Saturday, February 21, 2015

My interview with Pat Healey,Baltimore Blast MLS soccer player


I had the opportunity to interview one of my favorite players on the Baltimore Blast MASL soccer team, Pat Healey.  Pat is the son of Kevin Healey (the President and General Manager of the Baltimore Blast) and grew up in Bel Air, Maryland.  He attended Calvert Hall High School (did I mention I go to Archbishop Curley, the rival school of Calvert Hall), and played Soccer at Towson University. At Towson, he was named the 2007 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year.  Pat was a three-time All-CAA selection and a two-time NSCAA/ADIDAS All-South Atlantic Region player.



How did you get started in soccer?  

 

I grew up with it. My grandfather and father were always in it. I started when I was 3 at Maryland sports arena in Edgewood. We played a lot in the living room, too. 

Did you just play soccer growing up? 

 

I played a lot of sports. Baseball, basketball and golf but soccer has always been my favorite. 

Did playing other sports help improve your skills as a soccer player? 

 

The movement in basketball is similar to soccer. Working in small spaces and combination play. Basketball is very similar to indoor soccer or Futsal. Baseball also helps with quick reactions and decision making. 


Who were some soccer role models you looked up to when you were coming up? 

 

My first role model was Chris Reif. He went to Calvert Hall and then eventually played for the Blast. Our families were friends so I saw him play a lot.  I watched the blast a lot growing up. Danny Kelly and Syracuse's head coach Tommy Tanner were great two way players that I watched. 

 

Who is the funniest player on the Blast?

 

Max Ferdinand thinks he is. Either Mike Deasel or Neto.  Two different sense of humors but both funny. 


What advice would you give to young players who want to become professional soccer players?

 

Dream big. Work hard. It's not easy and takes a lot of commitment and sacrifice. I was a kid from Baltimore watching the Blast and my dream came true. 

What is your favorite pre-game meal? Song?

 

I eat chipotle sometimes. We go there a lot, especially on the road. Chicken is usually in the pre-game meal somehow. 

Favorite song is hard. Maybe "Love and Memories" by OAR. It's my favorite band. I like all kinds of music. I listen to country a lot. 

 

How did you begin to plan for your professional soccer career? 

 

I was a sophomore in college and had the feeling I had a chance to become a pro. I started taking a lot of extra classes so I could graduate early because the MLS draft is in January. I would need to graduate a semester early.  Graduating was important to me. I put a lot of time the next 2 years studying and working hard in practice and extra after some practices. 


What was life as a “rookie” like a few years ago? What were the emotions? How did you stay focused? 

 

I was the only rookie playing so it was big. We had a lot of veterans so I just want to learn. Every practice was a new lesson. I watched and talked to Robbie Aristodemo all the time. Any advice he could give me was great. 

 

The guys on the team were great. I felt a part of the team right away. They kept me focused and hungry to learn. I try to do the same things with the new guys now. 

That's why the Blast is so great. Leaders. It's about the team. 


What are some of the lessons you’ve learned on your journey? 

 

The ball doesn't bounce your way sometimes. Been in the final 5 times in 6 years. Only won twice. Twice we were winning near the end of the game. Losing sucks but all you can do is try your best. 

What are your goals? Short-term? Long-term? 

 

Short term is win the MASL championship this year. Long term is to stay healthy and help the Blast keep getting better. I play for the U.S. Futsal national team and the World Cup is in 18 months so preparing for that too

 

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this interview as much as I did while constructing it. Thank you again Pat for the wonderful opportunity!  Thank you to the Baltimore Blast for the Photos and biography on Pat.








Monday, January 26, 2015

Hall Of Fame Balls #19 &20

Here they are ! I've been wanting to add more to my Hall Of Fame ball collection. Luke Appling I picked up for $8 it was a steal at auction. Billy Williams I got for $25 so not bad at all . Thanks for reading !

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Hall Of Fame ball #18

Andre Dawson autographed baseball . I'm happy to add this ball to my collection.


