THE! Lookouts Interviews (Long, but you knew that didn't you)

[SirFelixCat]

Well, hope you guys have some time here...when I tell a story, I tend to go into serious details (ie. get comfy), and well, I'm gonna tell the story about this great opportunity I had. So go get an adult beverage, sit back, and live vicariously thru me :D

(NOTE: I am going to post this in 3-5 parts (posts). I'm doing all of this in one sitting, so if you read this and it's not finished, be patient, the rest will be coming in a few minutes. It's a long, but great story, IMO;) )

I almost forgot to mention, that I had spent the entire morning at work (hey, we had NOTHING else to do) organizing my questions for the three lads (I'm 28 and these guys are "lads" to me :MandJ: ). I encorporated just about every single question that was posted in the thread I had on here earlier and also the ones that were PM'd to me. Plus I added a dozen or so of my own.

The idea of trying to get some interviews started in spring last year. We have the Greenville Braves here in town (AA for the evil Bravo's), and I knew that Chattanooga would be making a trip here early in the season. I figured you never know unless you asked, so I'd see if I could. Well, Larry Ward, would be the place I would start asking (he is the voice of and traveling secretary of the Lookouts...and as I found out, babysitter too :mhcky21: ). Also, I figured you guys would love to hear some of the things we wonder about from the proverbial horse's mouth, so I emailed him.

To my surprise, he wrote back the next day and asked what media source I was representing...Redszone.com, of course. I sent him a reply telling him that I wasn't "media" perse, but just a fan of the largest and best fan-run forum for the Reds, on the net. He said sure, we can work something out. He told me to call him when they got into town the following week.

Well, Mother Nature, was apparently against the whole idea, as she rained out the first 2 games and the Lookouts played an abbreviated DH (morning/afternoon) and left town. So no dice there. That was their only trip to Greenville last season. So onto this season....

I had thought about trying it again and when I saw that Dustin Moseley (DMos from here out) and Edwin Encarnacion (EdE) were both going to be in Chattanooga, I was DEFINITELY going to try and get those interviews this season! So I contacted Mr. Ward again, and he was all for it. He told me to call Friday afternoon.

Noon Friday, I called. Nervous as all hell too :lol: He said they weren't in town yet, but to call back later...so about 3pm I call him back and he says that I'm hooked up with a press pass :rockon: and to pick it up around 4pm. Also, I had asked for DMos, EdE, and William Bergolla for interviews that day. He said they were all set up and that with the press pass, I had full access to batting practice, the press box, carte' blanche...WOOHOO!!!

So 4pm rolls around and I have butterflies something fierce...wouldn't you??? I should mention that my good buddy Dan Scott (writerdan33 on here) helped me with some advice on what I should during BP and such. He just told me to "look like I knew what I was doing"...hey, I can do that, right? Anywho, I pick up my press pass (yea, that's right, I'm media, BACKOFF!) and put the pass on my Cincinnati Reds necklace/badge holder thingy and walk on in. Keep in mind, this is also Opening Day for the G-Braves...so there were a few cameras and a big crowd expected. The Braves are moving to Pearl, Mississippi, after this season, so this was kind of a big deal (I'm still upset about us losing a AA franchise, but that's another story).

I walk in thru the gate and see the field open up in front of me...there is just nothing like walking into a ballpark for the first time each season. The green grass, smell of elephant ears, hotdogs, all the things you associate with a ballpark. *sigh*

So I start walking over to the visitor's bullpen where I see the Lookout's stretching and just hanging around. I try to walk with purpose, but I'm not sure how I did, because I couldn't remember where Larry said we'd meet. So I sit down in the corner of the bleachers, right near the BP, trying to get organized. I look around and see an older gentleman heading my way from the direction I came and I assume, rightly so, that it is Larry. I tell myself to act like this is "old hat" and to be professional. We introduce e/o and he asks if I'm ready. Sure am, I reply. He leads me over back to where I was right near the BP and he looks around, seeing who is not busy. I secretly pray that it's DMos first because I have no idea if EdE and Bergolla speak english well and I forgot to ask! As luck would have it, he hollers over to a clean-cut kid who is the only one not in a practice jersey. The young guy jogs over to us and Larry asks where his jersey is. He said he forgot to pack it and then proceeds to tell him that, hey, when your roommate does the laundry, this and that, blah blah, it isn't his fault. 2 things happen here...Larry gives me this look like "Damn CHILDCARE, I tell ya!", and some of the other fellas start giving Dmos crap. :MandJ: Anyway, Larry introduces us and Dustin hops the fence to come sit in the bleachers with me and we begin:

[UKFlounder]

Great 1st post - I can't wait to read the rest. You've done an excellent job of setting the scene.

