Keep It Vintage: The 10th Inning...with "Gentleman" Ben Fortney

He is down with the Wu-Tang Clan, is always willing to talk conspiracies and call government officials lizard people, and is a survivor of the mid-90's suburban gang wars and helicopter chases. But hey, he did it all while being "gentlemanly." And that's why Ben Fortney (3B) has become one of the premier ballists in the Orators lineup. A fine defenseman and solid top of the order hitter, "Gentleman" has earned the respect of his teammates on the field. Off the field? Not so much, but it's all because his "vintage spirit" allows him to gentlemanly trade jabs with his fellow athletes.

Despite having a pretty tough commute from Long Island, New York, "Gentleben" signed up for the O's in Bridgeport's inaugural season. He remained a fixture for the team until a shattered ankle had him sidelined... In true vintage spirit, he made a comeback playing in the last game of the 2007 season and is looking to start off 2008 strongly.

We got the chance to speak with the Long Island... umm... Lethal guy? Ok, I couldn't think of a nickname, but without further delay...

KEEP IT VINTAGE: You live in Long Island and take trip to New England every week to Orate. What makes you keep coming back except maybe a masochism thing where you like the long commute and getting beat up on the field?
GENTLEMAN BEN: Y'know, I'm just happy to be here and hope I can help the ballclub. I just want to give it my best shot and good Lord willing, things'll work out. Gotta play 'em one day at a time.

KIV: You famously broke your ankle in a rare Orators win last season but used modern surgery to repair the break. Do you think you betrayed your vintage ethics in doing so?
G: At the time, I contemplated eschewing modern medicine, rubbing some herbs on it and constructing a splint out of elm, but i think that was just the Demerol messing with my head.

KIV: Your nickname is "Gentleman." Am I to believe that having your sleeves rolled down and smoking tobacco is gentlemanly? Maybe it's just because I've known you ten years, but you never struck me as a gentleman...
G: That's not what your sister said...

KIV: Some have noted that you and Jay "Papi" Ortiz have an uncomfortably close onfield relationship. Some have even noted that it's like the show Moonlighting and everyone is questioning will you or won't you? Ok, I am the only person who noted the moonlighting thing. Thoughts?
G: What happens in the locker room, stays in the locker room. Unfortunately they didn't have locker rooms in 1864, so you see it inside the chalk. In actuality, communication is the key to any good marriage... err, team. I try to stay on the same level with my left-side compatriot. We discuss the usual topics, positioning on the striker, covering the sacks on steals, taking cut-offs from the outfield, how buff Jay's gotten since he started working out, what kind of pitches the hurler is throwing... Y'know, base ball stuff.

KIV: This is your opportunity to give me a WWE smackdown talk about the rest of the season. And go!
G: I'll tell you Mean Gene, the squad just needs to keep taking their vitamins, and saying their prayers. We need to hit em where they ain't, score early and score often. Defense wins championships. We've always got to remember that it's a simple game, see the ball - hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains... think about it.