Contact the Commissioner to get details
on the National SOM League Tournament

Managers

 

LEAGUE BOARD

 


 

 

             

 

 Jim Phelps - Seattle Pilots 

You have to characterize the Seattle Pilots management team as 'slow learners'. It took them 18 seasons to win a Division title and 25 years to secure their first World Series Championship. The Pilots are managed by Jim Phelps, a cautious trader and hopelessly optimistic drafter. Jim began his Strat-O career in the spring of 1969, the year his beloved team (the real, but short-lived, Seattle Pilots) joined the American League.  
Member Since: 1984    (41 years)
Age: 70
Residence: Chelan, WA
Occupation: Retired. Sr. Project Manager for Concur Technologies Corp (and SAP Company).. I implement web-based corporate expense management software.
Family Info: I have 2 kids
Favorite Teams: 1969 Seattle Pilots, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, University of Virginia basketball, Detroit Pistons
Favorite Players: Favorite Players: All time: Mickey Mantle; present day – My nephew, Joe Harris (Detroit Pistons basketball)
Hobbies: Golf, Gardening, Strat
Strat Background: Began playing Strat in 1969 with the 1968 Expansion set. Played in a couple of PBM leagues in the early 70's. Didn't pick it back up again until '85 when I joined G.U.S.S.O.M.O.

 

Mike Lefkow - Concord Grape 

 

THE ANATOMY OF A MIKE LEFKOW
(CONCORD GRAPE)
PRE-SEASON G.U.S.S.O.M.O.  DRAFT

 
 
The 2019 season will be my 38th in GUSSOMO.. The league is fun and it's hard to believe the years have passed so quickly. Think I've been to the World Series four times, with victories over two defunct teams -- North Bay and Mexicali -- and losses to Georgia and Albany. ... I'm a Giants fan in baseball. My other favorite teams are the Seahawks and Washington Huskies, as I'm a Seattle native. ... I retired in February, having spent most of my career in sports journalism. Started out covering high schools, then moved onto the colleges (mostly Stanford), then baseball, which I covered on a daily basis for 15 years split almost equally between the Giants and A's. After that I became an editor for the Bay Area News Group (Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury News). ... I've played Strato since college, but did not join a league until I had been out of school for about six years, when I hooked up with GUSSOMO.

 

 

Member Since: 1980    (45 years)
Age: 70

Residence:

Lathrop, CA

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Not

2 dog, 1 cat

Retired, though I do freelance work for my old publication

Favorite Teams: S.F. Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Univ. of Washington Huskies (I'm a Seattle native), San Jose State Spartans and San Jose Sharks.
Favorite Players: Willie Mays, Kenny Stabler, Elgin Baylor
Hobbies: Strat, Music
Strat Background: Started playing in College.  Joined GUSSOMO in 1981.  Have won two (2) Championships -- against Bradd Stine and Jim Criscione -- neither in the League any longer.  Lost World Series to Georgia and Albany.  Also play in one other Strato League.  I'm in two Baseball Fantasy Leagues and one Football Fantasy League.. .

 

 

 

 Jeff Fleischman - Las Vegas High Rollers 

Previously... We were the San Jose Gringos, San Jose Sultans, San Jose Replacements, Aurora Borealis, the Mile High Maggots, Piney Creek Palookas and the Rocky Mountaian Oysters!

 

 

REMEMBER....
Member Since: 1970  (55 years)
Residence: North Las Vegas, Nevada

Family:

  

 

Married for 29 years to Robyn... who continues to "let's me" play Strat-O-Matic
We have an 27 year old daughter, Sydney who graduated Cum Laude from Colorado State University (CSU) in 2019... where in the World has all the time gone??... She majored in Theatre Performance/Business.  Moved to Los Angeles in September 2021 in order to continue her career as an Actress. She recently appeared in her 1st commercial!  I also have two Sons (Joel), works and lives in Littleton, CO, and Richard, who works as a Senior IT Project Manager for PayPal Corporate. He married Emily over Labor Day weekend - September 2018. They moved from San Jose to Portland, Oregon and made me and Robyn Grandparents the end of July 2024..... a Granddaughter... Zoey Ester. 

