Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder. The 16th round draft pick in 2006 has played in MLB for ten years with ten teams – St. Louis (twice), Tampa Bay, San Diego, Cincinnati, Boston, New York Mets, Arizona, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals.
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 225
DOB: March 8, 1988 In: Las Vegas, NV
First Baseball Memory: I can’t remember the first one. Because there’s been so many memories… (How about any early baseball memory?) I remember hitting a grand slam in a tournament in Puerto Rico when I was eleven. I remember as a kid, throwing a ball against a wall and playing catch with myself. Throwing a ball up and hitting it. Batting practice by myself. I didn’t have a father to help me. But I believed in myself from a young age.
Baseball Inspirations: Derek Jeter – because I was a shortstop. Willie McGee (former NL batting champion and Cardinals hitting coach) – he believed in me from the beginning. I remember when he told me I could play in the Major League Baseball when he saw me in Double A. Things like that keep you going.
Last Book Read: The Winner Within by Pat Riley.
First Famous Person You Met Or Encountered: I met Chipper Jones, Andrew Jones, Sammy Sosa, Mike Piazza, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro at a hitting derby in Las Vegas when I was 12 (2000 Big League Challenge Home Run Hitting Contest).
Current Car: Lamborghini Urus.
Greatest Career Moment: My 2017 season with St. Louis Cardinals (second MLB season though he was not on Opening Day roster). I did a lot of thing that weren’t done before (became first Cardinal since 1900 to record at least 300 batting average, 20 home runs, 20 doubles, 20 stolen bases in same season – finished the season batting .306 with 23 home runs, 73 RBIs, 22 doubles, 25 stolen bases in 128 games and finished 11th in NL MVP voting, the only Cardinal to get any votes).
Most Painful Moment: I’ve had a lot of injuries. Surgeries on both shoulders, wrist. I felt like I lost three years due to those injuries. My right shoulder was completely torn, front to back. Then the next season I tore the other shoulder.
Favorite Uniforms: I like a lot of uniforms. I’ve played for ten teams now. The Cardinals taught me how to play the game. That uniforms means a lot to me. I like these Pirates unis.
Favorite Ballparks: I like every ballpark. They’re all unique…San Diego, St. Louis, Dodger Stadium, Boston, both New Yorks, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia. I loved my time in St. Louis. I felt St. Louis developed players the right way. We were taught how to be a pro by guys like Yadi Molina, Adam Wainwright.
Why Do You Love Baseball: It’s the coolest game. When I was a kid, I remember seeing TV commercials of baseball with Ken Griffey Jr, Bo Jackson, Derek Jeter. Baseball was cooler than football or basketball.
Funny Baseball Memory: I saw a guy swing and get hit on his biceps. Then on the next pitch he got hit in the chest [smiles]. I thought that was funny. (Where?) With Johnson City in the Appalachian League (2006).
Embarrassing Career Memory: I made a play in right field near the line in Toronto and bobbled the ball and it went into the stands [smiles].
Strangest Game: Winter ball in Venezuela. I didn’t play so well there in the beginning, the first six games. I had batteries thrown at me, apples, fruits, rocks. It was a hostile environment, ten to fifteen thousand fans. Winter ball prepared me though.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: I’m an ice cream connoisseur [smiles]. Haagen Dazs just started a new flavor vanilla/pralines and cream (Vanilla/caremel/pecan).
Favorite Artists: Fabolous from day one. Painters… I like a lot of different artists. I have some paintings on my walls that I don’t know the artist name but they are expensive – I have to look at the names.
Favorite Athletes To Watch: Ken Griffey Jr. Derek Jeter. Jason Tatum. Pat Mahomes. Bo Jackson. Deion Sanders. Las Vegas Golden Knights.
People Qualities Most Admired: Discipline. Dedication. Hard work. Loyalty. These are important qualities.