[SirFelixCat]

-On my pages of questions for the guys, I have little notes to myself like "Don't interrupt", "Tell him that I'm just a fan and that the only place this is going to show up is on www.Redszone.com" etc. I also have notes about the guys...where drafted etc. I wanted to be prepared and all :thumbup:

-I have with me my digital camera, mini-cassette recorder with attaching mic, and my clipboard. I'm all set...

So we sit down, I'm laughing because he's trying to tell me the reasons why he's out of uniform, but I can't help it. It's funny. It really is.

I ask him to attach the microphone to his shirt and turn on the recorder (the interviews are taken, nearly verbatim, from what I recorded):

Q: Is there anything different, that you noticed, about the preparation or instruction in S.T. this year vs last?

A: Not too much...it was more structered than it was in the past, but as for the instruction, for the us guys who have been around and got everything mechanically figured out, there are a few things we have to go back over, but not too much. Now for some of the younger guys, some who were just signed and stuff, I saw a lot of the coaches really helping those guys out. But for us, they kind of let us do our thing and if we needed a little help, they would help us out.

Q: Along those lines, how do you like the new pitching philosophy the Reds have instituted and have you and the other pitchers bought into it (Pitch to contact)?

A: For a guy like myself, everything he was talking about (Naehring), everything he wants a pitcher to do, I feel like I've done the last 3 years. It's the way I pitch. I go inside, I'm not afraid to go after hitters, I get a lot of ground balls. As you've seen from my numbers, I don't have tons and tons of strike outs like some of our other guys do, so as far as him building a pitcher and molding a pitcher, from what he's saying, a lot of that stuff I already do. It fits in perfectly with me, I don't have to change anything, that's just the way I've always pitched.

Q: Speaking of pitching inside, Don Drysdale was quoted as saying, "Half of the plate is mine, half is the hitters, I'm just not going to tell him who's is who's". So does that fit the way you think on the mound?

A: (Chuckling)Oh yea, oh yea man. That plate, that plate is ours (the pitchers). You know what I'm saying? I mean, that's my job. The hitters, they get paid, they're gonna get me, but hopefully I can get them, more often than not.

Q: The Reds have made it clear that they will be giving more opportunities to young pitchers in the coming years. A definite change in philosophy, instead of "retreads" like Jimmy Anderson (yes I said that). How much competition is there between you and the other pitchers on the Lookouts, to be one of the guys they look to first? Also, with the competition between yourself, Brandon Claussen, Bubba Nelson, Bong, yourself, Etherton...is it friendly competition?

A: Yea yea yea, me and Charlie Manning were talking the other day, we got to be friends in Spring Training, and as you know, his last outing he went out and "just dealt" with 9 strikeouts, so now, my next outing, I come out and get 7 shutout innings. So yea, it's friendly competition. I've played with guys, who you could see it in their eyes, or feel like they have a tough time telling you "good job", but the 5 starters we have here, we all want eachother to do good, I just want to be doing better than him. I hope Charlie has a 1.00 ERA...I just want a 0.70 ERA, you know what I'm saying? I like it. It just makes it to where we keep raising the bar and making each other better.

Q: As close as you are to the majors...there was talk, in S.T., about the last 2 spots in the rotation (for the Reds) were open, how much pressure do you feel to put up big numbers, so that you get that promotion? Is it something you think about or do you try to put it out of your head and just concentrate on going out there and pitching as best as you can?

A: That motivation, man. That's my ultimate goal. I'm not sitting here, playing Double-A, wanting to play here for the next 10 years. This year....uh.....this year has been, uh, in a way, a little....disappointing, the way it started out. I was told one thing and then something totally different happened.--------I interjected here and asked him what he was told and what really happened....hey, investigative reporting...the people have a right to know! ;) ----------------As far as having a chance to make the team, which wasn't the case, that didn't happen, and then, that I was going to be an everyday starter in Louisville, and then we do the trade with Reitsma, and I get sent to Double-A. It's disappointing, but at the same time, it's motivational. I try to look at everything in a positive sense, I got that from my mother, and as far as the Big League goal, it is always in my eyes, it's always on there. I told Tim (Naehring), even though I'm going to go out here and act like the same Dustin Moseley, you gotta understand that I'm disappointed and I'm a little upset, because I'm trying to get back to Triple-A.....

Q: So you use that as motivation then?

A: Most definitely

Q: Kind of a "I'll show you"

A: Exactly!