Occupation:


Favorite Teams:
Retired. Formerly Regional Sales Manager, Sales Trainer and Operations Manager

Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies (I kind of leaned towards Purple... but Vegas??  Maybe... Probably), Denver Broncos.... I have a really good feeling that Bo Nix is going to be a Star.  The Blue and Orange have been terrible the past couple of years... Thanks a lot, John Elway).... but it didn't get any better with the $245 Million Dollar "Power Ball" payout to Russell "Russ" Wilson. He could have set a record for being "sacked" the most times in a Season. The Broncos had no Blocking for Wilson when he tries to Pass... and they also have NO Blocking when the Broncos try to run the Ball. Oh, if  I forgot to mention it... the Broncos were among the lowest scoring team in the entire League..... And NOW back to the action.... I also (liked) the Colorado Avalanche and Temple Universtiy Football and Basketball. Yeah... I went to Temple University... along with UCLA and San Jose State. There could be some "new" favorite teams coming up in the very near future! How about the Las Vegas Golden Knights? I got a really nice Jersey LAST year. I also have AAA Baseball Las Vegas Aviator Jersey and Team Hat. Went to see my first game on September 3rd, 2024. 
Favorite Players: Old - Sandy Koufax, Wes Parker, Steve Garvey, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Happy Harriston.  Current - yeah, I (liked) Trevor Story, Nolan Arenado and a number of other Rockies. It's kind of funny to hear and see how many Denver area Parents have named their kids Nolan or Peyton. I officiate sports on many different levels, and hear/see the kids with these names of Bronco and Rockies players all the time.  Also like Archie Graham, Billy Chapel, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and Chico Escuela who has bean berry, berry good to me!
 
Hobbies: Strat, Sports Officiating (Baseball Umpire and Basketball Referee) Youth, High School and College level. Playing Guitar and Drums. 
Strat Background: Started playing in 1965 or 1966 (seems so long ago, I can't remember!). Reorganized G.U.S.S.O.M.O. in March of 1971  Was in the Core 4 Retro League (1960 season) and made it to the Playoffs. Also played the 1961 season, but decided not to continue as a Manager.  I recently was asked to join MATSA which is now in its 40th year. The League is run by Clay Grant, who was an original G.US.S.O.M.O. Manager.

 

 

 Larry D. Steinberg - Chicago Mob 

Manager Fred Turtle -- I took over the managerial duties in 2002.  A North American Red Eared Slider, I was adopted by the kindly Steinberg family 19 years ago after a series of bad experiences in several foster homes.  I'm basically a rescue turtle.  Because of that my birth records are not available, although my age is estimated to be in the mid 20's.  I love baseball of course, mealworms, grasshoppers the occasional fish and my sun lamp.  Other interests are television, reading nature journals, digging in gravel and swimming.  

I have a more aggressive managerial style than the previous manager.  I expect my players to give 100% all the time or it's aquarium cleaning duties.  I welcome the challenge of managing and expect to be in the post season every year.  2014 was exciting but also disappointing.  The team worked hard to get into the world series but ran into an unexpected buzz saw in Busters' A.J. Griffin.  Earning manager of the year was nice, thank you.  And now, on to the GM.

GM Larry Steinberg -- Member since 1971  (53years)

Birth Date 12/28/1953.  You can do the math     he's 69+... yikes!
                                                                           Shhhhh...

Residence:  Algonquin, Illinois, about 45 miles NW of downtown Chicago.

Occupation:  Gratefully retired as of 12/31/19. I was a Medical Laboratoy Technologist, specializing in Immunohematology (Blood Bank).  Have worked at Swedish Covenant Hospital since 1989.  Birth place of Harrison Ford (Are you reading, Jason??)

Favorite Teams:  Favorite Teams:  Basically a Chicago fan.  White Sox are #1 with me. And Baseball.  I follow the Bulls, Black Hawks and Bears when they are doing well but generally am not as big a fan of the sport as Baseball.  I'll watch MLB post season, not so much the other sports.  Not a Cubs fan but was OK with them doing well in 2015 and will hope for the same in the future, but come Cub/Sox series, I'll root for the Sox every time.  No exception.

