BSJ Daily Briefing: 4,000 subscribers and counting

To be honest for a second (when am I not honest?) ... when I decided to go forward with this site, I hoped for 500 subscribers the first day.

We got double: 1,000.

I hoped for 1,000 by the end of our first week.

Doubled again: 2,000.

And I thought if we could get 2,000 subscribers by the end of our first month — before NFL games started, before the Red Sox headed into the postseason, and before the Celtics and Bruins got even close to cranking up, basically before we really flexed our muscles — we'd be in a really good position.

And, boom, we doubled it again when we went over 4,000 subscribers just past midnight.

Every step along the way, we've exceeded expectations. Even our own. That's a testament to you, for showing your faith in us before, really, we deserved any. Hopefully you feel like you've been rewarded, and we have been worth your valuable investment. I think you see where we're going with this, with the type of staff we've assembled.

The thing is, we're still not even close to where we want to be. So many more features to bring you, including notifications for the app that will really keep you clued into what's going with Boston sports and the site. More coverage plans. Podcasts. Videos. Better execution. More staff at some point.

And we'll keep building it, brick by brick on the backs of our subscribers. We can't do this without you.

If you know of anyone who might want to subscribe, please send them a link (https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/subscribe/) and tell then how much you're enjoying the site.

Look, we're no idiots. We knew the first 4,000 would be the easiest, and we had to scratch and claw for those. The next 4,000 will be much more difficult. Could take us two months, or maybe four. That just means we have to work harder, talk to more potential subscribers, find better stories and strive to serve you even better.

But before we do, thank you from all of us here at BSJ. We knew there was a market for a small and independent alternative voice on the Boston sports scene, both here in New England and in the homes of displaced New Englanders around the country and globe. No, seriously. We've had hundreds of visitors each from (in order) Canada, the U.K., Philippines, Australia, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Ireland, Spain, Italy, France, Singapore, China (!), Denmark, Japan, Sweden, Netherlands, Israel, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan. I'm sure our free active-duty military subscription service has helped (and we've gladly signed up over 150 for those), but that's really cool!

Anyways, we have to get back to work (and maybe some sleep), so let's kick this off.

One, little, reward for our subscribers: check back in the morning as we post an exclusive Q&A with a certain Boston coach who got fired last year and ended up with the chief rival.

LOOKING BACK

Patriots

Bill Belichick liked what he saw out of Cyrus Jones.

Elandon Roberts does not have a serious rib injury.

Stat update through two games.

Chris Price looked at some of the over/under bets for the Patriots season.

Red Sox

Joey Mac got back into the BoSox groove by heading out to Fenway and getting exclusive quotes from John Farrell and Dustin Pedroia about the second baseman's continued influence on the team.

Sean McAdam had a great first installment of our Sunday Morning Notes, leading with thoughts on Giancarlo Stanton in a Red Sox uniform.

Live Coverage of the Sox' 5-1 win over the Yankees.

Video of Jerry Remy saying he'll be back next season.

Bruins

Joey Mac weighed in on David Pastrnak: Pay that man his money.

Celtics

B-Robb's always great NBA Sunday notebook.

Podcast talking Paul George tampering.

WHAT’S ON TAP

6 a.m.: Exclusive 1-on-1 drops
3 p.m.: Look for my breakdowns of the Patriots vs. Texans
7:10 p.m.: Red Sox at Indians (McDonald)

PARTING THOUGHT

How I imagined Joey Mac penning his Pastrnak column.