GM's Corner

Join Ron Collins as he sits down to chat with Edmonton GM Mike Neugebauer about his entry into sports sims, OOTP, the BBA, and all sorts of conversation about Brent Gilbert, among others.

Jay Tannehill and I sit down to talk about the future of the Athens Fighting Centaurs. The name Mateus Rabisca might come up here and there, and Lacrosse, too. So there! It turns out Jay is a man of many talents, I'd say. We talk about the BBA and UMEBA, where he thinks his club needs to get better, and even a little bit on dealing with kids and school over the past year. There's a Mickey Morandini sighting in here somewhere, and a Steve Jeltz name drop. Hey, it's in my contract that I get a 20% bonus for the Jeltz reference.

Did I mention rugby?

Today I get to sit down with the world's greatest shoveller of snow, Tripoli GM Mike Dunn, for a conversation that might include stuff about the movie that originated from Arthur C. Clarke's "The Sentinel," and another great baseball book you really ought to read--and, hint, I'm not talking "Eight Men Out." Mike and I talk about old-school Rotisserie Leagues as his eventual entry drug to OOTP, and the PEBA before the BBA. Eventually we even touch on the Piranhas past, present, and future, as well as their path into the rebrand from the Generals to the Piranhas.

Did I mention there might be apes?  

This morning I got to sit down the the longest-running UMEBA GM, that being Bucharest's Jim Cox. We covered a wide, wide range of topics, including Jim's experience and views on Perfect Team, the impact of the game engine on All-Time All-Stars, machine learning (of which he's an expert--whatever you want that to mean!), poker, go, the mathematics of baseball. There's stuff on the team and it's construction, of course, and the ever-needful thoughts on the UMEBA, the BBA, and this weird world we all inhabit. 

Baghdad GM Jose Gonzalez gets to finish out the UMEBA work-week! We spend some time talking about one of my favorite UMEBA players in Raul Hernandez, what kind of plans the Kings have looking forward--how the raft of kids coming up might make a dent in the opposition, and how expansion plays (or doesn't, as it might be) play into the Baghdad plans. You'll learn a bit about Parma, Ohio, Matt Lawton, the ideal model for a Jose Gonzalez team and a bit about what gets Jose's killer Grandma wound up.

And ... well ... snow?

Today I get to sit down with United Cup Champion Mumbai's General Manager Rich Young to talk some Metro Star baseball, OOTP history, and his winding path from Chicago to Connecticut. We get to share some bits of fandom, and opinions on the solo vs. online environments. And more, of course, There's always more!

Hebrew Hammer GM John Momberg sits down to talk about a rocky season of baseball in the UMEBA, Chico Ruiz, technical glitches, statues of the great Monty B, the Cincinnati Reds, the match between Diamond Mind Baseball and OOTP, and--as always--a few other esoteric things. As is those weren't enough, right?

We sit down today with Beirut GM Brian Hughes to recap his entry into the BBA, his team's rousing 2045 season, and general plans for crushing world domination. There's a bit about Hemet, maybe some thoughts about OOTP and how to win (or not). And that's before we even get close to the blackmail material.

It's been a bit of time since the last GM's Corner, but we're breaking into the UMEBA this week, starting today with Manama Pearl GM Ryan Hetzer, who gives us a peak into the Pearl front office and discusses his own path to the game and the BBA itself. Join us for a bit of baseball mid-west style from a former catcher, and a guy who seems like he's bled baseball for a very long time.

Today I get the pleasure of sitting down to a conversation with Vancouver GM Taylor Bettencourt who has now been with the team for seven, going on eight seasons! Along the way we talk a little about where he comes from, how the lock down has or hasn't affected him, and what his thoughts are about the Mounties as they go forward, some observances of things around the league, and ... well ... his ever-important goal of beating Portland.

Join us as we have a talk with Madison General Manager Mike Simon that wanders around everything from Mike's movement from the UMEBA's Jerusalem club into the Madison seat, his overall plans for the team, how he gets his ideas for those totally marvelous logo make-overs he's doing, and about a millon other things OOTP and BBA related. Much fun!

Edmonton GM Chris Robillard and I get to talk about Jackrabbit baseball past and present, as well as his tenure in and around the league over the past thirty or so fake seasons. We learn a little about what makes Chris so good at managing teams in this baseball simulation world of ours, get some predictions, and maybe even talk about a recent trade or two.

