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Where Are They Now? Mark Prebich....

By Bronzed Nuts, 02/21/08, 3:47PM HKT

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Catch up with Prebo in Kabul.....

 

Can you please tell us how you ended up in Afghanistan and how much longer will you be there?
 
After 20 years professional life, I started to burn out. I needed something to revitalize my career and provide some motivation. A promotion opportunity which would move me into the bank’s core business - loan and project implementation – arose. I jumped on it. What better motivation than to take part in rebuilding a war-torn country and at the same time help in the fight against terrorism.
 
How are the wife and kids doing?
 
After 24/7 for 8 years, it is of course difficult. We only see each other about every 45-60 days.  And although I speak or skype with the family daily, it can’t replace being there. Our R&R time together is really special and it helps us grow closer.
 
Is there anything fun to do in Kabul?
 
Sit in Prebo’s room and listen to music on maybe the only vacuum-tube audio system in Kabul. Otherwise, nothing. We did just complete a review mission of our projects up north in Mazar and Maimana. Although it was cold as hell, it was very interesting. Went all the way to the Uzbek border.
 
Any sightings of Mullah Omar or bin Laden? Just so you know, in case you run into him, Omar only has one eye!
 
I met with Bin Laden last week. He said the Mets are going all the way this year.
 
What’s a typical day in Kabul like? Can you walk around with relative ease? Are the locals accepting of you?
 
Driver pickup at 7am in the armored land cruiser. At that time, it is usually only a 10 minute drive to the office. Lunch in the office compound. Finish by 6pm, then a few beers at the office bar. Home by 8pm. Repeat Sunday-Thursday.
 
Walking around not accepted. We are under the UN umbrella in Afg. We follow their rules. Point-to-point shopping and many areas of town off-limits. It is not a problem of the locals, just that anything can happen anytime.
 
You really feel for the local people. Almost everyone over here has lost family members to the circumstances – war, bombings, weather, etc.
 
Who were your good buddies from the league?
 
Too many to mention. All those tourney teams where do you start? The HK league is a special thing.   Tens years in Wash DC leagues and 8 years playing around Asia, nothing else comes close. I will say, the league certainly misses guys like Dom, Lee Doggy Smith, Dan Deustch, Dave Wand, etc.
 
What are your favorite memories of playing in Hong Kong?
 
The closeness of all players in the league, regardless of team. I remember the first couple seasons that I played and almost every team went to LA Café after games and all hung out together.
 
 Then the concessions started at King’s Park I can’t even remember how man times JD (Joe Duke), Meade, Noonan, Mac, Ronnie, etc. and I hung out until dark and closed the park. Probably a little too late one night, when the clubhouse was locked on us and Tim’s bag was inside. The rest (how he got it out and what ensued) is history.
 
Playing the third or last game of the day in right field and being heckled to death by the drunken bums on the wall on every fly ball.
 
Hitting “singles” over the right field wall. : )
 
Who do you still keep in touch with?
 
Dom, JD, tournament teams.
 
When you watch those nature shows on Animal Planet do you find yourself rooting for the predator or for the prey to get away? I’m always rooting for the prey but if you think about it why not root for the predator? I mean they’re just trying to get a meal! Imagine if some dude was sitting at home watching the look on your face at the grocery store when you found out that they were out of stock on steaks, you’d be pretty pissed!!
 
The prey. When HK teams went to tourneys, the top teams always thought of themselves as the predator and us as prey. I always root for the underdog. Anyone remember that 17-16 loss to the Guzzlers that was called on time limit?
 
You played on the ’02 Blue championship team. That was a pretty fun lovin’ group! Can you share some of your memories from that team….
 
When we moved to Manila, for my first birthday there, my wife decorated my den with all my softball memorabilia. She pinned up all the jerseys on the back wall. In the middle of all of them was the BLUE jersey. I asked why she put the BLUE jersey in the middle. She said, “that was the only one of your teams that were the champions”.
 
The team? Great synergy. The whole was so much more than the sum of all the pieces. I left HK for Manila in April of 2002. I flew back something like 6 weekends to finish the season and playoffs. Dom paid for one of trips and then proceeded to win the money back off me in poker. I think that was his plan all along : )
 
Those playoffs were really special. 
 
Is Dave Wand sane and how come he always talked to himself during games?
 
Are you kidding me? He is an absolute nutcase! Why do you think we called him spaceman? But man, can he pitch. I remember catching for him. We were a good battery. Dave pitched his heart out every tournament. He gave it all. And remember those down the third base line doubles and triples he pulled out in key moments? I miss Dave Wand.
 
Who killed Kennedy?
 
Roger Clemens.
 
ESSAY QUESTION (I will grade your answer below your response)------
Please detail the socio economic impact of the thong on American society. Be sure your answer includes its origins in western society and where you believe the future of the thong industry will be in fifteen years. Your answer should be limited to 150 words or less. You have fifteen minutes to answer the question-
 
Thong? Dude, just the sight of a burqa turns me on now.
(Editor’s Note: I was looking for more of an essay style answer but given the circumstances your answer is acceptable. C+)
 
Favorite all time movie?
 
The Matrix.
 
The Beatles or Stones?
 
Bob Dylan / The Atomic Bitchwax / Johnny Cash (ok, The Stones).
 
Given what you now know about Marion Jones is she still wife material? Think about it- if you were single and she just got out of the cooler would you marry her? Just a hypothetical….
 
Not really. Now, Paul McCartney’s ex-wife, I’d think about it.
 
If you could be a bullpen catcher or a punter which would you be and why?
 
Punter, to be able to make those touchdown-saving tackles.
 
If you could have one of the following special powers which would you choose and why? Fonzie’s ability hit the wall and turn on a juke box or Uncle Fester’s ability to light a light bulb with his mouth?
 
Uncle Fester – imagine what else he could do with that tongue.
 
Please do us all a favor and stay safe!! Is there anything else you would like to say to the guys back in Hong Kong?
 
Go to Manila and give ‘em hell! All are welcome to come visit me in Kabul. And when I am finally back in Manila after this assignment, the biggest bash ever, down in batangas on the South China Sea!
 

Good luck and best wishes to all!