Interview with a US based Aussie sports nut

 

Roar Pro

By Monty String, 5 May 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

Tagged:

 Raphael Nadal, Roger Federer, Rugby Union, Tri Nations

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A neighbour in San Francisco told me about a guy named Byron Jones who is a huge sports fan and bets on just about everything. I gave Byron a call and he kindly agreed to be interviewed for The Roar, which he knows well. So off I went to meet him.

Byron’s in his mid-forties and lives in California, not far from Oakland, with his very pleasant wife and a couple of lively kids.

The first thing that struck me, after we chatted for a bit, was his Aussie/American accent – he’s been a US resident for twelve years.

The second thing I noted was his office: four 32” Samsung high definition TVs hooked up to four Toshiba digital disc recorders. He also has two desktop PCs.

My first question was to ask why he has all the hardware.

BJ: So I can watch all the sports I bet on, and record all the ones I can’t watch live. The disc recorders also have a chase and time slip ability, so I can catch up with anything while I’m still recording.
Me: How many sports do you follow?
BJ: Just about everything courtesy of the networks plus Setanta, ESPN 1 and 2, Mediazone – if it’s broadcast, I grab it.
Me: Give us an example.
BJ. Well, throughout the year I’ll watch major league baseball, the NFL, the NBA, and the NHL. I watch the Slams tennis, the Sony Ericsson and the summer clay court lead ups. I follow international cricket on Cricinfo. I watch the March Madness college basketball, and the big college football games. I watch track and field from Europe. The Triple Crown horse races, and lots of rugby. The Super 14, the British and European games, and, of course, the Tri-Nations and any tours that are on.
Me: And you bet on everything?
BJ: With certain exceptions. I won’t bet against the Wallabies, even if my brain tells me to. I don’t want to win money when they lose. I always bet on the All Blacks, if they’re not playing Australia, because they’re my second favourite team.
Me: Are you ahead or behind after all this time?
BJ: Some years I finish slightly ahead, some years slightly behind. But I have an awful lot of fun in the meantime.
Me: Give us you biggest win and your most embarrassing loss.
BJ: I won’t brag about my biggest win, but I’ll tell you about the biggest one I missed out on. Mudawin three years back in the Ebore races in England. Somebody told me he was worth a shot but I took no notice. This guy backed him on Betfair at close to 370-to-1, and the horse came in. That’s why they call it the sport of kings in England. I recently had an embarrassing loss when I took France over England in the 6 Nation. But I won when I backed Ireland to take all the marbles.
Me: What gives you the greatest charge apart from a getting your picks right?
BJ: The actual sports themselves. Just today, the Rays against the Red Sox, Carl Crawford stole six bases. Six bases in one game. Only three other players have done that in the last 87 years. And on Saturday, a 50-1 longshot, Mine That Bird, won the Kentucky Derby. Google NBC Sports – From Worst to First, and you’ll see him come from way back, slip through on the rail, and just destroy the field.
Me: What are your picks looking forward? Tennis first.
BJ: Nadal for the French for sure. He’ll go close at Wimbledon, too, and so will Murray who I think will be a good bet. If he takes it, all of Britain will be dizzy with joy. But I’ll tell you one thing, if Roger loses at Wimbledon, he may just bag it. Hang up his racquet. He’s emotionally very fragile, and his confidence is shot to hell.
Me: How about rugby? There’s going to be a lot on. The June tests and the Tri-Nations.
BJ: I’m picking the All Blacks to win the Tri-Nations.
Me: Reason being?
BJ: Bench strength for one thing. They lose a great player like Carter, but they have a classy 5/8 like Donald to step into the position, and somebody as good as McAlister waiting in the wings. Factor in Nonu, Smith, Sivivatu and Muliaina, and that’s a lot to have coming at you. Plus the Saffers are going to be a little beat up after three tests against the Lions whose forwards plan to lose ten pints of blood if that’s what it takes.
Me: How do you think those tests will come out?
BJ: I’m going for the odds on the Boks three zip. The Lions best chance is at sea level but that’s the first test, and I doubt they’ll be ready as a team to play top rugby from the getgo. So the second test will be their best shot, but that’s at 4,600 feet, and the third test’s almost 1,000 feet higher. Plus some of the Lions players still have to get through the Heineken and Magner’s games in one piece, and the squad can’t afford to be weakened in key areas.
Me: Do you agree with the Lions selection?
BJ: They have some quality players at full back, No. 7, No. 8, but there’s no Wilko to run the backs. Jones does a good job but there’s a big difference between doing a good job and getting the job done.
Me: Thanks for talking with me, Byron. I’d better let you get back to your screens.
BJ: Yeah. I have a bet down on the women’s world cross-country and I haven’t run the playback yet.
Me: Women’s cross-country? Is there anything you won’t bet on?
BJ: Absolutely. I never bet on a sure thing.

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