Like Russian Mark Cuban - KOB and his traveling band of floozies!
In a vote that was mired by a boycott of some in Cuba, Smoke Monsters Owner, Kevin O'Brien takes home the coveted award for the NKFBL's owner of the year. In 2010 O'Brien completed just his 2nd year in the NKFBL - an unprecedented franchise turnaround. In 2009 the Monsters finished with an all-time NKFBL low 3 wins, and had nowhere to go but up. Up they went - way up, finishing with 13 wins in 2010 and only one game behind the Bombers for the division crown.
Heading into the season everyone was complimenting the talented young roster that KOB had assembled, though most were quick to write off any realistic playoff chances for the Monsters. "They're still a year or two away," were the sentiments of most other owners around the league. KOB remained optimistic about the 2010 season though, and it turns out he had good reason to have high hopes. That young roster, complimented well by veterans turned it up in 2010 and gave O'Brien a team worth watching as they went from being a virtual bye-week to being a legitimate contender in the NKFBL.
In typical humble fashion for the successful owner, O'Brien said he was honored just to be nominated. As if a 10 win difference from 2009 to 2010 wasn't going to warrant a nomination! "To win is awesome," remarked O'Brien. "In a league of this caliber, to be considered one of the better owners is unbelievable, especially in only my second year."
To get the Monsters to where they are now, O'Brien knew right from the moment he took over the franchise that it was going to require a monstrous (no pun intended...ok maybe a little) overhaul. "Things were going to have to get really bad before my team had any shot of competing," O'Brien stated during a recent interview. As he gutted what remained of the Names franchise, he set his sights on young talent hoping that some would prosper on his roster and that others would become valuable trade pieces. "All of the prospect research and hard work I've put in has really paid off." Glancing at his roster it isn't hard to notice that young talent peppered throughout the lineup. From the much ballyhooed Mike Stanton to underwhelming yet solid Elvis Andrus, just about every position on the Monsters is filled by an up-and-coming burgeoning young star. Of his current starters on the roster, Adam LaRoche at age 31 is the oldest, while Brett Myers and CJ Wilson are the elder statesmen of the rotation at 30 years old each. Clearly, time is on the side of the Monsters.
When asked if he had any kind of three or five year plan O'Brien responded by saying that he never had a "set amount of years in mind", though he did set out to get as young as possible in 2009. He also sought after, and continues to seek players who he deems "undervalued" while looking to move those who he sees "overvalued." Seems simple in nature, but for KOB his approach has clearly paid off, albeit with a little luck in prospects panning out.
As for moving forward in 2011 and years to come, O'Brien hopes that some of the luck will continue, but has faith in his system and that his young talent will continue to develop. The playoffs are in sight in 2011, and don't be surprised to see the Monsters competing for that spot again next season. Along with the playoff hopes for 2011 the Monsters may be sporting a new logo as they hope to boost merchandise sales and "get out of the cellar in NKFBL logos."
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