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I’ve enjoyed reading the blog of Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes. I started reading not too long after he started the blog, and I’ve found it really hard not to be a huge fan of the 21 year-old pitcher. It’s nice to see a professional athlete acting like a normal person. It’s a breath of fresh air, really.

Today I found this article about the Hughes blog. I think it’s really cool that a site I’ve been reading has gotten so popular. Phil talks about how he likes to interact and about how much he appreciates the fans.

The crazy thing about Phil’s blog is that it’s not about the Yankees. Sure, he mentions his teammates. But the blog is just that of a 21 year-old kid talking about work and life. That’s what I do, except my coworkers aren’t Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte. And I’m not 21 anymore.

The article mentions Brian Cashman, the Yankees general manager. I’ve got to admit, he’s not bad when it comes to general manager talent; but when it comes to marketing, apparently the guy is an idiot - Cashman mentioned the possibility of banning players from having a blog.

Yes, he has a valid concern that Hughes will come out with some inside information. However, the Yankees probably already have a policy about that in place. I’d be shocked if they didn’t.

At my office, I’m under an NDA that prevents me from talking about upcoming products, trade secrets, or anything that someone outside the company would know. I’d find it hard to believe that each Yankees player hasn’t already signed something like that.

The Yankees have an interesting marketing possibility in Hughes’ blog. I suspect that there are fans who would follow the Yankees, watch their games, and maybe even love the sport a little bit more if they feel that real connection to the people on the field. Cashman is talking about banning this interaction with the fans - an act that would surely cause a fan uprising - without really considering that those fans are the ones that pay his (obscenely high) payroll.

I was excited for my trip down to Tampa in March before I started reading Hughes’ blog. I knew a little about the guy, and I hoped to get a better look at this kid who’s supposed to be one of the biggest young talents in the franchise. Now I’ve got this connection with him…sure he wouldn’t know me from any other fanatical sunburned freak in pinstripes, but I have this connection with what’s going on with him that makes me even more interested in how he’s doing and in how the Yankees are doing.

Cashman and the Yankees should embrace this blogging venture. Yes, Phil needs to be careful about what he says online, but don’t we all? This opportunity that fans have to interact with a hot prospect of their favorite team is a unique one. The Yankees need to realize that Hughes’ efforts will draw fans (and possibly increase revenues) and encourage him in his off-the-field writing efforts.

What do you think about players blogging? What about Cashman’s concerns as an employer?  How should the Yankees be responding to Phil and his blog?