This is the second part of an e-mail interview with current Red Sox pitching prospect and former Jumbo standout Randy Newsom. Newsom has spent his past two summers in the minors working his way up and having a great time in the process.
Cole Liberator: A couple of my friends and I were watching a Red Sox spring training game when our jaws hit the floor as the camera got a shot of you wedged between Manny and David Ortiz. Now that you've spent a few spring trainings with some of Boston's best, give me your take on the "idiots."
Randy Newsom: The big club is a different story. I've had the pleasure of being with them for a little bit of time but not really enough to get a full read. Last year it was pretty apparent that Varitek is the real serious one (hence, Captain) and guys like Millar aren't (hence, "Born in the USA"). Manny always walks around doing things that make you shake your head but he's a really great guy. He even offered me a pair of cleats two years ago at spring training. Ortiz is another real good guy who smiles a lot.
Wells is a trip. He's not afraid to hold anything back. He loves beer and motorcycles and just about anything else that your typical nine-to-five middle manager would shy away from. He also is a really good athlete, which everyone forgets because of his size. To have the control he does you need some serious coordination and the fact that he can pitch after taking down a case on his own the night before shows the type of athlete he is. For the most part, you can tell the major league guys are well-off and have a lot of diverse interests outside of baseball. Mike Myers from last year's team is about the best crossword guy I've ever seen. The guy takes them down like they're nothing.
CL: Ever get star-struck?
RN: I never really got star-struck but I did keep thinking 'this is really cool.' Talking to [Detroit Tigers catcher, Ivan] "Pudge" Rodriguez at the Hall of Fame game just as if we were casual buddies was fun. I liked Renteria a lot and a couple of the younger players and I have gone out a few times. Manny Delcarmen is from Boston and he's a real cool dude. Like anywhere, you're going to find good and bad, but honestly a lot of them are regular guys who are able to put on a confident attitude. Obviously the money helps. Not to mention the fame.
CL: Steroids is the buzzword of baseball these days. How prevalent are they in the minors?
RN: Well, the Minor League testing has been in place for five years now and it is a lot more strenuous than the Major League testing. For example, I've pissed in a cup twice this year already. Last year I once got tested on back-to-back days. They keep you guessing so much that you never know when the cup's coming your way. Because of that, it has become real tough to beat.
But I did have one indirect run-in with steroids. Last year I was just working out in Florida when I got a call from Wilmington. Apparently one of their players was suspended for testing positive for steroids and I got tagged as his replacement. I managed to pitch well and now, here I am.
CL: I've always been curious about the level of team chemistry at the minor league level. I feel like more than college, or the pros, there would be an emphasis on the individual over the team in the minors. How true is this?
RN: Team chemistry is tough. It really is set by the manager. A "player's manager" is a real gift to have but they can be hard to find. Things like an early curfew or strict rules can have a pretty negative effect. The manager who keeps things loose usually will have the team that will play the hardest for him. The players might be hung-over from last night but they'll leave everything on the field to keep that manager on their side.
Last year I split my time between two teams that were pretty opposite with respect to chemistry; one got along real well so we all went out together and it was a lot of fun, and the other didn't really get along so everyone went their own ways. The manager this year in Wilmington is really good so it should be a fun year.
CL: Baseball players are famous for their pranks. Have you experienced or seen any good ones?
RN: This spring, the front office staff convinced one of the non-American trainers he was being deported for an April Fool's joke. He even got so far as to call his wife and get her to start packing their things until we explained it to him. Also, in the deep South, the bars can't serve alcohol on Sundays so they turn all their Kegs to Odoul's. One kid had no idea and we made him pound them all night. He acted drunk and came in the next day complaining about how he had the worst hangover ever. We ragged on him for a while for that.
CL: Finally, what are your personal goals for this season?
RN: I am trying to start out hot and go from there. I would like to close but as long as I get to pitch I'm happy. I really like our team; our manager's a good guy, I have a great host family and some cool roommates. This should be a real fun summer.
