Chad Kreuter

Major League Player

Describe your emotions when you were drafted in the 5 th round of the 1985 draft by the Texas Rangers.

I was drafted by who? Who is that? Are they Triple A? I was somewhat disappointed. I was hoping for a team like the Dodgers or Yankees.

 

What was it like to walk into a major league baseball stadium and see your name in the starting lineup?

The culmination of a childhood dream of playing on that field always took my breath away as I walked through the stadium tunnel each time. And as a fan, it still does!

 

You played for 7 different teams during your 16-year career. Was there one organization that you enjoyed the most?

I loved playing for the Tigers. Great baseball town and old Tiger Stadium was the best. So much history and lore. My teammates were awesome contributors to how I learned to play the game. Kirk Gibson, Alan Trammel, Frank Tanana, Cecil Fielder, Dan Gladden were real gamers with passion for their craft. I can’t forget the man who helped me believe I could play with those guys…. Sparky Anderson. The Dodgers are a close second.

 

What are you more proud of…the 15 homeruns you hit in 1993, or the 12 seasons you played without getting caught stealing (haha)?

I’m quite proud of the 15 homeruns. Are you sure you don’t mean the guys I kept from stealing? I threw the handcuffs on a few. I don’t ever remember being given the green light to steal. In Detroit we weren’t called the Motown Mashers for running. It was good old fashion long ball.

 

As a lifelong Angel fan, I really admired the way you defended your position. Did you spend more time working on your defense or your offense?

I spent most of my time on offense. The defense was more natural. My weight work and quick agility work kept my body prepared defensively. I played a lot of long toss and always would throw to second base on a daily basis while working on form and accuracy. Repetitive form, muscle memory is what baseball is about.

 

Describe your college baseball experience at Pepperdine.

I had a great college baseball experience at Pepperdine. I was able to build a solid Christian foundation that carried me through some lean years of baseball to follow.

 

What do you really think of Cub’s fans?

Cub fan’s are great. They love their team win or lose. Some, however, consume way too much alcohol.

 

You have a son that will be attending West Ranch next season. What is it like from a father’s perspective to watch your son play the game of baseball?

I am nervous for him at times. I’m proud of the effort he puts forth on the playing field. Some believe that because he’s the son of a major leaguer that things come easy for him. It just doesn’t work that way. He works extremely hard to be a good player. His growing spurts have made him quite competitive. He hates the uncoordination that comes with overnight growth. So he works hard to overcome this. As a dad I love this.

 

What advice would you give a high school athlete that wants to play baseball at a higher level?

Hit the weights, practice every day, be athletic, the best athletes play longer, and lose your girlfriend… nicely. Girls at your age distract you in school and on the field. Watch big league technique. Learn big league technique.

 

Who are some of your former teammates that you admired and why?

Dormer teammates are Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Frank Thomas, Kirk Gibson, Gary Sheffield, Nolan Ryan, Buddy Bell, Charle Hough, Alan Trammel, Ken Griffey Jr., and Randy Johnson. I played with a long list of stars. The team I most enjoyed was the Detroit Tiger team. That group of veterans could play.

 

Who was the toughest opponent you ever faced?

One of the toughest competitors I faced was Roger Clemens. He’s nasty on that mound. He once hit me twice in a game to set up a double play. Both times I came up with man on third in a tight game, with light-hitting Felix Fermin behind me. You have to understand that I owned Clemens. In my previous 12 career AB’s off him I had 6 hits. Three hits went for doubles off the green monster at Fenway. He goes 3-1 on me and drill’s me. I thought nothing of it. The next pitch he gets Fermin to hit into an inning ending double play. Next time up same situation, guess where the first pitch was?

 

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

I would invite President Ronald Reagan, President George W. Bush and Ted Williams. We would have an early dinner and hit the stream for some fishing. Two guys who have helped make the world better and one who made my sport better. Coincidently, George W. Bush was my boss at one time. He put in some time in the weight room with me.