The YouTube age has, among many other things, made traditional first pitch blunders a must-see. There’s no excitement in seeing celebrities throw first-pitch strikes, just like it is not fun watching people who can sing belt out songs at karaoke. The public demands embarrassment. Before viral videos, only a stadium full of people could witness a horrible throw to kick off a game. Those in-house fans would tell their friends and family, but that wouldn’t have the same impact as actually being able to watch it unfold.

Among my favorites over the years are Cincinnati mayor Mark Mallory, a random San Diego Padres fan, Charlie Brown and Mariah Carey. Of those, Charlie Brown is the only one who might get a pass. He is, after all, likely a 130-pound man wearing a 50-pound, bulky costume. (Proposed Rule: First-timers should always head to Pittsburgh before throwing a pitch anywhere else. Think of it as the minor leagues.)

I once stood in the same spot as Wall and the other first-pitchers. It wasn’t on a major league field, but it took place at a time when I too could have become the next YouTube sensation.

My debut on the mound came in Sept. 2005. The Somerset Patriots, a minor league baseball team that plays in the independent Atlanta League, were in the playoffs that month and I, along with my co-worker at the time, Mike Ashmore, were each offered the opportunity. That year, I was wrapping up my sixth year covering the team for the Hunterdon County Democrat newspaper and the former AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com. It was also my last season on the beat before handing over the reins to Ashmore, who had been writing regularly for the website.

A few days before the pitch, I was sitting in the press box with vice president of public relations Marc Russinoff, who I had grown to know well since I first walked into the stadium in May 2000. When he asked if I’d like to throw out the first pitch, I thought he was joking. Then he explained it was the Patriots’ way of thanking me for my coverage – and publicity – over the last six years. It was a genuine gesture, one I very much appreciated. I told him, “absolutely.”

I don’t remember ever warming up before the big toss, definitely not in the days leading up to it. Then again, I can picture Ashmore and myself standing near the underground batting cage tossing a ball back and forth. It’s said the underground warm-up is something President Obama did before his first pitch and look how that turned out. In reality, practice tossing means nothing. You could throw dozens of perfect strikes with no one around, but as soon as the bright lights shine down on you, your accuracy could all change.

Again, this wasn’t a major league game with the eyes of 30,000-plus fans glued on me. It was, however, a minor league playoff game at a ballpark that was regularly packed. Since the Patriots perennially led the league in attendance, there was not going to be a vacant seat in the house this night.

I can remember standing on the field waiting for the announcement that the first pitches were going to take place. I was excited, but not overly nervous. It wasn’t the eyes on me, but the possibility of failure. I’m sure I asked Patriots manager Sparky Lyle, who I had a good relationship with, for some advice. He probably told me to stay away from the slider (his signature pitch) and just to throw it.

Ashmore took the mound first. (The picture he was handed afterward has him in perfect stride towards home plate; a great action shot.) When my turn came, the public address announcer was reading off my credentials and before he could finish I threw my pitch. I don’t know why I didn’t wait for him to finish, offer the crowd a wave and then proceed. The ball sailed through the air and landed a little bit outside to a still crouched catcher, certainly not a few feet directly into the ground in front of me. Because I didn’t wait to throw my pitch, the photographer wasn’t ready for my photo and the one I was handed depicts me walking off the mound looking like Shaggy from Scooby Doo. It’s one of my least flattering photos ever.

I don’t recall whether I received many cheers or high-fives afterward. The whole thing happened very quickly. That night was the closest I’ve become to feeling like a professional athlete. I don’t know if I’ll ever get the opportunity to throw a first pitch again in my life. Maybe I’ll just stick to writing, just like Wall should just stick to basketball.

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While I met hundreds of baseball people during those six years, many of whom I still remain in contact with today, I want to reflect on my time with one: Joe Torre.

It was Dec.  2004 and the Newark Bears were holding a press conference at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Then-Bears owner Steve Kalafer, who also owned the Somerset Patriots, is good friends with the then-New York Yankees manager. Every now and again, Kalafer would call on Torre to show up to a Bears or Patriots function in an effort to drum up an extra media presence. The move always worked.

