Ht: 6-4 Wt: 190

DOB: May 5, 1972 In: Colon, Panama

Boxing Hero: ”Roberto Duran. (Ever meet him?) I meet him every time when I’m in Panama. He love me, he love me, good friend. He happy with me every time. He say, You’re still like that because you’re going good and you will be a big champion. So that is what I got in my mind. And this time and every time coming, that is only what I got in my mind. Nobody can beat me, I’s the man.”

Inspiration: ”I got 20 years in boxing. Before I got a world title I fight three times for world titles. This last one I worked very hard. I got it in my head that I supposed to be a champion before so I do my best, work very hard with coach and we did it.”

Nickname: “Felino – that’s a tiger.”

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: ”I like to play soccer. Basketball. And beat people [laughs]. Eat a lot of blood. Meat with blood. That is my hobby [laughs]. That is what a tiger likes.”

Favorite Movies: ”I like comedies, I like Eddie Murphy.”

Favorite TV Show: “No.”

Last Book Read: ”The Bible.”

Musical Tastes: ”I like Juan Gabriel from Mexico.”

Favorite Meal: “Spaghetti and pasta. Meat with blood too [laughs]. Red sauce too. That’s what a tiger likes [laughs].”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: ”Yeah, I got chocolate.”

First Job: “Packing food in the supermarket (age 12).”

First Car: ”Was a Toyota 4-Runner (black).”

Current Car: ”Right now I got an Expedition. My wife got Altima.”

Pre-Fight Feeling: ”Anything I feel before the fight is that I will win, positive, very positive, that I’m the man. I will do it, I the champ and that’s me.”

Greatest Sports Moment: ”When I got a world title (TKO Firat Arslan in 2008 in Hamburg, Germany).”

Most Painful Moment: ”The worst moment – when I lose the first time the world title. I don’t lose it because they gave the decision a draw (to Laurent Boudouani for WBA 154 title in 1998). I say, like, Whoa, they gave it to the next guy. I still try to get a world title, so now I got it. And I pray God every day make him keep it with me.”

Worst Injury: ”No never be like that before.”

Toughest Man Faced: ”Arslan. I never see a man like this. So tough that he be taking a beating like crazy. And he still be here coming. And I see the doctor and the referee and I’m talking to them that, What happened? Why don’t you want to do nothing? And the guy still coming and doing the fight. And he (referee) tell me, Still do your job. And I still do my job. So they reach a time when they have to say, Okay that’s it (fight was stopped in round ten, Arslan was bloodied in round two and checked by ring doctor in round two).”

Funny Boxing Memory: ”Yes, I got funny one. When I fight for the Latin America welterweight title in 1994. I take one guy, before the fight I tell my manager Luis Spada, I will give him one punch and send him out of the ring. And so it happened like that. (Who was it against?) It was the brother of Ricardo Mayorga (Jaime). We were fighting for the Latin America title. So I win like that.”

Embarrassing Boxing Memory: ”I fight in Venezuela, something happened for me like that. I go fight with some guy David Noel. And he hit me and knock me out in the first round (actually second round). I was #1 ranked in the world. So then I was crying because I can’t believe it. Some guy who is bullshit. He gave me a lucky punch. And it’s finished. So I begged the rematch. They gave me the rematch. In one month I won. I knock him out in the first round [laughs].”

Last Vacation: ”It’s in New York.”

Favorite Boxers To Watch: ”Manny Pacquiao. The brothers Klitschko. I’d really like to see them fight together someday.”

People Qualities Most Admired: ”People from the ghetto. (Why?) Because people from the ghetto is people that are coming from down on the floor. And try to survive in life. So that’s what I like.”

Scoop’s new book about tennis star “Marcelo Rios: The Man We Barely Knew” is available now at www.amazon.com.

Status: New Jersey Shore Lifeguard is in her eighth summer at the Norwood Avenue stand in Avon, NJ.

Hobbies/Interests: “I still like to go swimming. I like to row – another co-worker and I go in tournaments. Also, lift weights, run, cross training.”

Funny Memory: “They call it the rookie test. They tell you to get the oar lock key. There’s no such thing as an oar lock key [smiles]. They’ll send the rookies down to Belmar to get the oar lock key. Or the buoy pump. ‘The buoys look flat, let’s pump the buoys.’ Or the jetty stretcher. They got me with ‘Go get ten feet of shore line [smiles].’”

