I haven’t mentioned it yet, but I can’t let the seventh anniversary of Jay Jaffe’s seminal baseball blog Futility Infielder pass without comment. Jay was the first person connected with the blog world that I ever met in person. It was right around this time, the spring of 2003. We had lunch at Christine’s, a polish diner on Second avenue just south of 14th street that I frequented often as teenager with my friend Mary Lou, who lived right around the block.

Jay and I have remained friends ever since. We generally go to a couple of games at the Stadium every year, and we watch a handful more together at our respective cribs (Brooklyn, Bronx). Jay is one of the all-time baseball conversationalists. I always come away from our conversations knowing more, curiosities satisfied, others stimulated. And we never fail to have laughs. A spontaneous schtick that we did watching Paul LoDuca late last season has forever altered my ability to take LoDuca seriously ever again. I can’t not laugh at Paulie when I see him, read about him or hear his name.

And more than just that, respect due, cause Jay is strictly OB: Original Blogga. He’s one of a small group of guys, which include Geoff Young, whose Ducksnorts started in 1997, that is still around. And even if he doesn’t blog as frequently as he has in the past, Jay’s writing–particularly the work he does at Baseball Prospectus–is better and more prolific than ever. He’s polished when talking in front of audiences at bookstores, he knows his s*** when talking on the radio. He’s a pro.

Anyhow, I’m happy to call him a pal, and I’m really impressed with how he’s developed and honed his work over the years. And I wanted to say as much.

Now, come on you guys, let’s git ’em!