Get To Know The BBA: Feeling Dodger Blue

Posted by Cardinal70 on 23 Jan 2010 | BBA News, Los Angeles Dodgers

At the end of the award voting, I decided that since the Baseball Bloggers Alliance had come along so quickly, it might be nice to get an idea of who was actually in the group. To that end, I’m working through the roster and asking ten questions of each member. The first five are standard, while the last five are a little more personalized. Hopefully this will help us get a feel for our fellow members. So, here’s entry seventeen in a recurring series.

Matt Smith
Website: Feeling Dodger Blue
BBA #26

Question 1: How and why did you get into blogging?

I am a sports writer in the Bay Area, and the one thing our paper has that a lot in California don’t have is a great preps sports blog. That got me interested, and then the fact that I am a Dodger fan, made me really want to write about the Dodgers.

Question 2: Do you have any blogging projects planned for the off-season?

I am actually planning on doing a breakdown of all the players that figure to be key contributors. I want to talk about what to expect, if they’ll improve, etc… I will also do my picks and breakdown for each division, like last year.

Question 3: What’s been your most enjoyable experience as a blogger (particularly well-received post, a high-profile link, a connection you wouldn’t have had otherwise, etc.)?

I have had some links on MLBTR and I had a few posts that just blew up with a crazy amount of comments, but I think the coolest thing is I actually made a friend. I don’t have many Dodger fan friends living up by SF so it was much needed.

Question 4: How did you find out about the BBA and what attracted you to the group?

I am a big fan of organization, and people working towards a common goal, and so when I was approached by our fearless leader (Mr. Shoptaw) I instantly said I was in.

Question 5: What do you want to see out of the BBA in the coming year?

The group made huge, huge strides in the first year, bigger than I could have imagined in the first year, and I think it’s just going to get better. The audio that we are going to start doing should help out quite a bit, and the more respect we get from the BBWAA is only going to make us more legit.

Question 6: Why did you become a Dodger fan?

I grew up north of Los Angeles, so I was introduced to baseball by the smooth tones of Mr. Vin Scully. Listening to Vin, and because the Dodgers were the local team, it was an easy choice.

Question 7: What is the general consensus in the fan base about Manny Ramirez?

I think people are pretty weary of Manny. He behaved well for the two months he was in uniform in 2008, but his true colors showed in 2009. People still want to love him, and they’d love nothing more for him to come out, work hard and hit well. But if he is lazy and brings more drama to LA, they’re going to turn on him for good. He’s on a short, short leash.

Question 8: It’s been a long time since 1988, hasn’t it?

It’s been too long. One of the many reasons I have problems with most Yankees fans (and now Red Sox fans) is that they want to win the World Series every year. All I want is one in my adult life. Just one and I’ll be happy. I was 10 years old in 1988, and it was great because of Gibson’s home run and how amazing Hershiser was, but as an adult, baseball and the Dodgers, means the world to me. I just want one.

Question 9: The Dodgers have been known historically for their pitching. Are you a pitching fan or do you enjoy offense more?

I’m a pitching fan. Big time. Most of my favorite players are pitchers. I think you build a solid foundation with pitching, which is why I am so excited about the future of Clayton Kershaw.

Question 10: As a Cardinal fan, I have a different reaction, but what do you think when you hear Jack Buck say, “Go crazy, folks, go crazy”?

Ask an A’s fan how they feel about Gibson’s home run, and there is your answer. I still can’t believe that little bastard hit the ball out.

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