2007 NFBC Champion Profile - Scott Simonetti

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:17 am

We're still waiting for our 2007 national champion (Terry Haney) to submit his profile information but we wanted to start profiling a number of our other champs from last year. First up is Scott Simonetti, who won the $1,250 Mixed Auction League in New York. We'll profile many more in the days and weeks to come before our 2008 event in March.

Here is Scott's 2007 champion profile:

1. How did it feel to win your league title?

It felt great considering there were many top players, including a previous main event Champ. I felt this was an East Coast best of the Best Auction League!

2. What were the keys to your championship season?

Some keys to the championship were drafting out-of-favor outfielders (Magglio Ordonez, Eric Byrnes), avoiding injury-prone players, drafting quality starting pitching (only had 1 closer), and drafting strong players up the middle (Utley, Hanley Ramirez, R Martin).

3. What draft day strategies worked best?

One of my strategies was to not overpay for saves. I drafted only Saito, who went cheaply due to his unproven American history. I wanted to concentrate on starters (Lackey, Smoltz, Harang). Punting Saves is a great strategy in leagues that use Total K instead of K/9, just make sure your starters WHIP are low!

Another strategy was to overpay for key players. Going into the draft, Prince Fielder was my key player who I thought would have a monster season and be affordable on draft day. I got into a bidding war (with a past $100,000 winner) and overpaid for him to make sure he was on my roster. My confidence paid off as he turned in a spectacular 50 home run season. Sometimes it pays to pay the extra $1 in the auction!

4. Were there any draft day strategies that didn't pan out?

I drafted middle relievers that I thought would eventually be closers. Bad idea. None panned out and that is a very dicey strategy...

5. How did FAAB work for you?

I don't like to rely on FAAB to add to my team. I believe in building a solid team on draft day that includes flexible players and a deep bench. I drafted Hunter Pence and kept him all year long. If I happen to luck out with free agent gold, its a plus. This year's FAAB signings were forgetable, and I was out of funds quickly.

6. How long have you been playing fantasy baseball/fantasy sports?

I've been playing since high school, mainly Auction style, Rotisserie leagues, with live drafts with buddies. I'm a big believer in Aucton style drafts over Serpentine Drafts for many reasons, the main reason being everyone starts on a level playing field with auctions, were as set draft slots can heavily favor early draft slots. Also in an auction draft, you can truly get the players you want, you will just have to pay up for it!

7. Personal - single/married/occupation/where do you live?

I've been married five years with one beautiful daughter, Occupation-Dentist, Suffolk New York.

Nutty Scrats · Post by **Nutty Scrats** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:07 pm

Hmmmmmmmmmm? No mention of his friend Johnny Walker Blue at all!

eddiejag · Post by **eddiejag** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:09 pm

Great job Scott , you beat a lot of good players, even your good friend.Now come out to Vegas and take on the big boys .lol

fandango · Post by **fandango** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:25 pm

Originally posted by eddiejag:

Great job Scott , you beat a lot of good players, even your good friend.Now come out to Vegas and take on the big boys .lol im afraid to go to Vegas...may not come back!

plus i dont want to face the great EddieJag

fandango · Post by **fandango** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:10 pm

Originally posted by Nutty Scrat:

Hmmmmmmmmmm? No mention of his friend Johnny Walker Blue at all!

Nutty i just hope this years location has an open bar, not like the ghost town that was Javits..

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:06 am

Never understood how this guy can drink that much and still kick ass. I think Jersey Paul has always brought out the best in you Scott. Stay in NYC - Vegas is hard enough. Nice writeup.

eddiejag · Post by **eddiejag** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:34 am

New York is a joke for the serious auction player.My biggest reason for going to Vegas is because the AMERICAN league couldnt get a 1300 dollar league the 2nd year, and still havnt since year one.They were lucky to fill up one 1300 dollar league last year and thats the one FANDANGO won.Just checking up on the sign ups now and they have 8 signed up for the 1300 dollar mix league , so that looks pretty good that Fandango will have a chance to defend his title.But the National league has one sign up for the 1.300 dollar league[not happening] and two sign ups for the 650 American league auction.

Just unreal i dont get it , you cant go to NY for auctions unless something crazy happens.

Good luck Fandango in the one 1.300 dollar league that NY has.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:47 am

You had me at "New York is a joke..."

All this rain is making me feisty!

~Lance

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:01 am

Eddie, you haven't been allowed back into NYC since you fell off your chair ass-backwards during the NFFC drafts.

fandango · Post by **fandango** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:49 pm

eddie....i agree, auction leagues are WAY UNDER REPRESENTED in NYC...not sure why....you and me know that is the PURE way to do Fantasy..EVEN PLAYING FIELD....

JOHNNY...WE HITTING THE CLUBS AGAIN FRIDAY NIGHT FOR FRENCH NANNYS?

edited to add: EDDIE, i wouldnt do a AL league with you anyway, you unbeatable...thats why i moved to MIXED

[ January 23, 2008, 11:51 PM: Message edited by: fandango ]