Johngy Meets the Hitman

When I was in Los Angeles to interview Rick Monday for Global Traveler magazine, I also had a chance to talk to coach Mike Easler. I asked him about his favorite city and he named Pittsburgh, citing the downtown area and the eateries. Fellow coach Larry Bowa questioned (mocked?) Easler's choice of Pittsburgh. Naturally, I had to include Bowa in the interview. It can be found here on YouTube.
A few years before that, Easler was nice enough to sign a few cards for me through the mail. I offered him more to keep and ended up sending him a good supply for his own use.
When I saw him at the Ultimate Collectibles Show in Oaks (PA) last year, he didn't remember the interview, but he did remember the extra cards I sent. He thanked me again and I said I had been a long-time fan despite his usual prowess against my beloved Cubs. We had a good laugh about that.
I really liked Easler (some might say he was too good to be on my favorites list, but I digress). Easler tallied 1078 hits over his 14 year career. Unfortunately for him, his first full season was when he was already 29. Still, for about a seven year period (beginning with that first full season), Easler was pretty darn good and pretty feared.
As a side bit of trivia, Easler is married to Brenda, who is Cliff Johnson's sister. Easler has stated that she spent a lot of time pitching to him ("although she didn't have a good breaking ball", according to Easler). He's truly one of the good guys.

Mike Easler and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Shunned by Manny Ramirez

A couple months ago, I wrote about Jeff Kent shunning my interview request. Today, I am featuring another member of the Dodgers who shunned me (and pretty much everyone else).
Manny Ramirez had a tough season in 2009. He was suspended for 50 games because of PED's. On a good day, Ramirez isn't exactly people-friendly. I happened to catch him shortly after his suspension ended.
My nephew Matt and I were on the field getting interviews. We saw Ramirez and wanted to add him to our list. Okay, I admit, it was my pettiness. I wanted to 'log in' Ramirez. I didn't care what I got. I just wanted something.
Matt and I stepped in between him and the batting cage, but he essentially split us as he strolled past. He made brief eye contact with me, but he actually patted Matt on the shoulder. We didn't get anything from him though. Not even a "no comment". It was the worst shun of all, the silent shun.
Matt did capture the aftermath on film though. There is me, forlornly looking on as Ramirez enters the batting cage area. Manager Joe Torre and Coach Jeff Pentland are also in the shot (on the right side area).
Maybe having Ramirez shun me was a right of passage. Now I can consider myself a legit part of the press, because Manny wanted nothing to do with me. I feel proud.

Manny Ramirez (far left) and me (far right) in Dodger Stadium Los Angeles, CA-June 2008.

Shunned By Jeff Kent

Since I started doing interviews, people have often asked the usual questions. They want to know who has been nice, mean, funny etc. I have told many stories of very nice, accommodating celebrities. Today, I am highlighting a not-so-accommodating player.
When we were in Los Angeles, I got a lot of good material. I started to feel good and tried to 'up' my game a bit more.
I approached Jeff Kent and asked if I could just ask a couple questions. He barely acknowledged me and muttered that he needed to hit.
Look at the picture. Does it look like any real hitting was happening? Coach Larry Bowa is hitting fungos. My friend Chuck and I actually helped him with retrieving errant throws back from the infielders.
I don't really remember what Kent did next, but I know he didn't take major batting practice.
Don't get me wrong though. Kent had every right to turn down my request. In fact, he did not even have to give me a reason. However, if I left it at that, there would be no post today.
I do think Kent could have given me 30 seconds without it messing up his day. It was well before game time and most players weren't even out on the field. Coach Bowa and Coach Mike Easler were actually joking around with Chuck and me while they were doing their duties.
Actually, I like Kent. I have liked him ever since he broke into the majors as a skinny second baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays. I also think he will get into the Hall of Fame at some point (and then I will probably me more upset that he screwed me out of an interview with a Hall of Famer!).

Jeff Kent and me (and Larry Bowa) in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA-June 2008.

