Q & A with the Owners (hoyanoel)

20th in a series (by 69cubs)

Q & A #20 brings us to an owner, who has more victories than any other owner in Mathewson, who's franchise has more victories than any other franchise in Mathewson history, and more playoff games (and playoff victories) than any other owner in Mathewson!

An owner with 15 1st place, 6 2nd place (5 wild card appearances) and 1 3rd place finish (season 5, but still a wild card appearance) in 22 seasons, even though 4 of first 5 seasons, he did not win the division. Has been in the playoffs 21 of 22 seasons (only missing season 15 but still with an above .500 record). Five World Series appearances (unfortunately no World Series championships yet).

Only 2 seasons below .500 (a first and 2nd place finish in these seasons, both with 80 victories).

If I did not have his name in the title, most of you would already know who I was talking about, one of the most respected owners with one of the most "feared" teams (and ballpark), that is hoyanoel and his Colorado Colorado Crush!

In Mathewson and 22 completed seasons, he has a 2075-1489 (.582) record. Outside of Mathewson, hoyanoel, in 18 seasons, has compiled a 1431-1485 (.491) record with 10 division titles (no additional wild card appearances).

On with the Q & A with hoyanoel

Favorite MLB Team:
Cincinnati Reds

Favorite all-time and/or current player(s):
Don't really have a favorite player, but I'm a huge Jim "leather pants" Bowden fan. I also enjoyed hearing the interviews with the late Ernie Harwell.

Favorite Mathewson player(s) current and/or All time:
By far, it would have to be Brad Green. He was one of the 2 greatest players in this world. John Yashian was well on his well to being one of those franchise great players, but he wanted to test the free agent market.

Significance of team name and/or username:
I got it from the host of a radio show I listened to a long time ago (the Fabulous Sport's Babe).

Favorite non-baseball team/sport:
The Georgetown Hoyas. I've been a fan since i can ever remember.

Background:
I live just little north of Cincinnati, where I'm married with 2 daughters (one was born just after Thanksgiving). After playing traveling softball for 10 years, my time now is spent driving to girl scouts, gymnastics, and play dates.

I managed a logistic company that warehouses and deliveries fitness equipment (both retail and commercial) in the state of Ohio.

Favorite Mathewson moment:
Of the 22 completed seasons, I've made the playoffs every year but 1. I've been fortune to make the World Series 5 times, where I've always lost.

Three things that stick out:
1) Having Brad Green for 18 years.
2) IFA signing of Santiago Johnson. ( I've never had a good pitcher till signing him).
3) Missing out on IFA Harry Javier by less than a million dollars. I think he'll end up being 1 of the best hitters this world has ever seen.

Team you most dislike to face:
Chicago Billy Goats, and New Britian Bombers. They both have owned me forever.

One tip you can share with all:
There are many different ways you can win at this. Find a plan you like and stick with it. Ratings isn't the "end all, be all". In the end it's the numbers that get used, not the player's rating.

Thank You hoyanoel! I don't think you will miss out on that elusive World Series championship too many seasons longer, you are one of the favorites every season to be there at the end!

Q & A with the Owners (todzilla)

19th in a series (by 69cubs)

Next up is an owner, another one with us from day 1, that was among the best (10 straight seasons over 90 victories) for many seasons, until his HOFers retired. Now, he is back in the rebuilding mode trying to regain the glory. Buffalo Blizzard and owner todzilla is who I am referring to.

Except for season 22, where Boston was their home (and coincidentally had their worst record ever and lowest payroll) as Dunn Tire Park was being renovated, Buffalo has been their home for the franchise's history.

In Mathewson, todzilla has guided this Blizzard to a 1884-1680 (.529) with 7 division titles, 2 wild card appearances, 4 World Series appearances and 2 World Series titles!

Overall in HBD, 3908-3544 (.524) in 46 seasons with 11 titles, 10 WC and the 2 Mathewson championships.

On with the Q & A with todzilla

Favorite MLB Team:
I loved the Cardinals growing up, the '85 team is my all time favorite. I used to be able to get KMOX on my transistor radio and listened to Jack Buck.
Now that I live in Colorado, I cheer for the Rockies!