Q: That was going to be my next question...why are you in Chattanooga. Most of us (fans) thought that you would be in Louisville, so we were surprised when you got sent down here...so I guess the Reitsma trade with Nelson and Bong is the answer then....

A: That's what they said. It's a numbers game and I'm the odd man out. YOU figure that one out!

Q: So do you feel, for lack of a better term, "Dissed" but the organization? Do you take it personal or see it as the business of baseball?

A: It's the business of baseball, but I take it personal. This is my future. This is what I'm doing, I'm trying to get up there and help the Cincinnati Reds. I was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds, I LOVE the Cincinnati Reds, you understand what I'm saying? I'm not a trade-over guy that still misses the team they were with. This is the only team I've been with and for me to grow up in the organization and done well everywhere I've been, just about, and then to be sent back down when everyone is talking about growing from within (the pitchers being developed in house) it's....it's disappointing, it really is, in a sense I do take it personal.


2 things here: First, you should have seen the hurt in his eyes. This kid has fire inside him...in a good way. He nearly had tears in his eyes when he was talking about his last part. He wants up there BADLY! And he feels somewhat shafted, due to the Reitsma trade. Secondly, we had to stop the interview here, for now. He had to go stretch and run some, so in the mean time, I caught my breath, enjoyed the gorgeous afternoon sun and waited for EdE to make himself available :thumbup:

[SirFelixCat]

I was really glad that I got to interview Dustin first...he was a great guy, very personable, and very friendly. I didn't know what to expect, but this was better than I hoped for. Not a one or two word answer, but he just let out what he thought/felt. FWIW, the look on his face, at the end of that first part of the interview was like, "Man, ain't this just a $%#@!" A frustrated look on his face, on his body, but he really looked determined. Just an all-around great kid. :thumbup:

[TRF]

This is a fantastic read. great work SC!

[RosieRed]

SC, I know you have more to post still, but I just want to say thank you for doing this and taking the time to do it and posting it on here. Great read, great questions, great answers.

Thank you!

:clap:

[Redsland]

This is killer work, SC. :thumbup:

[SteelSD]

GREAT stuff, SCR!! My thanks!

Mods, could you sticky this thread please?

[M2]

Ditto on the sticky request. Great interview, SC. Better than 99% of what you see in the media.

[TRF]

Anyone know if TMos still reads/posts?

[Redsland]

Anyone know if TMos still reads/posts?
i haven't seen him post in a very long time, but his member profile says he was here this morning.

He is not going to be happy to learn about Dustin's laundry situation. ;)

[LvJ]

Great stuff! Thanks SC!

[creek14]

Anyone know if TMos still reads/posts?
He PM'd me the other day, so he is around.

[SirFelixCat]

Once I finished up, Larry came over and immediately went and found EdE and brought me over into the bullpen and we sat on the bench. EdE is from the Dominican Republic and is one built dude. Serious upper body. I introduced myself and asked how his english was (faux paus? he didn't seem to mind). He said it was ok. I handed him the mic and he put it on his shirt and away we went...I tried to start off with more general, more fun questions this time...so that he would feel more comfortable speaking to me in english. I'm going to paraphrase many of the answers, due to the language barrier in parts ;):

Q: Anything you noticed different this spring training vs last season?

A: This spring training was much better. -----Why?-----More structured, more work getting done. I enjoyed it more.

Q: Who would you most like to face (pitcher) in the Majors?

A: Pedro Martinez....because he's the best out there.

Q: Anyone out there you wouldn't like to face (pitcher)?

A: Randy Johnson...*we both chuckle here*

Q: What do you do when you're not at the ballpark? What do you do in your spare time?

A: Playstation 2...-------What's your favorite game?-------MLB 2003 :)

Q: What's your favorite ballpark that you have ever played in? Whether it be back home, in Double-A, wherever...

A: In the future's game, at the White Sox stadium (Comerica). It was great!

Q: Least favorite?

A: Back home in the Dominican Republic. It wasn't good! :MandJ:


Not a smooth transition here, but hey, it was my first day of interviews :o

Q: What was the main difference in your game from when you first started out in Double-A in 2003 and when you returned to Double-A, after being sent to Potomac?

A: I didn't do very good when I first was in Chattanooga, so they sent me down and I kept working on my swing, so when they brought be back up, I felt better, more relax, more confident with the bat.

Q: These days, you draw more BB's than you did when you first started playing pro ball. Is that something that you have done on your own, or is it something that the coaches stressed to you?

A: The coaches, Jaime, Paul, they trained me, I hear everything they tell me, and they told me to be more selective, and I see the pitches better now, now that I'm more comfortable.

