Since my blog has been largely inactive, I was surprised to see how much of a response I've received to my article about meeting Doc Gooden.
I've had a couple people respond saying that they didn't think he was dodging my question, that he either wasn't clear what I was asking, or that he was refuting what I was saying.
What I left out of my recap was that Doc had dodged nearly every question having to do with his drug abuse or anything dealing specifically with his relationship to Darryl Strawberry. One anonymous poster had this to say:
I don't think he dodged your question. Seems to me that by saying they were both bad influences on each other he is refuting the notion that he was an innocent and Straw was the corrupter.
While this is actually a really good point, it flies in the face of what Doc wrote in his own autobiography. After the interview was over, the moderator approached me and commended me on my question, and told me that despite what Doc had just said, he actually wrote in his own autobiography that he felt Darryl was a bad influence.
I don't blame him for dodging questions. This was an open conversation about some of the most uncomfortable moments of his life. I can't even imagine having strangers ask me questions about such uncomfortable moments. I just called it as I saw it. I stand by my characterization that he was less-than forthcoming when it came to his drug abuse and relationship with Darryl Strawberry.
Last night, I was lucky enough to be invited to a small gathering to hear Doc Gooden speak about his career. The event was sponsored by Nike, and was held in the Nike store in SoHo.
Doc was looking good, though many in the room became worried when we saw sweat pouring down his face at the beginning of the interview. I turned to my roommate and said "oh no, he's back on the drugs", but the sweat went away after the first ten minutes. He may have just been nervous.
Doc spoke briefly about his personal struggles with addiction, but did not go into detail. The most interesting moment of the interview was when the moderator asked "if you could whisper one thing into the ear of the 1985 Doc Gooden, what would it be?" Doc thought about it and said "to reach out. To get help."
The funniest moment of the night came when an audience member asked of the three distinct hair styles Doc sported during his career (close cut, flat top and jheri curl), which did he prefer. Doc thought about it and then said "definitely the flat top".
I managed to get a question in during the Q&A session. I prefaced my question by saying that I wasn't even two yet when the Mets won in 1986, but that I read the book "The Bad Guys Won", which paints Doc as innocent and naive, and Strawberry as a bad influence. I asked him "what do you think about that characterization?"
He responded by saying that they were both bad influences on each other, totally dodging my question. I was honored, however, to have the opportunity to ask it.
I really regret have I haven't kept the site up... I hope to bring it back for next season. I really enjoy writing it, and I love getting feedback, but sometimes life is just too hectic. To try to make up for my lack of updates, I present to you my latest juggling video, filmed mostly at KeySpan park.
The Brooklyn Cyclones have announced the 2008 promotional schedule, with many old favorites and a few new give-aways and themed nights.
The Cyclones have a full lineup of heritage nights, including Caribbean Heritage Night (June 27th), African American Heritage Night (June 29th), Jewish Heritage Night (July 13th), Irish Heritage Night (July 24th), Asian Heritage Night (August 10th), Latino Heritage Night (August 16), and Italian Heritage Night (August 23th).
New themed nights include Pirate Night (June 26th), thgiN sdrawkcaB (July 5th) Salute to Billy Joel (July 12th), Salute to the Pork Rind (July 14th), Nut-Free Night (August 27th), Power of Attorney Night (September 4th), and Coney Island Night (September 5th).
There are also new give-aways, besides the standard cap night and jersey night. A few highlights include:
Front Gate Replica (June 19th), Cyclone Roller Coaster Replica (June 30th), Maverick the Wonder Dog Bobblehead (August 11th), Carl Erskine Bobblehead (August 17th), Ballpark Snow Globe (August 28th), Edgar Alfonzo T-shirt Jersey (September 6th).
When are they making a juggling vendor bobblehead? Also, isn't Billy Joel a well-known Yankees fan? What's next, Derek Jeter Night?
It's been a long, cold winter, but seven months after the Mets' historic collapse and the Cyclones' heartbreaking loss to Auburn in the finals, it's time for baseball again. While the Cyclones' home opener is still two-and-a-half months away, there is some news to report in the Brooklyn baseball universe.
-Patrick Hickey, Jr., the outstanding Cyclones' beat writer, has launched DemBrooklynBums.com. The writing is excellent and the layout is top notch. Patrick is a fairly prolific blogger, so make sure to check his site regularly for all your Cyclones updates.
-Former Cyclones OF Angel Pagan, recently reacquired by the Mets organization, has wowed the coaching staff and apparently locked up a starting spot on the opening day roster in place of the injured OF Moises Alou. In 71 at bats this spring, Pagan leads the Mets in runs (10), hits (24), RBI (10), and stolen bases (5), all while batting .338.
