The Strange, but True Story of an MLB Fan Cave Reject

When I decided to go all out for the MLB 2012 Fan Cave, I had every friend tell me this is perfect for you. "There isn't anyone I know that knows as much about baseball as you" and "you already watch almost every game anyway" was the things I heard most often. The support from my friends and family really pushed me to try out for the Fan Cave. I changed my Twitter handle to @Mapes4FanCave. I started a plan to get support from MLB players. I made what I thought was an entertaining, though not technically perfect video. My followers went from 90 to over 200 in a pretty quick span. I made extra videos inspired by Jeremy Guthrie and Logan Morrison that they enjoyed. I got ESPN's Matthew Berry to shout me out to 338,000 followers with praise. Hell, if you searched MLB Fan Cave on Twitter, I came up in the first five things! For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was doing something right. I watched as many applications on YouTube as I could. I thought oh that person is good, but I think I've still got this. I was pretty confident, heading into the top 50 that on a pre-planned trip to Boston for a Celtics game, turned into making my friends wander around Fenway Park for two hours, while I wore a sandwich board to have material ready for right when I made the top 50. (Thanks again Jenn and Jason)

Then February 8th happened. The day I had been waiting for. Top 50 announcement day. I checked at midnight, no top 50. I checked at 3AM no top 50. Then I got a text from my brother, "Sorry dude, I don't get it." Don't get what? I refreshed the page again and searched every person, there's Ricardo, there's Ricky, there's Lindsay, where am I? I refreshed over and over looking for me and it hit me, I didn't make it. First stage was shock. Then I looked through and wondered how did these people get in over me? Even though I has watched their videos on YouTube before I watched Andrew Burdick's video again, it's 1:16 long and he's sitting next to a half empty scotch bottle! Are you kidding me?!?! The rules said no alcohol! How did he get in? In came the second stage of anger. I threw a couple things as I watched video after video that I didn't even think would make it cause the "rules" said so. I couldn't believe when the number of people that didn't follow them hit double digits. I really just wanted to know why. I called the casting manager after finding his number on his website to no avail. I got an answer from the Fan Cave through DM on Twitter about violations being considered, but not grounds for a disqualification. As the afternoon went through, I received text after text, tweet after tweet, Facebook post after Facebook post, saying that they were proud of me and I did everything I could. That's when things changed. It wasn't really about making it anymore, just knowing that all these people cared, completely changed my perspective.

I had my "pre-top 50" friends Abby Mollenhauer, Ricardo Marquez, Ricky Mast, and Steve Sievwright. We'd hit each other up on Twitter and I was glad that most of them had made it through. (Sorry Abby) I said to myself, if I'm not in. I have to make sure one of them do. Soon after came the announcement that it would be narrowed to a top 30 with them going to Arizona for Spring Training. I had never been so jealous in my life. I still thought I belonged. I don't know why, I don't know how, but there were people in the top 50 who thought the same. I exchanged tweets with Kelsey Shea Weinrich and Travis Miller. Then it was Megan Washington and Taylor Hensley. I started to really like these people. Let's be honest. I saw the first nights of the tiny chat on Twitter and wanted to come hang out, so badly. Not just to talk baseball, but I just wanted to know more about these people. They just seemed so awesome. Still not sure how I was the anointed, adopted top 50 (and top 30), but I had never been so happy to be invited to something so random. It felt like I belonged. Baseball really is the game that brings people together more than any other.

Over the past two weeks, I've met so many amazing people that have made me laugh, smile, and yes even dance. I hope that I've done the same for them. It's so weird to care that much about people that you've never even met in person. The worst part for me, is knowing that there are at least 13 people that I care about, that will have the same heartbreak as me. I will be there for them, the same way that they were there for me. Would I go back and change it so I made the top 50? Of course I would. I'm happy with how it all ended though. The Fan Cave would've only lasted eight months. However, I made friends that will last for longer.