Q: have you had any contact with Ron Oester since ST?

CQ, You should have seen the blank stare I got on that one...so we moved on :eek:

Q: When you were in Dayton, the Reds tried you out at SS. Did you feel comfortable there and could you see yourself playing there at some point? Do you prefer to stay at 3B?

A: I can play SS. Wherever they want me to play, I play. I like 3B more, but I just want to play. Whatever they want me to do, I'll do.

Note: EdE didn't seem all that comfortable during the interview, which in turn made me a little uncomfortable, so that is why I didn't really press for answers. Plus, I had pitchers throwing right behind me and guys stretching right in front of me, so I didn't want to be "out-of-line" with anything.

Q: Do you feel any pressure being as highly a rated prospect as you are? Or is it simply, "See de ball, hit de ball"? ;)

A: If you have pressure, you don't play as well. I don't feel any. When I'm out there, I feel good. I just see the ball and I hit it :GAC: *PRICELESS ANSWER!!!*

Q: What is it that you've been told that you need to do to make the jump to the next level? What have the coaches and/or the F.O. told you?

A: The F.O. told me that I need to work on my defense, with my throwing to 1st base...I have a little problem with that right now. They told me that hitting, I am ready to play in the big leagues, I just need to work on my defense this year.

Q: When do you see yourself getting a chance at "The Show"? When do you think you'll be getting that chance? This year, September? Next year? The year following?

A: September, I hope. (Laughing) Right now I hope :thumbup:, but whatever they want to do, they are going to do. I can't control it, but hopefully in September.

Q: Does having Brandon Larson in Cincinnati worry you at all? Do you see yourself winning 3B from him?

A: He is a good player. He (Larson) is very good. I don't know.

Q: With the question marks at SS, with Larkin retiring, and no obvious heir apparent at SS (that's how I had it written...didn't quite say it that way ;) ), so you see yourself moving to SS possibly?

A: Yea, if they want, whatever they want.

Q: What is the main difference in the pitchers you saw in ST and the pitchers here in Double-A?

A: In ST, in the major leagues, all the pitchers, they are all around the strike zone. Here, in Double-A, some are here (raises his hand eye level), there (way wide, way low). Much better control in the major leagues.

Q: Who are you closest to, here, on the team?

A: Here? I got a couple guys: Jesse Gutierrez, Dionys Cesar, and (William) Bergolla.

Q: What's your favorite drink? Your favorite adult beverage?

A: No alcohol...orange juice...sometimes, a little bit Jonnie Walker Black Label.

Q: What's your favorite meal your mom makes for you?

A: Fried chicken and beans (big ole smile here...like he's picturing it in his head :thumbup: )

Q: Favorite MLB player? Now or in the past?

A: Right now, Albert Pujos...he's a monster...he's a good guy too! All time?....I like Babe Ruth.

Q: When you were up in ST this season, was there anyone you were "star struck" by seeing or meeting? Anyone make you go, "WOW! There is xxxxxx!"

A: Barry Larkin. Yea, Barry Larkin....(Smiling) :)

Q: Other than Wins and Losses, what stat do you pay the most attention to (SABR guys listen up)?

A: My OB....my OB...and everything.



I then told him about the site (of course) and that he could see the write up of the interview on here...he seemed truly interested and I told him "thanks a ton" and nice meeting him, etc. He said the same :GAC:

I stayed sitting on the bench for a few moments, watching the guys pitch behind me ( I am a pitcher for my MSBL team after all) and just trying to soak it all in, before Larry brought over William Bergolla.

Have I mentioned how cool this was??? :GAC:
:thumbup: :RedinDC: :wave: :rockon: :rock_band :jump:

[M2]

Q: Other than Wins and Losses, what stat do you pay the most attention to (SABR guys listen up)?

A: My OB....my OB...and everything.

Man, does that answer make me happy.

[remdog]

Nice work, SC. Keep 'em coming! :thumbup:

Rem

[Aronchis]

What kind of pull does Barry Larkin have with people? Geez :confused:

[missionhockey21]

Great stuff man, thanks for sharing!

[BoydsOfSummer]

Better than the stuff the "pros" give us,nice job bro.

[SirFelixCat]

*Fighting thru hand cramps I push on....*


Larry bring Bergolla over and my first question is how to pronounce his last name...he is Venezuelan, after all. He proceeds to roll the pronounciation so intricately, I say "ok, cool, William" :o :lol:

Bergolla is a slight guy. Shorter (5'8 maybe there abouts) than the other 2 and very skinny. The man just reeks speed. He has a pretty good grasp of english, so I feel confident asking him the "meat" questions fairly early. Plus, hey, I'm a vet at this now...this is my 3rd!!! interview, no sweat now :D

I hand him the mic, he puts it on and we roll on:

Q: To start off, what is the difference between baseball here in the States and back home in Venezuela?