Greatest Moment As A Lifeguard: “Actually it happened last year. I wasn’t on duty. I was at the beach with some friends up at Sea Bright where it’s not guarded. And we just got there, going down to the water to go in. And I can’t help but to watch the water when I’m off duty. I saw these two little boys. And I was like, ‘Oh my God, they’re in a run (riptide).’ So I went out. There was another guy helping them but I could see he was having trouble. So I got those kids. The one kid was really upset. He thought he was gonna die. ‘You’re not gonna die, you got caught in a run going out. Here’s what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna cross the run.’ And then I got them in. A riptide is water rushing out, past the sandbar. It sucks you out. You can’t go against it or it’s like coming upstream. You have to go across it. That’ll still take you out but not as far. I just had chills. Just so glad that I could be there for those kids.”

Most Painful Moment: “Actually it was this year. The day before the beach opened. The little boy drowned in Bradley (Beach). And again I was at the beach with a couple of friends, off-duty. I saw the Coast Guard go by, the alarms go off. And I went down to see what was going on. And it turned into a recovery. And they found him. And I couldn’t take it. It’s still upsetting to think about it. That was really painful to see that. I try to put it out of my head…because if I didn’t, I don’t think I’d be able to still do this. What if it happened again? What if I lost somebody?”

Favorite Movie: “Austin Powers. We have a thing on our stand, we all love Austin Powers. We always quote that movie [smiles].”

Favorite Meal: “Tortellini with tomato sauce. My mom always makes it for my birthday.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “I like people that aren’t afraid to take risks. Generally nice people that don’t have a nasty bone in their body.”

DOB: July 2, 1958 In: Guelph, Ont.

First Hockey Memory: “Playing in the backyard rink that my father (George) built for us.”

Hockey Inspiration(s): “Bobby Orr. Probably Bobby Orr.”

Last Book Read: “I’m reading right now – I’m in the middle of a couple of them. Argo. I just read Argo. And I’m reading Fair Game (My Life As a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House) by Valerie Plame.”

First Famous Hockey Player You Met Or Encountered: “Eddie Shack. (Where?) I think I was playing a peewee hockey game in Elmira, Ontario and he was there on some promotional thing. And he skated around the ice and walked into our locker room to say hi to us. And we couldn’t believe how big he was.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “First NHL game. (Where?) In Philly. With the New York Rangers (playoff game in 1983).”

Most Painful Moment: “As a player? Not being able to play anymore due to a groin injury that they couldn’t seem to fix at the time. But a few years later doctors started going in and sewing up the abdominal tears that people had. I had one of those, but they weren’t doing it just yet.”

Most Memorable Goal: “First goal. (Against Flyers?) Second game in the playoffs.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “Ron Greschner. Barry Beck.”

Closest Hockey Friend(s): “Brian MacLellan.”

Fiercest Competitors Encountered: “Terry O’Reilly. Scott Stevens.”

Embarrassing Hockey Memory: “I remember playing Tier 2 hockey. I was a rookie and they shaved the back of my head. I had a big bald spot on the back of my head that I had to live with for a while.”

Funny Hockey Memory: “Probably one of the best was having President Clinton call Ron Wilson in ‘98, right after we lost the Stanley Cup final to Detroit. Ten minutes after the game we had someone call Ron and he thought it was the President. It wasn’t. But…(smiles).”

Favorite Uniforms: “Washington Capitals. (Number two?) I’ve always liked the Leafs uniforms. And Detroit’s uniforms.”

Favorite Arena(s) To Play: “I liked playing – other than Madison Square Garden – I liked playing in the Philadelphia Spectrum. (Why?) Fans are right on top of you.”

Strangest Game: “Strangest…probably the Winter Classic when it rained. Never played in rain before. Never managed a game in the rain before.”

Favorite Sport Outside Hockey: “I like watching football. I like playing tennis.”

Three Athletes You Like To Watch And Follow: “I really loved (John) McEnroe. I really loved what he brought to tennis at that time. (Did you ever meet him?) Yes. Heckuva guy. Really a neat guy. That was a treat, after watching him play at Wimbledon, winning it, then a few years later getting to meet him. Other athletes…still liked watching Nick Lidstrom play all those years. And Bobby Clarke. Bobby Clarke had something special as an athlete. Never saw anyone compete and work has hard as him.”