Favorite all-time and/or current player(s):
Willie McGee is my all time favorite, currently I would say Troy Tulowitski.

Favorite Mathewson player(s) current and/or All time:
Favorite is Parker McIntyre, he was my first round pick in season one. Very proud that my trio of HOF guys (McIntyre, Shigetoshi, and Guardado) all played for my franchise their entire careers.

Significance of team name and/or username:
I grew up in Buffalo and if you've been there in the winter, well you know. Todzilla is just a fun name that I could never get anyone to call me.

Favorite non-baseball team/sport:
Buffalo Bills and Sabres...love football and hockey.

Background:
I grew up in Buffalo and have lived in the Denver Area for the past 16 years. I have a 4 year old daughter. I went to Alfred State college for 2 years and finished my BA at SUNY Fredonia.

I work for AAA in Colorado, I manage 2 of the walk in facilities for Travel, Insurance, etc....

Favorite Mathewson moment:
My first World Series in season 5. Everything came together in that season, big hitters and good enough pitching and a few fortunate in season pick ups.

Team you most dislike to face:
I've had a lot of battles with zoobaseballs teams over the years. I have a love hate with Colorado, it was fun to play there, especially when my hitting was good, but it sure hurts the pitching staff. We also traded LCS wins in back to back seasons.

One tip you can share with all:
Don't rush your top prospects to the majors, give them time to develop and max out those ratings.
Have a plan for your franchise and stick to it.

Thank You todzilla! From Buffalo to Denver (coincidentally, the next Q & A is with Colorado), if you ever wanted to be a skier, you are in the right locations!

Q & A with the Owners (sac_lambs)

18th in a series (by 69cubs)

There are a few owners in this world that you know will be back each season and they will be tough (no matter their record), one of them is sac_lambs and his Memphis Blues Boys. Another of the owners that has been here from day 1 of this world and a Mathewson only owner in HBD!

Here is an owner that when you communicate with him (trades, chat, etc), you know you will get a response and a respectful response. That was my opinion even before I read some of his answers below.

In Mathewson, sac_lambs has a 2008-1556 (.563) record with 5 division titles, 8 wild card appearances and has been in two World Series, winning one in season 6 with a 114-48 (.704) record but, only being a wild card team (thanks to the Charlotte Wolfpack's 117 victory season)!

He also is 2nd, in career victories for a single owner (behind only hoyanoel) in Mathewson history. And has managed several HOFers.

On with the Q & A with sac_lambs

Favorite MLB Team:
Atlanta Braves.
My second favorite team is whoever is playing against the New York Yankees!

Favorite all-time and/or current player(s):
Al Kaline of the Detroit Tigers and Sid Hudson, pitcher for the Washington Senators. What a nice man and great storyteller he was.

Currently, my favorite MLB players are Desmond Jennings, Tim Dillard, Mitch Moreland and the retired Jonathan Van Every, Dave Clark and Brian Maxcy because I served as their team chaplain or mentored them in college, high school or American Legion baseball. All of them are good men and good friends.

Favorite Mathewson player(s) current and/or All time:
Hall of Famers Don Gonzales, Kareem Nunnally and Vladimir Valentin. Pitcher Dorian Kinkade will get there eventually.

Significance of team name and/or username:
Memphis has a rich music history and B.B. King is translated "Blues Boy" King.

Favorite non-baseball team/sport:
Any team in the SEC. SEC. SEC.

Background:
Married with children. Live a couple of miles from Elvis' birthplace – just outside of Tupelo, Mississippi. I'm a college campus BSU Director/bi-vocational pastor/church planter. I made my "money" as a newspaper sports writer and columnist for 20-plus years.

I do contract work for the Associated Press about 50 assignments a year - SEC football, basketball, baseball, Bowl games, NCAA/NIT Tournaments, Regional and Super Regional Tournaments. Still enjoy college athletics - players, coaches, schools, stadiums, press boxes, locker rooms and most fans.

Favorite Mathewson moment:
Acquired two HOF players in the same trade - Nunnally and Valentin. Enjoyed winning a World Series. Once.
I want to live long enough to see hoyanoel win a World Series and pville win a division - then I could die a happy man. They need to hurry.

