Dave White – PR Blogger Guy
Charleston N.C.
1/09/2020

Today I get a chance to sit down and answer all the burning questions many fans have asked me over the last few days. I sit down with the new general manager of the Charleston Statesmen Mark Kierstead formerly of the Kuwana Steel Dragons of the League of the Rising Sun.

Dave White – So Mr. Kierstead, you took the job here at the drop of a hat am I correct?

Kierstead – You darn right I did, The LRS was a sinking ship after all the crap that happened and I knew a change was coming. I knew a merge was necessary to save the league and with rumors swirling all over I figured I jump at the chance to take over a real team. The Planetary Extreme Baseball Alliance is where many qualified GMs, Coaches, Trainers, and Ballplayers want to be. Look at the ethnic background of every team and we will see guys from all over the world. They came here to work and play under the PEBA banner.

Dave White – So you took the chance to what get ahead? Get a head start over your fellow LRS GMs who will merge at the end of the next season?

Kierstead – That’s a loaded question. I came here to learn how the PEBA runs differently then the LRS and the unique changes to running an American team. Plus yeah you could say it gives me a head start. Hell it puts me at about as even as I ever was with the Evil Empire. These Charleston kids could teach them LRS players a thing or two. We have some really good talent here.

Dave White – So you get the head start and you break in over here in America. You have a heck of a division here and you still look to try to beat the Shin Seiki Evas? Is that like below you in a way? Are you telling me you would rather concentrate on the Evas still then look at the guys right in front of you?

Kierstead – Well I think Kevin the GM there worked his tail off to make a Dynasty. He has owned the LRS for years when it comes to winning. He has been number 1 or 2 in his division 12 seasons now and has made the playoffs 11/12 times. He dominates the LRS year in and year out. So yeah I have to watch my back. I do see where you are coming from, from the PEBA Imperial League standpoint. In this division the road to the playoffs goes right through the Florida Featherheads. They have been the team to beat for years.

Dave White – Ok so your giving props out to Evas and Florida. You’re towards the bottom of the barrel here in the PEBA now. Same spot where you were in the LRS. What is the big difference now?

Kierstead – One word…Talent. I have the talent that makes it possible. Just look at the moves I have made. I acquired guys I never planned on keeping just to flip them for bigger and better talent. It takes a real planner type to do that. I don’t mean to sound like I am a real estate agent but these guys can be compared to houses. You buy one do what you need to fix them up or build them up verbally and trade them away. The profit you make is in the player you get in return.

Dave White – I am not sure how the players will take being compared to a house. Anyways, yes you did make some major moves and I wanted to point a few out. LF Ryozo Takeuchi was a major trade for you and many thought you were going to keep him and build him around your starters but you then flipped him for P Manuel ‘Mayor’ Corona.

Kierstead – Well I hope the player’s tale it as a compliment as it is their talents that get them were they are. Some are worth millions and some will just never become anything. If you are in a trade requested by me then you should be worth something. Mayor was a great trade for us as we gave up a great bat in Takeuchi, a bat that has never seen the light of day in PEBA. It was worth the risk for trading a question mark for an ace. We also picked up P Floyd Davis, P Yujiro Kondo, P Ángelo Morales and many more. This is Charleston making moves towards the top in this division. I hope Florida takes note.

Dave White – Yes you made some amazing trades and signed Mayor to an extension too, nice move there. One of the things I wanted to bring up was Takanawa and your son Ichiro. What can you tell us about those two?

Kierstead – Well um, you know when it comes to … they chose to stay behind basically. That is all I can say on that. I am sure she will find work and Ichiro will still be playing High school ball. That is all I have on that subject.

Dave White – So I am sure you have heard of the other GMs in the PEBA talking about you doing a hell of a job, but that you might be lacking in the batting department. You traded a few good bats away. Are you afraid you leaned too much on your pitchers and less on filling out a full lineup with minimal weaknesses?

Kierstead – That is a good point, I have filled out my pitching staff fully. I have guys who can start that I have chosen to sit and come out of the bullpen and see how effective we can be. When it comes to my batters we didn’t give up much other than a few guys who could easily be replaced. I am swamped with OF talent in the minors and guys begging to come up but I have no room.

Dave White – Right now if you could predict where you will be at the end of this coming season record wise, where would you stand?

Kierstead – I think we are top 3 in division and I think we make the playoffs in a wild card spot. Thank you for the interview Dave.

Dave White – Well I was not quite finished but you do have other things to take care of thank you for your time.