Interview with Kyle Robinson,
Big River Beavers

BIGGEST DADDY: Kyle, thanks for doing this interview with us! It looks like you have been in the league for about 11 months now. What do you think about this league so far?

KYLE ROBINSON: Thanks for having me. The league has been great. It's definitely one of the best leagues I have ever been a part of. The depth this league brings is amazing. The guys are awesome. There is a variety of personalities that make things very interesting. I am also glad that I can play H2H with everyone now. It allows me to get to know everyone a little bit better.

BD: What's been the hardest thing to catch on so far?

KR: I think one thing that is always hard to gauge when you join any league is the value of players. I know that I am still figuring out who is worth what and who deserves what. I know I've made some questionable trades and contracts, but that's part of learning.

BD: What do you think about the competition in your division?

KR: The Higuera Division seems pretty balanced. Even with the defending champs in the division, it appears that any team can win any game. The first chapter here has shown that. I expect a tight race all season, but I would not be surprised if we see a favourite within the next chapter or two emerge.

BD: Let's get an assessment of your team. What do you think it's going to take to get really competitive? What parts can you trade? What holes are you gonna try to fill?

KR: I think my team is relatively competitive currently. We're definitely not at Slyme or Cowtippers or Undertakers level though. I feel pretty confident with my pitching this season. I would like to upgrade the backend of my rotation, but I feel 1-3 we can compete with anyone this season. I think we need to bring in a big bat or two, especially vs LHP. We have a great farm system. I think from there we have pieces we can move to upgrade positions, but we also have some talent that I am excited to have up with the big boys in the next few years.

BD: Lets hear about you! Tell us about your family and your career.

KR: I am happily married for the last 5+ years to a wonderful woman. She is a hard working social worker, doing child development. Together we have a vibrant, energetic and happy 4 year old boy. He is starting to really get into sports. We have him signed up for baseball this spring, which I am excited to see. He already has a killer swing. He'll be hitting HRs in no time. We also have a 6 year old Maltese-Yorkie who still acts like she's a puppy. Currently, I am not working, due to the joys of the economy and the awful price of oil. I was in plumbing before for the last 5 months. It's something that I will be continuing when things pick up around here. Prior to that, I was an archaeologist for 4 years. I have my BA in Archaeology. It was an enjoyable career but one with little to no advancement. I learned the painfully hard way about that.

BD: Where will your next 3 vacations take you?

KR: I don't know about the next 3 but the next 2 I definitely know. First, some time in the summer or fall, my family and I will be travelling back to Ontario to see my parents and other relatives. That is where I am originally from. In December or January, my family and my wife's family will be going to Disneyland for a few weeks. I suspect my third vacation will probably be a stay-cation. Sometimes is nice just to not do anything.

BD: Which rock/pop concerts will you be attending this summer?

KR: That's a good question. I am hoping to see Journey, The Who, John Mellancamp, Neil Diamond, and I know my wife would love to see Ed Sheeran and Bad Religion. We'll probably also go see a few local bands and maybe a festival.

BD: When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?

KR: I love to read. Be it a book or sports website, I am reading something. That is unless my son is up then we're usually play Lego. Which is awesome too.

BD: It's midnight and you are starving -- what place you grabbing food?

KR: I am going to either McDonald's, which is terrifyingly close, or, my favourite, Wendy's.

BD: If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?

KR: I have ALWAYS wanted to meet Ted Williams. My first real ball glove was a Ted Williams model glove given to me by my grandma and I have grown up wanting to meet and know the greatest hitter ever. I think it would have been amazing to hear all his stories, his approach to the game and how baseball affected him. There are many other people I would love to meet, but Ted Williams is the longest standing one I've had.

BD: What is your favorite all-time movie?

KR: I love a lot of movies, but my all-time favourite is Top Gun. Something about fighter jets, Tom Cruise, the military and Meg Ryan has had a hold of me since I first watched it as a kid.

BD: OK, I admit, I know nothing of Saskatoon. Tell us about this place!

KR: Saskatoon is a beautiful city in the great province of Saskatchewan and located along the South Saskatchewan River. The population is approximately 260,00 in the city limits and about 300,000 in the metro area. It's a big university town. It's heavily run by potash, oil and agriculture industries. Nicknames of the city include: POW city (potash, oil and wheat), City of Bridges (we have approximately 8) and Paris of the Prairies.

BD: What its like being a Blue Jays fan? Will they have a shot in 2015?

KR: Being a Jays fan is a lot like being the fan of every other Toronto team (which I am): continually optimistic and frustrating. You believe every year that there is a chance and every year there's a glimpse of hope and it all goes up in smoke pretty dramatically. So, with that being said, I have to believe that the Jays have an excellent chance this year. I think that this is the year that both the pitching and hitting align, for once, all season and we make a good run at the playoffs. I am excited to see how the young guys perform. We have a nice balance of youth and veterans. I can only hope injuries don't derail our chances once again. It seems to happen EVERY year.

BD: Have you been to other MLB stadiums? If so, which is your favorite?

KR: I have been to the SkyDome, old Tiger Stadium and Comerica Park. Tiger Stadium was always awesome. The atmosphere there is something I'll never forget. Seeing Cecil Fielder hit a HR out of the stadium will always be one of my favourite game memories.

BD: Thanks for spending time with us, Kyle!

KR: Thank you. Good luck to everyone this season. I look forward to playing each and every one of you.