12/25: Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere: Dave Nekoukar, Pride of the Yankees
Posted by: Patrick
Our next interview in the Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere series is Dave Nekoukar of Pride of the Yankees.
When you're not blogging about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
Watching SportsCenter, following the NY Giants and NY Rangers, walking the dog or chasing after my two year old son.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
Aziz and I started blogging about the Yanks during the 2004 postseason when the then-Yankee blogger for NJ.com bailed at the worst possible moment. We've been blogging at Pride of the Yankees ever since.
How are you related to your co-blogging namesake?
We're brothers who seemed to always exchange e-mails with trade proposals, rumors and things we'd like to see the team do, always wishing we had a place to vent about it, especially if we could do that together. Now we do!
How did NJ.com go about finding and hiring you to blog about the Yankees?
We also blog about the NY Rangers for NJ.com, and were hired for that blog (called The Blue Line) during an open submission process in October of 2003. When the Yankee blog opening developed, hockey was locked out, so the NJ.com sports editor contacted us and asked us if we wanted the gig. We jumped at the chance and now post to both blogs daily.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
There are many excellent Yankee blogs out there. A couple that we read regularly are linked to on Pride of the Yankees, including Alex Belth's Bronx Banter and Larry Mahnken's Replacement Level Yankee Weblog. Both feature a blend of high level statistical analysis and a sense of humor that we love.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
Oh, wow. How much time do you have? The '78 team is probably the earliest I can remember - I'm older than Aziz by eight years, so this question is better suited for me. I don't remember Bucky's shot, per se, but I do remember Guidry's domination and I remember trying to collect as many early 80's Yankee baseball cards as I could. Chris Chambliss, Willie Randolph, Bobby Murcer, Oscar Gamble. I remember those early 80's teams fondly.
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?
Definitely. Our grandfather was a huge baseball fan in general, but had a special spot for the Yankees. He was a taxi driver in NYC in the 20's and 30's and regularly patrolled Babe Ruth's neighborhood. He gave the Babe more than a few rides to the Stadium in his taxi.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Another fun question. I'm only going back as far as players I saw play. And I'd have to say Mattingly. Partly because I remember him coming up and was able to follow his career from start to finish. Partly because he was a Yankee from start to finish and didn't tarnish the image of himself with any other uniform (like Boggs, for example, who I tend to always think of as a Red Sox player despite the fact he won a Series with the Yanks). And also because Mattingly was such a class act on the field and off. The fact that he was from a small town in Indiana and transitioned so smoothly to the spotlight of NYC always amazed me. He had one of the sweetest, most natural swings I've ever seen and I loved to watch him hit. For me, he defined what it means to be a Yankee.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Had to think about this one. I wouldn't say "admire"... but I do respect the Brian Cashman and Joe Torre combo a lot. They both came into what were typically high turnover positions under Steinbrenner and staked their claims to the job. They've had to put up with a lot of flack from the media, the fans and their boss over the years and have thrived. And they've done it all in the largest market.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
Haha - any. Any position at all. I'd even take bat boy or groundskeeper!
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
Only once or twice per year, definitely not as often as I'd like. But tickets are awfully hard to come by these days. Aziz and I already have our tickets to the June 30, 2006 - the Mets/Yanks game, though.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
Well, there is a broadcaster's wing, but I'm not sure if there are any in stadium announcers who have made it. I love the man's voice and games certainly wouldn't be the same without it. But, I can't honestly say he deserves a place in Cooperstown. When he retires, though, he surely deserves a plaque out in Monument Park (at the very least).
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Given that Rickey will be in eventually, I'd have to say the next most deserving Yankee is Mattingly. But I'm of the camp that he's not quite HOF level. Great, yes. HOF, not quite. A more fun question might be which Yankees from the current era will be in. Mariano, yes. A-Rod, yes. Jeter, I think he deserves to be but may get backlash from anti-NY media types. Bernie is borderline. If he could put together one or two more solid seasons, I'd think he'd be in. But his resume isn't complete yet. Sheff is borderline as well. He may be another one of those great-but-not-HOF types.
Who are the free agents that you want the Yankees to sign? (Note: This question was answered before Damon and Dotel had signed).
Damon would be nice, but not for four or five years. I don't think that's going to happen, anyway. Most of the decent relievers have been scooped up already, but they could still use some more bullpen help. Those Octavio Dotel rumors that are surfacing now have a nice ring to them. It will also depend on which players are available that were offered arbitration but decline.
Who starts in center on opening day? (Note: This question was answered before Damon and Lofton had signed).
I know many have floated the idea that the Yanks saying they'll play Bubba in CF on opening day is just a smokescreen, but I really think he'll be out there. The options besides Damon aren't that impressive and would cost too much in prospects or dollars to make them worthwhile. Kenny Lofton? No thanks. Jason Michaels? No way. Torri Hunter? Maybe for the right price, but the Twins want Cano AND Wang. No way. So... Bubba by default.
If the sky is dark and the mountain high and you need someone to make something happen, who do you want at the plate?
On this Yankee roster? Certainly not A-Rod. It would have to be Jeter. Unless a HR was in order, then maybe Sheffield. But Jeter's clutch hitting never ceases to amaze me. A few years ago I might have said Bernie.
