@boofbonser1 Get to Know Boof Bonser

Boof Bonser is a pitcher in the San Fransisco Giants organization. He has also spent time with the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland Athletics. When Boof was in high school he earned an elite status from posting a record of 24-9 through out his four years at Gibbs High School. During his senior year he posted a 7-3 record while batting .523 with 11 home runs. Boof made his major league debut for the Minnesota Twins on May 21st, 2006 replacing Kyle Lohse in the rotation who was struggling at the time.
 All questions were emailed to Boof Here is what he had to say.

Waiting to deliver the pitch

Boof stretching during warm ups

Q:What influenced your decision to play baseball?
A: " My grandfather just always had me out in the yard playing baseball. It was fun for me so I kept on playing."

Q:What's your favorite city to play in?
A: "My favorite city to play in is Tampa Bay. I get to play in front of my family and friends."

Q:What's your best baseball memory.
A: "baseball memory, still has to be the day that I got called up."

Q:What was it like when you were drafted?
A: "The day I got drafted was great, I had all my friends and family over and when the phone call came in that I got drafted my whole house went crazy."

Q:Have you ever waken up and said "I don't want to go to work today"?
A: "No, I love this game to much."

Q:What is the Best clubhouse prank you pulled/saw/had pulled on you?
A: " I glued a teammates shower shoes above his locker and he had no idea that they were there."

Q:What is the  Funniest/ Strangest thing you've seen in the clubhouse?
A: "I have no idea, I see stuff everyday."

Q:What's your favorite off season activity?
A: " I like to get out and play a little bit of golf."

Q:What is your favorite sport other than baseball?
A: " I like football, never had the chance to play."

Q:Who was your childhood role model?
A: "Nolan Ryan, Chipper Jones."

Q:What is your favorite thing to do on the road?
A: "To see the city, look around."

Q:What did it feel like to get your first strikeout?
A: "I have no Idea, I think because I was still so nervous that I was in the big leagues."

Q:What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?
A: "I had to sign a shoe one time that was weird."

Q:What is the biggest personal change you've had since becoming a pro-athlete?
A: "Learning how to grow up. Become a man."

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

A: "I will stick with baseball, the athletes are so good at what they do."

Q: What are your thoughts on fan mail?

A: "I like fan mail, if we didn't have fans we wouldn't have baseball."

Q: Do you collect sports cards/memorabilia? If so anyone in particular?

A: "I collect all kinds of stuff, more is better."

Benefit information *UPDATE RAFFLE TICKETS FOR SALE!*

I just wanted to give all of the regular readers a heads up. I will be taking a short break from interviewing while I work on planning and hosting a benefit for my grandmother. Annetta is currently battling cancer for the 4th time in three years if you would like to read her story you can find it on her Caring Bridge site. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Chad


The Benefit planning is coming along nicely. My mother, aunt, and myself have been collecting donations that can be used as part of our raffle or silent auction. We currently have 4 raffle prizes that include a 32g iPad3, an autographed and framed Harmon Killebrew 8x10, $100 cash, and a Vera Bradley hand bag with matching coin purse.
 Our silent auction includes several "date nights" (movie passes with restaurant gift cards) lots of autographed memorabilia, a men and women's mystery bag a wine cheese and cracker basket. and many more items. We are still looking for help spreading the word about the benefit, as well as taking donations whether they be monetary or items we can use in our raffle or silent auction. You can find more information and join our facebook event page here.

 We have set up a paypal account that can be used to donate money, all proceeds will go directly into the Annetta Bennett Benefit Fund. This is the same way that we will sell raffle tickets for the people who wish to participate, but are not able to attend. If you only want to donate monetarily you may do so at anytime by following this

Raffle tickets are now available! Here is how it works for those of you who wish to participate with out coming to the event. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10 click the link above which will take you to our paypal donation site. Enter the denomination for the amount of raffle tickets you would like to purchase. In the comment section please include your name and phone number so that we may contact you if you win. Please also enter the number of raffle tickets you would like in each basket for the raffle item(s) you would like a chance to win! Here are the prizes and the numbers of the baskets that go with them.

1. $200.00 JC Penny gift card (donated anonymously).
2. $100.00 Cash (Donated by Becky Bennett, Annetta's daughter).
3. 32g iPad 3 and $30 worth of iTunes gift cards (donated by Debbie Bennett Annetta's daughter)
4. Autographed and framed Harmon Killebrew 8x10 (donated by Phil Carter)
5. Vera Bradley hand bag and coin purse (donated by Collectors Gallery)

So if you want to purchase 6 raffle tickets here is an example of what the comment box should look like.

ex.
Chad Johnson
xxx-xxx-xxxx
3 tickets in number 4
2 tickets in number 3
1 ticket in number 2


If you have any questions please comment below or email me at cjohnson0708@gmail.com

32g iPad3 Raffle prize number 3

Autographed Harmon Killebrew 8x10 raffle prize number 4 

Vera Bradley hand bag with matching coin purse raffle prize number  5

Here is a look at some of our raffle prizes that you could win for just $1 and also a look at a couple of silent auction items. I hope to see you there!

Wild prize pack with gloves, scarf, duffle bag and much more!

Original art "On Higher Ground" by Jim Murphy

Dunn Brothers basket with T-shirt, free 1lb of coffee and two glasses

Date Night #3 Free large pizza from Davanni's and two movies passes to Woodbury 10 

Minnesota Vikings prize pack an autographed Brian Robison 8x10
an autographed Kyle Rudolph 8x10 and a Minnesota Vikings flag
*SILENT AUCTION*

Date night #2 Two movies passes to Woodbury 10 and $25 for The Machine Shed

Date night #6 Two passes to The Rick Bronson House of Comedy
and $50 to Stella's Fish Cafe

Minnesota Timberwolves prize pack with two tickets to the March 10th game,
an autographed Nikola Pekovic 8x10 a Crunch bobble head and more!
*SILENT AUCTION*

 My mother and I have decided to add a "spirit wall" to the benefit. Basically we are going to construct a tower or wall of alcohol; beer, wine, hard liquor etc. For $10 you will get one raffle ticket to be used only for the spirit wall. If your name gets called you take all of the alcohol home. *MUST BE 21 TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS RAFFLE*