While Dan is on his blogging binge (ain't it beautiful?), ranting and raving about the downfall of the Twins, I'm prepping to head to New Orleans. Lots of laundry, debates about what I'll need for the time there, how to dress, weather, backups, and enough electronic gear to rival NASA are all heading into the bag. There's tons being written elsewhere speculating about what might happen, so I'll leave that to ... well, everyone else. I'll be on the ground, talking to as many people as possible. (For those of you that will be there, you know how to reach me.) Reading Alex's excellent Verducci interview (linked below) reminds me that while I am a sportswriter, I'm not a journalist. Just because you have a brush and paint doesn't make you Picasso - I can do things like a journalist, but I don't yet have the chops to compete with Verducci, Gammons, or Sheehan.

But I learn fast.

That has to scare the heck out of some people, doesn't it? Last year in New Orleans, I was just happy to be there. I stood in the sonic shadows of waterfalls, gazed longingly at my press credential, and generally genuflected anytime I recognized someone. I'll still be damned happy to be there, but I don't do much of the hero worship any more. Some, not much. My ace in the hole is passion. I don't sleep (hence the 5am post) and I'll outwork the people I can't outsmart.

Yes, I'm excited. There are stories I think will happen - some you'll expect, some you won't, and some well off-the-field. At worst, I'll have a couple good hurricanes and hang out with some great people, but I think the worst case scenario is about as likely as the Cubs signing Vlad.

Scheduled to interview Don Fehr for BPR tomorrow. It will air the week following - this week is "live from New Orleans" - but it should be interesting and wide-ranging.

Here's an odd one: I saw the name of one of my sources on the Rose story today in print. It wasn't associated in any way with the story, but I'd never seen that person mentioned, so it was something of a jolt. After the SI decision today, I'm understandably a bit jumpy about confidentiality.

I may or may not post much over the next week, depending on free time in New Orleans. I'm sure you'll understand if I'm otherwise occupied.

I'll be the one with the big cup of coffee and a big grin ...