Friday, January 9, 2015

One Goal for 2015

So I decided that I wish to expand my hall of famer signed baseball collection. As of right now I currently have 17 , my goal is to get 50 by the end of 2015. Will I accomplish it? I sure hope so . I have plenty more signed balls of guys who are sure to be first ballot HOF'ers such as Vlad Guerrero, Derek Jeter , etc. I hope you enjoy seeing the collection I have so far ! 




Thursday, January 8, 2015

My interview with Adrian Marin

I was lucky enough to have a chance to do an interview with another baseball player.  He happens to be one of my favorite players.  I wish Adrian the best of luck in the future!

Here is his scouting report courtesy of http://www.scoutingbook.com/players/p3123

"The kind of prospect that makes scouts use the word 'athlete' ten times per report, Baltimore infielder Adrian Marin is a slappy shortstop who's easy to recognize at the plate thanks to his unusual approach. He looked good in his rookie league debut (.287/.339/.360 in 47 games) but he's still a pure potential player at this point. Watch him develop, don't expect much power, and he could be a useful piece of an MLB club in a couple of years."

Did you ever have a host family?  If so, Who did you stay with?
No, never.  I usually just get a couple guys from the team and we all pitch in for an apartment together.

What team did you grow up liking?
I liked the Red Sox growing up, Manny Ramirez and big Papi were one of my favorite duos.  I also enjoyed watching Nomar.

Which of today's players impress you most?
Mike Trout.  I think he's the best player overall in the game. Has all 5 tools and is so young. He's amazing on defense, and an even better offensive player.

Do you have any role models/ inspirations ?
Off the field definitely my mom.  She had to raise me alone and took me to every single practice and at the same time made time for her work. She's very strong and has helped me in life greatly. On the field, Derek Jeter.  He plays the game 100% and plays it the right way.  He's an amazing leader.

You are ranked 11th out of all Orioles prospects.  How does that make you feel? 
It's a great honor, but I have to continue working hard and make my way to the top.

Who is the best pitcher that you've faced up until this point in your career? 
I faced Chris Tillman in spring training and he was definitely one of the best pitchers I've faced.

How old were you when you first started playing baseball? Did you play any other positions?

I started when I was 4. I started by playing anywhere in the outfield and then around the time I was 6, I started playing second base and by 7-8 I started playing shortstop.  Ever since then I've stayed at that position.

If you weren't playing baseball, what would you want to be doing ?

I was really good at football, so maybe I would try that out. But, if not I would probably be studying something surrounding medicine.

What are your offseason plans?
I'm working hard in the gym and really focusing on my hitting technique and learning a lot of the mental part of the offensive game.

Who's your all-time favorite player?
Derek Jeter.

What is your most memorable moment in baseball? 
Getting drafted to play professionally.  It was a dream come true.

What did it feel like being drafted by the Orioles in the 3rd round of the 2012 MLB draft?

It was an amazing feeling. A very nerve wrecking process but once they picked me it was a great relief. I was excited to start right away.

Did you think you would be drafted at all? Earlier?
I thought I was going to get drafted. I just had no idea where. I had so many different predictions from everyone.

Have you ever asked for anyone's autograph? If you could obtain one from anyone in the sports world past or present who would it be?

I've never actually asked for anyone's autograph before. I do look up to some specific players for inspiration, so if I were to ask someone for their autograph it would be Derek Jeter. As far is in the past, it would be awesome to get Babe Ruth's.

Have you ever searched for your stuff online?
I have, but I have decided to stop searching, especially during season. 

Have a lot of people asked for your autograph? If your autograph was worth $50 would you sell your own stuff?
Usually every game fans ask for autographs, I'm just happy to have my own card and grateful for the opportunity.

Thanks for answering my questions, Adrian. It means a lot. Well that's all I had to ask for the interview. Any last remarks?

Alright. Awesome. Thanks for the opportunity.