Favorite Players:  Can't say I have a favorite at this point in my life.  Can say the last one was Frank Thomas.  My favorite player as a child and first becoming baseball aware was Willie Mays.  I loved the way he crushed the Cubs every time the Giants came to town.  My favorite player of all time is Walter Payton

Hobbies:  Sad to say Strat is the only real hobby I have but now that I'm retired I'll likely take up some stuff that I used to do.   My wife and I like to go to concerts covering many genre's.  We love Bluegrass and have seen the legends from Ralph Stanley, Del McCoury and Special Consensus to contemporary like Allison Krause and Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers.  Just saw Carl Palmer of ELP for the 4th time.  Have seen Greg Lake solo, sadly gone.  In 2019 it was ELO (not that big a fan but Mrs. Steinberg is.  Sorry, Jeff) and Elton John.  Only 2 TV shows I watch regularly.  Walking Dead (believe it or not), Dr. Who (Unbelievably creative and challenging but the latest Doctor is disappointing so far.)   Biggest event of my 2019 summer was winning a raffle with the prize being sitting in the engineers seat and driving a 100+ year old steam train at our local railroad museum.  Yes, it was awesome.  

                                                   

Strat Backround:  Saw an add for Strat-O-Matic in a 1967 X-Men comic book.  I disobeyed my mother and sent away for it anyway.  Odd that it was an X-Men comic that I had, because I was exclusively a DC comics reader (Superman, Batman, etc.).  Fate.  Introduced it to my neighborhood friends and we wasted many hours playing.  Joined GUSSOMO in 1971, left in 1977 and rejoined in 1980.  I play baseball exclusively.  Dabbled with the other games but gave up on football in the late 70's.  Besides this league, I'm in the Charles O. Finley league, owning the Red Sox and after losing in the world series twice, my 1982 team finally won it all in 2014.  Won it all again with the 1988 Red Sox in 2018.  Also a recent member of Clay Grant's MATSA league with the Fox Valley Zephyrs.  Was going to call the team the Terrapins but Fred would have none of it.  I have been invited to other leagues but 3 is pushing it for me.  Can't see how so many guys are in so many leagues and still have a life.  OK, I did join a 4th league last year, CCBA and made it to their World Series with a 90 win team beating a 112 win team and a 106 win team, only to lose in 5 to another 106 win team. 

Other:  Married to Elaine Cheney 10/23/83 (again, you can do the math).  Two boys.  Evan you know, and Sam (many of you know).  Fairly active in our synagogue.  Recently retired from the board of directors as treasurer for 4 years.  Have learned how to read Torah and do so 2 or 3 times a year.  Currently have cats as well as Fred Turtle.  Politically.... 

                                                                                    

 

           

     

             FRED TURTLE AND SOME MOB "HARDWARE"

 


              THE REAL "BOSS" BEHIND THE CHICAGO MOB!






        

 Kevin Martin - Richmond Banshees 

Been playing Strat for more the 30 years and enjoy its release from the pressures of the real world.  Currently, I participate in three baseball leagues.  If you could get inside my head, one would realize while sitting in workplace meetings, or discussion with my wife, I often am really thinking that Vladimire Guerrero (insert anyone from any of my three leagues) batted .297 last year and has enough at bats to get me through the season.  The mind never really wonders far from Strat, but somehow I disguise my veiled interest enough to get through life.  I've been married since 1997 with three wonderful kids that fill my non-Strat life with much angst and joy.  I am happiest at the beach, either playing with my children, or talking Strat (technology is great).

 

Member Since: 1990    (35 years)
Age: 47
Residence: Chester, VA (suburb of Richmond)
Occupation: Human Resources and Safety Manager, UPS Ffright
Favorite Teams: Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech, Atlanta Braves and Dallas Cowboys
Favorite Players: Ricky Henderson, Dale murphy; current player Jason Heyward
Hobbies: Watching my kids play sports (Adam plays baseball, soccer, basketball), Strat.

 

 

 


     

 

 Mike Bowen - Tulsa Oilers 

   
Member Since: 2024    (2 years)
Age:  
Residence: Tulsa, OK
Occupation:  
Favorite Teams:  
Favorite Players:  
Hobbies:  
Strat Background:  

Family Info:             

 

 

  

