12/07: Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere: Travis Goldman, Pinstripe Alley
Posted by: Patrick
Our next interview is with Travis Goldman, perhaps better known as Travis G, who blogs for Pinstripe Alley.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
Since I moved to Philly last April, I've been focusing primarily on trying to make a career of writing. I wrote a book a while back and would love to write another.
Other than that, taking care of my dog, cooking a lot (which I used to hate) and getting to know Philly. The Trenton Thunder are 40 minutes away, so I try to hit their games as much as possible.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
Since the summer of 2005, when I first began following the farm system and learned about Phil Hughes and Jose Tabata (who I still think Cash sold low on).
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
I love interacting and having passionate debates with other fans. The worst part is that I can get addicted to it. I'm constantly checking news sites for updates and feel a sometimes unnatural obligation to write even when I'm on vacation or with family.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
RAB, Lohud, yours, RLYW, Chad Jennings, Mike Ashmore.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
My earliest memories include Jack Clark and Steve Balboni home runs. Also, Al Leiter gave me an autograph as a rookie after Gary Ward had tossed me a ball after pre-game practice. I still have that ball and have gotten many other autographs on it (although Leiter's is the most famous).
Did you grow up rooting for the Yanks? Was someone in your family influential in making sure you pulled for the Yankees?
Yes and yes. I lived from 4 to 18 in Riverdale in the Bronx, which is just a few miles from the Stadium. My father had also grown up in the Bronx, Jerome Ave. near the Grand Concourse. Although his fandom has waned a lot since he was young (mostly due to free agency), he passed his fandom to me. It also helped that his company acquired season tickets in 1989 ("It's a Whole New Ballgame"), of which I've normally gone to 2-10 games a year through those, then another 5-10 through my own doings.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Would have to say Donnie Baseball, with Paulie and El Duque not too far behind. I loved Mattingly's batting stance and his swing and the cool eye black. He spent his whole career with the Yanks, he played great D, and even had a cool mustache (not easy). But that stuff's secondary: he was the best player on my favorite team when I grew up. Ironically, I pulled for Girardi to be manager.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Good question. Brian Cashman: because he started as a mere intern - something I can relate to - and is now the GM of the biggest sports organization in the country, if not the world.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
When I lived in New York, 5-15 times a year. In the latter years (2003-2006) mostly using the $5 Tuesday plan. Now that I live in Philly though, only about twice a season. As I said before, Trenton is much easier to get to so I attend their games as often as I can.
What are you most looking forward to, and least looking forward to, about the new stadium?
Most: larger, more spacious walkways, the return of the facade to its proper place, the death of "YMCA."
Least: more luxury boxes, more corporate fans who don't care about the game, more expensive seats and food.
CC Sabathia aside, what do you think the Yankees should do this offseason through free agency?
Outside of Tex, Burnett, Sheets and/or Lowe for reasonable deals, I'm in the minority that wants Manny in pinstripes. The myth that he'll ruin the team was debunked when Boston won two titles and he carried LA into the NLCS. He's a better pure hitter than A-Rod (look it up). This team was merely average offensively. They haven't scored fewer runs since the strike-shortened 1995 season. They're probably losing Abreu and Giambi. Who knows about Matsui and Posada? Manny's a guaranteed .300/.400/.550 hitter. He's a legitimate superstar no matter how much of a jerk he is (and we've had our fair share).
Out of all current Yankee hitters, if you need someone to make something happen, who do you want?
Very tough question. if I can pick two, Jeter and Matsui.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
Since I moved to Philly last April, I've been focusing primarily on trying to make a career of writing. I wrote a book a while back and would love to write another.
Other than that, taking care of my dog, cooking a lot (which I used to hate) and getting to know Philly. The Trenton Thunder are 40 minutes away, so I try to hit their games as much as possible.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
Since the summer of 2005, when I first began following the farm system and learned about Phil Hughes and Jose Tabata (who I still think Cash sold low on).
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
I love interacting and having passionate debates with other fans. The worst part is that I can get addicted to it. I'm constantly checking news sites for updates and feel a sometimes unnatural obligation to write even when I'm on vacation or with family.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
RAB, Lohud, yours, RLYW, Chad Jennings, Mike Ashmore.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
My earliest memories include Jack Clark and Steve Balboni home runs. Also, Al Leiter gave me an autograph as a rookie after Gary Ward had tossed me a ball after pre-game practice. I still have that ball and have gotten many other autographs on it (although Leiter's is the most famous).
Did you grow up rooting for the Yanks? Was someone in your family influential in making sure you pulled for the Yankees?
Yes and yes. I lived from 4 to 18 in Riverdale in the Bronx, which is just a few miles from the Stadium. My father had also grown up in the Bronx, Jerome Ave. near the Grand Concourse. Although his fandom has waned a lot since he was young (mostly due to free agency), he passed his fandom to me. It also helped that his company acquired season tickets in 1989 ("It's a Whole New Ballgame"), of which I've normally gone to 2-10 games a year through those, then another 5-10 through my own doings.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Would have to say Donnie Baseball, with Paulie and El Duque not too far behind. I loved Mattingly's batting stance and his swing and the cool eye black. He spent his whole career with the Yanks, he played great D, and even had a cool mustache (not easy). But that stuff's secondary: he was the best player on my favorite team when I grew up. Ironically, I pulled for Girardi to be manager.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Good question. Brian Cashman: because he started as a mere intern - something I can relate to - and is now the GM of the biggest sports organization in the country, if not the world.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
When I lived in New York, 5-15 times a year. In the latter years (2003-2006) mostly using the $5 Tuesday plan. Now that I live in Philly though, only about twice a season. As I said before, Trenton is much easier to get to so I attend their games as often as I can.
What are you most looking forward to, and least looking forward to, about the new stadium?
Most: larger, more spacious walkways, the return of the facade to its proper place, the death of "YMCA."
Least: more luxury boxes, more corporate fans who don't care about the game, more expensive seats and food.
CC Sabathia aside, what do you think the Yankees should do this offseason through free agency?
Outside of Tex, Burnett, Sheets and/or Lowe for reasonable deals, I'm in the minority that wants Manny in pinstripes. The myth that he'll ruin the team was debunked when Boston won two titles and he carried LA into the NLCS. He's a better pure hitter than A-Rod (look it up). This team was merely average offensively. They haven't scored fewer runs since the strike-shortened 1995 season. They're probably losing Abreu and Giambi. Who knows about Matsui and Posada? Manny's a guaranteed .300/.400/.550 hitter. He's a legitimate superstar no matter how much of a jerk he is (and we've had our fair share).
Out of all current Yankee hitters, if you need someone to make something happen, who do you want?
Very tough question. if I can pick two, Jeter and Matsui.
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