Welcome to the latest Fan Conversation, our way of bringing the best asset of the site the forefront. You. Even though FanIQ has added a more in-depth Sports Bio (p.s. - update yours. Now would be good), we'll continue featuring as many of you as often as possible. Next up is someone you know pretty well, but it'd be a crime if I didn't interview him any sooner. You know him mostly from the blog, but he gives so much more to the site that it probably can't be fully understood. (not sure if that made any sense) ... Anyways, say hello to gearhead

The Vitals
Name: Eric
Age: 21
Location: PA
Job: student (accounting/economics) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
Favorite Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Penn State
Teams you hate: Yankees, Red Sox, Bears, Cowboys, Vikings, Ohio State, Michigan (damn I'm negative, probably because my teams suck)
Favorite sports to watch: open wheel racing, football, baseball, basketball
Favorite expert: Peter Gammons, Rob Neyer, John Hollinger
Least favorite expert: Sean Salisbury, Jay Mariotti, any former jock who believes you had to have to played the game in order to talk about it
Fav actor: George Carlin
Fav actress: Mary-Lynn Rajskub

How did you stumble upon FanIQ?
The deadspin link from your old site.

Where did you grow up?
York, PA, which is not very interesting to say the least.

So first off, how does that dunce hat fit?
Comfortably

In a word, sum up your thoughts on the Dallas Mavericks. Softheaded.

How did you become a fan of all your teams?
The Orioles were the local team that I kept my fandom of. My reasons for being partial to the Pack and Wolves have been lost in the dark recesses at my mind. Weak, I know, but oh well.

We all have that moment as a young kid that turns us on to sports. What was your first fond memory of being a sports fan? Cal's run towards the Streak

Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Cal Ripken, Jr.
What's the best sporting event you've been to live? This game in 1999. Albert Belle hit three homers, Cal hit a homer, got beaned, and then hit the game winning RBI single in the 11th.

What's been your top sports moment as a fan? The Packers' Super Bowl title

What was your worst?
Tie between Jeffrey Maier and open wheel racing's long slide into irrelevance

You're a self proclaimed stat geek. What are some of your favorite baseball stats?
Mainly OPS, because it's quick and easy to interpret and calculate. I like looking at VORP too, mainly to see who the worst players are (Last year's worst player: Brandon Fahey of the Orioles).
Is there one unique statistic anomaly that stands out most to you in any sport?
Erik Bedard's been a better pitcher than his 4.67 ERA shows. He already has 63 strikeouts in 54 innings. He's leading the AL in K's/9. However, his BABIP (Batting Average of Balls Hits in Play) against is .321. A "normal" BABIP is .290. Basically, Bedard's been unlucky to deviate that much from normal. His ERA should go down once some of those balls hits gloves instead of the ground.

As the fine producer of NBA Triple Threat all season long, what has been your highlight of the NBA Season?
The Suns-Mavs classic right before March Madness. That was more March Madness than the whole tournament. That, and calling Ginobili Flopping Bald Spot all year.

Who do you think will win the title now that the aforementioned chokers have vanished?
San Antonio. They're just too good. No one can stop Duncan, and when you get rewarded for cheap shots, what can anyone else do?

Who do you think will win the World Series now that you've some time to digest the season? Cubs/Orioles?
Hah. Red Sox over Dodgers. That prediction exists solely to jinx the Red Sox.

Just for fun let's say you could be the GM of any team and make one transaction (trade, add/drop, etc) ... who would you be and what move would you make?
I'd become the Orioles GM and beside doing the obvious (firing Perlozzo), I'd see if the Angels will make that Tejada for Ervin Santana and Brandon Wood deal. It's time to blow this team up and start over.

What's the one sporting event you haven't been to you most want to attend?
Indy 500 by far.

Favorite website outside of FanIQ?
Deadspin

What's your favorite non-sports programming?
24, Family Guy, The Amazing Race

I dare ask, but any other hobbies outside of sports?
What's that supposed to mean? Granted, I can't think of anything better than drinking beer.

Cliche portion of the interview ...

3 CDs on a desert island ...? Genesis' greatest hits, Phil Collins' greatest hits, and something from Billy Joel. I don't claim to have taste in music.

3 people you'd invite to dinner with you? Ron Wolf, John Maynard Keynes, and George Carlin

And what would be served for dinner? Steak, a salad, rice, and chocolate mousse for dessert

Libation of choice? Sol (think Corona, only better)

This is FanIQ home to bold predictions ... whats one bold prediction for the 2007 sports year you have? Someone other than Tiger or Phil will win the US Open.

On FanIQ:

Do you have any good friends on FanIQ? Seneca definitely, and maybe Jon and you (although not necessarily on your end ).

Is there any thread/event on FanIQ that stands out most to you? This JP Montoya thread, but I'm 95% sure I was the only one who had ever seem him race before he started in NASCAR.

Weirdest hangout question you've answered? The FanIQ Reality Show was interesting, even though I think finished next to last or something.

Favorite polls to answer? The Baseball Challenge. It's an ego thing.

What's the best prediction you've made this year? The Kentucky Derby exacta

Perhaps you have something else to share? Stay tuned for my latest concoction, which will convince everyone that I truly have no life.

Thanks Eric. It may not be seen through my sarcasm, but you give a tremendous amount to the site and it's greatly appreciated. Case of Sol on me ... sometime.