There's no way I'll ever be able to win any contest where I convince people to subscribe to anything. But, if I could, and the prize was as stated, I would simply ask Joe to have a Tournament of Greatest Infomercials.
And... thank you, Joe! I pay money to subscribe to 3 substacks, which is what I can afford. You, Calcaterra, and Molly Knight. To me one cannot do better for a wife array of smart, soulful online baseball- and baseball-adjacent content (perhaps though when paired w The Athletic).
Another great point, Joe, is that sports are supposed to be fun. That is one of the best things about this site. It is mostly fun and positive. I unsubscribed from the Craig Calcaterra newsletter because it is just a giant pile of negativity most days. That guy can't even enjoy the HOF and somehow manages to argue that MLB is awful because it integrated the game, thus destroying the Negro Leagues, which were themselves an abomination caused by MLB's refusal to integrate. Sheesh. Wow! that was almost a Posnanski level sidetrack.
Your work speaks for you. You know what sports fans appreciate. Remembering the past has always been important to sports fans. Mixing ballplayers across the span of history to be involved a tournament was intriguing, interesting how it played out, and even exciting. Of, course, there's hardly anything that's everybody's cup of tea. But going by the chatter on the blog, it was a success. Thanks for your work.
Congratulations, Joe, and thank you for this blog and all your writing over the years. With all the hours of enjoyment I've had from reading your work, it's been worth every penny and many more.
Joe I m so happy this is working out for you. Hope you continued and greater success in the coming years. My only complaint is that you never made it to Powell’s bookstore in Portland for your Houdini and Baseball 100 books. I know doing book tours during the pandemic was challenging but I’m hoping when your new one is published you’ll make it out here to the great northwest. Love to see you in person. Actually if you came I’d do my best to get you to join me and some friends in some doubles tennis. Exercise while traveling would be good for your health don’t you think? Ha!
Joe, I will do my best to promote your work whenever I have an opportunity. I joined up about a month ago after longing for more of your essays about baseball.
I have to share a quick story with you about the Baseball 100. My father's best friend is a well seasoned attorney in NC. When I was a teenager I had my mind set on becoming an attorney and mimicking his lifestyle and success. He was kind enough to pull some strings and get me into law school. Before the 2nd semester started I had dropped out of school, and learned that my father was terminally ill. My relationship with the best friend was severely fractured. Not only had he vouched for me as a prospective student, but on top of that his best friend would soon be dead. After dad died the support for me and my little sister flooded in as one would expect. However, as these things go, people move on with their lives. Less texts come in over time, phone calls stop. I think people just don't know what to say. You can only say, "I'm sorry you lost your dad" so many times. I get that, its hard. Still I thought as a naïve 22 year-old that some relationships would grow stronger after dad's passing. I really thought that his best friend would be someone who would be closer. Looking back that is completely unfair of me to have that expectation for anyone, but I really wanted a deeper connection. Fast forward 10 years, after nothing more than a Facebook message from time to time, I reach out to the best friend to invite him to a baseball game on the anniversary of my dad's passing We have a great conversation, mostly about his Yankees, and why Legion Baseball has all but died. I don't know why, but the idea pops into my head to send him a copy of the Baseball 100 ( I had just finished reading). He gets a copy of the book, and our relationship changes overnight. Since he has gotten the book we have had multiple conversations about the stories, his favorites, my favorites, etc. The book has become a catalyst for us to find common ground again, and for our relationship to morph into something closer to what I had hoped for years ago. I have gained a mentor again and it has been very fulfilling so far. Thanks!
I nominate this post as an all time great for sharing a story on Joe’s blog.
Welcome to a Joe’s world Colin. Might I suggest you look at some of his archives here for outstanding reading. Baseball stories- including many stickers from his version 2 of the Baseball 100 series (The Athletic was version 3), good football 101 series that is going to resume shortly, his many many many stories about the baseball hall of fame. Lots of treasures from before you joined.
And if you want some incredible stories that went viral then Google Posnanski Katie the Perfect and Posnanski Hamilton. Some of the most touching writing on the web. And finding the stores about his father too.
Also, leaving my law firm and starting my own practice was the scariest decision I've ever made, but also one of the best. It is nice to make money for yourself and control your schedule.
Happy Anniversary!
I apologize but I was out of the country. How did the state by state tournament end up? Who eventually won the tournament. Thx. Mark.
There's no way I'll ever be able to win any contest where I convince people to subscribe to anything. But, if I could, and the prize was as stated, I would simply ask Joe to have a Tournament of Greatest Infomercials.