 John Polumbo - Mississippi Big Orange 

After rescuing a miserable franchise from Ephrata in 1995, we endured years of losing to build a winner. Big Orange managed by John Polumbo, born to be in GUSSOMO. Learned from one of the league's top dogs. Made first playoff appearance in 7th year of existence. 7 Trips to the postseason since. Runner-Up in 2011.  
Member Since: Joined Gussomo in 1995 (30 years) as league's 1st "2nd generation" manager.
Age: 42
Residence: Murfreesboro, TN
Occupation: Morning Executive Producer for WKRN  TV, Nashville's ABC Affiliate
Favorite Teams: Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Syracuse Orange, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions, Nashville Predators, Tennessee State Blue Raiders, Belmont University Bruins, Burnley FC (for Soccer Fans). 
Favorite Players: John Elway, Jim Thome, Bobby Higginson
Hobbies: Running, Strat, Travel, Scouting (Cub/Boy), Anything with the KIds!
Strat Background: Learned at a young age.  First 2nd generation GUSSOMO manager.  2 WS Appearances, still looking for that first title.  
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s): Beating some of my dad's "Super teams" with some really bad ones in the early years.   
 

 

 

 Will Polumbo - Michigan Marvels 

I joined the League in 1998, in my Junior year of High School, and promptly got fleeced in first trade, dealing away slugger Ray Lankford for Troy Percival.

Since joining the League, I've gone to College (go Blue!), married my wife Adrienne, gone through several jobs - I'm now a Marketing Director at Atlas Copco, and industrial power tool manufacturer - and had two future GUSSOMO managers with my wife.  Max is 9 and Ian is 6.  I've already got both of them playing with the dice and cards.  Ian's favortie team is the 2004 Red Sox.

In GUSSOMO, my team has had four World Series appearances, and we finally broke through and won one in 2010.
dssd

My All-Time Team:

C - Ramon Hernandez
1B - Justin Morneau
2B - Chase Utley
SS - Jimmy Rollins
3B - Aramis Ramirez
LF - Manny Ramirez
CF - Vernon Wells
RF - Shinn-Soo Choo
SP - Bartolo Colon
RP - Jonathan Pabelbon
 

 

Member Since: 1996    (29 years)
Age: 40
Residence: Oxford, Michigan
Occupation: Marketing Director
Favorite Teams: The Detroit Tigers
Favorite Players: Anyone on my Gussomo team
Hobbies: Strat-o-Matic, of course!
Strat Background: I started in Gussomo by running my dad's drafts, then managed Earl Brock's team and Dave Taylor's team for a year during their respective hiatuses before getting my own team when I was 17. The ace of my first pitching staff was Darren Oliver, and my first draft pick was Jaret Wright.

 

 

  Nick Diiorio - Gilead Gunslingers

 

 

Member Since: 2020  (5 years)
Age: 54
Residence: Brookhaven, PA
Marital Status/Family: Married to my Beautiful wife Denise for OMG will be 29 years in March. We have 2 children ages 23 and 21 plus 2 dogs and 1 cat
Occupation:

IP Project manager for Department of Homeland Security. Yes I work for the Federal government please don’t hold that against me. LOL

Favorite Teams:

Philadelphia Phillies and Flyers Oakland A’s and Duke basketball

Favorite Players: Larry Bowa, Ricky Henderson, John Kruk, Lenny Dykstra, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins
Hobbies: Playing strat, Reading favorite author is Stephen King as my team name comes from his Dark Tower Series.  Watching Sports on TV
Strat Background:

Started playing in 1977 when I saw an ad in a magazine for the game, got the baseball game with the 1976 Phillies and Reds, from there I was hooked. My friends and I played the baseball hockey and football games. Spent many an evening at the dinning room table starting leagues and playing games with my friends. Play mainly in computer leagues (baseball and hockey) but still get the baseball cards every year and like to roll the dice on solo projects.

Favorite Strat moment: I did a card and dice all Phillies 10 team double elimination tournament a couple years ago. And had my first and only no-hitter I was ever part of. As Randy Wolf of the 2001 Phillies no-hit the 2012 Phillies in Game 7 of a first-round game. Wolf had 10 strikeouts and 5 walks in the game. The no-hitter was amazing but to have it happen in a game 7 was just incredible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Jason Kip - Volbeat Ghost Archers

I have been married since 1998 to my wonderful wife Karin with 2 daughters. Amanda and Samantha. Amanda (who is in the US Air Force) just got married two days ago. Maybe I will be a grandfather soon. I have changed the team name a few times. Sticking with mostly a Star Wars them each time. I am a huge Star Wars fan so this lets me combine two things I love in life.

