The End Zone

Photo courtesy of Ben VanHouten/Seattle Mariners

I couldn’t fit all the quotes into my story on Issaquah graduate and New York Yankee Colin Curtis, so I decided to throw some additional words up here on the blog.

I spoke with Curtis last Thursday, July 8, in the New York Yankees’ clubhouse prior to the first of a four-game series against Seattle.

Here’s what he had to say…

Q: How has the whole experience been so far?

A: It’s been a great experience so far. I get to join a team that’s a great team. There’s a lot of veteran guys who know how to win. They’ve all won before so it’s been a great experience coming in here as a young guy and learning how to win.

Q: Where were you when you got the call? What was your reaction like?

A: We just got back from a game. I was just out hanging out with some friends. I was really excited. I jumped right on the phone and I had a bunch of phone calls to make.

Q: When you came back to Seattle for this series did you have to buy tickets for all your friends and family?

A: I got some, and I just kind of ran out and said you can buy them. They’re not too expensive.

Q: Who were some of your largest influences growing up?

A: Definitely my parents. I used to play catch with my dad every day and he’d make it to all my practices and everything.

Q: What’s your fondest moment of playing baseball in Issaquah?

A: The biggest moment is when we won state my freshman year. That was kind of the first taste of success with a team. I can still remember all the summers, playing summer ball with all the guys and traveling around, it was kind of fun.

Q: Being a rookie have you been subject to any pranks yet?

A: Nah, no real pranks yet. All the guys have been great so far. They’ve kind of shown me what to do and helped me out along the way.

Q: Getting called up to Majors is a big deal in itself, but what’s it like to come to a team like the New York Yankees?

A: They all know how to win. They’ve got a lot of experience. They go out there and they play to win everyday and they know how to go about it. Everyone can see how hard they work. Before the game they’re putting in and logging their hours, and I think that’s why they’re all successful. Seeing how hard they’re working you kind of learn from that.