11/19: Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere: Eric Haskell, The Bronx Block
Posted by: Patrick
We kick off the 2007-2008 edition of Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere with Eric Haskell of The Bronx Block.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I am also a die hard New York Giants fan, so I spend a lot of time doing Giant related things. As far as something completely un-sports related, I am really into politics. I spend a lot of time watching and reading about the 2008 presidential election.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I am fairly new to blogging, having only been writing for The Bronx Block for about two months now.
How did you end up blogging at MVN?
MVN became probably my favorite site to read about the Yankees. I spent all season reading and commenting about the Yankees there, until I finally decided that I was interested in writing for them. I sent them an application letter, which they apparently really liked and I started soon after.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
I just love having a place to share my thoughts. I spend so much time talking about the Yankees in real life, that it is nice to be able to share my thoughts with new people and get their feedback. Honestly, I haven't really found anything that I don't like about blogging.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Pending Pinstripes is a great blog about the Yankees minor league system, here at MVN. I also read Peter Abraham's blog to get Yankee news.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
My best early memory of the Yankees was the 1996 World Series. I was only nine at the time, so to see a championship was the greatest thing in the world to me.
Did you grow up rooting for the Yanks? Was your Dad or someone in your family influential in making sure you pulled for the Yankees?
Yeah, I've always been a Yankees' fan. My Dad is obsessed with the Yankees, Giants and Knicks, so starting at a young age, the fates of those three teams became the most important things in the world.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Tino Martinez was always my favorite Yankee. 1996 was my first year really following the Yankees closely and I don't remember why, but I started to really admire Tino Martinez. Of course, he went on to have an amazing year in 1997, as well as being a key part of the late 90's Yankees teams. I loved seeing him come back to New York in 2005 and finish off his career as a Yankee.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
I really admire Brian Cashman. He is really the first person to win a battle of wills with George Steinbrenner, as he managed to gain a large amount of control. He immediately started building the Yankees through their farm system, which I've always found to be the most gratifying way to build a team. It is also usually the most successful, as evidenced by the young stars now reaching the big leagues with the Yankees. This year, he showed a lot of backbone by refusing to give up our young stars at the trading deadline. Now we just have to hope that he does the same thing this offseason.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
I've never actually lived in New York, so I've only been to Yankee Stadium once, in July 2005 against the Twins. Randy Johnson carried a no hitter into the sixth inning and ended up combining with Tom Gordon for a two-hit shutout. Despite this, I watch probably 130 games a year on MLB.TV.
Excluding our own guys, who is a free agent that you'd like to see the Yankees sign?
Assuming the Yankees re-sign Pettitte, then the only positions with needs are first base and the bullpen. There is no one out there that I think is really much better than Duncan/Phillips/Betemit/Mientkiewicz (possibly), so I hope they don't do anything there. Relief pitching is pretty much a crapshoot, so as long as they get a couple pitchers, I don't really care who they are. One guy I've always liked is Aaron Rowand. I love the way he always plays hard. I also love the guys that play great defense purely on instincts, whether or not they are the greatest athletes. That's probably part of the reason why I like Melky Cabrera so much. Of course, we have no need for Aaron Rowand and he's asking for way too much money, but I do like him.
What would you break the Hughes, Joba and Ian trio up for?
I would give one, and only one, of them for Johan Santana. Apart from that, nothing.
Out of all current Yankee hitters, if you need someone to make something happen, who do you want?
No doubt, Alex Rodriguez.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I am also a die hard New York Giants fan, so I spend a lot of time doing Giant related things. As far as something completely un-sports related, I am really into politics. I spend a lot of time watching and reading about the 2008 presidential election.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I am fairly new to blogging, having only been writing for The Bronx Block for about two months now.
How did you end up blogging at MVN?
MVN became probably my favorite site to read about the Yankees. I spent all season reading and commenting about the Yankees there, until I finally decided that I was interested in writing for them. I sent them an application letter, which they apparently really liked and I started soon after.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
I just love having a place to share my thoughts. I spend so much time talking about the Yankees in real life, that it is nice to be able to share my thoughts with new people and get their feedback. Honestly, I haven't really found anything that I don't like about blogging.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Pending Pinstripes is a great blog about the Yankees minor league system, here at MVN. I also read Peter Abraham's blog to get Yankee news.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
My best early memory of the Yankees was the 1996 World Series. I was only nine at the time, so to see a championship was the greatest thing in the world to me.
Did you grow up rooting for the Yanks? Was your Dad or someone in your family influential in making sure you pulled for the Yankees?
Yeah, I've always been a Yankees' fan. My Dad is obsessed with the Yankees, Giants and Knicks, so starting at a young age, the fates of those three teams became the most important things in the world.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Tino Martinez was always my favorite Yankee. 1996 was my first year really following the Yankees closely and I don't remember why, but I started to really admire Tino Martinez. Of course, he went on to have an amazing year in 1997, as well as being a key part of the late 90's Yankees teams. I loved seeing him come back to New York in 2005 and finish off his career as a Yankee.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
I really admire Brian Cashman. He is really the first person to win a battle of wills with George Steinbrenner, as he managed to gain a large amount of control. He immediately started building the Yankees through their farm system, which I've always found to be the most gratifying way to build a team. It is also usually the most successful, as evidenced by the young stars now reaching the big leagues with the Yankees. This year, he showed a lot of backbone by refusing to give up our young stars at the trading deadline. Now we just have to hope that he does the same thing this offseason.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
I've never actually lived in New York, so I've only been to Yankee Stadium once, in July 2005 against the Twins. Randy Johnson carried a no hitter into the sixth inning and ended up combining with Tom Gordon for a two-hit shutout. Despite this, I watch probably 130 games a year on MLB.TV.
Excluding our own guys, who is a free agent that you'd like to see the Yankees sign?
Assuming the Yankees re-sign Pettitte, then the only positions with needs are first base and the bullpen. There is no one out there that I think is really much better than Duncan/Phillips/Betemit/Mientkiewicz (possibly), so I hope they don't do anything there. Relief pitching is pretty much a crapshoot, so as long as they get a couple pitchers, I don't really care who they are. One guy I've always liked is Aaron Rowand. I love the way he always plays hard. I also love the guys that play great defense purely on instincts, whether or not they are the greatest athletes. That's probably part of the reason why I like Melky Cabrera so much. Of course, we have no need for Aaron Rowand and he's asking for way too much money, but I do like him.
What would you break the Hughes, Joba and Ian trio up for?
I would give one, and only one, of them for Johan Santana. Apart from that, nothing.
Out of all current Yankee hitters, if you need someone to make something happen, who do you want?
No doubt, Alex Rodriguez.
Mark McCry wrote: