There Gonna Be Some Changes Round Here…

by gallagher on Nov 25, 2008 2:53 AM CST

By Sean Gallagher

Look, I've been looking for a reason to post a 2Pac video for a long time, so "Changes" is gonna have to be it for now. Just go with me for a couple minutes. Trust me, it'll be an Embrace video next time.

This website has gone through a lot of changes since September of 2005. Initially there was just my poorly thought out ramblings on blogspot which were linked to our Game Time site. Then there was my site, Brad's blogspot site and Brian Weidler's standalone site all linked to the Game Time site. Finally, we pulled all three sites together under this roof, upgraded our software and brought in all of our writers.

Since then, the site has become what it is at this point. On top of the posts by our regular guys who all write for the game-day paper, we have brought in a few others who have given us some inspired bits of fun (Sweden, I'm looking in your general direction).

But better than all of that, your comments have exploded on this site. As of this writing, we have well over 800 posts but way over 14,000 comments. The comments in some cases are better than the original posts. At the very least they increase the level of insight or humor that the original post brings.

Not only that, your comments have inspired some of the best recurring jokes we have at our disposal. Where would we all be, for instance, without the all-purpose "Fuck Detroit" that we've come to know and love? Your grabbing onto and using the nicknames of Dutchie, Fragile Jay, The Robot, The Visor and more have made visiting here a great experience for Blues fans, if somewhat baffling to new users.

OK, great, but what, you must all be asking, exactly is Gallagher trying to butter us up for? I'm trying to get to that.

Just like the game-day paper that spawned this site, we have always maintained a fierce independence here. We've been approached by lots of 'networks' and other sites that wanted to 'link up' as well as other people who wanted to help us 'blow the doors off' our visibility. To each of them we said, Go Fuck Detroit.

That changed about a month ago when we were approached by James Mirtle to join his group of hockey sites. For those of Do you trust this man? We think we do. you who don't know Mirtle, he's one of the few hockey bloggers who is actually respected around the internet. Beyond being the owner of a very popular site of his own, he now heads up all of the hockey sites for SB Nation. Unlike everyone else who had approached us before, Mirtle and his network boast real clout. Beyond just his personal blogger cred, the SB Nation, which may not be totally recognizable to hockey-first guys, has some powerhouse sites housed there, especially on the baseball side.

Mirtle hopes to make the hockey side just as big and bad, and he wants us to be part of that building program.

Which is why I spent all that space kissing your asses. Without you, we just aren't the same Game Time experience. In bringing us on, they're also hoping to bring you on. We hope you'll continue to support us as you have for the last three years, no matter if the font has changed or that there are now a couple ads on the page.

And by now, I'm sure you're wondering, what exactly is going to change? Well rather than list out a bunch of propaganda, I thought I'd try to anticipate your questions:

Dude, can we still swear and say Fuck Detroit and shit? Abso-fucking-lutely. In fact, that was one of our first He was born in STL, so it's like an homage to swear like him. questions. We've never censored anything posted by any of our writers and we encourage the use of the more flavorful words in our writing and in your comments. Let's admit it: sometimes swearing just makes the point better or the joke funnier. It's not my fault, blame Redd Foxx or George Carlin or Richard Pryor.

Are there going to be ads everywhere? No. Yes. Maybe. Depends. I mean, what do you consider 'all over the place' exactly?

Compared to what you see on the current site, yes, there will be ads. The sites all have a banner ad at the top and one on the right column. At first I thought they were a little encroaching, but if you notice the wide blue bands we have on each side of our main text, that will remain basically the same size. The ads will appear on the wings where we currently don't have anything. You'll notice some other stuff there, too, but I'm sure we'll get to that later.

Is there some new crap-assed new site name that I have to link as a favorite? No. The site you come to now will continue to be the place to be. The sites that are in the SBN all link each other and try to help one another out, but they aren't only going to link each other, anything good will get linked, regardless of where it originates. On the plus side, you're just on eclick away from guys who have supported us before, like our Hawk buddies over at Second City Hockey/The Committed Indian paper and the maniacs/new Dutchie fans at the Leafs' site Pension Plan Puppets.

