Baseball Nation Interviews Jeremy Affeldt

[RickD]

Jeremy Affeldt is a professional Baseball player in the San Francisco Giants 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 did you get started in baseball and when did you decide you wanted to make baseball your career?

A: Jeremy Affeldt - I started playing when I was 5 years old, I told my dad when I was 12 sitting in the Oakland A's coliseum that I would play there someday. That began my journey of gaining a vision to become a pro athlete.

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: Jeremy Affeldt - Mike Mason, Triple A pitching coach for the Cubs, was with me when I was in K.C. And has made the most impact in how I approach the game and was a tremendous influence in my pitch development. He has taken the most time with me on whatever team I am on to give me advice.

Q: Baseball Nation - Do you have a favorite game or moment in your career so far?

A: Jeremy Affeldt - Probably pitching in games 6 of the Philadelphia game when I came in during the 3rd inning with guys on base, no outs and the meat of the order up, holding the game at a tie and helping us allow a clinch to go to the World Series.

Q: Baseball Nation - Do you have any pre-game rituals?

A: Jeremy Affeldt - Not as much pre-game but during the game. I hang out for the first 4 innings and then in the 5th I stretch and get my arm loose, I start getting my game focus about the 6th and grab a ball and start setting my grips, getting comfortable with how the ball feels in my hand. I flip the ball in the air using my curve ball grip to feel the snap of it. This gets me mentally prepared so when the phone rings I always feel ready to pitch when called upon.

Q: Baseball Nation - What do you consider to be your "bread and butter" pitch?

A: Jeremy Affeldt - I'm known more for my curve ball than any other pitch I have.

Q: Baseball Nation - Where do you see the Giants in 2012?

A: Jeremy Affeldt - I see them competing for the NL West title. We have a couple new guys, with Freddy Sanchez and Buster Posey coming back from injuries and our pitching staff I think we will be competitive .

Q: Baseball Nation - How does your faith shape you as a ballplayer?

A: Jeremy Affeldt - It keeps me grounded. It fuses me to lean on Jesus everyday. I put my trust in him for my success and my security. How I compete, how I react on the field, how I speak to fans etc is a huge reflection of who I am as a Jesus follower.

Moving on to the Jeremy Affeldt Foundation, I have a few questions that will hopefully result in members here reaching out to help:

Q: Baseball Nation - What was the catalyst, for those who don't know, for starting the Jeremy Affeldt Foundation?

A: Jeremy Affeldt - To support youth based organizations in achieving their goals to reach youth and create an impact in the lives.

Q: Baseball Nation - What is Generation Alive?

A: Jeremy Affeldt - It's an organization I started that would reflect my mission of boldly striving to see the lives of young people changed by engaging them in acts of service that promote justice and alleviate the pain of poverty in their generation. Our mission statement is exactly that. And I'm excited to see where we impact and the lives that we impact through this mission.

Q: Baseball Nation - How can people best help the work of your foundation and ministry interests like Generation Alive?

A: Jeremy Affeldt - Financial support, prayer support, volunteer work, following us on twitter and Facebook.

Thank you again sir. Good luck this season and I hope you accomplish all of your goals this year with the team.

[Old Sweater]

Good interview. Affeldt was key for the Rockies when they went to the WS in 2007.

[catman]

I've always liked this guy. He's one of the good guys in the game.
Great interview.

[Mudge]

I've always liked this guy. He's one of the good guys in the game.
Great interview.

Agreed on all accounts.

[RickD]

I'm trying to do a follow-up interview more about his faith for my blog but we haven't connected yet. I sent q's when I submitted this and he said it would be better to do that one by phone. I'll keep y'all posted.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Good interview Rick. Thanks for sharing.

[runningshoes]

That's great.

Thank you, Rick.

[nebo86]

Very good interview, thanks Rick

[RickD]

Thanks Guys....as always....more to come.