Jane Heller

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author

Spotted at the Yogi Berra Museum!

Yogi museum she fan

I posted this pic on Facebook this morning, but I also thought it belonged here. See what’s at the very bottom of the photo? Yup, it’s a copy of my book, the basis for this blog. My friend Patty LaDuca, who edited all those Yankees-related pieces I wrote for The New York Times sports section, happened to be at Yogi’s museum last week, snapped the photo and sent it to me last night. What a thrill!

It’s always gratifying to know that a book has a life after all the promotion for it dies down and it’s long since been published, and Confessions of a She-Fan‘s appearance at the museum is no exception. Following the Yankees to every game in every city for the second half of the 2007 season was a highlight of my life, and I’d do it again tomorrow.

Otherwise, nothing much new in Yankeeville to report except that Aroldis Chapman, our new closer, will not be charged with domestic violence and firing a weapon, apparently. Now it’s up to MLB whether he’ll incur a suspension. Stay tuned.

Movie Day: "Trouble With the Curve"

I had to skip the Q&A after today’s screening with the producer and screenwriter, so I missed hearing what they had to say. But I enjoyed the movie itself in spite of my reluctance to see it. For one thing, the reviews were mixed. For another, I got the sense that Clint would be playing Clint – the same crabby, crusty guy from “Gran Torino,” “Million Dollar Baby,” etc. For a third, I wasn’t up for two hours of baseball cliches, no matter how big a baseball fan I am.

However, the movie got to me, cliches and all.

Yes, Clint was crabby, very much the guy who talked to a chair at the Republican convention. The raised eyebrow, the lip curl, the salty putdowns – all in evidence.

But then there was Amy Adams, who can do no wrong, as far as I’m concerned. She created magic as Clint’s lawyer daughter – feisty yet vulnerable, tough-talking but charming – plus she had the best hair of any woman I’ve ever seen (she should do shampoo commercials).

Justin Timberlake continues to grow as an actor, and he was perfect as the former pitcher-turned-scout and Amy’s love interest.

There aren’t a lot of surprises in “Trouble With the Curve” – the villains are one-note villainous, the good guys (especially John Goodman) have hearts of gold and there’s no question how the story will end. And the big “reveal” – the reason Clint and Amy have been estranged – was downright weak. But I’m a romantic sap and a sucker for schmaltz and I love baseball movies, so I walked out of the theater feeling glad I’d come.

 

 

 

The Whole Wild Card Business

Selig announced the addition of two Wild Card teams today. Not sure when the new plan will go into effect (I think he said it could be as early as next year) and whether there will be a one-game playoff between them or a full-on series that would take baseball into November or December or the End Of Time.

I hate all this. I’m not a fan of the Wild Card system to begin with, but adding two more teams to the mix makes me crazy. Why? Because, as the article on MLB.com, states:

The new format means that 10 of the 30 teams will make the postseason.

Yup, that’s the part that gets me fuming. What’s special about a postseason in which virtually one third of the teams play in it? I understand that having more playoff teams means more excitement for the fans in those markets and more money for the teams/broadcast networks, but doesn’t all this dilute the integrity of the sport?

I know, I know. Other sports have multi-tiered playoff systems, but baseball isn’t just another sport. Not to me. I liked it the way it was. Bah humbug.

I’m Trying A New Approach This Season

I haven’t been shy about admitting how superstitious I am when it comes to the Yankees. And I know I’m not alone among fans. Even the players have their little quirks and rituals. But mine have become ridiculous, particularly during tense games (when aren’t the games tense?) and any post-season contest.

