diaries are better left "unsaid". What a Jackass.

are not journalists. Thats the point of blogs, a different perspective. A different option than the mainstream media. That said. Blez can be both a fan and a conduit for inside access to our beloved A's.

..if Blez was objective.  

This is an A's site....screw the rest of 'em!

I love AN.

Just the way it is.

Thanks to Blez for putting this thing together and sharing his experiences with us.

is entitled to they're own opinion....(at least thats my belief.)

personally i throughly enjoyed reading what happened when blez was on his trip to the a's camp.

some opinions may differ  but we all can agree on one simple thing about this site.

we appreciate and love the hard work that blez puts into AN and thank him for everything he's done.

that's my two cents

Blez said he is a fan first and he writes from the heart. This is an A's fan site and most of us have the same feelings.  That's why we are here.  We cannot be objective.  The wicked witch of the east would be beautiful if she was part of the A's family.  We will not hide our feelings because that is who we are.  We came to AN to live with the A's, win or tie.  Blez has shared a majic moment in his life and we are greatful he shared it with us.  

If to wear your heart on your sleeve means to get chastized by one who doesn't understand, so be it.

Some jealousy creeping in. So Southo how would you have written up the trip? I for one wished it was me, who would have thought of the site, gotten good with the A's brass and was able to run around with a press pass asking questions, causing habic, showing respect for those who deserve it. He gets respect because he gives respect. Having T's handy is a sign of class, of someone that get's it. Having the players, Gammons and Beane on the site once in awhile, is good for all of us. They are his bread and butter, because he get's to enjoy it and we get the results.

Good job Blez, we all wish we were in your shoes right now.

First things first, this is a great site, and whenever I need to find out something about the A's or just read about them, this is the first place I come. That being said, I think a little more objectivity could really benefit the site. As much as I like to hear that Houston Street is a great guy, I also would maybe like to find out why he has stuggled a little bit lately. In the same extent I do feel that Beane is held in maybe a little bit to high of a regard, considering some recent moves (Rhodes stands out in my mind), have been less then steller. It's great that you guys all like and support the site so much, but if nothing else, do not jump on this guy just becuase he wants to voice his opinion.

When I was hanging out after the Sunday Giants A's game Q was talking to everyone who wanted to. My son was waiting to interview him and I figured heck, I'll get him to sign my ticket for my buddy who is a huge fan of his.

I borrowed a pen from someone next to me and instantly dropped it.

Wouldn't you know it.

After a couple of minutes he bent down and picked it up, then did the interview for Forrest and signed my ticket.

That is one of the impressions I was left with after the whole 4 day trip.

As a fan, I became more of one, because it showed the humanity in a world where at times we lose sight of that.

So, Blez, I am right there with you bro.

Baseball needs more of us. The fans covering the sport. Writers that bleed green and gold and do not toe the stupid ass company line.

Ummm... I don't know about anyone else, and I have been reading only since last January, but since when has Blez claimed to be objective?  I would argue that Blez has never and never will be ojective when it comes to Athletics Nation, and the A's.  And, that is the way it should be.

Is this not a Fan Site, and should not a Fan Site be run by a Super Fan?  Hell Yes!

If Billy quits he will make new T-shirts.

Southofcruiseamerica brings up some good points. The "In Billy We Trust" mantra runs thin. I like to think we are all free people (at least as much as the government will let us). Billy creates a book. HE has some other guy write it. Now, Blez sets up a place we all go to translate it for us. My God! It is frightening to see so many criticize another persons opinion for being different (one of the concepts that made BB).

The egos here are fed with comments about the players/sportswriters coming to the site. With all respect to Michael Urban (and others), some regulars here provide more insightful analysis.  Then MU posts a comment and posters go crazy for more of MU. I think we are selling the diaries and our own comments short.

Perhaps this is all pointless. Blez never pretends to be anything more than a fan. I think we can all agree that he has enhanced our Athletic fan experience. And, like others have said, it is his site. He can do whatever he wants.

