Year One: The Ledger Is Still Standing

Happy Anniversary To The Lone Star Sports Ledger!

Certain anniversaries call for certain celebrations.

Each year of togetherness symbolizes a benchmark for survival. The more years a relationship survives, the easier it gets. (I think)

Arguably, the first year is the hardest. Is it worth it? Am I ready for this commitment? Are we beginning to hate each other? 

All valid concerns.

So as is it goes, all concerns aside, The Lone Star Sports Ledger celebrates its first anniversary this June!

From meager beginnings of a few hits a day to an average of 100 per day. From hoping at least twenty people read my blog to approaching 20,000 hits in its first year!

Ranging from personal commentaries, one-on-one interviews, statistical data, and total randomness, here are The Ledger’s Top 5 posts based off viewership.

My Interview With Bisbee The Cat: Texas A&M’s Other Mascot (1,308)

By far the funniest interview I’ve done to this point. It’s not everyday you get to interview a cat. Until I met Bisbee, I didn’t even know cats could talk let alone interview. From the streets to the college campus, Bisbee gave readers a good chuckle on his points-of-view regarding Reveille, Aggie traditions, and his hatred towards everything UT. Bisbee clearly showed readers that the importance of being an Aggie compares only to the air we humans breathe. Whoop!

Bisbee The Cat

My Interview With Donal Logue: Actor & Professional Soccer Club Owner (1,150)

I met Donal Logue through a series of happenstance Tweets. None the less, a virtual yet respectful bond was formed during our interview. A proven actor, movie director, and producer, Logue still finds time for his passion, soccer. Not only does he play and manage one of California’s most successful professional teams (Hollywood United FC), he owns them. From original players Billy Duffy & Ian Astbury of The Cult, to current actor/player Dermot Mulroney and Jason Statham, and ex-USMNT stars Eric Wynalda, Alexi Lalas, & John Harkes; Donal Logue sits among the Who’s Who in the soccer & entertainment business.

Donal Logue

Your ‘Bevos’ Weren’t As Big As You Thought They Were (744)

One of the biggest controversies in Texas last Fall was the rift between century old college rivals Texas A&M and Texas. As UT swung a mega-million dollar deal with ESPN, the message was clear to the Aggies…UT has no use for College Station. The deal set the wheels in motion for a chain of events the Longhorns did not see coming, to include the inevitable end to their storied rivalry.  I lost and gained quite a few friends penning this article (to include one family member), but still believe UT’s actions caused the demise of the Big XII. I also put together a photo montage depicting the end of the rivalry ( ’Love Done Gone’)

Bevo

My Interview With Robin Carlin-Mile High Sports Magazine (718)

My interview with Robin was a good turning point for The Ledger. For a lack of better words, it was my first ‘professional piece’. The site gained some serious steam after this write up. Carlin’s opinions on Carmelo Anthony’s departure from the Nuggets to the Denver fan’s infatuation with Tim Tebow was priceless. She gave readers an inside look into her personal life on what inspired her career as a sports writer. Her passion for Colorado sports rivals those of any Texan, and her journalistic acumen is second to none.

Mile High Sports writer, Robin Carlin.

Dallas Sidekicks…Never Say Die! (522)

A spur of the moment post and one of my proudest. It had been 25 years since the Dallas Sidekicks won Major Indoor Soccer League’s 1986-87 title. I grew up as teenager sneaking into the old Reunion Arena to watch Tatu and the Sidekicks, and saw every playoff game that championship year. I decided to search the internet for footage of Game 7 one Saturday morning and found a grainy clip that brought back so many memories. Instantly inspired, I pieced together my own revival of the franchise long since dead. Unbeknownst to me, a revival was already in the works. Four months after posting this article, the ‘Never Say Die’ team rose from the grave and announced they will begin play this fall in Addison, Tx. Thank you Ronnie Davis!

Honorable mentions: My Interview With Karsten Smith-San Antonio Scorpions (350), The Other “Man With The Hat” (334), Never Say Die! Dallas Sidekicks Returning (328), My Interview With Craig Hill-San Antonio Scorpions GK (310), My Interview With Mark Followill-Voice Of The Dallas Mavericks (302)

It’s been a fun first year for The Ledger.

Writing/Blogging was ten times harder than I ever imagined. But the people I have met along the way as well as the friendships forged made it worth the while.

I have since become the Editor for the Crocketters web site, San Antonio’s Premiere Soccer Supporters Group supporting San Antonio Scorpions FC, North American Soccer League’s newest franchise,

I’ve become a busy guy juggling The Ledger, the Crocketteers gig, my everyday military career, and last but not least, my wife and daughters who have supported me every step of the way. So busy that I brought aboard two very good writers to help the The Ledger steamroll into Year Two.

Tyler Torres’-Texas Rangers Blog has already received nearly 1,000 hits in his first month and a half, and Rudy Hernandez-Dallas Cowboy Blog is gearing up for the NFL season.

I sincerely thank everyone for their support while visiting The Ledger, as well as their numerous Tweets, RT’s, and Facebook Shares!