Q: Brad, a lot of the local fans have lost track of you lately and are curious as to what your current status is. I understand that you will not be in the Seattle Mariners camp this spring? Why don’t you bring us up to date as to what has happened to you in the last few months.

A: Well, in the last few months, I got married. That is definitely the best thing that has happened to me. We had a great wedding and a great honeymoon out on Coranado Island and just basically relaxed. I signed with the Chicago White Sox to a AAA contract. I’m not going to go to Big League camp because they said it was full, but they said I would be coming over and playing in a lot of Big League games. I just signed a few weeks ago and it appeared to be the best deal that was available.

Q: I thought your mom said that you had a chance to maybe play in Japan this season?

A: I got a call from one of my ex-coaches who is working in the Japan circuit, but that option fell through. Right after that happened, the White Sox called. I don’t know if it was for the best or not, but we’ll see what happens.

[Brad and Angela Seitzer]

Q: I would think that this is a good opportunity for you since Jerry Reinsdorf and Jerry Manuel are trying to build a competitive team. This could be your chance to get to the show.

A: I think so...I’m hoping so anyway. They’re not shy about bringing new guys up to the parent club to see what they can do. If I can get a chance to show them what I can do a little bit there in spring training and then start the season well at AAA, you know, maybe I can get a shot. You know it would be something that I would very much like to try, and I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time. So, hopefully things will get better...2000 has started off really well for me, getting married and all… hopefully it will continue on.

Q: Brad, tell us what you know about the White Sox organization...where the AAA franchise is located, what kind of an environment you will be in, how many 3^rd basemen are on the roster, that kind of stuff.

A: The AAA team is in Charlotte, N.C., and their team is a part of the International League. From what I do know, the third basemen that they have...I’ve played against Craig Norton. He hit .255 with 16 homers, but I think he’s someone that I could possibly beat out for a job. Hopefully, if given the chance, I’d like to see if I could. At this point, that’s about all I know about the White Sox.

[Brad and his brother Kevin]

Q: I know you played in the Pacific Coast League, and growing up out west I know that it has the reputation of being a hitters league. What do you know about the International League that you will now be playing in?

A: Ha...not much. I had a short stint there in 1997, but not enough to get a good feel for it. There are a lot more National League affiliates there. I’m sure that it will be a different style of pitching that I‘ll have to get used to. It’ll be new towns, new cities...I’m kinda looking forward to it, a little change of scenery. There will be new teams and I’ll be seeing some new faces, and I think it will be pretty exciting.

Q: What kind of shape or condition are you in? Physically and mentally?

A: I’m kind of banged up. I went back to Mexico this winter and at the end of the season I had a little shoulder problem. I had cortisone shot in it. It gave me some problems at the end of last season. I only played third about 10 games in Mexico. The rest of the time I was used as a designated hitter. I just thought it was something that needed time to heal. After years of playing continuous baseball, I think the stress just caught up to my arm. I’m doing therapy right now. I go three days a week to see a therapist. My therapist says I’ve got knots everywhere...every muscle that attaches to the top of my shoulder is knotted up...my back, my chest, my tricep, my bicep, my shoulder blade, anything that attaches is knotted up. All that is shortening my muscles and not allowing my shoulder joint to move freely and that causes a lot of pain. The therapy is helping. He’s getting in there and trying to dig a lot of those knots out of there. I haven’t thrown yet and I haven’t really been able to lift. I have been running and doing some work at the therapy center, and I’m hoping that I’ll be ready to go in the next few weeks.

Q: Where were you down in Mexico?

A: Mosave. The team I’ve played for the last three winters. It’s a very fun and relaxed atmosphere. It’s all about winning, yet there’s no pressure. I’ve been down there three years and I’ve done well. They know that I can hit, so the job’s mine if I want it. That’s comforting and the money’s pretty good. Now with a wife, it’s going to be tough going away.

Q: What about the cultural differences, like the food, and the fans?

A: It’s exciting. They love their baseball. It’s a lot like here...when you’re doing well, they’re pumped...if you’re doing bad, they can get on you a little bit. There’s a lot of drinking down there...they like their beers, but they’re a lot of fun. The town is a small, relaxing town. The people are very enjoyable and very nice. We stay in a nice hotel, but there is culture shock. The food is different...I eat a lot of tacos, but it’s nice and all I can say is that I’ve enjoyed it. I wouldn’t be going down there every year, if I didn’t enjoy it. It’s tough to pass up the money...it’s pretty decent down there.