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that former Cyclones RHP Eddie Kunz has been shadowing Mets closer Billie Wagner in Port St. Lucie.
"He came up to me and said, 'Hey, you're going to follow me around,'" Kunz said. "'Wherever I'm at, you're at.'"
It's great to see Eddie progressing through the organization. He certainly showed a lot of promise in his limited appearances with the Cyclones, collecting 5 saves in 12 innings of work.
In 9 games with the Scottsdale Scorpions this winter, Kunz went 0-1 with an ERA of 10.13.
One of the main problems with Short Season Single A baseball is that the off-season is interminable. Nine and a half months? That's longer than the typical gestation period for a human female.
In the interest of alleviating the mid-winter baseball blues, I have compiled the following roundup of Brooklyn Cyclones related news:
-The New York Mets have reacquired OF Angel Pagan from the Cubs. Pagan was one of the original Cyclones, playing on Edgar Alfonzo's 2001 NYPL Champion team. In 318 career at bats with the Chicago Cubs, the switch-hitting native of Puerto Rico has a .255 batting average with 9 home runs and 8 stolen bases.
-However, in acquiring Pagan, the 'Clones were forced to ship off two former Baby Bums, OF Corey Coles and P Ryan Meyers. As the AP reports:
Coles, 25, rose to New York's Triple-A affiliate last season, but spent the bulk of his time at Double-A Binghamton, where he hit .296 and stole nine bases.
Meyers is a 22-year-old who had 13 saves and a 2.14 ERA in 33 games at Class A Savannah. He struck out 48 and walked 14 in 42 innings.
-Sunday, Febuary 3rd, the eyes of the nation will be on Arizona as the hated New England Patriots do battle with our New York Giants. There's much more at stake, however, than just regional pride. BrooklynCyclones.com reports that 'Clones GM Steve Cohen has made a friendly wager with Lowell Spinners GM Tim Bawmann. If the Giants win, Bawmann has to come to Brooklyn and help the Cyclones' ground crew manicure the field. If the Pats win, however, Cohen has to go to Lowell and rake grass for the Spinners.
-The Brooklyn Cyclones have completely revamped their website. It's a lot nicer looking, check it out.
-Lastly, I'm happy to announce that I will be returning for a second season as the juggling peanut vendor at KeySpan Park. Last summer was a real trip, and I'm thrilled that I'm coming back.
Next game is 7 pm June 17th at KeySpan. See you there.
They're at it again! The cast of Starry Night is coming at you again with another off-the-wall variety show Thursday the 13th at 9 pm.
Come join The Reigning Queen of Everything, El Juglar, Jocelyn Adams, Jared the Conjuror, Harley Dear, Mike Lawrence and newcomer Mark Normand as we go back, way back to Christmas 1967.
There will be Christian Jugglers, Communist Contortionists, Jewish Strippers, Hysterical Comedians, and of course, the Reigning Queen herself.
The show is at East Coast Aliens, 216 Franklin Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11222. For more info, go to www.eastcoastaliens.com
For those of you who haven't seen it yet, here is a clip from the last show:
Last night, I was cited for a moving violation for riding my unicycle on the sidewalk at 3 am down Classon Ave. The ticket was for $10. The cop told me it'd probably be dismissed, but that I'd have to show up to pay the ticket anyway.
Here's a video of the Cyclones following the final out of Game 1 of the semifinals against the Staten Island Yankees. I wanted to be there that night but I was performing in the circus.
This past year, The Brooklyn Cyclones gave away an amazing six bobbleheads, ranging from current ball players (Joe Smith), former players (Don Newcomb), non-players (Marty Markowitz) and inanimate objects (Brooklyn Bridge). These six bobbleheads will be rated on a scale from 0-5 along four criteria:
Aesthetics, Origninality, Deservingness, and Overall Bobble
Don Newcombe Brooklyn Dodgers legend Aesthetics: 4.3
Don strikes a great pose in his bobblehead, rearing back just before firing one over the plate. Nuke loses points for his "Brooklyn Legends" uniform. I realize they couldn't use a Dodgers uniform, but the uniform looks just a little odd.
Originality: 3.5
He is a Hall-of-Famer, so it's not a totally original idea to give him a bobblehead, but Nuke is an often over-looked superstar, remembered by the Ebbets Field faithful but forgotten by the younger generation.
Deservingness: 4.8
The first and only player ever to win the Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP. Yeah, I'd say he's worthy.
Overall Bobble: 4.0
Excellent side-to-side bobble. Head keeps bobbling longer than many of the others.
Marty Markowitz Brooklyn Borough President Aesthetics: 2.5
A guy in a suit, holding a bat... yawn.
