NASCAR and Fox TV rights deal

This week for my Sports Media class we talked about return on investment so I put together a video regarding NASCAR and it's TV deal with Fox.  A little offseason video to help pass the time until spring training.  I hope you enjoy.

Media Rights - Photo Op

This week for Sports Media Online class we were asked to take 3 photos of that represent Traditional media rights.

My first picture represents Licenses for Clothing and Merchandise.  Simply, it is me wearing my favorite ball cap.  On the side of the hat you can see the '47 which is for '47 Brand which tends to be my favorite fit for hats.  And of course it's a Yankee Hat!

My second photo was taken while watching Football all day Sunday so it represents television rights. I was trying to capture the "FOX NFL" slogan they kept flashing but it was to fast for my trigger finger.  I ended up grabbing the Fox Robot they use as a rep.  I think it turned out pretty cool in Monochrome.  You can see the helmet wearing robot standing in front of the Fox Sports sign and capture the buildings in the background. 

And the final photo was one that was taken just today, in fact I bumped another photo I selected to put this one in.  I was driving in town and came upon a radio station that is the home to Fox Sports.  They are the home to the Northwest Florida Sports destination! Fox Sports AM 1490 and obviously represents radio rights.

So there are my three photos, for those not checking this out for school reasons feel free to comment and let me know what you think of the pics and thanks for stopping by.

Luc

MiLB and revenue sources - ex. Pensacola Blue Wahoo's

Here is a brief breakdown of how a Minor League Ball Club generates revenue.  Some of you may not understand how the Minor League business structure works, and I can't blame you.  To say it's a confusing set up would be an understatement.

As you all know, each MLB club has a farm system (usually consisting of a Low A, High A, AA, and AAA clubs)  and every player in that system is basically bought and paid for by the MLB club.  Travel, contracts, etc.  So naturally you'd think the MLB club owns the Minor League teams themselves...well you'd be wrong.  Each team is it's own business that has an agreement to "house" a minor league team.  They then use the team to sell tickets, merchandise, sponsorships, run local events, etc.  So if you ever wonder why tickets for a MiLB game is so low, it's because the parent club is fitting the bill for the players.  (note: this is a very simplified version how MiLB works)

Here's a video I put together explaining this:

And I can't talk about the Bayfront Stadium without a sneak peak inside:

If you're in the area I recommend checking out Bayfront Stadium and Maritime Park.  It's beautiful!

Veterans Day and America's Pastime...

Veterans Day holds a special place in my heart, not because I am a 1%’er, but because of those that have truly sacrificed.  The ones buried in Arlington, or that came home but really didn’t.  My grandfather was one of the latter.  You see, war can really mess a person up, it changes a person mentally and it can’t be changed back.  I’ve always believed that there are two different types of Veterans, those that have sacrificed, and those that have served.  There is as much honor in either type, but those that sacrificed were asked to sign the check they wrote to Uncle Sam.  So today I would like to say Happy Veterans Day to my brother and sisters in arms and I look to heaven in gratitude for those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

Now that I’ve said my piece on this Veterans Day 2014 I’d like to take a look at Baseball and its veterans, after all this is a blog with its focal point of baseball and sports. 

I would like to start out with Yogi Berra.  As a kid I was enamored with this character.  I never watched him play a game in my life but he was my favorite player.  How could you not like the guy, his character and attitude were clearly as powerful as the 358 home runs he launched into the stands.  Second Class Seaman Lawrence P. Berra served on D-Day as a member of a six man crew unleashing a barrage of metal hell on German defense planes and although never directly hit was in the cross hairs of those he aimed to knock out of the skies that were lit up by that same fire.  So to you Lawrence I proudly say thank you for standing beside me as a 1%’er.

Yogi Berra Museum - Military

How about Yogi’s mentor “Bill Dickey”? Dickey was drafted at the age of 37 and although he did not see battle was slated as the manager of the U.S. Navy baseball team that won a crown in 1944. His fellow teammate JoeDimaggio also served while playing ball, but not for the navy. I’m sure many people will think that Dickey’s time doesn’t constitute real service but it is not on his shoulder that our government decided to deal with famous ball players in this manner.  As I mentioned earlier, I believe there are two types of Veterans and both are honorable.  The craziest thing about Dickey in my opinion is he’s probably one of the most underrated Yankees of all time.  When one is surrounded by Lou Gehrig (one of Dickey’s best friends), Babe Ruth, Joltin Joe, and Yogi Berra it’s easy to get lost and Dickey seemed to do just that.  His career batting average was .313, which is 3 points higher than DerekJeter, and we all know how great Jeter was. 