Team you most dislike to face:
I don't dislike any franchise, but I get spanked consistently by lots of teams.

One tip you can share with all:
Get to know the other owners - answer your trade chat and site mail - ask questions, seek insight, offer encouragement.
This is a game - the "players" aren't real - but the owners are, so make friends and enjoy this experience.

Thank You sac_lambs! As a former newspaper sports writer, I will expect a nice article (for the blog) next time your Blues Boys make headlines!

Q & A with the Owners (ws2005sox)

17th in a series (by 69cubs)

I believe the name says it all on who this owner supports, ws2005sox. The Chicago White Sox - World Series champs in 2005! With the exception of two earlier seasons in HBD, ws2005sox has been with his current team for 5 previous seasons and is on his 7th season overall in Mathewson.

Taking over a team that did not get over 67 wins in their previous 9 seasons, ws2005sox has turned this franchise around. Taking over after a 61 win season, this owner started to clean house and rebuild. Season 19 only saw a one game improvement in standings, but a different mindset for the franchise! Season 20 with 77 wins (15 game improvement), that was this franchises most wins in 14 seasons! Then in season 21, they exploded with a franchise best 97 wins and 20 games improvement AND their first ever 1st place finish! Unfortunately, they lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Season 22 and season 23, Tampa Bay has returned to good status, finishing season 22 in 2nd place and in a battle with Richmond in season 23 for the division title and a couple teams for the 2nd wild card spot.

Going into this season ws2005sox has a 464-508 (.477) record with the one division title.

On with the Q & A with ws2005sox

Favorite MLB Team:
I think the name says it all, Chicago White Sox!

Favorite all-time and/or current player(s):
favorite player All-time is the BIG Hurt, Frank Thomas. Another favorite is a player I once met, not a superstar, but an average player, Wayne Nordhagen.
Currently, I am looking forward to seeing Gordon Beckham mature and hopefully become an outstanding player.

Favorite Mathewson player(s) current and/or All time:
From my team now, Cozy Ponson and also rookie, Rolando Cortez. Do not really have one from the past yet.

Significance of team name and/or username:
The user name I use is the Chicago White Sox from 2005 when they won the Series. The team name was the USFL football team name for Tampa Bay.

Favorite non-baseball team/sport:
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Background:
Born, raised in Chicago area. Lived for about 5 years a couple miles from Frank Thomas's home. I work a regional position for the Hertz company and try to stay active when time and family allows!

Favorite Mathewson moment:
The 97 win season and being in the playoffs. I would love to get in again and make more noise in the playoffs.

Team you most dislike to face:
My first thought would be the Jackson Sizzle, but, since he has controlled the division, he is who I want to face and beat, so far 4-3 against him this season. But, I always have a tough time with Honolulu, plus, they knocked me out of the playoffs in season 21, too.

One tip you can share with all:
I rebuilt this team in a couple seasons, be smart and rebuilding should not take as many as "5" seasons. It can be done in a shorter time. To rebuild, you must be ready to trade very good players for an opportunity to get a great player!

Thank You ws2005sox! If the White Sox can do it, so can you!

Q & A with the Owners (pville)

16th in a series (by 69cubs)

We hit the half way mark of the Q & A's!

Next up is another of our original owners who has been with us since Day 1 and has kept his team in the same city (and name) since then also. There are some loyal fans down in Texas supporting this team as they have a history of struggling in the standings. But, with that support and the determination of the owner to give Texas a team, this franchise has stayed intact! This season, the Texas Steers have an opportunity to have or come close to their best record in franchise history.

Owner "pville" has a Mathewson World record of 1386-2178 (.389). While overall, including the 22 completed Mathewson, pville has completed 32 seasons in HBD with an overall record of 2025-3159 (.391) with one division title (lost in a AL championship series) and a 7-5 playoff record.

On with the Q & A with pville

Favorite MLB Team:
Texas Rangers. Have been following them since mid-80's.

Favorite all-time and/or current player(s):
favorite player from the past is Cliff Johnson as I met him as a child at the Astrodome.
Favorite player currently is Ian Kinsler for his all around skills.

