Nickname: "Pocket
Hercules"
Hobbies/Interests: "I like to work out, play on
my computer and play some cards. I [also] want to start golfing."
Early Baseball Memory: "When
I was 12 years old, I played my last year of Little League. That year I had like 36 homeruns in 40 games. Never foget that.
3 grandslams in one game - 16RBI. My biggest childhood memory."
Funny Baseball Memory: "Probably
getting into the batter's box and forgetting to put on my helmet. [I was] standing there, ready to hit without my helmet on.
I had my hat on. Somebody - I think it was Derek Bell - was yelling from the dugout at me. Actually, it was here at Shea.
Somebody just hit a homerun, I gave him high-fives and I ran up to get on-deck, because I was up next. But, I forgot to grab
my helmet."
Greatest Sports Moment(s): "The
2000 Playoffs. Beating St. Louis and San Francisco (he had game-winning hits in Game 2 of both series). Then, the Subway Series.
Playing in the World Series (in which he batted .333 in 21 at-bats against the Yankees). And, to this day, playing in the
College World Series ('94) at Georgia Tech (he was on the team that lost to Oklahoma). The whole atmosphere, finally getting
there my junior year - my last year before I signed pro. So, that was special."
Most Painful Moment: "I've
got several. Which one do you want? My first Tommy John surgery or my second Tommy John surgery? Or my shoulder surgery? Or
my blown out ribs? Or my pulled hamstring? You can choose whichever one you want (laughs). Only bad thing I can remember on
the field was in Babe Ruth League - we were winning in the last inning by four runs to win the state tournament to go to the
regionals. And, we lost that game in the last inning."
Favorite Movies: "Booomerang,
Mo' Money."
Musical Tastes: "R&B,
Hip Hop, D'Angelo, Joe, DMX."
First Job: "Local
paper route with brother (Jim) for the Times-Recorder in Zanesville, OH."
First Car: "'83
Beige Pontiac 6000 with no hubcaps!"
Favorite Meal: "I'd
say pizza or ribs."
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: "Sugar Smacks."
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: "Cookies'N'Cream."
Favorite Athletes to Watch: "Deion
Sanders - flashy. Bo Jackson. Roy Jones. Prince Naseem Hamed - they've got flare to them. Entertaining to me. David Duval
- went to GA Tech. Tiger Woods. Venus and Serena Williams."
Funniest Met(s): Lenny
Harris - he was funny because he was always on Mike (Piazza). Always getting on Mike. Always got something to say. I remember
when I was here three years ago in September, Lenny was always cracking on him about something, the way he dressed or this
'n that. Lenny's a funny guy."
Toughest Competitor: "Hmmm.
Toughest competitors...guy who warked harder than anyone I ever played with was a guy I played with at GA Tech...Jason Varitek.
And, in pro, I know he's the same way. Best work habits I've ever seen."
People Most Admired: "My
dad and my mom more than anybody. [And] I admire anyone who overcomes great odds to get where they are. People always told
them no or you can't do this or whatever. But, then they get to where they are because they know they can get there."
***From Scoop Malinowski***
