01/29: Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere: John Amato, Pinstripe Alley
Posted by: Patrick
Our next interview is with John Amato of Pinstripe Alley.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I run a political blog that is my full time job, so to speak, so when I'm not writing about the Yanks, I'm buried in the world of politics.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
This will be the third full season.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
The best: Interacting with the readership and the other writers on Pinstripe Alley. Providing in depth coverage about the team that I'm so passionate about. Conducting interviews with players and sports writers.
The worst: The daily grind of producing content day in and day out. Also, when you cover your favorite team, even if they win one hundred games, you still have to watch, comment and analyze sixty two losses. That's a lot of defeats and it gives me a different perspective on winning and losing. lol.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
There are many which are included in our blogroll, but River Ave. Blues and Peter Abrahams' LoHud blog are the two I go to the most.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
My grandfather taking me to Sunday double headers in 1967. Going to Mickey Mantle day in 1969. Catching two foul balls in the same exact seat, two years apart. Is that a record? One in 1972 from Jim Spencer and the other from Reggie Jackson in 1973 when he was the MVP for the A's. The location was down the 1B line, the first seat next to the field and Reggie hit a slow roller right to me. I still have the ball to this day.
My favorite all time memory is Chris Chambliss' home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to put the Yankees in the World Series in 1976. It was the first time I had experienced the Yankees going to the big dance. It might be my all time favorite sports moment.
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?
My mom and dad were both Yankee fans. The rest of my family rooted for the Mets. My parents first date was Whitey Ford's debut as a major league pitcher. So, since they got married, I guess it worked out pretty well for him.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
That's a tough one. Historically, The Mick because he was the legend. Then in 1970, Bobby Murcer was my favorite player because he replaced Mantle in center. I wore his number (1) as a little league player in the Catholic leagues of Astoria, New York. Then, Thurman Munson, Ron Guidry and Don Mattingly. Since the 90's, it's Mariano Rivera, Paul O'Neil and Derek Jeter.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Gene Michael. He helped build the dynasty and is a wonderful evaluator of talent. Also, Yogi. No explanation necessary.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
I live in Los Angeles now, but I went to tons of games from the late 60's until the present. I've been to Anaheim about 10 times to see them since I've been in LA. I watch every game on DirecTV since they've carried the MLB.
Out of all current Yankee hitters, if you need someone to make something happen, who do you want?
Derek Jeter.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I run a political blog that is my full time job, so to speak, so when I'm not writing about the Yanks, I'm buried in the world of politics.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
This will be the third full season.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
The best: Interacting with the readership and the other writers on Pinstripe Alley. Providing in depth coverage about the team that I'm so passionate about. Conducting interviews with players and sports writers.
The worst: The daily grind of producing content day in and day out. Also, when you cover your favorite team, even if they win one hundred games, you still have to watch, comment and analyze sixty two losses. That's a lot of defeats and it gives me a different perspective on winning and losing. lol.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
There are many which are included in our blogroll, but River Ave. Blues and Peter Abrahams' LoHud blog are the two I go to the most.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
My grandfather taking me to Sunday double headers in 1967. Going to Mickey Mantle day in 1969. Catching two foul balls in the same exact seat, two years apart. Is that a record? One in 1972 from Jim Spencer and the other from Reggie Jackson in 1973 when he was the MVP for the A's. The location was down the 1B line, the first seat next to the field and Reggie hit a slow roller right to me. I still have the ball to this day.
My favorite all time memory is Chris Chambliss' home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to put the Yankees in the World Series in 1976. It was the first time I had experienced the Yankees going to the big dance. It might be my all time favorite sports moment.
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?
My mom and dad were both Yankee fans. The rest of my family rooted for the Mets. My parents first date was Whitey Ford's debut as a major league pitcher. So, since they got married, I guess it worked out pretty well for him.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
That's a tough one. Historically, The Mick because he was the legend. Then in 1970, Bobby Murcer was my favorite player because he replaced Mantle in center. I wore his number (1) as a little league player in the Catholic leagues of Astoria, New York. Then, Thurman Munson, Ron Guidry and Don Mattingly. Since the 90's, it's Mariano Rivera, Paul O'Neil and Derek Jeter.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Gene Michael. He helped build the dynasty and is a wonderful evaluator of talent. Also, Yogi. No explanation necessary.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
I live in Los Angeles now, but I went to tons of games from the late 60's until the present. I've been to Anaheim about 10 times to see them since I've been in LA. I watch every game on DirecTV since they've carried the MLB.
Out of all current Yankee hitters, if you need someone to make something happen, who do you want?
Derek Jeter.
