I'm going to follow you around the buffet tables and have what you're eating! Way to go, Jose.......

[/QUOTE]Wish I had paid more attention...your breakfast was probably better than the rest of ours too