Personality Qualities Most Admired: “Well, what I really like most about working at this level, is the character of the people who play at this level. The bad guys get weeded out on their way up. And the guys at this level are, really almost to a man, hockey players are really impressive people, at the NHL level.”

DOB: Jan. 6, 1951 In: Lexington, Kentucky

Childhood Heroes: “Well, it wasn’t in horse racing. I was more interested in golf so I liked Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan.”

Hobbies/Interests: “I like to fish, play golf. Mostly I’m around the barn and that’s kinda really what my hobby is. Besides being my profession that’s what I really enjoy.”

Favorite Movies: “You’re gonna think I’m nuts. But Sound of Music is my favorite. I like Love Story. A Star Is Born with Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand.”

First Racing Memory: “Well I got interested in the sport by going to the races at Keeneland with my father. My first Derby was in 1966 or ‘67. And then just starting out on my own as a groom and stuff around River Downs in Chicago. Then coming to New York as a trainer in 1985.”

Pre-Race Feeling: “Well, I try to sort of visualize what’s going to happen during the race. I’ve got that on my mind. Big races – I could be extremely nervous. A lot of times I try to block a lot of things out. Just sort of to keep from being as nervous. But from the time I’m in the paddock to the time we go out I’m just trying to visualize what I think’s going to happen in the race – if we break good, where we should be layin’, and that kind of stuff.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Orb winning the Kentucky Derby. I’m thrilled to death for (the owners), thrilled to death for the people who put so much time into this horse and of course, I’m thrilled for me.”

Most Painful Moment: “God o’ mighty, there’s….[laughs]…Well, I guess my most disappointing loss was Easy Goer in the Kentucky Derby (in 1989).”

Funny Racing Memory: “It happened at Keeneland a good time ago. When a good friend of mine had a horse – he was about three in front. 16th from the wire. The horse was still runnin’ at him, wasn’t gonna beat him. And his jock reached up and hit his horse – right-handed – and she ducked in and hit the rail. And I came back and beat him by like a nose. And he was livid [smiles].”

Favorite Horses: “I’d say one of the favorite horses that I trained was Seeking The Gold. He was 110% every time, I could always depend on him going over there and running his race. I really enjoyed him. One of my most fun victories was at Aqueduct with Pleasant Home and Bed Of Roses.”

Embarrassing Racing Memory: “Well, I’ve had a lot of those. At one time, wherever I ran a horse and it got beat, it was embarrassing for me because I blamed myself. Now I know a lot more about the game and that you can’t do that. But I can remember running favorites that got beat and walking out of there being embarrassed for myself. Kinda thinkin’ people were chucklin’ at me and this and that.”

Favorite Racetrack(s): “Belmont Park. I really enjoy training there. Being a big, wide track, horses really get a chance to run their race. And you can watch the races there a little bit better than you can anyplace else. Because it’s big and the horses can sort of get their position when they need to. Where on a little mile track, the races are quick, the horses stay bunched up a little bit more.”

Most Memorable Victory: “Probably when Personal Ensign capped her 13 for 13 when she won the Breeder’s Cup at Louisville (1988) would have to be kinda the defning moment.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: “Well, Miami.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Butter pecan.”

Favorite Sports Outside Horse Racing: “Golf and football.”

Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Tiger Woods. I went to school when Archie Manning was playing so I was a huge Archie Manning fan because I went to University of Mississippi. Kentucky basketball, Dan Issel. I liked Agassi. A-Rod. Muhammad Ali.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Just honesty. And being able to speak what they think. And speak their mind.”

Ht: 5-7 Wt: 130

DOB: May 11, 1992 In: Teaneck, N.J.

First memory of tennis: My first memory of tennis was playing with my older sister Lauren at the tennis courts at our apartment complex in Hong Kong. I was probably around six or seven years old.

Tennis inspirations: My tennis inspirations growing up were Venus and Serena.

Last book read: The last book I read was ‘The Cure’ by Krista White. She’s one of my favorite authors.

Current car: Black Mercedes.

