Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A Brief Interview with Matt Cerrone of Metsblog


Since I am new to the blogging community, I figured it was a good idea to interview someone who had established himself as a professional blogger.

Matthew Cerrone is the mastermind behind the most successful blog on the New York Mets. Metsblog reaches over 3.5 million page views every month, and is widely considered to be the authority on everything Mets. I have been a long time reader of Matt's blog and was ecstatic when he agreed to do an interview with me. All the questions I asked him were pertaining to blogging and I want to thank him for being able to add some insight on what it takes to be a professional blogger, and the blogging community.

Justin: Why did you start blogging? Even more specific, why did you start writing about the Mets in particular?

Matt: I am a Mets fan.  I am not a journalist.  I love the team, and I am not unbiased.  I am very much biased, in fact.  I mean, I’m a fan, that’s the point, I want the Mets to win… don’t we all?  I started the blog as a project in college, back in 2003, and modeled it after some successful political blogs I had been reading.  I love politics, but I chose sports because I was living in DC, and was out of market and disconnected with other fans.  So, the blog was a way to stay up on what the team was doing.  The class ended, people kept reading and so I kept writing.  Traffic grew, but the site was just text, literally, there were no graphics.  John Keegan from PressHarbor.com approached me as he was starting a blog hosting company.  He was a total stranger, yet he took me under his wing, helped me to implement technologies like RSS, comments, etc., and as the site grew and grew, going from 100 readers per day in the first few years to thousands per day in 2006, I took the plunge and used BlogAds and Pajamas Media to make MetsBlog a full-time job.  In 2007, with the site delivering roughly 2.5 million page views per month, I partnered with SNY.

Justin: What do you think are the unique aspects of doing a sports blog as opposed to a blog about books, entertainment, etc.?

Matt: I don’t think there are many differences.  I hear from readers all the time who like to tell me what a blog is ‘supposed to be,’ pointing out how I violate their definition.  The truth is, a blog is just an online space to log your thoughts.  That’s it.  It’s an online journal, or log, i.e., web log, or weblog, or blog.  The biggest difference between blogs is not the subject, but the author.  The key to a successful blog is honesty, it’s about being authentic and having the author be true to who you they are.  I think new bloggers always feel they must be someone else, they try to be an expert, but being an expert is overrated.  Instead, the relationship between reader is writer is what’s most important, it’s about trust and honesty, and so the writer must be this way to have the relationship work.  This is the case no matter what you are writing about, be it politics, pop culture or sports.

Justin: If you had any advice for someone who wanted to start a professional blog, what would it be?

Matt: Be yourself, be patient and work hard, work really, really hard.  Seriously, you’ve got to hustle.  In the end, it’s all about creating compelling, useful, honest content that will resonate with your reader.  For instance, people like to criticize me and say I’m just an RSS reader with a lucky domain name.  That’s fair, I guess, but, why then do I do more traffic than most aggregators, and why are only 15 percent of my readers subscribed to my RSS feed, and where is YankeesBlog.com?  Also, I put in more hours writing MetsBlog today, than I did when I started.  My phone is always on.  I get up at 3 am if a story breaks, and keep at it until whenever is necessary.  Additionally, it took me years to find my voice, to trust I could be me, to listen to criticism, and just keep trucking.  In short, know who you are, be unique, be honest and hustle.

Justin: Did you take any classes to learn the intricacies of blogging, or was it something that you learned along the way?

Matt: I learned along the way, as there was no such thing as a class in blogging, or social media tutorials when I started in 2003.  I have to come learn, as I try to help other build their blogs, that blogging is like surfing, which is very, very difficult to teach someone.  You just have to do it, get out there, write, listen to your audience, and surf the ups and downs of making mistakes… eventually, it starts to click, and you and the audience start to connect.

Justin: What kind of blogs peek your own personal interest? Do you read only sports blogs?

Matt: I am a political junkie, I love reading policy papers, and studying political communication.  So, I read a lot of liberal and conservative blogs, ranging from Frameshop to Daily Kos to Instapundit to Hot Air.  I also enjoy the pop culture, gossip blogs, such as Perez Hilton and The Superficial, not so much for the ‘information,’ or gossip, but because these guys are geniuses at using technology, managing the flow of content and building a brand.  Obviously, I read a ton of blogs about new media, specifically Mashable and Gary Vaynerchuk.  In terms of sports, of course I read Deadspin and Big League Stew, and I admire Neil Best’s Watchdog, who I think has done a fantastic job going from newspaper reporter to blogger.

Justin: Finally, this would not be a sufficient Q & A if I didn't ask at least Mets question. I love Brandon Philips, and I think if he is available this off-season we need to go out and get him for our team. Is there any other second basemen that is/ or might be available this season that the Mets should go after and replace Luis Castillo?

Matt: I have not heard for myself that the team is looking to trade Castillo and replace him with anyone specific, but I think it’s pretty clear based on reports that this is what is happening.  I have to think they’ll look in to Orlando Hudson, and I think the Chone Figgins talk is more about second base than left field.  The team is going to value defense at this position, though, because they know they must be strong up the middle if they plan to win in Citi Field.


