Proposal to Eliminate Minor League Pitching Rule Soundly Defeated

A discussion in the Mantle world chat about the minor league pitching rule that was put in place effective with season 21 led to a proposal that the rule be repealed.  The rule requires that all teams must keep healthy pitching staffs at all minor league levels.  The proposal to repeal the rule was put up to a vote, and has been soundly defeated.

Final voting results are as follows:

Yes (repeal the rule) - 8 votes (30.8%)
No (keep the existing rule in place) - 18 votes (69.2%)
No preference - 3 votes (not included)
Did not vote - 3

Results: DEFEATED - current rule to remain in place

According to Mantle world rules, this rule must remain in place for at least another three seasons, and cannot be considered for repeal again until season 36.

Season 32 Hall of Fame Voting Results

Here are the complete results for Hall of Fame voting for season 32 (last season's votes in parenthesis):

Geoffrey Blair - 14 (11)
Marino Tejera - 9 (7)
Damaso Lopez 7 (12)
John Kim - 6
Mitch Ledee -5 (8)
Todd Webster - 4 (6) 
Omar Flores - 4 (1)
Tyrone Hamilton -3 (2) 
Omar Siqueiros - 3 (2)
Dick Orosco - 3 (2)
Jim Aurilia - 2
Don Yoshii - 2 (3)
Domingo Pizzaro - 2 (3)
Roger Heath - 2 (2)
Carmine Byrd - 2
Theo Davies - 2
Giovanni Gray - 1
James Barnes - 1
Midre Bonilla - 1
Yorrick Benard - 1
Johan McInerney - 1 (2)
John Blake - 1 (1)
Dennys Franco - 1 

Season 31 Hall of Fame Voting Results

Here are the complete results for Hall of Fame voting for season 31 (last season's votes in parenthesis):

Gary Blake - 14 (14)
Damaso Lopez -12 (10)
Geoffrey Blair - 11
Alfredo Valentin - 10 (8) 
Mitch Ledee - 8
Marino Tejera - 7
Todd Webster - 6 (5)
Domingo Pizzaro - 3
Pat Masao - 3 (6)
Don Yoshii - 3 (1)
Roger Heath - 2 (2)
Johan McInerney - 2 (3)
Tyrone Hamilton -2 (1) 
Omar Siqueiros - 2 (2)
Dick Orosco - 2 (2)
Kyle Stone - 1
Scott Hall - 1 (1)
John Blake - 1 (1)
Peter Pong - 1
Omar Flores - 1 (6)
Carlos Barcelo - 1
Tony Mendoza - 1

Season 30 Hall of Fame Voting Results

Here are the complete results for Hall of Fame voting for season 30 (last season's votes in parenthesis):

Gary Blake - 14 (14)
Damaso Lopez -10 (12)
Mark Parker - 10 (12)
Ahmed Sanford - 9 (13)
Alfredo Valentin - 8 (9)
Omar Flores - 6
Pat Masao - 6 (6)
Cesar Urbina - 5 (2)
Todd Webster - 5
John Kim - 4 (2)
Johan McInerney - 3 (3)
Dick Orosco - 2
Omar Siqueiros - 2 (2)
Roger Heath - 2 (1)
Esteban Moreno - 1 (1)
Dan King - 1 (1)
John Blake - 1 (1)
Dennys Franco - 1
Don Yoshii - 1 (3)
Yorrick Benard - 1 (1)
Tyrone Hamilton -1 (2) 
Midre Bonilla -1 (2)
Scott Hall - 1 (1)
Bey Meacham - 1 (2)
Jim Aurilia - 1 (1)

Season 29 Hall of Fame Voting Results

Here are the complete results for Hall of Fame voting for season 29 (last season's votes in parenthesis):

Vance Collier - 20 (14) (Elected)
Gary Blake - 14 (16)
Ahmed Sanford - 13 (12)
Damaso Lopez -12 (8)
Mark Parker - 12 (7)
Alfredo Valentin - 9 (8)
Pat Masao - 6 (7)
Johan McInerney - 3 (3)
Don Yoshii - 3 (3)
Cesar Urbina - 2 (3)
Omar Siqueiros - 2 (1)
John Kim -2 (1)
Tyrone Hamilton -2 (5)
Rob Becker - 2 (3)
Midre Bonilla - 2
Bey Meacham - 2 (1)
Scott Hall - 1 (1)
Dan King - 1 (1)
Esteban Moreno - 1
Roger Heath - 1
Harry Martinez - 1 (1)
Jim Aurilia - 1
Yorrick Benard - 1 (1)
Joseph Yoshii - 1
John Blake - 1
Pablo Ordonez - 1

No Cash in Trades Before Rule 5 Freeze Rule Adopted

An accepted (and subsequently vetoed) trade during the pre-season in Mantle season 29 in which cash was being included in the deal at the start of the free agency period led to a fair amount of discussion in the world chat.  A number of owners felt strongly that cash being exchanged in deals at this particular point in the season was giving the receiving owners an advantage during free agency.  This led to a proposed new world rule which was put up for a vote, and has passed.

Starting in season 30, cash cannot be included in any trade before the Rule 5 freeze day.  Any such trade that is offered and accepted should be vetoed by the other 30 owners in Mantle.

Final voting results are as follows:

Yes - 15 votes (65.2%)
No - 8 votes (34.8%)
No preference - 5 votes (not included)
Did not vote - 4

Results: PASSED - rule to be adopted starting in season 30

Commissioner's Challenge Award (S28)

The "Commissioner's Challenge Award" is given to the team that had the most wins during the season without making the playoffs.

I'm happy to announce the season 28 winner of a $5 WIS Gift Certificate is tecwrg of the Scranton Apollos, whose 88 wins was just two games short of earning a post-season appearance.

1) 88 wins - Scranton Apollos (tecwrg)
2t) 84 wins - Chicago Black Sox (tomq)
2t) 84 wins - San Francisco Oles (evegoe)
2t) 84 wins - Cincinnati Mini Men (raidersfan)
5) 83 wins - Oklahoma City Power Failure (coneheads)
6) 82 wins - Boston Minutemen (hawger)
7t) 79 wins - Colorado Springs Mile High Marines (brendanjod)
7t) 79 wins - Albuquerque Roadrunners (tedwmoore)
9t) 76 wins - Jackson Bootleggers (rugrat)
9t) 76 wins - Atlanta Blue (bkpeters)
11t) 72 wins - Iowa City Hawksux (bjschumacher)
11t) 72 wins - Washington D.C. Metros (jmaese)
13t) 71 wins - Baltimore Honey Nut Cheerios (iain)
13t) 71 wins - Toronto Eh's (mikeg740)
15) 70 wins - Buffalo Blizzard (sir_slamalot)
16) 63 wins - Rochester Rochy Road Rochstars (indiansrck27)
17) 61 wins - Richmond Generals (dgtrache)
18) 59 wins - Omaha Barn Owls (fireattack)
19) 57 wins - Pawtucket Patriots (dudejustice)
20) 56 wins - Florida Lockdown (welsh5)

Season 28 Hall of Fame Voting Results

Here are the complete results for Hall of Fame voting for season 28 (last season's votes in parenthesis):

Bill Hewson - 19 (Elected)
Gary Blake - 16 (9)
Vance Collier - 14 (12)
Ahmed Sanford - 12 (10)
Damaso Lopez - 8
Alfredo Valentin - 8 (7)
Pat Masao - 7 (2)
Mark Parker - 7 (9)
Tyrone Hamilton - 5
Don Yoshii - 3 (6)
Rob Becker - 3 (5)
Cesar Urbina - 3 (8)
Dick Orosco - 3 (3)
Johan McInerney - 3
Omar Siqueiros - 1 (2)
Scott Hall - 1
Bey Meacham - 1 (2)
Bronson Gibson - 1 (1)
Yorrick Benard - 1 (1)
Philip Ray - 1 (2)
Harry Martinez - 1 (1)
John Kim - 1
Paul Ishii - 1 (2)
Dan King - 1 (1)