I've been a commenter here for two years, am I going to have to re-register and bullshit? Yes, unfortunately you will. But there is a payoff and I think you guys and gals will like it.

The SB Nation commenting system gives you the ability to add icons and signatures to your profiles which will appear on every comment. On top of that, you'll have the ability to post your own 'threads' which will appear on the sides of the main page. You can also post pictures and video, not just links. You'll be given the opportunity to add content to the site in a way that just isn't possible right now.

There's also a comment counter, so you hardcore guys can establish your dominance in numbers, too.

Did we mention that you'll still be able to Fuck Detroit all you want? Yeah, thought you'd like that, too.

Is this going to make the site bigger? Are there going to be a bunch of newbies in the comments now? Yeah. Yeah, that's gonna happen. But again, we're going to rely on you old guys to teach the new guys. This site has always been very accepting of new commenters and we expect that to continue.

Part of the advantage of the SB Nation is that it will likely bring us a lot of new readers. Yes, some will be total morons. Some will be annoying. It is our job as the administrators to keep those people out, as we do every day right now by not approving commenters who we consider to be unfunny, uninteresting or not adding anything to our community. That will remain the same.

On the other side, we'll get some new, funny people to add to the group who have somehow never found us before. Try to be gentile when you explain why he's The Robot or why we yell 'Dutchie!' at that one guy from Toronto.

Dude, doesn't this make you a sellout? Uh, yeah, that's the question that hurts the most. Honestly, internally, we've often discussed our paper and website as being very punk rock. We've been so far underground that when people do find us, they don't want to tell their friends for fear that we become too mainstream. We've encouraged that kind of behavior.

It's the reason why we've never joined any other group that could 'help' us. It's the reason why we constantly tell the douches over at that popular Red Wings-linked site to keep our name out they mouth.

It's also the reason that I had to start drinking on a Monday just to write this post.

And to tell you all what's up, I've had enough beers at this point that they've become like a truth serum and I can admit it: this is the hardest thing I've ever had to do with our product, both the paper and the website.

Are we selling out? If so, it's the weakest sellout ever, because we ain't exactly quitting the day job for this. Hell, what we're getting for the year couldn't pay for the gas to drive to the day-job boss' house to tell him that we quit. Literally.

We're doing this because we really believe that we're doing the right thing. We dragged this out for a month when a guy like Mirtle literally gets yes answers from people the same day that he asks them to join him. We feel like the tradeoff of having a couple ads and a little different look to the site is a fair enough give for the take of getting our writing a bigger audience. It's also a fair enough give to get all of your comments a better audience. I also believe that the experience you'll all have will be better, where you can contribute more in pics and videos and avatars and all that shit.

Hello, I'm Ian, and I'm in Minor Threat. Maybe I'm no Fugazi, but I think that at the very least, we can be the punk rock scene on a bigger stage.

You guys have the comments, let us know what you think. Also, any questions you ask will be addressed by myself or by Brad, whose cellphone minutes I have personally destroyed this month while discussing this topic.

For anyone who would like a personal audience, feel free to email me at my normal address or Brad at his normal address.

We aren't Game Time, WE ALL are Game Time. Let's hear your opinions.

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Comments

I’m fine with this. Excited, in fact. This means more readers for the site, and all the great posts. I’ll try to get more stuff in, too. So don’t lose my login info in the process, puhleeeez.

…now, where did I put that herring…

by Marcus Pettersson on Nov 25, 2008 3:30 AM CST reply actions

I too am excited about the opportunity of the site to grow. This place is a blast. However, I will be the first to echo your sentiments about keeping the site underground. I’ve visited Game Time nearly every day for 6 months and been so pleased with the paper, and the ideas, and commenters here that I’ve never ONCE mentioned it on any of the other hockey sites I frequent. Mainly for fear of some of those fucktards showing up here and ruining a good thing. That being said, knowing that you guys share the same concerns, I have confidence that you will continue to weed out the bad seeds.

Congrats on the new opportunity, and here’s to hoping I don’t have dreams that share Garths sentiments in this photo.

www.smokingtree.net/images/wayne4.jpg

Oh and Marcus, I think I saw Iceberg snacking on it while putting together some new furniture.

by Dan on Nov 25, 2008 4:15 AM CST reply actions

Gravy, you know I love ya but I will always go Minor Threat over Fugazi. Doesn’t make me better or worse, it just helps make me, me.

