When I tell people I’m originally from Massachusetts, they ask,
usually without missing a beat,
”
So what are you running from exactly?
”
When I tell people I’m originally from Massachusetts, they ask, usually without missing a beat, “So what are you running from exactly?”
Well, nothing, to be exact. But just so you know, I sometimes like to make up a story, depending on the situation, on what exactly brought me out to the west coast, and what exactly I’m running from.
Overpopulation. Nuclear radiation. Hurricanes. Fire. Sharks. Nonsense. Clowns.
Of course, the real reason I’m here in sunny California was because of school.
I attended the University of Oregon in Eugene. My first job was in central Oregon, and two years later, here I am in Hollister.
See, not nearly as exciting as nuclear radiation or sharks.
But I am the new sports editor of the Hollister Free Lance, and before we dive into expectations, just some additional background on myself and my beliefs:
n I am a big baseball fan, and if you’re assuming that I’m a Red Sox fan, you’re right.
~ I’m also an A’s fan, though, because somewhere along the line, despite my Sox upbringing, I fell in love with small market/small ball. I love the Red Sox, and all their money, but I also love Billy Beane. Go figure.
~ My favorite books are Moneyball and Animal Farm.
~ I’ve learned to love rodeos from my previous job. While bull riding sells tickets, I don’t think there is anything more difficult than team roping.
~ I won’t say hate, but I truly dislike flying. It’s big, it’s fast, it flies really high, and it’s full of gas. What’s not to love? If you’re wondering how I made it out here, well, I took the train. Albeit big and full of gas, the train is not fast, and it’s grounded. Big plus.
~ I am slowly but surely hopping back onto the NBA wagon again. The individualized style of play that was dominant since Jordan left seems to be fading. While the Eastern Conference still stinks, the five-man team is coming back. I’ll take watching the Golden State Warriors over Kobe Bryant any day.
~ With that said, college basketball is far better than professional basketball, while professional football is better than college football. The college atmosphere — the band, cheerleaders, student section — simply places college basketball on another level. In football, though, while the college atmosphere is great, there’s simply no getting around the product that the professional game puts on the field.
~ As for the prep level, I love almost everything about it. It’s passionate, competitive, and the kids are playing for pride, not money, endorsements, or to be a higher draft pick.
~ Now that I am in the area, I am also extremely curious to know how people feel about Barry Bonds. Is the “Barry Love” a Bay Area thing? Do people like him down here? And does anyone else think that having Bonds compete in the Home Run Derby is an overall bad idea?
It’d make for great TV, but can you really have the guy that allegedly took steroids, which made him hit a bunch of home runs, hitting in the Home Run Derby?
When you think about it, the worst-case scenario is that Bonds competes in the Home Run Derby and actually wins the whole thing, opening up a whole can of media worms that continuously debate his place in history.
Good times.
But enough about me. This is an exciting time for this area.
I am simply one writer of the brand new sports triumvirate in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. We will be supplying you with the news, the coverage, the stories, and the scores that you deserve.
I love sports, and I hope you feel the same. If there are any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to tell me.
I can already tell that I am in a passionate sports community as well. My phone has been ringing off the hook since I started, and be it good or bad, it’s something that is extremely useful and provides a helpful discourse between the writer and the reader.
This is something I hope continues.
And I promise I won’t run back east in fear of nuclear radiation, hurricanes, or sharks.
Andrew Matheson is the new sports editor for the Free Lance. He can be reached at (831) 637-5566 ext. 334 or at am*******@fr***********.com.
