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-six in a recurring series.
Ray Wachter III
Website: Royals On Radio Etc.
BBA #38
Personal info:
age: 18
job: Will be working at Bonnie Plants this Spring
life status: Single (Girls my email is …….)
Question 1: How and why did you get into blogging?
It looked like fun but at the time my computer skills were pretty pathetic. So I asked a buddy of mine, Jack of the blog “The Royal Treatment” (R.I.P.) how to start one. From there what started out as just a way to voice my opinion about the team has became so much more.
Question 2: Do you have any blogging projects planned for the off-season?
Not really, just had my 2nd Annual Royals Bloggers Super Bowl Bash, and the 2nd Annual Ray W Awards have already concluded. But I’m planing on doing more interviews this year, similar to my first year in blogging.
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.)?
Well the first thing that comes to mind is the fact I was able to meet Royals on Radio announcer Steve Stewart and have a nice talk with him. It was right after I started the RoRetc and I posted that I didn’t think he would work out… oops 
I had an anonymous Royals player comment once that I was “being too harsh on Trey Hillman”. I found it funny because by far I was not the harshest Royals blog, and besides I tried to spread the blame on the whole team, not just Trey.
But without a doubt I’d say the # 1 highlight of mine is that I was once linked on MLB Trade Rumors.
Question 4: How did you find out about the BBA and what attracted you to the group?
I noticed fellow Royals “groupie” Jeff of Royally Speaking had joined the BBA on facebook. So I went to the group page to check it out and knew right away I had to join. The reason being I’d tried in vain to find a blog for each of the teams we (the Royals) would be playing, so that I could get a preview of the upcoming matchups. But after many failed attempts in the AL West and a Pirate attack, the whole thing kind of went down the drain. Therefore thanks so much to Daniel for forming the BBA and letting me join because now I’ve got LA Angels contacts!
Question 5: What do you want to see out of the BBA in the coming year?
I’d love to see it become more organized and find out exactly what it is we want to accomplish. Also I’d love to see whenever there is a big trade made both teams bloggers give an analysis, that would be cool. Oh and maybe do a first half recap, 2nd half preview at the All-Star break.
Question 6: Why focus on the radio?
Because there is nothing better then spending a summer night setting on your porch, drinking some ice tea and to listening the game as the sun sets, and the stars slowly engulf you.
The radio to me, if your announcer is good, (and there are very few that can rival Hall of Famer Denny Matthews) has a way of making you feel more in tune with the game.
I mean of course you can watch the game on the TV, everybody does that, but you won’t get that special feeling that only the radio can bring. You wouldn’t be able to hear as many of the ballpark subtle noises or even get that feeling of urgency in the announcers voice as storm moves in. I don’t know really how to put it, maybe it’s a midwest thing, but as you listen to the game with the occasional crackling of the AM signal, while you enjoy the night, while you work on your car in the garage, while you grill that steak, whatever. You’re living the good life.
Question 7: What is it about the Royals that brings so many talented people to write about them?
If you ask me, and you did, it’s because after decades of losing you’ve got to be hardcore to still be a fan, you’ve got to be devoted, and you’ve got to be gritty. Like you said there are so many great Royals blogs with so many talented writers (I’m not one of them) it’s the one thing the Royals organization has going for it, and every spring it seems like there is another fresh batch. I guess Royals fans are simply just smarter then most. 
Question 8: What’s your favorite Royal memory?
The whole 2003 season.
My grandma died in February of 02, my grandpa then had open heart surgery so we moved in with him to help care for him all summer and then we ended up moving that December. So a lot had happened in the course of the previous year, add to that the Royals fast start to the 03 season, and sprinkle in good ole’ KREL 1420 AM and the dream season was underway.
The 03 season I went to my first MLB game. (Royals vs Cardinals @Busch we won and Ken Harvey hit a HR).
Led by Carlos Beltran, Mike Sweeney, Ken Harvey, future ROY winner Angel Berroa, charismatic manger Tony Pena, “Lima Time”, and many other characters that helped shape the summer.
In fact I could tell you exactly were I was when I heard the Royals added Curtis Leskanic, Paul Abbott, Rondell White, and Brian Anderson.
Then in September I went with my dad and some other guys to the two day Promise Keepers convention in KC, and the morning of the second day we went to Denny’s for breakfast. I borrowed 50 cents from my dad, bought a KC Star, flipped open the sports section, and there was a calendar that had which games the Royals had to win and I was crushed because I knew the playoffs were out of reach. In fact I cried a little but of course I let no one see me.
I’d have to say that is one of my favorites it’s just so hard to rank them.
Other memories that quickly pop to mind:
A couple called home runs,
Snapping green beans in the front room while drinking a peach coke from Sonic and listening to the Royals beat St.Lou in extras at Busch.
Meeting Buck O’Neil at the K
Matt Stairs pinch hit HR against the Reds
To name a few for ya.
Question 9: Do you make it to games on a regular basis?
Usually make about 4 or so a year, sadly last year though I was only able to attend two games. It’s always a great time with the family, and I’ll usually keep score of the game.
Question 10: If you could make one move as Royals GM, what would it be?
Hmm only one…..
I’d love to add a sabermetrics guy to the team but since I only have one move, I’d fire manager Trey Hillman. (Surprised ?)
He’s a super great guy but I just can’t stand his constant misuse of the bullpen. And his lineups!!! Don’t even get me started. And after we all were able to view the photo of him chillin’ with LaRussa in the Cardinals dugout before the game! Yeah, I’d fire Hillman; that is my one move as GM.
But If I could, my new manager would be a guy who would turn or try to turn every single player into a Ty Cobb clone on the field. Don’t just walk into the 4-3 DP, break it up! Railroad the catcher! Play to win (not compete)!! A guy who would teach my team to NOT play nice on the field. That would install in the players that on the field your enemies with the other team. You can hang out with the opposing players after the game. Yes, that would be my one move.
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