But as Opening Day draws near, I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf and abandon my voodoo fandom. That means no more:

  1. Sitting on the same cushion of the couch as long as the Yankees are winning.
  2. Standing directly (like 3″) from the TV whenever Mo is pitching so I can touch his face.
  3. Eating something (anything) as soon as the Yankees score a run but not a minute before they do.
  4. Eating the same thing for every meal (during the playoffs) as long as the Yankees are winning.
  5. Using the same “Lucky Pen” to keep score as long as the Yankees are winning.
  6. Wearing the same clothes (during the playoffs) as long as the Yankees are winning.
  7. Refusing to pick up the phone during a game.
  8. Being afraid to say a Yankee is playing well, staying healthy or looking good enough to make the All-Star team.
  9. Saying no to social invitations that might conflict with Yankees-Red Sox.

There are other superstitions I could list, but you get the picture. The point is, I’m giving them all up. I’m heading into the 2011 season on Thursday with a rational mind. I’m renouncing the idea that what I wear, eat and say influences whether the Yankees will win or not. I’m growing up….finally.

But just for old time’s sake, I’m going to finish up this post and then do this.

(Courtesy: wareyoufittin.com)

I'm Trying A New Approach This Season

I haven’t been shy about admitting how superstitious I am when it comes to the Yankees. And I know I’m not alone among fans. Even the players have their little quirks and rituals. But mine have become ridiculous, particularly during tense games (when aren’t the games tense?) and any post-season contest.

But as Opening Day draws near, I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf and abandon my voodoo fandom. That means no more:

  1. Sitting on the same cushion of the couch as long as the Yankees are winning.
  2. Standing directly (like 3″) from the TV whenever Mo is pitching so I can touch his face.
  3. Eating something (anything) as soon as the Yankees score a run but not a minute before they do.
  4. Eating the same thing for every meal (during the playoffs) as long as the Yankees are winning.
  5. Using the same “Lucky Pen” to keep score as long as the Yankees are winning.
  6. Wearing the same clothes (during the playoffs) as long as the Yankees are winning.
  7. Refusing to pick up the phone during a game.
  8. Being afraid to say a Yankee is playing well, staying healthy or looking good enough to make the All-Star team.
  9. Saying no to social invitations that might conflict with Yankees-Red Sox.

There are other superstitions I could list, but you get the picture. The point is, I’m giving them all up. I’m heading into the 2011 season on Thursday with a rational mind. I’m renouncing the idea that what I wear, eat and say influences whether the Yankees will win or not. I’m growing up….finally.

But just for old time’s sake, I’m going to finish up this post and then do this.

(Courtesy: wareyoufittin.com)

In Deference To Fans Of The NY Jets…

I’m writing this post about football – and why I don’t watch it. I’m a former New Yorker, so I’m rooting for the Jets in the most tangential way, but I’ll be skipping the big game tomorrow and picking up the blog on Monday.

Why don’t I watch/like football? I’ve asked myself that a lot over the years. I love sports in general, with baseball being my favorite, and can easily get interested in hockey, basketball, tennis, even boxing. But I have a mental block where football is concerned. Total apathy. To me, it’s a bunch of very large men, wearing equipment that makes them unrecognizable, gathered around a field, occasionally huddling, occasionally walking around, occasionally tackling each other, occasionally running and throwing and kicking. I have no idea what “fourth and ten” means. I’m clueless about “yards” and “downs.” I couldn’t tell you the difference between a field goal and a touchdown. I don’t know what all those white lines signify. There’s so much starting and stopping that I wonder why people think baseball is boring.

This is not to say I don’t understand the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat; the emotions of rooting for a team don’t change from sport to sport. And I’m sure the scheduling of football – the fact that games are only played once a week – really heightens people’s interest. Getting together with friends and family to watch a game must feel like more of an event, whereas you can catch a baseball game almost any night of the week.

Maybe I’m just a hot weather girl and the notion of watching a game played in frigid temperatures doesn’t appeal to me. Dunno. But good luck to any Jets fans out there. I hope the Super Bowl is in your future – partly because it’ll be exciting for you guys and partly because it’ll mean football is over and baseball is about to begin.

(courtesy littleballparks.com)

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About Jane Heller

Jane Heller is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her fourteen breezy, witty novels of romantic comedy and suspense are now entertaining millions of readers around the world, along with her two books of nonfiction.