Member Since: 2002 (23 years)
Age 49
Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada
Marital Status/Spouse Name: Karin
Children: 2 - Amanda and Samantha
Occupation: Casino Pit Boss
Favorite Teams: Oakland A’s,Denver Broncos,Utah Jazz,Vegas Golden Knights
Favorite Players: Reggie Jackson, Mark McGwire
 
Hobbies: Still playing softball with friends, Strat-O Matic, Xbox
Strat Background: I started playing Strat-O-Matic in 1987 when my best friend Jason Dube (Fenway Faithfull GM) showed me the game. I was instantly hooked. Over the years I have played Strato Football and Basketball but they never really caught my interest. Baseball is where it is at for me. I even took the card game with me while I was in the military to various places around the world.That was from 1992 to 1996. I joined this league in 2002 and it has been awesome since day 1.
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience: Beating Ralph Polumbo for the Championship in my 3rd year in the League.

 


 Dave "Shoe" Shuey - Stanford Robber Barons

After starting with G.U.S.S.O.M.O. back in Law School in the early 90's and playing in the League for a decade or so (building a dominant team that won titles), I took a break from G.U.S.S.O.M.O. to start a couple of other leagues with some friends, including Craig Zetterberg, another member of G.U.S.S.O.M.O. 

I have continued to play in several leagues over the years, but Craig passed away suddenly and the loss of one of my best friends and a SOM fanatic was hard... and I lost a little Mojo.  I got back in touch with Jeff to see if there was an opening to get back into the League and to get my Mojo back.   Well, now I am back, having built the team back up to win 3 consecutive World Series Titles (2019, 2020 and 2021!!!) First time a Manager has accomplished this amazing feat!

My favorite part of SOM is drafting and trading... so if you want to trade... come talk to me!  G.U.S.S.O.M.O. was my first real League although I have played since I was a kid with friends.  My first draft was mocked heavily as I remember drafting closer Darren Holmes RHP Rockies with a first round draft pick and everyone else said, "who?"  I turned it around and when I left I had a very strong team that competed and won titles. 

I remember going to the G.U.S.S.O.M.O. Get-Together in the early 90's in Denver before Coors Field was finished and having a rocking time with those in attendance.  I am looking forward to building another Robber Baron Dynasty!

 
The One And Only...
          "Shoe"
Member Since: 22 years.  Was a long time member back in my early years (1990 thru 2000), then left the league and returned in 2015
Age 58
Residence: Clayton, CA
Marital Status/Spouse Name:

Childern:
Shelly

5 kids (1 adopted from Ukraine, 2 adopted from China) and one grandkid!
Occupation: Attorney
Favorite Teams: Oakland A’s, Colorado Rockies
Favorite Players: Troy Tulowitzki, Joe Rudi, Any A's Player!
 
Hobbies: SOM, coaching kids sports, reading, archery
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s): My friend and I once stayed up all night and we put all teams in hat and just pulled two out and played a game then took two more out and played another game.  Kept scorebook for all of them.  Loved the GUSSOMO get together in Denver back before Coors was built so game at Mile High stadium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 Lars Nielsen - Greensboro Smoke 
 

I've been playing Strat since 1999 in several Leagues around the Country.  Whether winning a World Series in an All-time League (Federation Baseball) or winning the 2015 Ultimate Baseball League World Series Game 7, I've always found all sorts of joy in Strat.  It probably stemmed from the earliest copy that I had growing up of Championship Baseball, which I played almost daily in Middle School.  I have been Commissioner of a now defunct UBL, and am playing around in two other Strat Leagues.  I've been married since 2008 with my two wonderful girls.  When not talking baseball, I have the honor of teaching at the top College Prep School in Colorado and working with students and athletes in the arena of both History and Theology.

Member Since: 2016 (9 years)
Age 45
Residence: Highlands Ranch, CO (Suburb of Denver)
Marital Status/Spouse Name:

Childern:
 
Occupation: Senior Instructor - Valor Christian High School
Favorite Teams: Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies and USA Volleyball
Favorite Players: In Youth, Luis Aparcio, Eric Davis and Rob Dibble.  Currently, any of the athletes I've worked with, Joe Mauer and Charlie Blackmon
 
Hobbies: Culinary Arts, Theological Studies, Coaching Volleball, Enjoying Musical Theater and Opera with the Mrs. 
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s):  

 

 


 Jeff Miller - Hudson Gunners 

 

 

   
Member Since:   2021 (4 years)  
Age:  52  born the same year G.U.S.S.O.M.O. started  
Residence: Columbus, IN (via Hudson, IN)  
Marital Status: Michelle (together since 2007)  
Children: Nicodemus (23), Haleigh (20) and Drake (17)

 

Occupation: Production supervisor for Energizer Battery

 

Favorite Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indiana University basketball.  
 