Oh and yeah, I’m totally on board with this GT Move. I love “givin’ it” to the masses. Maybe this means more people will buy houses in North Co. Naturally they will have to pass the North Co Entrance Exam, but still.

Happy Thanksgiving Fruits- see you all at the Turkey Trot on Thursday!

by Answer-Man on Nov 25, 2008 5:55 AM CST reply actions

I’m a newbie. Like hell if my opinion matters . . . so . . . go do whatever, eh?

In all seriousness (and now I get to act like my Business Management degree actually fucking MEANS something . . .), any time a website of ANY type gets the opportunity for more clicks, you gotta jump at it. Even if you get pointed out as a sellout. Which I’m sure as hell not going to do.

So bring it on, brothers. Sounds like exciting news.

by Donut King on Nov 25, 2008 6:35 AM CST reply actions

Go for it guys.

I am a long time supporter of GT, and I think you guys are too worried about this “selling out” business. If it is not going to change who you guys are, just go for it.

…and Fuck Detroit.

by Greg on Nov 25, 2008 7:22 AM CST reply actions

Take it from an expert, selling out is fun! I have the Versus travel mug to prove it!

by LeNoceur on Nov 25, 2008 8:53 AM CST reply actions

As a member of the GT staff, I’m psyched about this move.

As has been said before — repeatedly — any opportunity for more eyeballs on our stuff is a good thing.

I admit that I’ve shamelessly tried to pimp the paper to anyone and everyone who expressed even a mild interest in it, but only for the sake of trying to expand our readership.

Also, I’m a Journalism student, going for a Mass Com major at SIU-E, and having this thing go a little more “mainstream” gives me, personally, all kinds of opportunities to actually use the stuff I’m studying and working on in College…

Bring on the webcasts and podcasts and multi-media. I believe with all my heart that we can do this kind of stuff without losing the essence of who we are. Hell, Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert have made a mint doing news on the Comedy Channel, and walking that fine line between satire and honest-to-God journalism.

Satire and humor ain’t my forte, as most of you well know. I lean towards the serious, “hard” news side, and leave the comedy for the most part to those who are much better at it than I. But there’s obviously a place for the kind of stuff I do for “Game Time,” and I see the changes here as a great opportunity for me to do it better, and become really the source for people who want to know what the Blues’ prospects are up to.

Just my two cents, but I honestly believe I do this better than the people at the Blues’ official site.

Anyway, enough of my thoughts. As I’ve said from Day One, “any time is Game Time.”

by Game Time Prospect Department on Nov 25, 2008 9:01 AM CST reply actions

Just about everybody here does this better than the Blues’ official NHL-cookie-cutter site.

Sean, Brad, as long as we’re here and are still free to fuck Detroit, we won’t lose what makes us Game Time. Your jobs as moderators may get a little more difficult, especially if fans from other cities try to make this a pissing board (see foxsports.com – my team is better than your team! Is not! Is too!), but on the whole, I think this is a great step forward.

by The Goalie Guy on Nov 25, 2008 9:19 AM CST reply actions

If you really did get something for this [like money], then I approve.

I like Mirtle.

I can ignore ads with the best.

I’m not one for pics, avatars & vids, but I may learn to love them. I learned to txt. Eventually I won’t have to actually speak to another human being, ever.

Can we keep our colors? I hate the evil color [red].
Can we be the USA Ducks?

Were they Brad’s milky phone minutes that you wasted? How can you tell?

by brian on Nov 25, 2008 9:21 AM CST reply actions

Congrats boys. As long as the ads aren’t for Cheli’s Chili, I’m down.
Fuck Detroit.

by hullnoates on Nov 25, 2008 9:21 AM CST reply actions

This completes the cycle for me…I have been a long time fan of SBN and comment regularly on Viva El Birdos (Cards) and Turf Show Times (Rams)…I have been hoping and wishing for a Blues blog on SBN, so now we have it…I just found “Game Time”, thanks to James Mirtle, and I love it, so I’m happy to have you all coming over to SBN.

by tbell61 on Nov 25, 2008 9:43 AM CST reply actions

Like I have a problem with anyone making money for something they are passionate about. If I wasn’t so poor I’d like but Game Time issues for $20 a pop and send you a case on non-A-B real beer.

