Jason Weitzel, proprietor of the five-year-old blog, will retain editorial control while gaining access to Comcast SportsNet’s technology, programming and reporting resources.
Beerleaguer: This is the result of a conversation that started with Comcast SportsNet back in September of 2008, but really, I've been working toward this goal since 2003 when I first started scratching my Phillies musings into a free Blogger blog, hoping someone would notice. The grassroots spirit of the space will remain the same and I will continue to treat Beerleaguer as a vehicle for creativity and community. It's unclear whether I'll be given a press credential to cover games, but frankly, I'm not all that interested in changing perspectives, something that would be altered dramatically if I moved from the couch to the clubhouse. Beerleaguer succeeds because it's written on the same point of view as its readership. I intend to continue the same morning/afternoon posting schedule. I may occasionally enlist contributions from the CSNPhilly.com staff, but Beerleaguer will still be my baby. If there is a local or national insight outside of the Comcast SportsNet umbrella that's worth highlighting, I'll bring it to you. I don't intend to start pulling any punches in regards to the Phillies, either.
Beerleaguer readers benefit because the site now has the full backing of a local sports giant eager to help with some of the technical heavy lifting. That isn't just video. Eventually, we'll engineer a complete site rebuild with better real-time commenting, social network integration, wider right and left rails and more prominent entry points to national stat resources. All that will come over time. The site will remain in the Beerleaguer domain, while site content will also be used to populate CSNPhilly.com.
None of this would have been possible without reader support. By partnering with Comcast SportsNet, it ensures that our ongoing five-year discussion will not only continue, but flourish.
About Beerleaguer: Phillies fans first bellied up to Beerleaguer in 2005 and today consider it the leading watering hole for intelligent discourse about the local nine. Site proprietor Jason Weitzel, who writes and also designs the site, was named “Best Sportswriter 2008” by Philadelphia Magazine and co-authored the book “Hard to Believe!” about the 2008 World Champion Phillies. He also edits “Phillies Annual” magazine for Maple Street Press in Boston and has appeared as a regular guest of 610-WIP. As part of the acquisition Weitzel assumes the newly created position of content manager with Comcast Sports Group.
Congrats bud. Very much deserved.
Posted by: Greg Dietz | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Congrats Jason, well done!
Posted by: Carrie Stavrakos | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:32 PM
I have one request: don't let them take away the rain-delay picture.
Posted by: Matt | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:34 PM
The best blog on the Phillies deserves this. Well done sir!
Posted by: Greg V. | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Congratulations! Will you still be free to rip the FO and other team figures if you feel it warranted?
Can we hope to get quoted on CSN articles now???
Does this kill the possibility of others writing for the site (you had mentioned that earlier in the year)?
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Congratulations, Jason.
Booyakasha!
Posted by: meech.one | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Couldn't have happened to a better blogger--or a better guy. Congrats, Jason.
I look forward to the fictional Beerleaguer being acquired by Kabletown SportsNet in an upcoming "30 Rock."
Posted by: Tom Durso | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Wow. Congrats, Jason!
Posted by: Run Up The Score | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Great news! Your hard work has paid off. Congrats!
Posted by: CJ | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Nice work, man!
Posted by: Dany (@soundofphilly) | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Does CSN now own the rights to the Bruntlett rainout picture?
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Cheers. Much deserved.
Posted by: Sophist | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:53 PM
Congrats, Jason. You deserve it.
Posted by: Rire Fube | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:53 PM
I'm a long time lurker and Beerleaguer is always the first place I go to when drinking my morning coffee. I appreciate your hard work and I'm glad that you've met your goal. I wish you best of luck.
Posted by: Hoopes | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Reminds me that I owe RSB a beer for first sending that scary Bruntlett pick from the Phillies' jumbotron. Thanks, everyone. Cheers.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Someone brought up skipping Moyer's spot next time around, and I was reminded over the puzzle as to why they swapped he and Kendrick to begin with. I think part of it may have been the ump. The other part, noted by Matt Swartz and a ways off, is that it puts Hamels/Halladay/Moyer in line for the Braves series in a few weeks.
Posted by: Sophist | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:01 PM
Congratulations, JW!
Posted by: GBrettfan | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:06 PM
Congrats JW! Although, this was seen coming the last few weeks, I'm glad you finally took MVPTommyD's advice! ;-)
Posted by: Bedrosian's Beard | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:09 PM
If you have one goal for your stay with Comcast SportsNet, make it so the Rain Delay pic gets emblazoned on all the official Comcast SportsNet outlets for rain delays/postponements.
Then everyone can love you and (by extension)us.
Posted by: TheTheory | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:10 PM
Congrats JW, and smart business on CSN's part. I hope they threw in dinner with Leslie Gudel or Amy Fadool.