Favorite Players: Baseball - Eric Davis, Football - Louis Lipps, Pro Basketball - Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, College Basketball - Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway and Marcus Liberty    
Hobbies: Strat, Photography, Hiking and Metal Detecting  
Strat Background: 

 

Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s):  

 

 


 

 

 Andrew Phelps - Washington Senators 

 

 

Member Since: 2010   (15 years)
Age: 40
Residence: Eagle, Idaho
Marital Status/Spouse Name: Married - Janelle
Children: 3 Children, including Hunter and Grady
Occupation: Director of Data Analytics
Favorite Teams: Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners
 
Favorite Players: Ken Griffey Jr., Bryce Harper
Hobbies: Stratomatic Baseball
Strat Background: 14 years with GUSSOMO
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s):  

 


 Mike Volberding - Kona Coast Coffee Growers  

   
  Original League Member in 1971 - Rejoined League in 2011   (15 years)
Age: Not Disclosed
Residence: Danville, CA
Marital Status/Spouse Name: Not Disclosed
Children: Not Disclosed
Occupation: Not Disclosed
Favorite Teams: Oakland A’s, SF Giants, Golden State Warriors, San Jose Sharks, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Cubs, Cal Bears, Notre Dame
 
Favorite Players: Danny Moeller (relative that played MLB), Gus Gil, and any late 1980s Oakland Athletic.
Hobbies: Travel, Sports viewing,
Strat Background: Began with the 5-team 1968 season starter set (and that Bob Gibson 1.12 ERA card!). Stopped playing around 1980 until I picked it up again.
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s):  

 


 Jason Dube - Fenway Faithful  

I have a 13 year old Son who is my World. In fact, I took him to the clinching Game # 5 of the 2018 World Series.  Go Sox!  I enjoy playing Golf, even though I can't get into the 70's.  I also am a self taught drummer.  Nothing like coming Home and whaling on the drum kit after a stressful day. I, like Jason Kip, am a HUGE Star Wars fan, but definitely do not compare to his level. 

 

Member Since: 2004  (21 years)
Age: 47
Residence: Las Vegas, NV
Marital Status/Spouse Name:  
Children: 1 Son - Cameron -13 years old
Occupation: Pit Boss at a Las Vegas casino
Favorite Teams: Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics and Alabama (Crimson Roll Tide)
 
Favorite Players: Baseball - "Big Papi", Celtics - Larry "Legend" Bird, Patriots - Brady (GOAT), Bruins - all time - Cam Neely, current -Patrice Bergeron
Hobbies: Stratomatic Baseball, Golf, Drums and spending as much time with my Son as possible.
Strat Background: I was introduced to Strat by my Uncle in 1986.  Moved to Vegas and met Jason Kip, who loved the game immediately.  Been in many Leagues with him since. 
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s):  

 


 Ray Ross - Puyallup Spartans 

 

 

Member Since: 2015   (10 years)
Age: 68
Residence: Puyallup, WA
Marital Status/Spouse Name: Nadine Ross
Children: n/a
Occupation: Retired.
Former Chapters of my Life include being a Web Consultant in Spokane, WA for Web.com, Life & Health Insurance Agent and Jr. High School Teacher & Coach.
Favorite Teams: Seattle Mariners and the Pittsburgh Pirates as a kid
 
Favorite Players: Ken Griffey Jr., Jay Buhner, Roberto Clemente and Kyle Seager
Hobbies: Working Out and Classic Rock
Strat Background: I currently run a Retro League that has been in existence from the 1961 Season and is currently starting the 2015 Season.  I participate in several Leagues including the MMDA (www.mmdaonline.com),  The Natural League, GGSL and a few others.
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s): I would say winning several League Championships while netplaying or playing in person.  I also traveled twice to attend the Natural League Draft in Southern California.  My greatest trade was acquiring Ken Griffey, Jr. and Lloyd Moseby for Joe Carter.  Griffey was a non-card pick in this League and this was Griffey's first Major League season.  The other Owner called me (remember those days) and said, "I have to win right now."

