Introductions

[Commish Emeritus (Scott)]

Hi all. Please post a short intro and let us know all about yourself, especially when it comes to #FantasyBaseball and your dynasty league experience.

Hey all. I'm Scott. An absolute fantasy baseball nutjob. I'm extremely excited to get this league going, which as you probably know is a spinoff of Diamond Duos which I began 2 years ago and that league's going into it's 3rd season.

I'm 43, married with 2 amazing boys (ages 11 and almost 8), and live in Longmeadow, MA (Western Massachusetts, right next to Springfield). I'm from Burlington, MA (Eastern Mass, about 20 minutes NW of Boston). Went to Syracuse for Broadcast Journalism (Go Orange!) and got my Masters (in Middle School Education) at Fitchburg State College (now FSUniversity). I am now back in the business world working as an Account Manager for Reminder Publications and Envision Marketing Group in East Longmeadow, MA. We have 4 weekly community newspapers in addition to doing web design, SEO, social media, email marketing, graphic design, branding and more.

As for fantasy, I'm in several leagues, and this one is different from all of them.
Plus I do a couple HR pools on the side. Like I said, I'm whacked. PLUS I do a can't miss MLB fantasy baseball playoffs parlay after the regular season ends. It's awesome and only $10 per team!

All I can say is, I love baseball! I hit Fenway 6-8 times a year, add in a few New Britain Rock Cats games, plus always try to visit a new MLB ballpark each summer if possible. Off chance that I'm heading out to Cincinnati this July for the Futures Game and All-Star Weekend.

I'm excited to get to know all of you. Good luck, and have fun! And follow me on Twitter if you're on there. I'm @scotty_Ballgame

[Cleveland Braves (Drew)]

Hey y'all,

I am Drew. I am 26 and married, living in Atlanta. I went to Auburn University with the plan of doing sports talk radio. After tearing up the college airwaves for a couple years and completing my degree in Broadcast Journalism, I realized that radio probably wasn't the life for me. I spent a year traveling the country and aiding in disaster relief efforts as an AmeriCorps NCCC member and started moving into the non-profit sector. I am now the Sales Manager for the Atlanta Habitat for Humanity ReStore, a home improvement retail outlet that serves as a fundraising entity for Habitat.

I am a hardcore Auburn fan in all sports and a Braves fan from a young age. I started fantasy sports when I was about 14 and much of my early experience came from a 3-sport keeper league which is now in its 11th year. We play football, baseball, and basketball with mostly the same crew and still several of the original members. My team, the Chicago Blue Jays, is the reigning Diamond Duos I champion. I went through a very quick rebuild/ sell off during the early part of the league to emerge in year 2 as the champ. I am the Billy Beane of fantasy, constantly trading and tinkering with my teams. I pestered Scott into starting DDII and volunteered to co-commish. Looking forward to franchise selection and starting the wheeling and dealing. Feel free to let me know if you have any rule questions or questions about the league.

My twitter is @dse_Drew, although the handle may change soon.

[Miami Rays (Michael)]

Mornin'
I'm Michael, the old fart in the group, age 65, living and still working as a newspaper editor in Fernandina Beach, Fla. Originally from North Carolina, a grad of UNC-Chapel Hill who has worked for newspapers in NC, Colorado, Arizona and Florida. I've played fantasy baseball for 20-plus years, mostly H2H, and I'm in a dynasty league at Dynasty Sports Empire. I look forward to being schooled by you younger fellas, and think this will be a lotta fun.

[Deleted]

Hi Guys, My name is Chuck Schneider and I am originally from Philadelphia, PA where I grew up as a Four for Four Philly sports fan. I now live in Cinnaminson, NJ. I am 54 years, have been married for 28+ years to my lovely wife Kathryn. I have 2 daughters ( Melanie 24, Meg 21). Being a Philly fan has not been easy as Championships are few and far between. The best year that I can remember was in 1980 where the Phillies, Flyers, 76'ers and Eagles were in the Championship finals. Of course only the Phillies prevailed. I was only 19 years old and thought Philly sports were going to be result in plenty of Titles and Parades.  Boy was I wrong!!!  I am still waiting for the Eagles to win title #1.   Hopefully some year before I die, The Eagles will win the Superbowl!!!  I have been playing Fantasy sports for 25+ years.  I am currently a member of Diamond Duos I( Phila./Astros).  That league is a lot of fun.  So I decided to join this league also to help re-shape the current Texas/Phillies team.  I am going to change the name to "Phila./Rangers.  I am looking forward to a great off-season.  I like to be very active, so if you want to swap any trade ideas, I am always willing to listen.  My motto is that "No one is untouchable". 