I'm extremely excited to have  Seattle Storm General Manager Nathan Eagan join me today. Nathan is a  long-time member of the BBA, which gives him a great perspective of the  league from current times to the past. We talk about the club's current  situation, what kind of pertubations the recent Todd Rice injury will  cause the team, and how Seattle's front office looks at progressing  their players through the organization from the IC on.

Along the way we hear what might be the best advice of all about how to be successful in the BBA.

Ron Collins sits down with Charlotte GM Brett Golden to talk about what it's like to step into the league and then take on an expansion team. Hear Brett discuss his approach toward trading, talk about his recent bid trade with Vancouver, and maybe even reveal a tiny bit about the Plan (TM)

Hawaii GM James Walker joins me to talk about the team, the league, and the world of OOTP baseball. Somewhere in there we touch on the Astros, AAA ball, James's amazing use of spreadsheets, and maybe even take a shot at answering the biggest mystery of life.

Note for those maybe listening with kids around - Gentle use of language

Gregg Greathouse and Ron Collins talk about the Jacksonville Hurricanes and some other fun stuff from the past ... well, fun to us, anyway.

Scott Piccoli and Ron Collins talk about the Twin Cities River Monsters, the BBA, and share thoughts on building teams. Along the way there might be a fish story about the one that did NOT get away, and some ruminating about what it means to be a catcher.

Jouve Crawford and I make history as we sit down for the first ever UMEBA-based GM's Corner podcast. We talk a bit of Jouve's background, cover OOTP and the league as a whole, a bit of Baghdad's plans...and the Jouve puts ME in the lightning round hotseat. 

Deposed Black Sox GM Vic Caleca and I sit down to talk about everything from journalism to ... Vinnie and Benny ... and maybe some ruminations on baseball--real and simulated--through the years.

Doug Olmsted and I sit down for a chat about the California Crusaders, his entry into the league, and a bit of life on the Olmsted ranch. You're not going to want to miss his ultimate strategy for how to win!

Explicit Warning: Cursing ensues, perhaps best not listened to if you're around impressionable kids you prefer to be not impressed!

This one's a little longer than the usual GM's corner (1:17), but we were having fun and I thought you'd find it entertaining enough...so...

Stephen Shaw and I talk about his entry into the BBA, our time together in the old FOBL (Twisted and Infantile Since 2001!), nuances of OOTP, and the future of the Sluggers. Somewhere along the way, Stephen might mention trading draft picks.

Ron Collins and Tyler Simmons talk a lot about the BBA, OOTP neep and other leagues, football, and the Jacksonville Hurricanes!

Join us as Ron Collins talks to Boise GM Joe Lederer about where he's from, a little golfing, how he's started putting together his team's plans, a big free agent signing...and, of course, there's the infamous lightning round.

I take a half hour or so and talk Jackrabbit baseball, the BBA, other leagues, and a few other things with GM Alvin Kaufmann. As always, much fun. Thanks go out to Alvin for putting up with a bit of a software delay!

I talk with Ryan Wangman about what it's like to join the BBA, how he's looking at the project that is the Spuds, and a few other bits and pieces. Along the way we deal with mysterious pings and other technical silliness.

I talk with Mike Calvaruso about the past, present, and future of the San Antonio franchise. Along the way we touch on some of the franchise's top player's, it's construction in its glory days, the impact of injuries, and even discuss a trade worth many stars.

Chris Wilson and Ron Collins have a half-hour talk that covers the Wolves past, present, and future. The nature of baseball in an online league. History, coaching, teaching, and maybe a little Mons Raider here and there ... oh, and we get little lines like "when I won my _first_ Landis" tossed around like those things are just so much candy.

Ed Murphy and Ron Collins take an afternoon chat to cover all things Des Moines. We take a look back at Ed's considerable time with the league, talk about his two superstars and the way he's looking at the current season. Of course, there's a bout of Ed in the lightning round, and then Ed's question that leads to the revelation of my mega-spreadsheet (natch, right?).

Oh, yeah. There might be mention of a trade in there somewhere.

Mike Bieschke and Ron Collins spend a fun half hour talking about his time with the Hawaii Tropics and how he's gone through the good times and the bad--with a touch on the notorious Al Hoot, his views on rebuilding, and his overall approach. Along the way there's a bit of Disney magic, a hint os nostalgia, and a love to massive OOTP email. Nothing but the best radio here in the BBA.

