Buzzmaster

  (2:59 PM)

The godfather of fantasy sports Dan Okrent will be here at the top of the hour to take your questions!

Buzzmaster

  (3:01 PM)

Dan is here!

Kyle (VA)

Are you just amazed at how far Fantasy Sports have come?

Dan Okrent

  (3:01 PM)

Yes, absolutely. Had I any idea that it would have turned out to be anything like this, I would have planned my life differently.

William (CT)

If you had known how big fantasy baseball would get, do you think you guys still would have named it Rotisserie Baseball?

Dan Okrent

  (3:02 PM)

I can't imagine naming it something else but Rotisserie baseball, because it's always been that for me. The reason that it's become fantasy baseball is because my fellow founders and I trademarked Rotisserie baseball. So, intelligently, they started to use the name fantasy instead.

Steve (NYC)

where did you get the idea for your latest book "Last Call"?

Dan Okrent

  (3:03 PM)

My previous book was about Rockefeller Center, which was where the speakeasies were before Rockefeller Center opened up. I was amazed at how much power they had.

Danny (Texas)

have you seen ESPN's 30 for 30 film yet on fantasy? what did you think?

Dan Okrent

  (3:03 PM)

I have seen it and I think it's fantastic. It makes me look like a total dork, but I guess that's what I am.

Dave (NJ)

Do you still play fantasy?

Dan Okrent

  (3:04 PM)

Yes. I play in a baseball league that we call AARP, because it's a much simpler version for us old people that can't keep up any longer.

Jeff Cook (Study Hall)

It's weird watching people rooting for specific people to do well instead of rooting for teams...It changes the whole complexion of watching sports these days with so many people playing...

Dan Okrent

  (3:05 PM)

After 30 years of playing Rotisserie, I think it's weird that people root for teams.

Fred (FL)

When you first started your baseball league, did you ever think to apply it to other sports like it has been?

Dan Okrent

  (3:05 PM)

Hadn't thought about it at the time, but it certainly happened immediately. I've seen fantasy cricket in the UK, fantasy soccer in Poland and fantasy throughbred racing.

Dave (NYC)

Best memory of Rotisserie?

Dan Okrent

  (3:06 PM)

Well, I would like to say it was the year I won the pennant, but in 26 years of playing, I've never won.

hank (buffalo)

any more book ideas?

Dan Okrent

  (3:07 PM)

I have some ideas, but I'm so exhausted from writing the most recent one, I just want to sit back and have a drink.

Greg (Boston)

Do you still remember drafts or moves that you've made that you're proud of?

Dan Okrent

  (3:08 PM)

I remember stupid mistakes I've made like paying $38 for Paul Householder his rookie year.

Jeff (RI)

Could you imagine rotisserie baseball would be a billion dollar inudustry?

Dan Okrent

  (3:08 PM)

No and I'm really ticked off that you brought it up.

fred (dallas)

Is Rotisserie still there?

Dan Okrent

  (3:09 PM)

No, it folded probably 5 years after we invented the game. I think it stayed open 4 years because of the publicity it got.

steve (dallas)

what made you come up with the game?

Dan Okrent

  (3:10 PM)

We simply wanted to have fun. I missed baseball. It was the late fall, the Series was over and I missed baseball.

Clay (Charlotte)

It's been said that fantasy sports are dungeons and dragons for people who used to beat up kids who played dungeons and dragons...thoughts?

Dan Okrent

  (3:10 PM)

I used to be one of the kids they beat up, so how would I know?

david

book tours planned?

Dan Okrent

  (3:11 PM)

Yes, I'll be going to 7 cities. Louisville, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, New York, Washington, Miami.

lenny (houston)

what's your favorite baseball team? Memory?

Dan Okrent

  (3:12 PM)

My favorite team is the cubs, but my favorite memory is when my father took me to a in Tigers-Indians game in 1954.

Dan Okrent

  (3:12 PM)

I hear this Halladay guy is really good.

Buzzmaster

  (3:12 PM)

Thanks for chatting Dan!