On the last day of voting. These are the people that I think deserve your vote to get to the top 30. In no particular order:

Ricardo Marquez
My brother from a Latino mother. You were the first friend I made in this contest and I truly believe you've got one of the best chances to make it to NYC. Hell even our brothers follow each other. This would be awkward for most people, but for us it's awesome. No one has made me laugh the way you have. You're the funniest person in the competition. Use it to your advantage. Be careful on the nut shots though. (Sidetrack idea: What if you said here comes another nut shot then cut to a shot of you doing shot glass of peanuts, I'll be quiet now)

Ricky Mast
Somewhere I think the casting agency sat in the room and said well we have this funny Braves fan (me) and we have this funny Braves fan (you). You made it and you deserved it. I was at happy hour at Chili's saw your video on YouTube and said to my friend uh oh, this guy is good. I hope you can make it so they #PutABraveInTheCave

Steve Sievwright
When I first started the contest, I went through a lot of the applications on YouTube and a lot of it was crap. Pure crap. Then I watched yours and it was the first one that actually made me laugh. Congrats.

Kelsey Shea Weinrich
I still don't like that your middle name is after Shea Stadium. Your facial expressions kill me every time. Crazy hair Kelsey is one of my favorite people, ever. Why a certain company would hide that inside a costume, I don't know. You've probably grown the most in the last two weeks and you seem truly happy. Oh and join the fantasy baseball league with Ricardo :)

Lindsay Guentzel
I have a secret. I was really jealous of you before the announcement. I told my friends at work "I can't believe the stupid girl in Minnesota got on morning radio already." There was no surprise to me when you made the top 50. Then I actually talked to you after the top 50. You're the total package. Smart, funny, attractive, comfortable on TV/Radio, hard-working and most important you're a great person. In my opinion, there isn't a person in this contest that has tried harder than you and you deserve to make it all the way. Plus, you look AMAZING in a Braves starter jacket.

Travis Miller
Thanks for wanting me to be a part of this group. When you commented that if I can't make it in, please make sure this guy does it meant a lot. It was a pretty sweet reverse jinx on your part. The effort you've put forth to bring the top 50 together is unparalled. Ugh why am I saying so many nice things to a Mets AND Marist guy. If you're ever in New York (aside from the Fan Cave) you know to hit me up. Miller, Mapes, and Marquez in the morning I still say is ratings gold.

Megan Washington
The adorable girl that wait what likes wrestling?! Are you serious bro? If you don't make it all the way I really hope you come down to Wrestlemania in Miami for dinner and drinks on me.

Ben Christensen
The phenomenon of the MLB Fan Cave top 50. No one has gotten more national media attention than you. I hate tattoos, really really hate. You've made me second guess this. I thought it was all beard and tattoos, but there might not be another person in this contest that knows as much about baseball as you. You are gonna go far. Don't trim anything either!

Matthew James
In my opinion, you had the best put-together video in the entire competition. I feel bad that you had to re-edit it because you were worried about getting DQ'd and it ended up not mattering. Plus, I need you to teach me how to make a QR code for 2013. Just watched your last video, had to go back and add that it was awesome.

Taylor Hensley
TayyyyyyyTayyyyyyyy everyone thinks you're all just cute and bikinis. There's a lot of baseball love in there too and it shows. Next photo shoot get a Rollie Fingers mustache on. There hasn't been a person in this contest that my friends are more jealous of that I know personally.

Christy McGaugh
The funniest girl in the top 50, but still full of class. I'm glad that if I'm ever in Arizona, I've got some one to hang out with. Use your homefield advantage well in the top 30!

Mike Heidner
My favorite of the I can't believe that many Tigers fans made it in. I envy the fan cave in your house.

Kurt Peter
The only person with the balls to make a new video almost everyday in the top 50. They were all good, day 4 is still my favorite. Happy birthday and I hope you get a ticket to Arizona for it.

Jeremy Dorn
Why the hell won't Corbin Bernsen retweet you? Seems like great PR for him. Best of luck stealing Taylor Swift away from Travis in Arizona.

