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

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

By Administrator | June 29, 2007

Today is the third and final installment of my exclusive interview with Red Sox prospect Clay Buchholz.

Today’s piece covers such subject matters as the biggest influence in his career (his dad), his first appearance against big league hitters, the charities he supports, and the first word that comes to mind when talking about some of his current and former teammates (Ellsbury, Bowden and Lowrie).

Once again, I want to thank Clay for his graciousness… and I want to thank Mike Antonellis (with the Sea Dogs) and Tim Hough (with the NH Fisher Cats) for facilitating the interview process. I am deeply indebted to each of these individuals.

Also, I am pleased to announce that I have been granted authorization to interview Red Sox prospect Michael Bowden when the Sea Dogs return to NH next month… I spoke with Michael on Monday evening, and he graciously agreed to an interview. So, if you have any questions you would like me to ask, let me know.

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S1F: Who has been the biggest influence in your career to this point?

CB: My father, definitely. He taught me everything I know and he’s given me pointers along the way. And all of my ability comes from him… and from God, of course. But everything about the game that I know… how I pitch… how I call a game… that’s all from my father.

S1F: Do you have a mentor within the Red Sox organization who is working with you? The pitching coach here at Portland, or the manager here, or maybe a roving pitching instructor who has taken you under his wing, so to speak?

CB: I get along with everybody, I don’t know as far as having a mentor… I mean, everybody in the organization is like a big family. I get along great with “Cat” (Mike Cather), our pitching coach here… and I get along great with all of the coaches and all of the staff here. I’ve always gotten along with all of the coaches that I have played for… you know, Luis Alicea was my manager during my first year in pro ball – he’s an awesome guy. I had a great time with him.

S1F: Was that at Greenville?

CB: Yes… well, Greenville and Lowell.

Buchholz warmed up with the rest of the Sea Dogs staff just moments before speaking with me on June 24th

S1F: Have you ever been to Fenway Park?

CB: Yes, I’ve been a lot.

S1F: When was the first time?

CB: Pre-draft… probably two weeks before the draft. I flew up (to Boston) to throw a bullpen, and to talk with Theo and everybody.

S1F: What was the happiest moment you’ve ever had on a baseball diamond?

CB: Back when I was in high school, facing one of my best friends who was pitching, we were in a tournament… I hit a walk-off three-run homer to win the game in the bottom of the seventh. I think that’s the happiest I’ve ever been on the field.. it was awesome?

S1F: A little bittersweet?

CB: No, not at all. He hit a home run off me something like two innings before… so it was more payback than anything…

S1F: Have you been to a big league camp yet?

CB: No… but I got to pitch one game this past spring training, and that was just a great opportunity for me and I got a lot out of it…

S1F: What is your one overwhelming memory of that day?

CB: There are a couple, but the one big one was going through the order for the third time and seeing how fast they make adjustments. It was unbelievable. I mean, the same pitch I was getting everybody out with the first time around they started hitting it hard… but fortunately a couple of them were right at people. It’s amazing how fast they are able to make adjustments to you and to your pitches…

S1F: Who did you pitch against?

CB: The Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

S1F: Toughest batter you have ever faced? That day against Tampa Bay?

CB: Oh boy… maybe. Yes. I got to face Carl Crawford… he’s an all-star. Let me tell you, that team is a pretty good hitting club…

S1F: Yeah, but they need some pitching.

CB: Yeah…

S1F: Some of us are a little older and we have this vision of the minor leagues of yesteryear, or even The Cape League, where the players lived with a ‘host family’… over in Portland, do you guys live in a hotel or a dorm situation, or do some of you guys live with a ‘host family’?

CB: Yeah, actually it’s a little bit of everything. There are a couple of guys who live with host families – families who have been doing it for years now… and a couple of the guys live in a hotel… me personally, a couple of the other guys and I live in a little townhouse. So we have a little bit of everything going on… whatever is suitable for the player.

S1F: When you sign that first big contract, the first time you make big league money, is there a charity that is near and dear to your heart that you will donate money to… or it doesn’t have to be money, but a cause that you will donate time and energy to? Curt Schilling has ALS… and Tim Wakefield has a couple of charities he’s good with – like ‘Pitching In For Kids’… and the whole organization has The Jimmy Fund… Is there any specific charity that you will contribute towards?

CB: Yeah, actually there is. I’ll probably be involved with two – I’ll probably do something with cancer and also with alzheimers. My grandmother died from alzheimers eight years ago… and so that’s something I have wanted to do ever since – to help out however I can with my time or whatever – whatever I can do to help.

S1F: My grandfather died of alzheimers in 1986. Actually, it happened while I was camped out at Fenway Park waiting for World Series tickets – a City of Boston police officer came up to me and said “you need to call home” – just a couple of days after I got in line… so I understand, I’m sorry for your loss.

CB: Yeah, those are tough times, I’m sorry too (for your loss)… yeah… you know, everybody has their reasons for wanting to be involved – and for wanting to help out – so that’s mine.

S1F: I’m going to say a couple of names – a former teammate and a couple of current teammates… please say the first word that comes into your mind when you hear their names. Jacoby Ellsbury…

CB: FAST! Fast…

S1F: Oh yeah?

CB: Yeah!

S1F: Michael Bowden…

CB: I guess I’ld have to say goofy…

S1F: Jed Lowrie…

CB: Leader…

S1F: Who is the favorite teammate you have had in your brief career?

CB: It would have to be Bowden… because me and him just get along so well. I mean, we are completely opposite personality-wise, but he and I are like two peas in a pod. He’s a great guy and a great pitcher, and we have a lot of conversations about the game… we just get along great.

S1F: A lot of people believe that as soon as Jon Lester gets called up, you’ll be the next one heading to Pawtucket… any sense for that?

CB: No. If that’s true I look forward to it happening; but then again, I have no clue what they have planned.

S1F: Is there anything left unasked and unanswered that you’ld like Red Sox Nation to know that they might not know yet about you?

CB: Ummm, probably not. I’ve spilled my guts out, and talked about everything I know and trust and believe in… so there’s no secrets about me at this point… I’m pretty much straight forward.

S1F: Thank you, I appreciate your time.

CB: Not a problem… thank you.

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Buchholz Interview Part I

Buchholz Interview Part II

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Topics: Sox Players, Sox Prospect Interviews |

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

FrankInNH Says:
June 29th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Neato! Very nice.

You know, this re-inforces a long-standing image about minor leaguers… they are so humble and polite. I figure there is a coach who teaches how to throw to first base quickly - to catch a runner leaning toward second. Another coach specializes in pitcher/catcher communication - changing and hiding signs - that sort of thing. And there’s another coach who teaches these guys how to act in front of the media and fans. For instance:
“Okay Clay, you’ve just thrown a no-no in your first big-league start. I’m a Globe reporter. ‘Hey Clay, how did it feel?’”
“Um, I did good, yeah. I was throwing fire today. These guys on the other team really suck.”
“Clay! Get a grip. Remember what we went over in those drills yesterday?”
“Oh yeah! Sorry Coach.” Clears throat. “Um, I didn’t do anything special today… My team-mates were just great. The fans helped a lot and… and, most of all, my coaches really prepared me for this day.”
“Ah, that’s better. Don’t overdue the coach thing. And you forgot the Big Guy.”
“Oh yeah!” Clears throat. Points upward. “And most of all, let me thank Jesus for blessing me with talent.”
“It’s a little rough, Clay, but you’re getting the hang of it.”
“Thanks, Coach.”

–F
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