Torre had finished his 10th year as the Yankees skipper that summer. His team ended the season first place with a 95-67 record, yet lost to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the American League Divisional Series. The 65-year-old was by far the most popular manager in the game.

I arrived that day in an effort to talk to Torre about the Yankees’ minor league system. Along with the Patriots, I covered the Trenton Thunder (AA affiliate of the Yankees) at the time and several players, including Robinson Cano and Dioneer Navarro, had come through there on their way to the Bronx. The Yankees were finally about youth again instead of big-name free agents, which meant the farm system had a purpose.

The press conference had wrapped up and Torre was surrounded by all the major New York television stations. Now, I know how to get in the middle of scrums as good as anybody, but I had a better idea — a risk verse reward thought really. I waited for the media cluster to break apart — I went and spoke with former Yankees general manager Gene Michael in the meantime. Having known Steve for many years, I pulled him aside and said I’d like a couple of minutes alone with Joe. With a little convincing, he told me it wouldn’t be a problem.

A short time later, Joe and I were sitting in a private conference room talking about the Yankees and their minor league system. He was more than gracious with all of his answers. Then again, have you ever heard anyone say a bad thing about the baseball legend? He told me a number of things:

1. On the Yankees Minor League System: “Unfortunately, in our organization, because George Steinbrenner is committed to winning right now, you really a lot of times don’t get your own players to play for you. You use them when other teams are trying to relieve themselves of high payrolls and get some young kids. I think the time there we didn’t develop as many good young players as we have in the past. You mentioned a few, (Dioner) Navarro is a big league player. Brad Halsey, the fact that he is left handed and isn’t afraid to throw strikes is very important.”

2. On Yankee Minor Leaguers’ Chances of Playing in NY: “It doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be a Yankee sometime. The fact is the Yankees can’t afford the luxury of being patient. I know I managed teams where we’re looking down the road to win in say two years and you gear yourself to that. You let players make their mistakes and stuff. The Yankees organization, we’re not allowed to let our players make mistakes, if it’s a mistake with inexperience. What we try to do is keep as much experience as vital as possible, this way we can still follow George Steinbrenner’s lead by putting a championship club on the field.”

3. On the Independent Leagues: “I think it’s important because when I first started playing baseball, we had the Rookie leagues, which is like a low-A league now; we had D, C, B, but those are no longer available. So I think you need to find a place where players can play. Years ago, when I was a player, the Triple-A was filled with a lot of major leaguers that had been up down, up down, a lot of veterans. Clubs can no longer afford that. They make investments in players and need to move them along as quickly as possible. In order to find a place for a players, who could help you — you’re talking about Ruben Sierra, Darryl Strawberry, Kevin Millar, Curtis Pride — they need a place to play.

I remember having a folder with the Bears logo on it and Joe kept fiddling with it as we sat there. Our conversation lasted about five minutes, but that was all I needed. I left the NJPAC extremely satisfied with my hard work, my luck and the audio on my recorder.

Nearly every day members of the media speak with Joe. Very few, however, get to sit down with the man for a one-on-one, in-person chat about anything that comes to mind. For that, I feel grateful and will always cherish that career memory.

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The day was Sept. 3, 2009, and Vick had just thrown for 26 yards on 7-for-11 passing with an interceptions and a rushing touchdown against the New York Jets. This was only his second preseason game with the Philadelphia Eagles and coach Andy Reid was taking it slow with his third-string quarterback.

Vick’s performance was a bright spot in the 27-38 Eagles loss. For the 30-year-old, however, the best news came earlier in the day following a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Vick learned then that he would be reinstated to play in the Eagles’ Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

I stood to the directly to the right of Vick as the first question came at him. It was related to his first rushing touchdown since Oct. 15, 2006. Once Vick finished responding, I asked the question everyone wanted an answer to: “Can you talk about your meeting with the commissioner today?” (Listen)

“It was a great meeting, as I expected. We talked about some things and basically he didn’t make his decision at that point in time, but I felt that was what the outcome was. I’ve been doing good and trying to do all the right things and make sure I stay on course. I’m happy with the decision,” Vick responded.