Thanks again for the interview Matt!

Again, you can find Matt on Metsblog. You should really check it out!


[Image via Sportable]

Sunday, November 29, 2009

What I'm Reading: Link Round-Up for Monday 11/30


Scotland's The Daily Record reported that Britain's Andy Murray split with his long-time girlfriend Kim Sears. The break-up could explain why Murray didn't make it out of the round robin portion of the Barclay's ATP World Tour Final.

Speaking of the World Tour Final, Nikolay Davydenko defeated Juan Martin Del Potro to win the title of this illustrious event. It seems that my predictions were pretty far off considering I gave Davydenko really no chance to win this event. Either way, I want to say congratulations to Davydenko for being one of the most consistant players on tour and finally winning a major title.

Are you feeling a little bitter that the tennis season as officially ended till January? Well, Peter Bodo, a blogger for ESPN, gives you all the reasons to be thankful for professional tennis. Unfortunately, he rips the lions in the title to his post. We all know they suck Pete, you don't have to make me feel any worse about being a lions fan.

Apparently, The Austrian Open has been removed from the ATP schedule. There was a tennis tournament in Austria? No skin off my back with this news.

Finally, I can't end this post without some Tim Henman love. Another thing we have in common, we both love the Nintendo Wii.

[Image via The Daily Record]

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Federer v. Verdasco Liveblog

6:00|  No such luck seeing Roddick one more time. Now it is time to stop watching the Tennis Channel ,and start watching some football. Thanks for reading my live blog, and have a good night. 


5:58| The post-game report is next, and I am sticking around for one more commercial break to maybe see Andy Roddick again. 


5:57| Federer cruises in his final service game. he won the game at love and locked up the match. He won the final set 6-1. 


5:55| Verdasco finally gets on the board. Nothing to write home about. 5-1 Federer


5:53| This match is so boring now. Verdasco is playing awful.


5:50|  Federer holds serve again. Damnitt Verdasco!!! I knew you were gonna blow it!! 5-0 Federer

5:49| Wow! Verdasco is on the verge of having an epic collapse. Federer breaks Verdasco again easily, and looks to have this match in control. 4-0 Federer.

5:43| I can't stop listening to "Down by the River" by Neil Young.

5:42| I think that was the shortest game of the match. Federer hit four winners in that game to win it without any real resistance. 3-0 Federer


5:41| Federer does break Verdasco in the longest game of the match. It's going to be hard for Fernando to stop the Fed-Express now. 2-0 Federer.


5:39| I have decided the computer screen and the television are making my eyes hurt. I put on some sunglasses to remedy that problem.

5:37| Verdasco fought back hard to force a duece point. 


5:35| Verdasco seems to be in trouble this game. Federer smashed two backhands cross-court that just blew Verdasco off the court.

5:33| Federer won the game at love. He hit an ace to add insult to injury at 40-0. 1-0 Federer.


5:31| Federer will open the third set serving to Verdasco.


5:30| Verdasco had to take a pee break before the second set. Unbelievable they need to get this train-a-movin'.


5:25| Verdasco didn't seem to be handling the pressure in that decisive game. He got broken at 40-15 and lost second set to Federer. First Set: 6-4 Verdasco, Second Set: 7-5 Federer. One more to go.

5:20| Federer pulls the game out. He barely holds serve and Verdasco is looking to close the match out in two sets. 6-5 Federer.

5:18| Verdasco missed a couple very close shots to let Federer go up 40-30. He then forced a duece point.

5:17| Verdasco hits a miracle lob over Federer's head to go up 30-0 on Fed's service game. 


5:16| Verdasco wins a huge point with a Federer unforced error at 30-30.  He then hits a huge forehand to hold serve. 5-5.

5:12|  I see something new every time that Roddick commercial is on. It never gets old.


5:11| Federer holds serve with ease again. Verdasco is really having a tough time winning any points on Fed's serve. 5-4 Federer


5:08| Verdasco rallies to win four points in a row to hold serve. 4-4.


5:06| Federer goes up 0-30. Could be trouble

5:04| Too busy looking up Roddick commercials and forgot to watch this game. 4-3 Federer.

5:03| My new favorite commercial

5:00| Federer plays a really strong game. Verdasco responded nicely with a few big shots on some very important points. Verdasco takes a very tight game. 3-3.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Live Blog: Federer v. Verdasco, Sunday 11/22



The first round of the Barclays ATP World Tour Final is on Sunday.

The two matches are between Andy Murray v. Juan Martin Del Potro, and Roger Federer v. Fernando Verdasco

The Federer match will be on the Tennis Channel at 2:00 PM (EST). I plan on watching the entire match, and relaying my comments on Breaking Back throughout.