First job: My first and only job has been a professional tennis player.

First famous tennis player met or encountered: The first famous player I remember seeing in person was Venus Williams when she was playing an exhibition in Hong Kong. I was star-struck!

Greatest moment of your career: The greatest moment of my career so far was attending the London Olympics (2012). I’ll never forget that experience.

Most painful moment: My most painful moment was when I almost got a full body cramp during my first round match at the 2009 Australian Open (vs. Jessica Moore). Physically it was extremely painful to endure the cramps and on top of that I lost the match 9-7 in the third set.

Favorite tournament(s): My favorite tournament is the U.S. Open.

Why do you love playing tennis: I love playing tennis because it’s fun and I enjoy competing.

Funniest players you’ve encountered on the tour: I’ve been to Fed Cup and the Olympics with Serena and she is really one of the funniest.

Funny tennis memory: Last year I played an exhibition Quick Start tennis match for Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day on Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was the ‘pros’ against the little kids. I still laugh about it today because I didn’t expect the little kids to be so good at the Quick Start tennis and they beat us [smiles].

Embarrassing tennis memory: I shanked a ball really badly one time in a doubles match and it hit the chair umpire right in the head. It was extremely embarrassing to say the least, but luckily the chair umpire was okay.

Favorite sport outside tennis: Baseball .

Three athletes you like to watch and follow: Derek Jeter, Rafael Nadal, and my sister Lauren McHale (who plays for University of North Carolina).

Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookies and Creme.

Favorite court to play on: Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Best you ever felt on court: When I played against (then WTA #1 Caroline) Wozniacki in Cincinnati (won in straight sets in 2011). And also when I played (Marion) Bartoli in the U.S. Open (also 2011).

Fiercest competitors you’ve encountered in tennis: At this level everyone wants to win so every player is a fierce competitor.

People/personality qualities most admired: I admire people who are extremely dedicated and have great fight and perseverance.

DOB: Jan. 15, 1975 In: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Childhood Hero: “Chris Evert.”

Hobbies/Interests: “Reading, cooking, dancing, music, jet skiing, biking, backgammon, playing cards.”

Favorite Movies: “Funny movies, anything that makes me laugh.

Early Tennis Memory: “The first day I started. The pro at the club asked me how long I’ve been playing. And it was only like 45 minutes. And he said, ‘No, no, how long have you been playing?’ I said, ‘Yeah, just 45 minutes.’ He couldn’t believe it. It was kind of special because he put me right in with the kids who had already been playing.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Winning the French Open (2000 vs. Conchita Martinez).”

Most Painful Moment: “Hmm. I don’t know about painful. Maybe disappointing. When I lost the finals of the French Open (64 64 to Sanchez-Vicario in 1994). I was really hoping to win that tournament.”

Favorite Meal: “Anything but liver and brussels sprouts [laughs]!”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate with peanut butter.”

Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Dennis Rodman – because he’s different, he’s fun, he’s entertaining. I like him because he shows his emotions. Mike Tyson. Jimmy Connors. John McEnroe. They were entertaining too. Tiger Woods. Patrick Rafter. Mark Philippousis.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “People who are honest, with a good sense of humor. Sincere people, down to earth and simple.”

I first noticed him late on Sunday afternoon when he ambled over to the outer court presumably to say hi to Jesse Levine who was hitting with his doubles partner Adrian Menendez Maceiras. As he walked away slowly, after a short greeting and conversation, carrying a very aged Babolat bag, seemingly still 1/4 asleep from the four-hour drive from Boca Raton, Wayne told Levine that he didn’t play Houston because he mixed up his schedule and played a Challenger instead.

Odesnik, 27 years old, from South Africa, and ranked 120 right now, won his first round match on an outer court. Then yesterday in the second round he played Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, from Germany on stadium court. I watched some of this match and became intrigued by Odesnik.

Odesnik, who turned pro in 2004 and has a career mark of 41-52 (2-2 this year) is a lefty, bearded, looks almost like a pirate on the court, attired in a mixed bag of black Babolat shoes, no name blue striped shorts, white Under Armour shirt, Fila cap and a white/green/red Lacoste wristband. But unlike his sense of style, Wayne sure can play some ball.