And... thank you, Joe! I pay money to subscribe to 3 substacks, which is what I can afford. You, Calcaterra, and Molly Knight. To me one cannot do better for a wife array of smart, soulful online baseball- and baseball-adjacent content (perhaps though when paired w The Athletic).
Congrats, Joe!
Congratulations Joe. Thanks for sharing the history of your site. I love it.
Another great point, Joe, is that sports are supposed to be fun. That is one of the best things about this site. It is mostly fun and positive. I unsubscribed from the Craig Calcaterra newsletter because it is just a giant pile of negativity most days. That guy can't even enjoy the HOF and somehow manages to argue that MLB is awful because it integrated the game, thus destroying the Negro Leagues, which were themselves an abomination caused by MLB's refusal to integrate. Sheesh. Wow! that was almost a Posnanski level sidetrack.
Congrats, Joe. I have certainly enjoyed my paid subscription. Continued best wishes!
Very nice.
Don't feel bad. I literally wrote the book on personal branding and self-promotion, and I REGULARLY forget to mention it to people when I give a talk.
This is one of the most epic things I have read in awhile! Ha!
Write about the nutritional values of your last meal. I'll still read it.
Joe,
Your work speaks for you. You know what sports fans appreciate. Remembering the past has always been important to sports fans. Mixing ballplayers across the span of history to be involved a tournament was intriguing, interesting how it played out, and even exciting. Of, course, there's hardly anything that's everybody's cup of tea. But going by the chatter on the blog, it was a success. Thanks for your work.
Congratulations, Joe, and thank you for this blog and all your writing over the years. With all the hours of enjoyment I've had from reading your work, it's been worth every penny and many more.
Joe I m so happy this is working out for you. Hope you continued and greater success in the coming years. My only complaint is that you never made it to Powell’s bookstore in Portland for your Houdini and Baseball 100 books. I know doing book tours during the pandemic was challenging but I’m hoping when your new one is published you’ll make it out here to the great northwest. Love to see you in person. Actually if you came I’d do my best to get you to join me and some friends in some doubles tennis. Exercise while traveling would be good for your health don’t you think? Ha!
Joe, I will do my best to promote your work whenever I have an opportunity. I joined up about a month ago after longing for more of your essays about baseball.
I have to share a quick story with you about the Baseball 100. My father's best friend is a well seasoned attorney in NC. When I was a teenager I had my mind set on becoming an attorney and mimicking his lifestyle and success. He was kind enough to pull some strings and get me into law school. Before the 2nd semester started I had dropped out of school, and learned that my father was terminally ill. My relationship with the best friend was severely fractured. Not only had he vouched for me as a prospective student, but on top of that his best friend would soon be dead. After dad died the support for me and my little sister flooded in as one would expect. However, as these things go, people move on with their lives. Less texts come in over time, phone calls stop. I think people just don't know what to say. You can only say, "I'm sorry you lost your dad" so many times. I get that, its hard. Still I thought as a naïve 22 year-old that some relationships would grow stronger after dad's passing. I really thought that his best friend would be someone who would be closer. Looking back that is completely unfair of me to have that expectation for anyone, but I really wanted a deeper connection. Fast forward 10 years, after nothing more than a Facebook message from time to time, I reach out to the best friend to invite him to a baseball game on the anniversary of my dad's passing We have a great conversation, mostly about his Yankees, and why Legion Baseball has all but died. I don't know why, but the idea pops into my head to send him a copy of the Baseball 100 ( I had just finished reading). He gets a copy of the book, and our relationship changes overnight. Since he has gotten the book we have had multiple conversations about the stories, his favorites, my favorites, etc. The book has become a catalyst for us to find common ground again, and for our relationship to morph into something closer to what I had hoped for years ago. I have gained a mentor again and it has been very fulfilling so far. Thanks!
I nominate this post as an all time great for sharing a story on Joe’s blog.
Welcome to a Joe’s world Colin. Might I suggest you look at some of his archives here for outstanding reading. Baseball stories- including many stickers from his version 2 of the Baseball 100 series (The Athletic was version 3), good football 101 series that is going to resume shortly, his many many many stories about the baseball hall of fame. Lots of treasures from before you joined.
And if you want some incredible stories that went viral then Google Posnanski Katie the Perfect and Posnanski Hamilton. Some of the most touching writing on the web. And finding the stores about his father too.
Have fun.
Also, leaving my law firm and starting my own practice was the scariest decision I've ever made, but also one of the best. It is nice to make money for yourself and control your schedule.
Very cool, Joe, and congratulations!