05/26: Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere: Peter Abraham, The LoHud Yankees Blog
Posted by: Patrick
Our final interview of the 2006-2007 Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere season is with Peter Abraham of The LoHud Yankees Blog.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I enjoy music a lot and spend a lot of time in the city seeing shows. I try and read as much non-fiction as I can make time for and I enjoy hanging out with my niece and nephew.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
Since February of 2005.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
The best is getting a better idea of what fans think of your coverage and the team. I've been influenced to write several stories based on feedback from readers. The worst part of it is when you wade into the internet culture, you come in contact with a lot of twisted folks. There are a lot of people out there who need help.
How aware is the Yankees clubhouse of the whole blogging thing? I imagine with the MSM doing it now, at least some players must have the general idea. Is it just another form of media to them? Have you received any interesting reactions when you said you were doing an interview for your blog or doing an entry for your blog?
The players don't much care. Chris Britton mentioned to me that his parents read my blog. I've yet to get any other reaction from a player. You never tell a player why you're asking a question, you just ask it. They don't care what form of media you're asking it for.
How did you end up at The Journal?
I worked at the Norwich (Connecticut) Bulletin for 13 years covering the UConn basketball team. I was recruited over to The Journal News in 1999 by Mark Leary, the sports editor.
When did you decide that you wanted to be a sports writer?
When I was 16, I landed a part time job answering phones at my local paper. That's when I fell in love with the idea of being a sports writer.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Bronx Banter is terrific, the gold standard. I enjoy what Tyler Kepner of the Times and Mark Feinsand of the News do on their blogs as well as Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant. I don't much read any others.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
When I first became a fan of baseball, in the early 1970s, the Yankees weren't very good. I certainly remember Reggie Jackson and Ron Guidry and the great teams late in that decade. I remember marveling at how a small guy like Guidry could throw so hard.
Now, I know you're not a Yankees fan. Are you a fan of any team? If not now, how about as a kid?
I'm not a fan of any baseball team, more so different players I have met along the way. The only teams I root for are the Patriots and North Carolina basketball and that has been the case all of my adult life.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Admire anyone? I certainly respect Mariano Rivera for his class and several other players for qualities they have as athletes. But, I don't really admire any of them.
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
None, really. As good of a player as Don Mattingly was, I don't believe he was one of the dominant players of his time. I'm a tough grader when it comes to the Hall of Fame.
Who is one player not on the roster now, that you think will make a noticeable, positive impact this season? [Note: This question was answered on May 15]
It's impossible to predict any trades at this point. Assuming you're not including players on the disabled list, I guess I would say Tyler Clippard.
Do you have a prediction for Clemens final stat line for this season?
13-6, 3.90.
Out of all current Yankee hitters, if you need someone to make something happen, who do you want?
Make something in terms of getting on base? Damon.
Make something happen in terms of driving in a run to win a game? Jeter.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I enjoy music a lot and spend a lot of time in the city seeing shows. I try and read as much non-fiction as I can make time for and I enjoy hanging out with my niece and nephew.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
Since February of 2005.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
The best is getting a better idea of what fans think of your coverage and the team. I've been influenced to write several stories based on feedback from readers. The worst part of it is when you wade into the internet culture, you come in contact with a lot of twisted folks. There are a lot of people out there who need help.
How aware is the Yankees clubhouse of the whole blogging thing? I imagine with the MSM doing it now, at least some players must have the general idea. Is it just another form of media to them? Have you received any interesting reactions when you said you were doing an interview for your blog or doing an entry for your blog?
The players don't much care. Chris Britton mentioned to me that his parents read my blog. I've yet to get any other reaction from a player. You never tell a player why you're asking a question, you just ask it. They don't care what form of media you're asking it for.
How did you end up at The Journal?
I worked at the Norwich (Connecticut) Bulletin for 13 years covering the UConn basketball team. I was recruited over to The Journal News in 1999 by Mark Leary, the sports editor.
When did you decide that you wanted to be a sports writer?
When I was 16, I landed a part time job answering phones at my local paper. That's when I fell in love with the idea of being a sports writer.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Bronx Banter is terrific, the gold standard. I enjoy what Tyler Kepner of the Times and Mark Feinsand of the News do on their blogs as well as Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant. I don't much read any others.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
When I first became a fan of baseball, in the early 1970s, the Yankees weren't very good. I certainly remember Reggie Jackson and Ron Guidry and the great teams late in that decade. I remember marveling at how a small guy like Guidry could throw so hard.
Now, I know you're not a Yankees fan. Are you a fan of any team? If not now, how about as a kid?
I'm not a fan of any baseball team, more so different players I have met along the way. The only teams I root for are the Patriots and North Carolina basketball and that has been the case all of my adult life.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Admire anyone? I certainly respect Mariano Rivera for his class and several other players for qualities they have as athletes. But, I don't really admire any of them.
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
None, really. As good of a player as Don Mattingly was, I don't believe he was one of the dominant players of his time. I'm a tough grader when it comes to the Hall of Fame.
Who is one player not on the roster now, that you think will make a noticeable, positive impact this season? [Note: This question was answered on May 15]
It's impossible to predict any trades at this point. Assuming you're not including players on the disabled list, I guess I would say Tyler Clippard.
Do you have a prediction for Clemens final stat line for this season?
13-6, 3.90.
Out of all current Yankee hitters, if you need someone to make something happen, who do you want?
Make something in terms of getting on base? Damon.
Make something happen in terms of driving in a run to win a game? Jeter.
