From fantasy baseball to living a baseball fantasy

Editor’s note: Last March, SBJ reported that Yahoo! Sportsreached a deal with the San Francisco Giants to give the winner of a Yahoo!fantasy baseball league a job in the club’s front office for the 2006 season.Now, almost a year later and the contest having been completed, we’ve caught upwith the winner.

Anthony Agneta was a 29-year-old respiratory therapist inLawrence, Mass., when he was given the opportunity of a lifetime. As a resultof winning a Yahoo! Sports fantasy baseball contest that drew more than 22,000applicants, Agneta flew to San Francisco to interview for a position in thefront office with the Giants. After winning the chance to interview withGeneral Manager Brian Sabean and former Assistant General Manager Ned Colletti(now general manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers), Agneta was offered the jobof assistant with baseball operations. He decided to take on the dramaticcareer move and relocated to the West Coast with his wife to start the positionlast month. Agneta is being paid $30,000 for the one-year appointment, on topof the $15,000 he won in the contest.

What are your responsibilities?

AGNETA: It’s a lot ofinformation gathering. I don’t think people realize the enormous amount ofpaperwork involved. It’s dealing with confidential matters, helping to finalizecontracts and collecting statistics.

What has been the best part of thejob?

AGNETA: Just theopportunity to work with a professional baseball team. It’s one that not manypeople get, and being a part of putting together a championship team would beall the gratification I need.

What has been an unexpected aspect of changingfrom fan to front office employee?

AGNETA: When I walk intowork and see Barry Bonds doing a photo shoot, the fan in me wants to ask for anautograph and take a picture, but I have to look at the situation as a team employeenow.

How have your views changed on the aspects offantasy baseball versus a real team’s operations?

AGNETA: The maindifference between being outside and inside is that there are very few peoplewho make the decisions. People will say ‘trade this player’ or ‘I don’t likethis player,’ but it’s not that simple.

Are you interested in pursuing a career inbaseball after this year is over?

AGNETA: Absolutely. Igave up a lot to do this; my wife and I moved across the country and I changedcareer paths. I feel like I’m gaining exposure with this position and I wouldlove to pursue this opportunity with the Giants. If that doesn’t work out, Ihope it could work with another team in the future.

Are you planning to compete in fantasy baseballthis season?

AGNETA: I think I’ll beturning it down. I’m now consumed with statistics on a daily basis. I wouldcompare it to eating in a restaurant you work every day in.