When you're not blogging about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
Watching SportsCenter, following the NY Giants and NY Rangers, walking the dog or chasing after my two year old son.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
Aziz and I started blogging about the Yanks during the 2004 postseason when the then-Yankee blogger for NJ.com bailed at the worst possible moment. We've been blogging at Pride of the Yankees ever since.
How are you related to your co-blogging namesake?
We're brothers who seemed to always exchange e-mails with trade proposals, rumors and things we'd like to see the team do, always wishing we had a place to vent about it, especially if we could do that together. Now we do!
How did NJ.com go about finding and hiring you to blog about the Yankees?
We also blog about the NY Rangers for NJ.com, and were hired for that blog (called The Blue Line) during an open submission process in October of 2003. When the Yankee blog opening developed, hockey was locked out, so the NJ.com sports editor contacted us and asked us if we wanted the gig. We jumped at the chance and now post to both blogs daily.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
There are many excellent Yankee blogs out there. A couple that we read regularly are linked to on Pride of the Yankees, including Alex Belth's Bronx Banter and Larry Mahnken's Replacement Level Yankee Weblog. Both feature a blend of high level statistical analysis and a sense of humor that we love.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
Oh, wow. How much time do you have? The '78 team is probably the earliest I can remember - I'm older than Aziz by eight years, so this question is better suited for me. I don't remember Bucky's shot, per se, but I do remember Guidry's domination and I remember trying to collect as many early 80's Yankee baseball cards as I could. Chris Chambliss, Willie Randolph, Bobby Murcer, Oscar Gamble. I remember those early 80's teams fondly.
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?
Definitely. Our grandfather was a huge baseball fan in general, but had a special spot for the Yankees. He was a taxi driver in NYC in the 20's and 30's and regularly patrolled Babe Ruth's neighborhood. He gave the Babe more than a few rides to the Stadium in his taxi.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Another fun question. I'm only going back as far as players I saw play. And I'd have to say Mattingly. Partly because I remember him coming up and was able to follow his career from start to finish. Partly because he was a Yankee from start to finish and didn't tarnish the image of himself with any other uniform (like Boggs, for example, who I tend to always think of as a Red Sox player despite the fact he won a Series with the Yanks). And also because Mattingly was such a class act on the field and off. The fact that he was from a small town in Indiana and transitioned so smoothly to the spotlight of NYC always amazed me. He had one of the sweetest, most natural swings I've ever seen and I loved to watch him hit. For me, he defined what it means to be a Yankee.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Had to think about this one. I wouldn't say "admire"... but I do respect the Brian Cashman and Joe Torre combo a lot. They both came into what were typically high turnover positions under Steinbrenner and staked their claims to the job. They've had to put up with a lot of flack from the media, the fans and their boss over the years and have thrived. And they've done it all in the largest market.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
Haha - any. Any position at all. I'd even take bat boy or groundskeeper!
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
Only once or twice per year, definitely not as often as I'd like. But tickets are awfully hard to come by these days. Aziz and I already have our tickets to the June 30, 2006 - the Mets/Yanks game, though.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
Well, there is a broadcaster's wing, but I'm not sure if there are any in stadium announcers who have made it. I love the man's voice and games certainly wouldn't be the same without it. But, I can't honestly say he deserves a place in Cooperstown. When he retires, though, he surely deserves a plaque out in Monument Park (at the very least).
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Given that Rickey will be in eventually, I'd have to say the next most deserving Yankee is Mattingly. But I'm of the camp that he's not quite HOF level. Great, yes. HOF, not quite. A more fun question might be which Yankees from the current era will be in. Mariano, yes. A-Rod, yes. Jeter, I think he deserves to be but may get backlash from anti-NY media types. Bernie is borderline. If he could put together one or two more solid seasons, I'd think he'd be in. But his resume isn't complete yet. Sheff is borderline as well. He may be another one of those great-but-not-HOF types.
Who are the free agents that you want the Yankees to sign? (Note: This question was answered before Damon and Dotel had signed).
Damon would be nice, but not for four or five years. I don't think that's going to happen, anyway. Most of the decent relievers have been scooped up already, but they could still use some more bullpen help. Those Octavio Dotel rumors that are surfacing now have a nice ring to them. It will also depend on which players are available that were offered arbitration but decline.
Who starts in center on opening day? (Note: This question was answered before Damon and Lofton had signed).
I know many have floated the idea that the Yanks saying they'll play Bubba in CF on opening day is just a smokescreen, but I really think he'll be out there. The options besides Damon aren't that impressive and would cost too much in prospects or dollars to make them worthwhile. Kenny Lofton? No thanks. Jason Michaels? No way. Torri Hunter? Maybe for the right price, but the Twins want Cano AND Wang. No way. So... Bubba by default.
If the sky is dark and the mountain high and you need someone to make something happen, who do you want at the plate?
On this Yankee roster? Certainly not A-Rod. It would have to be Jeter. Unless a HR was in order, then maybe Sheffield. But Jeter's clutch hitting never ceases to amaze me. A few years ago I might have said Bernie.
