The goal of these stories is not to shit on people or reveal someone’s dirty little secrets or go off on tirades, though I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up doing it from time to time. It’s just the nature of the beast, I guess…
Friends, family and people who know me - on a personal level - will tell you that I curse A LOT, I become ‘beady eyed,’ as my wife says, I lock in on an argument and can get a tad cocky about my stance.
As for my writing, though, I usually kept these qualities quiet because when I’d finally take to the laptop it was often at the end of listening to other opinions, talking the idea out, editing, cutting down words and then publishing. So, naturally, I came across more pragmatic and level headed.
That said, when it came to the business and development of MetsBlog, when it came to the hustle and grind, survival and combat, while I liked to play up the naive, ‘awe shucks, wow, how did MetsBlog become a success,’ the reality is that I was a calculated loose canon. I realize that seems like a contradiction, but in time you’ll see how that worked well together…
This is probably why my favorite historical figure is the Marquis de Lafayette, who is now more prominent thanks to the Broadway hit Hamilton.
Remember, in the beginning, MetsBlog was just a project I did for school and a hobby that took up way too much of my time, which was the case for most bloggers during the early days of the medium.
In time, as the site grew, and as team and league executives with the Mets and MLB, reporters and columnists that I admired, editors, producers and radio hosts started noticing my work, and as I started pushing for access, doors began getting slammed in my face. And that pissed me off…
What’s worse, I was repeatedly told I would never make it in ‘this business,’ after which writing and building up MetsBlog became a mission. Because, what these people I didn’t realize is that I didn’t want to succeed in their business, I wanted to change their business. I didn’t want to be a journalist. I didn’t aspire to be a beat reporter, which was something they couldn’t wrap their heads around. I just wanted to be a resourceful fan with an opinion helping other fans find information. That’s it.
I’d encourage you to watch the above video, which I’ll post again below, because - in addition to more details offered in this post - at the end you’ll find a link to one of my favorite SNY, Matt & Ted adventures… Enjoy, and Let’s Go METS!!