Written by Andy | 10 December 2010

The conclusion of baseball's winter meetings signal it's time for ESPN Baseball Insider Buster Olney to lie dormant for three months in the den he created beneath the right field bullpen at Fenway Park.

"Preparations for this begin in the summer, right after the All-Star break," says Olney. "Right around that time, I try to put on considerable weight by gorging on fatty and carbohydrate-rich stadium foods such as soft pretzels, hot dogs, bratwursts and nachos."

To ensure his mind is still sharp when pitchers and catchers report, Olney gathers and stores as much information as he can, from statistics and VORP ratings to free agent signings and rule 5 draft acquisitions.

"My brain activity steadily declines once hibernation begins, so until I conk out, I'm stockpiling baseball data virtually non-stop once the World Series wraps up."

Olney plans on staying warm during the cold winter months by wearing official MLB knit beanies by New Era, and layering himself in several Majestic therma base team bullpen jackets.

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