Prospect Interview: Catching My Breath With Clay Buchholz, Part II |

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Prospect Interview: Catching My Breath With Clay Buchholz, Part II

By Administrator | June 28, 2007

In today’s installment, Clay and I discussed his status as an elite pitching prospect (which still seems to have him a bit in awe), the minor leagues and his daily routine, his routine for “clearing the mechanism”, the day he was drafted, some pop culture, and signing autographs.

After reading this installment, you’ll understand why I entitled this piece: “Catching My Breath With Clay Buchholz”.

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S1F: Coming into the 2007 season, I felt like the three best pitching prospects in minor league baseball were Tim Lincecum of the Giants, Yovani Gallardo of the Brewers, and you. The first two guys are already in the big leagues, so in my estimation that would leave you as “the next big thing” in the minor leagues – from a pitching standpoint. How do you respond when people such as myself say something like that about you?

CB: It’s an extraordinary comment when someone says something like that, but I would have never thought three years ago that I would be in the position I am right now, as far as being in Double-A…

S1F: Where were you three years ago?

CB: I was just in college, just another college baseball player – and there were a million of us out there – and we all had the same goals. I went to McNeese State my first year and then I transferred to Angelina Junior College in Texas – that’s where I got drafted out of… and (after I was drafted) it was a 180-degree turn in a month or two months. From Day One (with the Red Sox organization) it was an awesome opportunity for me… to go out and know what I wanted to do and to actually be able to start my way towards achieving that goal (to play in the big leagues). But the #1 prospect thing, I don’t even know what to say about something like that… I never thought that my name would be in that (conversation) – it’s just amazing to me still, sort of like a dream.

S1F: How do you find the minor league routine?

CB: It’s good. It’s about development so you have guidelines you have to go by… I have no problem with it. I have fun everyday and come out here and do what I need to do…

S1F: What are the guidelines?

CB: Well, first of all you have the whole stretching thing. We have trainers who go out there and we have a mandatory stretching routine. We don’t get to go out there and just do what we want to do… there’s certain things that you have to do. I mean, I get to play a game and get paid for doing it, so I don’t have a problem doing what they ask us to do. I couldn’t think of a better thing to be doing right now.

S1F: Have you found that, within the Sox organization thus far – at least between Single-A and Double-A, there is a consistency in the stretching programs, the workout program, and the instruction you are receiving?

CB: Oh yeah. Everything has been pretty much the same.

A-ball is a little stricter just because you’re still new – it’s probably your first full season – and there are things that you have to do to become a pro athlete. When you get jumped up to Double-A, it’s like they are there to help you if you are getting off-line; but, you’re pretty much on your own as far as workouts as long as you write it down…

S1F: Tomorrow night you’re starting, so what is your routine like today – your ‘day before the game’ routine? Does it change very much from other days?

CB: No, I keep just about everything the same. I come out and do a stretch, play a little toss, throw a ten to fifteen minute “front toss” with the catcher in front of the plate and work on throwing all of my pitches. I throw some fastballs, some changeups and a couple of curve balls, then I get in my running and call it a day. Then I go into the clubhouse, take a shower and dress, and then go into the stands and prepare for tomorrow.

S1F: So you actually go up into the stands to chart the game?

CB: Yes.

S1F: How about your “day of game” routine? What’s that like?

CB: I get to the park about two-and-a-half hours before the game starts, get something to eat, listen to some music and play cards… then about an hour before the game I start trying to get focused. Before you know it, time rolls around for me to go onto the field and stretch and start throwing… and then it’s game time from there.

S1F: Favorite band to listen to before a game?

CB: I’ld have to say, probably Van Halen.

S1F: Favorite card game to play before a game?

CB: We play two big ones… one of them is Casino and the other one is Possoi (spelling?). Possoi is kind of a Chinese poker type game…

S1F: Favorite TV show?

CB: Family Guy!

S1F: You said that quick… you’re a big Family Guy fan?

CB: Oh yeah!

S1F: Favorite baseball movie?

CB: Bull Durham. Hands down.

S1F: Did you see “For the Love of the Game”?

CB: Yes.

S1F: In the movie, during the games, Kevin Costner went through the process of trying to clear things out and create a mental vacuum…

CB: Yeah, “clearing the mechanism”…

S1F: Exactly… “clearing the mechanism”… so when you are on the mound and there is an opponent in the batter’s box, what do you see and hear? Is it something like “clearing the mechanism”? Do you have a certain visualization that you go through, a technique for clearing your mind? What do you see, what do you hear when you are on the mound and you are pitching?

