Since there was no Yankees baseball today, I couldn’t have picked a better time to drive down to LA for the Live Video show. The host who moderated, interviewed me and fielded the emails that came in during the hour we were live was Russell Wetanson, a legal/pop culture expert who appears frequently on CNN, E! and the TV Guide Network. He was funny and kept the conversation lively. We previewed “Confessions of a She-Fan” and had people emailing from as far away as Japan saying they couldn’t wait to read the book. It was cool! We had an email from a distraught Cardinals fan. We had an email from a gloating Angels fan. And we had an email from MLB’s very own blogger, Vanessa (see the Flair for the Dramatic link on my blog roll). It was like a visit from a family member!
Russell asked me if most fans are as obsessive as I am. I laughed and said, “Uh, no. ‘Fan’ is short for ‘fanatic.’ We’re all a little crazy.” Sure, I’m a little over the top when it comes to my passion/partisanship for the Yankees, sad as they may look this season, but I’m hardly alone. All the Yankees blogs are evidence of that. So are the 55,000 people who show up at the Stadium every night, win or lose. We also talked about my trip to all the games last season, the food at the different ballparks (I recommended Boog’s BBQ at Camden Yards and someone emailed in to say she agreed), and the hilarious (and humiliating) times when I tried to meet the players.
If you have time, go
here. Scroll down to the left corner and click “archives,” and you’ll see portions of the interview. The link is only up for a week or so.
Now let’s hope the Yankees give us a memorable homestand starting tomorrow night. I want them to go down fighting as they bid farewell to the Stadium. They need to show up and make us proud!
Confessions of a She-Fan 
The live video was cool. It was nice to hear you talk about the book and your experience following the Yankees. Though I stopped by toward the end, it was a funny conversation. I thought what you said about the Yankees being like the mafia was hilarious. It does seem like once a guy gets the boot for whatever reason, his name usually is removed from the vocab of Yankee fans, but it was surprising to hear that the players don’t talk about those that have left once they’re gone. I just hate the business side of baseball.
V – http://flairforthedramatic.mlblogs.com
V: You asked a great question during the live video show: What surprised me most when I was out on the road following the Yankees? And I said that, according to George King of the NY Post, the Yankees are like the Mafia in terms of being a cold business. He specifically mentioned Mike Myers as being a popular player, and yet after Myers was DFA’d, no one in the clubhouse was going around saying, “Hey, I wonder how Mike is doing?” Same thing with Miguel Cairo. Once you’re gone, you’re gone. Writing this book was a huge eye-opener for me.
Thanks again for emailing the show.
– Jane
http://www.livevideo.com/liveshow/expandedbooks/archive_174458.aspx
That’s our girl…just awesome! So what do you think of Dodger Dogs now? Hope to say hi to you all in October as it increasingly looks like Dodgers and/or Angels are going to bring me there. Keep it going with the book!
Mark/MLB.com
http://mlblogs.mlblogs.com
BTW actually the Angels were the darlings among preseason prognosticators in 2007. I had to write an Opening Day story for MLB.com homepage about all the prognosticators that year, which meant buying every preseason mag and looking at all the major sports site previews. Angels-Dodgers was the hot pick; oddly enough it might happen a year later. 2 major mags picked the Red Sox to win it all, 2 picked the Tigers, 2 picked Yanks, SI had Angels vs. Dodgers. Yours truly picked the Rockies to get to the World Series and I have a Waterford home plate from the MLB president to prove it….alas I had them beating the Rangers in the Fall Classic. But just in case it comes up again everyone didn’t pick the Yanks!
