12/18: Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere: Sensei John Kreese, noMaas.org
Posted by: Patrick
noMaas.org is the satirical Yankees analysis site. We sat down with the leader of the group, Sensei John Kreese, and asked him some questions. The name "Sensei John Kreese" is fictional as, I would guess, a few of his answers to our questions are, as well.
When you're not blogging/writing/creating images about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
I own a Cobra-Kai dojo where I train kids to fight in the Under 18 All-Valley Karate Tournament.
I'm a fan of noMaas.org. I think the Cashman in the convenience store image is my favorite. So, why don't you tell us a bit about it? How many people you have on staff, who does what, any details about the operation that you'd like to let us in on, etc.?
NoMaas was actually created out of frustration with how the Yankee organization was run. As Yankee fans, we were growing tired of the inefficiency and mismanagement that persisted from the front office all the way down to the playing field.
For the amount of money that the Yankees spent, the NoMaas staff felt that it was unacceptable for the organization to have such blatant weaknesses. So, you could say that NoMaas was founded as a place where Yankee fans could critique the Yankees and also put forth their ideas as to what decisions should be made. If you look at the name "NoMaas" - yes, we did name it after Kevin Maas, but we also liked it because of the Spanish expression "No Mas" which means "no more." We wanted the bad decisions to end.
So, we use NoMaas as our mouthpiece because we believe that most of the sports media has no idea what it's talking about. We try to be funny and satirical, but also do it in a way that makes our point.
As far as our operation goes, the NoMaas staff consists of about 10 people. Most of them were smuggled in from Cuba, with the only exception being the one we kidnapped by leaving a trail of Fruit Rollups.
Everyone contributes. We have about 4 writers, 3 graphic designers, 2 beekeepers and a milkman.
How long have you been blogging/writing/creating images about the Yankees?
We kicked off NoMaas in May 2005.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Yours, of course. Also, Bronx Banter and Replacement Level Yankees Weblog.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
My earliest memories of the Yankees are of Don Mattingly, most notably during his streak of home runs in 8 straight games. I think I was 9 years old then.
I also remember my parents buying me the 1986 Topps Yankee team set. I had more Yankee baseball cards than any other team.
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?
I did grow up rooting for the Yankees, probably because of my father. He was a fan of Reggie Jackson and brainwashed me to despise the Red Sox. Plus, I'm Italian. Italians should be Yankee fans.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
It's weird. I've seldom had favorite players. I don't really understand why. However, I was obsessed with Danny Tartabull for a while. I had his poster up in my room and even ordered a customized #45 jersey.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
If asked me to tell you someone that I admire outside of the Yankee organization, I'd say Sylvester Stallone. However, since you limited me, I'll say Brian Cashman.
As you can tell by visiting the site, we are big Ca$hMoney fans and we are very excited that he supposedly has control now. Cash uses much more modern player evaluation methodologies and tries to balance short-term and long-term goals. I think he is in a position now to make the entire organization the dominant force that it should be.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
I'd like to be a mediocre relief pitcher. You seldom pitch so you get to sit back, hang out and watch the game. And when you do pitch, it doesn't mean anything.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
I probably go to the stadium 5-6 times a year.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
Definitely. He probably has the most recognizable voice in sports. It's very majestic.
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Well, Rickey Henderson will get in.
But, someone who deserves to be in is Charlie Keller. He played for the Yankees in the 1940s. His nickname was King Kong. He had a career OPS of .932 with an OPS+ of 152. His career OPS+ is better than the career marks of Honus Wagner, Duke Snider, Reggie Jackson, Harmon Killebrew and Willie Stargell, to name a few. All of those guys are in the Hall of Fame.
Who are the free agents that you'd like the Yankees to come up with?
We really wanted Brian Giles, but unfortunately, he re-signed with San Diego. We pushed for Mike Myers and the Yankees just signed him. We'd really love for the Yankees to sign Octavio Dotel on a 1-year, incentive based deal, same thing with Nomar. And now, we'd like to get Clemens on a one-year deal.
Overall, the free agent market was horrendous and I'm glad Cash didn't do anything stupid. J.P. Ricciardi is out of his mind.
Who starts in center on opening day?
Your guess is as good as mine, but if I had to bet money, I'd say Jason Michaels of the Phillies. I'd be happy with that, too.