Mantle World Owner Interview - silentpadna

In our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interview of season 28, we chat with silentpadna, the new owner of the Seattle People's Republic franchise.  The Evil Panda takes over a franchise that has gone through a lengthy rebuild but has not been able to get over the hump to the promised land of a World Series title.  Padna is actually a returning owner, having won three Mantle World Series titles in a previous 13 season stint with the Norfolk/Pittsburgh (currently Pawtucket) franchise.  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Silentpadna: I just turned 50, but have a young family which keeps me young and wears me out at the same time. I work in a technical profession because I can and it's what I’ve done. I'd rather be in business and finance, but I haven’t found that door to open yet. I'm from the Atlanta area now, but grew up in Seattle. That’s where my sports allegiances are. When I heard that Forbes report about a year or two ago that Atlanta was the "Second most miserable sports town in the US", as measured by local teams' sports success, I was happy. Why? Because I had just moved away from the most miserable….I'm still tied to my Seattle teams anyway.

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

Silentpadna: Hardball Dynasty takes all of my time of course. Nah, actually I like to follow my teams, I like to golf, bowl, play a little hoops when my ankle lets me. I like the Xbox as an outlet – the Madden, NCAA and sports games. I would not classify myself a "gamer" though in any sense. I enjoy political and philosophical discourse and sometimes the debate parts of that. I enjoy coaching my kids in sports when time allows, teaching them how to hack on the guitar (which is about my ability level – I hack by ear…).

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Silentpadna: I was a decent basketball player and played a little bit of that. I’m not an athlete per se – no natural speed or jumping ability. But I did have good hand-eye coordination and was able to develop skills through technique, practice, and game study. By the time I got later into high school, I was too busy with outside work, so even though I was good enough to make the team, I didn’t actually play varsity sports. I got better at that while in the Navy and played quite a bit in my 20s. I also was an avid bowler as a teenager (got way way way better later in life).

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Silentpadna: I like high character guys who get every last drop out of their abilities, but aren't "above everyone else". Locally, Steve Largent and Edgar Martinez qualify. The guys on my list are guys that I remember watching, not just guys my dad (a sports beat writer) liked before I even followed sports. My favorite guys to watch in terms of sheer athletic ability were Barry Sanders, Michael Jordan, Barry Bonds (even before the 'roids), Peyton Manning. Felix Hernandez is another high character guy with positively filthy stuff. I was following him when he was a 17 year old in rookie ball. You knew he was special, even then.

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

Silentpadna: I mentioned earlier that I was an avid bowler who got much better later in life. I actually toured with the PBA for one summer (1995). Never made the TV show. Although I was marginal on a national level, I was good enough to make money in regional events quite regularly and beating some of my "heroes" in match play in some of the tournaments was probably the best thing. My first 300 game (of many) back in 1984 also has to rank right up there. At that time, they were not nearly as common as they are today.

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

Silentpadna: Being a family man, my wedding and the births of our three kids all rank right at the top.

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

Silentpadna: I'm kinda built like a catcher these days, so I'd have to pick that. I'd be a catcher with an accurate, but not super strong arm, very high PC. I'd have moderate hitting ability as a switch hitter and gap power.

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

Mantle World Owner Interview - wilhitec

In our next "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interview of season 28, we chat with wilhitec, the new owner of the Monterrey Jacks franchise.  Wilhitec brings a solid track record with him as one of our newest owners.  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Wilhitec: ...live in Cincinnati OH...mid 30's, married w/ 2 daughters...work as a finance manager for Coca Cola.

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

Wilhitec: I'm a big sports nut, especially football, college hoops, and NASCAR. I am also a Divison II college football official.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Wilhitec: I dabbled in baseball...but primarily Basketball, and Junior Olympic Volleyball for a couple of years.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Wilhitec: Fred McGriff...doesn't get the respect he deserves!

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

Wilhitec: I was in attendance at Tom Browning's perfect game for the Reds. There was a 2 hour rain delay before game, probably wouldn't have stayed, but by Dad had gotten suite tickets through his work. There may have only been less than 10k people truly there at the end of the game!

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

Wilhitec: Birth of 2 daughters.

