Spheroid: The Baseball Collector
We just decided to start a new feature on the MLBlogosphere. It's called "Spheroids", which is what we are all here. We'll feature Spheroids like you on an ongoing basis to tell you a little more about your fellow baseball bloggers out there. First up to answer our Nine Questions is Zack Hample, who has snagged almost as many baseballs as Omar Vizquel. You know The Baseball Collector, but how well do you know him?
Why do you blog?
I admit it: I love having an audience. In fact, knowing that I had one last season actually motivated me to go to some extra games (and snag extra balls) that I normally would've skipped.
What was your favorite post?
September 29, 2005 was the greatest baseball day of my life, and I captured it in my blog with words and especially the photos. Check it out.
What is the strangest blogging experience you've ever had?
Being hundreds of miles from home and having fans recognize me at games BECAUSE they'd read my blog.
Favorite blogs, including at least one at MLBlogs:
Baseball Heckler, Diamonds are for Humor, Inside Pitch, DA BRONX BOMBERS (even though I could live without the Bombers themselves), The Talented Mr. Roto's Daily TRUM...and this MLBlogosphere blog is clearly a top prospect.
What would you be doing if you weren't blogging?
I spend a LOT of time on my blog, so...wow, many things. More Scrabble and music and reading. More exercise, too. More women (ideally). I'd learn to cook, and I'd take up karate. I'd read other people's blogs more. I'd sleep more. Basically, I'd be a more well-rounded/rested human being.
Where do you think the blogosphere is going?
I'm excited for MLBlogs. I've had my blog going practically since the beginning. That was just a year ago, and now the whole network is MUCH bigger and better.
Favorite team and why?
I don't have a favorite team. I used to be a Mets fan, but then I found myself rooting against them so that Shea would be emptier so that I could catch more balls. So now, I just identify as a "baseball fan." Or maybe "baseballs fan" would be more accurate. I've always rooted for individuals over teams. Cal Ripken, Jr. remains my all-time favorite.
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I've never tasted Coke or Pepsi or a McDonald's french fry.
Happiness is . . .
...doing whatever I want whenever I want and not feeling guilty or worrying about the consequences.
Zack's photo albums are worth a look if you haven't seen them, too. During last season, we made the one below into a 466x200 panel on the top of the MLBlogs.com homepage to promote his blog. We'll keep an eye out for yours, and look here for more Spheroids.
"I've never tasted Coke or Pepsi or a McDonald's french fry."
Why? =)
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I think he actually has 2,737 balls
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Are the spheroids daily? If so I can't wait to read each day
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Will try to do these as often as possible, Opening Day workload willing around here. :)
Everyone please do this: Just copy those 9 questions above, and email them to mlblogosphere@yahoo.com with your own answers. Include your name and your MLBlog URL. I have emailed a handful of bloggers but that's even easier on this end. Thanks!
Mark/MLB.com
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Current total is reflected on current 466 on the MLBLogs.com homepage. That image above appeared after we launched last season.
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how did you get mlblogs to show that picture on the front page?
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I'm responsible for MLBLogs.
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THOMAS-
I wasn't allowed to drink soda when I was little. At one point, though, I snuck a sip of 7UP on a picnic with my best friend's family, and I hated it. I realized it was the carbonation that bothered me the most, so I've pretty much stayed away from soda (and all carbonated beverages) since. I mean, I've had sips of stuff here and there, but I just happened to never try Coke or Pepsi...so now, at this point, I'm making a point of NOT trying them. It's not hard. I'm not curious. I'm pretty sure I'd hate the flavor, too. Just last week, I had my first ever sip of root beer (and didn't care for it). Crazy, huh? As for McDonald's, fast food was also not a part of my childhood. My parents never took me there, and they told me how nasty it was, decades before "Supersize Me" and "Fast Food Nation" existed. I guess you could say I was trained to avoid it. Once, on an overnight trip at sleep-away camp, the whole group stopped at McDonald's, and the counselors literally made me eat because they were worried that I'd get hungry later. I didn't want to. I thought it was going to be disgusting—and I was right. I took one bite of the burger and nearly got sick. That remains my only lifetime bite of McDonald's. I swear I'm not a health freak. I just avoid what I dislike, and luckily enough for me, I happen to dislike a lot of unhealthy stuff. I've never tried a cigarette either. But, living in NYC, I make up for it by inhaling two buses per day.
CHADLE-
I'm up to 2,752 balls now...but yeah, that artwork was from the middle of last season, well before I reached my final/current total.
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Man, I wish I had a blog...
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hey mark - can spheroids be organic? Looks like fun! See you around
murray
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Murray, no one would know that better than you! Loved the lawn-tips post at http://groundskeeper.mlblogs.com -- it was the MLBlogs homepage panel for most of today.
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Hey Zack ... thanks for the mention!
The "Collector" is one of my fave blogs on mlb.com (gotta work on the "blogs" links on my site).
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You're welcome!
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What Up Zack!
Thanks for the mention --- Your MLBlog was the one that inspired me to start blogging.
I am a huge Baseball Collector blog fan and for those of you that missed one of my animation tributes to our good friend Zack, you can catch it here:
http://daboogiedownbronx.mlblogs.com/da_bronx_bombers/files/zack.mov
It's OK that you are not a Bombers fan - it's cool.
Best wishes for another stellar season!
Gabriel
DA BRONX BOMBERS
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Thanks, Gabriel! Even though I don't root for Da Bombers as a whole, I love a LOT of their players and therefore enjoying watching the team play. And so, I'll say it: good luck to you and them this year.
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