As Vick took other questions, I couldn’t help but stare at his hands, the same ones he used to do unthinkable things to so many dogs. But I also looked at his eyes when he answered my questions, and I saw a man who was truly sorry for what he’d done. He came across as sincere and thankful for a second chance.

That season, Vick appeared in 12 games, mostly in Wildcat formations for Reid’s offense. He’d throw for one score and run for two, while showing the signs of quickness that made him a star. This year, however, Vick has been playing at a different level completely.

Since taking over after starter Kevin Kolb went down with a concussion in Week 1, Vick has emerged as not only a Comeback Player of the Year candidate, but an Offensive Player of the Year one as well. He’s thrown for 11 touchdowns, 1,350 yards and has a quarterback rating of 115.1 in six games. Vick has also run for four touchdowns and 341 yards.

Vick has certainly earned the right to play in the NFL again, with his charitable work and behavior off the field and his performance on it.

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The Saints came into Giants Stadium on Christmas Eve in the thick of the playoff hunt.  They were 9-5 and the Carolina Panthers were still fighting them for the NFC South title.  New York, meanwhile, wasn’t exactly the toast of the NFC East just yet.  Their 7-7 record left them closer to the bottom of the division than the top and they had just lost five of their last six.  It wasn’t shaping up to be a title fight, and it didn’t end up being one.

New Orleans had its way with the Giants defense all afternoon, including a big day from then-rookie phenom Reggie Bush.  The former USC running back took 20 handoffs for 126 yards and a touchdown.  He also had a second score called back on a penalty.  Thanks in part to Bush’s career day, the Saints routed the Giants, 30-7.

Later that night, the Associated Press had this to say about Bush:  “The only thing (Bush) did wrong was bolt out of the locker room after the game without talking to the media.”

Not so.

After speaking with Saints head coach Sean Payton, I made my way into their locker room looking for Bush.  He was the biggest name to come into the NFL that season and to score an interview with him would be huge for my radio show at the time.  I didn’t spot him initially so I went and gathered quotes from wide receiver Marques Colston and running back Deuce McAllister instead.  Just as I finished with McAllister, I saw Bush walking out the locker room doors with his bags.

Typically, guys of his caliber make a right out of the locker room to give a press conference.  Instead, Bush went left and was clearly heading towards the team bus.  I went after the reigning Heisman Trophy winner — I believe there may have been one other reporter with me, but no more than that.  Despite a small crowd of kids trying to get an autograph, I was able to speak with Bush about his earlier performance, namely his scoring drive.  (Listen to the short interview here)

“It was one of those drives that coach was feeding me the ball,” Bush said. “He felt like I had the hot hand and gave me the opportunity to make plays and I did it.”

After a follow-up question, I wished him a happy holiday, to which he told me the same.

Needless to say, I was ecstatic to get a near-exclusive interview with Bush.  Back inside the locker room, I overheard several other reporters asking where Bush was.  When a Saints P.R. representative told them he had left, there was definitely some anger.  After all, NFL players are required to speak to the media following games.

What they didn’t know was he technically did.  It just wasn’t in typical fashion.

After a conversation with quarterback Drew Brees, I headed back upstairs to the press box, where I packed up my things.  It was time to head home for Christmas.

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The Giants put their franchise tag on Jacobs earlier this month, then inked him to a four year, $25 million deal a few weeks later. $13 million of the contract is guaranteed and $15 million will be paid out over the first two years.

An encounter I had with Jacobs made me a believer, just as much as he was, that he’d be carrying the ball for the Giants in 2009.

Following the Giants’ playoff loss to the Eagles back in January, I waited near Jacobs’ locker to interview him. As big as star as he has become, Jacobs rarely holds his post-game session in the large press conference room.