The ATP media guide says clay is his favorite surface. Odesnik can rifle the forehand or play smart, consistent, patient tennis, and his backhand is steady. He’s quick too and has a very muscular upper body, for a tennis player. He won the first set 6-3 over Stebe, who is most famous for beating Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets in Davis Cup in Germany – in the live fifth match, to clinch the tie for Germany. Stebe also told me he was invited by Roger Federer to practice for a week in Dubai not long after that match with Hewitt.

Stebe had a leg injury and dropped outside the top 100 in the rankings and is in Sarasota with his dad, trying to get back up to the ATP level. Stebe, dressed immaculately in adidas with a clean cut hairstyle and headband, is a stark contrast to the image of Odesnik. Stebe edged a competitive second set 6-3 and so they went to a third.

My lasting impression of this match was the changeover area of Odesnik, which was by far the messiest I’ve ever seen… Odesnik’s chair was scattered with three bags, 12 water and Gatorade bottles (Yes, I literally counted 12 bottles after the match – it took three attendants to clean it all up), protein mix containers, towels, two pairs of extra shoes, bananas, and, on top of that, he asked his wife or girlfriend for something and a white plastic supermarket bag was also delivered to him on a break.

On the other side, Stebe, had just one single bag, neatly placed on his bench. A picture of calm and normalcy, unlike the scene just ten yards away.

Even the chair umpire seemed intrigued by Odesnik, as he watched him working curiously, head craned to his right looking down during changeovers. During the breaks Odesnik was always doing something, mixing drinks, taking his cap off and pouring water into his long dark hair, to cool off, leaving the bottles all over the place, some closed, some open, some in the shade, some in the sun.

Stebe took the lead in the final set and was up 4-3 and 40-love but he blew that game and ultimately the match. The final point was a long, furious rally capped off when Odesnik hit an off-pace backhand down the line, Stebe, also a lefty, scrambled to get to it and attempted to send it back up the line to Odesnik’s backhand. But the slower speed of the shot seemed to throw off Stebe and the ball hit the net. Odesnik let out a primal scream of joy. The German bent over in agony…he could not believe he had lost this match.

After a few minutes of picking up all his belongings, Odesnik, the victor, trudged across the court slowly. Impressed, I applauded him from behind the bleacher behind the baseline. It was the only sound in the stadium. Odesnik, heard it and turned his head to acknowledge the source. He smiled and gave a wave of his hand. Just like Roger Federer.

Into the quarters, Odesnik will next face the dangerous dirtballer from Argentina Facundo Arguello. A match I will surely watch on Friday.

And try to figure out just how Odesnik, the son of a jeweler, is able to do it.

Ht: 6-0 Wt: 220

DOB: December 14, 1984 In: Lancaster, PA

First Baseball Memory: “Is in my backyard and I had a giant, orange whiffle ball bat that’s, I don’t know, probably five inches in circumference. It was huge and my mom and dad would toss me a little whiffle ball in the backyard.”

Baseball Inspirations: “My father is my biggest inspiration. We played softball, growing up, on the church softball team together. And he’s the guy that was always there for me. He’s by far my biggest inspiration, in life in general.”

First Job: “Newspaper route, for the Intelligencer-Journal.”
Current Car: “Lincoln Navigator”

Nicknames: “Heis is about the only nickname, I guess.”

Last Book Read: “The Links of Utopia.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Three homers against the Yankees (2011).”

Most Painful Moment: “Oh, too many to count. Can’t think of one off the top of my head [smiles].”

Favorite Uniforms: “I don’t know about uniforms, but I’ve always liked the Atlanta Braves hat. I think they had the coolest hat in baseball.”

Favorite Ballpark: “I still say Wrigley, just for the history there.”

First Famous Player You Met: “I met John Kruk’s parents on an elevator when I was around eight-years-old in Philadelphia [laughs].”

Funniest Player Encountered: “Johnny Gomes is probably the funniest guy I ever played with. He’s just hilarious. Everything he does, he’s loud, always laughing, joking.”

Toughest Competitors Encountered: “I think everybody. You’re not at this level unless you can compete. There are many guys that are fierce competitors up here.”

Closest Baseball Friends: “Travis Wood, who’s now with the Cubs. And Zach Cozart, our shortstop.”

