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 Nats name Riggleman Jim Riggleman was officially introduced as the manager of the Washington Nationals. |
Q: You switched positions this year to outfield. Are you more comfortable there?
A: I am. I feel great. I’m really enjoying it, trusting my athleticism, relying on my instincts, and trying to learn from everything I’ve been through. I feel like I’ve played it well, and the adjustment has gone smoothly, and I’m having fun out there.
Q: Between yourself and Prince Fielder, the Brewers might have a middle of the order to rival any team in baseball for years to come. Do you two talk about expectations of the future?
A: It’s not something we necessarily talk about. We’ve learned the importance of focusing day-to-day, not looking ahead too much. We certainly appreciate the fact we play together along with so many great young players for the next few years. The future is something that’s extremely exciting for us, but at the same time, we expect to win now. Our focus is on right now.
Q: You’re currently in fourth among NL outfielders for all-star voting? Have you been keeping an eye on the voting tallies as they come out?
A: You know, the media brings it up every time it’s updated, so I’m certainly aware of what’s going on. I’m not going to pretend like I’m not paying attention to it. At the same time, it’s not a day-to-day focus, but at least once a week, I’ll see where I’m at.
It’d be a tremendous honor and a great accomplishment and obviously I’d love the opportunity to play in the all-star game, so we’ll see what happens.
Q: And what about potentially having the opportunity to play at Yankee Stadium before it closes?
A: It’s certainly going to be a historic all-star game. For me, I love New York and I love the big stage, so I would love the opportunity to play in the all-star game just because it has a chance to be the last significant sporting event in the stadium unless the Yankees make the World Series. It’s certainly going to be a special event.
Q: What would it mean to you to be a starter?
A: You know what, I think it’s pretty cool because Ken Griffey Jr., is in third place, and he was one of my favorite players growing up, so just recognizing that I’m right there in votes with him speaks volumes to where I’m at and what I’ve accomplished, so that alone is pretty cool.
Q: So Griffey was one of your favorites? Who else did you look up to?
A: Griffey was definitely one of my favorites. Also, Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. Those guys are great baseball players, but they’ve also carried themselves the right way off the field as well, so they’re great role models for myself and all the other young guys coming up now.
Quick hits
Q: There are so few days off in the schedule. What do you do on your days off?
A: Golf a little, go to the local mall or just hang out. It’s nice to relax and get away from baseball a little bit. If we’re in Milwaukee, we go up to Lake Geneva, we go up there all the time, do some jet skiing, or just rent a boat, go out and spend a nice day on the water. It’s a nice escape from baseball.
Q: Where do you keep your rookie of the year award?
A: My parents have it at their house in L.A.
Q: How many of your own rookie cards do you own?
A: I don’t own many myself, but my parents have every one they could get their hands on.
Q: What’s your favorite sport to watch other than baseball?
A: Basketball. I grew up in Los Angeles and I’m a big Lakers fan so I watch as many Lakers games as possible. It hasn’t been a fun last week-and-a-half, I’ll tell you that.
Q: Do you play fantasy sports?
A: Not really. I follow it, but I don’t really play very often.
Q: What’s your favorite movie?
A: I’m a big Denzel Washington fan. I don’t have a specific favorite, but any movie he’s in.
Q: What was the best rookie prank your team played against you last year?
A: The rookies have to sing on the bus, I wasn’t really prepared for that, so the first bus trip, I had to sing.
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Q: That doesn’t sound that bad. What did you have to sing?
A boxing champ celebrates, a kicker regrets, fans mourn a hero, and much more.
A: I did two Boys II Men songs. One was "On Bended Knee," and the other was I think, "River Runs Dry." It wasn’t very good, and no one wants to hear me sing, but I had fun with it.
Q: Can you sing?
A: Not really. I’m OK. I got into it. I got a personality, but not the voice.
Q: Here’s the most important question: Did you know the words to those songs by heart?
A: I had an iPod in one ear. Whoever was sitting in the front of the bus, I got their iPod and that was the first available song.
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