CB: All I see is the catcher, really. I mean, I notice the batter – who it is – but then I just try to stay through the catcher and throw the ball down. Breathing helps me on the mound… as far as taking some deep breaths between each pitch and it helping to keep your muscles loose. That is a big thing within the Red Sox organization… as far as them preaching breathing techniques… and visualization.

The night before a game I’ll do some visualization… it’s like me watching myself out there pitching… I can see myself going through the motions and throwing strikes. But as far as when I am actually out there, breathing is the main thing. I would have never thought that something so easy could be so big.

S1F: So concentrating on your breathing is your technique for “clearing the mechanism”, so to speak?

CB: Definitely.

S1F: Who was your favorite team growing up?

CB: The Houston Astros… I’m from about and hour-and-a-half north of Houston.

S1F: Favorite player growing up?

CB: Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens. I have always liked watching them pitch… they are fun to watch.

S1F: You were a big Clemens fan… so, the day you were drafted by the Red Sox, where were you?

CB: I was in College Station, Texas, in a hotel… at our draft party. We wanted to get out of our hometown so we could be alone and whatever… so we invited a couple of people to come along and we had a party.

S1F: How many people attended the party?

CB: Probably thirty.

S1F: And how did you celebrate?

CB: Oh boy, we did so much. We went out to dinner… I mean, it was like a three-day celebration. I went out to Dallas – where my agent lives – and I signed probably three or four days after the draft… and then I got shipped off to Lowell.

S1F: What is your favorite thing about Maine?

CB: If you had asked me that question about two months ago I might have said it is the worst place ever because of all the snow – I’ve never really been around snow that much… but it’s a great place and a great environment to play baseball. Now that the weather is nice, it’s a beautiful place. All of us guys have fun, there’s a great night life over there – in The Old Port – and overall it’s just a great environment to play baseball.

S1F: Have you developed an affinity for lobster yet?

CB: No, I haven’t. I haven’t even eaten any lobster, in fact. I am more of a steak guy… I always ate steak growing up and I ate shrimp and crawfish and stuff like that, but never lobster.

S1F: So the worst thing about Maine is the snow?

CB: Definitely… and the early-season weather generally.

S1F: What is the best thing about being at the ballpark?

CB: Just getting to have fun. I mean, I’m doing something I’ve been doing since I was a little kid… and I never thought it would amount to anything like it has so far. I get to have fun and be around some friends and play baseball.

S1F: Is there a bad thing about being at the ballpark?

CB: Not right now, no?

S1F: What about fans clamoring for autographs?

CB: It’s not a problem for me at all. I could see being in the big leagues, and there’s 40,000 people in the stands and they all want autographs… but here, there are only thirty or forty people who want autographs, so I don’t have a problem signing on the days I don’t pitch.

But then again, I’m not a position player, I don’t have to play every day. I can see where they walk out and they have to get prepared to play every day and people get mad because sometimes they don’t sign. But those guys have to get ready to do their job and play the game.

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Buchholz Interview Part I

Buchholz Interview Part III

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Topics: Sox Players, Sox Prospect Interviews |

5 Responses to “Prospect Interview: Catching My Breath With Clay Buchholz, Part II”

My Exclusive Interview With Clay Buchholz | SOX1FAN Says:
August 17th, 2007 at 2:36 am
[...] My interview with Buchholz was originally presented in three parts. Today, in commemoration of his much-anticipated major league debut (at least, it has been much-anticipated by me), I present some highlights from his interview… you can find the entire interview here: part 1, part 2, and part 3. [...]
Buchholz No-Hits Baltimore In Second Major League Start | SOX1FAN Says:
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:20 am
[...] You can read my June 25th interview with Clay in three installments (Part 1, Part 2, and the conclusion). [...]
Mike Holmes Says:
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:01 pm
On June 16,2007 I pitched a no-hitter to win the Div.II Massachusetts state championship. I also sat alone in the dugout. I also concentrate on the catcher, who is my twin. You are my hero. I am a senior in high school hoping to further my career in baseball. You have inspired me to be more persistant in my search for college baseball. A new fan, Mike Holmes
Prospect Interview: Catching My Breath With Clay Buchholz, Part 3 | Says:
February 28th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
[...] Buchholz Interview Part II [...]
Prospect Interview: Catching My Breath With Clay Buchholz, Part 1 | Says:
February 28th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
[...] Buchholz Interview Part II [...]