• Since the Last Time the Yankees Made it to the World Series…(2024)

    A lot of my friends would describe me as a die hard Yankee fan. I try to watch every single pitch of the 162 game season, and I live for the playoffs.

    Growing up in the 1990s, I got spoiled. They won the World Series 4 times during my most formative years.

    It’s been 15 years since the Yankees made it the World Series — and a lot has happened. I:

    • Started a left the 2 jobs I had where I wasn’t self-employed
    • Met, started dating, and married Erin (Erin was floored that the Yankees have never made it to the WS since we met each other)
    • Moved 5 times
    • Bought our first house
    • Had 3 kids
    • Started all of my podcasts
    • Stopped doing web development and coach people now
    • Watched the Giants win their most recent Super Bowl
    • Ran* 2 half marathons and a 10K
    • Wrote 5 books
    • Started smoking cigars

    …and my parents sold our childhood home. Before the World Series start, my brothers and I are helping them move out, and into their new house in upstate NY.

    I try to be honest with myself in these posts — and if I’m being honest, it’s been a tough couple of months.

    One of the reasons I love baseball is that it’s an escape. And while I don’t think anyone who’s seen my watch baseball would say it relaxes me, it’s something I can really get into for 3-4 hours.

    I’m so excited to see this team in the World Series. Whether it’s against the Mets, in Subway Series 2.0**, or the Dodgers, whom they’ve seen 11 times in the World Series but not since 1981*** — I can’t wait for some incredible, late October baseball.

    *Ran is generous. I participated in and completed 2 half marathons and a 10K
    **The Yankees won the last time, in 2000.
    ***They lost that one, and it started the last 15 year WS drought

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    The Yankees and the World Series

    Celebration

    Since the last time the Yankees went to the World Series in 2003 I’ve: Graduated college (MS and BS), started a company, grew my business, and much more. Since the last time they won in 2000 I’ve: graduated high school, started web design, started programming, started driving, and much much more.

    This is the Yankees 4th trip to the Fall Classic this decade, and the 7th in my lifetime, winning 4 of them. Some people would said I’m spoiled; that I’m lucky my team has made and won it even once in my lifetime, something a lot of people I know probably can’t say, and definitely couldn’t say by the time they were 11. But I’m a Yankees fan and I thank God for that. I say that because I was born in NY, and my allegiance had to lie within the state. And it just so happens that my grandmother grew up a few blocks away from the stadium. Both my parents are Yankee fan and so am I.

    Because of this, I expect more- not because I’m an asshole, but because of our history. With Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Thurmon Munson, Reggie Jackson, Don Mattingly, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and so many more, how can we not be the best? And this team is the best we’ve had since our record breaking 1998 team. I see a lot of parallels- the camaraderie, the veterans, the great young talent, the raw power, and the drive. It’s not a given that we will win every game, but we don’t count ourselves out and we know that we can win every game- especially now.

    So to the Phillies (and their fans) I say bring it on. And to the Yankees and their fans: let’s finish this decade that same way we started it- with a championship.

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    Since the Last Time I Went to a Yankees Postseason Game

    Yanks 10

    Since 1998, the last time I went to a Yankees Postseason game (Game 1 vs. the Texas Rangers in the ALDS, to be exact), I’ve:

    • Watched the Yankees enter 5 and win 3 World Series
    • Graduated grammar school
    • Entered and graduated high school
    • Started, stopped, and started again playing the drums
    • Had 2 surgeries: 1 on my hip and 1 on my shoulder
    • Started driving
    • Held at least 11 different jobs (some concurrently, I didn’t get get hired and fired a lot)
    • Got my Bachelor’s in Media/Info Tech with a minor in CS
    • Got my Master’s in Software Engineering
    • Started my own freelance web design/development operation
    • Started a web applications company
    • Saw my first concert
    • Saw 50+ more
    • Gone to Ireland
    • Totaled a car
    • Got my thesis published

    Wow. It’s been 11 years, and a lot has happened! I’m very excited to go to Game 6 (whether it’s tonight or tomorrow). Let’s go Yankees!

  • Since the Last Time I Saw Blink 182

    blink 182

    Since 2001, the last time I saw Blink 182 live (in my first ever concert experience), I’ve…

    • Learned how to develop websites
    • Gone to over 50 other concerts
    • Started my own freelance business
    • Graduated High School
    • Gone to Ireland
    • Totaled a car
    • Held six different jobs
    • Graduated College with my Bachelor’s
    • Started and Finished my Masters in Software Engineering
    • Got my thesis published
    • Started a company with a friend

    I saw them last night in Philly and they were great- I was really excited to see them again after 8 years and they did not disappoint. Travis even topped his drum solo from last time. To get my thoughts from last night on Twitter, you can use this handy search query. If you were there, let me know what you thought!

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    Since the Giants last made it to the Super Bowl

    NY Giants

    Since 2000, the last time the Giants made it to the Super Bowl I’ve…

    • Learned how to develop websites
    • Started and stopped playing drums
    • Gone to my first concert
    • Gone to over 50 other concerts
    • Started my own business
    • Graduated High School
    • Gone to Ireland
    • Totaled a car
    • Held five different jobs
    • Graduated College
    • Started my Masters in Software Engineering

    It’s been a while. Let’s do this.