If the sky is dark and the mountain high and you need someone to make something happen, of the current Yankees, who do you want at the plate?
Alex Rodriguez, period. He's the best hitter in the American League.
Thanks for answering our questions.
When you're not blogging/writing/creating images about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
I own a Cobra-Kai dojo where I train kids to fight in the Under 18 All-Valley Karate Tournament.
I'm a fan of noMaas.org. I think the Cashman in the convenience store image is my favorite. So, why don't you tell us a bit about it? How many people you have on staff, who does what, any details about the operation that you'd like to let us in on, etc.?
NoMaas was actually created out of frustration with how the Yankee organization was run. As Yankee fans, we were growing tired of the inefficiency and mismanagement that persisted from the front office all the way down to the playing field.
For the amount of money that the Yankees spent, the NoMaas staff felt that it was unacceptable for the organization to have such blatant weaknesses. So, you could say that NoMaas was founded as a place where Yankee fans could critique the Yankees and also put forth their ideas as to what decisions should be made. If you look at the name "NoMaas" - yes, we did name it after Kevin Maas, but we also liked it because of the Spanish expression "No Mas" which means "no more." We wanted the bad decisions to end.
So, we use NoMaas as our mouthpiece because we believe that most of the sports media has no idea what it's talking about. We try to be funny and satirical, but also do it in a way that makes our point.
As far as our operation goes, the NoMaas staff consists of about 10 people. Most of them were smuggled in from Cuba, with the only exception being the one we kidnapped by leaving a trail of Fruit Rollups.
Everyone contributes. We have about 4 writers, 3 graphic designers, 2 beekeepers and a milkman.
How long have you been blogging/writing/creating images about the Yankees?
We kicked off NoMaas in May 2005.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Yours, of course. Also, Bronx Banter and Replacement Level Yankees Weblog.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
My earliest memories of the Yankees are of Don Mattingly, most notably during his streak of home runs in 8 straight games. I think I was 9 years old then.
I also remember my parents buying me the 1986 Topps Yankee team set. I had more Yankee baseball cards than any other team.
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?
I did grow up rooting for the Yankees, probably because of my father. He was a fan of Reggie Jackson and brainwashed me to despise the Red Sox. Plus, I'm Italian. Italians should be Yankee fans.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
It's weird. I've seldom had favorite players. I don't really understand why. However, I was obsessed with Danny Tartabull for a while. I had his poster up in my room and even ordered a customized #45 jersey.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
If asked me to tell you someone that I admire outside of the Yankee organization, I'd say Sylvester Stallone. However, since you limited me, I'll say Brian Cashman.
As you can tell by visiting the site, we are big Ca$hMoney fans and we are very excited that he supposedly has control now. Cash uses much more modern player evaluation methodologies and tries to balance short-term and long-term goals. I think he is in a position now to make the entire organization the dominant force that it should be.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
I'd like to be a mediocre relief pitcher. You seldom pitch so you get to sit back, hang out and watch the game. And when you do pitch, it doesn't mean anything.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
I probably go to the stadium 5-6 times a year.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
Definitely. He probably has the most recognizable voice in sports. It's very majestic.
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Well, Rickey Henderson will get in.
But, someone who deserves to be in is Charlie Keller. He played for the Yankees in the 1940s. His nickname was King Kong. He had a career OPS of .932 with an OPS+ of 152. His career OPS+ is better than the career marks of Honus Wagner, Duke Snider, Reggie Jackson, Harmon Killebrew and Willie Stargell, to name a few. All of those guys are in the Hall of Fame.
Who are the free agents that you'd like the Yankees to come up with?
We really wanted Brian Giles, but unfortunately, he re-signed with San Diego. We pushed for Mike Myers and the Yankees just signed him. We'd really love for the Yankees to sign Octavio Dotel on a 1-year, incentive based deal, same thing with Nomar. And now, we'd like to get Clemens on a one-year deal.
Overall, the free agent market was horrendous and I'm glad Cash didn't do anything stupid. J.P. Ricciardi is out of his mind.
Who starts in center on opening day?
Your guess is as good as mine, but if I had to bet money, I'd say Jason Michaels of the Phillies. I'd be happy with that, too.
If the sky is dark and the mountain high and you need someone to make something happen, of the current Yankees, who do you want at the plate?
Alex Rodriguez, period. He's the best hitter in the American League.
Thanks for answering our questions.
Jason O. wrote: