Meet the Writers

Chris Copen- Since 2013

Chris Copen is a 15 year-old student at Walkersville High School in Walkersville, Maryland. He first wrote about baseball in the 6th grade with a friend on his own blog. Chris willingly jumped aboard the Pirates bandwagon in 2009 and hasn’t looked back. He was introduced to the game by his grandfather, and he has (with a lot of help from the Pirates) gotten his dad back to being a fan after he swore off the sport. In the summer, Chris and his mom have made it a tradition to travel the east coast visiting minor league baseball stadiums. They pick a team to visit every year. So far they have visited all the Orioles and Nationals affiliates, along with a few others. They plan on completing either the Phillies or the Pirates next year, with a detour at the Double AA All-Star Game. Since Chris has had so many experiences with major and minor league baseball, it is impossible for him to select just one favorite moment, but he does include a few. He remembers Francisco Liriano striking out seven consecutive batters in Pittsburg as well as Liriano taking a no-hitter into the 7^th inning against the Nationals. He also fondly remembers catching a broken piece of Manny Manchado’s split bat in Erie, Pennsylvania and brags about his witnessing Jason Marquis take a perfect game into the 8^th inning in Pittsburgh.

Dave Ervin- Since 2012

Dave Ervin is a writer and teacher from Fort Worth, Texas. He lives with his wife, Andrea, and two kids, Violet and Jack.  His fiction has been published in a variety of print and online publications and his original plays have been staged throughout Texas and New England. Dave has followed the Texas Rangers since he was in first grade, during the Bobby Valentine – Pete O’Brien – Ruben Sierra heyday. He has been with them through the ups and downs and couldn’t be happier that they’re no longer a joke. His favorite baseball memories include listening to the games with his grandpa on the front porch of his home, seeing Nolan Ryan’s bloody lip game in person, countless games of catch with his dad, and of course, the first game he ever watched – as a seven year old kid at the Astrodome – Nolan was on the mound and Roberto Alomar made his major league debut.

Mike Jokinen- Since 2012

Mike Jokinen is a recent graduate of Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.  He studied English and is a life-long baseball enthusiast.  He grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts and Red Sox season tickets have been in his family since 1976.  Baseball is in his blood; He learned about Carlton Fisk in Game 6 of the ’75 World Series before he learned about Lewis & Clark or the Emancipation Proclamation.  He soaked up baseball statistics while other kids focused on reading “serious literature.”  He considers himself as knowledgeable as any Sox fan out there and he’s no Johnny-come-lately to the Sox scene.  He loves his Red Sox and baseball history.  Feel free to shoot him any feedback on his pieces that you like and he’ll respond! Nothing like talking Sox.

Geary Kaczorowski- Since 2011

Geary Kaczorowski has spent most of his adult life working within the music industry: selling used records and cds, editing an international music publication, writing music and book reviews for various publications, and is currently music director at WUMD. A lifelong lover of baseball, three years ago he finally joined an organized baseball league, playing second base and sometimes right field for the Buzzards Bay Raiders of the Cape Cod 35+ League. He grew up a Detroit Tigers fan and still follows them pretty closely, but having lived in New England for over 35 years he has grown accustomed to the winning ways of the Boston Red Sox. He remembers as a ten-year old his father taking him to Tiger Stadium for a doubleheader. They were sitting along the third base side and during the first game he caught a foul ball off the bat of Al Kaline over the heads of these two little old ladies.

Kevin Luchansky- Since 2012

Kevin Luchansky was born and raised in Connecticut. He attended Indiana University and graduated with a degree in Sports communications and journalism. He is passionate about MLB, college baseball, basketball, and football. At IU, he covered college golf, tennis and IU football and basketball for Rivals.com. Thanks to his parents and hometown, his favorite team is the Boston Red Sox. He also is an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves since his two all-time favorite players are/were Tom Glavine and Chipper Jones. And sadly, he likes the Chicago Cubs, as they practically play in his backyard about 5 blocks away. His favorite baseball memory is hands down the 7 games of the 2004 ALCS. That year, the evil empire finally fell.

Paul Mahaney- Since 2011

Paul Mahaney loved playing Little League and other youth league baseball. During those years, he met Willie Mays and Willie McCovey and became involved with the San Francisco Giants. The Oakland A’s arrival, and the subsequent success they had, captured his imagination. He often peppered his college papers with baseball analogies, probably to the annoyance of many professors, and over the years his love of the game and its illustrious history has grown. He was fortunate enough to have witnessed all three Major League no-hitters pitched in 1975, one by Nolan Ryan, and Rickey Henderson breaking Lou Brocks stolen base record in 1991. His happiest baseball memory is that of the 2010 Giants finally winning the World Series. America’s Pastime, especially Bay Area baseball, continues to fascinate him.

Victor Moore- Since 2013

Victor Moore is a 17-year old high school student in Auburn, Washington, but his hometown is Snoqualmie. Writing and sports are his two biggest passions. He is a newer baseball fan since he didn’t really get into baseball until the 2011 season when he finally grew patient enough for it, but now he loves the game. He thinks it is stupid how most teens think it is boring. You just have to learn to appreciate the smaller moments of baseball. He would love to say that his favorite baseball memory is Felix Hernandez’s perfect game , but he sadly missed watching the game, so he is technically still waiting for his favorite baseball moment. He feel blessed to be able to write about baseball, a sport that he’s grown to love.

Lisa Neilson- Since 2013

Lisa R. Neilson is a full-time faculty member at Marist Collge in Poughkeepsie, New York. She teaches freshman writing courses as well as upper level literature and the History of Baseball. She lives in the beautiful Hudson River Valley with her husband, Tim, and their two daughters, Maegan and Grace. Lisa was born a New York Mets fan and has remained loyal to her team through the good times (far too few) and the bad times (far too many). While Lisa loves today’s game, she takes a great interest in its history and frequently writes about the sport’s early days. Her strongest baseball memories come from the 2000 World Series between the Mets and the Yankees, not because of the Metropolitans’ disappointing performance, losing four games to one, but because she was finally able to convert her once Yankee-loving husband into a follower of the boys from Flushing. Seems he prefers the underdog, too!

Ken Perry- Since 2013

Ken Perry is from Hayward, California. He is a lifelong San Francisco 49’er fan, starting at Keyzar Stadium. Ken is an artist and cabinetmaker. He is currently living with his wife in CT. He has great passion, knowledge, and respect for all sports. Ken once got an autograph from Sandy Koufax when he was young, and also got to meet Billy Martin.

Chad Quates- Since 2013

Chad was born and raised in New Orleans, and currently resides in Milwaukee with his wife and two children. He works in e-commerce and social media, and definitely digs his sports, primarily baseball. Chad is a Chicago Cubs loyalist, for good or ill, and travels down to Wrigley whenever possible. He also attends quite a few games at Miller Park. He enjoys Minor League Baseball as well, and likes to check out the local Northwoods League team in the area, which consists of college kids playing over the summer. Like many in New Orleans, Chad discovered the Cubs through WGN. Because New Orleans does not have a major league team, there is a rather large Cub following in the area. Chad is not as spry as he once was, but did play some ball back in the day. He attempted a comeback in his late 20’s in an adult hardball league, but did not fare particularly well. The instincts were still there, but the flesh was not as cooperative. He does not have one specific baseball memory, but has always enjoyed both playing and watching, and appreciates the statistical emphasis of the game.

