It’s not goodbye, it’s just see you later

I found Pinstripe Alley in 2009 with the Yankees in the middle of what would be another World Series run. It was my first as a real live adult, so I was able to appreciate it so much more than the ones before. Finding a place on the internet of people who loved the team as much as I did while being fairly isolated in North Carolina was incredible, and it didn’t take me long to jump head-first into the community that I suddenly couldn’t get enough of.

Since then, I have spent the vast majority of my 20s as a writer, editor, or manager of Pinstripe Alley. It has been at least five years since I’ve been able to go a day without thinking of this place and how to make it the best resource for all of you. My time as managing editor has been everything I could have dreamed of when I accepted the position: the site has grown by leaps and bounds, and the staff is the best we’ve ever had. I’ve gotten to watch Aaron Judge hit a home run from a suite at Yankee Stadium for Opening Day, heard our work praised during multiple broadcasts by David Cone, and met friends here that I truly love and admire.

As much fun as all of it has been, this will be my final post as managing editor of Pinstripe Alley. I have accepted a full-time position with SB Nation serving as the League Manager for all 34 MLB sites on the network. It’s an incredible opportunity that I am beyond thankful for, even if it means leaving what has been so comfortable in favor of a brand new challenge.

This journey has been a crazy one, but I have gained so much. Along the way I’ve met so many people that I’ve learned so much from, and people that I consider some of my best friends. Greg Kirkland and Andrew Mearns started this journey with me from the very beginning and have been my rocks when this job felt overwhelming. Greg was the first person to actually believe I could run this site, and I’ve depended on his unwavering faith so many times over the years. Although Mearns is no longer on staff here, I am eternally grateful to him for being my right-hand man for so long. I never had to worry when the site was in his hands, and I’m super proud that he was able to move on to big things at Cut4.

Jason Cohen, Caitlin Rogers, and Tyler Norton (as well Mearns prior to April of this year) have been the best editors that I could ever asked for. They work tirelessly to help make sure that Pinstripe Alley stays running, and they do it for very little in return. The behind-the-scenes grind of this 365-day job can be incredibly thankless, and I will always be indebted to them as a result. There’s no way that any of this could have been as successful as it is without them..

Caitlin and I started out as basically the only two girls in the comments section back in 2010. She is an amazing writer and editor who jumped on board without question when I needed her the most back when I was trying to figure out what I was even doing as managing editor. Caitlin has been my lifeline for almost everything since we met seven (!!!) years ago, and I’m so lucky to count her as my friend.

Jason has been a machine for PSA since he joined the staff, helping me conquer draft after draft for days straight each year while somehow keeping me sane at the same time. I am so grateful for all that he has done for me and the site because we’re all better for it. Tyler Norton stepped in without hesitation to fill Mearns’ spot, and has been a tremendous addition to our editor family. His dedication and willingness are unmatched, and he’s so quick to volunteer himself for any task I need him for. Tyler is a brilliant writer and editor that the site is lucky to have and a friend that I am lucky to know.

Matt Ferenchick has gone above and beyond everything ever asked of him, and even graciously followed me to my endeavors on the college side of SB Nation when I asked him to join me over there as well. Kunj Shah and Matt Provenzano are both excellent writers and even better humans who impress me each week with their ideas and execution. NoMahbles has been my biggest cheerleader for years, and getting to know him will always be one of the best things about my time at PSA.

It never hurts when you realize that you talk more about Game of Thrones, pictures of good dogs, and the merits of the most recent internet food rankings than the actual job with the people you work with. I’d be lost without these guys, their kind words, and all the lightheartedness they have provided. Finding “your people” is basically the point of your 20s, and I am so fortunate to have found so many of my people through this site.

Justin Bopp and Eric Simon had faith that I could run PSA before I even did. I’m incredibly thankful to them and every writer here who has helped me deliver on the vision I had for this place, no matter what it was. There are surely more people I could thank and praise, but you get the idea. I’ve been exceedingly lucky with the opportunities I’ve gotten and people I’ve met in my time at Pinstripe Alley. I truly believe that the staff now is full of some of the best writers that we’ve ever had, and I have no doubt that will continue to be true. PSA is in very good hands.

I suspect this won’t be the last time you’ll hear from me here, because there will always be a time when I need to remind everyone of how Greg Bird once hit three home runs for me. Also Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are on the same team now, so how could I really stay away? Either way, please know that these last several years have meant so much to me. I’m so thankful for all of it and all of you.

Until next time...