I think it will be a lot of fun, and I hope you guys all tune in

[Images via Perunotas and Carine06]

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Preview: Masters Series Event in London


Three days from now the end of the year tournament in London will begin. The Barclays ATP World Tour final is the biggest tournament of the year that is not a Grand Slam event (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and The U.S. Open).

What makes this tournament so exciting is that only the top eight players on the tour get to participate in this final event. Usually this holds true, but this year Andy Roddick had to pull out due to injury, and was thus replaced with the French Open runner-up, Robin Soderling.

The format of the tournament splits the eight players up into two different groups (Group A and B) of four. In those two groups of four players each player plays every other player in that group. The two players from each group with the best record out of the round robin portion of the tournament go to the semi-finals. Who plays who in the semi-finals is determined by the best individual records from the previous round. The player with the best record from group a will play the player with the second best record from group b. And, vice-a-versa.

The groups are organized as such:

Group A:                                                     Group B:
Roger Federer                                             Rafael Nadal
Andy Murray                                                Novak Djokovic
Juan Martin Del Potro                                  Nikolay Davydenko
Fernando Verdasco                                      Robin Soderling

The big question here is who will advance in these specific groups.

The first group presents a lot of problems for the #1 player in the world, Roger Federer. His record against Andy Murray isn't good. Federer has a lot of problems with Murray, especially on the hard courts this tournament will be played on. Also, Federer suffered his most devastating loss of the season at the final of the U.S. Open in September to Juan Martin Del Potro. Despite all of this, I think it is hard to bet against Federer to make it out of this first round.

Murray is coming off of an injury, so it is hard to tell just how well he will play at this event. However, he does have winning records against every player in the group. I think this gives him a great chance, injury or not, to move on.

Winners of Group A: Federer and Murray

The second group is extremely tight as well. Djokovic is coming off a huge win in Paris, and will be tough to beat in this early round. Nadal had a disappointing result in Paris losing to Djokovic in the semi-finals. Davydenko is of no threat to either player in this round, and I believe the same goes for Soderling.

Winners of Group B: Djokovic and Nadal

I believe the semi-finals will shake out like this.

Semi-Finals:
Federer v. Nadal and Murray v. Djokovic

Even though Federer has a losing record against Nadal, I don't believe Nadal is playing his best tennis. This should make things easy for Federer to move on to the finals.

Djokovic and Murray should be a more interesting match, and could really go either way. Murray is the sentimental favorite for me, and he is playing on his home turf in England. However, I think Djokovic is playing too well right now, and will beat Murray in a tough three-set affair.

Finals:
Federer v. Djokovic

Even though Federer has had the better of Djokovic throughout their careers, I think Djokovic will take the title. He has had the better of Federer recently, and beat him the last time they met in Switzerland.

Winner:
Novak Djokovic

Nevertheless, this tournament should be excitng.

I hope to live blog one of the matches next week. I will be trying to live blog during the final match whomever maybe involved in it.

[Image via InfoTennis]

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Maybe I Should Mellow Out a Bit


In an earlier post I listed six particular songs that helped to pump me up before a big match.

All the songs I listed were really heavy, and don't really reflect my actual taste in music. So, the question I have to ask myself is why do I like listening to this heavy rock music before a match, and not something more mellow?

I guess it has something to do with the fact that the heavy rock music gives me more energy and gets me excited to start playing. There might be a problem with listening to these songs is it gets me too hyped up, and I cannot relax while I am playing my match.

So, the next time I play tennis I will listen to six completely different songs that I really love which might mellow me out and help me to focus on playing my game. The six songs I will listen to are listed below.

1. The Meeting Place: The Last Shadow Puppets
2. Fluorescent Adolescent: Arctic Monkeys
3. Dear God: Mosnters of Folk
4. Dig a Little Deeper: The Watson Twins
5. Ragged Wood: Fleet Foxes
6. The Great American Smokeout: The Snake The Cross The Crown


[Image Via I Am MintCondition]

Monday, November 16, 2009

What I'm Reading: Link Round-Up for Monday 11/16


This weekend held the final of the last Masters Series event in Paris before the year end round robin event in London.

Novak Djokovic narrowly beat Gael Monfils in a three set thriller. Monfils had a good shot at taking this match down, and I think he is finally starting to come into his own.

Next week is the beginning of the end of the year Masters Event in London. Only the top 8 ranked players in the world qualify for the tournament.

The tournament should be exciting considering all the big names that will be playing in this event. The complete list of players includes Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, and Djokovic.

The Bleacher Report provides a preview on the event. The article thinks Djokovic has a good shot at it being the defending champion.

For more information, Ricky Dimon at Tennis Talk will write a preview of what we can expect to see from every player at the final tournament. He starts with profiling Fernando Verdasco.


I just can't see Federer not winning this event, even though he went out early in Paris. His only real challenge would come from Andy Murray, but he seems to still be suffering from a lingering injury.


Speaking of Federer, Paul Kimmage of the Times Online writes a great article on Federer's life as a new father. It's nice to see just how human these professionals really are.


Plus, Tim Henman is mentioned. Yeah!

[Image via Sports Illustrated]