Not quite The Gretzky Trade, but just as sad

After careful consideration, a thorough analysis of the market fan base of readers of this blog, and weighing my options as a young writer, I decided that the remarkable run of THE FRANCHISE must come to an end.

I never imagined fifty-two blog posts ago I would be writing to you, who are the many dozens of faithful followers all over the world, about the termination of this blog. Then again, I never imagined there would be many dozens of faithful followers interested with what I had to say. However, therein lies the conundrum: Shifting from sport to sport without a set schedule of writings left THE FRANCHISE as a random sports blog without an agenda. I would drift from one topic to the next, and thus never establish a base camp for blog readers to visit on a weekly basis. Only twice did THE FRANCHISE drift from the sports genre to speak on subjects outside the entertainment field, but you remained patient throughout all this and I thank you.

My favourite blog to date is my piece about Robert Green; I still believe it is wrong for us to throw him under the bus for the US debacle, but including Elton John at the end was a comic masterpiece :) I titled my best blog "Forgiveness" because it is a subject each person needs to read. In speaking about Armando Gallaraga, Jim Joyce, and baseball, I realize the topic goes outside the playing field and into our homes and businesses. Finally, my worst blog is this one because it brings about an end to a worthwhile chapter of my life, nevertheless it brings about the beginning of another.

I learned about more about writing and talking about subjects people want to read about, what works and what doesn't, where I should stand and why I should never acquiesce. I thank God for the ability to write everyday, but I thank Him all the more for the ability to write to you. Thank you to Momzo and Dad for their support, and my sisters for reading in secret so I don't get a big head about it. THE FRANCHISE will still be up, if you would like to read some classics one more time, but there will be no one home. I might come back to read some things, too, once I get settled in my new digs.

Thank you again for all your support, perhaps I will hear from you again soon.
Phil Wood