12/02: Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere: EJ Fagan, Pending Pinstripes and The Bronx Block
Posted by: Patrick
Our next interview is with EJ Fagan of Pending Pinstripes and The Bronx Block.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I am a student at Providence College, so I spend a lot of time writing papers and reading books. I am a political science major. I spend my weekends debating on the American Parliamentary Debate Association circuit - it takes up basically all my free time. Basically, I'm a massive dork.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
It seems so long ago, although it really wasn't. I started blogging at Fire Joe Torre in April of 2006.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
The best part is absolutely getting comments and e-mails from readers every day. There's nothing more satisfying than a reader saying, "E.J., I really enjoyed reading that today and I have this very interesting question for you". The worst part has to be the time commitment - at the wrong time in the semester, I get overwhelmed. Luckily, I have Eric and the rest of the team at Pending Pinstripes to help me out.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
I'm a huge fan of the guys at River Ave Blues. The Replacement Level Yankees Weblog team is top notch, too. Now that I think of it, I don't really read a lot of Yankee blogs - but I do read close to twenty non-Yankee blogs. Squawking Baseball is one of the least-known, excellent baseball blogs on the internet.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
For some reason, I wasn't much of a fan before the 1998 World Series. I was sitting out with my family in right field and Tino Martinez blasted a grand slam right over my head. Made me a fan for life.
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'm a third generation Yankee fan. There was never any question - despite half my family being hardcore Red Sox fans. I think my father would have divorced my mother had she tried to raise me on the dark side.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Tino Martinez. I'll never forget the grand slam and all the postseason moments in my formative years as a fan. When he hit the 9th inning home run in the 2001 ALCS, I went crazy. I also can't think of a better song to introduce someone in a momentous at bat than "Baba O'Reilly".
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Brian Cashman. The man is so maligned by some fans despite doing so much for the organization. He's the only reason that the Yankees have managed to rebuild their farm system over the past three years. When I look at what's happening to teams like the Astros or Giants, I'm so happy that we have Brian Cashman at the helm.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
When I'm home from school, I try to go once or twice a month. I also try to get to minor league games as much as possible.
Excluding our own guys, who is a free agent that you'd like to see the Yankees sign?
I'd be incredibly happy if the New York Yankees declined to sign a single free agent this offseason. We have internal options that don't require three year deals.
What would you break the Hughes, Joba and Ian trio up for?
It would probably take Albert Pujols or someone comparable to get me to trade Joba. For Hughes, I'd probably trade him for Dan Haren or if some other big time pitcher fell into my lap. Kennedy, I could trade for a rental like Santana. Still, nothing would make me happier than the Yankees standing pat. No moves. Let the pitching speak for itself - these three guys are going to be very, very good. I honestly believe that the only way the Yankees can establish a new dynasty is through these guys and the farm system. It may take a few years, but we can't rely on patches forever.
Being someone who closely follows the minor leagues, what players without MLB experience do you think will impact the major league club in 2008?
If I could were to guess, I'd say (in addition to Kennedy and Chamberlain), we'll see Juan Miranda take over at first base by year's end, Brett Gardner in the outfield whenever a spot opens and Austin Jackson coming up like Cameron Maybin late in the season. Alberto Gonzalez could probably be a better backup middle infielder than Mark Loretta, but I expect the Yankees to go with the vet. On the pitching side of things, count on Steven White and Alan Horne making appearances depending on the health of the Yankee rotation, in addition to Scott Patterson immediately out of the bullpen. We'll see Edwar and Ohlendorf a lot, too.
Out of all current Yankee hitters, if you need someone to make something happen, who do you want?
I'll take the best. Give me Alex Rodriguez.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I am a student at Providence College, so I spend a lot of time writing papers and reading books. I am a political science major. I spend my weekends debating on the American Parliamentary Debate Association circuit - it takes up basically all my free time. Basically, I'm a massive dork.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
It seems so long ago, although it really wasn't. I started blogging at Fire Joe Torre in April of 2006.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
The best part is absolutely getting comments and e-mails from readers every day. There's nothing more satisfying than a reader saying, "E.J., I really enjoyed reading that today and I have this very interesting question for you". The worst part has to be the time commitment - at the wrong time in the semester, I get overwhelmed. Luckily, I have Eric and the rest of the team at Pending Pinstripes to help me out.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
I'm a huge fan of the guys at River Ave Blues. The Replacement Level Yankees Weblog team is top notch, too. Now that I think of it, I don't really read a lot of Yankee blogs - but I do read close to twenty non-Yankee blogs. Squawking Baseball is one of the least-known, excellent baseball blogs on the internet.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
For some reason, I wasn't much of a fan before the 1998 World Series. I was sitting out with my family in right field and Tino Martinez blasted a grand slam right over my head. Made me a fan for life.
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'm a third generation Yankee fan. There was never any question - despite half my family being hardcore Red Sox fans. I think my father would have divorced my mother had she tried to raise me on the dark side.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Tino Martinez. I'll never forget the grand slam and all the postseason moments in my formative years as a fan. When he hit the 9th inning home run in the 2001 ALCS, I went crazy. I also can't think of a better song to introduce someone in a momentous at bat than "Baba O'Reilly".
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Brian Cashman. The man is so maligned by some fans despite doing so much for the organization. He's the only reason that the Yankees have managed to rebuild their farm system over the past three years. When I look at what's happening to teams like the Astros or Giants, I'm so happy that we have Brian Cashman at the helm.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
When I'm home from school, I try to go once or twice a month. I also try to get to minor league games as much as possible.
Excluding our own guys, who is a free agent that you'd like to see the Yankees sign?
I'd be incredibly happy if the New York Yankees declined to sign a single free agent this offseason. We have internal options that don't require three year deals.
What would you break the Hughes, Joba and Ian trio up for?
It would probably take Albert Pujols or someone comparable to get me to trade Joba. For Hughes, I'd probably trade him for Dan Haren or if some other big time pitcher fell into my lap. Kennedy, I could trade for a rental like Santana. Still, nothing would make me happier than the Yankees standing pat. No moves. Let the pitching speak for itself - these three guys are going to be very, very good. I honestly believe that the only way the Yankees can establish a new dynasty is through these guys and the farm system. It may take a few years, but we can't rely on patches forever.
Being someone who closely follows the minor leagues, what players without MLB experience do you think will impact the major league club in 2008?
If I could were to guess, I'd say (in addition to Kennedy and Chamberlain), we'll see Juan Miranda take over at first base by year's end, Brett Gardner in the outfield whenever a spot opens and Austin Jackson coming up like Cameron Maybin late in the season. Alberto Gonzalez could probably be a better backup middle infielder than Mark Loretta, but I expect the Yankees to go with the vet. On the pitching side of things, count on Steven White and Alan Horne making appearances depending on the health of the Yankee rotation, in addition to Scott Patterson immediately out of the bullpen. We'll see Edwar and Ohlendorf a lot, too.
Out of all current Yankee hitters, if you need someone to make something happen, who do you want?
I'll take the best. Give me Alex Rodriguez.
Kennedy wrote: