Baseball Guru
02-19-2003, 05:46 PM
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Catcher Jason Phillips is one of the Mets top prospects. Hall of Famer Gary Carter and John Stearns, who manages the Mets Double-A team in Binghamton, have both said that Phillips deserves to be playing in the Major Leagues right now. But with Mike Piazza and Vance Wilson holding the fort in Queens, Phillips has had a tough time breaking through. He recently sat down with MLB.com to discuss Spring Training, making it to the big leagues and Australia.
MLB.com: What's your favorite part of Spring Training?
Phillips: Just being in a big league clubhouse. It's a lot better than being over there [in the minor league clubhouse]. It certainly has its advantages. This is great.
MLB.com: What's your least favorite part of Spring Training?
Phillips: Live batting practice. That's real tough for a catcher to get work in during live batting practice. It's there for the pitcher and rightfully so. But it's difficult with the cage around you and the ball bouncing all over the place. You have to try and go through batting practice without getting hurt. [Phillips was sporting a baseball-sized bruise on his left thigh from a shot he took in live BP].
MLB.com: Did you always want to be a catcher?
Phillips: I always wanted to be a shortstop like my dad, Clyde. But I can't run. For me to advance past high school ball without any speed, I had to put on the gear if I wanted to go that route. My dad was drafted twice, but never signed. He got married and had to make a living because I came along not to far after that.
MLB.com: You played some third base at San Diego State. Did you ever think of trying that again?
Phillips: We had another catcher who hit the ball really well. To help the team get better and get both bats in the lineup, it was a decision I felt I should make. I was only a sophomore, so I knew it wouldn't be long term. The other catcher was a good player, but I don't even know if he ever got drafted.
MLB.com: What was your experience in Australia like?
Phillips: Well, I wound up meeting my wife there. It was fun playing Winter Ball there. We would play doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday and in the second games I would play right field or first base or third base. I was out there loving it. They originally called and said they needed a catcher and I went a week later.
I met my wife and this is the first year that we haven't gone back there. But we'll definitely be going back next year. My wife is 3 1/2 months pregnant. Her family is coming here for the birth and that will be their first time out of the country. That's why we didn't go down this winter. But we'll be going back next year because her grandparents will get their first chance to see their great-grandchild. I don't know how much fun that's going to be with a baby on a 14-hour flight.
MLB.com: What were you're initial thoughts on Australian baseball?
Phillips: I really didn't know what I thought because I had only been playing minor league ball for a year in [Single-A] Pittsfield. I was more worried about whether I would be able to compete. They use aluminum bats and the imports use wooden bats. It's definitely something when a grown man uses an aluminum bat. There was one Double-A guy from the Mariners a few years ago that hit a pitcher in the head with a line drive, so I think they're trying to change it for safety reasons.
MLB.com: Is it difficult to come to camp knowing that you have Mike Piazza and Vance Wilson ahead of you and Justin Huber right behind you trying to take your spot?
Phillips: I really don't know what to think about that. I have one more option left so I'll do whatever I can and try to play well wherever I am at. If I don't play well, it doesn't matter who is behind me or in front of me.
MLB.com: What's your favorite movie?
Phillips: Definitely Braveheart. It was one of the first and only movies I ever saw that I didn't want to end. And it's a three-hour movie. I just sat there and watched and when it was over I was thinking 'Is there more?' I wanted to see something else. I've seen it about 30 times and I still get emotional when I see it.
MLB.com: Ginger or Maryanne?
Phillips: Maryanne. I love brunettes.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Catcher Jason Phillips is one of the Mets top prospects. Hall of Famer Gary Carter and John Stearns, who manages the Mets Double-A team in Binghamton, have both said that Phillips deserves to be playing in the Major Leagues right now. But with Mike Piazza and Vance Wilson holding the fort in Queens, Phillips has had a tough time breaking through. He recently sat down with MLB.com to discuss Spring Training, making it to the big leagues and Australia.
MLB.com: What's your favorite part of Spring Training?
Phillips: Just being in a big league clubhouse. It's a lot better than being over there [in the minor league clubhouse]. It certainly has its advantages. This is great.
MLB.com: What's your least favorite part of Spring Training?
Phillips: Live batting practice. That's real tough for a catcher to get work in during live batting practice. It's there for the pitcher and rightfully so. But it's difficult with the cage around you and the ball bouncing all over the place. You have to try and go through batting practice without getting hurt. [Phillips was sporting a baseball-sized bruise on his left thigh from a shot he took in live BP].
MLB.com: Did you always want to be a catcher?
Phillips: I always wanted to be a shortstop like my dad, Clyde. But I can't run. For me to advance past high school ball without any speed, I had to put on the gear if I wanted to go that route. My dad was drafted twice, but never signed. He got married and had to make a living because I came along not to far after that.
MLB.com: You played some third base at San Diego State. Did you ever think of trying that again?
Phillips: We had another catcher who hit the ball really well. To help the team get better and get both bats in the lineup, it was a decision I felt I should make. I was only a sophomore, so I knew it wouldn't be long term. The other catcher was a good player, but I don't even know if he ever got drafted.
MLB.com: What was your experience in Australia like?
Phillips: Well, I wound up meeting my wife there. It was fun playing Winter Ball there. We would play doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday and in the second games I would play right field or first base or third base. I was out there loving it. They originally called and said they needed a catcher and I went a week later.
I met my wife and this is the first year that we haven't gone back there. But we'll definitely be going back next year. My wife is 3 1/2 months pregnant. Her family is coming here for the birth and that will be their first time out of the country. That's why we didn't go down this winter. But we'll be going back next year because her grandparents will get their first chance to see their great-grandchild. I don't know how much fun that's going to be with a baby on a 14-hour flight.
MLB.com: What were you're initial thoughts on Australian baseball?
Phillips: I really didn't know what I thought because I had only been playing minor league ball for a year in [Single-A] Pittsfield. I was more worried about whether I would be able to compete. They use aluminum bats and the imports use wooden bats. It's definitely something when a grown man uses an aluminum bat. There was one Double-A guy from the Mariners a few years ago that hit a pitcher in the head with a line drive, so I think they're trying to change it for safety reasons.
MLB.com: Is it difficult to come to camp knowing that you have Mike Piazza and Vance Wilson ahead of you and Justin Huber right behind you trying to take your spot?
Phillips: I really don't know what to think about that. I have one more option left so I'll do whatever I can and try to play well wherever I am at. If I don't play well, it doesn't matter who is behind me or in front of me.
MLB.com: What's your favorite movie?
Phillips: Definitely Braveheart. It was one of the first and only movies I ever saw that I didn't want to end. And it's a three-hour movie. I just sat there and watched and when it was over I was thinking 'Is there more?' I wanted to see something else. I've seen it about 30 times and I still get emotional when I see it.
MLB.com: Ginger or Maryanne?
Phillips: Maryanne. I love brunettes.