from Amazon
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Mariners
I was hoping this Cheers thread and its comments would answer any lingering questions, but I still get emails asking. So, here’s the condensed version, which I’ll update as needed. If you want to make any comments, please use the Cheers thread:
Q: Are you full-time?
A: My involvement is on a part-time consulting basis, not full-time employee basis. My non-compete is only with in-division rivals, so it is possible that I may work with other teams in the future, much the way that BIS or STATS sell their products and services to many MLB teams. My NDA will protect all concerned. I live in NJ, and I have no idea if I will ever visit Seattle.
Q: Do you want to be fulltime?
A: My ideal situation would be what Dan Fox, Keith Woolner, Tom Tippett and others are doing, which is to use my tech skills and baseball love together. As it turns out, the best way for me to do that is to be paid full-time in corporate america without needing to relocate, while working part-time as a baseball/hockey consultant from my home office. Maybe that will change one day, but not today.
Q: Does this really maan anything to a Mariners fan?
A: I don’t have as much insight into answering that question as you might think. Think of me as Tony B’s big toe (reference: Stripes). The front office has a bunch of beacons in the sky, and I try make mine as bright as possible. While I can’t force Tony B to look in that direction, I can use the power of my big toe as much as that can work. Tony has Z’s ear, so we’ll see what kind of impact I have, if any. So far, I am happy with the direction.
Q: What about the blog?
A: This doesn’t affect anything else that I do, other than I won’t be talking about any of the M’s moves or potential moves.
Q: Is this your first? What about your co-authors?
A: I’ve done some consulting work in the past for MLB and NHL. MGL and Andy as well. The M’s role is larger than with some of the MLB teams in the past, but smaller than my role with NHL teams.
Q: How did you get in?
A: I worked with one of the minority owners of the team in the past, and I asked him to put my name forward. He gave a really nice endorsement, plus Tony B was already familiar with my work.
Q: Why do you keep calling him Tony B?
A: I like Steve Buscemi (reference: The Sopranos).
Q: How can I break into MLB?
A: First, I would not recommend it, based purely on supply/demand (too many people willing to work for free). If you insist, then read this thread.
Secondly, writing a book, or just having your work exposed is really the best way. I think “The Book”, in addition to be a piece of work I’m proud of, acts as a “brochure” of sorts. As does the blog. But, those are byproducts.
I write about baseball because I love baseball. That’s the number one requirement. So, have a blog, create a website, and do something that is unique. Don’t just be a yapper. No one gets paid to be a yapper, unless Fox “News” is hiring. Be a yapper who presents evidence and makes a cogent argument.
