@jlowery3 Jake Lowery

Jake Lowery is a catcher in the Cleveland Indians organization.

Jake  attended James Madison University, where he played for the James Madison Dukes baseball team. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 4th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft. Jake  was also  the Colonial Athletic Association  Player of the Year, Eastern College Athletic Conference Player of the Year, National Hitter of the Year, and a 7 time All-American while at James Madison University. He was 1st team All-CAA catcher as a junior and 2nd team All-CAA catcher as a sophomore, and he won the Johnny Bench Award  in 2011. Jake is Currently hitting .217 with 23 RBI's and 6 HR through 31 games for the Lake County Captains.

 Here is what Jake had to say: 

Q. What influenced your decision to play baseball?
A: "My dad was my biggest influence, as he has been a varsity HS baseballcoach for the last 30 years."

Q.What's your favorite city to play in?

A: "Myrtle Beach, SC"

Q.What's your best baseball memory?

A:" Hitting 3 HRS in 4 innings to start off my junior year of college, and getting drafted."

Q.What was it like when you were drafted?
A:" Pretty unreal, was with my mom and dad, and it happened so fast. It was pretty surreal."

Q.Have you ever waken up and said "I don't want to go to work today"?

A:" No, just get used to the grind but have been like man, I'm sore and tired... but once the game starts I just get in the swing of things and instincts take over."

Q. What is the  Funniest/ Strangest thing you've seen in the clubhouse?

A:" Locker room listening to latin music after wins is always fun."

Q. What's your favorite offseason activity?
A:" Offseason I like working out, hanging with friends, working with young aspiring baseball players, giving back to the game like working camps, and doing some speeches on baseball. Like working with kids and helping them reach their goals."

Q. What is your favorite sport other than baseball?

A:" Football for sure"

Q. Who was your childhood role model?
A:" My dad & Chipper"

Q. What is your favorite thing to do on the road?

A:" Fav on the road to do is check different places to eat, sleep in, and play the game."

Q. What did it feel like to get your first strikeout (pitcher/ hit (batter)?

A:" Felt like a sigh of relief & thought on to next ab."

Q. What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?

A:" Sign a babies head."

Q. What is the biggest personal change you've had since becoming a pro-athlete?

A:" Just knowing that everyone knows you at home and on the road, and hide your emotions a little better than before after you do not get the results you want. Also it's all baseball, so no more class, so total 100% focus on the task at hand."

Q. If you could play with/against any other athlete at any sport, what athlete would it be and in what sport?

A:" Would love to play with with Derek Jeter and catch the big 3 of the Braves in the 90's Smoltz, Maddux, and Glavin."

Q. What are your feelings on fanmail?
A:" Fan mail is all good, if you spent the money to buy one of my cards I'll return it, but can't expect someone to send an index card back to you."

Q: What would your job be if you were not a professional baseball player?

A:" Like to be a D1 head college coach or an AD"

@DHicksMTB DJ Hicks

 DJ Hicks is a recent 520th overall draft selection by the Minnesota Twins, don't worry I doubt it will keep him down. DJ is used to fighting, in 2010 Hicks was red shirted for an undiagnosed collapsed lung. DJ didn't let that hold him back though, he worked hard on his hitting and is considered to have raw power.
 I caught up with DJ and this is what he had to say

1.What influenced your decision to play baseball?

My biggest influence to play baseball is my oldest brother! Grew up always trying to walk in his shoes!  

2.What's your favorite city to play in?Favorite city is Orlando! Love seeing friends and family at games! 

3.What is your favorite thing to do on the roadGet chocolate milk at the corner store! It always tastes better on the road

4.What's your best baseball memory.

My best memory is either playing for Team USA or winning states in high school 

5.What was it like when you were drafted?

Draft day was crazy because it was on the same day as our end of the year meetings! Of course everyone was excited but it was tough leaving school 

6.Have you ever waken up and said "I don't want to go to work today"?

Those words will never come out of my mouth if baseball is my work! I'm blessed to get to play a game everyday!  

8.What is the Best clubhouse prank you pulled/saw/had pulled on you?Best prank was putting a teammates clothes on the flag pole.

9. What is the  Funniest/ Strangest thing you've seen in the clubhouse?

Funniest thing is seeing everyone dance to our favorite music before games 

10. What's your favorite offseason activity?

I will have to get back to you on my favorite off season activity. This fall will be my official first off season. Plan to get stronger and work on my weaknesses. 

11. What is your favorite sport other than baseball?

 Favorite sport is basketball. Loved playing it in high school!  

12. Who was your childhood role model?

My role models have always been my family! I look up to each member for different reasons. 

