Batting Practice Fastballs: Calcaterra

Our friend Craig Calcaterra joins us for the first installment of “Batting Practice Fastballs,” six meat-ball questions even the bat boy could pop out of the park. Craig, the blogger formerly known as Shyster, discusses moving his keyboard to NBC’s Circling the Bases full-time, the winter meetings in Indy, and collectible press credentials.

Allow me to loosen up the ol’ soup bone and chuck these softies over the middle of the plate…

SS: How does is feel to be part of the mainstream baseball media now?

CC: The job is nice. Not sure if this is really mainstream baseball media, though. I write in my den while wearing slippers and sipping coffee. I feel like I’m getting away with murder. Real baseball writers actually work.

SS: Regarding your first winter meeting coverage, would you consider it a) Much Ado About Nothing, b) 2Fast 2Furious, or c) Field of Dreams?

CC: 2Fast 2Furious. I mean, on the one hand nothing major happened. However, given that my mandate is to write about rumors and talks and suppositions and the general zeitgeist of the place and to offer my unsolicited opinions about everything that enters the realm of the possible as opposed to stuff that actually, you know, happens, it made for a busy, busy four days.

SS: Without the pesky legal career getting in the way, do you think we’ll notice anything different about your writing in 2010?

CC: (a) There will be much, much more of it; and (b) it will likely be infused with less angst. Not sure if (b) will be a good thing or a bad thing. Angst can be pretty potent fuel.

SS: What was the drink of choice there in Indianapolis?

CC: During the day: tons and tons of coffee. Once evening hit, my drink of choice was scotch rocks. Most baseball people are beer drinkers, however.

SS: Is there anything more you could have done to help my Cubs rid themselves of Milton Bradley?

CC: I suppose they could just offer more and more cash in the deal until Tampa Bay says yes, but really, the Cubs are over a barrel here. They have to move him. Almost no one wants him. Everyone know this. Tough place to be in. Ultimately, they’ll basically just pay some team to take him.

SS: Did you keep your first official press credential?

CC: Yeah. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I’ll probably keep it forever. This meant an awful lot to me.

Thanks, Craig. Time to get out of the cage. Who’s ready to take some cuts? Hit me up with suggestions at s_simkus@yahoo.com