Big Brother Winner Named Fan Cave Finalist

Wednesday, the MLB Fan Cave announced their 30 finalists and among them, a familiar face..."Big Brother 12" winner Hayden Moss.

The 26-year-old Moss is on his way to Arizona for Spring Training next week to audition to be the 2013 MLB Fan Cave Dwellers.  According to his (what appears to be outdated) video, the former reality show champ deserves to be selected because, get this, he's a sports junkie.

Amazing. 

I'm guessing that's the same thing all the folks trying out for a spot said.  If I was Moss, I would've gone with the fact that he's able to live all summer in an enclosed space while the world watches on. 

But what do I know?

Now, I only bring up Moss so I can sing the praises of one Mike Clair.

Clair is another one of the Fan Cave's 30 finalists and, judging by the videos...one of the more creative.  Oh, he's probably one of the more qualified as well.  His blogging skills, comedic chops and humanitarian efforts are unmatched.  Fact. 

Did you know...dude also recently completed his second annual charity blogathon and raised more than $3000 for Doctors Without Borders?  It's true.
 
Then again, I might also be a little biased. 

You see, the Pittsburgh Pirates fan (yes, that's a real thing) has also contributed to The Hall of Very Good.  And, well, if Clair is actually able to be part of this thing...he's heading to the Big Apple with Ross Grimsley on his chest.

Now...go vote!

Fan Cave Dweller Witness to Deadly Rampage

You remember Benjamin Christensen, right?

Sure, you do.

Christensen is the bearded Oregonian who, thanks to his many tattoos (he has all the Major League mascots inked down both sides of his body) and overall baseball knowledge, spent half his summer in the MLB Fan Cave.

The self-proclaimed "tattooed dude" and Oakland A's fanatic is far removed from his life as a Cave Dweller and back home working retail at Just Sports at a mall outside Portland...and on Tuesday night, things got downright real.

You guessed it.

The Just Sports that Christensen works at is in the Clackamas Town Center Mall, the shopping center that, on Tuesday, became a deadly scene...leaving three dead and multiple people injured.

And the baseball fanatic, smartphone in hand, Twitter account open, had a front row seat to the mayhem that was unfolding around him.

"It was a mad scramble once everyone realized it was gunfire they were hearing. I did my best to get as many people inside and out to safety," the 29-year-old told The Hall exclusively late Tuesday night. "I never thought I'd be in the middle of something so chaotic."

 

Friday 5: Gordon Mack

It's been a while since the "Friday 5" has made an appearance here at The Hall.  Then again, it's been since forever that MLB Fan Cave dweller (and friend of The Hall) Gordon Mack has had a chance to attend the MLB All-Star Game.

That said, dude was in Kansas City for all the festivities and, naturally, had his five favorite moments from the Midsummer Classic.

1.  Offering Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon a $5000 check if he would come to the Fan Cave when they play the Mets again.

2.  Asking Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz if he would change his name officially to Chooch Ruiz.

3.  Partying with all of the mascots.

4.  Taking batting practice on the field in my Toms Shoes.

5.  Finally watching a live baseball game.

Gordon Mack is a Philadelphia Phillies fan who, before entering the MLB Fan Cave, had been working in Manhattan as a video editor.  According to his bio over at MLB.com, his original dream job was to design roller coasters, but that was put aside once he learned he could watch baseball as a profession.

You can follow him on Twitter at @gordonmack.

Charlie Manuel Reads Tweets...Hilarity Ensues

The MLB FanCave has had a number of big name guests so far this baseball season, but few have been as entertaining as Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.

And since the 68-year-old skipper has “no idea what Twitter is” it was good that he brought the team’s most active tweeter, Shane Victorino, with him to help him read some of his player’s tweets.

One cat who got to witness the hilarity up close and personal was MLB FanCave dweller Gordon Mack.

Meeting Charlie and Shane was unreal, especially Charlie. Not many fans get the opportunity to talk baseball with their favorite manger.” the 24-year-old Phillies fan said.  Charlie was hilarious with his stories from his playing days, and it was fun to chat with him about mound visits and umpire chats as would imagine.”

And while Manuel struggled with the tweets from current Phils Jimmy Rollins, John Mayberry Jr., Hunter Pence and, of course, Victorino…Mack has his thoughts as to what five former Phillies he’d like to see on Twitter. 

• @HarryKalas - a memorial Twitter account to remind us how awesome he was for us
• @LeeAndHalladayProspects - a group Twitter account for all the young kids that we gave away for Lee and Halladay.
• @PapelbonThoughts - a Twitter account created to let fans know what Papelbon is thinking every game that could potentially get him thrown out by the umpire.
• @MikeSchmidt - Why not?
• @BradLidge - but we would only want to read his first 48 tweets because we can guarantee those tweets will be perfect just like in 2008.

 I couldn’t agree more.  Pound swoooooooosh!