It's hard to believe, but September 14th was the 9 year anniversary of Bleeding Yankee Blue. Back then I was just a fan who had some problems with the way Joe Girardi was handling the Yankee bullpen and how the idea of "winning at all costs" wasn't about sitting a better player for a worse one, but WINNING with all you got! And so, frustrated, annoyed and aggravated... I make a blog and posted a story. The story was titled WHY LAST NIGHT WAS IMPORTANT.
That story was then sent to a few friends that had no idea that it was me. With that, a few shares and when I woke up the next day, nearly 30 people had read it. I didn't know them, but it just goes to show that the power of social media is important.
Since then BYB has seen writers come and go, we've sold sweatshirts, shirts, underwear... we've interviewed Yankees present and former... we even built solid relationships. I consider people like Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record a friend. I can email Jack Curry whenever I want. I am friends with Ty Hensley and his lovely family. Mike O'Hara and I are like brothers at this point. Clay Rapada and I keep in touch, Brendan and Sharyn Ryan are my friends... just good people. And being fans of the Sabathias is one thing... but knowing them personally and seeing just how sweet Amber truly is...is just dynamic. I will also always be grateful to Laura and Jorge Posada, who, not only supported BYB back then, but we can still stay in touch and Laura is making her own career now, while Jorge can retire. Hey... and how often do you get to break chops with Bob Lorenz? I know I can whenever I want. Same with Nancy Newman... one of my favs and just an incredible person to boot! Nancy, I owe you a text!
The point is, it may have taken a while, but Bleeding Yankee Blue is legit. We found friends through trust, and that's what we wanted. We wanted our audience to first love us, but then share us, talk about us, all the while allowing us to build solid relationships with regular folks as well as the Yankee family. We wanted a piece of it to call our own, without being snobs... without being ego maniacs.
We've done that!
September 14, 2010 is our 9 year anniversary, but we wouldn't still be doing this if you didn't believe in us. We wouldn't be a thing without my truly diehard writers in Suzie Pinstripe, Jeana Bellezza and Ike Dimitriadis and of course newcomer Missy O'Rourke. They've helped push the brand forward. They've helped find our audience of die-hard readers.
Thank you. Thank you to our amazing audience. You wow me every time. Without your opinions, your likes, you disagreements, your shares and your banter with us, we would not be here. But while blogs like River Ave Blue have called it a day, we don't and that's because of you.
I am forever grateful for your passion for the Yankees and for us. My friendships, even with many of you readers is so incredible to me. Becki, Jessica, Charles, Joey, Rose, Deb, Joan, Doug... and so many of you have made me blessed. I love you all for that bond. It's tight... tighter than I could have ever imagined! I appreciate you.
Life goes pretty fast... but with a bond, friends, I will never feel rushed. It's a steady pace... and we hope to keep going. Why? Because you deserve it and because we love to deliver it to you.
Thanks for being loyal. Happy 9 year Anniversary to us. Wow.
--Robert Casey
BYB Chief and Head Writer
Twitter: @BleednYankeeBlu
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