WM: There have been rumors that the 2005 “A” season will be your last, any truth to the rumor?

MM: Yes, there’s a lot of truth to that rumor. As we are seeing lately a lot of my fellow Hall of Famers are calling it a career like Ruth, Hornsby, Cobb and The Big Train. I think I’ve got one more good year in me, hopefully we can bring these fans here a championship before I hang ‘em up.

WM: So with all of the numbers that you’ve put up, 201 RBI in a season, 72 HR, .427 average. Is there one that means more than all of the others?  

MM: Well in a league like this all numbers you put up are special. But last year leading the league in batting was a huge thrill for me. I’ve been truly blessed to be able to play baseball at such a high level, and I just enjoy being able to go out there and putting on a show for the fans.

WM: You’re 69 homeruns away from 500 for your career, only 5 other players have that many (Ruth, Gehrig, A-Rod, Bonds, Foxx). Does it mean something to you to join those players at that mark?

MM: Those are some great baseball players right there, but 69 homeruns is a lot! I’m not looking to put up certain numbers, that was never important to me. I want to do whatever I can to help the team win, if that means taking walks and getting on base then I’ll do it. I’m always up there looking to hit the ball hard, and I’ve had tremendous success hitting ‘em over the fence, so however many I finish with will be fine with me, I just want another ring…  

WM: Looking ahead to next season what are your thoughts? Barry Bonds has said that he’ll likely miss the entire season. Miguel Cabrera and Brandon Webb are new, and Roy Oswalt is no longer here. What are your strengths and weaknesses? 

MM: Losing Barry for the whole year will be tough, he’s a great ballplayer and we’ll miss him. Getting Miguel will make up for some of that production, he’s a great young hitter, capable of hitting .300 with 35 HR and driving in a bunch of runs. We’ve got a fantastic offense even without Barry though, myself, Miguel and Junior [Griffey] make up a heck of an OF. The defense around the horn should be great with Chavy [Eric Chavez], Raffy [Furcal], Jeff [Kent] and Todd [Helton], and we’ve got a great catching tandem of [Joe] Mauer and [Jason] Varitek. On the mound, we still have Chris Carpenter, Mark Buehrle, and Tim Hudson, plus we added Webb and we’ve got a great youngster in Erik Bedard who might turn some heads. Brad Lidge is lights out at the end of the game, standing in CF I can’t believe how much his slider moves, it’s really scary! I think that the best part of being in Ybor is you know that management is so dedicated to winning that we’re always going to have a good squad, and they’re going to do what it takes to get great players in here. 

WM: Well, thank you so much for coming out and doing this interview for us.

MM: You’re very welcome, I’m just glad we didn’t get into any hard questions!

WM: Well… I’ve got some right here if you want!

MM: Get outta here with those! Haha 

WM: Ok, ok. But seriously, thanks for stopping by, good luck this season and if it really is your last season, it’s been a pleasure watching you play.

MM: Thanks, that means a lot, this is a great city to play baseball in and I’m really going to miss it… but stop talking like that, you’re going to get me all misty eyed.

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Zach Greinke, 06/16/05