Greg Lynas Interview

Conducted by Captain Joe Davis, 8/16/07

(Greg Lynas is a 3-time member of the All-BAD ASS team and perennial Gold Glover generally regarded as the best defensive 3B in the league. He used to have the 2nd-longest commute to BAB before vaulting into 1st place with his 2007 move to Modesto. In spite of that he has still played quite often and is as valuable to the league as ever.)

JD: In 2005, you sat out over half the season for family reasons (so suddenly, in fact, that there was speculation you left because of the tough 7-game series loss you'd just absorbed which you swore was untrue.) How difficult was it for you when Sunday rolled around and you were not on a BAD ASS field?

GLY: It wasn't very difficult at all. Making the drive out, finding a field, then setting up the fence. Some games wouldn't start till noon or later. That took a lot of the fun out of playing ball on Sundays, so I decided to stay home.

Of course I didn't stay gone too long, so I guess I did miss it.

JD: Share with the newer BAB class the source behind your well documented hatred of fields with 90-ft. basepaths.

GLY: I don't hate fields with 90 ft. bases, I just prefer shorter bases. I have to miss some weeks here and there anyways, might as well make it on the days we play on 90 ft. bases.

JD: You are good friends with Rob Flores off the field, so much so in fact he has ventured out to Modesto several times already and spent entire weeks with you. A) How did Rob convince you to come out of retirement in 2005, and B) What did Rob say to you that helped you get over the undeserved Small Penis that Skillz Davis gave you in 2006?

GLY: Damn, you are like the paparazzi...Got all kinds of inside info!

He just said that he was captain and that he wanted me to play and be a part of the Donkeys, so of course I said yes.

As for the Small Penis, he just said "Don't worry, that Skillz guy is an asshole anyway." Just kidding. Honestly, I don't remember what he said exactly, but his soothing voice and dark, passionate latino eyes made me feel better.

JD: In early summer 2007 you had a slammin' housewarming party out in Modesto. Just wanna say you were an awesome host and hopefully we can do it again sometime soon. Barring any unforseen situation changes how often will you play in 2008?

GLY: A party is only as good as it's guests, so thank you Brandon Hamilton for spicing up my lame guest list.

And anyone is welcome to stop by anytime, just bring beer and the PS3 power cord.

My plans for 2008 are the same as this year. I will play about 60%-70% of the games. Always gonna be days I just can't make it, but thems the breaks.

JD: You are now an All-Star third baseman, but you established yourself in BAB as a star outfielder. Tell us what it takes/took for you to hone your skillz at the hot corner.

GLY: Growing up I always played shortstop. In the first games of the league, I think I played there. But back then, we were lucky if we had 10 people total, which meant lots of 5 on 5 games with pitcher's hand. Fielding a grounder then tossing it to the pitcher wasn't very satisying, so I moved to the outfield. That's where I won my first Gold Glove. Then a few seasons ago, Cav suggests I should move to the infield again, and it made sense. So I bought a new glove and switched positions.

JD: Let's be blunt: Since BAB moved to Goodson, you have NOT been nearly as good a hitter as you once were, especially in the power department. Do you attribute your offensive struggles to irregular PT, or to the field, or to something else?

GLY: Was the over emphasis on NOT really necessary? ; )

Irregular PT would be a nice convenient excuse, but I don't think that has a lot to do with it. Truth be told, I was never known as a very fearsome hitter. Probably because growing up while everyone wanted there turn to hit in BP, I just wanted to shag fly's. Guess that's the trade off I made. LOL I have always said I would rather make an excellent defensive play than hit a HR.

I don't think it's the field or any of that, I just think that I need to hit the cages and maybe shed a few pounds before next season starts so I can get me some of the Blue Monster...and get back over the Mendoza line.

JD: In 2006, you captained the NumbNutz, and selected the team based on not necessarily the best talent, but the group of guys you'd most want to play with. Did you get enjoyment you hoped for in spite of the 7-game loss? Will you follow the method next time you lead a team?

GLY: I absolutely got the enjoyment I was hoping for. If I could get the same team again, I would take them into battle with me in a heartbeat.

JD: How many times have you had to clean up dog poop at Goodson?

GLY: Once, usually no one sees them poop, so I don't "have" to pick it up, I just leave it. J/K

But really only once, that was the first time they pooped on the field. They pee all the time though.

JD: If you were to be a commissioner again, what would you push BAB to begin doing, and what would you push BAB to discontinue?

GLY: If I were commish, I would love to address the start time issue. If it were up to me, games start at 10:30 on the dot. Unless the fence isn't there by that time, then the game starts whenever the fence gets put up. If you are late, you miss out on some at bats.

JD: You are, like me, Leland and others, a long-suffering SF Giants fan. Is the 2007 edition the worst yet you've seen?

A: Not THE worst, but they are REALLY bad. I mean, the '85 Giants lost 100 games, I don't think this year's team will do that bad.

It is really rough to look at the state they are in. They are OLD, and I still don't see a plan to rebuild the team. The rotation isn't half bad, but the bullpen and the position players aren't very good at all. Zito is looking like a disaster, and outside of signing A-Rod, I don't think the Giants will be battling for the NL West title anytime soon.

JD: When the entire Ryan quitting fiasco went down on the Smackboard, you were in the process of moving and didn't have the opportunity to chime in. Would you have said anything to him? If he ever wanted to return would you oppose it?

GLY: Yeah, I don't know all the details of that whole thing so I can't say a whole lot. As for him coming back, if he truly did say something deragatory about the league, then I would want an apology before he returns to play. If he apologized, then welcome back.

JD: Have you dabbled in the latest "Guitar Hero" lately?

A: A little bit, me and Jonathon will throw it on from time to time. Waiting for "Rock Band" to come out around Christmas time.

JD: Where has the BAB Reporter been? It's been a LONG time since he interviewed anybody.

GLY: I think he died.

JD: Do you regret your decision to sit out the Evil Reds/Morning Wood series after you went undrafted?

A: I didn't have a whole lot of choice. I wish I could have played, but I think dropping it and sitting out the series was the best thing for the league.

JD: If you had the first 7 picks in the draft, who do you pick?

GLY: Leland, Rob, Tito, Cav, Torance, Skillz and Joel.