Congrats.

by Chris D. on Nov 25, 2008 9:52 AM CST reply actions

Welcome to SB Nation – resistance is futile.

I know this post really was just an excuse to link Tupac, Red Foxx and Fugazi together – I’ve been trying to do that since I started blogging. Damn if you didn’t beat me to it though – with a Mirtle picture too, bonus.

We didn’t say “yes” to Mirtle the same day he asked either – but it was only because I didn’t check my email for two days.

by ChicagoKill on Nov 25, 2008 9:54 AM CST reply actions

As long as we live under your roof, it’s your call, writers.

I’m not necessarily jumping for joy, but it’s only at the possibility of varying degrees of douchenozzles joining in and lowering the standards with their commentary. I like the gang we have here now.

This could be a good move (and ultimately I believe it will be) but it is a little hard to think that something I love is going to be a little different.

Ah who am I kidding, we still get to say Fuck Detroit! Fuckin’ A!

by Poor College Student on Nov 25, 2008 11:27 AM CST reply actions

Does this mean that the-first-pitch.com isn’t dead?

by Gift on Nov 25, 2008 11:28 AM CST reply actions

we the site still be the first hit when you search Fuck Detroit on Google? I really think it adds to the prestige of the website

by RFJCC on Nov 25, 2008 11:42 AM CST reply actions

shit my grammar blows…

by RFJCC on Nov 25, 2008 11:45 AM CST reply actions

so does this mean that, like the SB baseball pages, there will be an auto-loadingmovile version? I almost hope not because I’ve got to say, viewing this site from my iTouch is a cinch. And I’ve had issues with other movile auto- loaders.

by TheDuke32 on Nov 25, 2008 12:01 PM CST reply actions

Way to go young blood gettin paid gettin paid

by Doc Whiskey on Nov 25, 2008 12:18 PM CST reply actions

You had us at hello.

by Guinea pig on Nov 25, 2008 1:05 PM CST reply actions

I don’t know about this move. It seems like bad mojo.

I think you’ll need to sacrafice a fat, obnoxious Red Wings fan to ward off demons.

by Pagan on Nov 25, 2008 1:06 PM CST reply actions

Nah Pagen will just trade a talented young player away for two IFs that might pan out. I love trading away a young player that’s still developing for the possibility for strking it rich. It’s great to gamble though in the long run the house always wins.

by Chris D. on Nov 25, 2008 1:15 PM CST reply actions

I started following GT last season (under a different name). And you guys are by far the best informed and damn funniest fans around. Congrats to you if your site gets more respect and traffic, you deserve it. BUT can you assure us there will be no autmatic streaming video ads? They added that to the HockeyBuzz website lately and it blows so hard I can barely stand to read Strickland.

Fuck Detroit!

Lod

by Lodnod on Nov 25, 2008 1:33 PM CST reply actions

I just got hooked up with GT this season. I have not been a huge contributor as I was trying to gather my wares. Love the magazine at the game and just heard about the website. Shout out to section 305 if anyone is on here! Anyway, just wanted to post before the move so nobody can accuse me of jumping on after.

by CraigD on Nov 25, 2008 1:44 PM CST reply actions

Will this affect the price of beer?

It won’t?

Then what the fuck do I care?

(Seriously guys, sounds interesting at least. Will you still have a link to my penny ante blog? Or will you have to be classier than that?)

by Rich Horton on Nov 25, 2008 1:44 PM CST reply actions

Let me start off with the confession that I have no life. case in point: one of my greatest thrills last year was when a nickname I coined on GT got picked up on another blog site. As sad and pathetic as that is, its true. So, if I can get more eyes on my Once-A-Year Original Thought, hey, I’m all for it. As long as you remain true to yourselves, you’ll never be sellouts. Congrats on the recognition, guys.

by Tim on Nov 25, 2008 2:06 PM CST reply actions

As far as mojo goes, I think we’re fine, as long as Sarah Palin doesn’t visit our website.

by Gift on Nov 25, 2008 2:41 PM CST reply actions

This is sweet. I’m so glad this blog is making the move. I think people will like the SBN format, which does a fairly good job of keeping douchebags at bay — or at least shunning them.

