Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Major League Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee 2026. Played 2B from 1992-2008 for Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers.
DOB: March 7, 1968 In: Bellflower, CA
HT: 6-1 Wt: 185
Childhood Heroes: Nolan Ryan. Roger DeCoster – Motocross champion. I raced motorcycles as a kid. He was the king of the hill in Huntington Beach, CA.
Early Baseball Memory: 13 years old All Star Game – I hit a grand slam. Wasn’t much of a hitter – I hit eighth or ninth – and I pitched the last three innings to win the game. But my parents couldn’t be there, they were on their anniversary in Hawaii. But my grandparents were there. I remember it most of all because they were there. Neat thrill to be able to celebrate with them. We gave my parents a call.
Hobbies/Interests: Bow hunting in Austin, Texas. Golfing. Jet skiing. Water sports.
Childhood Dream: I wanted to grow up and have a house. My dad’s a police officer in Costa Mesa, CA. I didn’t really think of being a ballplayer. I wanted to live on my own and have a family. I think that’s the greatest thing anyone can have … is a family.
Nicknames: Blood & Guts – in the minor leagues, because I’d play through anything.
Pre-Game Feeling: For me, I try not to think too much. I don’t want to get up too high or down too low. Try not to get too excited. I try to do some visualizing but not too much. This game can wear you out if you think too much.
First Job: Mowing lawns, to get money to race motorcycles. $7.50 for front, back and pulling weeds. I still can’t believe I did it for that cheap.
First Car: 1978 gray Plymouth Volare – my grandparents.
Greatest Sports Moment: World Series with San Francisco. But we were a game seven loser.
Most Painful Moment: Getting hit in the head (1993). Jack Armstrong hit me in the head. The reason it was so painful is I never saw it coming. Threw it right in my blind spot, I guess. I remember I saw him release it but I never saw the ball until the last second. Then I turned my head and it hit me behind the ear. That hurt pretty good. Other than that there are many painful moments. Baseball’s a very humbling game.
Funniest Players Encountered: Bobby Bonilla. Joe Carter. Jack Morris.
Closest Baseball Friends: Joe Orsulak. Dave Winfield. Rance Mullinicks – he helped me out a lot when I was a bench player with the Blue Jays. He taught me a lot about hitting just sitting on the bench.
Toughest Competitor: Joe Orsulak.
Favorite Movies: Rocky. A great motivational movie – even though he lost.
Musical Tastes: Country, Garth Brooks, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, rock n roll.
Favorite Meal: Enchiladas, red beans and rice, with Dr. Pepper.
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Crunch Berries.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate mint chip.
Favorite Vacation Spot: Lake Tahoe.
Favorite Athletes To Watch: Jeremy McGrath – Super Cross motorcycles. He can race so effortlessly. Makes it look so easy. The fastest racer out there. Very calm and collected and not very cocky. I like that. Doug Drabek. Jeff Bagwell. Not cocky, they carry themselves well. I really admire that. Greg Maddux. Don Mattingly.
People Qualities Most Admired: Dale Murphy – he was able to be one of the greatest ballplayers – and one of the greatest men to play. People like Dave Winfield, Joe Carter, Eddie Murray. They’ve been able to handle their personal lifestyle and be one of the best. Great ballplayers but even better people.
Career Accomplishments: NL MVP 2000; Five times All Star; .290 career batting average; Hit 377 home runs and totaled 1,518 RBIs.
