Know Your Plumpy History: TTjackson

The fourth in the series of interviews with the original Plumpy owners!

The third installment!

TTJackson- General Manager: Montgomery Burns

1.) What do you do in real life?

I'm a community organizer working on getting congregations & faith communities to work for economic and racial justice.

2.) How did you learn about HBD?

Learned about HBD through Hoops Dynasty. the original members of this league all played HD first.

3.) Who is your all time favorite ballplayer in Plumpy? 

Without a doubt, Todd Ford.

4.) What is your proudest moment in Plumpy?

Finally breaking through for a World Series title, and having a consistent top team the first 15 or so seasons before my team went off the rails.

5.) Which player is your proudest draft pick?

Proudest draft pick is probably Roger Conroy. I've never gotten any great later round picks. I've swung and missed a lot in the draft.

6.) What is the most devastating injury one of your players incurred?

I continue to believe Sandy Mieske was the best pitcher I ever had after Lofton, but he got devastated by multiple injuries despite a great health score.

7.) What is the most overrated rating on a player card?


The ratings I think I've put too much stock in are contact rate and pitch calling. I still have trouble having players who don't do well in those categories. but I'm not sure if they matter as much as I think they do.

8.) What is the most underrated rating on a player card?

I've learned the hard way that overlooking health is a big mistake. I try to avoid guys with health scores under 70, and avoid under 60 at all costs.

9.) Do you have a nemesis in the league (either another owner or a particular player?)

No real nemesis at this point. I enjoy the league and the personalities.

10.) As one of five owners who was here on day 1 of the league, how do you think Plumpy could improve going forward?

I do think the new rules are helpful over the past few years around minimum wins, etc. The thing that has almost led me to quit a few times is that some people take this game way more seriously than others. The assignment of motive to bad seasons has bugged me a lot. My deal is that my life is twice as busy now as it was when I first started playing this game. For instance, I didn't even prep for the draft that just happened (that is a first). This is a diversion and we pay money to play it, so I would like to do away with the vitriol and name calling and simply abide by the rules that we all agree to.

Annual Triangle Cup Announced

Written by William Blythe III, Editor Emeritus, North Little Rock Times

HOPE, ARKANSAS The only way to get to Indianapolis is through Nashville or is it the only way to get to Little Rock is through Nashville?  I guess it’s a matter of perspective which is something clearly missing from the ownership of the three baseball franchises in these fine cities.  A planned three-team press conference had been planned to announce the creation of an annual challenge series, tentatively called the Triangle Cup, but the ultra-competitive owner from Little Rock jumped the gun by releasing a statement to the press well before nearly all the details were finalized.  “What’s the big deal?  Once it was clear the other guys wouldn’t go for hookers and blow it was obvious we’d be playing for the usual: beer, money and pride.” said N Roll’s surly owner, RoundFrog.  

The Triangle Cup itself debuted on ABC’s new hit sitcom the Goldbergs.  Modeled after the Ball Ball trophy, it is a Styrofoam soup bowl taped to a plastic Champaign glass.  Cost played a factor.  “We can simply write the winners name each year in pen on the Styrofoam , saving engraving costs.  Plus, the thing ways next to nothing so shipping it will be very cheap.  Its small size will allow young children to hold it while having their pictures taken as it tours the winner’s city.  And if it gets dropped, no big deal, it’s pretty hard to break Styrofoam and plastic.” said pragmatic owner JQuick1.  JQuick2 was unavailable for comment.  

Should they ever win the Triangle Cup, both Nashville and Indianapolis plan to display the Cup in their respective namesake restaurant.  Yes, their teams are named for restaurants.  No definitive word on where N Roll would display.  “I figure it’ll mainly be located in Little Rock, like all the time, so we’ll probably move it around.  After all, there are a lot of restaurants in Little Rock.” said the burly RoundFrog.  

At the time of writing, the series stood at Little Rock 3 wins 4 losses, Indianapolis 4 wins 3 losses and Nashville 3 wins and 3 losses.  “One thing is certain, this thing is gonna be a bitch to tabulate each year.  We’re thinking all-powerful commissioner, Zeus, should take this on.” said Slippery Noodles owner, equick.

WIS has expressed concern over the Challenge Cup because winning the Cup and its associated rewards may actual become more appealing than winning the WIS World Series.  “There’s certainly more gold at the end of that rainbow” said Merchant’s owner JQuick1, who’s never met a trade he’d accept.  RoundFrog added, “If I was WIS, I’d be more concerned about improving the game or maybe a release now and then, what’s it been, like January since the last one?”  This reporter asked WIS for comment and is waiting to hear back from Customer Service.

Know Your Plumpy History: jerico18

The third installment!

jerico18- General Manager: Vancouver Mounties

1.) What do you do in real life?
I support adults and children with developmental disabilities throughout their days. I work in both schools and homes. I really enjoy it. I just wish it paid better.

2.) How did you learn about HBD?
Back in the day I was pretty big into HD and I spent a lot of my day on the HD and WIS message boards. I think that is how I found out about HBD and also Plumpy. A group of people that were playing HD thought it would be fun to have an HBD league filled with guys that were playing HD as well. I beieve Plumpy was the person who started the original league thread in the forum. It turned out that Plumpy decided not to join the league and be part of the original owners unfortunatly but we all respected so much that we decided to name the league after him.