Jacobs’ locker is an end unit and I was standing next to a stack of shoe boxes with a pair of jeans on top. Jacobs walked over, grabbed his jeans and started looking for his wallet. It was gone.

He looked at the top of his locker. Nothing. Through a pile of at least a dozen cleats at the bottom. Still nothing.

“I can’t find my wallet,” he said.

“Let me see if it’s here,” I responded.

I moved a couple of shoe boxes, but the wallet was still missing. That’s when he looked me in the eyes and said: “It’s okay. Not much was in there. It was good they took it now and not in a few weeks.”

Just to make it clear: I did not take Jacob’s wallet. I don’t think he thought I did either. I just happened to be closest to where it was last.

Jacobs began his interviews and went on to express confidence that he’d return to the Giants next season. He didn’t say it, but I believe he knew the Giants would throw big money at him, or at least would franchise him.

The Giants have rewarded all of their key players: Plaxico Burress, Corey Webster, David Diehl. If GM Jerry Reese signed those stars to lucrative deals, surly Jacobs would get his.

Now, I don’t know if Jacobs ever found his missing wallet. It’s definitely bigger now than any other time during his 26 years of life. And, just as confident as I was that he’d be back, I’m just as sure he’ll take a little more care of it from now on.

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I was 11 years old, watching from a recliner in my living room.  My dad and brother were on the couch sleeping, but I was glued to the television.  As soon as Carter’s bat touched the ball I knew it was gone.  I screamed, waking the two of them, and we all watched as Carter jumped and pumped his fist around the bases.

The Blue Jays had taken the World Series from the Phillies with one swing.  Fifteen years later, Philadelphia is back, trying to erase the memories of Williams’ 2-2 mistake.

“Starting day one, in Spring Training, this is what we’ve worked for,” Chase Utley told me in 2005, referring to the postseason.

The reason I’m revisiting that quote — and several others from Phillies players that year — is because it fits perfectly.  It’s a responce I’m sure Utley would give to me if I asked him about making the playoffs today.

“I’ve worked hard for 15 years to get to this position,” Utley said of getting to the big leagues. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Fifteen years is what the Phillies fans have had to wait for their team to make it back to The Grand Stage.  That’s a long time for some groupies that expect their team to win, like they expect Cheese Whiz on their cheesesteaks.

On Thursday, the Phillies picked up their first World Series loss since that unfortunate day back on October 23, 2003.  In a series against a Rays team that has never even been to the playoffs, let alone the World Series, the Phillies are hoping all their hard work pays off.

When Jimmy Rollins and I were walking from the dugout to the clubhouse in May 2005, I asked him what the best moment of his career had been so far.

“I haven’t gotten there yet.  So there’s nothing I would want to relive, unless we win the World Series.  I’d want to relive that as many times as possible.”

This year’s Phillies team is special.  Their infield is made up of two former MVPs (Ryan Howard and Rollins) and one who could very well win one in the near future (Utley).

NL Championship Series MVP Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer and closer Brad Lidge comprise a pitching staff that has the playoff’s top ERA (3.09), average against (.230), wins (8) and saves (6).

“We’re going to try and win every game we can,” Myers said that same day. “None of us have any quit in us; that’s the mentality that you have to have as a ballplayer.”

The Rays aren’t going to be an easy opponent for the Phillies.  Their young lineup knocked the Yankees out of the postseason for the first time since the early nineties.  That’s an accomplishment in itself.

“You end up with great stories when you end up in the major leagues,” Rollins said, placing his bat against the wall. “This is the place to be, no doubt about that.”

There’s a whole group of guys hoping this year’s story ends with a World Series title.  Three wins to go.

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I also enjoyed collecting baseball cards.  To this day, if you tell me a player’s name, I can visualize one of his cards.

In the summer of 1996, I read how people were sending cards and a self-addressed-stamped envelope to players in Spring Training and getting autographs in return.  I had to get in on this craze.

