05/19: Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere: Alex Belth, Bronx Banter
Posted by: Patrick
Our final interview (unless one of the others I e-mailed that hasn't got back to me happens to do so) is with Alex Belth of Bronx Banter. He's also the author of Stepping Up: The Story of All-Star Curt Flood and His Fight for Baseball Players' Rights. Alex was the first Yankees blogger that I recall reading much of. Without further ado...
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?
That doesn't leave too much spare time, does it? This spring I've been consumed with promoting my first book, "Stepping Up," the first ever biography of the late Curt Flood. Other than that, first and foremost, I'm spending time with my girlfriend, who, as fate would have it, watches the games with me and loves the Yankees. Go figure that. I would have never expected something like that to happen. If we're not watching ball games, then we are watching cooking shows (Jacques Pepin and "America's Test Kitchen" being our favorites) or movies. I used to work in the film business so I still get a lot of pleasure from watching movies, but I generally catch up on what's going on during the off-season. I also listen to a lot music, too. I also used to DJ some and although I don't buy records like I used to - that budget has been diverted to the baseball book fund - I still check in with my boys in the record scene to hear what's what these days.
I've found myself going to museums and art galleries regularly this year after a long layoff. I grew up drawing and painting and was very serious about it. Writing about sports has been the bulk of my creative output over the past four years which hasn't left much time for the fine arts. And part of me just doesn't want to even go and look at anything in fear that I'll be so inspired that I'll be depressed ‘cause I'm not drawing or painting right now. But, I'm getting over myself and realize that no matter what I'm doing creatively, it's important to be open to all kinds of creative arts, because they all inform you and keep your mind active.
Mostly though, I spend my downtime cooking, thinking about what I want to cook, reading cook books and shopping around Manhattan for the freshest and cheapest ingredients I can find (and sometimes, I indulge by buying one or seven expensive items, too).
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I started looking at the internet on a regular basis for the first time roughly four years ago in May, 2002. I didn't know much about it prior to that. But, after a few months of tooling around, I was hipped to the concept of "blogging" and so, after making a few initial inquiries, I started Bronx Banter in November, 2002.
When a lot of people think of the "Yankees Blogosphere," they think of you. A lot of people look at you as kind of the top of Yankees bloggers, even the leader of the Yankees bloggers. Do you feel that at all and how do you feel about it?
Well, if that's how people regard me, then I'll take the compliment. One of the reasons Bronx Banter has gained a sturdy reputation is because we've been around for more than a minute now. I say "we" because I brought on a second writer, Cliff Corcoran, a Yankee blogger who used to run Cliff's Big Red Blog last season. I feel very proud of the site, that I was able to make connections with many of the local mainstream sportswriters and create a true sense of community for our readers. Some people use the comments section and others don't, but I know we've developed a loyal following. I simply try and write from my own experience - I don't try to be something that I'm not. That's why I leave the heavy analytical lifting to guys like Cliff who really enjoy that kind of thing and are really good at it to boot. Generally, I try and ask questions, kick things off and sit back and enjoy. It's a great way to learn, while getting to know people. Plus, as I mentioned, I wanted to create a community vibe. I think that's happened with Bronx Banter and it has been extremely satisfying.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
I like all of the Yankee blogs that we've got linked at Bronx Banter and read them as often as I can. Without trying to be dismissive of anyone, I find myself reading YanksBlog.com, WasWatching.com, Replacement Level Yankees Weblog, Yanksfan vs Soxfan, Off the Facade, Canyon of Heroes, The LoHud Yankees Blog, The Futility Infielder, The Pinstriped Blog and noMaas.org every day. But, they are all quality sites.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
My first game was either in '77 or '78. I went with my friend Lizzie and recall being bummed that Reggie Jackson wasn't playing that day. Otherwise, the game wasn't nearly as exciting as all the food we were eating. For some reason, a really vivid memory is the opening song for the WPIX broadcasts in 1979, which featured Nettles catching Yaz's pop-up in foul territory from the famous 1978 playoff game.