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

Wilhitec: RF...anybody can do it...right???!!!

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

Mantle World Owner Interview - bjschumacher

It's a new season, and we've got a new crop of owners joining (or rejoining) Mantle, so it's time to get to meet the new guys.  In our first "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interview of season 28, we chat with bjschumacher, the new owner of the Iowa City Hawksux franchise.  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Bjschumacher: Been a structural engineer since 1982. Recently started my own structural engineering firm. I have a loving wife, 3 grown sons, and one grand daughter. Live in eastern Iowa. Fan of the Iowa State Cyclones, along with the Kansas City and Chicago professional sports franchises.

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

Bjschumacher: Stock trading, golf, home brewing, Hawaii.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Bjschumacher: Some baseball and football, but not good enough to carry it into high school. Tiddlywinks - does that count?.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Bjschumacher: Wow, tough one. Always loved watching the Chiefs and Royals growing up, so Len Dawson, Otis Taylor, Buck Buchanan, Willie Lanier, Fred Patek, Amos Otis, Lou Piniella, George Brett, just to name a few. Oh, and have the ultimate respect for the late Walter Payton. The Fridge - not so much.

Leon Durham muffs it

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

Bjschumacher: Watching the Royals win Game 5 in St Louis in the 1985 World Series. Also will never forget the Cubs blowing a 2-0 game lead in the 1984 National League series to the Padres. Leon Durham, right though the legs ala Bill Buckner. And following the Bears in their 1985 1-loss Super Bowl season. Damn Dolphins.

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

Bjschumacher: Obviously raising my 3 boys, and my wedding day. Got way too drunk the night before, and almost missed it.

Bill James

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

Bjschumacher: Statistician would be my best position. Love building spreadsheets and crunching numbers.

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

Commissioner's Challenge Award (S27)

The "Commissioner's Challenge Award" is given to the team that had the most wins during the season without making the playoffs.

I'm happy to announce the season 27 winner of a $5 WIS Gift Certificate is deathinahole of the Wichita Judy Garlands, whose 85 wins was just three games short of earning a post-season appearance.

1) 85 wins - Wichita Judy Garlands (deathinahole)
2) 84 wins - Boston Minutemen (hawger)
3) 82 wins - San Francisco Oles (evegoe)
4) 81 wins - Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes (MikeT23)
5) 80 wins - Richmond Generals (dgtrache)
6) 78 wins - Atlanta Blue (bkpeters)
7t) 77 wins - Detroit Tigers (repsher)
7t) 77 wins - Pawtucket Patriots (dudejustice)
7t) 77 wins - Vancouver Fighting Skeletons (diryn)
10) 76 wins - Arizona Arachnophobia (ericsomsel)
11t) 73 wins - Burlington Catamounts (dwoolery)
11t) 73 wins - Florida Lockdown (welsh5)
13t) 72 wins - Baltimore Honey Nut Cheerios (iain)
13t) 72 wins - Oklahoma City Power Failure (coneheads)
15) 71 wins - Little Rock Cigars (shanklsa)
16) 70 wins - Milwaukee Suds (battmann)
17) 69 wins - Toronto Eh's (mikeg740)
18) 68 wins - Scranton Apollos (tecwrg)
19) 65 wins - Durham Bulls (bertrand93)
20) 63 wins - Omaha Middle Americans (coachmoss)

Season 27 Hall of Fame Voting Results

Here are the complete results for Hall of Fame voting for season 27 (last season's votes in parenthesis):

Vance Collier - 12 (14)
Ahmed Sanford - 10 (9)
Mark Parker - 9 (12)
Gary Blake - 9 (8)
Cesar Urbina - 8 (8)
Alfredo Valentin - 7 (4)
Don Yoshii - 6 (4)
Rob Becker - 5 (7)
Dick Orosco - 3
Jim Aurilia - 3
Bey Meacham - 2 (4)
Pat Masao - 2 (3)
Domingo Pizzaro - 2
Omar Siqueiros - 2
Paul Ishii - 2 (1)
Philip Ray - 2 (2)
Yorrick Benard - 1
Esteban Moreno - 1 (2)
Al Ramirez - 1 (1)
Jason Benes - 1 (2)
Tony Mendoza - 1
Clay Runyan - 1
Howie Curtis - 1 (1)
Dan King - 1 (1)
Harry Martinez - 1 (2)
Goose Michalak - 1
Bronson Gibson - 1 (1)
Joseph Yoshii - 1 (1)

