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When Jack Pausma thinks back to his NFBC Main Event draft in St. Louis, there are not any earth-shattering revelations that drive his memories about how he planned to put his team together for the coming season.

He wanted plenty of power. He knew that going in. And Pausma was hopeful he'd have enough proper balance to keep his team competitive throughout the season in each of the categories.

Pausma had planned and prepared as he always did. Little did he know that when August dawned and the season was heading into its home stretch that the plan he implemented back in March would result in him having the team to beat with $100,000 on the line.

Entering action on Tuesday, Pausma's team was sitting atop the Main Event's overall standings, a mere 11 points ahead of Chad Schroeder in the race for the title.

"It is nice to be in the lead right now but seriously (winning the event) is a long shot," Pausma said. "The average baseball team has played 108 games (the Brewers have played 107, making them below average in yet another way) which is only 2/3 of the way. Using some quick math, 1/3 of the way still to go and a whole bunch of teams still able to win this thing."

All modesty aside, it's become clear that Pausma's team is one to be reckoned with. Schroeder was dominant for several weeks in the Main Event but Pausma has made a strong run to propel his team to the top of the standings.

A key reason for his rise in the standings is due to the power Pausma was hoping to assemble on his team before his draft began. Pausma ranks third in the overall event in home runs and second in RBIs.

"I ended up with the eighth pick and was targeting (Carlos Gonzalez) leading up to the draft," he said. "As the draft approached I started really liking a Hanley Ramirez start as seemingly did everyone else. Hanley flew up the draft lists and the same held true in St. Louis.

"Pick eight came and Cargo was still there but so was Ryan Braun. I took my boy Braunny and so far it has been a good pick. I think many underestimated just how mentally tough that guy is."

With Braun as the anchor, Pausma was able to continue building a strong offense. He added Adrian Beltre in the second round and also added Matt Holiday, Asdrubal Cabrera and Edwin Encarnacion to the mix as well. A pitching staff led by David Price, Ryan Dempster, Yu Darvish and Tim Hudson has enabled Pausma to generate the type of balance he was seeking heading into his draft in St. Louis.

The Wisconsin native has been playing fantasy baseball for many years and is an NFBC veteran. So he's well aware that although it's great to be in first place in early August there is still plenty of baseball that needs to be played.

Staying healthy is obviously one huge key. So is maintaining the category balance that has helped make his team the one to beat in the Main Event.

"I have always been a numbers guy," Pausma said. "My co-workers have called me Rain Man. Fantasy baseball is the perfect combo for the love of numbers and sports. Add in a little competitiveness and it makes for a real fun time."

No surprise to me.
John is as savvy as they come.
We've shared several leagues. He drafts with layers of strategy and his in-season prowess is tops.
If battling for the two top spots till the end of the year, both Chad and John would be great representatives of what the best in the NFBC has to offer for this year.

Thanks Greg and Tom for the nice write-up. That was the abbreviated version - here are the questions that didn't make the write-up a.k.a "the rest of the story."


2. What draft day strategies have worked?

Three years ago I drafted in St. Louis and decided to make a return visit for this year due to some conflicts with the Chicago dates. I thoroughly enjoyed the St. Louis venue once again. In terms of strategy I am for sure a big Shawn guy. I just love that guy's baseball mind and find myself saying to myself "wow, I have so far to go in terms of my own analysis." The other strategy I executed was to say "hey Jack (Haan), how about taking a ride to St. Louis with me next week?" Jack and I have partnered on a few teams in the past and while this one is my team, kudos to Jack for some great insights.

Looking back at my draft - seems kind of a boring draft. I mean...who really gets excited about Beltre, Holiday, Asdrubal, D Young, Marcum, R Martin, T Hunter, etc.? Blah. The other strategy for sure that I tried to implement was balance.

3. Have there been any surprises?

Lots of surprises - on the negative side....Choo and Yu certainly haven't been doo doo but not as good as I expected. On the plus side - the Price has been right, Emilio has Bonifide steals, and Edwin and Craig is a better law firm than Haan and Haan will ever be.


4. What key FAAB moves have you made?

I have just been so fortunate with injuries. It makes what Chad as accomplished even more amazing. Some really stupid free agent pick-ups - Gentry (twice), Collmenter, Phelps (had the olympic spirit), Podsednik, Avery, etc. Obviously I have been chasing steals all year and now with Bonifacio hurt....not good. Two weeks ago I thought I nailed it. I have been trying to stay somewhat conservative on FAAB as to actually have a few dollars this time of the year. I put in what I thought were aggressive bids on Harvey ($84), Medlen ($43) and Carlos Gomez ($41) and got skunked. A little better luck this past week - I hit on Straily and Corbin but Albright apparently felt the need for speed and snatched Dyson, Carrera, and Gose which left me Brett Jackson. Three Cubs - I am surely done now. I feel a key FAAB move was to grab Rizzo the week after he was dropped. Not so key was spending $114 on that move when $4 would have done it. Oh well - I would have just bought another Brewer.

5. What has the competition in your league been like?

St. Louis and Chicago leagues don't get enough credit in my opinion. This league has been active and tough. Every FAAB period is a war. Diedrich, Cutler, Stermon, Albright, Puhl, Brinkmann, McDonald, Brady and the bunch........this is the AL West right here.


8. Personal info - Age/Location/Married, Single/Job/Children

I was born and raised in Wisconsin making my two favorite teams the Packers and whomever the Bears are playing. I went to school in the Chicago area and have stayed here ever since. Married with 2 girls and 2 boys ages 16, 18, 20, and 22. I work in the garbage, recycling, and portable restroom industry. Staring down the throat of a porta potty has a way of bringing things back to reality. “Brian Roberts you piece of crap”......voooop...up the hose he goes. “I wish you would have run that fast!”

9. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Special kudos to Doughboys and his terrific writing day in and day out. Family devotions are a regular at our house but so is the Doughboy Diary!