Guest Blogger Haley Hits for the Cycle During an Interview with David Price

I have never let someone else take the helm of my blog before, even on a one-time basis, but there is but one Haley Smilow.  So maybe it is time for me to do some “paying it forward” and provide a forum for a budding M L B beat reporter/ interview guru. I know Haley doesn’t need a lot of help as her accolades and accomplishments already at a young age simply blow my mind.

I always try and encourage writers both young and mature to find their own groove and take their time writing what they enjoy, or what might inform or entertain people. To paraphrase a old saying, “If you enjoy what you do, it will never be work”. I have a feeling Haley will never have to work a day in her life, only enjoy what she does with passion and joy.

So please welcome my first ever guest blogger the aspiring journalist Miss Haley as she gives us an inspiring and in-depth interview she did with Tampa Bay Rays  southpaw extraordinaire David Price in one of the that holiest place within Tropicana Field, the Rays dugout:

Do you have a favorite ballpark other than Tropicana and why?  And is there a ballpark where you feel you always play well in? 

DP: I like Target Field.  We usually stay close to the stadium, so we can walk there.  They have great food and I like the self-serve ice cream machine.  I feel like I play well at Fenway.  It is a good park for lefty pitching especially when facing a heavily stacked right handed team.

Do you have any nicknames that teammates call you? 

DP: The Latin guys call me “Precio” Spanish for Price, and Homeright.

Do you have any superstitions or rituals? 

DP: I would say more like routines.  I always wear the same green Tampa Bay shirt and cap to the stadium.  When we are on the road, I take guys out to eat and pay for lunch and cabs.  I feel like its good karma and that will come back to me.

Better Inning? 3 Pitches – 3 Outs or 9 Pitches – 3 Strike Outs? 

DP: Good question!!  I used to be really focused on getting the strike outs, but now I think 3 pitches/3 outs.  First pitch outs are the way to keep the pitch count down and to go deep in games.

Is there a batter you really don’t like to face? 

DP: Yes, Danny Valencia.  Lifetime he is 9 for 12 against me.  No matter what team he’s been on, he always hits me hard.  The last time we played the Orioles he went 2 for 3 with an RBI double, a single and a walk against me.

How did you prepare yourself for games and facing hitters? 

DP: I prepare by trying to execute my pitches.  I like to stick to my style of pitching and my strengths instead of trying to pitch to batter’s weaknesses.

First Round draft pick in 2007, starting pitcher for the 2010 All – Star game, winning the 2012 Cy Young and of course the cover of MLB 2K 13 what are some of your other accomplishments you are proud of? 

DP: I would have to say winning left handed pitcher of the year award in 2010 and Player’s Choice in 2012.  Player’s Choice in my opinion is more important than Cy Young because it is voted on by your peers.  It means a lot that my teammates and opponents think that highly of me and my pitching.

Where does your love of baseball come from? 

DP: My parents.  We always watched baseball together as a family.  I would come home from school, play baseball, eat dinner and then watch a game on TV.  It has been a part of my life always.

If you could go back in time who would you want to play baseball with? 

DP: Would have to say Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente.  I would also love to play with Dwight Gooden he was an incredible pitcher.  I think it would be fun to compete against them.

If I could change one thing about baseball it would be? 

DP: After a batter has two strikes, a foul should be strike three.  It would keep the game moving faster.

If you weren’t playing baseball what could you see yourself doing?  

DP: I would be a teacher and coach.  I love kids.

Favorite baseball movie?  

DP: “Sandlot”.  I have seen it so many times that if I just hear one line, I know its Sandlot.

 5 songs on your I pod that are on repeat?  

DP: Oh man, I just got asked that question the other day and it took me like 20 minutes to come up with three!!  I would have to say Young Jeezy “Hustler’s Ambition” and “Go Hard”, Lindsey Stirling and Coldplay.

What is your favorite thing to cook?

DP:  Spaghetti, it’s hard to mess up.  I don’t make my own sauce I just get the Prego.

Have you ever been Pranked? 

DP: Yes, Sean Rodriguez pranked James Shields and me on M L B Fan Cave.  Sean Rodriguez planned it and we had to do a couple “fake” promos.  For one segment I was supposed to scream in a high pitched voice and jump in Sean’s arms like a girl because of a shark.  They got me to do it like five times before they told me.  That was a good one.

One-thing fans don’t know about you?  

DP: I do not run my dog Astro’s twitter account.

What do you do for fun other then baseball?  

DP: Normal everyday things.  I play with my dog, hang out with my girlfriend Tiffany, and video games.  I like to do many things that kids like to do.  I don’t like to take extreme chances like skydiving or bungee jumping, just like to be as normal as possible.

What wouldn’t you leave your home without?  DP: My cell phone.  It’s how I keep in touch with friends and family.  I also run my twitter account through it.

Do you have any other favorite sports besides Baseball?

DP: I love basketball and golf.  I would like to play professional golf because you get to go to beautiful locals and the weather is always nice.  Not like pitching in 45 degrees in the rain.

What are some of your biggest challenges and how did you over come them?  

DP: Just staying focused and staying positive when you are struggling in a game.  I try to execute my pitches and keep my mentality positive.

What advice would you give to young players?  

DP: Have fun it’s a game.

 

Renegade: That was an awesome and insightful interview Haley! I know we all learned a bit more about the Rays premier southpaw.

I want to thank  Junior Baseball Magazine and Haley Smilow for this fantastic contribution.  If you wish you read more of Haley’s posts please click on this link and it will redirect you to her MLBlogs.com . If you want to be one of the army of Twitter followers, feel free to click here and it will take you to her Twitter feed. 

I truly look forward to Haley’s  future M L B adventures and her budding M L B beat reporter or columnist gig in the future.  Thank you again Haley!