May 7, 200521 yr Justin Wayne, a former Florida Marlin and now member of the Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers affiliate) answered some questions for us all. Here are those questions and his answers. MarlinsBaseball.com: Can you describe the experience of playing on Team USA? Justin Wayne: It was such a honor to represent my country on the playing field as well the opportunity to travel to some remote places that I otherwise might never have visited. The level of care and dedication involved in playing baseball and learning to respect the game really became evident and made me realize that baseball could only succeed by our fans' support and community involvement. MB.com: Growing up in Hawaii, was playing professional baseball an accessible career to aim for? JW: For the most part, the highest level of competitive baseball in Hawaii was the U. of Hawaii's Div. I baseball team. I was lucky enough to be able to travel to the mainland and watch teams such as the N.Y. Yankees and the L.A. Dodgers during the summer months with my family. We cherished these times and I still believe some of my favorite childhood memories came from our vacations to visit family members and watch professional baseball in New York. As far as an accessible career, I truly believe any individual can create anything for themselves by a good education and supportive friends and family members. MB.com: When did you feel you could be a professional player? Not just dream about being one, but believe you could actually do it? JW: Heading into my junior year of college, many people starting to ask me about the possibility of a professional baseball career. Up until playing with Team USA in the summer of '99, I never realized that the dream of playing in the Show was a possibility. By playing against international and professional competition, I began to have the confidence that I could become a Major League baseball player with hard work and dedication to the game. MB.com: You are now a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, your 3rd organization. One of the all time greats -- Sandy Koufax who was also of Jewish descent played for them. Did you idolize Koufax growing up? JW: As with almost all kids growing up in the 80's, baseball cards were an integral part of growing up. With my dad's knowledge of the game and reading the back of the "Topps" baseball cards, I began to understand the incredible talent involved with being a Major Leaguer. Along with Sandy Koufax, I am pretty sure I idolized any player that I had a card of. But I did know of that fact that one of, if not the greatest left handed pitcher of all time was Jewish, the same religion that I went to Wednesday and Sunday school for; to learn and understand my family's culture, history, and will to survive. MB.com: What is your most memorable baseball moment? JW: I think with playing in the CWS, to traveling with Team USA to foreign countries to represent our country, to getting drafted 5th overall in the 2000 draft, to making my debut with the Florida Marlins in Shea Stadium(I had about 40 friends and family members present), to accepting a World Series ring, to the friendships and life lessons that I have been so lucky enough to be a part of, I don't think any one moment can stand out as the most memorable. I will say though, the opportunity to play this great game might be up there as one of the most memorable moment of my life. MB.com: What would you tell kids who are aspiring to be professional baseball players? JW: Understand that baseball is a great opportunity with the possibility of a long and prosperous career, but without the ability to learn who you are and what you can become, baseball could very well be a distraction to a success life. I believe that I would never be where I am today with the opportunity I had to go to college. MB.com: Were your parents supportive when you told them you wanted to play baseball? JW: Above and beyond anything else, my parents want to see me be happy and succeed at everything I do. I am pretty sure that by the time I left college, they had put enough influence on my life that they realized that I would make the decision that was best for me. And even if that not be the case, they know that I know they will always support me in everything and anything I do. MB.com: It is said baseball players are superstitious, do you have any superstitions? JW: I am not one to be superstitious, but I do believe in putting my pants on one leg at a time. MB.com: If you weren't playing baseball, what do you see yourself doing? JW: For the last five years, while trying to make my way and maintain a Major League Career, I truly have taken the mentality that I will keep 100% of my focus on baseball, not trying to find an alternative career. This doesn't mean that I never have thought about about other options, but going into pro ball, I made a big decision to not distract my goal of baseball by doubting my chances of succeeding. MB.com (User Question by Phoenix) : How influential were your teachers in school and who was your biggest role model? JW: I found out, luckily, at a very young age that my school teachers all had my best interests in mind. Along with my parents and coaches, they helped shape and mold my ideals and intellect and the ability to succeed in life.
May 8, 200521 yr You can tell Justin went to Stanford (or a similarly elite university) by his writing. You can also tell he'll be successful at anything he does once he puts baseball behind him.
May 8, 200521 yr Great interview, Admin. Thanks a ton for doing this, Justin. I hope everything goes well for you out there in Vegas and you make the big club soon. You'll be fine as long as you resist the wenches and fight off the bookies. You can tell Justin went to Stanford (or a similarly elite university) by his writing. 766264[/snapback] Was I the only one who thought the responses read just like a rosy college application essay?--right down to the curious word choice, cutesy awkwardness, and grammatical errors? hehe...while reading the responses, I was actually picturing a stuffy English professor pulling out the dreaded red pen and marking up little Justin Wayne's term paper. (Oh, and if you're reading this, Justin, I'm not knocking you at all. You're smarter than 99% of pro athletes, and most of us, for that matter...the grammatical errors just prove you're human. :thumbup ) EDIT: by the way, i'm not at all dissing justin, who is clearly a smart guy, and it doesn't surprise me one bit that he went to stanford. jesus christ...lighten up.
May 8, 200521 yr Mililani High> Punahou :plain 766443[/snapback] Jasmine Trias > all. (s***, I hope she's legal)
May 8, 200521 yr Author Was I the only one who thought the responses read just like a rosy college application essay?--right down to the curious word choice, cutesy awkwardness, and grammatical errors? 766446[/snapback] He apologized beforehand for any grammatical errors as he was in the distracting clubhouse with a game on tv while writing the answers. :thumbup
May 8, 200521 yr Mililani High> Punahou? :plain 766443[/snapback] Jasmine Trias > all. (s***, I hope she's legal) 766447[/snapback] OMG, here in Hawaii they are giving out these free Jasmine Trias Cards/CD's. Anyway she lives in Mililani. I can understand giving away Justin Wayne baseball cards but Jasmine Trias? WTF And yes she is legal (Graduated last year) :plain
May 8, 200521 yr Was I the only one who thought the responses read just like a rosy college application essay?--right down to the curious word choice, cutesy awkwardness, and grammatical errors? 766446[/snapback] He apologized beforehand for any grammatical errors as he was in the distracting clubhouse with a game on tv while writing the answers. :thumbup 766450[/snapback] fair enough. half of the time i can't even capitalize. like now.
May 8, 200521 yr I can understand giving away Justin Wayne baseball cards but Jasmine Trias? WTF 766453[/snapback] heh, you should see the kinds of trading cards they hand out on the las vegas strip. justin can probably tell you all about them.
May 8, 200521 yr Mililani High> Punahou :plain 766443[/snapback] Jasmine Trias > all. (s***, I hope she's legal) 766447[/snapback] OMG, here in Hawaii they are giving out these free Jasmine Trias Cards/CD's. Anyway she lives in Mililani. I can understand giving away Justin Wayne baseball cards but Jasmine Trias? WTF And yes she is legal (Graduated last year) :plain 766453[/snapback] who is Jasmine Trias?
May 9, 200521 yr good stuff as always Admin. and thanks to Justin Wayne! Always cool for players to do these interviews. Hope he gets a shot with the Dodgers. :thumbup
May 9, 200521 yr Very Cool Thanks Admin 766265[/snapback] Thank Justin too! :thumbup 766422[/snapback] Thanks Justin :thumbup
May 9, 200521 yr If the Dodgers signed him than Paul DePodesta must have seen something the Marlins missed. Hope that's not the case and this doesn't come back and bite us in the ass.
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