Darin Erstad Chat Transcript
Question: Can you talk about the mindset of being a leadoff hitter? Is it something that's new to you as a big league player? How do you prepare for hitting there?
Darin Erstad:
I'm not like a Rickey Henderson type of leadoff hitter. Last year I tried to be, but this year our hitting coach Rod Carew has told me not to take strikes and to take them if they throw them.
I try and hit like a No. 3 hitter. I wouldn't be a leadoff hitter on a different team.
Question: Does your success say maybe you ought to move guys who have been No. 2 or 3 to the leadoff spot?
Darin Erstad:
I don't get on base as much, but I hit for more power. If I stay here longer, I might drop lower in the order. It's just a different type of situation here.
Question: I'd like to talk about your success with Interleague Play. Did they just catch you at the right time?
Darin Erstad:
It caught me at the right time. Last year I didn't do anything against the NL teams! I just feel comfortable at the plate.
Question: How many Major Leaguers have won a national football championship with Nebraska like you did? Did the high-intensity atmosphere down there help you?
Darin Erstad:
That helped --playing in front of 80,000 people on national TV. I was very happy with the way things went there. It can only help me in the future.
Question: What can you point to that's allowed your club to get so hot over the past few weeks?
Darin Erstad:
Tough to point to just one thing. One thing is playing great defense -- that's been carrying us.
Question: By winning the four-game series against Texas, how did that help your team?
Darin Erstad:
It proved to us that we can play Texas. We went there and took three of four. That gives us a lot of confidence.
Question: When you got involved with football, did you do that to turn pro, or were you playing it as a backup sport to keep in shape during the off-season?
Darin Erstad:
There was no intention of even trying to play in the NFL. I had a great opportunity and didn't want to turn it down.
Question: You moved up pretty quickly to the Major Leagues. Did that help you, or would you have rather had more time in the minors?
Darin Erstad:
What helped me was playing in the Arizona Fall League in '95 -- that may have helped me jump over Class AA. When Edmonds went down with an injury, it was a good opportunity for me.
Question: When you had to switch over from the outfield to first base, how did that change you?
Darin Erstad:
It was tough. I had never taken a ground ball in my life! There is stuff that doesn't go through your mind when you are out in the outfield, that you have to concentrate on when you are playing in the infield.
Question: Do you feel you could make that switch again if you had to?
Darin Erstad:
I still play both positions -- first base and left field. Yes. I could make the switch.
Question: Explain how this team has been able to stay in first place with so many guys on the disabled list?
Darin Erstad:
That's been the best part of this whole thing -- we haven't had our whole lineup in there yet. The attitude here is to just go out and play hard. We have great team efforts day in and day out.
Question: I just looked over the AL All-Star voting and you guys don't have anybody in the top eight in any category. Is that a rallying cry for your club?
Darin Erstad:
That doesn't surprise me one bit. That is going to happen here. We just don't get the notoriety most teams do. But it doesn't bother us as a team.
Question: On the other hand, you are having an All-Star year. Do you think you could make it as a backup?
Darin Erstad:
I don't care if I make it. If it happens, it happens. It won't change the way I approach anything.
Question: When Cecil Fielder came to the Yankees, people said it was a positive thing for the clubhouse. Has he had the same impact in Anaheim?
Darin Erstad:
Yes, without question. He is one of the best clubhouse leaders I have ever seen. Especially when I was with him at first base during Spring Training. He is always upbeat and making sure everyone is loose.
Question: Were you disappointed that the Angels didn't make a stronger run to get Mike Piazza from the Marlins?
Darin Erstad:
We can't afford to give up too much, but it just didn't work out. We didn't worry about it too much.
Question: Can you envision the club trying to get a starting pitcher with all of the injuries?
Darin Erstad:
It 's hard to say. We could use another starter. That might come in the next month or two. But we are just going out there and playing.
Question: Who has been the leader on the team?
Darin Erstad:
We have a good mix of intense guys and loose guys. This is a team of grinders. Salmon, Edmonds .. it's just intense baseball.
Question: How much has manager Terry Collins defined that too?
Darin Erstad:
He has brought intensity with him. He is a perfect for this team.
Question: You were a No. 1 pick. Do you think you don't fit into that kind of marquee-player mode?
Darin Erstad:
I don't even think about it. I don't look at myself as a marquee player. I like to get my fingers dirty and play hard that way.
Question: Does the leadoff spot really matter after the start of the game? Is the pressure just on at the beginning?
Darin Erstad:
The first time up is the toughest time. Hitting first is great after that, because you get more at-bats than anyone else.
Question: Last year you were comfortable hitting with two strikes. Are you still comfortable with that?
Darin Erstad:
No -- not as much as I was last year. I was trying to pull the ball too much.
Question: When you were the No. 1 pick, was that a lot of pressure for you?
Darin Erstad:
I never even thought about it. I have never felt any pressure. It doesn't affect the way I play.
Question: But you're still comfortable with your power swing at the moment?
Darin Erstad:
You are always looking to improve, but things seem to be going well.
Question: Darin, you guys have played great since that brawl. Did it help you guys?
Darin Erstad:
I think we won seven in a row before that, too. It can really unite a team. It's only helped I think.
