I Figured You Out

One of the hardest things about being in the profession that I have chosen to be in is the fact at any given point in time you will be known. I have always been painfully embarassed about any level of recognition I have received professionally. I love the idea that I can go in and do my job and that it. No accolades, no prestiege, just do your freaking job and go home. The players sign autographs, the players become famous, and the agent just goes home to watch the simpsons, top chef or whatever the hell else is on TV. I have never once in my career looked upon something I have done as transcendent. I have never felt special or unique. I just do my job and go home. Lately, especially during spring training more and more fans have recognized me and I have felt a high degree of embarrassment. I am beyond honored for all the support everyone has given me but again to be honest, I am totally embarrassed by it. For whatever it's worth to anyone reading this, thank you.

If this blog is a stream of consciousness then I may as well continue to be honest. I ended my long distance relationship today. There is only so much one man is equipped to deal with and for me at the very least lying isnt one of the things I handle well. I dont ask for much but I would at least hope for the truth. Once that trust has been breached its gone forever and as tragic as it may seem, it can never ever be reclaimed. I was unbelievably crazy about my girlfriend, but it's finally over for good. God willing its for the best.

Had a night out on the town tonight to help get me in better spirits. It didnt work but I totally appreciate the efforts of my awesome roommate and dear friends that came out. I have work in the morning and soon Im off to Arizona. No matter what I bitch about at the end of the day I really do love my job

Peace Love Empathy

JAK

Leave A Blanket Of Ash On The Ground

This one "man" parading around as an "agent" here in florida is a constant source of entertainment for me. One of the most important things with regard to being an agent is picking one sport and sticking with it. This "Genius" thinks its a great idea to do every sport on earth/modeling/etc..... You have to be able to identify talent when you're an agent. Im not talking about using a magazine or a list, you have to be able to go to a game and say, that kid right there is going to be a real something one day. You have to do it all by yourself because nobody who knows how to do that will ever do it for you. This "agent" thought it would be a great idea to text me and ask me how good a certain player was the other day because he thinks for some unexplainable reason that we're "friends". I had gotten amazingly positive reviews on this player and had been in contact with him much earlier in the year and was trying my hardest to budget some money for him so I could go ahead and sign him. We cleared up our budget literally a week ago and signed two players and I was all ready to get things going with this player that this "agent" had asked me about before this "agent" had even texted me. This proves my lesson of the year. If you're an agent, dont be friends with other agents. Im signing this kid and I couldnt care less what happens to the other guy but he's going to take this all personal (which it partially is because he's a moron and has an ego even larger than mine but with far less substance). If we're competing and you're up against me, Im going to win. I hate losing and I am most definitely not losing to a total shell of an agent. Guys like him do the business a disservice and worst of all he's only doing this job to become famous and most likely because he's a fan. I love fans, but if you're in this business it's a luxury that isnt afforded to you. The game is black and white and the sides are clearly divided. Us against them and we are going to take that money any way possible. It's cold and it's dark but it's the reality of what really happens. I wish more fans became agents like this joker. It would make my job far easier.

Im Worse At What I Do Best

An absolutely insane amount of work going on lately. No time for anything else at all. Had dinner with a big group of guys last night down in Jupiter. Expensive but very entertaining.

Luis Pena was claimed off waivers by the Mariners and is still on the 40 man. I worked hard for Luis this week and it was nice to see all the efforts pay off. Doesnt hurt that Jack Z is in Seattle but I still would love to believe I had something to do with him ending up there.

Meeting with prospective draft guys this week. God freaking bless the Andy Oliver case.


Mahalo
J

The Earth Turned to Bring Us Closer

The Earth Turned to Bring Us Closer

The earth turned to bring us closer,it spun on itself and within us,and finally joined us together in this dreamas written in the Symposium. Nights passed by, snowfalls and solstices;time passed in minutes and millennia.An ox cart that was on its way to Nineveharrived in Nebraska.A rooster was singing some distance from the world,in one of the thousand pre-lives of our fathers.The earth was spinning with its musiccarrying us on board;it didn't stop turning a single momentas if so much love, so much that's miraculouswas only an adagio written long agoin the Symposium's score.

Everyone Will Go

Was at a freaking 25-2 baseball game that would never end most of my night. While there I was sitting with a 24 year old agent who I have mildly come to know this year. He knows me substantially more than I know him. We talked he asked questions but my question to everyone is, why would I ever answer his questions truthfully? Sure he meant well and I am sure he works hard but I dont worry about guys like him. Guys like him no matter how hard they try or what they know come and go quickly. You either have the "it" factor or you dont. Nice guys die in this rat race. I told him if I ever talked to one of his guys it was nothing personal. Fun.

Luis Pena was DFA'd today. 10 days to trade or release him. This was a huge surprise but I am hopeful this comes to a beneficial resolution quickly. It also created a ton of work for me today. 7 hours of straight phone calls.

Back to another game tomorrow then a busy weekend of games. Im trying to get some more draft guys that are a bit under the radar.

Jenna Jameson and tito ortiz are both retiring soon. Jenna from porn and Tito from fighting. I can only assume it's because both of them got tired of taking too many shots to the face............

Thats it, Im exhausted.

PLE

J

Dont Know What It Means

Went to a hs today to watch some of a practice, going to another hs game tomorrow. It's a different feel this year with regards to the draft. This point last year I had two sure fire high end (aka high money) guys and this year I have a few talented players we're advising but the players absolutely must prove themselves to get paid. Last year it was a bit less tense but I guess that is what makes this job exciting. Nothing is promised and you must work hard for everything everyday.

Finished a ton of endorsement deals the last couple of days. You go weeks and weeks with nothing and you almost feel like a failure then a day like today comes and boom! It hits you that you're actually doing something not everyone gets to do.

Top chef is awesome and addicting and I am happy leah is gone.

Working on valentintes day. Go figure

Mahalo

J

I Wish I Was Single Again

Things change, things stay the same and the only thing you can really count on is that you really cant predict how things will end up. I was certain I was getting fired by a major client this week and it turns out I over reacted completely and the player was more loyal to me than anyone. On the flip side, another fun lesson in life. Women come and go and you can really only control yourself. As good as I am with my job I am historically bad in my personal life. Maybe thats how it's supposed to be though. Good at one thing bad at the other? If I was good at everything what fun would life be? What stories would I have to talk about and if I had nothing to talk about how bad of an agent would i be? You live you learn and you push forward. Spring training here I come.

Mahalo

J