Merry Christmas from Hammer & Rails

We’ve come to the end of 2017. It has been an... interesting year on many fronts to say the least. While we try to stick to sports most of the time it is not hard to see that there are many real-life struggles out there for many people. It is my hope that this place provides a distraction from all the bad stuff that goes on. With a 23rd Big Ten championship and Purdue football once again respectible, those distractions have been good.

This place is not just a pleasant distraction for you readers, for most of the staff it is a way to step away from all that troubles us. I originally started this blog all the way back in 2006 as a creative outlet at a time when I couldn’t find full-time work. Through mutliple temp jobs, sub-teaching, a move, the birth of my son, and many other life events it has evolved beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. Last month we had more than a million page views and the day that Jeff Brohm’s status was up in the air was our best single day ever with more than 112,000 page views.

None of this could have been done without the rest of the staff and you readers. I have not done the best at times in running this site, but I am grateful for the audience we have and everyone that comes back. We couldn’t do this without you.

I am also grateful for the staff. It has been wonderful to add new voices over the years. These people have become dear friends as well. They say so much more than I could ever say and keep this place constantly growing.

So, on behalf of the staff I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2018. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all you do for me.