Yes! I agree with the poster. AN would be better served if Blez had just posted a photo of himself holding up the box score from the SF Chronicle. I just want the facts, not a well-written description that makes me feel like I was at spring training or personally met the players. Sheesh, Blez.

Its quite clear that Athletics Nation is nothing more than gushing fandom of Billy Beane!

The worst part is that BB has done nothing to deserve such loyalty. Blez and AN readers act like competing with the likes of the Yankees, Sox and Angels with a quarter of their payroll is some kinda challenge. Happens all the time, people.

Also, I'm a huge Billy Beane fan.

So...

...obviously, I think Billy's dog is cute b/c I'm a huge fan of the owner.

Makes sense to me.

This is the greatest blog in the world.

and energy that it is hard to say it is "just" a fan's site that some guy called Blez nurtured along.

That is exactly where it started but it now takes Big Steps forward where there really is no precedent, no guide.

AN is defining itself in front of us, and we are defining AN as we all participate and bring our past time to greater enjoyment, and "closer" than ever in history.

How many groups, clubs, or associations have the officials & players of their affections as regular participants? How many have the professional media celebs in their industries participating WITH them? How many can "meld" with the object of their fascination becoming a dynamic part of it in the process?!!!!

AN does.

Unofficially, AN is becoming a very real extension of the A's AND the fans, as viewer and viewed become an extension of each other's family, as viewer and viewed enjoy a closeness that only this technology could bring.

Blez is the one! Blez has pioneered a new American cultural hybrid. It goes past journalistic tradition because every reader at AN is a contributing journalist in his own right, and the traditional "reader".

AN is like reading a book, but this book talks back to us, corrects us, scolds us, retorts, exhilerates, prompts, praises, reports, rejects, joins, admonishes, envies, shares, hates, loves, scorns, exhorts, one ups, and ignores us!

Spontaineously!

AN's "dynamic" will definitely grow in popularity and be copied in other cities and other sports. AN is cutting edge and a "newsmaker" by it's own merits, and in it's own right. AN's big problem in the future won't be issues of integrity or ethics but the strain of remaining as independent and dynamic as AN is today.

Folks, you are enjoying America's online "Sports Bar & Lounge"
... you are invited to participate,
...we think you will like it!

Thanks Blez!

some good posts in here. First, in my humble opinion, the purpose of the diary was to take a shot at Blez, and bring the wrath of most An'ers. So in my view, he's a jackass. Second, the FCC allows that word, and people drop F bombs in here all the time. If he doesn't like the site, he can go elsewhere. If he had questions about the site, he can ask Blez, he's pretty accessible. People post diaries all the time that I don't agree with, but that's what is great about AN. But, if I feel someone is just typing garbage just to take a shot at someone, I will respond. He posted a diary, and I responded. He better watch out though, I might call him a horse's ass or an ass clown next time. Now that's a hardcore insult. Anyway, I apologize for the comment. Go A's.

i can't stand people with no common sense!!!!!!
(thats the best i can do with no swear words)

Is this guy demanding "objectivity" or less optimism? Well, this is Blez' blog and Blez is a naturally optimistic person, as far as I can tell. People who want to b*tch more than they want to feel good about the A's should start their own harsh, cynical blog. Though something tells me it would never be as popular as AN.

Sorry, "It has to be done."

>"Somebody has to say it..."

No...nobody has to say it.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that no one has to say anything.  But that's just the literal (read: anal) criticism.  What you mean to say is not only that other people are agreeing with your opinion, but that you feel compelled to be their spokesperson, and that the opinion you are about to express is important enough that it "has" to be said.  Except it isn't, and you aren't that important.  Sorry.  Hate to break it to you.

>"Tyler, I am glad that your spring training trip turned out so well.  You provide an excellent service to A's fans everywhere and I cannot imagine how tough it is to do with a newborn and normal job.  "

This is the "Oh I will write nice pleasant things here because I don't want people to rip me for what I'm about to say right after I insert one of the following propositions: but, however, on the other hand, unfortunately, et. al."  But they are nice sentiments, so they bear repetition.  Blez, this site rocks.  Good work.  More power to ya.