Ben Texara – Since 2013

Ben Texara was born and raised in the Bay Area and is currently living in Oakland, California as a die-hard, lifelong A’s and Raiders fan with his beautiful girlfriend and three cats. He works in the digital marketing world for a living but spends a lot of free time playing vintage baseball in a league dedicated to preserving the rules, customs, uniforms and equipment of baseball in 1886. In the past he wrote a short story for a local literary publication and wrote linear notes, essays and newsletters for numerous brands. Besides that he is usually combing through dusty bins at used record stores, eating cheeseburgers or catching a game. Texara has been playing baseball since he was a little kid first on sand lots and then in organized leagues and travel teams up through high school. He considers having the opportunity to still play ball with his buddies once a week a great gift and the love of the game has only grown with him over the years. His favorite baseball memories are taking in A’s games with his dad and younger brother and the three of them road tripping up and down California checking out minor league stadiums. These days he still enjoys heading out to the A’s quite often but also gets a kick out of traveling to major league stadiums throughout the country. His goal is to check off at least one new stadium a year from his list.

Michael Vooss- Since 2009

Mike Vooss has been a Mets fan since the days of Seaver, Swoboda, and Shamsky. A native New Yorker, he has been contributing to Baseball Revival since 2009. Professionally, Mike is a creative genius at the ad agency he founded in 1994.  Personally, he lives in New York City with his family, all of whom proudly bleed blue and orange. Fictionally, he is a super-hero, capable of turning the unassisted triple play at will.

Melissa Weinstein- Since 2013

Melissa Weinstein grew up in Baltimore, MD as a Mets and Orioles fan. The first song Melissa learned to sing was “Meet The Mets” and she annoyed everyone she knew by calling them multiple times a day to sing it. With more developed music knowledge, Melissa graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Film. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA and sells US film rights to international distributors.Her favorite memories include taking in Game 6 of the 2006 NLCS at Shea Stadium, traveling to Wrigley for Game 3 of the 2003 NLDS, staying up way past her bedtime to watch the 2004 ALCS games, and attending her first baseball game (Mets v Phillies) at 28 days old. Melissa knows an inordinate number of useless baseball facts – did you know there have only been 6 intentional bases loaded walks? – and likes to share them at inappropriate times.

Brennan Weiss- Founder/Writer Since 2008

Brennan Weiss founded Baseball Revival six years ago and has loved every minute of it. He has an intense passion for baseball , especially its analytical and statistical sides. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but ironically, his most memorable baseball moment was when the Red Sox clinched the 2004 World Series. The Phillies, however, were and still are his favorite team. He grew up watching many great players, but his favorite Phillie has always been Bobby Abreu. Abreu, in his mind, is one of the most underrated players in this generation. Although Brennan is a diehard Phillies fan, he likes to think of himself as a well-rounded baseball fan first. He follows all 30 teams year-round and hopes one day to visit all 30 major league stadiums around the United States (and Canada). His most memorable experience visiting out-of-state stadiums is no doubt his annual trip to Washington D.C. to see the Phils and Nats square off. These trips have exposed Brennan to one of the most unique atmospheres in baseball and he hopes to have many more of these types of experiences in the future.

Nathaniel Weitzer- Since 2012

Nate Weitzer grew up in West Hartford, CT on the dividing line between New York and Boston sports fans. The fan support may be stronger as you get closer to these metropolitan centers, but the rivalry is fiercest where the two fan bases clash. He has always been an avid supporter of the Red Sox and lived through enough painful memoires (ie. Aaron Boone’s walk-off homer in 2003) to allow him to appreciate the Sox finally winning in 2004. All his favorite memories occurred during the 2004 ALCS when the Sox came back from an impossible deficit and lifted the yoke of A.L. East slavery off of their shoulders. Dave Roberts’ infamous stolen base, Big Papi’s huge game with five hits and Schilling’s bloody sock performance all sit atop his list of memorable moments.
While he is clearly a Boston-centric fan, he follows the rest of the league rather thoroughly and roots for the Cardinals when possible since his father’s family is from outside St. Louis. He tries to bring a realistic perspective to his writing by discussing topics that are currently circulating in barroom circles. Hopefully these trends can be connected into broader themes and transfer some real meaning to his writing.