Favorite Mathewson player(s) current and/or All time:
Lonny Pujols from his early years coming up through my farm system years before I traded him.
Current player is Leo Schoeneweis for the same reason.

Significance of team name and/or username:
The user name I use is pville which is a shortened version of my high school Pflugerville located just north of Austin, Texas.
The team name is what you would expect to find a lot of in Texas. It also is a variation of my favorite college team the Texas Longhorns.

Favorite non-baseball team/sport:
Texas Longhorns

Background:
Born, raised and still live in Austin, Texas. I have worked for the Department of State Health Services for 13 years. I am the Inventory Coordinator at the Laboratory.

Favorite Mathewson moment:
None, still waiting to create it.

Team you most dislike to face:
Seattle. No matter the record of either team, we can't win.

One tip you can share with all:
None. I'm still trying to figure this game out.

Thank You pville! The Texas Rangers took awhile to get on the right track and now look at them!

Q & A with the Owners (ptoday)

15th in a series (by 69cubs)

This owner could have been given a nickname of "Band Aid" by his early seasons in Mathewson. As owner of his current team, ptoday is on his 5th season with this franchise. Seasons 4, 6, 8, 22 and the current season 23. He came in the earlier seasons as an owner to maintain a team until a more permanent owner was found, but kept winding back with the same franchise, where he is today. A list of his franchises:

1) current Cheyenne Wranglers (no playoff appearances)
---4 completed seasons with a record of 286-362 (.441)
2) the current Boise Spuds (no playoff appearances)
---1 season with a record of 60-102 (.370)
3) the current New York Mobsters (3-1st place finishes)
---7 seasons with a record of 596-538 (.526)
4) outside of Mathewson (1 - 1st place and 1 WC)
---4 seasons with a record of 316-332 (.488)

On with the Q & A with ptoday

Favorite MLB Team:
Minnesota Twins

Favorite all-time and/or current player(s):
Harmon Killebrew and Frank Viola.

Favorite Mathewson player(s) current and/or All time:
When I had the team in Chicago, the ace of my staff and my favorite player was Jackie Little. On my current team, I like Marshall Dorsey, even though he has a durability rating of 52, he makes the most of the time I can give him.

Significance of team name and/or username:
My user name comes from when I first started HBD. I was at work and was told about this, I wanted to take a day off that day. The requested days off were called PTO days for "Paid Time Off". So, I put the 2 together and got ptoday!

Favorite non-baseball team/sport:
Dallas Stars, but was more of a fan when they were the Minnesota North Stars!

Background:
Minneapolis, if you could not guess from my teams! Played hockey while younger, but now, just work and family is my life!

Favorite Mathewson moment:
My time with the Chicago franchise (now the New York Mobsters), that is when I decided that I would spend more time with HBD. But, I am hoping to make more moments with this franchise.

Team you most dislike to face:
So far, I have done well within the division, BUT, outside the division, I am getting beaten up pretty good (especially by Memphis)!

One tip you can share with all:
Still trying to figure out my own strategy. My best seasons with Chicago (New York) were a benefit of the previous owner (bobcat_grad) leaving a very good team! I took over the team right after they won the World Series!

Thank You ptoday! You like to be in different cities regularly just like some of the Minnesota teams, North Stars, Lakers!

Q & A with the owners (noah79)

14th in a series (by 69cubs)

An owner who appears to be working on becoming known as the rebuilder is noah79. He has been involved with 2 franchises.

First he joined Mathewson in season 18 taking over in midseason the Boston Americans (now known as the Pittsburgh franchise). This franchise had NEVER won more than 73 games. noah79 guided this team to 80 victories and a new attitude. Followed that up in season 19 (moved to Washinton DC) with 105 victories (2nd place to the Chicago Billy Goats and their 108 victories). Fell back a little in season 20 to 83 victories where his desire to own an NL franchise had him leave this franchise in plymouth71's very capable hands.

Season 21 saw noah79 takeover a franchise that an owner (sonneboy2000) turned from an 80 win season to a 59 win season in 2 seasons. noah79 took this franchise and rebuilt it. Season 21 was getting rid of the deadwood and only 51 victories. Season 21 saw the change start with 66 victories (15 game improvement) and season 23 has this team on a pace for about 77 wins. Some key acquisitions has this team primed for more improvement next season.