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, the Yankees were always my team. My father was a Mets fan. He loathed Steinbrenner and Billy Martin and the Yankees - he was a die hard Brooklyn Dodgers fan as a kid. But, actually my dad didn't really care enough about baseball to sway me one way or the other. My Uncle Fred was a great Yankee fan and he made it clear that I didn't have much of a choice. But, growing up in New York, and being 6 and 7 when the Yanks won back to back championships made it a natural to root for the Bombers.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
This is too difficult to answer. Or at least to pair down to just one guy. As a kid, Reggie Jackson was my first hero. Nobody was as dramatic as Reggie, and it was so easy to respond to that personality as a kid. But, I also loved Willie Randolph and Ron Guidry very much, too, and temperamentally, they were the opposite of Reggie. Of course, Winfield, Mattingly and Henderson were also favorites during the 1980s. Recently, I'd have to say that Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera and El Duque have been favorites. Bernie simply because he's a guy who I never thought would last this long as a Yankee, never mind thrive. Rivera because I love his cool, confident disposition and El Duque for the sheer entertainment value he brought to each performance.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Bob Sheppard, because he cares about speaking English correctly and because he's a New York institution.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
Just thinking about playing on the field brings back all the anxieties I felt when I played baseball in high school. I was a second baseman, but mostly what I recall is worrying about where to position myself, who was going to cover the bag on a steal, how to properly receive the catcher's throw, making the cut off throw to the correct base. Oy. And I was a decent fielder, too. So, I'd have to pick second as I don't think I'd know what to do anywhere else. But, being a play by play announcer would be a great position, too.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
Anywhere from 6-12 times per season. I can't afford season tickets, so I generally play it by ear during the year, paying for a bunch of games and then hope to get lucky and have tickets fall into my lap.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
Sure, why not?
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Rickey Henderson. He'll be there soon enough, though. I'd put Joe Gordon and maybe even Allie Reynolds in before Munson or Maris. Maybe Gordon and then Mattingly.
What's our win/loss record going to be this year?
92-70.
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?
Gary Sheffield.
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?
That doesn't leave too much spare time, does it? This spring I've been consumed with promoting my first book, "Stepping Up," the first ever biography of the late Curt Flood. Other than that, first and foremost, I'm spending time with my girlfriend, who, as fate would have it, watches the games with me and loves the Yankees. Go figure that. I would have never expected something like that to happen. If we're not watching ball games, then we are watching cooking shows (Jacques Pepin and "America's Test Kitchen" being our favorites) or movies. I used to work in the film business so I still get a lot of pleasure from watching movies, but I generally catch up on what's going on during the off-season. I also listen to a lot music, too. I also used to DJ some and although I don't buy records like I used to - that budget has been diverted to the baseball book fund - I still check in with my boys in the record scene to hear what's what these days.
I've found myself going to museums and art galleries regularly this year after a long layoff. I grew up drawing and painting and was very serious about it. Writing about sports has been the bulk of my creative output over the past four years which hasn't left much time for the fine arts. And part of me just doesn't want to even go and look at anything in fear that I'll be so inspired that I'll be depressed ‘cause I'm not drawing or painting right now. But, I'm getting over myself and realize that no matter what I'm doing creatively, it's important to be open to all kinds of creative arts, because they all inform you and keep your mind active.
Mostly though, I spend my downtime cooking, thinking about what I want to cook, reading cook books and shopping around Manhattan for the freshest and cheapest ingredients I can find (and sometimes, I indulge by buying one or seven expensive items, too).
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I started looking at the internet on a regular basis for the first time roughly four years ago in May, 2002. I didn't know much about it prior to that. But, after a few months of tooling around, I was hipped to the concept of "blogging" and so, after making a few initial inquiries, I started Bronx Banter in November, 2002.
When a lot of people think of the "Yankees Blogosphere," they think of you. A lot of people look at you as kind of the top of Yankees bloggers, even the leader of the Yankees bloggers. Do you feel that at all and how do you feel about it?