A: I think it's the fans...because back home, we have more pressure. It's really different. -------Which do you like better?--------Here, I like it more here, but I like playing in my home country.

Q: When you were in Rookie Ball, you drew a lot of BB's, but not as many last year. Why is that and has the team discussed with you trying to draw more walks? Is that something you are looking to improve upon?

A: Yea, I want work on that more this year. In rookie ball, the pitchers....the pitchers, they're not too good. :MandJ: Here, I hit 1st or 2nd and the pitchers are better...they don't want to walk me-----because you're fast-----(he laughs) and says yea, I guess, but they don't want to walk me, because they don't want speed on the bases.

Q: With your speed, 52 steals last year, you steal a ton of bases. What makes a good base stealer, other than just speed?

A: We have to learn the pitchers...how they go to home plate. You have to get a good jump. Mostly, I just have to learn the pitchers and their move to homeplate.

Q: Do you watch video of them?

A: No, just when I see them. When a runner is on base I watch him.

Q: What have the Reds told you that you need to do to make it to the next level?

A: They told me I have to be more consistent hitting and in the infield. The routine plays. Everything...just have to work on getting better.

Q: What is the story of how you were found by the Reds and were there any other teams offering you a contract?

A: For a month or two months, I practiced, before I signed. I practiced at the Yankee's academy for 3 months. I worked hard and they wanted to sign me. The next month, they said they wanted to sign me, but they wanted me to keep practicing here for another month or two first. I didn't want to do that, so I went to the Oriole's academy and someone there told me to go to the Cincinnati academy. I went there and practiced for a week to 10 days and they signed me. (I didn't catch who he said signed him...sorry)

Q: When do you see yourself getting a chance, a cup of coffee, in the Bigs?

A: *Chuckles* Oh, I don't know--------When do you hope?---------Now *Laughs*...I don't know...when they want, when they need me, I guess.

Q: Growing up, who was your favorite player?

A: My favorite player? Hmmmm....This guy, he plays in my country, my father's friend. He played for the team that I played for in my country. He would come over to my home and I'd see him. He'd get me a ticket to watch him play. I went to every game when he played. ----------What's his name?-------- Pedro Chavez...he plays in Taiwan now.

Q: So he was your idol growing up?

A: Yea (laughs). He doesn't know this though...it's been a long time since I've seen him :)

Q: Have you met Davey Concepcion?

A: Oh yea. I spoke to him a couple of times. I got a picture with him (Big smile here). He goes and works at the Cincinnati academy back home and works with those guys.

Q: Ok, now to the fun stuff...what do you like to do in your free time, when not playing ball?

A: PS2...soccer and MLB 2003

Q: Your favorite MLB player?

A: I love Alex Rodriguez's swing. He's sooooo good. But in the field, no doubt, Omar Vizquel.

Q: Were you "star-struck" at all in ST?

A: A little. Barry Larkin was great. He worked with me in the field. He was great. He knows a lot...17 years in the bigs. *another big smile*

At this point, I had to let him go. His coaches were calling him over. He came across as a really nice, very young (21) kid. He loves playing baseball and it seemed to me that he really is anxious to make it to the bigs, if for no other reason, than to be able to go back home and play in front of his fans, knowing he's a big leaguer :thumbup:

[KittyDuran]

What kind of pull does Barry Larkin have with people? Geez Other than the fact that he's been in the majors a while - it might have something to do with being able to communicate with the Hispanic players - Barry knows the language...

[gm]

During the on-air interview (Yankee's game, spring training) Larkin intimated that he'd like to be "a liason between the FO and the players" when his playing days are through. But only for Cincy. I'm not sure what that job title would be, perhaps an "assistant" to the GM and/or farm director? Here's hoping the Red's FO is smart enough to make a place for Barry in the org

[KronoRed]

Very nice SC :)

[RedFanAlways1966]

Awesome Sc!!!

[zombie-a-go-go]

This is totally sweet, SC. You are the man.

[CougarQuest]

Excellent, excellent, excellent!

Mr. Ward is a very intelligent person. This reads so much better because you aren't "a trained media person". And that's not meant to be a 'diss" on the media. These are questions that a true diehard Reds fan wants to know and there isn't someone cutting out the little things to make it fit "Tuesday's edition" or time frame. You're description passes on the excitement from you, a Reds fan, doing the interview. You paint a great picture of the players desires and everyday situation. Mr. Ward is giving something to a whole bunch of diehard Reds fans that didn't cost the Reds organization anything but some time with one guy.