Brad Jeffers
The breakout star of the "St*ff that MLB Fan Cave Finalists Say" video. Everything you did in that was gold. Still waiting for you to get in a bikini though, I'll hit you up with a hundred votes.

Dan Sharp
I'm supposed to hate you because you're a Phillies fan. I can't hate on your dedication though. Get off your damn roof and go have fruity pebbles with Taylor though, before I do.

Brian Boynton
The Rangers lost the World Series last year because of me. I bought celebratory shots of Patron for a friend to take when they won in Game 6. It's all on me. I'm sorry.

Brian Pasnik
Anything that spoofs "Rookie of the Year" is great in my book. You're one of my brothers favorites, but he's a Cubs fan too, so take it with a grain of salt.

Ally Williams
Last, but not least. Please dance one time. PLEASE. I'll do anything.

That covers everyone. I'm 99% sure. AbbyMo I know you didn't make the top 50 either, but we're both gonna learn from this and make it in 2013. You have an open invite to come visit and I'll take you to a Yankee game.

Thank you again to all of you for everything. If any of you ever need anything, you know where to find me. I know you all can't make it to NYC, but I truly hope you all make it to Arizona. Just make it the most amazing time of your life. Any time you have doubts just remember I'd give anything to have your chance right now.

Now for the victims of the MLB offseason. If there are winners, there of course have to be losers as well. Here are the teams that are wondering what just happened?

New York Mets

Let's start off with calling them the New York Mess. Alright, glad we got the obvious joke of the way. We can move on now. This all started trading Carlos Beltran at the deadline last season and not getting as much as everyone thought they could for a great player, but at least they got something for a player they weren't going to be able to keep anyway. The ownership issues have gotten so out of hand, that they're selling minority stakes to raise money, even having their own network, SportsNet New York, buy $80 million in shares of the team to help them with their debt obligations. SNY's theory is if we invest in the Mets, the ratings will be better for the network. From what the Mets did this offseason, SNY must be hoping that ratings help is coming in 2013.

The co-face of the franchise (Jose Reyes) is gone. 2010 darling turned 2011 disaster Angel Pagan was dealt for older 2010 darling turned 2011 bigger disaster Andres Torres. There are still question marks with Johan Santana's health. In the previous post I said the Blue Jays upgraded their bullpen by dumping the closing tandem of Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch. Want to guess who the Mets new closing tandem is? Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch! Uh oh.

The best news of the Mets offseason? They are going to use the black alternate jersey less and their new jerseys are nicer. I've seen a ton of Mets fans though clamoring for the blue "Los Mets" jerseys that they wore last season become the new alternate jersey, but to no avail.

2nd best news of the Mets offseason? They moved the fences in at Citi Field! Maybe it'll help Jason Bay finally get over a dozen home runs in a season, maybe not. I'll stop piling on now, sorry Mets fans.

Milwaukee Brewers

If I was going to try and define "bad offseason" having your best player and MVP from the previous season get suspended for 50 games, while your 2nd best player signs with another team would be a pretty solid definition. Mix in losing two above average setup men in the bullpen in LaTroy Hawkins and Takashi Saito and the road back to the playoffs for the Brew Crew is much more difficult. Milwaukee fans even lost the magic that is Craig Counsell's batting stance to retirement. They did sign Aramis Ramirez, which is an upgrade over Casey McGehee at 3B, but Ramirez is turning 34 this season and the decline may begin. Not the best of times in the Badger State.

St. Louis Cardinals

Silver lining for Brewers fans is that NL Central rival St. Louis also is an offseason victim. After the magical run though for the 2011 World Series, this is a little easier to bear for Cards fans. Obviously Albert Pujols is gone, arguably the greatest player in the franchise's history. The other two pillars of St. Louis consistency Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan are also gone. Duncan could be back after taking care of some family issues, but without those three in the Cardinals dugout, things are likely to take a turn for the worse in 2012.

The return of Adam Wainwright from Tommy John surgery will soften the blow a little bit, as will signing Carlos Beltran. However, the odds of the Cardinals making another run to the World Series are long.

