I Cant Hide, No.

What to do with this blog? Some say I take things too far (I disagree) while others say I dont go far enough (too bad). I have long been fascinated with the general idea of the public eye. For all I care the public eye could go blind and I would be just the same. The idea that there is an obligation for those in the spotlight, no matter how dimly lit, owe the public "something" is absolutely beyond me. It frightens me to think what is going to happen with the rest of my career no matter how irrelevant publicly I think (or know) I am people will still demand things from me. I apologize in advance but I dont feel that I owe anybody that doesnt know me anything. I dont owe stories and I dont owe answers. I am not owned by anyone and I dont own anybody else.

Why cant things just be as they are? Why is there this incessant demand to be in the "know"? I'm in the know and let me tell you it isnt anything spectacular. It just is. Maybe it's because Im not a sports fan I dont identify with the idea of needing to know everything that goes on. I just take things as they are and deal with them. I dont fault anyone when I dont know something and if I really want to research something I do it on my own. I never demand answers from strangers and since I began this experiment I have gotten letter after letter demanding more. More clarity, more answers, more explanations, more more more! Well there isnt more. There isnt anything else. This is as good as things are going to get and it isnt going to change. Take this all for what it is or dont. Keep reading or leave me to my rantings. It's all the same to me.

I started this blog to do two things. Clear my head (check!) and help give fans a glimpse (only a glimpse) on what life is really like for someone working in the sports business without any filters. No delusions of grandeur, no idyllic love of sport, just facts as the way the unfold through my eyes. If it's not enough then I'm sorry to have disappointed but it is what it is. The fact that I discuss whatever it is I discuss here does not give people the right to harass or berate me for not giving the people what they want. I am not doing this for personal gain and I am not doing this for PR. If anything the vast majority of the PR has been negative, so there's that.

Thats the rant. I will keep this thing going for a while I would imagine. Come as you are.

J

Don't F**k Around, Man. This Is Serious. One More Hour In This Town And I'll Kill Somebody!

My last night in vegas for a while. 18 hour days every day for what seems like an eternity. Wake up at planet hollywood end up in the bellagio. Taxi to the civic center, taxi back to the bellagio, and crash into planet hollywood. Meetings with companies, meetings with teams, meetings in hallways, meetings in suites. Trades and trade shows, interviews and tv. It's one big blur and it's all happening in the Las Vegas.

Finished the majority of my work (still have two players that are free agents), did my first interview with baseball america (which will be out hopefully sunday in the MJC in milwaukee) Got good news on players, bad news on other players, finished endorsement deals, and am awaiting the rule 5 draft that is in 8 hours.

I ran into Mark Shapiro at the bellagio, introduced myself, and he said he had read my quotes/blog. A jarring experience but it is what it is. I find it amazing that anyone reads this but I guess I appreciate it. Im just writing a stream of thought trying to clear my head every so often in an attempt to deal with arguably the most bizarre career I could ever find. Strange happenings and dangerous magic appear at every corner. Im here for the long haul

See you on the road


Peace Love


J

I’ll Take A Quiet Life,A Handshake,Some Carbon Monoxide

The world series of my job, the biggest show, the finest point, the top of the mountain, the greatest joy, my highest thrill, and its only 96 hours long. Im headed to Vegas and I am going to the Winter Meetings again. It's all work and no play this time. I have no time for games, this is serious work for a serious man. I take this job seriously and I know this week is all serious. This is serious business and I am serious when I say that I will act serious the entire time I am out there. Hundreds of vendors, 30 teams, hundreds of people, and even some subhuman other agents. I will see them there and that will sum up my interaction with that group. I will charm it up, speak clearly, smile, dress well, talk fast, be smart, have lots of energy and most importantly I will get the job done. I will go out there and achieve every goal I have set and I will best every milestone I have already done. This will be a special year for a special agency and a special group of clients. 3 hours until I have to wake up. See you at the rule 5 draft.

