December 12, 2008
So much for C.C. going to the Yanks…here’s my choice for the best free agent signing of the off-season thus far. Raul Ibanez to the Phillies. I had a feeling that he would end up back with Pat Gillick (still in Philly as a consultant). Now Philidelphia officially has my favorite outfield…Ibanez, the flyin Hawaiian, and Werth.
Let me tell you something, Raul can flat out hit. He’s a low mileage 36ish (no roids, not a partier, etc), plays super hard, he’s funny, and he’s got great clubhouse presence. He might just mess around and contend for the triple crown over there. In that park, and with that lineup around him, he’ll hit 30+ bombs, over .300 and over 100RBI. The only negative is that he’ll be playing in a different league, and that’s always a challenge. Oh yeah, there is one other negative, he didn’t sign with the Angels so I won’t get to watch him everyday. Congrats Raul, you deserve it…now you can finally run out and get that yacht you wanted!
December 10, 2008
Heading home from the winter meetings today…I even changed my flight to an earlier time as I just couldn’t bring myself to schmooze with another person. Don’t get me wrong, it was a great trip and was a pleasure to reconnect with friends and acquaintances in professional baseball. It’s hard to quantify, but I think it was productive from a business perspective too, although only time will tell. I was definitely out of my comfort zone however. First of all, I was out of my element in Vegas. Secondly, I’m anything but a salesman, but for the past few days I was kinda selling myself and my book and trying to establish my place as “the Catching Guy”. Thirdly, face to face conversation isn’t my strong point and that’s about all that was going on. From years of playing in pro ball I know my way around hotels. I can weasel my way from street to elevator to my room in zero seconds flat and know every ninja trick in the world to avoid autograph seekers, fans, and interested parties that want to chat. After the first day, It was all I could do to force myself to not take the secret squirrel back path to the elevator and avoid conversation. I had to constantly remind myself that I was working and it was best if I socialized. I had a good time over at the minor league equipment convention on the other end of the strip at the Hilton. I met with Wilson, All-Star, and some other companies to touch base and see if some partnerships might emerge for future books, videos, etc. The only real bummer about the whole trip was that I didn’t get one podcast episode out of the whole time. I just didn’t feel comfortable asking guys for interviews, it didn’t seem like the appropriate time. Most all of the people were there to work the room and I didn’t feel right taking 20-30 minutes of their time interviewing them. Man there were a lot of great subjects though. I would have loved to get Tommy Lasorda on record, or Larry Corrigan, or Gene from Wilson, or Barry my old agent, or Jerry D, or any number of people. If any of you guys are reading this, be it known that I’m coming for you…you can’t hide from my forever. All for now.
December 9, 2008
What a circus. I got in to Vegas last night about 8 and I don’t think I’ve stopped flapping my gums since. How do I describe this scene? It’s kind of like lunch time in high school, only if your high school was in the lobby 
of a big Vegas hotel. Basically you can’t go five feet without seeing someone you know and then you chat for a while and then ping pong down the lobby another five feet and yap with someone else and so on till you get to the end of the lobby then you do it again. There’s agents and coaches and managers and GM’s and special assistants to the GMs and media and MLB front office folks and trainers and traveling secretaries and strength coaches and hangers on and rumors galore and deals being concocted and massive dough changing hands and meetings in suites and cell phones and texting and a lot of talking to people who are looking over your shoulder to see who’s coming next. It’s remarkable. It’s exhausting.
So I’m basically seeing old faces and trying to establish myself as “The Catching Guy”. The first question out of everyone’s mouth is- do you want a job? Then I say no. I explain that I don’t want a job in pro ball affiliated with any particular team.
Then I explain to them that I what I’m looking to do is create a new job in baseball similar to the one Pete Newell had with the NBA. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m in the same class with the late great Newell, I’m just saying that I would like to have the same relationship with pro ball that he had with the NBA. If you were a big man and needed polishing you went to Newell. If you’re a catcher or you’re a team with a catcher or you’re an agent with a catcher in need of some help, send him to me and I’ll fix em. In addition to that I’m getting my book out there to the media in hopes they’ll mention it in some of their stories.
Tomorrow I’m going over to the equipment and trade show at the Hilton to see if there might be any synergies with All-Star or Nike or Wilson or Rawlings or whomever might want to jump on board. Mucho mas schmoozing.
December 7, 2008
Off to the winter meetings in Vegas later this afternoon. To be honest, I’m not too sure what to think about that. I’ve never been to one, so I’m not sure what to expect…I’m not even sure what I’m gonna do once I get there. I guess do the lounge lizard thing in the lobby of the Bellagio and see what happens. You know, make some connections, work the room and all that jazz. I’m bringing my mic and recorder for possible interviews, a bunch of copies of my book to give away to people in the industry, business cards, and my camera. I’m shaving my beard and donning the sport jacket. I’ve definitely got a few things that aren’t in my favor though…I’m almost allergic to Las Vegas – it might be the last city on earth that I would choose to go (narrowly beating out Thrillwaukee). I don’t drink, I don’t gamble, I don’t like Barry Manilow, I don’t like rollercoasters on top of tall buildings, and I’m not fond of $2 shrimp coctails. So, if you happen to go, I’ll be the guy wandering around aimlessly. I’ll keep you posted.
OK, so now on to the Pacquiao, De La Hoya fight last night. First off, a big thanks to my dad and Matt for convincing me to fork up the $50 bucks to get it. I forgot how much fun these events are. In my opinion, well worth the occasional hit to the wallet. I grew up watching Ali, Cosell, Sugar Ray Leonard, Haglar, Hearns, Holmes, Forman, and Duran to name a few. 
I love the spectacle and hype of a big boxing match. The new cage fighting phenomenon does nothing for me except give me bad dreams…much too violent for my stomach. Anyway, here are my thoughts on the event. I loved seeing Neil Leifer shimmy around the ring snapping photos. Don’t love the music De La Hoya comes out to. Holy overdone version of the national anthem Batman. I knew this fight was over as soon as Pacquiao came out of his locker room. With all the pressure and hype and drama, this guy came out with genuine smiles and was eating it up…he was the opposite of overwhelmed. This little guy is for real and we’re in for a few more great fights from him (Hatton PLEASE).
Pacquiao – quick, powerful, accurate, heart of a champ. De La Hoya – skinny, weak, slow, overwhelmed. I’ve never been a big fan of Oscar but I appreciate the big fights he’s been in…he never ducks anyone and puts on a good show. I like him more once the shine gets knocked off him and I can see his brawling heart. I realize it must be very hard to look down the barrel of Pacquiao’s left hand and see the future and I’m sure it’s not too fun having someone else declare your retirement by beating on your face, but for cryin out loud, go down swinging. Don’t let anyone except you stop the match. There has got to be a better way of ending your career. I’m not a boxer, and I’ve no idea what he was going through out there, but I can tell you with reasonable confidence that I would’ve never gone out like that. Never. I would’ve made the other guy knock my butt out or down or something. Definitely not “no mas.” All that being said, thank you to Oscar for the memories and to Pacquiao for the future. Off to Vegas baby.
December 5, 2008
Wow, that was fast. I was told it takes up to 2 weeks to get your podcast approved once submitted to iTunes. Nope, it took all of 15 minutes. That’s the kind of power I must have in the entertainment industry. Me and Howard Stern. Actually, I heard it took Howard 16 minutes to get his podcast approved.
Anyway, I’m told that it will be searchable in 1-2 days on iTunes. I assume you’ll just be able to punch in Art of Catching or AOCPodcast but just in case try this…just remember, give it a day or two. If you want to listen to it now, follow the link from the previous post…..cheers.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=299351812