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article_perspectives.jsp?ymd=20071016&content_id=2269361&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp&partnered=rss_mlb
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070401&content_id=1873403&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Hi, Jane …
Tremendous Interview !!! … Sorry, I couldn’t watch the interview “live” [but, I did just view the replay] — I would have joined Vanessa [who asked some great questions], by also e-mailing you a few questions … Maybe another time? … Anyway, Jane, you were very relaxed, entertaining, and looked like you were having a lot of fun, as you talked about your book … In my view, I think your book will be a “Fun Read” and “Best Seller” !!! … I certaintly look forward to reading the story about your adventures of following the Yankees in the 2007 season, as I also watch your book “soar up the best seller lists” … Also, great idea, about venturing into “Red Sox Nation” for your next book project … It will be interesting to see the comparison between Yankee and Red Sox fans, and how they view their teams, and what they really think about “us” [Yankee fans] … It will be especially interesting to see [and, hear], their true feelings, as the Yankees dominate the AL East, and American League next year; and, win their 27th World Championship in 2009 !!! … Now, that will be fun to read about … Jane, keep up the great work on your blog, and keep promoting your book, as “success”, and “number one” on the best seller lists are clearly in sight … Best wishes, Jimmy [27NYY] …
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/
You’re right, Mark. The WS may very well be in SoCal. I think the Angels will win the AL pennant (I guess they haven’t peaked after all and I don’t see them folding against the Red Sox this year, should the RS get through instead of the Rays). But the Dodgers? I’m not convinced. They don’t score a lot of runs (Manny notwithstanding) and they’re scrambling to hang on in a weak division. I’m still betting on the Cubs. But you never know. Give me a shout if you head west! The weather’s great!
– Jane
Hey, Jimmy. Thanks for checking out the Live Video thing. I really did have fun and share a lot of laughs on that show. Now let’s hope your prediction is accurate and the book will make the bestseller list when it comes out. (Oh. I just re-read your comment. You said it would be “number one” on the bestseller list. Even better! I hope you’re psychic!)…..So you think the Yankees will win the WS in ’09? What do you think they need to do to get there? Any suggestions for Hank Steinbrenner?
– Jane
Jane,
Good to hear that you had fun during your interview … It was a great show !!! … Yes, 2009 will be an awesome year — your book will be #1; and, the Yankees will be #1 … And, my suggestions to Hank Steinbrenner: Well, I would first replace Brian Cashman as GM; and, bring back Buck Showalter as the new General Manager … After that, the major moves I would suggest the Yankees make, as their main priorities … Re-Sign, Bobby Abreu; Mike Mussina; and Andy Pettitte … Then, pay whatever the cost to sign “free-agents”, Mark Tex, and CC Sabathia … In my view, that will be a good start to get the Yankees back on track for a World Championship Season [#27] in 2009 !!! … But, many other moves will also have to be made to improve this Yankees team, including making decisions regarding many of our young prospects — keeping them – or – trading some of them, for some proven all-star players !!! … Anyway, it will be a very interesting off-season … Also, I’m all for the Yankees increasing the payroll as high as they are willing to go, to bring another Championship back to the Bronx … $250 Million; $275 Million; $300 Million ??? … Hank and Hal should spend whatever it takes to put the best team possible on the field in 2009 [and, the future], as the Yankees start playing in the new Yankee Stadium next year !!! … This is how George Steinbrenner built up the great Yankee Championship teams over the last 35 years … So, I think money should never be an issue for the Yankees when looking to improve the team !!! … #27 in 2009 … Take care, Jane … Jimmy [27NYY] …
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/
Interesting suggestions for Hank Steinbrenner, Jimmy. So you want the Yankees to spend $$$$ on free agents? While I’d love to have Sabathia/Burnett/Sheets/etc, plus Teixeira, I also think they should give Hughes a chance at a spot in the rotation. And judging by what I’ve seen so far from Phil Coke, he looks like a candidate to start. He’s a lefty and if Pettitte’s not back he could step in. Not sure I’d resign Andy at this point. Maybe for another year but not for the same money he’s been getting. One thing I’ve finally learned is that the biggest payroll doesn’t necessarily bring you a championship. What we really need is a TEAM, not just a group of highly-paid stars. And we need to go younger and faster. Brett Gardner’s speed is awesome!
– Jane