RickD
02-19-2011, 08:36 PM
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/5015/bnban12.png
http://baseballnation.net/bailey.png
Andrew Bailey (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bailean01.shtml) is a professional Baseball player in the Oakland A's organization.
Thank you for agreeing to this interview for the members of Baseball Nation.
I'd like to start off with a few baseball related questions:
Q: Baseball Nation - How integral and important is having a good entrance theme for a closer? What's your song going to be in 2011, if any?
A: Andrew Bailey - I think it is important for not only closer's but all relief pitchers to have an entrance song. I think the right song sets you up to be in the right frame of mind to do your job. A song can give you that comfortable feeling you need sometimes, and not to mention it gets intense when the crowd gets into it. In 2011 i'm torn between Rob Zombie "Dragula" and Disturbed "Prayer", but who knows it can always change.
Q: Baseball Nation - What has been your favorite moment as a player thus far?
A: Andrew Bailey - My favorite moment as a player has to be my major league debut. I've been extremely fortunate in my short career thus far, but I think remembering the feeling I had running in from the bullpen on opening day in Anaheim in 2009 is something i will never forget. That feeling of realizing your dream has come true to play major league baseball is what really keeps pushing me day in and day out.
Q: Baseball Nation - Is there one person in your career as a baseball player (fellow player/manager/coach) who had a significant impact on the way you approach the game? Why?
A: Andrew Bailey - Throughout my career there have been many helpful hands who have had an impact on my career and the way I approach the game. In terms of the way I approach the game I would have to say my American Legion Baseball coach Mike DeCastro. He really taught me how and why to respect the game of baseball and take nothing for granted, he also taught me what it takes to be dedicated to the game of baseball. There were no family vacations or weekends off, once you commit to your team and the game that was it. You never know when your time playing is going to be up, each and everyday you can do something to further your career. Looking back, there were plenty of times I could have been done playing, but that drive and respect I learned from him stays with me today.
Q: Baseball Nation - Who is the one guy that you can't seem to get out? What makes him such a tough out?
A: Andrew Bailey - The one guy that I seem to have the hardest problem getting out would have to be Bobby Abreu. Bobby is one of the most disciplined hitters I have ever faced. No matter what the count is, I always feel like I'm behind. He always battles and it seems like he can pick up my pitchers right out of my hand.
Q: Baseball Nation - Where do you see the A's in 2011?
A: Andrew Bailey - I see the A's improving on how we finished last year and winning the west. There is a lot of confidence in our clubhouse going into this season. The moves that our front office made this year and the players they added to our team will only help us to get where we want to be. It's early in spring training but I already feel a different kind of buzz in our locker room and can only see that helping us on the field.
Q: Baseball Nation - Most major league bullpens have set roles. Do you prefer having a set role or should the best pitcher be placed in the highest leverage situation?
A: Andrew Bailey - This is a great question. There are many schools of thought on both of these ideas. I will always say that games aren't totally won or lost in the 9th inning, many times the 6th, 7th, or 8th inning is where the game is won or lost. That being said, I do feel that having roles is important to a bull pen. It makes things a little easier when relievers have an idea of when they are going to pitch. Pitchers tend to stick to routines (some call it superstitions), and feel that it can only benefit the team if they have an idea of what inning or what situations they will be brought in in. It's very hard to keep guys in those roles sometimes, due to workloads. Some games things have to change, but overall it's important to understand the situation you will be used in.
Moving on to the Strike 3 Foundation, I have a few questions that will hopefully result in members here reaching out to help:
Q: Baseball Nation - What led to your working with the Strike 3 Foundation?
A: Andrew Bailey - At first I just wanted to help a teammate out (Craig Breslow - Founder). Craig's locker is next to mine and I always saw him doing Strike 3 Foundation work. I asked him if he needed any help with it and soon I became very interested in the Foundation and what it supports. For those who don't know, the Strike 3 Foundation raises awareness, support and funds for pediatric cancer research. After visiting various children's hospitals in the Bay area and on the east coast, I wanted to further my involvement in the Strike 3 Foundation.
I became the director of development in the fall of 2009 and I look to establish the roots of our foundation in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey where I grew up this upcoming offseason.
Q: Baseball Nation - How can people best help the Strike 3 Foundation?
A: Andrew Bailey - Anyone who wants to support us can find us at www.strike3foundation.org. Another way you can help support us is attending one of our great events. We look to host a few events this up coming season in the bay area just as we did last year, as well as our events in CT, NY and NJ.