Bravo to you, Mr. Ward and all the players you interviewed.

{I'll take it that from the look you got, Ron Oester hasn't even made himself known to EdE.}

[lollipopcurve]

Better than anything we'll read in mainstream media, SC. Thank you!

[Boss-Hog]

Fantastic interview and write up. Thanks a lot for doing that.

[UKFlounder]

Excellent interviews, SC! Very enjoyable to read - not only the questions & answers, but your observations about their expressions, moods, personalities, etc.

Great, great job! This is definitely a thread we need to keep for future reading as these guys (hopefully) get to the show!

Thanks for doing this!

[Team Clark]

EXCELLENT JOB SC. VERY Solid, legitimate questions. BTW, That nervous feeling before the interview... NEVER goes away. Especially if you are interviewing a Cal Ripken, Junior, etc... Very impressed. Thanks for putting your thoughts into the piece. Makes for a well rounded read.

[SirFelixCat]

Thanks for all the great things said guys. I still have 2 more posts coming, so please check back tomorrow...I just have to give my hands a break. I had a blast and I think the players enjoyed it too. I'm just glad you all are enjoying it as much as you are :GAC:

Tomorrow evening I'll post the 2nd half of the DMos interview as well as the stuff with Etherton, Kelly, and Jason Hill.

[SirFelixCat]

After the interview with Bergolla, Larry came up to me and asked if I got everything I needed. I told him the DMos was going to come back by and finish up, but that is about it and that I really appreciate him giving me the opportunity to do this. He said he was glad to and that he appreciated my being so professional about it ( :thumbup: ). Not all starry eyed and such. I told him, on the inside, trust me, I was. He said, that that is the difference and that's ok ;) Larry Ward was really really great. If you're reading this Larry thanks!

About this time, DMos came back over and we sat back on the BP bench and finished the interview :

Q: Brandon Claussen and yourself are generally thought of as the Top 2 pitching prospects (near ML-Ready)...does that put pressure on you to live up to that billing? Does that make you nervous?

Q: Nah, not at all. I love the fact that I'm thought of like that. I just hate it that I'm not up there with him.

Q: Ok, this is the question that a lot of people are curious about...are you concerned with the large number of injuries that have plagued the Reds farm system the last few years? Does that make you nervous?

A: No. Just for the fact that, I know I go out and get everything I need to accomplished: my running, I do my lifting, I do my bands, I do everything that I'm supposed to do, so if something were to happen, I can live with that. As far as if I didn't do that, no. I just think it's just been bad luck. Knock on wood, hopefully I do stay healthy. Everything is in the Lord's hands and whatever is supposed to happen for you will, so that's how I kinda look at it.

Princeton, this one's for you:

Q: There have been rumors that the the compact motion that the Reds teach lead to arm problems. Since you were drafted in 2000, have/did the Reds change anything about your mechanics?

A: They haven't really messed with me, man. They really haven't. I heard that when I did get drafted, Bowden said to leave me alone. In high school, I had pretty good mechanics. Bowden said that if I needed some fine tuning, that's fine, otherwise, don't mess with him (meaning me).

Q: Speaking or Mr. Leather Pants (ok, just kidding...) Speaking of Bowden...between you, me, and the wall, Bowden and O'Brien...what's your take on them?

A: Ah....they're business men, you know? They, uh.....I really don't know to be honest. I never sat down and had a conversation on a personal level with either one of them, so I can't pass judgement as far as any of that goes, he's my boss as your boss is, you look at him the same way and ah, they just kind of keep to themselves and if they say something to you, you say, "Yes, sir" "No, sir" whatever it is. Between the 2, I really haven't gotten a feel for Dan good enough to compare him to Jim, to be honest. Not sure if that answers the question, but....

Q: I read a quote you said a few years ago about how you try to outwork everyone, so that if you don't make it in the Bigs, you know that it wasn't from lack of effort on your part. Where does that come from?

A: That comes from me, man. I've been that way, always been that way. From when I was in the 5th and 6th grade, in the free-throw contest. I won the city, I won the state. State wasn't good enough, I won the regionals 3 years later. I was out there shooting free-throws at night with a freaking light-bulb sitting out there. That's just the way I am. It's the love I have for the game. I love lifting weights, I love doing things that are healthy and beneficial.

Q: Besides wins and losses, what stat(s) are most important to you?