Posted by: Pete Happy | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:10 PM
I certainly echo all the comments here. This is still my number one spot for Phillies commentary; congrats on a much deserved partnership.
One question: should I still navigate to amazon through beerleaguer? I recall this used to put extra coin in the beerleaguer vault.
Posted by: Phillies Red | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:11 PM
Local boy makes good. Very proud of you, Jason. I can't wait to see the new and improved (not that the content needs improvement) Beerleaguer.
I have one concern with the Comcast deal... will MVPTommy be allowed back?
Posted by: Kutztown Fan | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:11 PM
Congratulations, Jason. Very much deserved. I can't thank you enough for giving all of us the opportunity to discuss the Phils on a daily with one another.
Also -- My wife hates you, which I think is a compliment.
Posted by: R.Billingsly | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:11 PM
Excellent. Well done, Mr. W.
Posted by: Old Phan | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:11 PM
May you be the Moyer of the critical masses.
Posted by: Meyer | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:14 PM
Very cool, congratulations! I'm excited to see the upcoming site enhancements. The best site on the Internet just got better!
Posted by: krukker | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:17 PM
congrats!
Posted by: PhillyJoe | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:18 PM
Salut!
I hope that helps with the mortgage and diapers.
Posted by: Hugh Mulcahy | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:21 PM
Noice (Philly accent for "nice").
Posted by: ozark | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:26 PM
Congrats JW. Nice to see the hard work you put in (original writing over 5+ years on a nearly daily basis) is being reworded.
Being kind of a tech-dabbler, I am curious to see what pieces & contnet you will be using going ahead forward.
Posted by: MG | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:26 PM
"I am curious to see what pieces & contnet you will be using going ahead forward."
That makes two of us.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:27 PM
Congrats. I am happy to hear that BL will still belong to the readers :)
Posted by: Gsl | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:28 PM
Nice job, Jason. All the changes sound great.
Posted by: Bob | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:30 PM
Jason, I hope csnphilly is actively helping your bank account.
Posted by: Old Phan | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:33 PM
Congrats, Jason. Well deserved.
Posted by: Beerman89 | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:34 PM
HUGE CONGRATS!!!
Posted by: 3R0CK | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:35 PM
Congratulations to a five tools blogger. Your passion and dedication are second to none.
Posted by: Tom Goodman | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:41 PM
Congrats.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:42 PM
Congrats! Long time lurker, first time poster...this is my go to phillies blog. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Josh P | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:43 PM
Great work. Will we still get Weitzel's Rotation?
Posted by: ThinkRed | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:43 PM
Congrats Jason. AND GOOD LUCK.
Posted by: HammRadio | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 01:46 PM
Congrats. But CSN probably overpaid you in terms of dollars/years :)
Posted by: Bay Slugga | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:02 PM
mazel tov
Posted by: Mal | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:04 PM
Congrats, JW. Very happy for you. Well deserved.
Posted by: Voice of Reason | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:04 PM
Will Beerleaguer still be using Typepad, or will you be moving to another blogging platform?
Posted by: joe l | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:04 PM
"CSN probably overpaid you in terms of dollars/years"
How does Amaro find time to work for the Phillies AND CSN?
Posted by: Hugh Mulcahy | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:05 PM
Congrats on the move. I think the voodoo symbol with the bats should be posted on the site for the rest of the year. It's like they conjured up demons to help them win.
Posted by: C13 | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:05 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: JBrod | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:10 PM
Good to hear. Readers should not be worried about any "corporate" influence. The popular Jayski website for the NASCAR rumor world was started by a guy in South Jersey, and is now partnered with ESPN in a similar way. He still maintains content and creativity, but with more resources.
Posted by: tomasher | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:12 PM
JW, allow me to offer my congrats as well. It is well deserved, and we all are in your debt for the service to us and the Phils community.
The best of luck to you in the future, and remember (at the same time reminding your new associates)...we come here BECAUSE we can get an unbiased and critical view, and are free to disagree with you, each other, and any and everyone in the Phils organization.
It's what makes B*L special.
Congratulations.
Posted by: awh | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:18 PM
Congratulations! Beerleaguer is a fantastic site that so many of us enjoy so often, your success is well deserved JW!
Posted by: timr | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:18 PM
Now, it's off to the Bronx for the game tonight. I'm taking my Dad for Father's Day. I'll post (infrequently) from the game if I get a chance.
Go Phils!
Posted by: awh | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:20 PM
Congrats J-Dub on staying true to your original mission, and maintaining your content control. I'd be lost if Beerleaguer ever went down the Metsblog route....(shudder)
Posted by: inky | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:20 PM
Congrats JW! Drinks @ Mcmenamins are on me!
Posted by: loctastic | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:22 PM
I don't suppose there's any chance that we get the Twitter feed back?