Bill Dickey - Military

The only major leaguer to see combat in two wars, while accumulating 120 missions, 2 distinguished flying crosses, 13 air medals and 3 Navy Citations Jerry Coleman represented his country and his teams as well as anyone can.  Coleman was apart of four world championships while donning Pinstripes (1949, 1950, 1951, 1956) and went on to be inducted into the broadcasters wing of the National Baseball Hall ofFame.  Although his four decades announcing for the Padre’s are what put him in Cooperstown, his 4 rings in Stripes will always make him a Yankee legend of sorts. 

Jerry Coleman - Huffingtong Post

Jerry Coleman - NBC, Athletes who served

And if we are going to talk about baseball, and military service we can’t forget to mention the females of the All American Girls ProBaseball League that helped fill the void while minor league teams were disbanded because of WWII.  The Rockford Peaches, Racine Belles, Kenosha comets and South Bend Blue Sox made up the first league in 1943 proving that girls can play.  Some of my best memories playing the game are in Co-Ed softball leagues in which I can honestly say some, if not most of the girls we played with were better then me (to include my sister in law).  

Texas Baseball Hall of Fame - Bluebonnet Belles

All American Girls Professional Baseball League

I love hearing military stories and sacrifices so please leave some comments or stories below and share with everyone.  To those that have served along side of me, before me and will serve after me, Thank You.  You are in my prayers.

Other citations:

Baseball Reference - where I get my stats

Baseball in Wartime

BYB Hub...and me

In honor of the partnerships that Robert Casey has started over at Bleeding Yankee Blue with his BYB Hub, I thought I would get another post out.  With Robert being kind enough in adding me to the Hub I think it’s a great opportunity to not only give any new readers an idea of who I am and what to expect.  It is also an opportunity to help out by showing off the new BYB Hub link on the right bar, feel free to check it out and the other Yankee Blogs out there!

As for who I am to any new readers the About Me section below the BYB Hub pic gives you a great insight to my story of how I was afflicted with the Pinstripe Fever, in fact I’ll give you a minute or so to read it…don’t worry I’ll wait right here while you read.  -----Alright you’re back, I haven’t scared you away yet.  The blog and my ramblings associated with it have as much to do with my returning to school at the ripe age of 34 as it does with my love for the Yankees.  I currently work full time (on the road 4-6 months out of the year) am a reservist in the U.S. Air Force, attend school Full Time and along with my beautiful bride am attempting to raise two rug-rats.  Because of all that I have going on my posts are not as frequent as I’d like but I hope for that to change soon as I will be lightening my workload soon.  

As I mentioned earlier I am twelve months into my Sports Marketing and Media degree from Full Sail University.  In all my travels I’ve seen a few too many trials and tribulations, I’ve been many places where communicating was problematic because of language barriers.  I found the one thing that always bridged that gap was sports.  I’ve learned about different sports that I never thought I would get close to, (Cricket, Soccer) and after learning about the details of these sports realize what draws the fans to watch.  Understanding the sport was the key and I hope through my degree I get the chance to educate and help a few lost souls find the game of baseball. 

On Pinstripe Fever you won’t find Yankee only posts although that is the main focus.  I’ll post papers and work that I finish for school along with sharing a bit of my life with anyone that chooses to read.  In fact my last post was about a cat named D, short for Damon -  after Johnny Damon, who worked his way into our life and then sadly passed away a month ago.  If you have a few more minutes check it out  -I hate Cats-.  It was written with a lot of emotions flowing because what you’ll find out is, I didn’t hate this cat so much.  Well, if you’ve read this far I want to thank you for sharing in my journey and I’ll work towards getting more posts up if you’ll read them.  Finally one last thank you goes out to Robert Casey for all he’s done to help me out, emails, interviews, and reaching out to me for the BYB Hub.

Until next time…

I Hate Cats...

I hate cats, or so these are the words I speak every time someone asks me about my preferences to the classic fight: Dogs or Cats.  Truth is I prefer dogs, maybe it’s a guy thing, maybe it’s because I grew up around dogs.  The problem is 6 ½ years ago I married into a cat…no not just married into a cat but also married into a crazy cat lady.  Her family is one of the country, they are farmers and have farm cats running around outside and against my mother in laws better wishes, one of those cats occasionally infiltrates their house.  I should have seen it coming, I should have realized that my short time with my wife would not be enough to do what my mother in law couldn’t, keep cats out of my house.  Not long into our marriage my wife (the crazy cat lady) threatened to bring home another cat, another black cat.  As are most things in our marriage, my wife and I are ying and yangs, sit on opposite side of the teeter-totter fighting towards who gets to sit the highest.  I like animals with a white coat; she likes her animals with a black coat (I joke around with her that it’s because she wants it to match her black heart). I made the mistake of saying something to the effect of, if another cat is coming home, it’s going to be that white one.  Well that white kitten soon became a part of our family.  As a part of the agreement, the cat would be named after a Yankee to fit my family tradition of naming animals after those that wear Pinstripes.  Damon (D for short) was now a mainstay with us.  An outside cat that would be treated to a warm house, food at his whim, and all the cuddling he could get.  

