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 twenty-eight in a recurring series.
Mark Hornbaker
Website: History’s Perspective
BBA #39
Personal info:
Age – 48
I’ve been married for nine years.
I live in Poolesville, MD.
Question 1: How and why did you get into blogging?
Right before the 2007 baseball season started I contacted Ian Koski the editor NationalsPride.com. I suggested one of his bloggers should write a story about Walter Johnson’s 100 year anniversary of his D.C. baseball debut. Ian asked me if I would like to write a special story about Johnson’s debut. He also asked me if I would like to write a weekly story titled This Week in D.C. Baseball History. I accepted Ian’s offer.
Question 2: Do you have any blogging projects planned for the off-season?
During the off season I’ve interviewed a few Washington Baseball Historians who have written books about baseball in the Nation’s Capital. On 9th of January I posted an interview with Jim Hartley. Jim is the president of the Washington Baseball Historical Society plus he has written three books about Washington baseball. Jim is also the publisher of the Nats News quarterly newsletter. On the 5thof February I posted an interview with Stephen J. Walker. Mr. Walker is the author of the book, A Whole New Ballgame: The 1969 Washington Senators. Sometime during the next week or two I will be posting an interview I am doing with Gary Sarnoff. Mr. Sarnoff is the author of the book, The Wrecking Crew of ’33: The Washington Senators’ Last Pennant.
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.)?
To be honest I really enjoy receiving comments from people who witnessed the history that I write about in my stories. I am always flattered when other bloggers and internet sites request permission to use my stories.
Question 4: How did you find out about the BBA and what attracted you to the group?
Dave Nichols of the Nats News Network first told me about the BBA. Dave and I and a few other bloggers and internet writers who cover the Nationals met one evening and discussed some possible joint ventures between the writers. I mentioned to Dave that it would be a good idea to bring these writers together so we could vote on end of the year awards for the Washington Nationals’ players. At that time Dave told me a little bit about the BBA. I did not join the BBA until I saw their group page on Facebook.
Question 5: What do you want to see out of the BBA in the coming year?
I believe the BBA is doing an exceptional job in bringing all of these blogs together. The BBA gives the bloggers a louder voice. The BBA is also great place to network with other baseball bloggers across the country.
Question 6: What intrigues you about baseball history?
I am actually intrigued with Washington baseball history mostly. After the expansion Senators moved to Texas all we had in Washington was our baseball history.
Question 7: The Washington team has historically struggled. Any reason for that?
On the most part it is due to Washington historically having low budget teams. You usually get what you pay. Washington’s past owners did not usually spend the money for the top players.
Question 8: Will Stephen Strasburg live up to the hype, do you think?
I sure hope he does. Only time will tell.
Question 9: What nugget out of Senators/Nationals history do you most like to relay?
Walter Johnson’s major league record of 110 career shutouts will never be broken. Actually there will never be another pitcher who pitches 110 complete games in a career.
Question 10: How often do you get out to Nationals Park?
I attend 70 or so games a year at Nationals Park and a few games at Camden Yards. We also try to make to Pittsburgh for a weekend series each year.
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