Anyone Up For A Baseball Chat Today?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:22 am

Let's see if these new Message Boards can handle a live baseball chat today. I have a few things to take care of first, but let's meet on the boards just before cocktail hour, say 3 EST!!

I'll take questions for an hour and talk smack if needed. Feel free to post some questions here first if needed and I'll jump in after lunch to get the chat started.

Ask me anything, from baseball to Super Bowl to inauguration to LABR to the economy to college hoops. I'm well versed right now.

I've had enough time this last week to watch everything from NFL playoffs to Big Ten Network to Hannity to Larry King to Intervention.

No Oprah, but other than that I've been channel surfing. I'm ready.

Tom is out of the office today enjoying this beautiful 24 degree day before it drops to -8 (-30 with the wind chill) tonight. I'll enjoy the weather during my day off tomorrow!

See ya at 3:00.

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:43 am

1. Can you win 100K with taking Reyes #1 overall?

2. what do you think of Shandler having Joba his #1 SP in the Baseball Forecaster?

3. Who is your #1SP?

4. Who is the better fantasy baseball player, you or Tom?

5. Do you think Kershaw can be a top 15 pitcher this year?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:55 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

1. Can you win 100K with taking Reyes #1 overall?

2. what do you think of Shandler having Joba his #1 SP in the Baseball Forecaster?

3. Who is your #1SP?

4. Who is the better fantasy baseball player, you or Tom?

5. Do you think Kershaw can be a top 15 pitcher this year? Please revise #4 and then I'll answer it this afternoon: Who is the better fantasy baseballplayer, you, Tom or Gekko?

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:55 am

6. More hr's this year: Wieters or Zaun?

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:01 am

Any concerns about hitting your target #'s for the NFBC Main Event? What about the Online Contest?

751542 · Post by **751542** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:01 am

if you were a betting man

1. pitt -7 or ariz +7???

2. when when you take your first closer and how many would you draft n start???

3. "if" a sidebet was made in baseball between RT n zaleski who would you put your money on???u have to answer!! no pr wiggle

4. do you forsee nbc getting involved in fantasy hockey or golf or both??

5. did you see RT for 3 is leading his division in NFBBC???

6.please give us your #1 sleeper in bases and then your deep sleeper please.

7. is it gonna snow in iola this weekend?? never mind stupid question..

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:03 am

If you are the Mets, any chance you let Johan pitch in the WBC?

From what you remember about 2006, any effects the WBC had on players? Pitchers? Hitters?

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:05 am

Have you lined up a Rick Wilton chat yet on these boards? (That is my favorite chat of the year)

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:12 am

Any chance of getting a boxing ring set up from one of the Flamingo's old fights?

I want to see Captain Hook and Walla Walla in the prelim followed up with Thomas and Zaleski in the Main Event.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:14 am

Originally posted by Joe Sambito:

Have you lined up a Rick Wilton chat yet on these boards? (That is my favorite chat of the year) I'll call that and raise a Jason Grey as well.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:14 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Any chance of getting a boxing ring set up from one of the Flamingo's old fights?

I want to see Captain Hook and Walla Walla in the prelim followed up with Thomas and Zaleski in the Main Event.

Thomas is like a flyweight compared to Zaleski!

I don't think they are allowed to fight in the same division under Vegas laws.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:16 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

quote:Originally posted by Joe Sambito:

Have you lined up a Rick Wilton chat yet on these boards? (That is my favorite chat of the year) I'll call that and raise a Jason Grey as well. [/QUOTE]I reached out to Jason this week to see if he would be our first Chat guest, but he hasn't gotten back to me yet. I was hoping to kick off 1-2 of those a week starting next week and have asked Jason and Matthew Pouliot so far. I'll contact Rick Wilton now to see if he can do it and Ron soon too.

eddiejag · Post by **eddiejag** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:16 am

In the Labor draft noticed you and John put big money in Eric Byrnes.He was 32 coming off a career year but those 50 steals fooled many.Will you guy's take gambles like this again or look for safer options on players over 25 dollars.

On the other side of a great upside pick i noticed last year the 2 dollars on Kerry Wood and he was worth 25 dollars.

Can you give us your reasons for these to pick's.

I thought Marmol had that job and most everybody else did by what they went for in drafts.

OK pick one or the other.

Carlos Pena or Joey Votto

Peralta or Drew

Chris Young or Werth

Geinke or Lester

Thanks

751542 · Post by **751542** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:22 am

lol, zaleski vs. thomas...obviously doughboys has never seen us live...alot of people will get a kick out of that...i make didonato look like a giant!!

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:26 am

Actually I have seen both of you. I just figured you would have a speed edge on Zaleski

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:26 am

Originally posted by Joe Sambito:

Any concerns about hitting your target #'s for the NFBC Main Event? What about the Online Contest? I think we all should be concerned about the economy. Yesterday was sobering news when you see that Microsoft is laying off 5,000 people and Sony loses $1.6 billion after projecting a $1.6 billion profit. This recession is getting deeper and deeper and yes I'm concerned by that and how it will affect our final numbers. I continue to stick my neck out on the line with the guaranteed prizes and trust me it's getting tougher and tougher each year in both sports.

That being said, we are almost near 200 signups for the main event and I've talked to a lot of past members who have told me they are coming back. I would like to keep our prize money the same as last year and shoot for 390 not 405 and see if we can reach that level again this year. We are looking good with the auctions and the Ultimates and the Supers again and I think our satellite leagues will be fine, so honestly I feel good about where we are now. I think our main event will be fine, although Orlando is VERY much a concern right now.

I am not worried about the Online Championship League. I think that will be more appealing as we get closer to the draft dates and I predict we will finish above 300 total teams. There is little stress there for me as we are going to build that for sure and the guarantees are not worrisome to me. In this economy, that's a solid contest and could actually benefit by folks who can't do the live events.

I hate this part of the job, but what can you do? If you're coming back and are just waiting to sign up, drop me a line to let me know. It will make me feel better and sleep better at night.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:36 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

1. Can you win 100K with taking Reyes #1 overall?

2. what do you think of Shandler having Joba his #1 SP in the Baseball Forecaster?

3. Who is your #1SP?

4. Who is the better fantasy baseball player, you or Tom?

5. Do you think Kershaw can be a top 15 pitcher this year? 1. Of course you can, although I wouldn't take him No. 1. Even if he just repeats last year's numbers: .297-16-68-56 with 113 runs, that's a fantastic base to build around. And at just 25, there's reason to believe that even better numbers lie ahead if he continues to stay healthy. My concern is that he's still not a great basestealer (79% each of the last three years). Can you imagine how valuable he would be if someone like Davey Lopes worked with him?

2. I was shocked to see that and called Tom over to take a look. Seriously, I think it was for shock value as he has lowered him since. I think it's great that BaseballHQ believes he's going to be a great starting pitcher, but I don't think anyone in baseball believes he's the best pitcher in the majors. And by going that much out on a limb, well, I wouldn't do it. But it's got everyone talking, so it must have worked.

3. Santana over Lincecum.

4. Hah, we have our battles and we've each lost our share. I'll definitely admit that I don't have as much time these days to be a very good fantasy player in either sport. That's why I need a partner in LABR because I'm knee deep in football and the NFFC when April rolls around. Back when I was single, it was easy to read every player note and make trades and pickups before anyone else did. Now with three kids and this crazy day job, I doubt if I could compete with Tom or any of you folks. I just don't have the time needed anymore after Draft Day. Before then, I'm immersed in the player rankings and feel on an equal level, but when the seasons start I'm onto the next sport because that's what my job entails. It's fun, but I don't quite ever enjoy the season at hand.

5. Kershaw is solid, but Top 15 would be asking too much. That kid has as much talent as any youngster, but it takes time for it all to come together. If he finishes as a Top 30 pitcher it will be a remarkable year.

751542 · Post by **751542** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:40 am

speed and endurance would be my ally BUT if he ever got a hold of me i would be in trouble!!! i may have to go "rope a dope" unless this is a sanctioned MMA bout...i think i prefer a 15 rounder...remember i am old school!!

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:42 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

6. More hr's this year: Wieters or Zaun? Pleeeeeeease. Zaun hit .237 and .242 the last two years, so he's a drag on your team even if he wins the starting job. Wieters is a special player and teams give guys like him a chance to sink or swim because they know they can handle the pressure. Doc Gooden was only 19 when the Mets called him up, so don't go crazy on the age. Wieters played three years at Georgia Tech and he's not fresh out of high school. I might be wrong, but I think if the Orioles had any reservations about him for 2009 they wouldn't have shipped Ramon Hernandez so early. But what the hell do I know? I'm going on a hunch and will say Wieters will put up good numbers when all is said and done...certainly better than Zaun.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:44 am

Originally posted by RoundTrippers:

speed and endurance would be my ally BUT if he ever got a hold of me i would be in trouble!!! i may have to go "rope a dope" unless this is a sanctioned MMA bout...i think i prefer a 15 rounder...remember i am old school!! You may want to step up your training if you're going 15 rounds Mr. Old School.

I remember you being a bit worried about that spare tire you found in Novemeber!!!

Nah, don't worry, Z can't go 15 rounds either. Let's change this to 15 BEERS at the Flamingo instead and make peace, not war.

751542 · Post by **751542** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:49 am

i have run 141 straight days(of atleast 30 min) since getting off the plane on sept 4th and plan on running 195 straight days till march 18th, endurance wont be an issue!!! but i am good with the coronas as well.i guess i better start crosstraining!! uuugghhh

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:52 am

Do you feel the 5x5 categories are set in stone for the next 20 years...or do you think there is a chance some change to reflect more accurately a players value?

With modern stat reporting/collecting, it could be a seamless and painless change to some of the "newer" stat categories.

~Lance

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:56 am

Do you think TOUT or LABR could invite Childs to play one year (pay him off to lose) and put this NFBC vs. "experts" thing to bed?

~Lance

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:06 am

Originally posted by RoundTrippers:

5. did you see RT for 3 is leading his division in NFBBC???Rick, how many NFBBC leagues are you in?

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:06 am

Any chance of adding another row of Graemlins to our options.

The evil laugh, a crying one, and my favorite...the straight face, etc.

~Lance

[ January 23, 2009, 12:07 PM: Message edited by: sportsbettingman ]