Oakland Athletics

With the success of "Moneyball" in theaters, even the average baseball fan is on to the tricks of Billy Beane in Oakland. This offseason though seems like a rough one for Beane and the A's. 80% of the Athletics opening day starting rotation is gone for the start of this year. Gio Gonzalez? Dealt to the Nationals. Trevor Cahill? Now a Diamondback. Brett Anderson? Tommy John surgery. Dallas Braden? Shoulder surgery and might not be ready for opening day. In is Bartolo Colon, who was great last year with the Yankees, but turns 39 in May.

The bullpen wasn't safe either. 2009 AL Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey is now the closer for the Red Sox. Craig Breslow was sent to Arizona with Cahill. Guillermo Moscoso was traded to the Rockies. The closer role now belongs to Brian Fuentes again, he's like the cockroach of closers at this point, every time you think he's done, he's in line for saves again.

The lineup also has a lot of turnover. As much as I like Seth Smith. The losses of Josh Willingham, David DeJesus, and Hideki Matsui outweigh it. Their projected #3 hitter Josh Reddick, doesn't even have a seasons worth of games under his belt. It's gonna take a lot of magic for the A's to compete in the AL West with the moves the Angels and Rangers made.

Other victims of the offseason:

Chicago White Sox: Closer Sergio Santos is the biggest blow possibly. We will have to see if Matt Thornton can finally handle that role. Long-time fan favorite Mark Buerhle traded the Windy City for South Beach. Carlos Quentin was traded to the Padres. The worst part though is Adam Dunn with a big contract and a .159 batting average in 2011 still clogging up the middle of the lineup. Dunn will need to turn it around for the White Sox to have a chance.

Chicago Cubs: They whiffed on getting Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder to reside in the friendly confines. They did get a nice piece for the future in Anthony Rizzo as the back-up 1B plan. Plus, they got SOMETHING for Carlos Zambrano, which was better than the nothing they would've gotten from cutting him. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer aren't miracle workers, it's gonna take some time to turn the Cubbies around. Yes, I've realized I have half of the NL Central as offseason victims, plus the Astros still aren't very good. Could this possibly be the Pirates year?

The beauty of looking at these things in February is it will change a millions times over the course of the season. Maybe Josh Reddick is the answer for Oakland, maybe the Cardinals new regime can continue their tradition. I would be a little suprised though if these six teams improved from what they accomplished in 2011. I do want to thank the people at mlbdepthcharts.com this site is fantastic tool for the baseball fan. Jason Martinez and his team do a great job. Give them a follow @MLBDepthCharts on Twitter.

The Victors and Victims of the MLB Offseason

With Super Bowl XLVI in the books, it's time to put the full focus on baseball season. My father used to say, the best part of the Super Bowl, is it's 6 weeks til pitchers and catchers report! Things have changed a little big with the Super Bowl being played later and later, we sit ONLY 12-14 days away for most teams to report for spring training. Even better, only 6 days if you're a Mariners fan! I've been in full baseball mode, but for those of you that are just coming back to America's pastime. Here's what you need to know as the hot stove starts to cool down.

The Big Victors

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Well to start off for the Angels, they signed this guy.

Albert Pujols is at the tail end of his prime at 32 years old, but he is still one of the premier players in the game. A 10-year deal is long, but almost guarantees that The Machine will end his career with the Halos, the marketing from Pujols hitting his 500th, 600th, 700th and making a run at Barry Bonds' (or Alex Rodriguez's) home run record, factors into this deal as well. What this move did though is make a gluttony of power hitting first baseman on the Angels roster. Pujols, plus 2011 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Mark Trumbo, and a hopefully returning Kendrys Morales gives them three players with 30-35 home run potential for two spots is intriguing. Will Trumbo transition to third base or outfield? Can Morales only DH? Does this designate Bobby Abreu to a role as a bench player? Will future star Mike Trout have to start the season in the minors? Is there another move to be made? All of these questions need to be sorted out during spring training, but I believe the way the Angels will go is to give Morales a chance to prove he's healthy and deal him for whatever help they need at the trade deadline. While Trout, is the odd man out....for now.