I’ve been a lurker here for quite quite a while whenever I needed a fix [My dad raised me on the Blues and Al Arbour’s Islanders, but Laurie permanently ripped my Blues soul out and took a giant Paige shit on it, which makes it hard for me to wade back into Blues forums without having to relearn all the coping mechanisms that the damn psychotherapist taught me while bankrupting my mother and running over my dog].

I’ve always loved the SBN format and used VEB to get my Cardinals fix (admittedly a very low priority for me), so I always wished it existed for the Isles and Blues. Lacking a life, I started one for the Isles and secretly hoped, when I heard Mirtle was recruiting, that GT would come aboard for the Blues.

So welcome, from a fellow SBNer and a soul-shredded, wounded, bigamist Blues follower who will wade into the forum from time to time. You guys should like it at SBN. The hilarious commenters already here will set the conversation and maintain the tone, so you shouldn’t have to worry too much about newbies.

P.S. They really not paying you enough for gas even? Because they totally bought me my own company car … decal.

by Lighthouse Hockey on Nov 25, 2008 2:52 PM CST reply actions

Gift said:
As far as mojo goes, I think we’re fine, as long as Sarah Palin doesn’t visit our website.

Can we still sacrafice a Wings fan? It would make me feel better.

by Pagan on Nov 25, 2008 3:06 PM CST reply actions

For all you South Park followers…can we use a mountain lion instead?

by Gift on Nov 25, 2008 3:13 PM CST reply actions

cool move, can’t wait

up top section 305…

by ramtheory on Nov 25, 2008 3:22 PM CST reply actions

we need message commet editing features!

or some of us do, i can’t even type “from jd and the boyes” apparently

by Childhood Trauma on Nov 25, 2008 3:34 PM CST reply actions

I was a regular reader of Game Night Review and carried right on over to GT. Love the site and buy a copy of the print ed at every game. Looking forward to the new look. Also, great job teaming up with the guys at Hockey-Fights.com for the fight page in the print edition, I’ve been a regular on that site for years.

And always tip the print vendors, it’s cold out there.

by Stlchapman on Nov 25, 2008 3:53 PM CST reply actions

I was on the fence about this until you managed to work in Redd Foxx and Ian Mackaye references in the same post. Now, I’m sold.

by Manbones on Nov 25, 2008 4:37 PM CST reply actions

Thanks to everyone for all the support. We’re feeling confident about the move, but even more so with you guys on board.

As for the ads, there’s no plan for those obnoxious auto-load ads as far as I know. You can also be sure that we’d be against that. For starters, we’re checking the site out at work, too.

As for our links, you can be assured that we’ll be taking those with us, too.

If there ae any other questions that I missed, remind me.

And yeah, the power of a Redd Foxx reference will carry you miles. Same goes for Ian Mackaye.

by gallagher on Nov 25, 2008 5:07 PM CST reply actions

Great, now I have the Chapelle’s Show skit in my head that if the internet were a mall.

by Gift on Nov 25, 2008 5:18 PM CST reply actions

Congrats guys, does this change that $4 dolla rag cuz if there are a bunch of adds in that then does that mean I can’t site it as my “street cred?” again CONGRATS and FUCK DETROIT!

by Nancy's Boy on Nov 25, 2008 6:03 PM CST reply actions

I forgot to ask … That song from Tupac .. did he do that before or after he died??

by Tim on Nov 25, 2008 6:07 PM CST reply actions

The paper is completely unaffected by this change.

by gallagher on Nov 25, 2008 6:58 PM CST reply actions

Guys, hilarious post. I’m really looking forward to you coming over and helping us build this thing up.

We’ll be announcing a lot of big blogs really soon, so I hope everyone checks it out.

by James Mirtle on Nov 25, 2008 7:02 PM CST reply actions

Sweet news, Gallagher. My dad used to be a GNR loyalist and now I’ve got you guys. Every single one of my friends whose come with me buys this rag every time now, just keep doin’ what you do guys.

