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.
![](../images/brad_seitzer/brad_wife.jpg)
[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 3rd 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.
![](../images/brad_seitzer/brad_indians.jpg)
[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.
|
![](../images/ads/Graue%20Pharmacy/graue_2x3_000126.jpg)
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?
![](../images/brad_seitzer/brad_running.jpg)
[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]
|