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!