Vivor.com proudly presents the second in our series of Question & Answer sessions with SearchFantasyBaseball General Managers. Today's victim, er subject: Robyn Lorusso. Last season's SFB Commissioner is one of the most beloved GM's in SFB history. Everybody thinks she's awesome, but don't let her vibrant, fun-loving and kind ways fool you. When it comes to Roto, she's as competitive as anyone who's been in our league. You newbies will learn that soon enough, once you try to approach her with a trade proposal.
In this session, Robyn discusses strategy, team names, dancing back-up for Janet Jackson and finally addresses Vivor.com's endless requests that she agree to be a featured Babe of the Day (BOTD).
1.
With the departure from league play of Laura Hunt, how do you feel about being the only woman GM in SFB? Do you foresee any advantages/disadvantages to being in a 12-team league with 11 men?
First, I�d just like to say how much I�ll miss Laura. Her trades may have been questionable and her GMing nonexistent at times, but her energy and enthusiasm was an integral part of this league. It won�t be the same without her. Not to mention, she had a good eye when it came to player selection� by some standards.
As for being the only woman in a league with 11 men, clearly, this is an advantage. In years past whenever GMs were asked, �Who do you think is your biggest threat this SFB season?� undoubtedly the answer was Jon, Mike, Mark, Ben, Kevin� Ok, maybe not Kevin (sorry KK), but you get my point. I�m never the one with a great draft. I�m never the one with one of the best infields. I�m never the one who holds the number one, two or three position throughout most of the season. I�m never the one who picked Javy Lopez, Corey Patterson and Orlando Cabrera off the waiver wires. Oh wait a minute�
What does some chick know about baseball anyway?
2.
This is your third season of SFB. You've finished respectably in each of your first two seasons. Are you preparing for this season any differently than the past two?
Yes, I�m preparing to win.
3.
Obviously this SFB season will see a LOT of changes. Other than those already implemented, what OTHER changes would you like to see in the league? In other words, what were some things about last season you didn't like?
In terms of stat categories and general league settings, there�s nothing I�m all that attached to. I like that we�re trying out triples, although I wouldn�t mind seeing other categories� maybe OBP or holds would be interesting. Other than that, all the power to anybody who can get away with putting together Team Steinbrenner, however, I think we need to take advantage of the new 24-hour waiting period to better consider how a trade affects the league as a whole. Traditionally, the commissioner has been a rather hands-off position -- if both teams like the deal, then it's approved. I�m not sure if Commish Parizo plans to continue that tradition, but now that the league has an opportunity to voice its opinions during the approval process, it may help us avoid seeing a 20-point spread between first and second place again -- and I�m not just saying that because I was one of the teams stuck in second with virtually no shot at winning.
4.
Speaking of last season, congratulations on a great term as commissioner in '03. Looking back, how would you sum up your year at the helm of SFB?
What an awful experience -- never would I do that again.
Kidding.
Honestly, it was an honor to be nominated and elected the SFB commissioner last season. I had a great time working with the wonderful executive director and league cheerleader Mr. Pickell, as well as each of the GMs in the league. The year was fraught with scandal -- the shutout shakedown and Heltongate, for example -- but I wouldn�t have changed a thing. Overall, it was a great season, a good learning experience and I had a lot of fun, especially beating you all at the hat game.
5. Tell us more about Robyn the person. When you're not doing the "Site Editor thing" or plotting for Rolo Roto victories, what are some things about you our readers might not know?
I guess the winter has been rather uneventful. Work, running, work, dance class, work, movies, being lazy, trips to Oregon, a visit with our one and only west coast GM� ok, so maybe it�s not all that uneventful. Most of you already know a lot about me� but some things you may not know? I recently discovered the joy of eating chocolate ice cream topped with honey roasted peanuts and chocolate syrup, I�m addicted to my new digital camera, I have a modest collection of war movies and I cried when Mr. Big�s real name was revealed in the Sex and the City finale� If any of you did the same, feel free to e-mail me separately to discuss.
6a.
Hypothetical: If you made a bet for, say a steak dinner, with a fan of another MLB team, over which team would finish the year with a better record... and LOST the bet... would you even THINK of welching on that bet and NOT making an immediate move to treat the winner to dinner? Oh wait, maybe I should have asked that question to
Mark Lewis or Jon Panker.... never mind Robyn.
I wouldn�t make a bet I know I can�t win in the first place.
6b.
In '02 your team name was "Daubach's Love Child" named after, of course, the Sox first baseman at the time... Brian Daubach was released after that season. In '03 you chose "Rolo's Blade Runners" after Kasey "the Blade" Fossum" who has since been traded away from Boston. Do you think your team name is a sort of "kiss-of-death" to Boston players? And if so, do you feel that this season's name "Return of the DLC" basically eliminates any shot Daubbie has of making the Sox as a bench player?
You may see it that way, Jack, but I would have to say no. On the contrary, I stuck with Daubach even after he was off the Red Sox (he was honorary team captain for the Rolo Blade Runners last year if you recall my Player of the Day page) and now he�s back on the team. Daubach will play. As for Fossum, he�s getting bigger opportunities in sunny Arizona while we�re enjoying the fruits of his trade -- former Blade Runner -- Curt Schilling. Coincidence? I think not.
7.
Okay, important question: You're stranded on a desert island with nothing but a portable DVD player (with endless supply of batteries) and 5 DVD movies. Which titles do you choose to have with you on the island?
Joe vs. the Volcano (for island living and exterior design tips from the Waponis)
Cast Away (for coconut recipes and fishing techniques� plus you can never have too much Tom)
Jaws (so I�m reminded how not to go skinny dipping 100 feet off shore in the dark with nobody in sight while a big, hungry fish lurks the waters below me)
Field of Dreams (will they come if I build it on an island?)
Pirates of the Caribbean (for obvious reasons)
8.
Fill in the blank: "If I were not a Site Editor at TT, I would be a ________ ."
Are we being realistic here? I�d be happy with any of these: School librarian/track coach; historical novelist; English teacher in Italy; marine biologist in Florida; Janet Jackson backup dancer� (that last one is a real stretch). More likely, I�d be a grad student to become one of the above.
9.
It's been quite a year for local pro sports teams, particularly the Red Sox and Patriots. Any thoughts on the wild ride fans were taken on in '03 by those two teams?
What I wouldn�t do to see the Red Sox have half the success the Pats have had in the past three years. I may even cave in to question #10. Seriously, what a gift the Pats have given to the bitter, world-championship-deprived New England fans -- not to cast a shadow over the �03 Sox season. The Sox kept winning thanks to guys like Bill Mueller, Kevin Millar� how good is Trot Nixon in a clutch? I love that about this team -- you don�t always know what to expect but you�re often pleasantly surprised. Last year�s offense combined with our new pitching lineup will make us nearly impossible to beat in �04. Now, I just have to maintain my optimistic attitude�
10.
Finally, it's no secret, Robyn that Vivor.com has been hounding you for over a year, to agree to be our Babe of the Day, and take your place along the Elisha Cuthberts, Charisma Carpenters and Jessica Simpsons of the world. Why oh WHY have you not yet agreed to this prestigious honor? Are you holding out for the big bucks? What gives?
I�ll do it for your first round draft pick -- and I don�t mean switching draft order.
(Sorry guys� I tried -- JP)