Pick All of the #FanCave30
We’re just over a week since the MLB Fan Cave Top 30 met in Arizona for first time. You’d never believe how people can bond over a short period of time, but apart from meeting your newborn child, I don’t think you could fall for people any quicker than the Fan Cave 30. The MLB team has the arduous task of selecting who goes to New York City and I don’t envy them one bit. In my mind, anyone and everyone could be taking up residence on 4th and Broadway and here’s why. In random order:
Superfan Pete Gourlie: His name says it all! Pete is a fun-loving guy that would represent the Brewers with great passion. I’m not sure there’s someone who loves their team the way Pete does. It’d be quite the story to go from mattress salesman to Cave Dweller. He’s the only one of us that stayed in Arizona to watch his team play. Pete’s Twitter: @SuperFanPete
Alex Justice: I won’t lie, I came in thinking Alex was going to be more of a tom boy with the hats and and bandanas I had seen her wear in her application video. I wasn’t more wrong. She’s a beautiful, talented, and confident girl. Plus, this would be the biggest thing Cleveland has won in years. Alex’s Twitter: @alexjustice4all
Michael Clair: I love Michael’s blog so much. It’s great to see someone so dedicated to America’s pastime’s past time. (Apologies if that was terrible.) Michael is also so funny and if there’s a year to put a Pirates fan in. It’d be the year when I truly think they crack .500 for the first time in eons. Michael’s Twitter: @clairbearattack
Calder Cahill: Who’d think that a kid from Vail, Colorado would be just a big baseball fan. Calder is just a great guy that comes up with pure gold. Like this video about the wait to see who makes the MLB Fan Cave. Did I mention he’s good looking? He is. Calder’s Twitter: @Calder_CO
April Whitzman: The girl with the hopes and dreams of an entire nation on her shoulders. Then again, most of that nation is paying attention to hockey and not this. April has gotten the most support from her team the Toronto Blue Jays. Not to mention, her near 6,500 followers gives her a huge advantage. April’s Twitter: @Alleycat17
Thomas Aaron Roberts: I still haven’t figured out what his actual first name is. Name aside, he’s one of the most fun-loving people in the top 30. He also represents a huge fan base with the Dodgers. The “Cape in the Cave” gimmick could also be pretty solid. Thomas’ Twitter: @BertsBall
Nick Mendillo: Personally, I think Nick is in. He’s arguably the funniest and most creative person in the top 30. He represents Red Sox Nation, a great fan base who up until this point have never had a full-time Cave Dweller. Plus, like Calder, he’s really good-looking. Wait a minute. Nick’s Twitter: @grevalt
Christine Lorigo: There hasn’t been a girl more dedicated to getting her name out there for the MLB Fan Cave this past season. I tried carrying around a sign for one day at Braves spring training and it was ruined in like three hours, to carry a sign all season is pretty impressive. She really wants this opportunity. Christine’s Twitter: @TineLorigo
Angalena Scavuzzo: Like April, Angalena has gotten a ton of support from her team the Royals. You can tell from her videos that she’s fun loving and quirky. Either way, she got to meet George Brett, she’s already won! If MLB thinks the Royals are for real, it’ll help her chances a ton. Angalena’s Twitter: @Angalena
Katie Gregerson: *Channels nice things to say about the Nationals fan* Katie is great fan of the team I don’t like. She also is a very safe pick. She’s cute, will get her work done, and stay out of trouble. She rocks Tumblr too, which I’m not the strongest at. Any girl that also dabbles in WWE is pretty hardcore! Katie’s Twitter: @katiegregerson
Lindsay Beaver: I met Lindsay during last year’s MLB Fan Cave process. She wasn’t old enough then, but I knew when she was she’d have a great chance at making it to NYC. Glad to know I was right. She’s beautiful, creative, and awkward dances like a fool. Plus, representing the defending American League champions is a great boost. Lindsay’s Twitter: @LindsayBeavs
Kelsey Shea: Kelsey is a perfect fit for the MLB Fan Cave. She’s dedicated, cute, and talented. I still need some more of the crazy hair Kelsey gimmick though. She also has an underrated skill of blogging, which she’s worked on the past year. The Cardinals are also are one of the biggest fan bases and as we saw with Kyle Thompson’s followers last year, love the MLB Fan Cave. Kelsey’s Twitter: @kelseyshea11
Hayden Moss: I think the rest of the top 30 won’t be mad when I say Hayden’s the best-looking member of the group. He doesn’t just have his team’s fan base, but also the fan base of the reality TV show “Big Brother”. With over 45,000 followers, Hayden has by far the most followers on Twitter. He’s also a really nice guy, no wonder why he won that show. Hayden’s Twitter: @Hayden_Moss
Stephanie Rodriguez: I think Stephe knows her greatest strength in this competition and that’s she represents Latinos. Her 2nd greatest strength is that she represents the New York Yankees, who have had a Cave Dweller each of the last two seasons. She’s also energetic, photogenic, and outgoing. Pretty good total package. Stephanie’s Twitter: @Stephelovee
Jay Tuohey: Jay is unlike anyone in this competition. He has a great look, he’s quick-witted, creative, and he’s the best video editor in the competition. Like Lindsay, you have to like that’s he’s representing the Detroit Tigers, who should be a playoff team. ROAR, indeed. Jay’s Twitter: @TheRoar_24