Lee Honigsfeld and Ron Collins spend 15 or so minutes talking about the Valencia Stars, focusing on their reputation as a team that that builds from within, managing the minors in OOTP, Valencia's take on the up-coming expansion process, the difference between fantasy baseball and fake baseball, and all sorts of other great stuff (including a fun fact about the origin of OOTP in BBA land!).

As an aside, this is the first one recorded off a straight phone call, so it's a bit adventurous for me there, too. 

Brandon Slouck and Ron Collins talk about Charm City's brief but successful history, how Brandon looks at team development and his time through an expansion draft. How would he look at this year's process? Then we talk about today's Jimmies, and tomorrow 's Jimmies...put him in the hot seat...and then things get really interesting. 

Kevin Dickson and I sit down for a fantastically fun conversation that ranges from his early days in the league (six realtime years) through the team's current cage match with the Surfers, and out into the Pioneer and BBA future.

Hear about Terry Cochrane and the role of the DH. Small ball vs. long ball. How Kevin thinks abou tbuilding teams and the role of his ballparks. Advice the the freshies, including me! The state of the league and much, much more.

This is one that shouldn't be missed...but then, aren't they all?

Today I sit down with Long Beach Surfer GM Stephen Lane for something shy of 40 minutes to talk about Long Beach and the BBA.

There's all sorts of good stuff in here as Stephen touches on things like the process and value of moving the franchise, building through free agency and trades, any possible buyers remorse on the Ken Jenkins deal and even opens up the super-secret vault of full-staff pitching roster construction, Surfer style.

And that's before we get to expansion and the Lightning Round.

Can't miss TV at it's finest, eh?

About 30 minutes of unadulterated fun (or is that just unadult fun?) regardin the Brewster and the Vancouver Mounties. Join me and Brett Schroeder as we talk about the vast spaces in Northwoods Outpost (the club's ballaprk), the team's reputation as a pitching and defense kinda outfit, and Vancouver's future...and that's all before we get Brett into the notorious lightning round. Certainly a Can't Miss feature, eh?

With this package of 22 minuites of BBA glory, we sit down with Atlanatic City GM Joshua Biddle to talk about all things Gamblers. You'll get insights into the Gorman Injury, what drives Joshua's approach, how he thought about those huge pithcing contracts, and the one thing about the Gamblers that no one's talking about.

Among other stuff, of course.

Check out about 14 minutes of BBA Goodness!

Ron Collins and Omaha GM Justin Niles sit down to look a the BBA after sim 12 of the 2034 season. We discuss the CarGo contract, Havana's staff, key injuries, who's really the best division in baseball, give an over/under on Nashville, and even get into the esoterica of the AA career homer run leader board. Much fun.

Okay...this one's long...almost 40 minutes. But it's so full of Matt and Ron that you'll still enjoy it. At least the Matt parts, anyway. He talks the Hustlers and what's going on there. There's a little OOTP 19 there and some history, and his own take on the best division in baseball. We put him in the lightning round, of course...but then he turns the tables...boy howdy...don't go into a discussion with Matt without wearing your big-boy pants, I' say.

Then, of course, there's his very special guest.

If you're only going to listen to one podacst this year, this is the one.

Check out about 27 minutes of BBA Goodness as the YS9 GM puts Mexico City Aztec General Manager Fred Holmes in the GM's Hot Corner.

Fred talks about current events around the league, Ricardo Diaz, Charles Martin, Montreal's future, and a hundred other things he's taken into account while re-gearing the Aztecs to compete in the best division in baseball!

Ron Collins puts Omaha Hawk General Manager Justin Niles in the GM's Hot  Corner. Niles talks about his time in the BBA, effects of the move from  Indy, and makes brash predictions for his ballclub.

Join in as Ron Collins and Randy Weigand cover the intensive Pitcher Study published in the BBA Media Guide!

If you listened to the first episode of GMs Corner (and if not, why not?), you know Randy left us with a cliff hanger.

Check out this 5-minute end-cap (the first GMs Corner Quick Pitch) to hear the end of the story!

So to try my little experiment out, I sat down with Randy Weigand to  talk all things Sugar Kings, JLS, and a few other things of the esoteric  league-wide kinds. It went 40 mins a little longer than I generally  intend, but such is life, eh?