You were a very successful high school pitcher even though you didn’t have “overpowering” stuff. How important is it to be able to spot your pitches versus just throwing a ball as hard as you can?

Thanks for the kudos on being  a “successful” pitcher Smocker!  I have always appreciated kids who know how to “pitch” rather than “throw.”  While big league scouts and such love seeing guys who throw 90 plus, I think it is very important to “pitch.”  I think that the pitchers who can get ahead of the hitters, throw strikes and allow his defense to play are underrated.  Don’t get me wrong, watching Eric Gagne throw 97 mph is fun to watch, but I can really appreciate a guy that goes out and gets 15 groundball outs a game and throws a CG with 75 pitches.

 

It seems as if every time we see you around town at a baseball game, you’re wearing some t-shirt from a random college baseball team. How great is the game of baseball at the college level?

I just love college sports.  Whether is college football (Go Trojans) or college baseball or even college Lacrosse (I have never actually been to one of those), I think it is one of the purest forms of athletics.  High school athletics is fun, but all athletes at the college level are playing because they want to and they love the sport.  Now speaking of college baseball, I love to watch college games because you usually hear a better quality of rags and the guys all play hard.  The only downside I have seen recently is that the games are 4 hours plus because some teams take 30 seconds to call pitches.  (I won’t name any teams here, though they reside “West” of USC).

 

You have been fortunate enough to coach many outstanding high school athletes. All of your former players have nothing but great things to say about you. Describe what it is that makes coaching such a rewarding endeavor for you personally.

For me I love to see the kids have success on the field and in life.  I love seeing the kids go on to college and when they call me up out the blue and ask for advice, it means a lot to me.  I have had the pleasure to coach many great kids.  While guys like Clark, Aidem, Pascolla, Sully, Worth, et al. were a blast I was always partial to the role players like Trevor Nelson and Derek Harms.  They were the type of guys you wanted on the squad.  My favorite of all time though was Garrett Rieck, because he was always having fun even during practice.  We would have a blast playing “21” during BP and just talking about life.  And he was a situational left-hander, and I admire all situational left-handers who come in, get an out and then pick up their paycheck.

 

You have also been, some would say, “less fortunate” to have coached for and against Josh Fogel and Matt Underwood at some point in their baseball careers. Obviously we are big fans of these fine young lads. Tell us about that experience.

Okay, lets get one thing straight and something not many people know. My nickname for Undy was “Sloth.”  Because back in the day when I was at Saugus, he claimed to only wear cologne on Wednesdays.  Also, his mom, Maxine, used to make him the best Gatorade ever.  She put some secret ingredient in it so I termed it “Sloth Juice.”  I wonder if he still supplies it for the Trojans?  As far as Fogs is concerned, he may be the funniest kid I ever coached.  As you know, he likes to run into things.  Whenever I see him, he will put on a show and freak everyone out.  But in truth, those two kids are great examples of what a high school athlete, and college for that matter should be like.   Great, hard-working kids who don’t take the game for granted.  They respect themselves and the game (something that would make Crash Davis happy)

 

What are some of your favorite memories from your playing and/or coaching days?

I think my favorite memories are just being around the guys.  I think most former over the hill players will tell you that they enjoyed being with the fellas.  Whether it was road trips or just shagging during BP, there were a lot of good times and my best friends in life are all guys I played with in college.

 

Having played for the legendary Doug Worley at Saugus High, you must have a great story or two for us. We know the imitation is awesome, but how about a tale or two?

Here is a classic story….So one day Coach Worley wanted something from 7-11.  It may have been a hot chocolate with a straw or maybe I big gulp.  Anyways, he give me $20 and says take my van to 7-11.  Now, anyone who knows about Coach Worley’s old van, it was a mess.  It went about 53 mph tops, and it had old newspapers and Big Gulp cups all over.  And worst of all, it had no air conditioning.  But being the good pupil I was when I played for him I decided to do the deed.  He told me to buy whatever I wanted for myself so I went home and asked my brother what he wanted (he was home from college at the time) and went and spent just about all the $20 on junk food.  Coach didn’t even ask about the change.  What a great guy.  I have plenty of other tales about DW, but they are classified!!!

 

How come when everyone else was bailing on the Dodgers this past off-season, you stepped up and purchased a mini-plan. Don’t you know the Angels are the best team in LA now?

Well, I love Chavez Ravine.  Plain and simple.  Just the other night my brother and I went to “$2 Tuesday.”  It wasn’t even part of my ticket plan, but I wanted to take in a round of BP in the RF pavilion.  It was a zoo out there but I came up with a ball and then we left after 3 innings and got Field level seats behind the plate for $14.50 and took in the rest of the game there.  Its just a great atmosphere there and I believe in Paul DePodesta.  I’m not too sure about the Moneyball way of thinking, but this group of Dodgers are interesting.  Plus, they have a bunch of pitchers who get groundballs.   I can really appreciate guys who can get GB’s and work quickly.  This team is like the 1988 team and we all know how that ended.  But the Angels have an all Dodger Coaching staff for the most part so I give them credit.  I just can’t stand American League Baseball.  The DH should be outlawed.

 

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

Advice to anyone who wants to go to college is to get good grades in High School and make sure you have your core classes taken care of.  The best gift anyone can give their parents is to have their education paid for via scholarship.  Whether its athletic or academic, anytime you can get your education paid for is a plus.  Now, when you get to college, make sure you are going to class.  I think its an easy trap to get into once you get to college and your playing and taking 5 classes or so to want to “sleep in.”  Don’t do it!! It is contagious and before you know the coach is calling you in and asking why a B-student has a 2.1 GPA?  I don’t know why I would give that example????

 

If you could attend pro baseball games at any four stadiums in the country, which ones would you choose? Also list four college baseball stadiums you’d like to see as well.

Pro- PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Petco Park in San Diego, Fenway in Boston, and Chavez Ravine also known as Dodger Stadium. (sorry Fogs- the Bronx does not make the cut)

College-  Pepperdine because of the view; Pt. Loma University because of the view of the ocean; Rosenblatt because of all the History and the CWS, and lastly I would have to say LSU because I heard it gets pretty rowdy there. 

 

What kind of music is bumping in John’s ride? What kind of music would never be bumping in John’s ride?

In my CD changer at the present time is a mix of country, some 1980’s rock, anything that was ever played on the great 1980’s t.v. show Miami Vice, and maybe a little Kenny G.  (yes, I know I should not admit that, but sometimes it helps to relieve stress!!!)  I like just about anything.  As long as I can hear what they are saying and don’t need to listen 10 times in a row to the same song to understand what it is about, then I am happy.

 

If you could suit up as a professional athlete in any sport, for any team, for one game, what scenario would you choose?

This is an easy one; Game 7 world Series.  I’m wearing #21 (Boston days) of my idol Roger Clemens and pitching in the 1986 World Series  versus the Mets.  And I pitch a CG and the curse is over 19 years ago!!!

 

If you could invite any three people in the history of the world over for dinner, whom would you choose? 

First off, I would invite Billy the Kid because I think it would be cool to ride with him.  You talk about pressure…. How about being the most wanted man in America.  And it would be cool to get some grub with him and then take off on the Santa Fe Trail.  Second would be Chief Justice Earl Warren.  That way I could know who the heck killed JFK and not have to wait another 30 years or so for the commission’s report.  Lastly, I would have to say…Bucky Weaver of the 1919 Blacksox.  I know he was innocent and I think we all do, so I would just want to buy the guy dinner and then throw him some quality BP.  Maybe even hang him a curveball or two.