Mantle World Owner Interview - deathinahole

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with deathinahole, the owner of the Wichita Judy Garlands franchise.  DIAH joined Mantle at the beginning of the current season (season 27) and brings a unique style and personality with him.  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Deathinahole: 45 year old married father of four daughters ranging in age from 17 to 22. Data analyst in a large general insurance company. Extremely whipped, but also stunningly good looking. Living with undiagnosed Aspergers syndrome.

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

Deathinahole: We have an acre in the country, so we have a hobby farm with chickens and rabbits, and hopefully next year a goat. Also trying to start my own business with an idea I've had developing for years. On draft number 183 of the requirements.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Deathinahole: Curling was #1. The most mocked sport until someone plays it, and then they can't wait to play again.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Deathinahole: Darryl Sittler. Dave Stieb. Steve Largent.

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

Deathinahole: I was at Darryl Sittler`s NHL record 10 point game, Feb 7, 1976. Jimmy Key's final game as a Jay when he was trying to hold off the tears after he was pulled from the game, then saluted the crowd anyway because of the standing o.

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

Deathinahole: The birth of my daughters. My vasectomy.

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

Deathinahole: 0 speed (fat kids used to beat me at the 100 yd dash), 10 range, 85 arm strength, 45 arm accuracy, 80 pitch calling, 100 temper, 5 patience.

Thank you DIAH for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you going onward.

Mantle World Owner Interview - iain

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with iain, the owner of the Baltimore Honey Nut Cheerios franchise.  Iain joined Mantle at the end of season 26 and is now starting his first full season of ownership.  He returns the franchise to Baltomore, where it resided for the first 21 seasons in Mantle, and where it experienced it's most success, culminated by a World Series championship in season 18.  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Iain: Born and raised in Toronto, I’m a 32-year old Mechanical Engineer, married for a little over 3 years with a 13 month old son.

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

Iain: The big one is bagpipes. I have been playing since I was 13, and compete at the highest level, going to Glasgow for the World Pipe Band Championships each of the last 5 years, with plans to attend again in 2013.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Iain: Yeah, just about everything at one time or another. Football, basketball, and track & field (well, really just field) in high school, but nothing serious in university. I grew early, and everyone else caught up and passed me by then.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Iain: I’ve always had a soft spot for Kelly Gruber. Can’t explain it, except I guess I started following baseball around when he had his best years in ’89 and ’90.

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

Iain: Attending the Sweet Sixteen in Detroit in 2008 where Stephen Curry almost knocked off eventual champs Kansas at Ford Field. We happened to be sitting in the Davidson student section, and it was just crazy. I also attended the 2009 USA-Canada WBC game at the SkyDome (I mean, Rogers Centre), which was by far the best atmosphere for baseball that Toronto had seen in years, even if the good guys lost.

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

Iain: Everything to do with our son is a distant #1, but qualifying for the Grade 1 Final at the last two World Pipe Band Championships has been awesome, and finishing 2nd in Grade 1 at the North American Pipe Band Championships with my (soon to be) wife was pretty cool, too.

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

Iain: Drawing on my recently defunct softball career, I’d be a rangy CF with good opposite field power. Or, going back to little league, I’d be a power hitting 1B/C.

Thank you iain for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you going onward.

Mantle World Owner Interview - frankum

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with frankum, the owner of the Louisville Pit Bulls franchise.  Frankum joined Mantle in season 24, taking over the former Monterrey Sugar Kings franchise which was a victim of the world's MWR requirement after finishing with a 49-113 record.  After two seasons of struggling with win totals in the low 70's, the Pit Bulls finally stepped up and took home the NL South division title in season 26 in a runaway  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Frankum: I'm 26 years old, married with no kids. Living in northern indiana and work as a product manager for an orthopedic device company. I started playing sim league baseball, then took a 3 year break and came back to play HBD.

