Me(ech): Hey, Todd, I appreciate you taking a few minutes out of your busy schedule to talk with The Fightins.

Just curious, where are you originally from?

Todd Zolecki: Born in Milwaukee, but I grew up in the hardscrabble suburbs of West Allis and New Berlin.

Me: Oh, really? Hmmm… I did not know that. I also had no clue Scrabble was any harder in Wisconsin than it is the rest of the country. Smaller dictionaries, I guess.

When you were younger, which baseball team did you root for?

TZ: The Milwaukee Brewers.

Me: The Brewers you say? Huh.

If you don’t mind me asking, where do you currently reside?

TZ: I’ve got a Philly zipcode.

Me: Oh, sweet! Me too!

I hear you work for the most respected newspaper in town, The Philadelphia Inquirer, what is your specific title over there?

TZ: I’m the Phillies beat writer.

Me: Sounds like a blast!

Being that it’s your job to follow the Phillies, I’m sure you’re aware that they are playing your hometown Brewers in the NLDS, correct?

TZ: Correct.

Me: Would you say – as a general rule of thumb – that most baseball fans who grow up following their hometown team continue to do so throughout their life?

TZ: I would say so.

Me: Interesting.

Okay, well, with that being sa- – OUT WITH IT, ZOLECKI – ARE YOU ROOTING FOR THE BREWERS IN THIS SERIES?

TZ: I am not, but I will say I was happy to see the Brewers finally get into the playoffs just because I know how bad Brewers baseball has been since 1982. But I absolutely am not rooting for the Brewers.

Not unless Robin Yount is back in uniform. Wait, isn’t he the new bench coach?

Just kidding.

Me: Close one, Todd.  I was sure my deceptive line of questioning would reveal the truth.  You done good.

Be sure to check out Todd Zolecki’s in-depth playoff coverage for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and read his daily updated blog, Phillies Zone, over at Philly.com.  Or else.