NFBC Weekly Profile - Joe Anthony

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 3:55 am

When the All-Star break rolls around, the pressure begins to mount. At this point in the season, fantasy owners typically know if their teams have what it takes to make a championship run and what needs to be accomplished the rest of the way for that to occur.

It’s no different in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship’s Main Event. With 15 weeks in the books, the race for the $100,000 has begun to heat up with interest. Lindy Hinkelman continues to have a firm grip on the top spot but a number of challengers are poised to make a run at fantasy baseball immortality.

One of those teams belongs to Joe Anthony.

Anthony’s team in New York League 5 is in prime position to make a spirited run at the overall title this year. When play resumes on Thursday, his team will be in sixth place in the overall standings, a little more than 200 points removed from the Top 3.

“Health will be the most important thing I need the rest of the season,” he said. “I’ll need Hanley (Ramirez) to play like he’s capable and (Tim) Lincecum to go on one of his rolls. Other than that, my team needs the rest of the pitching staff to play above their heads for the balance of the season to pull out the league championship and push for the overall title. I also need to make up some stolen bases and batting average, so I have some work to do. But I’ll keep grinding.”

One of the keys to Anthony’s run toward the top of the Main Event standings thus far has been notable contributions from a group of players he targeted in the ninth round or later. Carlos Quentin, Michael Bourn, Neil Walker, Alfonso Soriano, Lance Berkman and Alex Avila were all found in the latter stages of his draft and all have delivered admirably thus far.

“I tried to script my first 20 picks and I got lot of my targets,” he said. “I intended to grab an elite starting pitcher in Rounds 3 or 4, an elite closer in the sixth or seventh and wait on outfielders until the ninth or 10th.

“I followed my plan pretty much but I had to adapt immediately. I had the seventh pick and Hanley fell to me. Ryan Howard then fell in the second and incredibly, Lincecum made it back to me in the third. I really thought that Hanley, Howard and Lincecum was a heck of a start and great anchors to the team. However, they haven’t been as good as expected. Brian McCann (fourth round), Quentin (ninth), Bourn (10th), C.J. Wilson (15th), Soriano (17th), Berkman (21st), Avila (24th) and Alexi Ogando (27th) have been the difference makers so far – especially Berkman.”

With a strong draft and good health to date, Anthony hasn’t needed to be overly active on the Waiver Wire. Among some of his key pickups so far have been Sergio Santos, Justin Smoak and Josh Tomlin.

“Santos and Tomlin have been fantastic for the most part,” he said. “They’ve become very important parts of my team surprisingly. Smoak was hot when I got him but he’s cooled since and found his way on my bench for now.”

The 36-year-old Anthony is a seasoned vet of both fantasy baseball and the NFBC. He has been playing fantasy baseball since the late ‘90s and has been part of the NFBC for the past five years. He’s engaged and lives in Clayton, N.C. and works as a Senior Supervisor of Purification at Biogen Idec.

Anthony received a strong taste of NFBC success last year when he won a league title. He’s hoping the lessons he learned and experience gained will help him steer the course toward another league title – and possibly much more – in 2011.

“My title last year came in Atlantic City in a league that included (2010 Main Event champion) Steve Jupinka, Eddie Gillis and Ken Magner,” Anthony said. “I think that experience surely made me a stronger NFBC player. The NFBC is a big challenge and I love it.”

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:42 am

Joe is one of the best.

The thought of him getting stronger is a little scary.

Had a few chances to 'talk' with him during the contract draft. As good of guy as he is a player.

Go get 'em Joe.

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:26 am

I battled Joe, without success, last season in Atlantic City. He made it a point to say hello prior to the draft this year which meant a lot to both myself and my son. Great guy and a player that knows his stuff. When you see his name in your league, the battle won't be easy.

Hoping you ride the right arm of Tim Lincecum with that top team Joe. Best of luck the rest of the way.

rockitsauce · Post by **rockitsauce** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 7:30 pm

the hell w/ that dos equis poser....Joe is the man!