I didn’t just want an autograph though; I wanted a connection.  On my computer, I typed up dozens of letters to different players all across the majors.  These blue pieces of paper not only had a personal touch on them, but they had a few questions and the address to a Baltimore Orioles web site I created.

In my head, I figured out how long, at the earliest, I would get one back.  Three days, max, to get to Florida, two days to sign and send, three days on a return flight.  Eight days.

Every day I couldn’t wait to hear the hum of the mail truck as it was coming up the road.  I would run the 100 yards down the driveway and open the mailbox to either heartbreak or excitement.  I must have received close to 50 back over the years.  One of them was from Rick Krivda, a young starting pitcher with the Orioles.

The top of my letter was ripped off and Krivda answered the three questions I had for him.  He even wrote a short note: “I’ll be sure to check out your web site.”

I was impressed.  How could you not be?  A big-league pitcher that was actually interested in my stuff.

Krivda spent three seasons in Baltimore before splitting the 1998 season in Cleveland and Cincinnati.  He won 11 games and struck out 165 in 72-career games.  In 2000, Krivda won a Gold Medal playing baseball for manager Tommy Lasorda in the Olympics.

Years went by and I began my career covering pro sports.  I was interacting with players more than I could have ever imagined and loved it.  Then, in early 2003, I checked my email and saw this: “Somerset Patriots Sign Former MLB Pitcher Rick Krivda.”

I was ecstatic.  I couldn’t wait to meet Krivda and tell him the story.  My chance came during the Patriots’ pre-season luncheon.  It was near the end of my time there, and I spotted Krivda sitting at a table near the front of the section we were in.  After introducing myself, I proceeded to tell him the story (not nearly as long as this one you’re reading).

“Was it one blue paper?” Krivda asked.

“Yes, it was,” I responded.

“Yea, I remember that letter.  I checked out the site.  It was cool.  How crazy is that?” Krivda said, to my excitement.

Krivda and I became friends from that moment.  We talked often in the clubhouse and I was upset the day he was released. (I was in Trenton, got the news and sped to Somerset to try and catch him before he left.  I got a ticket and never saw him.)

He re-signed the next season and we spoke on the phone a few times after that.  He’s a great guy, with great stories.  Krivda would tell of how he played fantasy football with Mike Mussina and where he kept his Olympic Gold Medal.

It just comes to show, what a small world the sports world is sometimes.

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Every so often, I’ll take the time to write about an interesting first-hand story from my career.

Today’s story is about Melvin Nieves.

Nieves played part of seven seasons in the big leagues before inking with the Somerset Patriots in 2003. Sixty-three career major league home runs, once traded for Fred McGriff (granted, it was with two other players in a three-for-one deal) and brother of Washington Nationals’ catcher Wil Nieves. As a writer, it was enough to pique my interest.

Nieves had just wrapped up batting practice on a hot, sunny day in April when I asked him to chat. We walked near the Patriots’ on-deck circle at Commerce Bank Ballpark and began discussing his goals for the year. His answers were short and he wasn’t looking at me in the eyes very much.

I decided to delve into his career and brought up a game from September 18, 1996. In it, Nieves struck out twice. Those two “K’s” were part of 20 that Roger Clemens had on the evening. When I asked him if it was disappointing or just cool to be part of history, Nieves shot back quickly: “I only struck out once.”

“No, I’m pretty sure I saw the box score and it said twice,” I responded.

“Once.”

“Okay, well was it cool to be part of history or not,” I asked, standing by my initial question as my mind wondered if I was wrong.

After the interview, I thanked him, we shook hands and I headed up to the press box. I immediately went to my computer and logged online to find several box scores from the game. All of them showed Nieves struck out twice.

I never brought up the topic again with Nieves.

About two weeks later, I walked into the Patriots’ clubhouse. Nieves was sitting on one of the two couches in front of the TV. On the screen was ESPN Classic. The show: Roger Clemens’ 20-strikeout game from September 18, 1996.

I stayed just long enough to catch the second of Nieves’ two strikeouts in the game. He never saw me in there watching.

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