If you want to play in a tried-and-true format and create your team right now, standard leagues (Classic and SSG) are open to the public 24/7. But if you want to try something different, Custom Leagues – created by customers – are there in abundance..

There are franchise leagues, progression leagues, captains leagues, high and low salary cap leagues, “rags to riches” leagues, alphabet leagues, place of birth leagues … the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Diamond Mind Online would not be the same if the Community did not include some of the most clever and prolific creators of Custom Leagues. We’ll be featuring one of these in this space each month.

This month we’re visiting with Charlie (clent) Lent.

Tell us something about yourself: age, occupation, marital status, where you live, and interests (apart from DMO, of course).

Born in Philly, Connie Mack Stadium (Shibe Park) was in my neighborhood and I walked there quite a bit as a kid. That’s when I got hooked by the Phillies specifically and baseball in general. You know the old saying, “you never forget your first girl?” It’s the same thing with baseball teams, no matter how god awful they were (the team, not the girl).

I’m an IT Director for a substance use disorder treatment non-profit in Chicago’s Loop. Pretty close to hanging it up soon at 67 though. Still a few things I want to accomplish there, completing a transition from our on-premises systems to the cloud and implementing unified communications. Tech is really exciting now and I think I was born a little too soon to see the really cool stuff right around the corner (next 15-20 years).

Anyway, I have lived near Chicago over 50 years now and I wouldn’t live anywhere else, what a great city! Don’t believe everything you see on the news. Married to a terrific woman, Gretchen, 36 years now and about that I can only say I outkicked my coverage (by a lot). Gretchen has one of the coolest jobs ever … works for a music festival company and runs various festivals around the USA.

We have 4 wonderful daughters, all of whom are doing extremely well in adulthood, an IT Director, Genomic Scientist (NFI what she does), an Editor, and an Events Planner. We spend as much time with them and our 5-year-old Grandson, Isaiah Charles, as often as possible. Always have a couple of rescue dogs in the house too, currently Chase & Puck. That may sound like hockey names, but it’s really in honor of Chase Utley and Kirby “Puck” Puckett.

As well, whenever I’m traveling about the country, I try to get together with other DMO players as often as possible. That has led to some very memorable times, including one epic session at the Horseshoe Pub outside Boston, where 2 of my daughters also attended, to meet 6 or 7 of the Boston contingent of DMO … Jim Callaghan, Avalon Bob, Mike D, Murf, Jerry, Paul Piersall, apologies to anyone I missed. Gary Klein was a no-show (that’s an inside joke). My daughters, Sam and Shawna were invited back, I still haven’t heard as to whether I am or not though and it’s been about 5 years now, I expect to hear back soon. :-)

Been up to Buffalo a few times to see 8GoBucs21 and his wife & kids, our esteemed (by some ;-) Grand Open Tournament Director, Ron Carr. Made trips with him, George Kreiner and Greg David to Cooperstown, which is something to see if you haven’t. Probably the highlight of one of those trips was being able to spend the day and have dinner with Jim Konstanty’s daughter Helen and her husband at Jim’s old lake house on Lake Otsego, NY. What a blast, got to hold Jim’s 1950 NL MVP award and model his 1956 World Series ring from his NYY days.

Could’ve spent a week there. Also gone to ballgames (& bars) with Glen Kirchen, Jason Masterson, Jim Rosenbeck too, & a music festival with Greg as well. It’s a helluva community of players and I haven’t met a bad apple yet. (Well, Ron really, but his wife brings his average up quite a bit …. as does mine). Think Mendoza/Brett. :-)

When did you start playing DMO and how did it first come to your attention?

Had played Strat-O-Matic baseball as a 10-year-old, then moved on to fantasy baseball exclusively from back in the mid-80s until I heard about the old ESPN & Stats online simulations and started playing those. So, when DMO started circa 2005, it was a natural evolution since I had also played the Pursue the Pennant board game for quite some time too. I got so hooked on DMO, I haven’t played classic “rotisserie” baseball since (still break out the old Strat dice once in a while). One of my favorite memories is winning a Louisville Slugger in one of Jack Cavin’s Old Pro Leagues here (see attached). Jack was a good guy, he is missed.

You must have created and played in hundreds of Custom Leagues over the years. Tell us about a few of your favorites.

Yeah, too many to count, but I will say my favorites, and this only became possible with the advent of SSG, are the team-based progressions. Currently playing the Phillies Phranchise for the 2nd time and have played the White Sox as well (did surprisingly well with those characters unexpectedly). I learn a lot about the history of the various clubs that way.

As well, I’ve really enjoyed some of the themes Bob Jecmen, Larry Mac, and Art Hernandez have put out there from time to time. Not for the faint hearted, real challenges, but usually fun (except for the time I lost 100 in one of Art’s). One custom league I remember very well as being a blast was a pick your season league. I took 2016 because of the Cubs WS winners, team was called Hell Froze Over. Got to the playoffs but Craig Natale’s 2012 team, led by the 2012 versions of Joey Votto, 2nd year player Mike Trout (and his 168 OPS+), and a lights out bullpen of Aroldis Chapman, Craig Kimbrel, and Fernando Rodney won it all. That was a fun league with a lot of good players, Stork, Schufan, etc. Like to do that one again.

Is there any advice you would give to people who haven’t created a Custom League before, but would like to give it a try?

YES … I think everyone playing this game has always enjoyed the “what if” possibilities of this simulation. If it’s something you always wondered how things might’ve gone, try it with a Custom league, it’s easy! You can pretty much model ANYTHING … and send me a site mail, I’ll likely join your league too. Help you set it up if you want. A truly great game limited only by one’s imagination.

See you on the digital fields …

Charlie

*** The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.***

— George Orwell, “1984” —