So, I've already discussed some of the exciting growth in social media areas enjoyed by Section 36 in 2019.
But, what about just generally? How did the blog perform in 2019 at just being a blog? How did I do as a blogger? As a collector? I'm not going to pretend you actually care...but what else am I supposed to post about on New Year's Eve?
In 2018, this will be my 137th post. That's about a post a week fewer than in 2018. I wish that number was a bit higher. I think three posts a week is a good goal for a minimum, and would like to be slightly above that. This year I just wasn't really feeling it sometimes. It was getting annoying writing post after post about how the bullpen wan't going to kill the season and the starters needed to pick it up. (Unfortunately they never did.) Waiting for a team to finally get healthy can make for a long series of nothingness. Hopefully the 2020 season won't have any of that.
Although, those posts almost always included an interview on Friday. Hopefully you've been enjoying all the visits from celebrity Red Sox fans (or, at least baseball fans). I think they're a lot of fun, and enjoy hearing input from those types of fans. If you enjoy them too, that’s wonderful. If you don't, hopefully once a week isn't too intrusive. Because, looking back, it's actually been almost once a week. Hope I can keep that up.
The Section 36 store also had a great year. More people keep buying shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, and whatever else. I'm always humbled whenever a sale goes through. Hopefully you've enjoyed all the pictures people have sent in wearing their gear. With any luck, both sales and picture submittals will increase in 2020!
2019 was also a continuation of my blogging perspective to help me find my voice or my place in this wide world. Sometimes I found myself wondering what exactly the point of my blogging is. Especially with all the success of the interviews. I wonder if Section 36 should do those full time, like a talk show of sorts. Would at be easier to fit them in? After all, my in depth Red Sox writing is sometimes few and far between. But, I've come to realize that I was thinking about it wrong. I am a Red Sox fan. I like talking about the team, and about collecting their memorabilia, and going to their games, and talking with their fans. All of that is what it means to be a fan of the reigning World Champs. Just because I don’t discuss WAR on a daily basis doesn't make this a bad blog. Nor does it mean that I can't discuss WAR every now and then. If the people I interview aren't exactly diehard Red Sox fans, that's ok. They can still talk about the type of fans they are. It's called a Red Sox fan blog for a reason. Because it's by a fan, about being a fan. Whatever type of fan that is.
Hope that's OK with you.