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Thursday, Feb.7/2013

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

All of us hardcore fans have seen the MLB Fan Cave for the last few years.  Heck, if it wasn’t for the MLB accepting applications for the Season 1 – I personally would have never joined Twitter, interacted with winners Mike O’ Hara and Ryan, before eventually meeting the MLB Reports Founder (Jonathan Hacohen) through conversing with those guys over my baseball travel book.  Jonathan did a book review for me, then asked me to guest blog for him during the 2012 World Series.  1 year and half later, I bought the website, meanwhile our site has continued a friendship with the Cave Dwellers from the 1st 2 seasons.  Last year, we interviewed Eddie Mata – and did a follow up story with Mike O ‘ Hara on life after the Cave.

A few months ago, I came across a genuine fan of the LA Dodgers and baseball in general.  Thomas (Aaron) Roberts has since been our Dodgers Correspondent here.  I can tell you that the man loves baseball and anything to do with it.  I never even knew he applied for the MLB Fan Cave in 2013, then last week he sent me a link that he was a top 52 finalist. 

This is no small feat and any of us would love to be in Roberts shoes.  I will do anything within my power to help him along, because he is a deserving person to be sent to New York.  Just by watching his video entry, it is abundantly clear that he belongs at the Fan Cave.  So please click the link and then after viewing, read the interview I conducted with Thomas (Aaron) Roberts afterwards. 

Thomas (Aaron) Roberts MLB Fancave Video:

CB: Aaron, how does it feel to be in the final 52 for the MLB FanCave 2013?

TR: It’s incredible! When I found out, I was on my way to work and I started to yell and honk my horn. I’ve been plotting and strategizing my campaign all while tirelessly e-mailing, calling and tweeting to try and gain exposure. I’ve got a couple cool things coming down the pipeline before February 13th that have me pretty excited. It’s been an amazing experience and one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of. There is a downside though. Now that I’m so close, it’s going to sting if I don’t get in. I want this bad!

CB: Why do you think you would be qualified to be part of the Cave in 2013?

TR: I know the game inside and out. I am the ultimate fan. I collect memorabilia, seek out quirky aspects of Baseball and bleed Dodger blue. I attend Spring Training and know player’s middle names. I am very active on social media and can spin a joke. I love meeting people and I especially love showing off my creative talents with video, pictures and interviews. I was made for Baseball and the MLB Fan Cave was made for me.

CB: Can you recall your 1st game ever at an MLB Park?

TR: I don’t remember my very first game but my very first memory of a Major League Baseball game is at Dodger Stadium. It’s all a little fuzzy but I remember Darryl Strawberry hitting two home runs against the Astros. I was also at and remember the infamous Dodger and Cardinal game in 1995 where the Dodgers had to forfeit because fans wouldn’t stop throwing give-away balls onto the field. That was a wild one.

CB: What does MLB Baseball mean to you?

TR: Baseball is one of the biggest parts of my life. I love the game. I love everything about it. The History and traditions of Baseball are found in no other sport. It’s the only game we play where the venues have just as much of a following and personality as the players. Parks are destinations that people aspire to visit and see just as much as the teams themselves. Baseball represents everything that I want this world to be. It’s gone beyond a simple ball and stick game and transcended into the philosophy of life. Of what you should strive for. There is an intrinsic poetry to Baseball that isn’t present anywhere else in life. Major League Baseball, with all of its faults and problems, still represents the best that the game has to off. Baseball is art brought to life.

CB: Are you prepared for being voted off at any time?

TR: Practically prepared? Yes. Emotionally prepared? Not at all! Ha Ha! First I need to get in though and then I’ll worry about getting kicked out.

CB: What does your workplace say about you potentially going to New York for an indefinite amount of time?

TR: They don’t have a problem with it because they don’t know! Ha! Realistically I can take off as much time as I choose because I’m a substitute teacher and pick when I work. Financially, I’m pretty good at saving money and always plan ahead for the summer anyway. This year I’ve been saving a little extra just in case my dream does come true. It’ll be a little tight but I’ll make it through.

CB: What is favorite moment from previous Fan Cave years in 2011 and 2012? Who were your favorite dwellers?

TR: My favorite Dwellers were Ryan Wagner, Eddie Mata, Mike O’Hara and Ricardo Marquez. Those guys were hilarious and very clever! I really liked their audition videos and learned a lot from following them through the Fan Cave. My favorite moment was the giant Mark Trumbo head Ricardo had at the homerun derby in Kansas City. I laughed every time that thing was on TV!

CB: The ALL-Star game is at Citi Field, have you allowed yourself to think about what if I make it that far in the Cave?  Have you ever seen an ASG before? 

TR: Oh man, I’ve been thinking a lot about the things I’d get to do if I got into the MLB Fan Cave. It’s kind of like when you buy a lottery ticket and then imagine what you’d do with the winnings. I’ve never been to an All-Star game before (I tried to go when it was in Anaheim in 2010 but no dice.) So I would absolutely love to go to Citi Field! I’ve never been there either.

CB: What is your favorite thing about going to a live MLB Baseball Game?

TR: My favorite thing about a live Baseball games are the sounds. They’re completely unique sounds you can’t get anywhere else. They don’t translate to TV or Radio. The crack of the bat, the punch of the Catcher’s mitt catching a pitch, the umpire’s calls and the organ and effects they play are all found only at a Major League Baseball game.

CB: Who are your favorite players in the MLB Currently or in the history of the Game?

TR: My favorite player currently isn’t even a Dodger. While I do have my share of favorite Dodgers, Adam Jones is my Favorite in Baseball. I follow him on Instagram and the majority of his posts are of his dog. He’s an animal lover and a funny guy. Being a huge Animal lover myself, that speaks to me. My favorite Dodger is A.J. Ellis because he hustles, works hard and is sort of an underdog. My favorite player when I was a kid was Ivan “Pudge” Rodriquez and my favorite of all time is Kirk Gibson because nobody played the game tougher than he did.

CB: Where can we vote for you?

TR: You can vote for me by either clicking on this link here: – This Link also contains my 2 minute application video.

Or going to the MLB Fan Cave website, clicking on “Vote” at the top and finding “Thomas Roberts.” I have my submission video on there so you can watch that as well. You can also come be my friend on Twitter Follow @bertsball Facebook (Facebook.com/Bertsball) Instagram (@Bertsball) and my Blog (Bertsball.blogspot.com) I post about the Dodgers, Baseball and my campaign frequently on each of them.  I also have a “Get to know Thomas” video and plan to post a few more videos in the coming days. Here’s the link to my video that tells you a little bit more about me.

Thank You so much and I appreciate everyone’s support!

Please check out some of Thomas (Aaron) Roberts written work:

Vin Scully And My Stepfather: 2 Heroes In My Life Jan.30/2013

The Blue Fire…Don Mattingly Must Win With The Dodgers In 2013 Jan.24/2013

After Coming Off Of TJ Surgery – Carl Crawford Looks To Help The LA Dodgers in 2013 Jan.21/2013

** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners.***

Chuck Booth – Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner and author of the Fastest 30 Ballgames:   To learn more about my  “The Fastest 30 Ballgames Book” and how to purchase it, click here . You can also follow my Guinness Book of World Record Successful Bid to see all 30 MLB Park in 23 Days- click here.  I am happy to be part of such an awesome Magazine-Style Baseball Website and am looking forward to talking to all of the fans of the MLB.  You can reach me on Twitter here Follow @mlbreports

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