The New York-born Lewis recently discussed the in-season details of 2003 with the estimable Paul Gammons (see PaulGammons.com article). So Vivor.com decided to focus on other aspects of the savvy stat-geek's life.

Vivor.com:

Mark, I've know you a while -- since 1998-'99 I believe, and I've always been aware how much of a baseball fanatic you are. But how long have you been a ROTO baseball fanatic? Who or what got you started in fantasy baseball, and was SFB '03 your first Roto championship?

Mark Lewis:

Jack, first let me say what a pleasure it�s been knowing you. Your wit and wisdom have carried me through some long nights at WCVB (Boston, Mass. ABC affiliate) and long days at TechTarget. We�ll always have Channel 99 on the last TV on the right.

SFB was not my first exposure to Roto. I started playing my junior year of high school (Mamaroneck, NY) in 1993. At that time, only one of us had a computer -- so we bought the USA Today every morning at Harbor High Deli and poured over the box scores during first period.

I placed second that year out of 13 teams. I truly believe I would have won the league, except the guy who was the commish was the only person who had a computer and would make waiver wire moves. The rest of us had no way to make moves. We got a printout of the standings once every quarter. It sucked.

I lost by a few points, but still was in the money. I spent the $80 or so dollars I won on Villa Maria Pizza and McDonalds.

SFB �03 was my first official title. I did win the regular season in another league last year, but, got bounced in the playoffs.

Vivor.com:

You've spoken at length before about the '03 season. Rather than ask you specifically about the way '03 played out, can you tell me what, if anything you did differently to prepare for last season, as opposed to the previous two SFB seasons, in which you fell short?

Lewis:

I didn�t do much differently. I studied the stats day-in and day-out the season before, so I knew my strategy going into the draft. Remember, Jack, a championship team�s foundation is built during the draft, but key mid-season moves and luck are a must to win it all.

Vivor.com:

Are you willing to tell us which '03 Mark's Storage players you most would like to see return to your '04 squad? How about players you didn't have last year? Any key targets you're willing to share?

Lewis:

Mark�s storage started a little slow out of the gates last season. It was only when I changed my name to the Del-GOT-its that my team started to take off. Players I�d like back? Lots of �em. But, who wouldn�t want Mags, Mulder, Mussina, Jeter, Randy Johnson, Beltran, Gagne, Rolen, etc. back???

Vivor.com:

The '04 SFB format features many changes from previous seasons. Commissioner Eric Parizo recently announced triples as this year's Wild Card category (replacing Shutouts in '03) along with several other major changes: Head-to-Head format, league expansion to 12 teams, and restrictions on Laura's trades (which preceded the recent decision by Laura not to field a team).

What are your thoughts so far on the changes? Do you have any concerns about those changes causing SFB to lose its tight-knit, family-like atmosphere in favor of the characteristics of a more standard Roto league?

Lewis:

Let me say what a fine job I think Eric is doing in the early going of the season. He has kept a level head and not succumbed to pressures to make decisions in haste. He has discussed many of the league options with many GMs. He�s also been able to smoothly expand the league and deal with Laura-gate.

Speaking of Laura-gate�I am saddened by the loss of an original General Manager in Laura Hunt. I very much hope she attends all league events and stays in touch will all league members. I wish her nothing but the best in her new ventures.

I�d like to take a few lines to discuss head-to-head play. I too, was skeptical about H2H last season, before I played. But, I found out that H2H not only keeps more people interested in fantasy longer, but is more conducive to smack. Many league officials are trying to get more people to smack. A 'Ben vs. Eric' showdown or a 'Mark vs. Jack' week is sure to light the smack boards up big time.

Since I have been both at the top of the league and at the bottom, I know what it�s like to be 200 home runs behind in July. What fun was that for me? I could never make up any ground. But, with H2H, each week is a new lease on life. I can play spoiler to a team above me, or get shanked by a team below me.

H2H is easy to acclimate to and no GM should have a problem.

I think H2H or the wild card category will have no effect on the camaraderie of the league. In fact I think it will be more competitive and make the top GMs rise to the top.

Vivor.com:

You served as commissioner in 2002. Based on that experience, any specific advice for Parizo as he takes the reigns?

Lewis:

Eric has shown a good deal of poise in the early going. My advice to him is not to get caught up in the smack and whining that happens over Instant Messenger. I think it�s important to talk to both GMs involved in a situation before ruling on a trade or a dispute.

It�s important to serve not only the most vocal folks in the league, but those that are not as outspoken.

Vivor.com:

Obviously, pre-draft, it's too early to pick a favorite to win SFB in '04. But as defending champ, is there any GM (or GMs) you view as the biggest threat(s) to take your title this season?

Lewis:

I�ll always put the SBC/Pac Bell/Candlestick BleacherBums as formidable foes. But, this year I am going to remove him from the list. Ben will be dealing with more than just Roto with a new addition to the bleachers (a newborn child).

My biggest concerns: Panker, New GMs...

(On Panker:) He has yet to put together a run from start to finish. If he can somehow start off quickly he has the skills to make the key midseason move to put him over the top. But, an early trip to Bora-Bora may preclude him from that shotgun start.

(On new GMs:) Someone once said 'The devil you know is better than the one you don�t know' or something like that. These new GMs have already been lucky getting the top picks�maybe their luck will continue.

Vivor.com:

As a diehard New York Mets fan, I'm assuming you are frustrated about recent Mets campaigns. How do you feel about the team in '04?

Lewis:

I am starting to like this �04 team. It�s been a tough couple of years. Here is my projected line-up: 1. Reyes, 2. Kaz Mastui, 3. Cliff Floyd, 4. Piazza, 5. Phillips, 6. Cameron, 7. Wigginton, 8. Garcia 9. pitcher (NL) The rotation: Leiter, Trac, Glavine, Jae Seo, Kazmir While it looks rather bleak, the Mets may be a trade away from landing Alfonso Soriano. We�d have to give up Reyes, and maybe some young pitching. But, I suspect the Mets will be back in the playoff hunt by 2006. Look for 3B David Wright to get a mid-season call-up. I think the Phillies take the NL East.

Vivor.com:

Again, being a New Yorker, I'm sure it's hard to say anything positive about Boston/New England teams. But since you have the forum right now -- want to give a little love to the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots?

Lewis:

The Pats don�t bug me nearly as much as the Sox. They are in the AFC and who cares about the Jets? Pats had a good season, but I think they got very lucky in many games� Indy, the Jets, etc�

They were never able to put teams away, but won when they had to � so can�t discredit them for that.

Next season�s prediction: 8-8.

Vivor.com:

I know you're a loyal visitor to the award-winning site Vivor.com. Who are some potential Babes of the Day you'd like to see featured on the site?

Lewis:

I�d like to see: the Olsen Twins, Heather Mitts, Shannon Elizabeth, Purple, Jamie Pressley, Blossom (or Six), Heidi Klum and Megan Wright (Americas� hottest nurse).

Vivor.com:

Final question: If you could go back in time and be any person in history for one day -- who would you choose to be and why?

Lewis:

Jesse Orosco, October 27, 1986. No explanation necessary.

Keep an eye on Vivor.com in the days ahead for our next Q&A -- this time with the original Daubach Love Child -- the vivacious Robyn!

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