With the huge splash of signing Pujols, the big splash of getting the best starting pitcher on the free agent market almost seemed like an afterthought but it shouldn't. Wilson has transitioned magnificently from being a closer into an All-Star starting pitcher. Wilson has become an innings eater, with 200+ innings the past two seasons. When coupled along with Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, and Ervin Santana will take a ton of pressure off the Angels weak spot, the bullpen. The signing gives the Angels FOUR starters with finished in the top 30 of ERA in 2011. Even better, all of those starters went at least 228 innings in 2011. No other American League team can make that claim. This is now the best starting rotation in the AL on paper.

Other signings for the Angels include LaTroy Hawkins who will help as a righty out of the bullpen.

Miami Marlins

New name, new uniforms, new stadium, new manager and new players. The Marlins made themselves heard early and often. The biggest fish they reeled in was shortstop Jose Reyes from, the division rival Mets, with a six-year, 106-million dollar deal. Reyes gives them a dynamic player at the top of the lineup who with a healthy Hanley Ramirez and Emilio Bonifacio gives Miami the fastest 1-2-3 at the top of the lineup in the majors. If any of those three can reach base in the 1st inning, it might become a double with a stolen base and sets the table for superstar in-the-making Mike Stanton. I expect the Marlins to be among the league leaders in 1st inning runs in 2012. The more I look at the top of the Marlins lineup the more scared I get as a Braves fan.

That's not the only move the Marlins made though as they splurged on two pitchers in Heath Bell and Mark Buerhle. With the confusion of Leo Nunez/Juan Carlos Oviedo's identity situation, Miami locked down one of the best closers in the game. If Oviedo is still on the team he can return to a setup role with less pressure. Buerhle left Chicago after 12 seasons with the White Sox and will finally be adding some color to his uniform (a lot of it), but the most important move is going to the National League where he could have a sub 3.50 ERA. For my fantasy baseball friends, Buerhle is one of those unsexy, late round picks who by midseason you think to yourself wow he's doing it again. Lastly, how many starting pitching free agents have had 11 straight years of 200+ innings? Exactly.

The big unknown, the culture shock in the clubhouse from going from 80 year-old Jack McKeon to lightning rod Ozzie Guillen. I'm not sure exactly what's going to happen in Miami this season, they might need a season to mesh, but I know for sure it's going to be entertaining. For those of you looking for a solid MLB jersey investment, 22 year-old Mike Stanton with the new Marlins jersey, has to be in the top 5.

Other pickups include trading for Carlos Zambrano from the Cubs who desperately needed a change of scenery and Wade LeBlanc from the Padres. Those two will more than likely battle for the 5th rotation spot coming out of spring training, the loser being rotation insurance.

Other victors:
Detroit Tigers: Barely, Detroit signed Prince Fielder to a huge deal, but lost Victor Martinez to a torn ACL. Octavio Dotel is a nice bullpen piece. The biggest winners though from the Tigers dealings? Fantasy baseball keeper/dynasty league players with Miguel Cabrera and his 3B eligibility he'll gain early this season. I know I'm giddy about that.

Texas Rangers: Lost CJ Wilson, but if Yu Darvish is for real, they may have upgraded. Also a risk in Joe Nathan as the closer, but allows Texas to move Neftali Feliz to the rotation.

Washington Nationals: Didn't do anything too flashy, but trading for Gio Gonzalez and signing Edwin Jackson, gives the Nationals a quietly good rotation. Plus, Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman have another offseason to get fully healthy.

Toronto Blue Jays: No moves really made big headlines. However, Alex Anthopoulos completely rebuilt the Jays bullpen that was pretty bad with Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch. They gave up a good prospect for Sergio Santos to be the closer, with Francisco Cordero and Darren Oliver in the mix, plus Casey Janssen and Jason Frasor still there. One of the Toronto's biggest weaknesses in 2011 could now be a strength.

That's who I have as the biggest winners this offseason. Coming up soon will be the victims who got burned by the hot stove.