California Dreamin'

For those of you loyal Monroe Doctrine subscribers, and this posting is dedicated to one in particular, you may recall that I was amazed we had received hits from all over the WORLD, yes I said WORLD.  (Monroe Doctrine, May 17, 2011 “The World is Warming Up to the Monroe Doctrine)  I couldn’t believe that anyone outside of the league would tap into our little fantasy life and so I figured the furthest interest would be North Carolina, home of the four-time champion Ruffins.

Again, I am amazed at the ability of the internet to make the world smaller.  In the last two months alone we have had hits from (I’m not making this up) Kiev, Kyyiv, Ukraine; Wichita, KS; Eden Prairie, MN; Russian Federation; Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy (Hi Dave on sabbatical!); Oakland, CA; Milpitas, CA; Buffalo, NY, San Francisco, CA (Hi Matt on vacation!); and four visits from a friend in Mountain View, CA.  I say a “friend” because Mountain View, CA has long been tapping in to the silliness of our league.  I always wondered what could be so interesting about a fantasy baseball league in the suburbs of Chicago that someone on the other side of the country would keep coming back.  So in true Monroe Doctrine form, we decided to find out.  Also true to form, we didn’t bother ourselves with actually interviewing Mountain View, CA, so what follows will no doubt be news to them as well as to you.

MD:  So who are you exactly?

MV:  If it’s all right with you, I would prefer not to use my name.  For reasons that should be obvious, consistently tapping in to a Fantasy Baseball Newsletter is not something I want my friends and neighbors to know about.  You can call me Mountain View.

MD:  Fair enough.  Let’s start there.  Tell us about Mountain View.

MV: In the spirit of full disclosure, I’m not in Mountain View, California.  That apparently is where my Internet hub is located.  Until I am convinced that the CFCL and Monroe Doctrine is not a shell front for some organized stalking organization, let’s keep working on the assumption that I’m in Mountain View.  With that being said, Mountain View is a beautiful bedroom community at the south end of the San Francisco Bay.  We’re close enough to get to either a Giant or A’s game in a matter of minutes, but far enough way that even in his most steroid-hopped-up-stupor Barry Bonds couldn’t reach us with a homerun.

MD:  What brought you to our humble publication?

MV:  Oh just general Internet searching about baseball related articles.  The Monroe Doctrine was listed in one of the results lists and I was intrigued.

MD:  What has brought you back?

MV:  There’s a certain je ne sais crois.  And let me tell you, most Californians don’t understand that phrase.  Call it whimsy, call it variety, call it Midwestern home spun Americana.  I check in every week or two to see if there’s something new that’s worth reading.  As much as I’ve enjoyed past articles I will say it would be nice if you stepped it up a bit.

MD:  Point taken.  Do you participate in fantasy baseball?

MV:  I do.  I guess I was hoping for some insight on players to acquire, winning strategies, etc.  But considering you haven’t had a winning season since 2002 I may be looking under the wrong streetlight.  On an unrelated topic, does The Professor write a baseball blog?

MD:  Ahem, he has written many politically insightful articles, but to date I believe he was steered clear of baseball.  How long have you been involved in fantasy baseball?

MV:  A couple of years.  I understand one of your owners is commissioner of a league based here in California.  Amazing dedication to fly halfway across the country to draft ballplayers you’ll never meet.

MD:  Agreed.  Not to toot our own horn, but that’s one of the amazing qualities about the CFCL.  We currently have three owners that make it a point to travel in from other states to attend the draft, live and in person.

MV:  That is amazing.  Now more about me.  When I go to games I tend to go to A’s games.  When I attend a Giants game, I’ll cheer for whomever they are playing.

MD:  Why is that?  Are you more American League than National League?

MV:  Not at all.  National League is in my DNA.  I just can’t stand the Giants.  The park is beautiful, but between Baker’s managing, Bonds, Kent and a few others, I just can’t stand the Giants.  I’m more of a Dodgers fan.

MD:  Fascinating.  It’s almost like the teams never left the burroughs of New York.  Any last comments?

MV:  Thanks for the shout out.  Now leave it alone.  I feel like I’m going to see some dork in a CFCL hat peering in my window some evening.  If so, you’ll have to change the name of your league to the Clandestine Following Creeper League.