Life After the Fan Cave

I woke up at whatever time I wanted this morning.

I didn’t roll over and look at my phone or hurry to the computer to check out the latest updates from the MLB Fan Cave.

There was no point.

The decision had already been made.

Just one week removed from our whirlwind press assignment at Spring Training and 37 days after I submitted the official application, my journey with the Fan Cave had ended.

In the craziest five weeks of my life, I went from being an everyday fan of the game to a credentialed representative of MLB and the Los Angeles Angels.  I went from playing fantasy baseball to filming campaign videos with Mark Trumbo and Hank Conger.  From voicing my opinions as a caller on Angel Talk to being invited into the studio as a featured guest.  From rooting for major league players on TV to interviewing them in person at their Spring Training facility.

I had an article written about me for the OC Register and received support in the form of retweets and well-wishes from the likes of Mike Trout, Garrett Richards, and Victor Rojas.  I was recognized at school and the bank as “that Fan Cave guy” and even spoke with a representative at MLB.tv who had seen all my YouTube videos and congratulated me on the success of my campaign.

In just over a month, I had gone from baseball addict to MLB Insider, and I loved every minute of it.

But when I woke up this morning, it was all over.  I had returned to my life as a fan.

Gone were the days of rubbing elbows with MLB execs and jet-setting across the country on Bud Selig’s dime.  Gone were the days of catching my name pop up in internet articles and on the radio as campaign excitement grew.  Gone were the days of local celebrity.

But don’t you weep.  No!  Don’t shed a tear.  For there is life after the Fan Cave.

I will continue to share my love and passion for America’s pastime with all those who care to listen.  I’ll write my blog and talk baseball with intelligent, passionate fans from all over the world.  And I’ll chronicle my experiences through pictures, tweets, and video along the way.

Because sometimes things change in life; outcomes are often unexpected.  But baseball will always be baseball.