And…
FUCK DETROIT

Oh and yes, tim, that one he did.

by Nancy's Boy on Nov 25, 2008 8:53 PM CST reply actions

Pagan Says: November 25th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I don’t know about this move. It seems like bad mojo.
I think you’ll need to sacrafice a fat, obnoxious Red Wings fan to ward off demons.

Pagan will need to sacrifice a fat, obnoxious, virgin Red Wings fan.

/Wait, that’s redundant, isn’t it?
//Well, Fuck Detroit.
///Someone already has “Milo” at http://www.sbnation.com/ , but “Milo.” is now alive and well!!!

by Milo on Nov 25, 2008 10:43 PM CST reply actions

I really don’t have both feet set firmly in the blog-o-sphere, but I enjoy GT and all associated with it.

I come here for the “out of the box” thinking and analysis that GT provides day in and day out. How do you all manage it?

Go for it. If it’s something that get the word out, go for it.

by JGB on Nov 25, 2008 11:11 PM CST reply actions

@Milo or more likely anyone else whose username is taken at SBN:

You could also try “Milo @ SLGT” or something, too, etc. Not that the quandary is keeping you up at night…

by Lighthouse Hockey on Nov 25, 2008 11:43 PM CST reply actions

It sounds great to me. Though if the ads are for porn I feel with this crowd that you may lose everyone to the porn site. Then it wouldn’t matter what you write, not that I read it now. I just buy it for the street cred.

by IrishBlue on Nov 26, 2008 1:53 AM CST reply actions

Good Luck Guys (you sellouts…)

This site has been a nice discovery for me. As a Blues fan in Washington DC, hockey coverage went from zilch to all-Ovechkin all the time. Nice to connect with some distant Missouri roots through your site. Fuck Detroit.

Nice Fugazi reference too. Used to see them all the time in cramped little rooms like the Wiki page attests. Check out the sound for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pavc6BMChPw

Enjoy.

by Andrew Conlin on Nov 26, 2008 5:58 AM CST reply actions

When does this happen? Did I miss that?

by tbell61 on Nov 26, 2008 9:13 AM CST reply actions

not sure childhood trauma form stl game time would be short enough. and there are so many poser childhood trauma, perhaps we should check on this name availabily before committing? and sean? heck the baseball player probably got his name covered. so if anyone has possible suggestions for sean’s new nickname, give a shout!

by Childhood Trauma on Nov 26, 2008 10:13 AM CST reply actions

i’m going to suggest rory gallager or maybe even roky erickson.

by Childhood Trauma on Nov 26, 2008 10:16 AM CST reply actions

You guys are going to love the new site.

/Fuck Detroit

p.s. thanks for Dutchie.

by Pension Plan Puppets on Nov 26, 2008 12:11 PM CST reply actions

Pagan wasn’t taken, so I’ll still be me after the change starts.

When does this change take effect? So far I’m only seeing Fuck Detroit and Mr. Mustache’s Chicago Weenies on the site from the old Chuck Norris division.

by Pagan on Nov 26, 2008 3:31 PM CST reply actions

As soon as we can get the site built. A week, two tops.

by James Mirtle on Nov 27, 2008 8:20 AM CST reply actions

@Tim: Tupac died? Really? I swear I saw him at the Lumiere craps table last week, and he looked fine then. How did it happen?

by Fishee on Dec 1, 2008 3:54 PM CST reply actions

Longtime lurker, rare (if ever) commenter here…

Kudos guys, and don’t sweat the “selling out” bullshit. You’ve got loyal fans who respect the free exchange of ideas you’ve promoted. I for one favor anything that gets SLGT a larger audience, and if you get a little coin in the process then that just makes it less likely that you guys might ever give this up.

Besides, “selling” isn’t the same as “selling out” – you haven’t really sold out until you nix something you wouldn’t have nixed before. And I just don’t see y’all ever doing that! So if you’re gonna drink over this move, make it celebratory!

Cheers!

by Dr. Funkenstein on Dec 1, 2008 10:32 PM CST reply actions