For the last 2 years, I have been trying to collect my thoughts on my experience with the MLB Fan Cave. As you can imagine, it's difficult to summarize such a pivotal moment in my professional and fan life. However, with the announcement of the Fan Cave's remodel/rebrand/restructure, it seems as good a time as any to put my thoughts out there.
To begin with, kudos to MLB for making this into something. Whomever pitched this grand idea, I hope you were compensated fairly for your creation. It came along at a great time to capitalize on the social media boom in sports. Coupled with willing participants and fun ideas, this was truly a unique experience. I can say that it was one of the top moments of my life to be around so many people that love the game so very much. To be selected out of thousands and recognized for my concentrated madness means the world. So what to do with the news that the Fan Cave is changing formats/strategy. I'm not saying it was gonna live forever, even with/without the Dweller format. Everything worthwhile has a life cycle. But we stand here today to reflect and ponder on this crazy spark of creativity.
When it was most effective, the Fan Cave was driving the conversation about great plays, hilarious fan/player interactions, and how great it is to watch and follow baseball. You couldn't watch a game of the week, scroll your timeline, or watch The Rundown without noticing the Fan Cave's presence. Videos chronicling the adventures of Bronson Arroyo, Robbie Cano, and Miggy Poco brought a refreshing departure from canned answers and shrugged off interviews. These moments of brilliance would have fallen flat though, were it not for the talents of the Cave Dwellers. Whether it was Ricardo and Ricky stripping for Kate Upton, Shaun screaming "POLICIA!", Ashley burying herself in her blankets, Mina making slow motion music videos, Travis giving Mets fans hope, the comedic antics of Ben Wietmarschen and Nick Mendillo, or Ben Christensen straight up schooling you on everything Baseball, these die hards made this crazy thing work. Even at its least effective, it was still a brilliant example of just how powerful social media can be. While the decline in quality was inevitable, I am surprised that it came so soon. Devolving from a haven to dumping ground, the Fan Cave deserved far better than becoming a backdrop for an MTV2 show hosted by Fat Joe and used for oogling Melanie Iglesias. No longer about fans, the Fan Cave became about pop culture smothering. "Hey, look at this famous person hanging out with a baseball player!"Are you kidding me? "Let's watch Hot Girl #1 talk to Giancarlo Stanton while he hits baseballs in a junkyard."? The Fan Cave has become a joke, a mere shadow of the once exciting and smart venue. We're talking Buckner/Nelly Cruz type choking here, folks. And it's a shame because it didn't have to be this way. The focus should have remained on what these fans do to make baseball enjoyable and meaningful, all the while meeting the stars of Baseball. Not some mutated and tired Survivor contest. The Fan Cave wasn't going to be on TV, it didn't market itself to be a reality series, and it wasn't fully defined. It was constantly evolving and rolling with whatever was thrown at it. In that regard, it showed promise because a baseball season is 162 games of unpredictability. Improvisation is a powerful skill to have in the sports & production realm and the Fan Cave appeared to be wrestling with whether to stick to the plan or go with the flow. It shined most when it was bridging the gap between fans and players. I can't help but wonder what would have been, had that remained the focus. However, what happened happened. Dwellers were chosen, games were watched, videos were made, and memories were created. It got it's licks in but, to be honest, I think it still had some magic left. The Fan Cave was only as good as those who were in it. The fact that for 3 years MLB was able to find and unite some of the most unique and amazing Baseball fans is it's foremost achievement. Whatever it was or was going to be, it should be commended for that.
To be frank, I didn't think I had a chance to get as close as I did. Don't get me wrong, I take great pride in my work and who I am but let's be real, it was a nationwide contest. So when I was selected to the Top 50, I was blown away. When I made Top 30? Floored. Next thing I know, Tim Brosnan is shaking my hand just before I grab a hot dog next to the guy who is responsible for the licensing of the Tigers hat that I was wearing. Rarefied air, to say the least. Even more crazy was making it to the final round 2 years in a row. Being a part of a movement, an idea to break barriers, was truly amazing. My faith in innovation and creative thinking was rewarded. But getting close and missing out on something this great was not the best feeling. Having it happen more than once was wholly gut wrenching. Not making the Fan Cave did quite the number on me, more so than I expected. That's not to say I wasn't proud of what I had accomplished. In every interaction since, I've been very grateful and happy to have gone through such a wild ride. But like Aladdin, I was now on the outside looking in. I watched as my new friends hung out with my favorite ballplayers, cracking wise (and beers) with them, and making videos I'd give parts of my anatomy for. I can say with utmost certainty that I was both the proudest and saddest dude. Imagine the people in charge saying they're big fans of you, yet they deem you unworthy. Confusing, right? I wrestled with what I could have done and said differently. But I would never stop and will never stop going after what excites me, what drives me, and what sets me on fire. Like many artists know, the pain of coming up short is shitty but......it' also necessary. “...You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down.” Mary Pickford said that. So while I didn't get to New York, I refuse to let it mean nothing. Making it to the final round for 2 years helped affirm that I have something special.
Maybe it was for the best.
Maybe the Fan Cave wasn't the place for me.
Gotta admit though....it would have been nice to have found out for sure. Now, the MLB Fan Cave will continue in some form. It's ultimate destiny remains to be seen, but I'm glad I was part of it for the good times. From going to Yankee Stadium hungover and being healed by Nathans Hot Dogs and Cheese Fries, helping design my friend's baseball T-shirts, going to the Crocodile Lounge to have beer and pizza, packing into a hotel room in the middle of the Arizona desert, wearing a bathrobe to breakfast, to my favorite moment, diving head first into the Home Run Slide while video recording Ricardo, who just saw Jered Weaver throw a No Hitter. Feels were had. Yes. The Good Times. But more are to come.
On the flip side, the Fan Cave gave me something. Something that makes up for not granting me entrance into it's hallowed dwelling. It gave me friendships that I might not have ever had the chance to form. I'm beyond grateful for my 2 year Top 30 teammates.
But especially to Kelsey, Ricky, Skips, Smashley, Ricardo, KP, Dave Barclay, Matty James, Megan, Ally, and Shakabrodie. I lost the Fan Cave, but I won you. I have nothing but the utmost admiration, respect, and love for you all. I wouldn't have wanted anyone other that you folk to enjoy the last few years of baseball with and for many seasons to come. You're all legends. And you know what they say about legends. Baseball is just around the corner, and I can't wait to go mad with all of you. Batter up, gang. Batter up.