A: Man....I really try to stay out of the stats. I know if I'm going good or if I'm going bad. ERA...4 or below. The lower the better. I like to win, dude. I like the personal wins, I hate the personal losses, but I like the fact that I go out and give my team a chance to win. If I go out and get a no-decision, and we still win, I feel like I went out and did my job. There are a lot of guys in the Big Leagues that have 4, 4.5, 5.00 ERA's winning 10-15 games, making a ton of money because they stay in ball games. ------Kind of like what Paul Wilson did last year...the record wasn't incredible, but kept the Reds in a lt of games--------yup...exactly.

Q: Seeing as you were drafted straight out of high school, do you feel like you missed out on anything not going to college?

A: Yea, yea I do. Being around the guys who did go to school, hearing them say they wouldn't give that up for the world, all the friends and opportunities and different things you miss out on. Sure, I think about that sometimes. But I got a little brother coming up and he's doing really good, so maybe I can live that college life thru him :lol:

Q: Did you consider going to college? Or was it pretty much cut-and-dried?

A: My junior year, I started getting letters from colleges and that was the most excited I've ever been. And then the scouting...the pro stuff started to roll in too. Coming up from a family w/o a lot of money, you know, the money is always tempting, but this is the way I thought about it: I started playing this game because I love it and I was going to use it to get a full-ride to school somewhere, because my family wasn't going to be able to put me thru school, so, to answer your question, I thought REALLY hard about going to school, but then, when I was drafted in the first round, I was like, whoa, this is a little different now. :MandJ: My biggest goal was to play in the Big Leagues, but it was really important to my family that I get an education. So, when they offer you that kind of money, it's tough to turn it down and then, if it doesn't work out, the way MLB works, you have 4 years of school automatically paid for. Whereas, if you go to school and have a rough freshman year, you might not have that next year paid for. So that made the decision easier for me.

Q: In that same article I quoted earlier, I read that you were pretty big into the stock market (he laguhs here)...

A: I try not to worry too much about that anymore. That was driving me crazy, bro :lol: I told'em to liquidate most of it. I didn't want to have to worry about it.

Q: Ok, onto less serious things...who are you closest to on the team? Who in the organization?

A: I'm really close to Damon Childress, Smitherman, I'm good buddies with Ty Howington-------How is he doing?---------I don't know man, I don't know. I talked to him, he says he's feeling good...I'm real good friends with Ryan Mottl. The list goes on and on...I try to make friends with everyone. I've never met a stranger. You really are going to have to be a really bad person, not just to me, but to others too, for me not to like you.

Q: If you had to strike out 1 batter to save the world, what would you throw him on a 3-2 count?

A: Fastball

Q: 4-seam or 2-seam?

A: 4-seam

Q: Not enough confidence in the breaking ball?

A: No, I do, I just want to get him with a fastball (we both laugh)

Q: Fav. thing to do away from the ballpark?

A: In-season or off-season?

Q: Both

A: Hmmmm....Off-season...man, pretty much just like hanging out with my little brother. I grew up in Arkansas (Texarkana), live in Little Rock now, I go home for all his basketball games, I go home every other weekend. Just hanging out with friends and family. It doesn't take much to keep me occupied. I try to stay out of the bars and that kind of stuff. During the season, hang out with the boys, PS2, go out to dinner, play the guitar, talk on the cell phone :MandJ: (yup he's a college age kid). Gotta talk to the family and stuff ;)

Q: Fav. ballpark you've played in?

A: Uhhhhhhhh......I'd have to say, that I've played in, The Ballpark in Arlington. I played there once, in a scouting bureau tournament my senior year there. That is the one big league park I've played in. I liked that. The ballpark in Louisville is nice. That is really a nice park there. And I went to "Area Codes" down in Long Beach. Good memories there.

Q: Least favorite?

A: (no hesitation) Clinton, Iowa. Single-A. Man, that place smelled...uh....uh....like dog food (laughing). The mosquito's were huge and BAD! I had a bottle of "OFF!" with me all the time. :MandJ:

Q: Have you been to the GAB yet?

A: Yea, but it was still being built. Haven't been to a game there...yet :mhcky21:

Q: Best place to watch a game?

A: Right now, I'd have to say on TV :MandJ:

Q: Favorite team growing up?

A: Man, I gotta say, all along, it's been Griffey, Griffey, Griffey.




The rest of this interview and the rest of the others will come tomorrow night guys. Please check back then :thumbup:

[Slider]

SC...Great Job. I don't remember the last time I enjoyed a read this much. Great questions...great answers. Thanx !!!

[Redsland]

I have to echo CQ's praise. This is really something, SC.

