SHUHEI MATSUO
Assistant Online Editor
After receiving three preseason awards, Brett Hunter has the most expectations on the baseball team. With the 2008 season under way, the junior pitcher sat down for a session of “10 Minutes With…” to talk about his personal life, the clown on the team, Pam Anderson, his view on steroids in baseball and more.
You were recently named to Baseball America’s 2008 Preseason All-American first team. What does this mean to you?
“It’s a great honor to me. However, I’m very humble about it. You know, you don’t want to dwell on it too much. You want to go out there, and you don’t want to change anything. I’m just focused on getting my team to Omaha and going out there and win every time I pitch.”
The team lost quite a few players from last year’s squad. Who do you miss the most?
“I don’t think I miss anybody the most, but I think we definitely have some holes to fill. Barry Enright, Danny Worth and some other guys like that, but I think we are going to be just fine. You know, our outlook is great for the upcoming season. We’ve got some really good guys to step up in their place, and they are doing a great job so far.”
Who’s the clown on the team?
“It’s probably going to be (junior) Bryce Mendonca, for sure. If you had seen his haircut, you’d understand why. He’s got almost a little Chuck Liddell haircut with the Mohawk up on the head and he’s got a little half chinstrap on his chin, so it’s pretty funny. He’s always joking around, having a good time, but he works hard.”
You are from Moorpark, which is pretty local. Had you thought about going to college away from home?
“I did, but it was an easy decision for me to come here. I really liked the coaching staff, and what’s better than playing baseball in Malibu? Not much. So it wasn’t a tough decision for me.”
I hear you guys get to hang out with Pam Anderson quite often. What’s she like in real life?
“I wouldn’t call it ‘hanging out,’ but she’s had us over to her house a couple of times and made dinner for us and stuff like that. She is really nice, really down to earth. She is just really caring and a great lady.”
If you weren’t playing baseball, what would you be doing?
“Probably going to school and getting an education still and maybe trying to do some business stuff on the side, I guess, if I couldn’t play sports.”
Did you play any other sports in high school?
“No. In high school, I just played baseball.”
What’s your favorite baseball team?
“It’s actually the Atlanta Braves. Kind of weird, but I’ve always liked them since I was a little kid and I stuck with it.”
Who is your favorite player?
“I actually have two: Jonathan Papelbon and Curt Schilling. Not from the Braves, but they are my favorite players.”
Roger Clemens, Brian McNamee and Andy Pettitte have been a hot topic in baseball right now. What’s up with steroids and baseball?
“You know, I don’t even follow it too much, honestly. I don’t think it’s a big thing at the college level anymore just because we get tested so much. I stay away from it. There is no need for me to be involved in it.”
What is your biggest pet peeve?
“Probably when people don’t work hard. That, especially on the team, really bothers me. Just because I’m out there every day, giving everything I’ve got. It’s a team sport. Everybody has to be working hard.”
How’s the team looking this year?
“I think we are looking real good. We’ve got a lot of new guys, but those new guys are also very good athletes, and I think they are going to step in, as I said earlier, fill those holes perfect. From what I’ve seen so far, it’s going to be a great season for us and am looking forward to it. Can’t wait to get to Omaha.”
03-20-2008
