01/15: Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere: Jennifer Muller, NoSenseWorrying.com
Posted by: Patrick
Our next guest is Jennifer Muller of NoSenseWorrying.com.
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?
I got a new job recently, so that has been taking up much of my time. I happen to be in the pre-paid phone card business now.
As a hobby I shoot archery. Just got back from league actually. On another Yankee related note, the archery shop I go to has been visited by a few Yankee players. Pettitte, Wells, Stottlemyre, Chad Curtis. Mike Stanton came in recently on a recommendation from his former teammates. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the store on any of these occasions but I get to hear all the stories.
I'm also a Rangers, Giants and Metrostars fan. So this off-season hasn't been too bad what with both boys in blue doing well this year.
Our next guest is Jennifer Muller of NoSenseWorrying.com.
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?
I got a new job recently, so that has been taking up much of my time. I happen to be in the pre-paid phone card business now.
As a hobby I shoot archery. Just got back from league actually. On another Yankee related note, the archery shop I go to has been visited by a few Yankee players. Pettitte, Wells, Stottlemyre, Chad Curtis. Mike Stanton came in recently on a recommendation from his former teammates. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the store on any of these occasions but I get to hear all the stories.
I'm also a Rangers, Giants and Metrostars fan. So this off-season hasn't been too bad what with both boys in blue doing well this year.
Was there anything particularly interesting in those stories that you'd like to share?
Well, there's nothing really juicy as far as the archery stories go. They were all nice guys. And Wells managed to blow a snot into an ashtray standing about 10 feet away. Well, actually one interesting note is that Chad Curtis' visit on the off day of the 1999 World Series. It's a family run store and he was talking to the wife of the then owner (her son now runs the place). Chad was saying how he didn't expect to see much playing during the series and was kind of down about it. Well, the next day (game 3) he gets the start and hits 2 home runs, including the walk off in the 10th inning.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
Since this past August. Steve at WasWatching.com suggested that I start one. Unfortunately, since the season ended I really haven't posted much. I'm prone to laziness and since I'm not much of writer to begin with it takes a swift kick in the [butt] to get me going again.
Coupled with the fact that I started that new job (one where I have to actually do work during the day), my blog has gone unattended. But with spring training closing in I will start again soon.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Bronx Banter, WasWatching.com, YanksBlog.com (of course), noMaas.org, The Pinstriped Blog, Off The Façade. And I lurk on the Section 39 Bleacher Creatures message boards.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
Reggie bars. The pine tar game. Winfield killing the seagull. That picture of Yogi jumping into Larson's arms. Going to the Baseball Hall of Fame when I was 4 and finding out who Babe Ruth was. When I finally started going to the Stadium, Rickey was playing. I loved watching him make that snatch catch and I tried to imitate him in the back yard. I also tried to imitate his stance when taking a lead on the bases.
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?
Everyone in my family is a Yankee fan, except for one aunt who has become a Mariners fan (long story). I guess both of my parents had an equal affect on my fandom. My Dad likes to talk about certain players that were around when he was growing up and how they played the game. For my Mom, on the other hand, it was more about the experience of being a fan. After Mantle won the triple crown, my mom saw his picture in the paper, fell in love with him and became a Yankee fan. So she used to take the train in from Jersey City with my Aunt (my Dad's sister) and go to the Stadium. She always likes to mention that she used to be able to buy tickets at the gate and get seats next to the dugout. In addition to her obsession with Mantle, she also developed a crush on Jim Bouton (she went to his first start at the Stadium.) After the games they used to hang out in the players lot and wait for them by their cars. This was when they used to park in a big dirt lot where the deck by the big bat now stands. She has a ball with a bunch of autographs (it's was a foul ball that she caught, she thinks it's from Berra). My parents and my Aunt still go to games with me which is cool. I get to hear more stories.
I guess my brother had some influence on me as well. And since we're closer in age we can talk about the players that were around when we were growing up.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Yogi Berra. He stopped playing about 10 years before I was born, but he's my favorite. As I mentioned before, that picture of him and Larson is one of my earliest memories. I like how his looks didn't jibe with his talent. Plus, since I was a catcher in high school and college, I have a soft spot for the guys in the big leagues. Nowadays he has that grandfatherly look to him. The kind where you just want to give him a big hug.
