Dan Hubbs

Assistant Coach at Cal

Your accomplishments as a collegiate player include winning a Pac 10 title, leading the nation in saves, being selected as an All American, and finishing your USC career 3 rd on the all time saves list. What is your most memorable baseball experience during your time at Southern Cal?

My most memorable baseball experience during my time at USC would have to be winning the Pac 10 title in 1991. That team was loaded with talent and had that special bond that took the team to heights even beyond its talent level.

 

I think that has a lot to do with some of the kids we have had. As you know, a coach can only take a player so far, but if he is self motivated and takes the advice and continually works on his own, he can take his game to the next level. The players you specifically asked about were that way. Also, we try and make it known that if they want extra work any time all they have to do is ask.

 

You spent 7 seasons with both the Dodgers and Phillies organizations. Besides the long bus rides and numerous motel rooms, what did you like or dislike about minor league baseball?

The worst part of minor league baseball, for me, was the idea that winning was not the most important thing. As you know, I am extremely competitive and I didn’t like that some of the players only worried about moving to the next level and not about winning the game. I always felt if my team won, it was a good day. However, if I pitched great and we lost 1-0, it was a bad day.

 

How does minor league ball compare to college ball?

Minor league ball is totally different from college ball. Not as much in talent at the lower levels but in style. As I said in the answer before, minor league baseball is about development of your skills in order to help out the major league team. College baseball is about winning games now. Minor league baseball is a long 144 game season that can be grueling at times. College baseball is playing 56 games while balancing going to college and playing baseball. Finally, in college baseball you play with the same guys 3 or 4 years and develop friendships that will last a lifetime. In minor league ball, your best friend on your team could be released, moved, or traded tomorrow.

 

In 1996 you were 9-0 for La Romana in the Dominican Winter League and subsequently named to the Winter League All Star Team. Can you describe your experience playing in a foreign country?

I had a great experience in the Dominican Republic. The fans are rabid for baseball and they take it seriously. Some people are paying a weeks salary to go to a game. Some of the best lineups I faced were down there and I my success there showed me that I could pitch at the highest level.

 

What was it like to play alongside Casey Burrill at USC?

Along with winning the Pac 10 title, playing alongside him for 4 years are my most memorable experiences at USC. That, and our trip to Hawaii, senior year. I give a lot of credit to Casey for my success in 1993. I think our friendship allowed us to be a very successful battery on the field. Also, hall of fame individual!

Burrill and Hubbs 1993

 

As a collegiate coach, what do you look for in a high school athlete?

I look for talent obviously. Also, I want to know what else the player brings to the table. Does he play hard the entire game? Does he give up when things aren’t going his way? Is he a good teammate? Does he have a feel for the way the game is played or is he just a good athlete? I want a player who can bring more to a team than just athletic ability. Also, I want to find players who know how to win.

 

How important is academics to a high school athlete?

Academics is extremely important. Academics give athletes options. At Cal, we are looking for self motivated successful students who can handle the balance of playing a Division I sport and going to the top public college in the country. Too often, kids think they are going to get drafted high or don’t feel they will be good enough to play in college and don’t bear down on their classwork. Then either the draft does not go the way they hoped or someone figures it out and becomes a Division I player and can’t accept a scholarship because they haven’t done well in their core classes or didn’t pass the SAT. Such a small percentage of players make it to the big leagues and even less make it to the level they will never have to work again that education gives you options. I feel fortunate that I graduated from USC before playing professionally because it gave me options when my baseball career was over.

I would say work hard. Watch people who are successful and emulate that. I think the way most of our generation learned was by watching big leaguers play and trying to become them. I just don’t see the work ethic as much. Now, everyone wants to be good without putting in the time. Also, take what your coaches are telling you and work on it even when they are not around. The ones who really get better are the players who aren’t afraid to work when nobody is watching.

 

If you could invite any three people in the history of the world to dinner, who would they be?

I would invite my father who helped mold me into the person I am today. He taught me about work ethic and pursuing my dreams. I would invite my grandfather just so I could just spend another hour or two with him. Finally, I would invite Abraham Lincoln- a man who started to shape the country we see today.