17. What did it feel like to get your first strikeout (pitcher/ hit (batter)?

First professional hit was my 3 at bat of the game. Hit a double and felt like the world was off my shoulders! It felt soo good!! 

20. What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign.

Weirdest thing to sign would have to be a crazy fans head! Don't think it came off for days! 

21. What is the biggest personal change you've had since becoming a pro-athlete?

College prepared me for most of the pro life but the only thing I can think of is managing money. It's nice receiving a pay check!  

22. If you could play with/against any other athlete at any sport, what athlete would it be and in what sport?

I would love to play one on one against Lebron James! I think i could give him a run for his money! Huge fan and love what he is doing for the NBA 

If there is anything else you would like to add at the end please feel free to do so. Again thank you for your time!

I would like to say a special thanks to my family for all the support over the years! My parents put a lot of miles on the car to get me to where I am today! 

Thanks for questions! Love what your doing! Giving an insight is awesome.

This might be my favorite set of answers so far, so honest. DJ thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer the questions for me and the blog readers. We all appreciate it!

@Kgib44 Kyle Gibson

Kyle Gibson is a pitcher in the Minnesota Twins orginaztion, and he is considered to be a top prospect. Over the course of the 2010 season Kyle made  the climb from single A ball all the way up to triple A, and he stayed there until he was sidelined by a tender elbow. That ultimately led to Tommy Johns surgery. Since rehabbing his elbow Kyle has played in two games and pitched 7 innings only giving up two runs while recording seven strikeouts.

 I have always been a fan of Kyle's so asking him for an interview was an easy choice. He responded quickly, and all questions were asked via DM. If you would like to follow Kyle on twitter click here.

Q: What influenced your decision to play baseball?
A: "My fathers passion for the game got me excited to play and he was always my coach as well so it gave me the passion for the game."

Q: What is your favorite city to play in?
A: "By far my favorite city to play in was Indianapolis cause I was able to have so many friends and family come to the game."

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the road?
A: "One of my favorite things to do on the road is probably finding the small town diners and food spots that are unique to the city."

Q: What is your best baseball memory?
A: "Either getting drafted, throwing a 9 inn shut out vs #1 Texas my junior year, or when I faced the minimum and 1 hit in high A in 2010."

Q: What was it like when you were drafted?
A: "It was a memory I will never forget and get chills everytime I think of it! stressful at times, but so much fun to hear my name called!"

Q: Have you ever waken up and said "I don't want to go to work today"?
A: "hahaha I don't think theres been a time I didn't wanna go, but when your body is aching & tired it is hard to get out of bed sometimes!"

Q:What is the best clubhouse prank you pulled/saw/had pulled on you?
A: "A guy on the extended team each day would hide another guys keys each day because he knew he would be leaving after his rehab was done, and it would cause the guy to look for his keys for like 15 min just to delay him getting home by a few min since he got done at 11 each day."

Q: What is the funniest or strangest thing you have seen in the clubhouse?
A: "Too many funny things and strange things happen to only name one...haha"

Q:  What is your favorite off season activity?
A: "Hanging out with my parents, in-laws, and extended family, cause I don't really get to see them very much during the season..."

Q:  What is your favorite sport other than baseball?
A: "Favorite to play is golf. Favorite to watch is probably college basketball.."

Q:  Who was your childhood role model?
A: "Childhood role model was probably my Dad."

Q:  What did it feel like to get your first strike out?
A: "I don't really remember my first 1st k but I am sure if I get the chance to get a MLB K it would be fun!"

Q: What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?
A: "I would say the weirdest thing I have signed was either some kids shoes, or a can of budweiser.."

Q: What is the biggest personal change you've had since becoming a pro athlete?
A: "I would say the travel we do. It's pretty weird living out of a suitcase for most of the summer as well as moving at least 2x a year."

Q:  If you could play with/against any other athlete in any sport, what athlete would it be and what sport?
A: "I would like to play some gold with some PGA players and have them teach me some stuff so I can stop getting frustrated about my game..."

If there is anything you would like to add please do so here.

My wife & I are blessed to go to the D.R. each year on a mission trip to visit kids in a city/school that my agent & Garrett Anderson helped start. It opened in 2009 & we go every year to re-paint facilities, clean up the ball field and add new things to the project. If you are able to give $, sponsor a child, or want to keep up with the progress of the project, please visit this site. I will be auctioning off game used items on Ebay to help raise funds for our project in the D.R. cause they need electricity ASAP! More information will be coming when I know when & what I will be auctioning off! Thanks for the support!https://www.missionofmercy.org/BaseballProject

I want to hear from you!