Originality: 4.0
It's not every day that a politician gets his (or her) own bobblehead. And consider the fact that Marty isn't a senator, a governor or a mayor. He's a borough president.
Deservingness: 3.5
This had been a point of contention. Many people love Marty, some people despise him, and most people don't really know who he is. To avoid any controversy, I gave him a 3.5.
Overall Bobble: 2.0
Kinda lame bobble. Lasts only for a moment. Markowitz could learn something from Newcombe.
Willie Randolph Mets Manager Aesthetics: 2.5
Willie strikes a rather boring pose, very similar to that of Markowitz. He looks more like Sammy Davis Jr. than Willie Randolph
Originality: 4.2
Ok, maybe giving Willie his own bobblehead wasn't that original of an idea, but putting him in his Tilden High jersey was. Bravo.
Deservingness: 4.0
He'll truly be worthy once he takes the Mets all the way.
Overall Bobble: 3.7
A slow, almost lazy bobble. Lasts long.
Lee Mazzilli Mets great, Mets commentator Aesthetics: 3.2
His pose is somewhat more inspired than Randolph's; much more natural.
Originality: 4.2
Again, it wouldn't be that original except that he's wearing his Lincoln High jersey.
Deservingness: 3.2
Yeah, he's from Brooklyn, but did he really do that much as a Met?
Overall Bobble: 3.0
A little stiff. Could be better.
Joe Smith Former Cyclones great, former Mets great, current Zephyrs great Aesthetics: 4.7
Wow. Well crafted, excellent detail, and the pose is outstanding. Joe looks great in his red Cyclones hat and his sleeveless home jersey.
Originality: 2.5
Since basically every former Cyclone who makes it to the Mets gets a bobblehead, Joe gets a low originality rating.
Deservingness: 3.0
Joe was a legend in Brooklyn, and he certainly made a name for himself in Flushing. Remember that it was just over a year ago that this guy was playing in college.
Overall Bobble: 4.2
Excellent side-to-side bobble, weak up-and-down bobble. Overall a great bobble.
Brooklyn Bridge A bridge Aesthetics: 2.5
It's made of plastic... I guess it looks alright, but plastic?
Originality: 4.8
A bobblehead of something that doesn't even have a head. It's original, I'll give them that.
Deservingness: 4.0
Takes us all safely from Brooklyn to Manhattan. A fixture along the waterfront.
Overall Bobble: 1.0
Barely bobbles at all.
The Brooklyn Cyclones (2-2) were defeated last night by the Auburn Doubledays (4-1) by a score of 4-1.
Rather than post my usual recap, which seems a little pointless at this time, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all the fans which made this the most amazing summer of my life. It was a pleasure to perform and vend for you guys.
When I first answered a craiglist posting for a juggling vendor, I had no idea that I would be so warmly received by thousands of Brooklyn baseball fans, a notoriously hard-to-please group.
It was horrible to watch those guys celebrate on our field, but you got to give them credit, they earned it.
The next question is what to do with my blog. I will continue to post about the 2007 Cyclones season, things such as favorite memories, best bobblehead awards, etc. I will also post about Cyclone alumni now in the majors, and anything else in the Cyclones universe.
I will also use the blog as a forum to keep everyone posted about any of my future events, as I'd love to have you guys come out to one of my shows.
It's been an amazing summer, and I'll see you all next year, if not sooner.
The Auburn Doubledays (3-1) defeated the Brooklyn Cyclones (2-1), taking a 1-0 series lead in the best of three championship round.
Brooklyn did have opportunities, loading the bases with no out in the 2nd, loading them again in the 6th and putting runners on the corners in the 8th, yet the lone Cyclone run came in the form of a sac fly off the bat of C Cesar Cordido.
RHP Dillon Gee was impressive, going 5 scoreless innings, giving up 4 hits and striking out 8.
RHP Steve Clyne surrendered 3 runs, including a two-run homer, in the 6th.
RHP Will Morgan had a particularly difficult 8th, hitting a batter, walking a batter, throwing a wild pitch, walking a batter, striking out a batter, throwing a wild pitch, and finaly walking a batter before being pulled. He finished the eveining with 1.1 innings pitched, 1 hit, 4 walks, 4 earned runs, and 1 strike out.
Next game is tonight in Brooklyn at 7pm. The Cyclones must win to stay alive.
For all those interested, I will be performing my juggling and unicycling act tonight in "A Starry Night" variety show in Greenpoint, Brooklyn at 9pm. The venue is conveniently located two blocks from the Greenpoint Ave. G train stop, at 216 Franklin St.
Tickets are just $10 and the venue features a bar. For more info/directions, go to the venue's website:
East Coast Aliens.
I don't imagine most of you will be traveling with the team to Auburn, so come on out!
.thumb.jpg)