Funny Baseball Memory: “I always liked the – I forget his name – baserunner for the Giants, who went back and forth between second and third a couple of times. And then missed the base and then had to go back and touch it.”

Strangest Game: “Well, one of the worst feelings in a game was in Atlanta when we lost the six run lead and the walk-off, pinch-hit grand slam (by Brooks Conrad) to end the game was pretty bad.”

Favorite Sport Outside Baseball: “Basketball.”

Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: “Man, that’s a tough one. I got a lot of favorite athletes. I love watching LeBron though I’m not a huge fan of his in general. His athleticism blows my mind. I wish I was as athletic as him. I’m just not a Heat fan, so. Nothing against LeBron, I don’t know him. I like watching Derrick Rose. And Robert Griffin III.”

Most Memorable Hit: “Probably the last home run against the Yankees. Or my first home run was pretty cool too.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”

Last Vacation: “San Diego. I went to play a little golf in San Diego.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty and respect. I think those are probably the coolest things for me to see in other people.”

HT: 5-11 Wt: 200

DOB: May 1, 1987 In: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

Early Baseball Memory: “Wow…you got me there. I’d say when I hit my first career grand slam, that was in 2006 in the minors.”

Baseball Inspirations: “My dad (Ivan DeJesus, former MLB second baseman from 1974-1988 for Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies, Cardinals, Yankees, Giants and Tigers).”

Current Car: “Infinity.”

Last Book Read: “Joel Osteen – Every Day’s Friday.”

First Famous Baseball Player You Met Or Encountered: “I met a lot of famous baseball players but I don’t remember the first one. I wish I knew Roberto Clemente – that’s one of my favorite players – and Jackie Robinson. I know a lot of players – Robby Alomar, Juan Gonzalez, a lot of players.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Last year when I hit the double for winning the game when I was with the Dodgers.”

Most Painful Moment: “In 2009 when I broke my leg in spring training.”

Most Memorable Hit: “That one last year with the Dodgers when I hit the double.”

Favorite Uniforms: “Phillies. I love the Phillies.”

Embarrassing Baseball Memory: “It was a couple of years ago, we were playing in Colorado Springs. It was freezing and snowing and I went to the field with a jacket on.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “A lot [smiles]. I would say John McDonald. I played with him when we were with the Dodgers.”

Fiercest Competitors Encountered: “Nobody.”

Favorite Sport Outside Baseball: “Outside of baseball, I would say a little bit of basketball.”

Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: “One is Albert Pujols. The other is Jimmy Rollins. And Tito Trinidad (former boxing champion).”

Funny Baseball Memory: “Bloopers. I love the bloopers.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Being happy everyday, it doesn’t matter what happens, I like to be happy. I like to see people happy.”

DOB: February 19, 1951 In: Minneapolis, MN

First Baseball Memory: “Oh boy. First baseball memory…probably growing up a kid and going to a Twins game in Metroplitan Stadium, old Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis.”

Baseball Inspirations: “Well, one of my inspirations was Roland Hemond, he was one of my mentors. Roland Hemond was the GM of the White Sox and Orioles.”

Last Book Read: “Was James Patterson Kill Alex Cross.”

First Job: “Was delivering newspapers.”

Current Car: “Is a Cadillac SX.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Winning the 2006 World Series (with St. Louis Cardinals).”

Most Painful Moment: “Probably the death of Daryl Kile.”

Closest Friends In Baseball: “Doug Melvin, Kevin Towers, Brian Cashman.”

Funniest Baseball Personality Encountered: “Art Kushner.”

Fiercest Competitors Encountered: “How long can I go on? Probably Tony LaRussa is one of the fiercest. Player-wise – that’s hard, there’s too many.”

Favorite Sport Outside Baseball: “Football, pro football.”

Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: “Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Johnny Cueto.”

Strangest Game: “I can’t think of one off the top of my head.”

Funny Baseball Memory: “Nothing comes to mind.”

Favorite Uniforms: “The Reds.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Honest, loyalty, probably the two best.”

Education: University of Minnesota (BA Business Administration).

Career Accomplishments: GM of St. Louis Cardinals 1994-2007; Director of Oakland A’s Minor League Operations and Scouting and Director of Baseball Administration; MLB Executive of the Year in 2000, 2004, 2010.