BURG Sports Network

1. Who was your role model growing up?

 

Answer :My role model growing up was my dad. I always looked up to him and admired the way he went about his business. Whether it was the time he put into being a great father, how hard he worked at his job, or how he treated other people. I was able to learn so much from him and he helped turn me into the player and person I would eventually become. 

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2. Who was your favorite baseball player growing up?

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Answer : Ken Griffey Jr. He could do it all on the field and was just so fun to watch his highlights everyday growing up.

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3. What was your favorite baseball game that you played in during your high school career at Herndon High School & what was it like to play for Coach McCullock?

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Answer : There were a lot of great games I got to play in but the ones that stick out to me are when we went down to FL and play at Bucky Dent fields for spring break. It was so much fun to play on a field with the green monster and I still remember telling myself that one day I want to play at Fenway Park so I can experience it again. 

 

I loved playing for Coach McCullock! He had so much knowledge and I was able to learn about the game both on the mental and physical side.

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4. How did playing football and setting the school’s single season touchdown record in high school help you with your baseball career?

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Answer : Playing football helped develop not only my athletic ability, but also mental toughness. I know for sure if I didn't play football, I would not have become the baseball player that I did.

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5. What were some of your favorite memories while playing college baseball at the University of Virginia?

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Answer : There are so many great memories from playing at UVA. The ones that stick out the most are playing in the regional tournament games and just being part of such a great program.

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6. What was it like to be drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 5th round of the 2007 MLB Draft?

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Answer : It was a surprise because two days earlier I dislocated my shoulder and because of that I did not expect to be drafted. They took a chance on me and I will forever be grateful for that.

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7. When you played in the Minor League, who were some coaches that had an impact on your career?  

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Answer : There were quite a few. Ryne Sandberg had a big impact because the way he went about his business I saw why he was a hall of famer. Also, Tom Beyers, my AA hitting coach with the cubs. He helped me find my swing and helped out so much from the mental and physical side of things

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8. When you were traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, you made your Major League debut in 2011 in Baltimore at Camden Yards, not too far from Herndon, and your first Major League hit was a homer off former Orioles pitcher Zack Britton. What was that day like for you?

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Answer : The day was absolutely crazy. I literally thought I was in a dream when I was rounding the bases and could not believe what just happened. To have family and friends there in person made it that much better.

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9.What were some of your favorite memories while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays manager, Joe Madden, and in Tropicana Field?

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Answer : Being part of game 162 in 2011. Craziest day of baseball maybe in the history of the sport. I always loved playing for Joe Maddon because he wanted us to have fun and play the game hard, so he made it easier to have success. I also always loved Tropicana Field because there were never any rainouts!

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10. When you were traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2016, what was it like to be part of and play for that team? What was going through your mind when you got to pitch vs the Twins? 

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Answer : It was a complete shock to get traded because I was struggling at the time and didn't hear any rumors of my name being traded. I was so fortunate I got traded though and got to play in the World Series and be part of such a great team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I pitched that may have been the most nervous I ever was playing baseball. I was afraid I was going to either walk or hit everyone, but it went well and I can always say I have a 0.00 ERA in the big leagues!

 

11. What was it like to play for Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona?  What was it like to play in the World Series & get that huge double off Aroldis Chapman in the Series?

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Answer : Terry Francona was amazing to play for. He just let us go out and play and the clubhouse was so relaxed and easy to be a part of that team. Thats a big reason why not only I, but everyone else was able to have so much success. 

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The double off Chapman is something I will of course never forget. To be able to come up big for the team in a big moment it felt amazing.

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12. What was your favorite away MLB stadium to play in?

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Answer : Favorite away stadium was Fenway Park. It just so happened that some of my best numbers out of any of the stadiums were there as well. 

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13. In short time with the White Sox and the San Francisco Giants, what did you enjoy about playing with those franchises?

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Answer : I didn't get to play much for those teams, but the organizations were great and I had a lot of fun for the short amount of time I was with them.

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14. What was it like when you found out that you were going to be inducted into the Virginia Baseball Hall of Fame? 

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Answer : It was an honor. UVA baseball is one of the best programs in the country and so many great players have played there. I was grateful just to have been able to play there, and then to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, it really was a tremendous honor and something I will of course always be proud of.

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15.What advice would you give athletes at your alma maters Herndon High School or the University of Virginia, or a young man who just got drafted by a Major League baseball team?  

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Answer : I would say to them to expect there to be a good amount of adversity and failure and to embrace it. Use it as fuel and learn and grow from each experience. Those who utilize failures in the right way, are those who continue to move forward in their career.

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16. What is it like to see other baseball players from Loudoun & Fairfax County, like Taylor Clarke, Shawn Camp, Conor Mullee, and JB Bukauskas, playing for Major League Baseball, both in the past and now? 

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Answer : It's always great to see players from the NOVA area making it to the big leagues. There is so much talent in the area, at all of the ranks, and I look forward to keep seeing more and more get there.

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Interview by BURG Sports Network Owner Michael Ferrara