Scott Eyre Retires

A couple days ago, Scott Eyre announced his retirement. Eyre, 37, pitched for 13 seasons, compiling a 28-30 record with 4 saves.
I cheered for Eyre as he started his career with the Chicago White Sox. After stints in Toronto and San Francisco, I applauded his return to Chicago, this time with the Cubs. Although I hated to see him leave, I am gad he got a World Series ring with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008.
Last summer, while rain delayed the start of a game between the Phillies and the New York Mets, Flash and I hung in the Phillies dugout, mostly just enjoying the activity around us. We wanted to get some interviews, but the situation wasn't really conducive to that.
We were just chatting with each other when Eyre basically presented himself to us. We quickly jumped on the opportunity and got a short, but excellent interview.
Eyre was refreshing. We asked him about missing Chicago (where he pitched for half of his career). He clearly stated that he didn't miss Chicago. He enjoyed his time in Chicago, but he didn't miss it. It seemed so honest, so different.
As the interview ended, Eyre extended his hand to both of us. While it is not uncommon to shake hands with ballplayers after interviews, usually the reporter starts the exchange. This isn't a major deal, but I think it speaks of Eyre.
I have talked to Eyre a few times. He is honest and above all he is polite and easy-going. I will miss seeing Eyre come baseball season.
Thanks for the memories, Scotty!

Scott Eyre and me at Citi Field in New York, NY-June 2009.

Interviews:2009

Here is the complete listing and linkage for all of my 2009 interviews.

David Clyde was a baseball phenom when I was growing up. He had an interesting career and I had the pleasure of talking to him at the Miracles Baseball Academy in Houston. Clyde's statements were open, honest and very refreshing. I posted his interviews in parts.
To hear the interviews with Clyde, click here and here.
In 2008, I interviewed Christy Hemme (of TNA wrestling) at the Wizard World Convention in Chicago. In 2009, I caught up with Hemme at the Motor City Comic Con.
To hear the Hemme interview, click here.
I did a phone interview with former pro basketball player Randy Denton. Denton talked about the draft, the ABA, basketball cards and more.
To hear the Denton interview, click here.

I had a quick chat with Bob Uecker in the Milwaukee Brewers dugout. He talked about golfing with Fran Gallagher of Global Traveler magazine.
To see the Uecker interview, click here.

In New York, I caught up Scotty Eyre, who pitched on both sides of Chicago. To see the Eyre interview, click here.

We talked to pitcher Jack Taschner in the Phillies dugout while at Citi Field in New York. Taschner talked about his hometown and his time on the west coast. To see the Taschner interview, click here.

It was a thrill talking to Gorman Thomas. He discussed his favorite ballparks to visit as a player. To see the Thomas interview, click here.

Willie Randolph was a class act throughout his playing career and he still is. Randolph gave some insight into Milwaukee and other cities when I talked to him at Miller Park. To hear the Randolph interview, click here.

Pitcher Jerry Augustine was another former player with the Brewers who talked to us. He talked about signing autographs at the stadium. To see the Augustine interview, click here.

We caught up with catcher Brad Ausmus, whom we followed for years in Houston. Ausmus talked about playing in Los Angeles and his future. To see the Ausmus interview, click here.

Jim Gantner talked to us about his playing days and the possibility of having his number retired by the Milwaukee Brewers. To see the Gantner interview, click here.

Pinch-hitting ace Manny Mota discussed his favorite cities to visit when he was a player. To see the Mota interview, click here.
Mike Cameron gave me a memorable interview. Cameron talked about the proper way to approach him, his favorite cities to visit, his time in Chicago and his time in Milwaukee. To see the Cameron interview, click here.
Then, a couple weeks later, I caught up with him in Houston. To see that video, click here.
My interview with Casey Blake got off to a bit of a rough start, too. Blake laughed it off and I recovered enough to make it okay. To hear the Blake interview, click here.

Ryan Braun approached us at Miller Park in Milwaukee. I asked him about the All-Star game and the Home Run hitting contest. To see the Braun interview, click here.

I caught Matt Thornton playing a video game at the Metrodome. I talked to him a bit about his game. To see the Thornton interview, click here.

Jason Michaels talked to us about his favorite cities to visit, which included Chicago. To see the Michaels interview, click here.

Hunter Pence turned down our first request, but came back to us later. To see the Pence interview, click here.

I was very excited to talk to Jose Cruz, one of my earliest mancrushes. To see the Cruz interview, click here.

I talked to Dewey Robinson about favorite cities to visit and about his time with the Chicago White Sox. To see the Robinson interview, click here.

I talked to Cecil Cooper about his favorite cities to visit. To see the Cooper interview, click here.

I think Geoff Blum got me in my quick chat with him. To see the Blum interview, click here.

Hey Wait, That's Pete Mackanin

A couple weeks ago, I featured my interview with Scott Eyre of the Philadelphia Phillies. I like Eyre and I am always happy and grateful to get an interview with any player, but something happened about halfway through the interview which caused me a bit of angst. I know at least 331 people have seen the video on YouTube, but I doubt anyone will guess what caused my moment of grief.
Maybe these pictures will tell the story...In the first picture, on the far right side, you see the arm of someone entering the dugout. The second picture clearly shows that person passing between Eyre and me. The third picture shows Eyre and me alone, finishing the interview.
I am not bothered that the person walked between us, because it is tight in the dugout. I am bothered that it was Pete Mackanin, a coach with the Phillies and an early childhood favorite of mine.
Mackanin is a native Chicagoan and grad of Brother Rice High School. He played 9 seasons in the majors. Like fellow Chicagoan Rick Stelmaszek, Mackanin was drafted by the Washington Senators (Texas Rangers). They were teammates on the Rangers in 1973. Mackanin had brief managing stints in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati and also in the Chicago Cubs minor league system.
This could best be described as the ultimate interviewer's dilemma. (Or maybe should I stay or should I go?)
Obviously, I couldn't stop talking to Eyre to grab Mackanin. Still, it was tough letting one of my childhood favorites just walk by. I guess you know what this means.
I'll be back and I'll be looking for you Mackanin!

Thirty Seconds with Scott Eyre

Scott Eyre spent parts of 7 seasons pitching on both sides of Chicago. He has been with the Philadelphia Phillies since mid-season 2008.
I had the chance to talk with Eyre before a game against the Mets in New York. Eyre was very polite, although like most athletes, he was pressed for time, but he did give me a quick interview.
I asked Eyre about his favorite baseball city to visit and about his feelings for Chicago. His answers were very clear and honest. The interview is here, along with the rest of my interviews on YouTube.
Eyre is a class act. He gave a solid effort during his time in Chicago and was always willing to talk to the media, good or bad.

Scott Eyre and me in Citi Field in Flushing, NY-June 2009.