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

Frankum: Golf, slow pitch softball, fantasy football, really just sports in general.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Frankum: I played basketball, baseball and football growing up. In college I was actually a lifter on a cheerleading squad. Kinda wierd but the girls were hot.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Frankum: I've always been a Yankees fan. Although I never saw them play, I grew up to stories from my grandpa about how amazing Mickey Mantle was. He'll always be a legend in my mind.

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

Frankum: I've not been to many sporting events in person so I don't really have a cool on site experience. But in 2006 when the Colts won the Super Bowl. I was in college drinking with a bunch of Bears fans. I remember the Bears taking the opening kickoff for a touchdown and they were talking shit non stop. When we won a never let them hear the end.

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

Frankum: I have two...my wedding day and the day we signed the contract to build our first house. I'm just a young fella.

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

Frankum: I would be a first baseman with an amazing glove, no range, no arm strength but accurate. Probably 25/50/25/60. Hitting I would have a solid batting eye, middle of t he road contact, line drive hitter with no power. 60/50/70/70/70. Solid bench guy. (in my dreams of course).

Thank you frankum for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you going onward.

Mantle World Owner Interview - coachmoss

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with coachmoss, the owner of the Omaha Middle Americans franchise.  Coachmoss joined Mantle in season 26 and has just completed his rookie season in the world.  Most likely due to the permeation of potpourri around the team's front offices, left over from previous franchise owner hbdgirl, the Middle Americans struggled to a last place finish in the NL West.  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Coachmoss: I am a 32 year old Business and Computer Programming teacher at a southern New Jersey high school (close to Philadelphia). I also am Head Wrestling Coach where I work - how's that for an oxymoron? I'm divorced with a 7 year old daughter, but dating a pretty awesome girl (soon to be fiance) who is also divorced with a 5 year old son, so life is pretty good right now.

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

Coachmoss: A lot of my free time is spent with the kids and coaching wrestling. I also sell sports cards, memorbilia and coins on eBay on the side.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Coachmoss: I played most everything growing up, but my main sports ended up being baseball and wrestling. Once I hit high school though baseball took a back seat because I saw I could use wrestling as a vehicle to get me through college and started training year round basically for that.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Coachmoss: Cal Ripken, Jr. was always my favorite player growing up. Recently I enjoy watching Chase Utley because of his hard work ethic.

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

Coachmoss: Being able to see both of my favorite teams in the playoffs recently (Phillies and Orioles) and also being there for the World Series celebration in 2008 for the Phillies was something I will never forget.

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

Coachmoss: It's hard to top anything to do with the kids lately. My daughter recently graduated Kindergarten and started 1st grade. My soon to be step son also just started Kindergarten and wanted to sign up for wrestling, so being able to help and coach him is going to be really rewarding too.

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

Coachmoss: When I played baseball it was mostly 2B, so I'd be a 2B with high contact and speed, but low power. I don't think I ever hit a triple or homerun in my life, but could find holes pretty well and rarely struck out.

Thank you coachmoss for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you going onward.

Mantle World Owner Interview - hawger

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with hawger, the owner of the Boston Minutemen franchise.  Rugrat joined Mantle in season 24 and is completing his third season in the world.  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Hawger: 51 years old. Originally from the midwest but have lived in SW Florida for 25 years now. Went to Illinois State for a couple of years but graduated from smaller hometown college.  Was a CPA for years now I work for the Mrs. running the business side of her Vet Clinic. Avid St Louis Cardinals baseball fan. Married to the same woman for 24 years, no children.

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

Hawger: Anything outdoors. Living in FL you have to enjoy the weather. Both me and wife ride Harleys. Love sports but haven't played any for quite some time. Jimmy Buffet fan but love old time rock n roll and reggae as well.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Hawger: Baseball. Swam competitively from age 10 through high school. A bit of volleyball.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Hawger: Baseball: Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Pete Rose; Football: Jim Hart, Conrad Dobler, Dick Butkus and Kenny Stabler; Basketball: Pistol Pete Maravich

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

Hawger: Growing up listening to baseball games on the radio with my grandmother.

