Twenty-sixteen is going to be a big year. Exactly nine months before I tie the knot, I’ll be starting a new job at Wilson Sporting Goods as a marketing specialist for the baseball/softball division, which includes the Wilson, Demarini, Louisville Slugger and ATEC brands.

It’s going to be an adjustment from what has been an exciting and fulfilling sportswriting career: a couple Final Fours, progs, Over the Line, Wes Leonard, and the return of the MLB playoffs to Wrigley Field, Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh. The list goes on. But it’s time for a change and I’m thrilled about it.

For my tenure at MLB.com: thank you to Justice Hill, who practically broke into the State News and introduced me to the world of MLB.com; to Bill Hill, who first hired me as an associate reporter; to Kristen Zimmerman, who gave me my first crack at good beat work covering the Nationals in 2013; and to Richard Bush, who has looked out for me since I was hired full-time in 2011, and who allowed me the opportunity to move to Chicago seamlessly (and to Paul Casella, who helped make that possible). 

The list of fine people, editors and mentors who’ve helped me over a journalism career that began in 8th grade is far too long to list. It must include Patti Woodruff, Sara Edleman, Patrick Cwayna, Peter Stuursma, Nick Mrozowski, Esther Gim, Josh Jarman, Melissa Sanchez, Paul Souhrada, Doug Williams, and Mary Ullmer. And it must start and end with my dad. I’m not sure I’m ready for a full journalism career post-mortem just yet.

But as my time with MLB.com ends, perhaps the biggest thank you of all goes to 6-foot-9-inch Thomas Harding, who was the best mentor any young reporter could ask for. Thomas was always gracious enough to pause on deadline – writing like a pig – to remind me: Joey, you’ve got a future. Lucky for those of you who haven’t met Thomas, you’ve gotten to know him as I’ve picked up on so many of his -isms. I think I’m gonna make it … He’s a sweet child … I feel good, I feel clean, I feel like I’ve got what it takes to win a championship … Thomas, I love you and I don’t care who knows it.

The same goes to all of you. Thanks for reading, and for following. On to the next one. I think I’m gonna make it.

I wish I could take credit for this. Thanks to my friend John Kirby for sharing it and to The Only Colors for posting it. As John said, “It is easily my favorite gift of the holiday season so far.” Merry Christmas. 

‘Twas the last play of the game
And in the Big House
Maize and blue fans were ready
“Little Brother!” they’d shout

Their team up by 2
Just 10 seconds remain
And thoughts of Paul Bunyan
Danced in their brains

Spartan Nation was glum
It seemed much too late
It stood 4th and 2
On the State 48

Coach D on the sideline
Gathered players to hear
They call them the Rangers
And their mission was clear

Every man knew his job
And each Ranger all
Come hell or high water
Must get to that ball

The teams took the field
Not a Spartan was back
They took to the line
And were primed to attack

Maize and blue fans may wonder
As they toss in their sleep
Why they had 2 gunners
When no one was deep

The snap came in low
So the punter reached down
The ball hit his hands
And then hit the ground

More rapid than eagles
Those Rangers they came
And Coach D he shouted
And called them by name

“Now, Macksood! Now, Harrell!”
“Now Leimbach and Grayson!”
“On, Dowell! On, Willis!”
“On Monty and Jalen!”

Then what to our wondering
Eyes did we see
But a forceful collision
And heard “The ball is free!”

That ball it took flight
In the chaotic action
And went straight to the hands
Of Jalen Watts-Jackson

Then off to the end zone
Those Rangers they sped
To flip it all upside down
In this game they’d not led

With blockers aplenty
And green grass in sight
A hero named Jackson
Was surrounded by white

And old Sean McDonough
Announcing that run-back
Couldn’t help that his vocal cords
Started to crack

As the ball crossed the goal line
Disbelief filled the air
With hands to their heads
The stunned crowd could just stare

The Rangers had done it
They’d finished the trip
The only casualty in white
Was poor Jackson’s hip

The clock read all zeroes
The Spartans had won
Their dream of a title
Was not yet quite done

And into the air
Of that Ann Arbor night
Rose loud Spartan cheers
Of “Go Green! Go White!”

Merry Christmas!

Notice I didn’t say “the best music of 2015.″ (Though, let’s be honest — it is.)

These are not in any particularly order. But if they were, Mika would be at the top. Because, Mika.

Also, I created a playlist of these songs (plus a few other good ones, minus Adele) on Spotify if you want to listen that way. Enjoy!

Mika — Good Wife

OK, so I put him at the top. Always hard to choose just one.

Paulina Rubio, Morat — Mi Nuevo Vicio

Catchiest song of the year. Don’t even care.

firekid — Lay By Me

Came very close to wearing this one out by playing it on repeat in September.

Adele — When We Were Young

I could very easily post half of the songs on this album. This one’s my favorite. (Though does anyone else get a strong hint of Leaving On a Jet Plane when you hear it?)

Adele — Water Under the Bridge

Just kidding. This one’s my favorite.

Raury, Tom Morello — Friends

Nick Jonas — Jealous

Vintage — High Dive Heart

More from this song later this year.

Carly Rae Jepsen — Making the Most of the Night

Elle King — America’s Sweetheart

Grace, G-Eazy — You Don’t Own Me

Lunchmoney Lewis — Bills

GODDAMN, goddamn, goddamn.

Andrew Martin — A Good Man

East kids don’t quit. 

Anderson East — Find ‘Em, Fool ‘Em and Forget ‘Em

Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment — Slip Slide

Chicago, stand up.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis — Downtown

The joy and wonder of Eric Nally. And this video.

Brandon Flowers — Dreams Come True

Please just get back with The Killers and make another album.

Grace Potter — Empty Heart

This girl can put on a show.

Gary Clarke Jr. — Can’t Sleep

Dude is legendary.

Hailee Steinfeld — You’re Such A

I’m not gonna hold Pitch Perfect 2 against you, HAIZ.

PHASES — Betty Blue

Feeling this song currently.

Halsey — Colors

In keeping with the ROYGBIV theme.

King Charles — LoveBlood

My favorite album of 2015 came out in 2012. So it gets a pass for this list.

Misterwives — Hurricane

Strong contender for favorite album of the year.

Leon Bridges — Smooth Sailin’

This guy is out of this world.

Little Mix — Black Magic

Don’t hate us cuz you ain’t us.

Nate Ruess — Great Big Storm 

See: Brandon Flowers

The New Basement Tapes — Kansas City

See: Brandon Flowers

Parson James — Temple

Parson James — Sinner Like You

Zac Brown Band — Junkyard

Mostly because of this.

Rachel Platten — Lone Ranger

Get it, girl.

Omi — Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)

ROMANS — Uh Huh

James Bay — Hold Back the River

Sneaky-great album.

Jason Derulo — Want to Want Me

*whispers* derulo

Matoma, Notorious B.I.G. feat. Ja Rule and Ralph Tresvant — Old Thing Back

Just the best old-school sound. But do NOT listen to this song with your mother in the car. Or a small child.

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats — S.O.B.

My spirit animal in a song.

The entire Hamilton broadway cast recording

Sorry. Had to.

Side note — Best concert of 2015: Taylor Swift’s 1989 tour at Soldier Field. Close second: Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Live tour at the United Center. Honorable mention: Jukebox the Ghost at SoHo House; Halsey, James Bay and Misterwives at The Vic; Bronze Radio Return at Lincoln Hall.