04/05: Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere: Patrick O'Keefe, YanksBlog.com
Posted by: Patrick
Well, it's been a while since our last interview in this series, but now it's my turn. So, let's get it over with. :)
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 own the iFroggy Network and my work (including YanksBlog.com) takes up a majority of my time. I'm also a Miami Dolphins fan. I watch some TV (House, 24, The Simpsons, Family Guy, The War at Home). I'm also into music (big Diddy and Bad Boy fan, but I listen to other things, as well), gaming (I like America's Army, but it's been months... I go long stretches without playing - I just get busy), investing, writing and reading, in addition to other things.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I've been doing it since April of 2004, when I launched my personal blog. YanksBlog.com launched on May 5, 2005 (05/05/05) and that is where I have blogged about the Yankees ever since.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Honestly, I get kind of busy and a lot of the time I will only scan the headlines in Bloglines and occasionally something will pique my interest and I'll read that. Quite often, I don't really do a whole lot of reading. As the Editor of YB, I read every word posted at the site and that can be a lot in itself. But, I have enjoyed Bronx Banter and WasWatching.com, in addition to others.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
I was born in 1984 and I don't think that I got too hard core into the Yankees until like '93 or '94. My earliest memories would have to be of Don Mattingly, Mike Gallego, Spike Owen, Matt Nokes and all of those guys. No specific memory, really. The first real huge specific memory that stands out in my mind is from the 1995 playoffs. Griffey sliding into home. That was bad. Has it really been a decade? Man, I'm old.
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?
Yeah, my Dad. I was born a Yankees fan and I'll die a Yankees fan.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Don Mattingly was my first favorite player. He was my favorite player before I started following closely and was my favorite player until he retired. For a very short period of time, Boggs filled that gap (call him an interim favorite player) before I met Jeter at Yankee Day at the Florida State Fair (I believe) right before his rookie season. Ever since then, he's been my favorite. It's really hard for me to pick a favorite player. It's either Donnie or Derek, I can't really choose. Of course, Mo is up there as well. Lots of love for Bernie, too. I consider myself lucky to have been able to root for all of these guys. On the same team. Crazy.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Yes, but it's kind of hard to pick one. I admire Jeter, Mo, Donnie, Torre, Mr. Steinbrenner and others, all for different reasons.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
Hmm. Well, I suppose I'd take short stop. Anywhere but catcher. Never played catcher.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
Unfortunately, never. I've been to Yankee Stadium once in my life. It was in Andy Pettitte's rookie season, against the White Sox. It was against Wilson Alvarez and Mike Stanley homered to left. Alvarez walked right past me in Monument Park right before the game. Donnie played and Boggs sat out (Russ Davis). It rained out in the 7th, 1-1. If I recall, they played the game over from square one, but the stats from the game counted.
No transportation of my own, so I am at the whim of others. That'll hopefully change once I get a drivers license and a car - I'd like to get to some games, for sure.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
Yes. If any PA Announcer deserves to be in there, he does. He's an icon.
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Is Henderson retired? I'm not sure. But, outside of him, I'll go with Gossage.
What do you think of the moves that the Yankees made this offseason?
For the most part, I liked them. The coaching staff is good, the bullpen is good. I really liked what we did in the pen. The only thing that caught me by surprise that I wasn't particularly sure about was Damon. I didn't want him. But, he was the best center fielder available, I suppose. I hope he does the job.
What do you think we'll see from Chacon and Wang this season?
I look for much of the same as last year, really. I think they'll both pitch very well and we'll probably need them to if we're going to win it this year.
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?
Jeter.
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 own the iFroggy Network and my work (including YanksBlog.com) takes up a majority of my time. I'm also a Miami Dolphins fan. I watch some TV (House, 24, The Simpsons, Family Guy, The War at Home). I'm also into music (big Diddy and Bad Boy fan, but I listen to other things, as well), gaming (I like America's Army, but it's been months... I go long stretches without playing - I just get busy), investing, writing and reading, in addition to other things.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I've been doing it since April of 2004, when I launched my personal blog. YanksBlog.com launched on May 5, 2005 (05/05/05) and that is where I have blogged about the Yankees ever since.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Honestly, I get kind of busy and a lot of the time I will only scan the headlines in Bloglines and occasionally something will pique my interest and I'll read that. Quite often, I don't really do a whole lot of reading. As the Editor of YB, I read every word posted at the site and that can be a lot in itself. But, I have enjoyed Bronx Banter and WasWatching.com, in addition to others.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
I was born in 1984 and I don't think that I got too hard core into the Yankees until like '93 or '94. My earliest memories would have to be of Don Mattingly, Mike Gallego, Spike Owen, Matt Nokes and all of those guys. No specific memory, really. The first real huge specific memory that stands out in my mind is from the 1995 playoffs. Griffey sliding into home. That was bad. Has it really been a decade? Man, I'm old.
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?
Yeah, my Dad. I was born a Yankees fan and I'll die a Yankees fan.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
Don Mattingly was my first favorite player. He was my favorite player before I started following closely and was my favorite player until he retired. For a very short period of time, Boggs filled that gap (call him an interim favorite player) before I met Jeter at Yankee Day at the Florida State Fair (I believe) right before his rookie season. Ever since then, he's been my favorite. It's really hard for me to pick a favorite player. It's either Donnie or Derek, I can't really choose. Of course, Mo is up there as well. Lots of love for Bernie, too. I consider myself lucky to have been able to root for all of these guys. On the same team. Crazy.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Yes, but it's kind of hard to pick one. I admire Jeter, Mo, Donnie, Torre, Mr. Steinbrenner and others, all for different reasons.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
Hmm. Well, I suppose I'd take short stop. Anywhere but catcher. Never played catcher.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
Unfortunately, never. I've been to Yankee Stadium once in my life. It was in Andy Pettitte's rookie season, against the White Sox. It was against Wilson Alvarez and Mike Stanley homered to left. Alvarez walked right past me in Monument Park right before the game. Donnie played and Boggs sat out (Russ Davis). It rained out in the 7th, 1-1. If I recall, they played the game over from square one, but the stats from the game counted.
No transportation of my own, so I am at the whim of others. That'll hopefully change once I get a drivers license and a car - I'd like to get to some games, for sure.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
Yes. If any PA Announcer deserves to be in there, he does. He's an icon.
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Is Henderson retired? I'm not sure. But, outside of him, I'll go with Gossage.
What do you think of the moves that the Yankees made this offseason?
For the most part, I liked them. The coaching staff is good, the bullpen is good. I really liked what we did in the pen. The only thing that caught me by surprise that I wasn't particularly sure about was Damon. I didn't want him. But, he was the best center fielder available, I suppose. I hope he does the job.
What do you think we'll see from Chacon and Wang this season?
I look for much of the same as last year, really. I think they'll both pitch very well and we'll probably need them to if we're going to win it this year.
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?
Jeter.
