Here we go again…

Yup, once again I’m starting a blog. The first one (Synaptic Flatulence) was sold after I joined The Hardball Times in late 2004 (has it been that long?) and the second one was started after being given inspiration to do so from Drunk Jays Fans and it was called The Progenitor of Severe Gluteal Discomfort. It was transferred to Baseball Digest Daily at the request of a friend that wrote for them (since departed) and has been pretty much assimilated into the fabric of BDD.

However, a blast from my past came into contact with me by the name of Scott Carefoot--he is the one responsible for “Chin Music” my current gig at SMSN Sports and asked if I had any interest in starting a blog that could be added to The Score’s new federation of blogs.

Well, seeing as the first time I accepted an offer from Scott turned out O.K. and the fact that there was money to be made, I readily accepted.

The thing is, while I enjoy writing and blogging about baseball and am passionate about doing so, it is also my vocation. I have bills to pay and being given a choice between blogging for free and blogging for filthy lucre I’ll go for the money every time. I could care less what the schools are like around The Score’s offices nor am I interested in what is in their minor league systems.

After the dot.bomb I had my fill of offers to write for stock. My stock portfolio is indeed impressive and I sleep soundly knowing that it doubles in value every day. However, 2 x 0 always equals zero; one of my favourite episodes of The Simpsons is when Bart creates the cartoon (Bartoon?) “Angry Dad” and the company that carries it pays Bart in stock that comes off a toilet paper roll. He ultimately ends up with 55 million shares.

I haven’t decided what to do with my old blog at Baseball Digest Daily yet. While BDD was recently bought out by Baseball Prospectus, it’s impact on me professionally was nil and I doubt my status where I put the “free” in freelance will change in the foreseeable future. I enjoy working with Joe Harami and admire what he has accomplished; nevertheless pats on the back only go so far when you have a mortgage.

If I have to prioritize my writing, I have to do so by heeding Deep Throat and “follow the money” and right now SMSM, The Hardball Times and here are revenue generators and I have to be pragmatic. Ideally, I’d like to keep my foot in the door at BDD but it would have to be in a reduced role. Joe is tied up with other matters at the moment and I doubt the fate of one his bloggers is an overriding concern. I have friends at BDD and I do enjoy ranting for them.

That’s enough soul-baring for right now.

At any rate, not much else different will transpire here--for better or worse it will still just be me being me: whining, bellyaching, screaming at the Blue Jays, Bud Selig, owners in general or whatever has gotten me worked into a lather. I have been told to just be myself (in heaven’s name--why?) so this will be simply a blog with the usual amenities; I’ll be adding a links page, let readers tell me what a misguided nitwit I am in the comments section, bring along the trademark “Best Regards”, I’ll toss on a widget and of course pimp my own ramblings from other outlets etc.

And awaaaay we go! Welcome to “Ground Rule Trouble”!

Best Regards

John