As a reader/poster from virtually day 1, I can say that it's well-deserved. There aren't many sites that I continue to frequent (and certainly not to this extent) after 5 years, yet Beerleaguer is always must-read. Nice work, JW. And thanks, in advance, for keeping it "real."
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:23 PM
Cheers! JW
Posted by: vegas | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:25 PM
Congratulations, it is well deserved.
Posted by: Reverend | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:31 PM
Zolecki:
LHP Antonio Bastardo on the DL (left elbow ulnar neuritis). RHP Scott Mathieson recalled.
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:36 PM
all this congrats is great and all... but we have a mathieson thread waiting for us!!
Posted by: HammRadio | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:37 PM
The Scott Mathieson era begins!
Posted by: Greg V. | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:41 PM
Congratulations. This is the only sports blog I read regularly, and have for a few years now. Sounds like the content will stay the same, I just hope that the comments do as well!
Posted by: Jeff | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:42 PM
not a good injury for a pitcher there. ulnar nerves=ugh
Posted by: st | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:43 PM
The Scott Mathieson era #2 Begins, isn't it?
He was up in 2006.
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:44 PM
good on ya, JW
Posted by: curt | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:47 PM
EXCLUSIVE: I got a copy of CSN's scouting report on JW from '05
"Very toolsy, with raw prosaic ability. An impressive wordsmith with huge upside, but his approach is unrefined. His copy can be long and undisciplined. Huge holes in his swing. He displays only a passing familiarity with blogging, and it will be years before he can compete at the major dotcom level. Excellent Photoshop skills, but unsure how they will translate to big league blogging."
Congrats JW!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mick O | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:50 PM
Long time lurker, first time commenter... Congrats, and thanks for a great read!
Posted by: Jason Clark | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:55 PM
Nice job!! JW.... Hey maybe the Phils well fine a pitcher to keep with them in Scott M.
Posted by: Barry Snyder | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 02:58 PM
Another longtime lurker here.... congrats to JW, really great.
On Mathieson, what emotions he must be feeling, wouldnt be surprised if he threw his first pitch into the third row.
Posted by: mojoephilly | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 03:00 PM
Mick, we all know JW is toolsy, but is he scrappy?
Posted by: Old Phan | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 03:01 PM
Mick - There's nothing there about how tall he is. It's amazing he has gotten as far as he has!
Posted by: loctastic | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 03:03 PM
Congrats, and everything, but...
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 03:04 PM
Beautiful!
(Philadelphian for Congratulations)
Posted by: Bubba | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 03:08 PM
Congrats.
Posted by: Unikruk | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 03:11 PM
Good for you Jason, much success as you move forward.
Posted by: Casey at bat | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 03:55 PM
Maybe they'll let you sit next to Clout on DNL.
Posted by: Right on, Mike | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 04:13 PM
Huzzah for new media! You have a great site. Best wishes with your partnership.
Posted by: Wet Luzinski | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 04:16 PM
Aces JW! Aces!
Well deserved...
Nothing but the best of luck!
Posted by: holy mackerel | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 04:45 PM
Jason Well deserved. Your fans in Topton and Kuztown remember you from those little league highlight days. everyone here is so proud of you keep up the great work.
Posted by: rick Shupp | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 05:19 PM
Yo. New Income.
Congrats.
Posted by: jerry | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 05:27 PM
Congratz and well deserved.
Posted by: Lincoln Hawkes | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Hard to believe, JW!
Posted by: UD Hens | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 06:01 PM
Congratulations, Jason!
Posted by: Chris | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 06:11 PM
Yet another long time lurker stopping by to offer congratulations, Jason. I've been reading the site for years now, and it's become my first stop for any Phils news. Thank you for all your hard work - you certainly earned this.
Posted by: Hoosier | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 06:37 PM
Congrats!
Posted by: DMarley | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 07:26 PM
This must be why Comcast inexplicably jacked my bill $25 this month...
Posted by: isom | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 08:07 PM
Haven't posted for awhile. Had to give my congrats to JW. Great site, great topics and great discussion. Can't wait to see the new site.
Posted by: Vonderful | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 08:11 PM
That's Weitzeltastic! Congrats.
Posted by: bake | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 08:36 PM
Congrats, JW, from a (mostly) lurker.
Posted by: LwrSlwrGeorge | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 09:29 PM
congrats, jason! cant wait to see the future of BL!!,
Posted by: bsg | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 09:30 PM
Many congratulations to you and the awesome job you have done. I hope it is a dream come true and welcome reward for all your great work over the year. THE place to go for interesting Phillies news.
I really hope the 'corporate' influence will be minimum, but you have the ability to expand the way you have wanted.
Posted by: PhxPhilly | Friday, June 18, 2010 at 02:08 AM
Congrats JW - well deserved and hope this opp really improves your overall quality of life.
Posted by: thephaithful | Friday, June 18, 2010 at 09:08 AM