 

 


 Keith Riggs - Virginia Destroyers 

 

 

Member Since: 2021   (4 years)
Age: 70 (hard to believe!)
Residence: Chesterfield, Virginia
Marital Status/Spouse Name: Debbie Riggs
Children: 3 daughters and 1 son
Occupation: Recently retired from Dominion Resources (Electric Utility)
Favorite Teams: Mets, Orioles, Braves, Cardinals
Favorite Players: Tom Seaver all time. Now Jake deGrom
Hobbies: Golf and baseball
Strat Background: Been playing APBA since I was 10. Started playing the Strat computer game 12 years ago.
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s):

Purchased the '61 season and enjoy playing some games between the Yankees and various other teams that have players that I remember fondly from my days as a kid. Also, joining this league.

 


   

 Linwood King Pins

 

 

Member Since:  
Age:  
Residence:  
Marital Status/Spouse Name:  
Children:  
Occupation:  
Favorite Teams:
 
Favorite Players:  
Hobbies:  
Strat Background:  
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s):  

 

 

 


 

 Jeff "Batman" Wadkowski - Gotham City Batmen 

 

 

Member Since: 2003   (22 years)
Age: 55
Residence: Dubuque, IA
Marital Status/Spouse Name: Single
Children: I have two childresn (Son and Daughter)
Occupation: CSR Hirschbach Motor Lines
Favorite Teams: Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Lakers and Pittsburgh Penquins
 
Favorite Players: Ryne Sandberg, Jack Lambert, Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky
Hobbies: Fantasy Sports, Stratomatic Baseball, Watching Horror Movies
Strat Background: Started playing when I was a kid, then re-introduced in the late 90's.  I have played in several Leagues over the years, but the G.U.S.S.O.M.O. League is my favorite.
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s): Playing "Face to Face" in our Yearly Get-Togethers. 

 

 


 Evan Steinberg - McHenry County Cybermen 

 

 

Member Since: 2008   (17 years)
Age: 32
Residence: Aurora, IL
Marital Status/Spouse Name: Married to Sian (Shawn) for almost 5 years
Children: 2 Cats, 2 Rabbits, 2 Guina Pigs
Occupation: Audio/Video Technician
Favorite Teams: Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks
 
Favorite Players: Mark Buehrle, Frank Thomas, Jose Abreu
Hobbies: Stratomatic Baseball
Strat Background: Watched my Father complain about his bums long enough for me to get my own team of bums!
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s): Fact to Face with my Father in 2017.  I brought in John Axford to hold a lead for me and I exuberantly said he doing real well for me.  Then he gives up a HR to the first batter he faces... making me yell... YOU ***** BUM as my Father just laughs at me.

 

 



 

 Ralph Polumbo - Albany Internationals 



Started playing Strat-O-Matic in 1974, joined G.U.S.S.O.M.O. in 1977.  In he early years, wife Alice (dedicated, knowledgeable baseball fan) and I played Old-Timers keeper teams.  Her favorite was the '65 Dodgers with Wes Parker as a favorite (an annual over performer).  My favorite - the '06 Cubs with 3-Finger Brown.  Sons John and Will joined the action around their 8th Birthday.  Now Grandson Ian (6) plays regularly against his Dad - old school with Dice and Charts.

 

 

Member Since: 1977   (48 years)
Age: 72  
Residence: Schencetady, NY
Marital Status/Spouse Name: Alice
Children: 2 - John and Will (both G.U.S.S.O.M.O. members
Occupation: retired
Favorite Teams: We've moved quite a bit, so there are many!  In no particular order, we are happy to root for the NY Yankees, NY Mets, Detroit Tigers, Fightn' Phils and the Minnesota Twins.
 
Favorite Players:  
Hobbies: Strat-O-Matic Baseball (no more goals); Golf (goal to go from not horrible to mediocre); Spanish language learning (to go from passable conversation to surprising people on the NY subway)
Strat Background: see above
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s):

Claims to G.U.S.S.O.M.O. fame...

Best moments: 10 championships and now 20 WS. (Believe it or not, the "10 and 20" was a goal, and I was (almost) happy to lose last year to get there!??