Mahalo

J

And I Forget Just Why I Taste Oh Yeah I Guess It Makes Me Smile

Javier Brito signed with the Seattle as did Mel Stocker. Chad Blackwell is an Angel and Im working hard to get a couple other guys free agent deals. Handling the offseason as well as can be expected. Winter Meetings is in 10 days, Vegas, my home away from home. This trip at least, Tao, JET and Ghost Bar will all wait. Work is the priority. 16 hour days, no sleep, tireless work, and nothing but meetings and phone calls, bad food, bad tv, snoring, sleeping on couches, wearing a tie, drinking walgreens vitamin water, and swallowing about 500 suppliments. I cant freaking wait. Trying to write more so this one will be short.

Mahalo

J

Skin The Sun Fall Asleep

You learn quickly the things you're good at in life. Whether it be sports, math, science, speaking etc... you learn fast and you stick with them to see how far each respective skill can take you. I can talk and I can write. Im good at alot of things but sometimes it's the things I fail at, with shocking regularity, that I want more than anything. You give up many things to do this job. The idea of a family, the idea of a normal life, the idea that you could just stop at any given time and just say "forget this, Im doing something else". I love my job, but sometimes the things I miss out on do hurt. It's constant and sharp but sadly, and I dont know what this says about me, I wouldnt really change a thing about my life. I wish certain things were more of a part of it, but generally I am happy. It's interesting trying to put together a personal life to go with my job, but I try hard. I have had girlfriends and I even almost got married once but it takes a special kind of woman to understand this job. Im thankful for all the women out there that actually put up with people like me that work in sports. You deserve far more credit than you get and Im saying thank you right here, right now before I forget for another 365 days.

Have a good thursday vacation.

Mahalo

J

Leave You Where I Found You, I Figured You Out

Another exhausting day. Players returned home from the fall league, working on endorsements, making calls for free agents and preparing for the winter meetings. I have literally not slept all that well for the last few weeks preparing for that trip but all the preparation will make it worth it.

Got to pour over the rule 5 protection lists. One major surprise for me at least, but all in all what I expected to see.

Bourne Ultimatum is finally on Hbo. Thank god.

Light night, Im tired.

Mahalo

J

This is a song Elliott Smith gave to Mary Lou Lord

Don't Complicate My Piece Of Mind While I'm Balancing My Past

I finally got through my password issues and can now officially start blogging again (time permitted) This is an exciting and time consuming time for any agent worth their salt but then again there are fools in every field. Then again, the good Dr. Thompson always said "He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.” Moving on. I am dealing with Free Agency, preparing for the winter meetings in Las Vegas (I cant believe that this is a good idea, prepare for some alcohol induced trades)and everything else that I do every day of the week. I signed another Brewers prospect from the Fall League beating out many other "established" agents in addition to getting ready for Thursday, the day 40 man rosters are set. We'll see what happens, but we did have a Yankee client added to their roster this month.

I just moved to Ft. Lauderdale with my dear friend from high school. It's got a movie theater vibe to it. I have always collected signed movie posters and have proudly displayed my signed posters from.... Pulp Fiction, Memento, The Big Lebowski, Gangs of New York, 21 Grams, The Dark Knight (ledger is on it) Chasing Amy, Sin City, Reservoir Dogs, and 28 Days Later. Watch all these movies NOW if you havent seen them.

I got to talk to Barry Melrose former head coach of the TB Lightening the day before he got fired and had one of the most bizarre exchanges of all time. I'm ESPN's John Buccigross's agent. Bucci and Melrose worked together on NHL2NIGHT. I told Melrose when I met him I was John's agent to which he replied...."You must be a miracle worker since John still has a job." I called Bucci and let him know what Melrose said to which he replied...."Melrose will get fired before I do!" Well 24 hours later Melrose was in fact fired and Bucci still has a job. I cant help but feel responsible. Or not.

Also got picked to GM a historical fantasy baseball team for seamheads.com I have no idea what the hell I'm doing but Im in good company though I failed in an epic fashion selecting the marlins/drays

http://www.seamheads.com/league/html/ownerdirectory.html is the link to the league.

Thats about it,


I found this amazing cover of my favorite song on earth so take it for what its worth. I have no clue who this guy is but he nailed it.