[Miami Rays (Michael)]

Welcome Chuck!

[Oakland Cubs (Mitchell)]

Hey guys,
I’m Mitchell. I’m 27 years old and from Bloomington, IL (Right on the border between Cubs and Cardinal territory). I’m a huge Cubs fan so I’m even more excited than usual for Spring Training to roll around this year. I’m a University of Illinois alum and work as an inspector/technician traveling around to the 6 nuclear power plants located in the state.
I’ve played fantasy baseball for 17 years now. Mostly in NL-only keeper leagues so I’m gonna have to study up on my AL knowledge pretty quickly. I was looking for a good, deep league and this one seems like it should be great. I look forward to being the owner of the Oakland Cubs for many years to come!

[Deleted]

It is funny but I also was a commish of a league that did the stats by hand. The USA today was our Bible. I just want to welcome you to this league. This is my second year. I am also an owner in Diamond Duos 1. Scott Greene is a terrific commish and I am sure you will enjoy the experience and challenge. I am always up for trade discussions at any time. Feel free to share some ideas. Good luck!!

[Colorado Tigers (Rusty)]

Hi everyone,

I’m Brian Austin, but everyone I know calls me Rusty, and I’m taking over the Colorado Tigers. I’m 35, married, with two kids, 3 & 2 months. I’m a fifth-grade teacher in a local school district and currently in grad school for my principal papers. I live in the Pittsburgh area but I’m a diehard Red Sox fan. My love for the team began in 1998 when Pedro Martinez signed there. Pedro became my favorite player after I was dazzled watching him pitch 8.2 shutout innings for the Montreal Expos on August 10th, 1994 at Three Rivers Stadium.

I’ve been playing fantasy baseball for about 20 years and I’m commissioner of a 14-team dynasty league with a bunch of friends. I’ve never played a salary league like this so I’m excited for the challenge and trying something new.

I consider myself a very active owner and I’m always willing to discuss a trade. I’m hoping my learning curve isn’t too steep this year. I look forward to getting to know and playing with everyone.

Rusty

[Miami Rays (Michael)]

Welcome Rusty!

[San Francisco Astros (Mario)]

Hello, everyone, sorry for the late introduction. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I'm Mario Hernandez, 41 and living in Los Angeles. I'm an aspiring actor and writer, who mainly MCs and hosts while bartending at the Ace Hotel. I'm also a dad, a DJ and all-around silly dude.

I've been a lifelong baseball fan since going to Wrigley in 1983. I was a Cubs fan up until I moved to LA in 2010, where I gave up on them and defected to the Dodgers. They'll never win, I told myself, having watched them choke the chicken in 84, 89, 04, 08 etc, plus I never lived in the Chicagoland area after the age of 8. The Dodgers were originally from Brooklyn (where I had just moved from to LA), are local and a hella Mexican team. My parents are from Mexico and my dad's first favorite player growing up in Monterrey was Roy Campanella, who played there for a time. So I became a huge Dodgers fan. Welp. The fucking Cubs had to win (defeating the Dodgers that year) and I've been eating my bile in the last two World Series. But that's why we love baseball!

I've only been playing fantasy baseball for five years. But as I've mentioned, I'm a writer, having been a beat reporter for Rotoballer. I've also written for a food hacks blog, various men's sites, Not For Tourists guides, movie marketing and social media and on and on. I write my own comedy sketches and short films. I have a movie blog eatmomovies.tumblr.com

I'm a VO artist and just got done hosting the largest New Year's party on the west coast, in front of L.A.'s City Hall in Grand Park. We had about 70,000 people in attendance.