I have been sending mass amounts of interview requests via twitter, and I have gotten a fair amount of replies. What I want to know is who would you enjoy reading an interview from and what questions do you want me to ask? It can be any athlete at any level of play the only requirement is that they must have a twitter account. That is the only way I can contact them to see if they are interested.

If possible please include the athletes twitter handle in your suggestion. Thank you and have a nice day
Chad Johnson
@cjohnsonss

@RobbyRow_12 Robby Rowland

Robby is the son of Rich Rowland who played six seasons in the majors as a catcher with the Tigers and Red Sox, needless to say baseball was in his blood. Robby is one of many players I follow on Twitter and you can too just click here. Robby will often do Q&A with fans during his long bus rides while traveling with the team. It was during one of these bus rides he agreed to do the interview for this blog.
Here is a really cool video about Robby and his brother Richie being signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010.

Q: What influenced your decision to play baseball?

A: "Was just always around it growing up with dad playing ball. Always had his gloves and bats in my hand, just loved it from the moment I was born."

Q: What is your favorite city to play in?

A: "Loved playing in my home town of Cloverdale! Small town so everyone showed up to the sporting events to support you. But professionally probably would have to say West Virginia. Love the fans we get to come out and support us. Our "Toast Man" is probably the best fan I have ever played in front of."

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the road?

A: "Probably go and eat at places I have never been to. Being from the west coast I haven't eaten at a lot of the place that I eat at this year so just every city trying something new is pretty cool. And I love food so I'm always in search of that!"

Q: What is your best baseball memory?

A: "This will have to be my first professional outing where I had my big brother catch me and mom and dad in the stands watching. Even though the outing didn't go as I would have liked it was still an awesome experience."

Q: What was it like when you were drafted?

A: "Surreal. All the hard work I put in as a kids when other high schoolers would look at me weird because I was always working and trying to get better just finally paying off when that phone rang."

Q: Have you ever waken up and said " I don't want to go to work today"?

A: "Haha no way man. I truly love what I do everyday and never take it for granted. That's the one thing dad and mom always told me growing up is that I won't be able to do it forever so love ever moment of the process."

Q: What is the best clubhouse prank you pulled/saw/had pulled on you?

A: " Probably my second year when we put some eye black inside someones hat, and when they took it off they had a pretty good black like all around their head."

Q: What is the funniest/strangest thing you've seen in the clubhouse?

A: " We had a dance off one year that was pretty funny. Gotta keep loose in the clubhouse haha."

Q: What is your favorite off season activity?

A: "Coaching basketball or video games. What  ever gets me out of the house I guess."

Q: What is your favorite sport other than baseball?

A: Absolutely love basketball. Would probably be playing that if baseball wasn't an option."

Q: Who was your childhood role model?

A: "Mom. With dad always playing she had to take care of my brother and I. She would put us in a wagon and drag us to games and take care of us. If dad was on the road she would put us in front of the radio or tv and make us listen to the game. She was and definitely still is my biggest role model!"

Q: What did it feel like to get your first strike out?

A: "Don't even remember. Too focused on getting guys our don't really remember when I did it."

Q: What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?

A: "Don't think I should write it."

Q: What is the biggest personal chance you've had since becoming a professional athlete?

A: "Just the everyday grind of professional baseball."

Q: If you could play with/against any other athlete in any sport, what athlete would it be and in what sport?

A: "Would love to play a game of 1 on 1 with the one they call "Jimmer"."

Here is Robby's list of goals for the 2012 season

Can you spare a second?

 Tonight I had the pleasure of attending a charity event where the main objective is collecting school supplies for families in need. " 3rd Annual school supply drive bowling event" was hosted by Ms. Sassy Sue (KMOJ radio 89.9) and Jerome Simpson (WR for the Minnesota Vikings) at the Skydeck grill and lanes.
 I stumbled across the event on Facebook it looked like a great night out for my wife, kids, and me. Donate school supplies get free bowling and gaming? Sure I like to help people out, and my kids like bowling and video games. I stopped at a local store and grabbed a couple of backpacks a few notebooks some pens pencils etc...
 When we got to the event it seemed like so much more than just a fundraiser. The people working at the donation receiving table were also giving back. My wife children and I were immediately greeted warmly with smiles. My children were given bags of licorice, and game cards to use in the arcade.
 First we played a few video games, and then we headed to the bowling lane. The event planner Galie Juddunath came over and said hi. She also let us know she wasn't sure what time Jerome Simpson and his teammate Fred Evans were going to come. We finished our game of bowling ate some food and headed back to the arcade.