>"However, enough already with the hero worship.  The "In Billy We Trust" motto ruins a perfectly good t-shirt.  Does that mean you will shut down the site if Billy leaves?"

Actually, the "In Billy We Trust" motto has been spoken aloud by hundreds, if not thousands, of A's fans.  And an even greater number, while never having said the exact phrase, probably agree with the sentiment it conveys.  And, as someone else pointed out, Blez wouldn't have made it into a t-shirt unless there was enough response.  The guy is trying to run a business.  A business based on a team he loves, yes, but a business nonetheless.  If he didn't get enough fan response, he never would have printed the shirts.  

Oh, by the way, blez has stated on several occasions that he would be sad if Beane left, but would know that the franchise would be in good hands because David Forst would be next in line to run it.  And even if somehow the entire front office was gutted: we root for the laundry.

>"Huston Street picked up your pen?  Billy's wife is 'beautiful'?  Please.  You are making some of us cringe."

Yes, Huston Street picked up his pen.  And he made the point that Huston Street is polite.  Example: When he dropped his pen, Huston Street didn't hesitate to pick it up for him.  God forbid Tyler should make a judgment on Street's character based on his actions.  It's just plain good manners to pick up something someone else has dropped.  It's right up there with helping old ladies cross the street, or giving directions to someone who is lost.

And some of us didn't know that Billy Beane's wife was hawt.  So hey, it's news to us.  Good to know.  I'll be sure to bring it up with him the next time we have a meeting.  "Hey Billy, Tyler tells me your wife is foine.  Got any pics?"

>"Mentioning to AN readers that players and broadcasters visit the site?  Better left unsaid or at least assumed."

Why?  Why is it better left unsaid or assumed?  You keep saying things and making statements without providing any rationale behind them.  It's like saying "The grass is green."  Thanks for your input, Captain Obvious.  Is there a reason that you're making these statements, or do you just want to say them "because they have to be said"?

>"Ripping on the MSM for asking A's players non-team related questions and then posing for photos with A's personnel like a Superfan?  You can't have it both ways, even if you hide behind the `blogger' curtain.  Otherwise, your overall objectivity will soon be in question if it isn't already."

He ripped the mainstream media (which is what I'm going to assume was what you meant with the universally used acronym "MSM") because they were there to report on Spring Training, and hence, baseball, when not one of them asked a single baseball-related question.

Blez isn't there to be objective.  He's there to be an A's fan, and to give other A's fans information that they might not get from the "objective" news sources.

The fact of the matter is that Tyler isn't the one who is confused.  You are.  You make the (extremely implicit, might I add) claim that somehow Tyler is "not doing his job" or is "being hypocritical" when he reports things like how Huston Street is polite or how he thinks Billy Beane's wife is beautiful.  Hello McFly, that is his job.  This is an A's blog.  It's a center for all things A's-related.  It's not an "objective source for news."  It's where A's fans go to get gossip and inside scoops and argue about rumors and who should play second base and why Wash would or wouldn't make a good manager.

And yes, we like to know that "MSM" broadcaster-types and A's players and even His-Freakin-Holiness Billy Beane himself visits this syte.  Why?  Because this site is, gasp, about the A's.  We, as A's fans, visit this site.  It's just plain "cool information" to know that the guys who you cheer for on the field, and well-known A's-related broadcasters, know about this site and visit it as well.  If you were a fan of a movie star, and you visited his fan-site daily, wouldn't it be cool for you to know that the guy himself actually visits the site, too?

Tyler isn't a journalist.  He's not a news caster.  He is not a reporter.  He's just an A's fan, trying to run an A's fansite, and trying to make a living off of it.  That's it.

I hate to break it to you, but you have no idea what you're talking about.  You might, just might, have had a point if Tyler had gone to journalism school or was a reporter for a newspaper.  But he's not.  So you don't.