“They Don’t Call Me BA for Nothin’”
A new year once again means a new challenger for the Worst League crown.
That’s because this year we welcome a new team owner to the league for the second consecutive year. Beth Ann becomes the 16th team owner in nine seasons, joining the 11 other active members of the league plus former team owners Jackie (2011), Adan (2012-13), Terryn (2011-17) and Trevor (2011-18).
New members to the Worst League have generally faced mixed results. Adan in his first season finished 10th with a losing record. Meanwhile, both Josh and Samantha made the playoffs in their first years, the latter of whom finished third. Not bad, you two.
Looking ahead to Beth Ann’s schedule, she’ll take Trevor’s place, so it appears she’ll play Nick and Samantha twice, once in Weeks 6-7 and again in Weeks 12-13 while playing all other team owners once. Both made the playoffs last season with Nick grabbing the #1 seed, which means Beth Ann might have her hands full with her league rivals this season.
So to welcome Beth Ann to the league, I thought it might be fun to start with a little Q&A. So a couple weeks ago I sent her a few questions (mine in bold) via email and she was kind enough to oblige me with some responses. Enjoy!
Beth Ann! Welcome to the Worst League. This is really a tremendous honor for you, don't you think?
Eh.
Where would you say it rates among your life's biggest accomplishments?
Second to becoming a Coffee Master at Starbucks.
As you know, we are called The Worst League, ostensibly because this is the worst collection of fantasy football players on the planet. What credentials do you have to suggest you are worthy of such mediocre company?
I'm Alice Cooper btw.
Alright, before we get into some of the fantasy football questions, I think it'd be great to catch up. After all, it's been awhile. For those of us in the league who haven't kept in touch—or at one point or another worked at VML (which is about a fourth of the league at this point)—what have you been up to these last seven years?
So. Much. Moving. Across the country. I’ve lived in 4 cities (New Orleans, Austin 2x, Chicago, Seattle), worked at 6 different companies promoting 8 different brands, and still don't have a dog. But I love Seattle and don’t plan to move anytime soon. (Lol VML.)
Okay, let's get to the fantasy talk. You are now the fourth female member of the league, joining Greco, Jess and Samantha, bringing our female membership to a third of the league for the first time since 2011. Greco and Jess are both league champions and Samantha upset the 1-seed last year, finishing third in her first season. What do you hope to bring to this proud tradition and any chance we get our first all-female title game this season?
The future is female, y’all. And they don’t call me BA for nothin’.
You're replacing Trevor, a once formidable team owner who in recent years struggled to win more than three or four games. So I think everyone in the league is anxious to know what exactly we're dealing with here. Basically, on a scale of 1-10, how afraid should I be right now?
No comment.
Without giving away too much of your strategy, how do you like to manage your team? Some of our team owners thrive on their drafting prowess, some add/drop multiple players every week, while others try to improve their team through trade? What’s your approach? Should I expect to be getting a trade offer from Beth Ann this season?
I go with my gut and don’t shy away from phoning a friend.
Are you a trash talker? You seem like a trash talker.
Again, they don’t call me BA for nothin’.
Okay, so let's say I stage a major coup, overthrow Alex and name you commish for the day. What’s the one change you make to our league or scoring settings?
Whoever has the most Saints players wins. (Go Saints!)
Okay, time for the rapid fire round!
Favorite NFL team?
SAINTS.
RB or WR?
WR
More likely to draft a QB or a TE in the first few rounds?
QB. (Drew Brees, dude.)
Player you will never ever draft again?
Graham.
Best fantasy move you’ve ever made?
Coming up with my team name. Victorious Secret.
Worst fantasy move you’ve ever made?
Coming up with my team name. Victorious Secret.
Fantasy pet peeve?
Too many moves/trades.
The best fantasy team name you’ve ever come up with?
See above.
JuJu Smith-Schuster’s dog Boujee or Todd Gurley, a self-described “Cat Dude?”
Boujee.
The Worst League hosts its first in-person draft since 2011. How do you make your entrance—like Jalen Ramsay or Antonio Brown?
“Float like a butterfly, sting like BA.”
Speaking of AB (who is maybe like the Upside Down version of BA) have you ever gotten frostbite on your feet from a French cryotherapy treatment gone wrong?
Oh my. This is why I stick with cupping.
Do you regret agreeing to do this Q&A?
All the time.
Alright, that's all the questions from me. Once again, I'm glad to have you in the league and wish you all the worst luck this season.
[Editor’s note: she did not respond.]