Mina Park: Mina seems quiet on the outside, but when asked to show her stuff she nails it. I loved her opening the “Les Miserables” parody song. She has a tremendous look and knows how to represent both her fan base of the Texas Rangers with the flair of coming from Los Angeles. Mina’s Twitter: @MinaPark
Ben Wietmarschen: Speaking of quiet people that nail their stuff. Ben is so humble, almost to a fault. However, from his application video and from recording a commercial with him, I know how hilarious he can be. Representing the Reds, who are clear NL Central favorites, helps Ben out a ton. Ben’s Twitter: @BenWeitmarschen
Travis Miller: Travis’ has had the longest journey to this point and as a friend, I hope it’s his time to make it. Travis just has this way about him that makes everyone he comes in contact with adore him. His writing skills are top-notch, he’s beyond creative, and everyone would like you to know he looks like Tim Tebow. Travis’ Twitter: @attravismiller
Andrew Fleming: It’s pretty safe to say that Drew had one of the best application videos in the contest. He’s strong when it comes to his thoughts and also shows his creativity in unorthodox ways. I don’t like the Cardinals but thought his “huSTLer” hat was fantastic. He may go by “The Film Jerk”, but deep down he’s a good guy. Drew’s Twitter: @theflimjerk
Jeremy Dorn: I don’t even know what to say about Jeremy. He’s my blogging partner-in-crime and if we made the MLB Fan Cave together we’d do amazing things like bringing to life our jersey draft. Jeremy’s so knowledgeable and dedicated to the game as evidenced by his “30 teams in 30 days” preview on Bleacher Report. He’s a great guy and the George Brett photo bomb with him and Jeff Francoeur is the stuff of legend. Jeremy’s Twitter: @JamblinMan
Martin Jones: I didn’t really have a read on Martin until karaoke happened. They played the wrong version of R. Kelly’s “Ignition” and instead of freaking out, he rolled with the punches and came up with a creative rendition that had us in stitches. Being able to think quick is a great skill to have. Martin’s Twitter: @BackPackJones
Jay Ducote: I loved getting to know Jay. His story of how he was on MasterChef made me so happy. Jay may be representing the worst team in the league, but that’s not going to hinder him. He has a great fan base through his blog “Bite and Booze” he’d make a great fit to represent the South in the Fan Cave. Jay’s Twitter: @biteandbooze
Vanessa Demske: Vanessa is unlike anyone in this competition. There are people you can group together and think one of them are making it, you can’t do that with Van. She’s quirky, funny, smart, and beautiful. Any girl that would get a Bill Dickey tattoo on her leg just proves how much of baseball fan she is. In my opinion, she had the most thought-out recap blog out of all of us. She’s going to do great things, whether or not she’s chosen. Oh, and LATOS. Vanessa’s Twitter: @vdemske
Eitan Levine: Eitan is just straight-up funny. I don’t think he said a non-funny thing the entire time in Arizona. If the MLB Fan Cave is looking for a local boy to represent New York City, Eitan’s the clear pick. If not, we’ll always have this. Eitan’s Twitter: @eitanthegoalie
Danny Ferris: Danny is flat-out a nice guy. He’s also benefits from knowing how to play the game as he played in college at Virginia Tech. That in-game knowledge is what could carry him far in this contest. Hopefully, he doesn’t go on a Tinder binge if he doesn’t. Danny’s Twitter: @ohshootitsdan
Marcus Hall: It’s time for the Chicago portion of the blog! There’s never been a Chicago representative in the Fan Cave and these next two could end that drought. Marcus is a great guy and would connect well with the fans. He nailed his part in the “Les Miserables” parody as well as our 30-second commercial together. Marcus’ Twitter: @_MHa11
Katie Cernek: There’s no one better to represent the small-town fan in New York City. She’d be a fantastic story of someone living out their dreams and going from tiny Gratiot, Wisconsin to New York City. She adores her Cubbies and would be a great role model for young girls that love the game. Between her, Alex, Lindsay, Stephanie, and a girl coming up, the game is in good hands with that demographic. Katie’s Twitter: @katiecernek
Sam Dingman: I came in with no expectations for Sam, but was blown away by him. He’s hilarious, dedicated, and I didn’t kill him over six hours in an airport and plane together. That shows a lot. If you’re an Orioles fan, check out his podcast here. Sam’s Twitter: @samdingman
Ally Williams: It’s amazing that the person last in alphabetical order came up last in the random order on the website for this. Ally doesn’t let anything get to her. She’s the most organized person in the contest and it bodes her well. She’s cerebral and in this contest you need a good head on your shoulders. She knows the game as well as any female and even more than most males. Her photography background working with the Giants this past season is great for her chances. Her gifs about the contest have been spot on and have I mentioned Ally, that I love your hat? Ally’s Twitter: @itsallyduhh
There’s a reason for everyone in the Fan Cave 30 to make it to New York City. It’s just finding the right mix that will work for the fans this season. That’s what the MLB Fan Cave is really about, connecting with the fans outside of the MLB Fan Cave, not about the ones who are inside it. I think everyone in this group (including myself) knows that. Now to just continue sitting, waiting, and wishing that I’m the one that gets to interact with MLB fans this season from in front of the Cave Monster.
-Bryan Mapes (@IAmMapes)
Three Up, Three Down 