Keith Blacknick, a.k.a. The Mediagoon, is a Blogger and Podascter that not only comes up with original and insightful news about the Mets and Citi Field, he also is one of the founders and directors of the Queens Baseball Convention (QBC).
What is the Queens Baseball Convention or QBC? From their Website: “The Queens Baseball Convention also known as the QBC is a fan fest run by the fans of our favorite baseball team from Flushing Queens. We have put this Fan Fest together as a mix of a Comic Con and a baseball card show. We hold our "BIG" QBC once a year. As fans we were looking for an event that would help us get through the winter months and help us with the lack of Flushing Baseball.”
This year’s event will be December 3rd at Four Points by Sheraton in Flushing Queens featuring Bartolo Colon, RA Dickey and Howard Johnson plus SNY personalities and more. Tickets range from $65 to VIP Packages starting at $175. You can buy your tickets here.
Keith was nice enough to agree to answer some questions about the QBC, the Mets and his blog.
Mets News and Links: When did start the QBC?
Keith: The idea for the QBC started in 2013 with me, Shannon Shark from Metspolice.com, Darren Meenan from the7Line and Dan Twohig at the time wrote for Metspolice. Darren had to drop out at the time because he was on the verge of getting his licensing from MLB. Our first event was January 2014 at McFadden’s at Citi Field.
MN&L: What can you tell us about that first QBC?
Keith: It was an unknown. Were people going to buy tickets for a non sanctioned Mets Fan fest? We hoped so. Were we going to put on a good show? Again, we hoped so. I have a production background in the entertainment world so I was able to make the logistics work while putting together a “decent” looking panel stage. Shannon did a lot of the overall producing while I handled the panel rooms. Dan was in charge of the vendors and the signings. We were lucky enough to to be able to get Ed Kranepool and Ron Darling as our guests for player panels and signings. We teamed up with Greg Prince of Faith and Fear in Flushing to create the Gil Hodges “Unforgettable Fire” Award that was officially sanctioned by the Hodges Family. The first recipient was Gil and his son Gil Jr accepted the award with Art Shamsky at his side. The best thing about the day is that we pulled off an event that our fellow Mets fans loved and keep coming back to.
MN&L: What is one of your favorite QBC moments?
Keith: We did a virtual QBC during the pandemic and I produced, directed, and hosted it for five hours. During the SNY Baseball Night in NY panel, Doug Williams wanted to know why our tech seemed to run smoother than SNY’s video conferencing. It made me laugh and also made me know we as an organization are doing something fun for our fellow Mets fans.
MN&L: What is the worst thing that happened that you can share?
Keith: Having to cancel 2016’s QBC because of the blizzard that was about to hit. Good thing we did because that thing hit hard.
MN&L: How far in advance do you start planning each year’s event?
Keith: Unofficially, my mind is going the next day on how to make the QBC bigger and better. Officially 6-8 months. We have to find a venue then figure out the talent, get sponsors, etc. Its a ton of work that a lot of folks don’t realize. Dan and I are only two guys who have our day jobs and family time plus then doing all of this.
MN&L: When did you become a Mets fan?
Keith: My first Mets game was 1985.
MN&L: What is the best thing Mets memory?
Keith: Mets winning the World Series in ‘86. Throwing out a first pitch at Citi Field.
MN&L: What is the worst Mets Memory?
Keith: Mets getting knocked out of the post season by the Dodgers in ‘88.
MN&L: What 4 players are on your Mets Mt. Rushmore and why?
Keith:
Seaver- He’s the Franchise
Piazza- made the Mets credible again
Keith Hernandez- was just great in the field
Daniel Murphy- guy was a gamer.
MN&L: Who is your all-time favorite Met?
Keith: Keith Hernandez
MN&L: If you could have dinner with 4 current or ex-Met managers, players or executives, who would they be?
Keith:
Mets Execs- Will Carafello- he’s a great dude. Funny and has great insights
Shannon Forde- she was awesome. Always loved talking to her and would love to be able to able hang with her again. She did so much for bloggers and supported the QBC unofficially a great deal.
Players- I’ve interacted with so many over the years between QBC and blogging. I drove Wally Backman to the airport and had a great conversation with him. Also a buddy of mine is Chris Flexen and always enjoy hanging out with him.
MN&L: Thoughts on 2022?
Keith: Mets weren’t supposed to be as good as they were. They never really slumped during the season so I figured it was going to be a letdown at some point. I didn’t feel it was a “magical” year if that makes sense.
MN&L: Thoughts on this off-season?
Keith: I’m not an expert in any way. I like to see the moves the team makes before I start getting into the off-season/next season mode. But you know who does a good job with it?(Get ready for the shameless plug) Mark Healey with the State of the Mets panel at the QBC on December 3rd.
MN&L: Thoughts on the Mets future?
Keith: It looks bright!!
MN&L: Thank you for be willing to do this and all the great work you do for us fans on your site and the Queens Baseball Convention.
Keith: Thanks for covering us really appreciate it and thanks for the kind words.
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