Mantle World Owner Interview - diryn

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with diryn, the longtime owner of the Vancouver Fighting Skeletons franchise.  Diryn joined Mantle in season 11, and is now in his 16nd season of ownership.  The owner of four NL West division championships, he's still waiting for his first NL pennant and World Championship.  Let's find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Diryn: I'm 58, branch manager for Wells Fargo Bank. Married with five kids, three of whom are in college. Five, soon to be six, grandkids. Always lived in Bay area (East Bay). The A's, Raiders, Cal Bears, and Lakers are my favorite teams. Used to even go to LA once a year to see the Raiders until they returned to their real home. Cal Berkeley grad.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Diryn: Fantasy baseball, in same league on ESPN for eleven years now. Golf when I get a chance which isn't very often lately. Jogging; ran the Bay to Breakers this year.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Diryn: Basketball, baseball, and golf. Nothing organized beyond CYO, though. Adequate basketball player; not much of a hitter in baseball.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Diryn: Willie Mays without question is the best baseball player I have ever seen. Reggie, Juan Marichal, Dave Stewart, Tim Hudson are others. Lamonica, Stabler, Bo Jackson, Tim Brown for the Raiders, Jerry West and Magic for the Lakers. Grew up watching Craig Morton throw TD's for Cal.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Diryn: Juan Marichal's no hitter for the Giants against Houston when I was a kid. I was at the Raiders first Super Bowl win against the Vikings at the Rose Bowl in 1977. Watched John Madden being carried off the field by his players, which is not an easy feat.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Diryn: Really, marriage and my family - have been very lucky year after year to do many many things with my wife and family whether vacations, school/sports activities, etc. For one incident maybe the 89 earthquake: watching parked cars moving around, seeing transformers blow, driving home in darkness, finding out where everyone else was - a very strange and almost spooky experience that hopefully will never repeat itself.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Diryn: Probably a light hitting good fielding shortstop; One career home run.

Thank you diryn for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you this season and onward.