  A short time later Galie let us know Jerome was on his way, and before I knew it he was there bowling, talking with fans, taking pictures for fans. Jerome was all smiles all night long. Being as I am an autograph collector I asked a few of the people working with the event if they knew anything about a signing. They asked around and came back to me with this...

Jerome Simpson

 Jamarca Sanford

 Mistral Raymond(left) Fred Evans (right)

 The bowling pin had been signed by Jerome Simpson and Fred Evans and was given to me. I was absolutely blown away by the kindness of these people.  Galie came over to ask if I had gotten my pictures of Jerome signed. I told her I had not, "come on I'll introduce you" she said. Again I was blown away; here I was standing in front of, next to and taking pictures with four of the Minnesota Vikings. Mistral Raymond and Jamarca Sanford gladly signed the bowling pin and took  pictures with me.
Lastly Galie introduced me to Jerome Simpson. I brought 3 photos with me a 16x20 and two 8x10's. I told Jerome I was very happy to hear how fan friendly he had been all training camp long. I asked him to sign my 16x20 and he was happy to and really liked the way it looked hand colored (I do that in Photoshop a lot).

 Then I told Jerome that I had two more pictures, I asked him if he would like to keep one. He said yes and seemed to really like the picture, I then asked Jerome to sign the other 8x10 and give it to a random person that was attending the event. He signed it right there, and seemed very appreciative of me asking him to do that.
 All in all I had a great night. Here are these athletes who spent their night with fans after a long day of practice, they were unselfish, approachable, outgoing, and positive. I want to sincerely thank Galie Jaddunath, Jerome Simpson, Fred Evans, Mistral Raymond, Jamarca Sanford, and everyone else that donated their time, their money, and their hearts to the families and children who need school supplies. I for one will be able to spare time for this annual event every year.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you all enjoyed it, and have a wonderful day.

Chad Johnson

I

@ElliotJohnson9

Elliot is SS/2nd baseman for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays he is one of several athletes I follow on Twitter for a little insight on the game from the view of a player. As of today he is batting .244 with 4HR and 28RBI. This is the Twitter exchange prior to the interview being scheduled.



Only 140 character limit? RT @cjohnsonss: @ElliotJohnson9 Started a blog about interviewing athletes on twitter you want to be next?
All of the interview questions were sent via DM on Twitter and here is what Elliot had to say.


Q: What influenced your decision to play baseball?
A: "Mainly my dad. He played and wanted me to play for the Cubs and help them win a World Series. He pitched to me nearly every day."

Q: What's your favorite city to play in?
A: " Fav city to play in is Milwaukee but fav city to visit is Seattle."

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the road?
A: " I like sight seeing on the road the best."

Q: What's your best baseball memory?
A: " Favorite baseball memory was game 162 last year. Incredible."

Q: What was it like when you were drafted?
A: " I didn't get drafted but signing was a dream come true. Nobody tells you the minor leagues is very unglamourous though."

Q: Have you ever waken up and said " I don't want to go to work today"?
A: " Some days my body would love a day off but I play baseball for a living so it's easier to head  to work everyday."

Q: What is your favorite off season activity?
A: " Fav off season activity is grilling and watching football."

Q: What is your favorite sport other than baseball?
A: " Football to watch basketball to play."

Q: Who introduced you to baseball?
A: " My dad introduced me to baseball."

Q: What did it feel like to get your first hit?
A: " First hit was exhilarating and a dream coming true for me and my family. Off of Andy Pettitte and I'll always remember it."

Q: What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?
A: " body parts."

I found this to be very interesting and I really enjoyed reading his answers. I want to thank Elliot Johnson for taking time out of his busy schedule to help me out with this. I really appreciate the honesty of his answers.

Thanks for reading a new one will be coming next week!

The Idea

Hi my name is Chad Johnson, autograph collector and family man. Recently I have wondered a few things about athletes and their perspectives so I decided to try and interview some of them via Twitter. Some of the questions may not be things you hear from reporters, and some maybe. My initial intention is to get a glimpse inside the life of an athlete, and the road they took to get where they are.
 When I came up with this idea I made a thread on an autograph collecting website I'm on The Pat Neshek proboards. I had asked the members for suggestions on what type of questions to ask while keeping the character restriction in mind on Twitter. One of the members who helped me come up with some of the questions was Austin Balen. You can follow him on twitter here.
 If you have any suggestions on questions or who to attempt to interview next please let me know. If you are an athlete interested in doing an interview you can contact me on twitter @cjohnsonss or email me for more information cjohnson0708@gmail.com  Thank you for taking the time to read this I hope you have a wonderful day!
 You can now follow along on Facebook for updates!