There's more that will likely spill out over time. I'm excited to be here. My email is [e-mail] and my social handles across all platforms is @ cinemario

¡Gracias!

[Commish Emeritus (Scott)]

Glad to have you on board Mario! Good luck.

[New York Royals (Brandon)]

What's up everyone! Super excited to be a part of this league! I am currently in 5 dynasty leagues, including this one, so you might say I have a bit of an addiction. I started playing fantasy baseball close to 20 years ago through Yahoo in yearly leagues. First got involved in dynasty about 4 years ago and that is all I do now. I am a die-hard Astros fan so 2017 was so sweet, especially after all of those very lean years. So glad the days of Brett Wallace, Brian Bogusevic, and Lucas Harrell are over!

I am 38 years old with two teenage daughters (17 and 15) who are more than a handful and plenty of reason to make sure I need to keep refilling the kegs in my man cave (which I designed to look like a British pub). I currently reside in Central Texas (right between San Antonio and Austin) so I am in a very good location for minor league ball, which is convenient since I write for www.prospects1500.com as the Astros correspondent. I am about 40 minutes from the San Antonio Missions (Brewers AAA - PCL), 90 minutes from Round Rock (Astros AAA - PCL) and 2.5 hours from my favorite minor league team, the Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros AA - Texas League).

I love to trade and I love prospects. Again, really excited to be here and looking forward to making this league successful right alongside each and everyone of you!

Brandon

[Toronto Brewers (Dave)]

Hello, all. My name is Dave. I'm an avid fantasy baseball fan disguising myself as a high school teacher, husband and father of three girls. I've been playing fantasy since the early aughts. I'm a long-time St. Louis Cardinal fan living in Pittsburgh. We also have a property on Lake Erie where I spend summers and like to catch Erie Seawolves (Tigers AA) games.
Looks like I have a tough challenge in reviving the Toronto Brewers. It's a challenge I'm happy to take a swing at.
I love to talk trades and stay active even in the winter months (Just can't watch the NFL anymore). Email or text with anything baseball:
[e-mail]
412-877-3381

[Boston Padres (Houston)]

Hey guys.
Houston Phillips here. I’ll be taking over Boston Padres here in DDII this year. I first got started in fantasy playing fantasy baseball and football in middle school. Got into DDI last year, retooled my team, finished fourth and am poised to make big moves this year. Super excited to do something similar with this opportunity.
I’m a huge braves fan and season ticket holder. Graduated from Georgia Tech and got married last year. Currently preparing myself to become a Chick-fil-A Operator. Huge baseball card collector (that’s how I found DDI through Scott on Twitter.) always willing to talk trades, fantasy baseball, cards, or just life!
DM or email me!
houstonjames116 at gmail dot com (avoiding spam)

[Arizona White Sox (Lowell)]

Hey all,

My name is Lowell and I'm excited to be a part of this league. Born in Toronto a couple years after the Blue Jays, and I've been hooked ever since. Been playing fantasy baseball for 20 years or so and driving around the North-East watching major and minor league baseball is one of my favourite things to do. I work in education for a college here in Toronto and I am married and have a 3 year old daughter.

Favourite baseball player: Roy Halladay
Favourite baseball moment I saw live: TIE between Munenori Kawasaki hitting his only MLB home run and Benji Molina hitting a triple
ballpark snack: sunflower seeds 
ballpark bevy: ice cold light beer
favourite MLB ballpark: PNC Park 
favourite MILB ballpark: Huntington Park, Columbus Clippers 


I love to talk baseball and make trades, so please get in touch!
[e-mail]
@bingbongdinger

[Deleted]

Welcome to the league Andrew!!

[Deleted]

Hello and thanks for letting me join the Diamond Duos 2 league.

I was born and raised in California. My first professional baseball game was a doubleheader in 1964/1965 between the Dodgers and Cubs. The starting pitchers for the Dodgers were two guys you might have heard of before.... Somebody named Sandy Koufax and the other was Don Drysdale. Don't remember who was pitching for the Cubs that day, but after that, I became a lifelong Dodger fan. Yes, I am a happy camper right now, as they won the WS for the first time since 1988.