Well, if that's how people regard me, then I'll take the compliment. One of the reasons Bronx Banter has gained a sturdy reputation is because we've been around for more than a minute now. I say "we" because I brought on a second writer, Cliff Corcoran, a Yankee blogger who used to run Cliff's Big Red Blog last season. I feel very proud of the site, that I was able to make connections with many of the local mainstream sportswriters and create a true sense of community for our readers. Some people use the comments section and others don't, but I know we've developed a loyal following. I simply try and write from my own experience - I don't try to be something that I'm not. That's why I leave the heavy analytical lifting to guys like Cliff who really enjoy that kind of thing and are really good at it to boot. Generally, I try and ask questions, kick things off and sit back and enjoy. It's a great way to learn, while getting to know people. Plus, as I mentioned, I wanted to create a community vibe. I think that's happened with Bronx Banter and it has been extremely satisfying.
Besides your own, what are your favorite Yankees blogs?
I like all of the Yankee blogs that we've got linked at Bronx Banter and read them as often as I can. Without trying to be dismissive of anyone, I find myself reading YanksBlog.com, WasWatching.com, Replacement Level Yankees Weblog, Yanksfan vs Soxfan, Off the Facade, Canyon of Heroes, The LoHud Yankees Blog, The Futility Infielder, The Pinstriped Blog and noMaas.org every day. But, they are all quality sites.
What are some of your earliest memories of the Yankees?
My first game was either in '77 or '78. I went with my friend Lizzie and recall being bummed that Reggie Jackson wasn't playing that day. Otherwise, the game wasn't nearly as exciting as all the food we were eating. For some reason, a really vivid memory is the opening song for the WPIX broadcasts in 1979, which featured Nettles catching Yaz's pop-up in foul territory from the famous 1978 playoff game.
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, the Yankees were always my team. My father was a Mets fan. He loathed Steinbrenner and Billy Martin and the Yankees - he was a die hard Brooklyn Dodgers fan as a kid. But, actually my dad didn't really care enough about baseball to sway me one way or the other. My Uncle Fred was a great Yankee fan and he made it clear that I didn't have much of a choice. But, growing up in New York, and being 6 and 7 when the Yanks won back to back championships made it a natural to root for the Bombers.
Who is your all-time - past or present - favorite Yankee and why?
This is too difficult to answer. Or at least to pair down to just one guy. As a kid, Reggie Jackson was my first hero. Nobody was as dramatic as Reggie, and it was so easy to respond to that personality as a kid. But, I also loved Willie Randolph and Ron Guidry very much, too, and temperamentally, they were the opposite of Reggie. Of course, Winfield, Mattingly and Henderson were also favorites during the 1980s. Recently, I'd have to say that Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera and El Duque have been favorites. Bernie simply because he's a guy who I never thought would last this long as a Yankee, never mind thrive. Rivera because I love his cool, confident disposition and El Duque for the sheer entertainment value he brought to each performance.
Do you admire anyone (doesn't need to be a player) in the Yankee organization?
Bob Sheppard, because he cares about speaking English correctly and because he's a New York institution.
In your wildest dreams, what position would you like to play for the Yankees and why?
Just thinking about playing on the field brings back all the anxieties I felt when I played baseball in high school. I was a second baseman, but mostly what I recall is worrying about where to position myself, who was going to cover the bag on a steal, how to properly receive the catcher's throw, making the cut off throw to the correct base. Oy. And I was a decent fielder, too. So, I'd have to pick second as I don't think I'd know what to do anywhere else. But, being a play by play announcer would be a great position, too.
How often do you make it to the stadium to see a game?
Anywhere from 6-12 times per season. I can't afford season tickets, so I generally play it by ear during the year, paying for a bunch of games and then hope to get lucky and have tickets fall into my lap.
Should Bob Sheppard have a place in the Hall of Fame?
Sure, why not?
Of any retired former Yankee that is not in the Hall of Fame already, who is the one that most deserves to be?
Rickey Henderson. He'll be there soon enough, though. I'd put Joe Gordon and maybe even Allie Reynolds in before Munson or Maris. Maybe Gordon and then Mattingly.
What's our win/loss record going to be this year?
92-70.
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?
Gary Sheffield.
Jason wrote:
This man has entirely too many pursuits/interests for this era, he probably belongs in 16th century Italy or something like that.
Very informative, now we have a clue to why the blog's been around for so long.