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

Hawger: Guess I will have to stick to the traditional. Getting married in Jamaica was pretty memorable.

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

Hawger: Weak hitting 2b or catcher. Never really catching but was fairly good at it. Of course with my torn up shoulders I wouldn't be able to throw anybody out these days.

Thank you hawger for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you going onward.

Commissioner's Challenge Award (S26)

The "Commissioner's Challenge Award" is given to the team that had the most wins during the season without making the playoffs.

I'm happy to announce the season 26 winner of a $5 WIS Gift Certificate is MikeT23 of the Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes, whose 84 wins was just two games short of earning a post-season appearance.

1) 84 wins - Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes (MikeT23)
2t) 83 wins - Richmond Generals (dgtrache)
2t) 83 wins - Toronto Eh's (mikeg740)
2t) 83 wins - Boston Minutemen (hawger)
5t) 82 wins - Scranton Apollos (tecwrg)
5t) 82 wins - Rochester Rochy Road Rochstars (indiansrck27)
7) 81 wins - Cleveland Captains (captain10a)
8) 78 wins - Colorado Springs Mile High Marines (brendanjod)
9t) 77 wins - Chicago Black Sox (tomq)
9t) 77 wins - Oakland Polish Hammers (goodtymes31)
11t) 75 wins - Atlanta Blue (bkpeters)
11t) 75 wins - Milwaukee Suds (battmann)
13) 73 wins - Burlington Catamounts (dwoolery)
14) 71 wins - Oklahoma City Power Failure (coneheads)
15) 70 wins - Arizona Arachnophobia (ericsomsel)
16t) 69 wins - Jackson Bootleggers (rugrat)
16t) 69 wins - Omaha Middle Americans (coachmoss)
18) 66 wins - Little Rock Cigars (shanklsa)
19) 62 wins - Pittsburgh Pirates (bigal888)
20) 59 wins - Florida Lockdown (welsh5)

Mantle World Owner Interview - rugrat

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with rugrat, the owner of the Jackson Bootleggers franchise.  Rugrat joined Mantle in season 21 as an in-season replacement for original fracnhise owner rwright, who stepped aside as he could not adhere to world rules.  The Jackson franchise struggled for many years with a lack of focus under rwright, so rugrat inherited a franchise with a fairly bare cupboard.  Now in his sixth season as a menber of Mantle, let's hear a little of rugrat's story.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Rugrat: My real name is Steve, and I'm currently taking a work break. I had been working for a leading environmental non-profit and managed all online fundraising for the organization. Due to a variety of circumstances, I left in March and have been working from home doing consulting work and working on an eCommerce business.  I have lived in the SF Bay Area (mainly Oakland and Berkeley) for 35 years and wouldn't live anywhere else - love the weather, the cultural opportunities and the ability to do just about anything you can imagine within a 30 mile or so radius. I'm not married currently, but have a daughter who is attending Columbia on a full ride.

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

Rugrat: Film and music - I have an extensive record and CD collection that ranges from obscure punk and power pop, soul, jazz, rock and even some classical. I love film noir and am also working through most of the Criterion Collection of DVDs. I also get out of the house every once in awhile; love a good burger and other diner/dive food places. And you can't talk about living in CA without getting outdoors.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Rugrat: Baseball, of course, in high school. When they started throwing curve balls, I knew I was in trouble.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Rugrat: I grew up a Tigers fan - Al Kaline was my favorite as a kid.  Others are  Kirk Gibson and Fred Lynn (such a sweet swing). I don't really have favorites these days.

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

Rugrat: Memory? 1975, game 6.  There was so much more to that game than Fisk's HR. In person, I've been to several World Series and playoff games, and one Super Bowl (Niners/Dolphins) - all were memorable, even if the good guys lost.

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

Rugrat: The birth of my daughter.

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

Rugrat: Well, in high school it seemed like they put the worst kids in RF, and MikeT says any slug can play out there, so I guess that would be it. Ratings? These days, zeros across the board.

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