3.) Who is your all time favorite ballplayer in Plumpy?
Carlos Alonso, he is the only Mountie in the Hall. Also I still remember how excited I was when I was looking through my original roster and saw him.

4.) What is your proudest moment in Plumpy?
As commish I was able to recruit The Plumpy to join the league. Unfortunatly he only stayed for one season.

5.) Which player is your proudest draft pick?
I think it was more of a draft class then one pick. Season 7 I had 8 picks in the first two rounds. My third round pick turned out to be a good one with a great name too. Mac Mack

6.) What is the most devastating injury one of your players incurred?
I try not to remember all of my injuries so I would have to say my most recent one which was to SP Dallas Hendrickson. I am hopeful to win my division this season and without him to got a lot tougher.

7.) What is the most overrated rating on a player card?
bunting, I don't bunt that often. I don't think there is much of a concern of me giving up any competitive advantage. I think given my record it is pretty clear that I don't have one.

8.) What is the most underrated rating on a player card? 
Maybe makeup. I think looking at makeup gives an indication of how likely a player is to reach his potential

9.) Do you have a nemesis in the league (either another owner or a particular player?)
Grecianfox. I wonder if he knows that. He is in my division is an original owner as well. Also he has pretty well dominated the division since the start of the league. That being said I would be very disapointed if he left the league.

10.) As one of five owners who was here on day 1 of the league, how do you think Plumpy could improve going forward?
I think one of the most important things to remember is that we are all here to have fun and we all of lives outside of WIS that are more important. I think trying to keep the arguing out of the league chat and getting along makes the league more enjoyable.

Know Your Plumpy History: Goodtymes

The second of five interviews with the remaining original owners of Plumpy.

Goodtymes, General Manager of the Pittsburgh Wannabes.

1.) What do you do in real life?

I am a district manager for an import car manufacturer. Living in Pittsburgh right now.

2.) How did you learn about HBD?

Was an early Hoops Dynasty addict, but baseball has been my passion. Jumped at the chance to join an HBD world with veteran HD coaches.

3.) Who is your all time favorite ballplayer in Plumpy?

Not sure why, but I have an attachment to my early players. I'll go with Brett Stewart, he was the anchor in hype lineup of my early teams.

4.) What is your proudest moment in Plumpy?

Making WS in season 6 (haven't been able to bring the title home yet). Was busy wheeling and dealing early trying to figure game out, and managed to put together a pretty good squad.

5.) Which player is your proudest draft pick?

Either Stewart, or my 1st draft pick ever, Rob Pote. Even though at the time,we had very little influence in who we drafted.

6.) What is the most devastating injury one of your players incurred?

I've been pretty fortunate, but probably the knee injury Tike Burks suffered. Great bat, but was a SS with no range preinjury, and became a 1B/DH after.

7.) What is the most overrated rating on a player card?

I don't know that any are overrated. You definitely have to be aware of how certain ratings play off each other, and don't think you can really ignore any of them.

8.) What is the most underrated rating on a player card?

To me, it's makeup. The ability to have players that maximize their potential, and extend their careers is big.

9.) Do you have a nemesis in the league (either another owner or a particular player?)

I don't, though with 3 of the other original owners in the NL (Jerico, grecianfox, and ttjackson), I'm always more interested in results when I play those guys.

10.) As one of five owners who was here on day 1 of the league, how do you think Plumpy could improve going forward?

It is my favorite league right now. It seems most owners in the league see it as the game it is, and doesn't take it too seriously, and is just what I think a good league needs.

Keep your eyes open for tomorrow's interview featuring the original Plumpy Commish, Jeri

Know Your Plumpy History: Bob Squad

The owners of Plumpy have become very consistent over the past few seasons, which is great.  Throughout the past 29 seasons, we have seen a lot of turnover, but five owners who are with us today were also here for Plumpy's inception 29 seasons ago. I thought it would be fun to do a little Q & A with these five owners, all of whom have graciously agreed to answer my questions.  I'll be releasing the posts one at a time over the next 7-10 days.  Thank you to the five owners who agreed to answer questions for this post!

Bob Squad, General Manager of the Boise Basturds.

1.) What do you do in real life?
The exciting fast paced life of a Project Manager (basically a goofy nerd)

2.) How did you learn about HBD?
I saw a forum post for HD coaches starting an HBD league.

3.) Who is your all time favorite ballplayer in Plumpy?
Randy Edwards

4.) What is your proudest moment in Plumpy?
Getting to the World Series in the first season, it was mostly luck (we really did not know what we were doing those first few seasons).

5.) Which player is your proudest draft pick?
I do not have one that I can remember. I am not your typical owner, I tend to depend on Free Agency as opposed to building thru the draft.

6.) What is the most devastating injury one of your players incurred?
Al Linebrink, Free-Agent Pitcher, just signed him, all sorts of potential, he goes down for the season during his first game.

7.) What is the most overrated rating on a player card?
The last 3 ratings on the top right. Has anyone really noticed a benefit to high numbers?

8.) What is the most underrated rating on a player card?
Not really sure

9.) Do you have a nemesis in the league (either another owner or a particular player?)
Not really, I am glad Edge Yount is in the AL.

10.) As one of five owners who was here on day 1 of the league, how do you think Plumpy could improve going forward?
I think we are on the right track, as long as you have good owners, things should be ok. In the end it is just a game.