Of the players during my lifetime, I'd have to say Rickey.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Gene Monahan. I think the fact that he's been around for the entire reign of Steinbrenner says a lot about the man.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
Bullpen catcher. You get to put on the pinstripes, travel with the team and once in a while play catch with Mo.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
From about 1996 to 2004 I averaged about 5 games a year, plus a few playoff games when I could get them. Last season I finally decided to take the plunge and get season tickets (61 game plan in the bleachers). I didn't make it to every game on my plan but I had also gone to a few games that weren't on my schedule. In the end, I attended 61 regular season home games plus 2 in Toronto and the 2 playoff games. I picked up my seats again for next year and I plan on seeing a few games in Washington, both DC and the state of.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
Yes. I think they put his microphone in there a few years back, but I think he deserves some sort of recognition.
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Mattingly. If Puckett made it in then Donnie should be there, too.
What do you think of the moves that the Yankees have made this offseason?
Overall I'm pleased with the moves. I like the bullpen signings. I'm not ecstatic about Damon, mostly because of the length of the contract and that weak arm of his. But, I think he will fit in well here and add to an already deadly lineup. (Although he may have brought an end to the roll call). I wouldn't mind seeing them pickup Matt LeCroy. He can catch in addition to playing first, so that can give Posada some games at DH (Jorge needs to catch less games this year) without the fear of not having a backup catcher available on the bench. Plus, he's another PH/DH option.
What do you think we'll see from Chacon and Wang this season?
I have a good feeling about both guys. They proved that they can pitch under pressure in New York, which is half the battle. They're both so cool and calm out there. If they stay healthy (knocks wood) I think they will have a lot to contribute this season.
Of current Yankees, if the sky is dark and the mountain high and you need someone to make something happen, who do you want at the plate?
Well, up until last year I would have said Jeter. He made the last out of too many close games last year. Right now I would go with Matsui until Jeter convinces me otherwise.
Thank you for stopping by.
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?
I got a new job recently, so that has been taking up much of my time. I happen to be in the pre-paid phone card business now.
As a hobby I shoot archery. Just got back from league actually. On another Yankee related note, the archery shop I go to has been visited by a few Yankee players. Pettitte, Wells, Stottlemyre, Chad Curtis. Mike Stanton came in recently on a recommendation from his former teammates. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the store on any of these occasions but I get to hear all the stories.
I'm also a Rangers, Giants and Metrostars fan. So this off-season hasn't been too bad what with both boys in blue doing well this year.
Our next guest is Jennifer Muller of NoSenseWorrying.com.
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?
I got a new job recently, so that has been taking up much of my time. I happen to be in the pre-paid phone card business now.
As a hobby I shoot archery. Just got back from league actually. On another Yankee related note, the archery shop I go to has been visited by a few Yankee players. Pettitte, Wells, Stottlemyre, Chad Curtis. Mike Stanton came in recently on a recommendation from his former teammates. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the store on any of these occasions but I get to hear all the stories.
I'm also a Rangers, Giants and Metrostars fan. So this off-season hasn't been too bad what with both boys in blue doing well this year.
Was there anything particularly interesting in those stories that you'd like to share?
Well, there's nothing really juicy as far as the archery stories go. They were all nice guys. And Wells managed to blow a snot into an ashtray standing about 10 feet away. Well, actually one interesting note is that Chad Curtis' visit on the off day of the 1999 World Series. It's a family run store and he was talking to the wife of the then owner (her son now runs the place). Chad was saying how he didn't expect to see much playing during the series and was kind of down about it. Well, the next day (game 3) he gets the start and hits 2 home runs, including the walk off in the 10th inning.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
Since this past August. Steve at WasWatching.com suggested that I start one. Unfortunately, since the season ended I really haven't posted much. I'm prone to laziness and since I'm not much of writer to begin with it takes a swift kick in the [butt] to get me going again.