Cobb · Post by **Cobb** » Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:24 pm

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Joe is one of the best.

The thought of him getting stronger is a little scary.

Had a few chances to 'talk' with him during the contract draft. As good of guy as he is a player.

Go get 'em Joe. Thanks Dan, I appreciate the kind words...but I'm certainly not in the same class of good guys as Doughboys!

Cobb · Post by **Cobb** » Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:32 pm

Originally posted by Sack:

I battled Joe, without success, last season in Atlantic City. He made it a point to say hello prior to the draft this year which meant a lot to both myself and my son. Great guy and a player that knows his stuff. When you see his name in your league, the battle won't be easy.

Hoping you ride the right arm of Tim Lincecum with that top team Joe. Best of luck the rest of the way. Boy Ken, you're really paying me back in spades in AC this year, huh...I certainly prefer when Kenny facilitates the draft!

Oh I know you need that right arm of Lincecum as well, so give him a little Sack luck for me!

Thanks for the shout out. Good luck the rest of the way.

Cobb · Post by **Cobb** » Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:39 pm

Originally posted by rockitsauce:

the hell w/ that dos equis poser....Joe is the man!

I think you're a bit biased!

Did you know that Intersting Man was a bad guy in an episode of the A Team called Uncle Buckleup. He was a wimpy follower of the big bad guy in the episode...Lt.Mouser from Police Academy! So yeah, he is a bigger poser!

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 3:56 am

The man with two first names. Always a crowd pleaser (sorry couldnt resist

)

Yet another beast from the east I gladly miss during the Vegas trip

Keep banging Cobb !

Cobb · Post by **Cobb** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:55 am

Originally posted by Quahogs:

The man with two first names. Always a crowd pleaser (sorry couldnt resist

)

Yet another beast from the east I gladly miss during the Vegas trip

Keep banging Cobb ! Thanks Steve. I have to tell you that although I would of loved a rubber match, I didn't shed a tear when we ended up in different AC leagues!

Keep plugging away buddy...Quahogs LV is lurking!

[ July 16, 2011, 02:56 PM: Message edited by: Cobb ]

Ryan C · Post by **Ryan C** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 2:58 am

Glad to see someone from NY 5 representing! Met Joe on draft day and will say I am rooting for you Joe.

I still remember the look on Joe's face when Hanley fell to him in the draft! He took most of his time to decide , as it was clear he didn't expect Hanley to be there for him. I was the facilitator and Hanley's drop to number & created a lot of buzz at the table. After that Joe settled in and definitely had a plan going the rest of the way. We chatted after the draft and I think I told him then he was my pick for this league (granted based a lot on Hanley). Good Luck in the second half Joe!

Cobb · Post by **Cobb** » Wed Jul 20, 2011 10:03 am

Originally posted by Ryan C:

Glad to see someone from NY 5 representing! Met Joe on draft day and will say I am rooting for you Joe.

I still remember the look on Joe's face when Hanley fell to him in the draft! He took most of his time to decide , as it was clear he didn't expect Hanley to be there for him. I was the facilitator and Hanley's drop to number & created a lot of buzz at the table. After that Joe settled in and definitely had a plan going the rest of the way. We chatted after the draft and I think I told him then he was my pick for this league (granted based a lot on Hanley). Good Luck in the second half Joe! Thanks Ryan, it was a pleasure meeting you in NY. Taking Hanley at #7 was not a tough decision, but I certainly was surprised. I followed The Ice Cream Man's lead and took some extra time in the 1st round to give Craig K. some extra time to get to the draft since he was late...not as much extra time as him, but I was ready for Hanley in about 0.5 seconds!

Thankfully Hanley has started to pick it up a little, but that pick hasn't been what we all thought it would be. I really have a battle ahead for a top 10 finish and NY5 is going to be a dogfight till the end with some strong players in the league, but I'll keep plugging away!