04/12: Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere: Steve Lombardi, WasWatching.com
Posted by: Patrick
Next up is Steve Lombardi of WasWatching.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?
These days, it seems that I'm at work - or in the car going to or driving from work. Three months ago, I got a new assignment at work that's required a tremendous amount of commitment from me. Tack on the fact that I have a 50 mile commute to work, each way, and, well, like I said, it seems like I'm always doing something work related these days. Outside of work, I try and spend every second possible with my wife and kids (who are ages 2 and 4). So, these past three months, it's been a trick to find time to blog.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
April 20th of this season will be the one year anniversary for WasWatching.com.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Not many, actually. On a daily basis, I usually read Bronx Banter, Baseball Think Factory, Baseball Musings, noMass.org, the NetShrine Discussion Forum - and YanksBlog.com. Once in a while, I try and check out others - like In George We Trust, Yanksfan vs Soxfan and Off The Facade (to name a few). But, for the "regular rotation," I just check a few each day.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
Well, I saw my first game on August 8, 1973. So, I go back a bit. That said, there's a ton of early memories for me - ranging from a cup-of-coffee guy like Kerry Dineen once having a big day to being at Billy Martin's first game as manager on an extremely hot day in 1975. There's so much Yankees junk in my head that I have a hard time picking just a few.
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 actually have no idea why I started rooting for the Yankees back in 1973. It just happened. And, after I made that choice, I then found out that my Father and his Father were Yankees fans. It just happened for me. My Dad never tried to lead me in any direction in terms of picking a team.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
I usually go for the guys who play hard, play hurt, care about the team results more than their own stats and who are intense. Pick any one of those guys in the last 30 years (who have played for the Yankees) and you probably picked one of my favs.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Gene Monahan, their Head Trainer. He's seen it all since 1973 and survived. I hope he writes a book someday.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
As a kid, I played every position - but, spent most of my time at 3B, 1B and C. Of all those positions, I liked catcher the best - because you get to see everything from that angle. So, I would say catcher.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
My all-time record was 15 games in one season (2001) - including postseason games. But, for the most part, these days it's around 4 or 5 games a year. More often now, we take the kids to more Minor League games than me making trips to the Stadium. It just works better for kids their age.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
There should be an exhibit at the Hall for people like him. As far as a plaque, I'm not sure? I'd probably give a different answer each time you asked me depending on my mood that day.
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Depends on your definition of "former Yankee." If you consider Jim Kaat to be a former Yankee, I would say him. But, if it has to be someone who played with the team for a while, I'm not sure. I've started to walk away from the Gossage argument. I can make a case that his career was very nice - but, it was "John Hiller" very nice. And, you don't hear anyone crying for John Hiller to get into Cooperstown someday.
What's our win/loss record going to be this year?
Could be as low as 90 and as high as 100. Pitching will decide which one.
What do you think we'll see from Chacon and Wang this season?
The stats from last year scream that Chacon will not be able to repeat his 2005 performance. If he pitches 200 innings and wins 15 games, I would be happy with that - no matter how ugly his numbers might be in the end. Wang can pitch. It's just a matter of staying healthy. If he makes 30 starts I think he will have a very nice 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?
If Javier Vazquez is pitching, I'll choose Johnny Damon. Actually, this is a tough call. At this stage in their careers, it's not Bernie, Cano or Posada. That leaves six. Giambi and A-Rod strikeout too much. That leaves four. Damon and Matsui can look foolish at times against certain pitchers. That leaves two. Jeter or Sheffield. I'd be cool with one of those two.
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?
These days, it seems that I'm at work - or in the car going to or driving from work. Three months ago, I got a new assignment at work that's required a tremendous amount of commitment from me. Tack on the fact that I have a 50 mile commute to work, each way, and, well, like I said, it seems like I'm always doing something work related these days. Outside of work, I try and spend every second possible with my wife and kids (who are ages 2 and 4). So, these past three months, it's been a trick to find time to blog.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
April 20th of this season will be the one year anniversary for WasWatching.com.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
Not many, actually. On a daily basis, I usually read Bronx Banter, Baseball Think Factory, Baseball Musings, noMass.org, the NetShrine Discussion Forum - and YanksBlog.com. Once in a while, I try and check out others - like In George We Trust, Yanksfan vs Soxfan and Off The Facade (to name a few). But, for the "regular rotation," I just check a few each day.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
Well, I saw my first game on August 8, 1973. So, I go back a bit. That said, there's a ton of early memories for me - ranging from a cup-of-coffee guy like Kerry Dineen once having a big day to being at Billy Martin's first game as manager on an extremely hot day in 1975. There's so much Yankees junk in my head that I have a hard time picking just a few.
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 actually have no idea why I started rooting for the Yankees back in 1973. It just happened. And, after I made that choice, I then found out that my Father and his Father were Yankees fans. It just happened for me. My Dad never tried to lead me in any direction in terms of picking a team.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
I usually go for the guys who play hard, play hurt, care about the team results more than their own stats and who are intense. Pick any one of those guys in the last 30 years (who have played for the Yankees) and you probably picked one of my favs.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Gene Monahan, their Head Trainer. He's seen it all since 1973 and survived. I hope he writes a book someday.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
As a kid, I played every position - but, spent most of my time at 3B, 1B and C. Of all those positions, I liked catcher the best - because you get to see everything from that angle. So, I would say catcher.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
My all-time record was 15 games in one season (2001) - including postseason games. But, for the most part, these days it's around 4 or 5 games a year. More often now, we take the kids to more Minor League games than me making trips to the Stadium. It just works better for kids their age.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
There should be an exhibit at the Hall for people like him. As far as a plaque, I'm not sure? I'd probably give a different answer each time you asked me depending on my mood that day.
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Depends on your definition of "former Yankee." If you consider Jim Kaat to be a former Yankee, I would say him. But, if it has to be someone who played with the team for a while, I'm not sure. I've started to walk away from the Gossage argument. I can make a case that his career was very nice - but, it was "John Hiller" very nice. And, you don't hear anyone crying for John Hiller to get into Cooperstown someday.
What's our win/loss record going to be this year?
Could be as low as 90 and as high as 100. Pitching will decide which one.
What do you think we'll see from Chacon and Wang this season?
The stats from last year scream that Chacon will not be able to repeat his 2005 performance. If he pitches 200 innings and wins 15 games, I would be happy with that - no matter how ugly his numbers might be in the end. Wang can pitch. It's just a matter of staying healthy. If he makes 30 starts I think he will have a very nice 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?
If Javier Vazquez is pitching, I'll choose Johnny Damon. Actually, this is a tough call. At this stage in their careers, it's not Bernie, Cano or Posada. That leaves six. Giambi and A-Rod strikeout too much. That leaves four. Damon and Matsui can look foolish at times against certain pitchers. That leaves two. Jeter or Sheffield. I'd be cool with one of those two.