Overall in Mathewson (and HBD), noah79 has compiled a 385-425(.475)record in 5 completed seasons with only one WC appearances in the 5 total seasons.

On with the Q & A with noah79

Favorite MLB Team:
Washington Nationals, was a Montreal Expo fan

Favorite all-time and/or current player(s):
Andre Dawson and Henry Aaron! Currently, I will go with Strasburg as he appears to be the one who will lead the National's franchise going forward with Bryce Harper.

Favorite Mathewson player(s) current and/or All time:
Troy Coles on my current team. I expect him to be my catcher for a long time. While with Washington (Pittsburgh), a big fan of Jackie Little, who went 40-15 for me before I traded him in season 20 (at the age of 36) for 3 players thinking he was almost done. NOTE: Little is still pitching (age 39) and has gone 32-17 since I traded him.

Significance of team name and/or username:
Milwaukee Braves - Hammerin Hank's team!

My user name is my son's name, the 79 has no significance.

Favorite non-baseball team/sport:
Indianapolis Colts! Bye, bye Peyton! But, will still be a fan!.

Background:
Grew up in the Buffalo area. currently live still in the NE. I am a teacher/high school basketball coach.
My secret interest is that I am a member of the WWE Universe!

Favorite Mathewson moment:
105 wins for the season 19 Washington Nationals, everything was going right until those Billy Goats took 1st place and I flopped in the playoffs. But 105 wins in my second season was my favorite moment. I feel that my current Milwaukee Braves will lead me into some favorite moments

Team you most dislike to face:
Luckily, I don't play the Billy Goats, especially with that win streak he has. So, the team I will claim for this is the Omah Cobfathers, they have given me a lot of trouble this season!

One tip you can share with all:
A good mix of youth and veterans, geared more towards the youth will allow you to grow a team and keep it competitive for many seasons.Hopefully this tip works for me!

Thank You noah79! Wrestlemania tickets or an HBD World Series championship, which would you want more?!?

Q & A with the Owners (rcf106)

13th in a series (by 69cubs)

rcf106, owner of the Richmond Riot, is on his 14th season in Mathewson. He took over a team that had won only 49 games the previous season and never had a .500 record. Last 2 seasons the Riot have been above .500 and this season, they are in a position to make thier first playoff appearance in their franchise history.
Overall in 13 seasons in Mathewson, rcf106 has a 940-1166 (.446) record.

Overall in HBD, rcf106 has compiled a 6686-7246 (.480) with 14 division titles and an additional 8 WC appearances in 86 total seasons.

On with the Q & A with rcf106

Favorite MLB Team:
Arizona Diamondbacks

Favorite all-time and/or current player(s):
Dale Murphy. Back in the early 80’s, when my family finally got hooked up to cable TV, we were perpetually tuned to TBS. Murph was and still is my all-time favorite.

Favorite Matthewson player(s) current and/or All time:
To be determined. I have some stud prospects that are just now hitting ML. I’ll get back to you on that one in a few seasons.

Significance of team name and/or username:
There is no significance to the team name. I just thought it worked well.

My user name is my initials and my ID number at work.

Favorite non-baseball team/sport:
Notre Dame football. I was born in South Bend, Indiana so my dad made sure I had very little say so in this.

Background:
I have lived my entire adult life in Arizona. I have been in law enforcement since 1990 and look forward to putting in another 8 years or so and retiring with a nice pension at a fairly young age.

I’m also proud to say that I am approaching 10 years as a member of WIS, having joined on March 3, 2002.

Favorite Matthewson moment:
Again, to be determined. So far, this season has been good. I hope to hang on and win what has become a very tough NL South (probably just jinxed myself).

Team you most dislike to face:
Colorado seems to be the consensus and I can’t disagree with that. I can’t entirely blame the park because they always come to my place and beat the tar out of me each time.

One tip you can share with all:
Draft wisely, develop your prospects and avoid the temptation to make dumb trades that you’ll regret later on.

Thank You rcf106! Law enforcement (definitely something to be proud of)...that is now a warning to all when your team goes into Richmond (and Arizona)!