NL South Questions & Answers

	Offense				Defense				Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Avg.	.264	17th		Fielding %	.986	7th		ERA	4.59	20th
Home Runs	235	7th		Double Plays	371	17th		Strike Outs	1105	12th
Runs	832	11th		+ Plays	65	12th		OAV	.267	17th
Steals	162	7th		- Plays	24	8th		Saves	48	10th

For the last 3 seasons Jackson has finished 2nd in the NL South division, is this the year you expect to make the push for 1st and if so, what's the plan to get you over that hump?

I thought we would get to the top of the division last season. We folded late, losing like 9 of the last 10 games, eight of the losses by one run. We are looking for a couple of FAs this off-season to get us over the top.

You only currently have 2 active teams, NCAA and NCAA II. What draws you to the NCAA theme?

Two teams are plenty for me to keep track of with my schedule. These leagues are well run and have a great group of owners. I wish my current schedule would allow me more time to "chat it up"

In NCAA II I believe you've only made 3 trades in 5 seasons. How do you like to build your team up; through the draft, International, ect.?

My original team was young but did have some talent. As that talent developed the plan was to add a few FAs to build a contender.

	Offense				Defense				Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Avg.	.258	21st		Fielding %	.984	15th		ERA	4.18	12th
Home Runs	188	21st		Double Plays	319	28th		Strike Outs	1098	14th
Runs	750	21st		+ Plays	63	14th		OAV	.257	10th
Steals	208	2nd		- Plays	28	11th		Saves	65	1st

You won your division for the 1st time in 5 seasons, what brought the success this season?

In all honesty, I think I got a bit lucky. I thought my team was still 1 year away from being good. We got hot at the end of the year and some of the teams ahead of me dropped off. Luck or Sim gods, whatever you prefer.

What can we expect with your team in the future with making the World Series this year and not even having S3 #1 overall draft pick, S4 #9 overall draft pick, and S5 #4 overall pick in the majors yet?

This team should get better every year for the next couple of years.

In S3 you had the #1 overall draft pick and S5 you had the #4 overall draft pick; how'd you turn around the success so quickly to making the World Series in S5?

A great deal of prayer, fear of being bounced out and a very solid bullpen. Also, I changed my catching around and started to put more stock in pitch calling than I had in the past. I may be wrong, but I think it made a difference.

What do you contribute your run in the playoffs last season too?

All really good and deep bullpen to help make up for shortcomings in the rotation.

All 4 of your active teams are in hop's worlds, what's the draw to playing in these worlds?

That's easy, hop and the owners he attracts. I started in Maris where the BS was an issue. The group that hop brings in, makes it fun. Also, hop is always there to remind me if my LoA pitching staff is in tatters, LOL. Thanks hop!

	Offense				Defense				Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Avg.	.259	20th		Fielding %	.988	2nd		ERA	3.83	3rd
Home Runs	185	23rd		Double Plays	331	25th		Strike Outs	1121	5th
Runs	674	28th		+ Plays	92	4th		OAV	.250	5th
Steals	101	25th		- Plays	17	2nd		Saves	35	26th

All 4 of your active teams are in worlds run by hop. What makes his worlds stand out to you?

HOPS WORLDS ARE GREAT FOR MANY REASONS, BUT THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT TO ME ARE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE NO WORLD CHAT DRAMA AND THAT WE HAVE LOW TURNOVER/QUICK ROLL OVER EVERY SEASON. I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW HOW HE DOES IT.

S4 Little Rock finished first in the division with 95 wins; last season you dropped to 3rd with 85 wins. What was the difference in the drop and can we expect Little Rock to make a push back to winning the division this season?

I PRETTY MUCH HAD THE SAME TEAM IN S4 AND S5. I THINK A FEW OF MY PLAYERS JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE CAREER YEARS IN S4 AND CAME DOWN TO EARTH IN S5. JOAQUIN CABRERA IS A GREAT EXAMPLE. IN S4 HE PUT TOGETHER ONE OF THE BEST RELIEF SEASONS I HAVE HAD FROM A PLAYER, BUT IN SEASON 5 HE HAD THE WORST SEASON OF HIS CAREER TO DATE.

I see you're a big player in the International Market, signing a player in each season to a big contract (S1: $15M, S2: $22M, S3: $18M, S4: $29.9M, S5: $27.5M). What draws you to the international market?

WHEN I HAVE A YOUNG INEXPENSIVE TEAM, I LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE INT MARKET IN ORDER TO TRY AND STRIKE GOLD WITH A BIG TIME PROSPECT. ONCE I GET TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN'T TRANSFER $20M, I USUALY GIVE UP ON INT FA AND JUST FOCUS ON GETTING TALENT VIA THE DRAFT.