Thank you again sir. Good luck this season and I hope you accomplish all of your goals this year with the team.
http://baseballnation.net/bailey.png
Andrew Bailey (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bailean01.shtml) is a professional Baseball player in the Oakland A's organization.
Thank you for agreeing to this interview for the members of Baseball Nation.
I'd like to start off with a few baseball related questions:
Q: Baseball Nation - How integral and important is having a good entrance theme for a closer? What's your song going to be in 2011, if any?
A: Andrew Bailey - I think it is important for not only closer's but all relief pitchers to have an entrance song. I think the right song sets you up to be in the right frame of mind to do your job. A song can give you that comfortable feeling you need sometimes, and not to mention it gets intense when the crowd gets into it. In 2011 i'm torn between Rob Zombie "Dragula" and Disturbed "Prayer", but who knows it can always change.
Q: Baseball Nation - What has been your favorite moment as a player thus far?
A: Andrew Bailey - My favorite moment as a player has to be my major league debut. I've been extremely fortunate in my short career thus far, but I think remembering the feeling I had running in from the bullpen on opening day in Anaheim in 2009 is something i will never forget. That feeling of realizing your dream has come true to play major league baseball is what really keeps pushing me day in and day out.
Q: Baseball Nation - Is there one person in your career as a baseball player (fellow player/manager/coach) who had a significant impact on the way you approach the game? Why?
A: Andrew Bailey - Throughout my career there have been many helpful hands who have had an impact on my career and the way I approach the game. In terms of the way I approach the game I would have to say my American Legion Baseball coach Mike DeCastro. He really taught me how and why to respect the game of baseball and take nothing for granted, he also taught me what it takes to be dedicated to the game of baseball. There were no family vacations or weekends off, once you commit to your team and the game that was it. You never know when your time playing is going to be up, each and everyday you can do something to further your career. Looking back, there were plenty of times I could have been done playing, but that drive and respect I learned from him stays with me today.
Q: Baseball Nation - Who is the one guy that you can't seem to get out? What makes him such a tough out?
A: Andrew Bailey - The one guy that I seem to have the hardest problem getting out would have to be Bobby Abreu. Bobby is one of the most disciplined hitters I have ever faced. No matter what the count is, I always feel like I'm behind. He always battles and it seems like he can pick up my pitchers right out of my hand.
Q: Baseball Nation - Where do you see the A's in 2011?
A: Andrew Bailey - I see the A's improving on how we finished last year and winning the west. There is a lot of confidence in our clubhouse going into this season. The moves that our front office made this year and the players they added to our team will only help us to get where we want to be. It's early in spring training but I already feel a different kind of buzz in our locker room and can only see that helping us on the field.
Q: Baseball Nation - Most major league bullpens have set roles. Do you prefer having a set role or should the best pitcher be placed in the highest leverage situation?
A: Andrew Bailey - This is a great question. There are many schools of thought on both of these ideas. I will always say that games aren't totally won or lost in the 9th inning, many times the 6th, 7th, or 8th inning is where the game is won or lost. That being said, I do feel that having roles is important to a bull pen. It makes things a little easier when relievers have an idea of when they are going to pitch. Pitchers tend to stick to routines (some call it superstitions), and feel that it can only benefit the team if they have an idea of what inning or what situations they will be brought in in. It's very hard to keep guys in those roles sometimes, due to workloads. Some games things have to change, but overall it's important to understand the situation you will be used in.
Moving on to the Strike 3 Foundation, I have a few questions that will hopefully result in members here reaching out to help:
Q: Baseball Nation - What led to your working with the Strike 3 Foundation?
A: Andrew Bailey - At first I just wanted to help a teammate out (Craig Breslow - Founder). Craig's locker is next to mine and I always saw him doing Strike 3 Foundation work. I asked him if he needed any help with it and soon I became very interested in the Foundation and what it supports. For those who don't know, the Strike 3 Foundation raises awareness, support and funds for pediatric cancer research. After visiting various children's hospitals in the Bay area and on the east coast, I wanted to further my involvement in the Strike 3 Foundation.
I became the director of development in the fall of 2009 and I look to establish the roots of our foundation in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey where I grew up this upcoming offseason.
Q: Baseball Nation - How can people best help the Strike 3 Foundation?
A: Andrew Bailey - Anyone who wants to support us can find us at www.strike3foundation.org. Another way you can help support us is attending one of our great events. We look to host a few events this up coming season in the bay area just as we did last year, as well as our events in CT, NY and NJ.
Thank you again sir. Good luck this season and I hope you accomplish all of your goals this year with the team.