So I realized late last night, in those dwindling half-lucid moments just before I fell asleep, that I had forgotten something.
My train of thought went from planning my budget for the next few weeks, to picturing the July calendar in my mind's eye, to realizing it was already July 17th, and then thinking back on what I was doing this time last year (in Chicago! quit my job! going to baseball games every week!). And then I realized... it had been over a year since I started this here lil' blog adventure. And I had completely forgotten.
It all started with Deadspin, and its patented irreverent, sarcastic and sometimes delightfully crass way of examining sports and the athletes who play them. A group of eight women commenters decided that while the KSK boys were more than adequately representing the ultra-male voice of fans, there wasn't really a group of women out there to counterbalance them. So we dreamed up our own little spot where we could drool over eyeblack and forearms, but also drool over VORP, an alley oop and the nickel defense. From there, it was only a matter of months before I discovered I was overrunning the place with baseball talk, and rather than dial it back... I decided just to create my own place where I could go on and on (and on) about baseball to my heart's content. And so I worked on the design and making the place all pretty and shiny for a month...
And then on July 7, 2007, Center Field made its grand debut. With a post about what an old-school hottie Yaz was. Of course.
Things were a little up-in-the-air for that first month or so, but CF pretty quickly settled down into all Red Sox, all the time. Second post? Papelbon kicking over a water cooler. Third post? Stating the obvious truth about Dusty Baker's amazing ability to suck. See, things haven't really changed that much after all. Mostly because Dusty Baker will always suck - it's a constant.
Since that time, I've been fortunate to enough to join the illustrious Babes Love Baseball team, co-manage the 1986 Toronto Blue Jays to third place in the AL East, and somehow manage to keep this place going for over a year.
Now comes the time when I get to thank everyone who's helped me out along the way. And so I should start with Will (now here) - who was really the catalyst that started this whole chain of dominoes way back when. Huge thanks to my posse of fellow Sox writers, who have been nothing short of phenomenal with support, and links, and laughs - Ian, Dan, Beth, Red & Denton, Kristen, Dan D., Erin, Sarah, Tex, Caroline & Jennifer and Allan. Thanks and undying affection also go out to my pals who don't happen to be Sox fans, but do all happen to be fantastic baseball writers and great supporters: Caryn, Tim, Kevin, Michael, David, Bernadette, Rob & CTC, Tuffy, Enrico, Jon and Eric. I'd also like to pay homage to other sports-obsessed folks who provided assistance, inspired me with their wit, and became trusted confidantes and friends: Orson, Holly, Peter, Jimmy, T. Kyle, J-Money, Jebus, Sarah, Brian, the cabal, Margaret, Francine, the Ladies, Sooze, Lizzy & Sarah, and Clare. I can't say thanks enough to Janelle, Gwen, Kat, Amiee, Greg, Laura, Clint and Angela for all the memories of endless days spent at a ballpark or football field, and the memories of countless nights filled with whiskey-soaked sports rants. And last, this whole thing is thanks to my dad and brother, who I blame in equal parts for making me a sports fan.... hook 'em.
Same time, next year?
on July 18, 2008 12:34 PM
Wow, a whole year? Boy, time files when you are having fun!
Thank you for giving us sox fans a nice cozy refuge. It's been a wonderful place to hangout, and I for one love it here! I've made some wonderful friends because of this web site too.
Here's to many more Center Field birthdays! *cheers*