If you can't guess Bill is on the left.

Before I get started I’d like to first apologize for my lack of posts. Writing has taken a backseat to some pretty cool things in my personal life but nonetheless I’m back with another UCB project entry. This month’s edition has the member’s of the group conducting interviews with questions of our choice via email. The pairings are completely random and I had the pleasure of interviewing Bill Ivie of I70baseball.com. Also known as the “King of Shameless Self Promotion”

- Where do you currently live?  Originally from?

I currently live in Kansas City, Missouri.  Originally from is a bit of a fun one.  I was an army brat when I was younger, born in Germany and traveled all over the United States.  I would say I refer to “home” as two places: Potosi, Missouri (about an hour south of St. Louis) and Vacaville, California where all my family is from.

- What made you follow/become a fan of the Cards?

Jack Buck.  Pure and simple.  I arrived in Missouri at eight years old during the 1985 season and I was just discovering baseball.  His description of the game, which allowed fans to see it through his eyes, caused me to fall in love with the national pastime.

 - Who was your favorite player as a child?  Now?

I am going to use a loose definition of “child” and go to the teenage years.  I followed Ken Griffey, Jr. from his debut until his retirement.  As for right now, I’m not sure I have a favorite player.  I have guys all over the league that I pull for, but I am not sure one stands out for me currently.

- What do you wish the team would do different?

I wish they would manufacture runs.  I miss the stolen base, the hit and run, the suicide squeeze that seems to help playoff hopeful teams into run machines that cannot be stopped.

 - What do you think the team does well now?

This team, more than any Cards team that I can remember, does a great job of pissing off opponents.  These guys seem to be able to rub opposing players, teams and fans the wrong way very quickly.

- When someone goes to your site, what can they expect (Shameless Self Promotion)?

New, fresh, and exciting content constantly.  We run a minimum of two articles a day with many more on other days.  From official press releases to opinion based articles on the team, we have some of the most talented writers I have had the pleasure of working with.

- Do you write or appear on other sites?

I do, and I am always looking for more.  I write over at BaseballDigest.com and More Hardball on a regular basis.  But I love doing guest posts with other sites and you really have no idea where you will find me next (unless you follow my Tweets).

 - Give me one Cardinal, current or past, that you just never liked..

You know, I never liked Todd Zeile.  I have heard he was a good guy, but I never seen it.  He was brash with the fans, rude to kids, and really fielded his position horribly (though it’s hard to fault him for the team moving him).  It all starts with defense on the field for me and he drove me nuts.

 - same questions for any MLB player…

I would have to say Barry Bonds.  Again, it was the interaction with the fans that made it hard for me to like him.  He seem to feel entitled and abrasive to everyone.

- What do you do professionally (“real job”)?

Professionally, I am a marketing a sales professional with an emphasis on technology.  I also do some tech support and web design work from my home.

- What would your dream job be?

I always wanted to play this game, but an injury put an end to that pretty quickly.  Honestly, I would love to be running the site(s) and covering baseball on a constant basis.  Turning the hobby into a job would be a dream come true.

- What is your ultimate goal regarding your blog(s)/websites including Blog Talk radio shows?

The goal, more than anything, is to be involved at the forefront of New Media and gain recognition for the people that are putting in a lot of work towards the job now.  When my writers and radio hosts succeed and turn this into a career, then I have achieved something.

If you’re interested in reading the interview of myself conducted by Bill you can find it here. Before you pass judgment on the photo Bill selected of myself just know that it involved a Blues game, gallons of beer and Hooters (The restaurant of course). Rare form for sure. Also be sure to check out the United Cardinal Bloggers website for the other interviews and of course links to all of our blogs.