The Big Stick of Big Six.. The Big Six Interview

[Padreman]

Hall of fame Status with nearly 2,900 post almost thanked 240 times. A forum member since 2003, He LOVES the Dynasty reports Mr. Big Six

When and what version did you start playing OOTP?
I started playing OOTP in the spring of 2003. I'm pretty sure that was OOTP 5.

What's feature of the game you love most?
I particularly like the fact that OOTP is so customizable. I can play the game in countless ways, and enjoy them all. And, with the logos, uniforms, caps, etc. that have been created by the talented members of the OOTP community, I can give my leagues a "look" that makes them even more real, immersive, and fun.

What's favorite baseball team (any league)?
I've been an Orioles fan all my life. My grandfather lived in Connecticut, so he was a Red Sox fan. I've always liked the Red Sox, too, because of him.

How old you?
I'm 40.

Where are you originally from?
I'm originally from Baltimore.

Are you a family man?
Yes. I've been happily married for 12 years, and we have one son (almost 10) and two daughters (almost 7 and almost 4).

What do you for a living?
I'm a middle school history teacher. I'm also an assistant coach for the football and lacrosse teams.

Besides OOTP do you have any other hobbies or interest?
Lots, all of which I wish I had more time for. I am an avid reader. Our whole family enjoys going to ballgames, cooking out, etc. My wife and I are both getting back into running, and are planning to run a half-marathon in 2014.

Your known to spend a lot of time in the Dynasty Reports area for those who don't venture there why would you encourage them try it?
I love the Dynasty Reports. The people who post there have so many creative ideas, and some of them are exceptionally good writers and storytellers. It's a cliche, but there's something there for anybody who likes OOTP.

What forum members individual pieces do you personally enjoy in the dynasty reports?
I almost hate to start mentioning people, because I know I'll leave someone out. I started my first dynasty story after I read dsvitak's "Robert J. (Bubba) Jones." Orcin is as good as they get when it comes to writing about the experiences of a fictional league GM. I've always liked the creative ideas NYY #23 comes up with. And I've always enjoyed Eugene Church's masterpiece about the Islandian Pro Alliance. OmahaReynolds is a newer writer, but I like his stuff, too. Like I said, I'm sure I am leaving someone out, and I apologize for that.

If the OOTP team asked you be a consultant what will you change, add or remove for new version of the game?
I thought OOTP lost some of its mojo between, say OOTP 6.5 and OOTP10, but now it's got it back. I wouldn't call for any big tweaks, only an ongoing effort to make the game engine even better. For my money, OOTP ain't broke, so there's no need to fix it.

Do you feel Pete Rose should be a HOF? What about known or alledged steroid users?
I changed my mind about Rose once I became a dad and a coach. I liked Pete as a ballplayer, because I appreciated the way he played the game. It's now hard for me to say "Sure, Pete broke the rules, but he was great, so let him in the Hall of Fame anyway." I don't want my kids, or my players, to learn that you can break the rules and still achieve a place of honor like the Hall of Fame.

I wouldn't vote for the known steroid users for the Hall of Fame.

Is there any other game or show your currently enjoying you would like to let us know?
I'm not a soccer expert by any means, but I love playing Football Manager. I play some Replay baseball, both on the PC and with cards & dice. My wife got me to watch Downton Abbey with her last summer, after we visited the UK, and now I have to admit I'm as big a fan as she is.

[Padreman]

We love Dowton Abbey too

[Padreman]

And on a side note I just wanted to mention a lot of you Dynasty don't get as much credit as the modders but your contributions to the forum are very much appreciated

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by Padreman

We love Dowton Abbey too

I admit I first watched it only because my beautiful bride asked me to. I definitely owed her one because she'd cheerfully sent me off to meet my brother up at Camden Yards for an Orioles game a few nights earlier, while she spent the day and evening with sole child management responsibilities.

I'm surprised I'm as into it as I am. The last TV show I followed with as much enjoyment was Sports Night, and that hasn't been on in over a decade.

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by Padreman

And on a side note I just wanted to mention a lot of you Dynasty don't get as much credit as the modders but your contributions to the forum are very much appreciated

Thanks very much, Padreman. If someone reads one of my dynasty stories and discovers a new way to have some fun with OOTP, I'm honored and flattered--even if they don't write about it on the forum themselves. I've always liked to write, so the dynasty forum was naturally something I'd enjoy.

[RchW]

Originally Posted by Big Six

I admit I first watched it only because my beautiful bride asked me to. I definitely owed her one because she'd cheerfully sent me off to meet my brother up at Camden Yards for an Orioles game a few nights earlier, while she spent the day and evening with sole child management responsibilities.

I'm surprised I'm as into it as I am. The last TV show I followed with as much enjoyment was Sports Night, and that hasn't been on in over a decade.

It is a high budget production with some high end actors that may not be well known to Americans (exception Maggie Smith). Many of the actors come from live theater so you are going to get good work. Ygritte on Game of Thrones was in the first set of Downton as a maid.

I like Downton a lot but it does not beat the the original Upstairs Downstairs which started earlier circa 1903 but covered all the sociological changes seen in Downton to date. It too used the Titanic sinking as a major device. Most of the characters in Downton have eerily similar analogues in Upstairs Downstairs and several story lines are identical.

[RchW]

Originally Posted by Big Six

Thanks very much, Padreman. If someone reads one of my dynasty stories and discovers a new way to have some fun with OOTP, I'm honored and flattered--even if they don't write about it on the forum themselves. I've always liked to write, so the dynasty forum was naturally something I'd enjoy.

Let me add to Padreman's comments. The creativity and commitment of the Dynasty writers is great. My only complaint is that it is intimidating to consider writing a dynasty when one sees the quality of the stuff available.

[NYY #23]

Thanks Big Six. It's good to read a little bit more about you. Your dynasties have always been among my favorites, and your dynasties, and others have given me a better appreciation of OOTP and what it can do.

As for Downton Abbey, that has been on my list of shows to watch, so I'll be checking that out soon. I've been on a British TV kick lately.

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by RchW

It is a high budget production with some high end actors that may not be well known to Americans (exception Maggie Smith). Many of the actors come from live theater so you are going to get good work. Ygritte on Game of Thrones was in the first set of Downton as a maid.

I like Downton a lot but it does not beat the the original Upstairs Downstairs which started earlier circa 1903 but covered all the sociological changes seen in Downton to date. It too used the Titanic sinking as a major device. Most of the characters in Downton have eerily similar analogues in Upstairs Downstairs and several story lines are identical.

I've never seen the original Upstairs, Downstairs. I've heard it was/is excellent, and I've heard it was very similar to Downton Abbey--more so than it is to the recent Upstairs, Downstairs.

We don't watch a ton of TV at my house. There are quite a few weeks when I watch nothing but sporting events and something or other on PBS. None of us are into reality TV. So much of the information I used to get from TV is now available online, or through an app.

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by RchW

Let me add to Padreman's comments. The creativity and commitment of the Dynasty writers is great. My only complaint is that it is intimidating to consider writing a dynasty when one sees the quality of the stuff available.

On behalf of the others who write for the Dynasty forum, thank you, RchW. I can't imagine any of my writing being the least bit intimidating. However, I think there are several writers on the forum who are as good as anyone writing about sports, anywhere. Some are great storytellers, some are incredibly humorous, and some are "five-tool talents."

I suppose I am equally intimidated by the work of the modders. I wouldn't know where to begin doing something like that.