[Sabo Fan]

Q: Not enough confidence in the breaking ball?
A: No, I do, I just want to get him with a fastball (we both laugh)


Have to love the drive and competitiveness of this guy. On the other hand, I hope he doesn't get bull-headed when he reaches the major league level because he won't be able to blow it past anyone at that level.

Great work SC, I know everyone here really appreciates it.

[919191]

M ost
V aluable
P oster
2004! :thumbup:

[RosieRed]

SC, I've already said it once on this thread, but I have to say it again: This is outstanding! Wonderful, interesting, funny ... all-around great read. Thanks again!

[RFS62]

SC, I am so glad that everyone is telling you what an outstanding job you're doing here.

The time, effort, and love you've poured into this project is incredible.

You, sir, have just hit a walk off grand slam.


:GAC:

[l3R3TT]

SC, you flat out ROCK! Thanks!!

[TeamCasey]

Wow! I just saw this. Really cool. What made you think of doing it?

Our coffee man turned cub reporter?

[Chip R]

If I were still doing POTM (Post of the Month) this would win in a walk. Many kudos! :thumbup:

[wally post]

SC - Man, you really did a great job! Obviously, we are all grateful and totally impressed with your talent! thanks a ton!

[REDREAD]

Great job!! This has been fun to read.

[danforsman]

This is the best thread I've read in a long, long time. And D-Mos just leapt to the top of my favorite almost-Reds list...

[Raisor]

First of all, great freaking job.

Second of all:


Q: Other than Wins and Losses, what stat do you pay the most attention to (SABR guys listen up)?

A: My OB....my OB...and everything.

I think I'm in love

[SantaClaussen]

This is a really great series of interviews SC! I enjoy your writing style as much as interviews themselves- you really have a knack for making these player's youth, enthusiasm and personalities shine through your prose. I am really going to be pulling for DMos, now, even more than I usually do for a rookie. I agree that pros rarely hit this fine a note in their interviews - some of it due to editorial pressure and for some of them - I think they have forgotten to view players through the eyes of the fan and become somewhat jaded. Thank you!! Really, really enjoyed this!

[Mrs SC Reds Fan]

well i must say that this is a great thread. who knew he could write like this?

he was SO excited once the evening was over. i cant wait to go to the next game when they play so i can see him "in action". i have enjoyed reading this thread as much as i have enjoyed hearing him talk about it.

honey, what an awesome thread.
~Mrs.








p.s. creek, i am buying us bibs for when we go to the game in may. *drool* :mhcky21: :mhcky21:

[Ravenlord]

great stuff. :thumbup:

[CougarQuest]

I think I'm in love


AGAIN?!?!?

And doesn't your reply belong in the Non-Baseball area? :mhcky21:

[creek14]

p.s. creek, i am buying us bibs for when we go to the game in may. *drool* :mhcky21: :mhcky21:
I'm really looking forward to your visit.

I think Mr SC needs to contact the Reds and see if the can do this with the big boys.

Great job Eddie!

[SirFelixCat]

Thanks again everyone. I truly am shocked at the response to this. I know you guys would appreciate the interviews, but I didn't expect the response about my writing. Wow...thanks guys...I'm really flattered.

That being said, I apologize for not finishing it tonight...just didn't have the energy. BUT!, while I have baseball practice tomorrow night, I WILL FINISH IT THIS WEEKEND. I just hope you guys have the patience to come back and finish reading it :GAC:

-Eddie

[RollyInRaleigh]

A very professional effort, SC! I enjoyed every word. Had to be a great experience for you. Thanks very much for sharing with us.

[savafan]

Thread of the month?

No, this is the best thread ever! Great work SC!

[GAC]

Talking with rfs last night, he told me I had to read this thread (and I always listen to my elders ;) ).

I had heard you talking about these interviews in chat the other night, and knew I had better get on the ball and check them out.

Excellent stuff Eddie! A-1.

You don't get the opportunity to hear much in-depth when it comes to the kids in our farm system, so this is much appreciated.

[EX BRAVEDAD]

I am impressed you did an extremely good job I love reading this kind of stuff personally I kind of feel for Dmos Bubba went thru the same kind of thing with the Braves when they tell you one one thing and do another but thats the business of baseball and as a player it is all about being able to make adjustments things chane all the time in orgs. its just a matter of where you fit in again nice job S.C. I really enjoyed that

[Unassisted]

Nicely done. I look forward to more! :thumbup:

I feel your pain having to transcribe from audio tapes, too. That's a real chore.

[major harris]

Very Nice!! Good Job SCRed