For work, I am an inspector for an insurance company that ensures that all boilers and pressure vessel are built and repaired the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Code. I travel between Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky. Basically, I am a glorified welding inspector.

I have been playing fantasy sports for more years than I care to count, and for the past five years, I have played in salary cap dynasty leagues.

Thanks again for letting me join the league.

Rick

[Washington Yankees (Jake)]

Hey,

I am Jake Mastroianni and I live in Birmingham, Ala. I graduated from Auburn University with a degree in journalism with the dream of being a baseball reporter. I quickly realized that life wasn't conducive to someone wanting to have a family and moved over to the IT world where I currently install banking software. I did work for a summer as an intern for the Princeton Rays, which was the best summer of my life watching the everyday life of young Minor League players.

Today, I use my writing skills to cover baseball on a variety of platforms. I'm co-editor at Tomahawk Take -- an Atlanta Braves fansite. I also cover the Birmingham Barons for the a White Sox site on SB Nations, and then I do a little writing for Prospects 1500 as well. Oh, and I also do a daily podcast for the Milwaukee Brewers for the Locked on Network.

So yea, I'm a huge baseball fan and really love the game. I'll watch any team, any time, just give me baseball. I also write about college baseball for College Baseball Daily and love watching college baseball games.

I haven't played fantasy baseball for several years, and certainly not a dynasty league as complex as this one, so give me some time to adjust. But I am very excited to get going and am very glad to be joining this league as Washington Yankees (even though those are probably my two least favorite teams in the baseball, haha). 

Contact Info:
Twitter: @ ShortStopBall 
Email: [e-mail]
Phone (text only please): 205-613-5247

Jake Mastroianni

[Deleted]

Hey guys

My name is Eric and I will be taking over the Cincinnati Angels. I from North Dakota, but now living in Colorado with my wife and three kids. I work for a big energy company and have been in the industry for 15 years now. I am a huge Red Sox fan and have been since the beginning on the Pedro days! I will be coaching my oldest son in baseball this year, so that will be interesting lol.

I used to do a lot of football writing, mostly IDP and draft coverage. But I have pretty cut that out and focusing on baseball with Scott over at Prospects1500.

You can reach me via text (best way), Twitter or email (posted this info in contact info)

[Dave Funnell]

Hello all, I’m Dave Funnell, and I’m taking over as part owner of the Minnesota Cardinals. A bit about me: I’m married, 43 and a father of three children. I live an hour south of Toronto and am a school teacher. I’ve played and written about fantasy baseball for many years, and enjoy it more than any other sport. I don’t have a favourite team.

I’m more of a morning guy, so replying to emails and trades will be better for me early in the morning. If I don’t get back to you right away, it’s usually because I’m with the family. I can check emails from work too, so essentially I’m saying I’ll do my best to reply to any and all messages.

Feel free to email me at [e-mail] anytime.

[Cincinnati Angels (Chad)]

Hey y’all,

I’m Chad - new owner of the Cincinnati Angels. 29, married and live in Smyrna, GA. Season ticket holders to Braves games. I went to UGA and worked for the men’s basketball team as a manager and grad assistant. I currently work at Turner Sports in midtown ATL.

I’ve been playing in Keeper/Dynasty leagues (mostly H2H) since middle school and have loved it ever since. I love trading - always down to start some discussions. Text anytime - 706-575-3075. Social handle is @chadaycock - I do more consuming than I do posting, but hit me with a follow and I’ll follow you back.

[Philadelphia Rangers (Mitch)]

hey.......yo (Scott Hall reference) Mitch Lunde is my name & I'm taking over the Philadelphia Rangers from a legend in Chuck. I'm 54 from North Dakota and work as an Activities Director for Minot Public Schools. 3 kids and a great wife. Been involved with education and coaching my entire life. I have participated in fantasy since around 1980 and enjoy the game & watching baseball. Diamond Due league member for I think 4 years & have always been rebuilding. Enjoy collecting cards along with the BUNT app (Lundzilla). Tend to hold onto my guys but can be reached @ 701-818-9237 via text (best way) or on twitter @zillabunthuddle good luck!