Q: If you get the call to Chicago, won’t it be nice to have your family and friends from Lincoln close enough to come up and see you play?

A: Yes it will. It will be comforting to me to be that close to home and to have them be able to come up whenever they want to.

Q: How’s Kevin (Seitzer) doing?

A: He’s very supportive of me and glad that I STILL have the opportunity to play. His business as a hitting instructor is doing well out in Kansas City. His kids keep him very busy, as they’re involved in every kind of sport imaginable. They’ve got him running every which way but loose, when he’s not working.

Q: I want to take you to your years at Lincoln High School. What are your memories?

A: My time there was fun. Lincoln is a small town where the fans are behind you in every sport. The biggest thrill that I had was in basketball. I loved playing basketball there. Everybody gets fired up for every game, no matter who the Railers are playing. My junior year stands out because we had such an outstanding year. And being on the court with Jason (Jones) and Nellie (Jeff Nelson), (Joe) Cook and (Donnie) Aeilts, and all those guys that I looked up to. Being an underclassman and being able to play with them was a thrill. Basketball was my true love because it was so big in Lincoln.

Q: What about your baseball memories?

A: Baseball was just a more realistic sport for me to pursue...being a not-so-quick guard that could shoot, but was not very quick. Most guys that I talk to said they never really enjoyed baseball until they got to college or to the minor leagues. That’s when I began to really enjoy the game. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I hit over .500 for three years in high school. That’s why I say that basketball, for me, was such a challenge because I had to work hard for everything. Baseball came much more naturally to me. Once I got to college I was challenged...I had to concentrate, I had to work hard to get where I’m at today. Back then we all played sports together, so we went from basketball to baseball together. Our most exciting time was in Legion baseball. One year we won the state championship and advanced to nationals in Ohio. I think that was one of the most memorable baseball experiences that I had.

Q: What about your college experience?

A: Basically, there were a lot of colleges that expressed an interest in me. I ended up at Memphis State. I think it was just a matter that I could go in there and play as a freshman. I had never sat in my life, and I wanted to go somewhere that I could play right away. If I had to do it over again, I probably wouldn’t have gone there. The program wasn’t what I thought it was. I thought the coaches knew a lot more than they did. I learned more from (Mike) Swingle there in Lincoln. He is just a very knowledgeable coach. He played minor league ball and he knows how to teach the game. He’s been around and knows what you need to know and do to reach the next level...professional-wise. A lot of people can play ball, but few can coach it. He is one that could do both extremely well.

Q: What organizations have you been with during your career?

A: I was drafted in 1991 by the Baltimore Orioles in the 11th round. They sent me to Class A in Kane County for two or three years. Then I signed with the Milwaukee Brewers from '94-'97. Then I was traded to the Montreal Expos. Then I played for the Omaha Royals. Then I signed with Seattle from '97-'99, and now I’m with the White Sox.

Q: Based on your experience, who are the good organizations and who is struggling?

A: I don’t know about that. But, I do know that the kids who get the big money are the ones who get the chance to play, because the teams have invested so much in them. That has hurt me in my career because I’ve put up good numbers and I’ve done my job, but I’ve not always gotten the chance to prove what I can do. I sometimes wonder what I have to do to get a break.

Q: What kind of advice do you have for the kids of Lincoln and Logan County?

A: I’d impress upon them that it’s hard work. You have to persevere for the things that you want. Go for it, and don’t let anybody stand in your way. Always know that you can do it. Don’t let what other people say, get in your way or hinder your dream.

Q: What about your family?

A: My folks have always been very supportive of me. They gave me the opportunities to play ball. They’ve always been behind me on all my choices and have wanted me to succeed. And I’d really like to get to the big leagues so that they could come and watch. Being so close in Chicago really makes it nice...they’ve been my biggest fans and this would just be special for them.

Q: What should people know about the real Brad Seitzer?

[Seitzer with the Mexican League team Los Algodoneros]

A: I think I’m a down-to-earth person. I care about a lot of people. I don’t like to put anybody down. I would like to help anyone who needs anything. Now my main concern is for my new wife and I’m looking forward to our future and every year imaginable with her. She means the world to me. I plan on taking care of her and the two of us taking care of each other.

[Jeff Mayfield]