Coupled with the fact that I started that new job (one where I have to actually do work during the day), my blog has gone unattended. But with spring training closing in I will start again soon.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Bronx Banter, WasWatching.com, YanksBlog.com (of course), noMaas.org, The Pinstriped Blog, Off The Façade. And I lurk on the Section 39 Bleacher Creatures message boards.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
Reggie bars. The pine tar game. Winfield killing the seagull. That picture of Yogi jumping into Larson's arms. Going to the Baseball Hall of Fame when I was 4 and finding out who Babe Ruth was. When I finally started going to the Stadium, Rickey was playing. I loved watching him make that snatch catch and I tried to imitate him in the back yard. I also tried to imitate his stance when taking a lead on the bases.
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?
Everyone in my family is a Yankee fan, except for one aunt who has become a Mariners fan (long story). I guess both of my parents had an equal affect on my fandom. My Dad likes to talk about certain players that were around when he was growing up and how they played the game. For my Mom, on the other hand, it was more about the experience of being a fan. After Mantle won the triple crown, my mom saw his picture in the paper, fell in love with him and became a Yankee fan. So she used to take the train in from Jersey City with my Aunt (my Dad's sister) and go to the Stadium. She always likes to mention that she used to be able to buy tickets at the gate and get seats next to the dugout. In addition to her obsession with Mantle, she also developed a crush on Jim Bouton (she went to his first start at the Stadium.) After the games they used to hang out in the players lot and wait for them by their cars. This was when they used to park in a big dirt lot where the deck by the big bat now stands. She has a ball with a bunch of autographs (it's was a foul ball that she caught, she thinks it's from Berra). My parents and my Aunt still go to games with me which is cool. I get to hear more stories.
I guess my brother had some influence on me as well. And since we're closer in age we can talk about the players that were around when we were growing up.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Yogi Berra. He stopped playing about 10 years before I was born, but he's my favorite. As I mentioned before, that picture of him and Larson is one of my earliest memories. I like how his looks didn't jibe with his talent. Plus, since I was a catcher in high school and college, I have a soft spot for the guys in the big leagues. Nowadays he has that grandfatherly look to him. The kind where you just want to give him a big hug.
Of the players during my lifetime, I'd have to say Rickey.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Gene Monahan. I think the fact that he's been around for the entire reign of Steinbrenner says a lot about the man.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
Bullpen catcher. You get to put on the pinstripes, travel with the team and once in a while play catch with Mo.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
From about 1996 to 2004 I averaged about 5 games a year, plus a few playoff games when I could get them. Last season I finally decided to take the plunge and get season tickets (61 game plan in the bleachers). I didn't make it to every game on my plan but I had also gone to a few games that weren't on my schedule. In the end, I attended 61 regular season home games plus 2 in Toronto and the 2 playoff games. I picked up my seats again for next year and I plan on seeing a few games in Washington, both DC and the state of.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
Yes. I think they put his microphone in there a few years back, but I think he deserves some sort of recognition.
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Mattingly. If Puckett made it in then Donnie should be there, too.
What do you think of the moves that the Yankees have made this offseason?
Overall I'm pleased with the moves. I like the bullpen signings. I'm not ecstatic about Damon, mostly because of the length of the contract and that weak arm of his. But, I think he will fit in well here and add to an already deadly lineup. (Although he may have brought an end to the roll call). I wouldn't mind seeing them pickup Matt LeCroy. He can catch in addition to playing first, so that can give Posada some games at DH (Jorge needs to catch less games this year) without the fear of not having a backup catcher available on the bench. Plus, he's another PH/DH option.
What do you think we'll see from Chacon and Wang this season?
I have a good feeling about both guys. They proved that they can pitch under pressure in New York, which is half the battle. They're both so cool and calm out there. If they stay healthy (knocks wood) I think they will have a lot to contribute this season.
Of current Yankees, if the sky is dark and the mountain high and you need someone to make something happen, who do you want at the plate?
Well, up until last year I would have said Jeter. He made the last out of too many close games last year. Right now I would go with Matsui until Jeter convinces me otherwise.
Thank you for stopping by.