D was part dog...

I would often get frustrated with D as I’d wake up in the middle of the night and he’d be on my neck curled in a ball mistaking me for a place to sleep.  He drooled like Hooch from the classic Tom Hanks movie “Turner and Hooch”.  In fact my relationship with D was much like that of Turner and Hooch.  As much as I wanted to not like him he grew on me.  How could he not, he was great with my kids, he let them mess around with him, pulling on his ears, and hair and then coming back for more.  He was a friend to me, my wife, and most importantly my kids, and he was full of love.

So what does this have to do with a sports blog?  Well yesterday while watching Jeter’s lastgame in the Bronx D taught me one last lesson in life.  My wife called and told me we’d have to put the critter down, that he had cancer.  F***king Cancer!  I was pissed, but why? It’s a cat…I hate cats.  Unbeknownst to my mother that I had already spoke with my wife in regards to this, and was ignoring the situation like a man does (because it’s easier than dealing with it, seriously what could I do) she told me to call my wife.  It was the bottom of the 9^th inning…Jeter was up third…it was a tie game…AARRRGGGGHHHH.  Knowing this isn’t one of those situation to ignore I made the phone call.  Nothing had changed, my wife and I were still on the same page, a few tears were shed, and I missed Jeter’s walk off single.  I was SO mad at my mother, why are you butting into this situation, it was being handled and not only am I losing a friend, now I missed it, probably Jeter’s last big moment, something I can tell my grandkids about.  Truth is I wasn’t mad at my mom, I was hurt that I was losing a friend that I didn’t even like…it’s a CAT!  I will still get to tell my grandkids about Jeter’s last big hit but I’ll also get to use it as a teaching moment, one that my mother and a cat named Damon reminded me of. 

Those lessons:

Family comes first, and by family I don’t just mean those that have the same blood in their veins.  

It’s ok to swallow your pride and even shed a tear. 

And most importantly, make your choices in life based on love.

Thank you old friend…

Our Friends...and why we cheer

This week for my Introduction to Marketing class we were asked to perform a bit of research on John Earle, better known as Johnny Cupcake.  I decided to grab a theme from his interview we watched from Full Sail University and test its theory.  Mr. Cupcake spoke of his struggles in dealing with friends and family in his business.  Although a small sample size, I sent a message out to 23 friends requesting a brief write up (paragraph or less) on why they cheer for their favorite sports teams.  I figured this would fit in with my “About Me” section on the right, while keeping the sports theme alive on Pinstripe Fever.  Although I had more people drop out of the conversation (3) than reply to my post (2) I was pleased to say my predictions on who would reply were 80% correct which supported my own theory, one most know his relationship with friends.  Whether it be 1. casual, or as I like to call them drinking buddies, 2. Professional, your friendship serves a purpose or benefit to each other, or 3. a combination of the two which is the strongest of friendships.  The other factor one must weigh in on, is the situation each friend currently is in.  In my example I only provided 24 hours for replies which is too short of a time period to truly judge my friends I sent messages to, but does speak volumes for those that did reply.  Much thanks to Marshall and Tonya for their speedy responses! 

What I found coolest about my short experiment is the reasons for Marshall and Tonya’s fandom.  Marshall’s revolved around the local stations where we grew up and the games he was able to watch, which is the origination of how I grew to be Yankee fan.  My Grandfather started the Yankee tradition for the same reason.   Tonya’s story revolves around family and even one specific moment that is etched in her brain.  My grandfather passed the Yankee tradition to my father, who passed it onto my brother and I, even naming me after Thurman Munson.  Without further adieu, here are their stories…

 Tonya K:

Ok here's my sports message. I'd say one word sums up my loyalty to my teams and that's family. My dad loved to listen to the Twins on the radio. He spent all summer on a tractor and in a time before satellite radio they were his entertainment. As a 9 y/o I saw my dad came home early to watch the Twins in the '87 World Series and with one tv we all watched the Twins.  He was cheering and happy and clapping and I don't remember ever seeing that before.  Four years later it happened again.  After that I could have nothing else to say but we could only talk about the Twins, good, bad or the ugly as a family.  As much as I get frustrated with bad pitching, getting rid of my beloved Morneau, every spring I'm excited for the next season. My dad gave me that loyalty and can't see it changing.

Marshall B

Twins & Vikes- use to watch with my dad mostly the Vikes on Sunday while cleaning the bar.  Braves-James Conlon, daycares older son & the most important part TBS had every Atlanta sport on if they played TBS, also the reason I watched the Hawks growing up.  Bulls WGN had every Bulls home game on watched almost all of them when I was younger. Now still love my Braves don't watch as much I still keep up with them. Twins & Vikes kill me now, love hate relationship. Fighting Sioux hockey for life!

 Thank you to:

Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves and UNDAlumni.org for use of the logos presented...I'd give you more links at the bottom, but that means you didn't read or click above.