Also, being named to the G.U.S.S.O.M.O. All-Time Manager list (ahead of Fred Turtle).

 

 

 


 Andy Rosenberg - Buster's Battalions 

I joined Gussomo in 2001, and was part of a 3 team dispersal draft with Don Sprague and another guy who didn’t last long.  And I recall that my first 4 picks were Lance Berkman, Troy Glaus, Nomar Garciaparra (coming off an injury plagued less than 100ab season and Roy Halladay (fresh off his 3rd return to the Bigs and 100 or so terrific innings).  In those early years, my primary function (and most everybody) was to provide victims for Ralph to beat up on.

Amazingly, the team turned into an offensive force and won 2 championships in the first 5 years.

 

Member Since: 1999  (26 years)
Age: 72
Residence: Philadelphia,Pa
Marital Status/Spouse Name: Not married
Children: No children
Occupation: Retired.  Formerly sales manager, industrial baking equipment.
Favorite Teams: Philadelphia teams (couldn’t care less about hockey), Mets (went to ’69 playoff game and World Series game- I think Koosman pitched.  I confess that I never thought I’d forget that part of it).  And I adored the Knicks of Earl the Pearl, Frazier, Willis Reed and Dave Stallworth.  Bill Bradley was a better forward than he was U.S. Senator.
 
Favorite Players: I adored the Knicks of Earl the Pearl, Frazier, Willis Reed and Dave Stallworth.  Bill Bradley was a better forward than he was U.S. Senator.
Hobbies: Competitive bridge, music, film and theatre.
Strat Background: My first game was the 1965 set with Willie Mays and  Sandy Koufax having dominant cards.  I continued playing until 1970 brought sleepaway college and the siren song of sex, drugs and roll ‘n roll.  I continued to play solitaire in fits and starts and binges until 1988, while visiting a friend at his brother’s house and low and behold, the game was sitting on the kitchen table.  My excitement made it clear to my host that I was a candidate to take over a team in their face-to-face league.  33 years later, I am in 7 leagues, and more than likely not nearly as good a manager as I was then.
Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s):  

 

 


 John Moscariello - Shoreline Sockeyes  

 

 

Member Since: 2021   (4 year)
Age: 48
Residence:  Shoreline, WA
Marital Status/Spouse Name: Married to my wife (we met playing softball). 
Children: Two boys, Max (8) and Evan (5).  I bought the 2021 Strat cards to try to get my oldest into the basic game.  It was met with low to moderate success.
Occupation: Scientist (although rarely in the lab).  I lead a team developing the processes to make various cellular therapies to treat various cancers.  My tagline is that I hope no one I know needs the products I work.  However, we’ve been doing amazing things for people with various leukemias or myelomas. I also teach a class at our local community college and at the University of Washington
Favorite Teams: After you read this, you’ll wonder why I still even follow sports.  Baseball:  New York Mets (I lived in NJ and was 10 when they won the 1986 World Series) and now the Seattle Mariners.  Most recent championship:  1986.  Football:  Arizona Cardinals – grew up during the Stump Mitchell and Niel Lomax years.  Most recent championship:  1947.  Hockey:  New York Rangers (Messier years).  Most recent championship:  1994.  For college sports, I root for the Wisconsin Badgers as I went to UWisc for graduate school.
 
Favorite Players: Past:  David Cone, Kevin McReynolds, Edgar Martinez, Felix Hernandez. Current – Jacob DeGrom, Dylan Moore although I think I like the concept of Dylan Moore more than Dylan Moore.
Hobbies: Besides strat and the kiddos there’s not a ton of time left.  I’m hoping to get back to playing co-ed rec. softball again now that COVID is (hopefully) winding down.  I also golf, rather poorly. 
Strat Background:

I found out about strat around 1997 while in college at the University of Delaware.  I got involved in a league that rapidly disbanded and then found a good home in the NASBL.  There I was lucky enough to win a championship when I didn’t have the best team and was unlucky enough to lose a championship when (in my opinion) I had the best team,  I also slogged through a few 100 loss seasons.  I had to bow out of strat in 2015 or so when my first was born (Max).  Now that my two kids are older (7 and 4), I’m thrilled to get back into Strat!

 

Favorite or Unforgettable Strat Experience(s):

My favorite Strat moment (in a different league) was when Kenta Maeda pitched a perfect game!

 

 

 

 

 

   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   

 




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