Random Interview:Casey Blake

Casey Blake played 5 1/2 solid seasons with the Cleveland Indians. In midseason of 2008, Blake was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. This move turned out well for Blake, as the Dodgers have reached two straight National League Championship Series, while the Indians slumped to fourth place in the AL Central.
This chat with Blake started off a bit rocky, as yours truly needs to work on his wording. I threw out a seemingly loaded question about L.A. over Cleveland. I was trying to get a comment on the difference between playing for them. I need more polish. To his credit, Blake laughed it off and I took another route of questioning.
Overall, the interview went well. I probably owe that mostly to Blake and his understanding way. Hey, at least I stuck with it and pulled something out.

Joe Torre and Johngy:Part 2

The last time I saw Joe Torre, I was in the Los Angeles Dodgers dugout partaking in his pre-game interview session. That was my first taste of an interview session like that.
Several weeks ago, when I ran into Torre again, it was one-on-one and it did not turn out as well. Nothing happened. Torre politely turned down my request. He did add that I could try to catch him after the game in the dugout if I wanted.
I thanked him anyway and later chose not to approach him after the game. I had other post-game plans and I had already gotten a few good videos from other players.
I wasn't mad or even upset in the least. Actually, I was kind of pleased with his attitude towards me. I am not a beat writer, nor am I a writer for one of the big sports media outlets. My work is here and for Global Traveler magazine.
I always thought Torre was a class act. He had a great playing career and he is having a great managing career. Getting a polite decline from a future Hall of Famer isn't all that bad.

Joe Torre and me at Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI-June 2009.

No Pinch Hitter for Johngy

A few people have asked me about the questions I ask my interview subjects. For the most part, when I talk to baseball players, I start by asking for their favorite city to visit. This is a good ice-breaker, because reporters usually ask baseball-related questions. Plus, I am working this info into a future piece for my Global Traveler blog.
After that, depending on time, I will ask about their career or perhaps time in Chicago, if they played here. This is a pretty good way to end the conversation, because it lets them know I know something about their career and am not just asking silly questions.
Really though, none of that matters. Below is an excellent example of what really matters. That's Manny Mota, pinch-hitter deluxe and me. Manny Mota and me!
I followed Mota's career through box scores in newspapers (long before you could get them online) and baseball cards. Now there I am talking to him as a peer of sorts. What a blast!
If that isn't cool enough, I have stood on the field or in the dugout and clubhouse at Citi Field, Miller Park, Dodger Stadium, the MetroDome and Minute Maid Park. I have walked around with legit press credentials.
Make no mistake about it though. I know I am not a sports reporter. I don't care, because in the words of legendary Chicago radio personality Jonathon Brandmeier...I'm just havin' fun!

Catching Up with Brad Ausmus

When my sister's family lived in Houston for much of the 00's, we would always go to the Cubs games at Houston. Brad Ausmus was always one of our favorite players (except for the infamous ball incident with my brother-in-law Scott).
This year, Ausmus is playing closer to his home with the Los Angeles Dodgers. At 40, there are questions about his future. I addressed these two topics, when I talked to him at Miller Park in Milwaukee a couple weeks ago.
Ausmus is a class act. He is one of the real gems in baseball. When he retires, he will be missed, at least until he becomes a major league manager, as many predict.
Check out my interview with Ausmus here, along with the rest of my interviews on YouTube.

Brad Ausmus and me in Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI-July 2009.

Rick Monday, David Stein and Johngy

As has been well-documented here, I contribute a weekly online piece for Global Traveler magazine. Last July 2, I wrote a piece which made GT history.
In keeping with a patriotic theme, I wrote about former Cubs outfielder Rick Monday saving the United States flag from being burned by 2 protesters during a game at Dodger Stadium in 1976. I had recently interviewed Monday at Dodger Stadium about the event.
That night, I got home from work very late (actually very early the next morning) and checked email to relax before heading to bed. A couple minutes later, I was shocked to hear David Stein of Sporting News Radio start to read my piece on nationwide radio.
To say I was shocked is a bit of an understatement. I have been previously published in national and local publications and online, but to have something I wrote being read on nationally syndicated radio was just really wild.
Of course, my massive ego demanded that I shoot a quick email to Fran Gallagher, big cheese at GT. Gallagher had regularly ribbed me about writing bubblegum pieces. I was now vindicated and would have some ammunition for the future. Seriously though, it was a big moment for me and for GT. Somebody was reading us!
It's funny, because I vividly remember Monday saving the flag. Of course, I had no idea back then that 32 years later, that event would play a part in a big moment in my life, too.

Rick Monday and me at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA-June 2008.