JrBB: At what age did you start playing baseball?

Jeff: Well, since I was about two or three years old I’ve been able to catch a ball. I remember whenever my dad would come home from work we would go out in the front yard and play catch.

JrBB: What are some of your favorite memories playing baseball as a youngster?

Jeff: When I was in Little League. Most of the kids in the league went to the same school. So the day of the game, there would always be alot of trashtalk going back and forth saying I’m going to do this and you’re going to do that to me. So it was fun going out there at 6:00 every day and actually going through with it.

JrBB: Who was most influential on you as a kid?

Jeff: Both my parents, definately. But obviously my dad because he was such a baseball fan and he took the time every day to go out there with me and throw the ball around or play a little pepper.

I remember we used to make up games together in the front yard. Stuff like if you hit the picnic table it would be a double, between these trees would be a triple, and so on.

JrBB: As a kid did you dream of playing in the major leagues?

Jeff: Yeah, I think every kid does. But it wasn’t really a reality dream. It was more like I’d love to do it, but I never thought that a kid from Killingworth, or even myself, could ever get there.

JrBB: Who were your heroes as a kid?

Jeff: Carl Yastrzemski was my hero. I was a big Red Sox fan, and I still am. But Carl was The Man when I was growing up.

JrBB: What positions did you play as a kid?

Jeff: I played shortstop and pitcher.

JrBB: How good were you when you played as a kid? Were you a good hitter back then, too?

Jeff: I was a great Little League player. But once I got to the big diamond I was just average.

JrBB: When did you develop your odd batting stance?

Jeff: Some variation of what I have now started when I was a freshman in college, as far as me spreading out.

JrBB: Was there a coach that just seemed to think that that would make a difference?

Jeff: It wasn’t necessarily a coach’s decision. I think it just kind of happened. It wasn’t particularly something that was planned out.

JrBB: Well, if a coach didn’t suggest the new stance and it wasn’t planned out, then what was the mind process behind it?

Jeff: My thinking behind my spread out stance is keeping my eyes on the same level, so they don’t move. It makes me see the ball on one level plane, which is the main idea. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

JrBB: At what point did you think you might have what it takes to get to the Show?

Jeff: I would say after my first year in Cape Cod, which was a summer league I played in. I was supposedly playing with the best players in the game from high school and college at that time. Guys like Albert Belle and Robin Ventura were there. I didn’t have that great of a season though. I only batted .206. But I watched alot of the players and I realized that I could compete with these guys. All I needed was some more playing time. And that gave me the confidence to get there.

JrBB: Tell us about your high school career.

Jeff: Well, my freshman year I played on the freshman team. When I was a sophomore I made varsity. And I can tell you this, I wasn’t great. I might have been better than average, but I wasn’t great.

JrBB: What were your favorite classes in school?

Jeff: I was kind of interested in history.

JrBB: Did you have a plan B in case baseball didn’t work out?

Jeff: No.

JrBB:That was just it?

Jeff: That was it. If I didn’t get here I probably would be living with my two best friends trying to figure out what the heck I want to do with my life.

JrBB: Are there any players in the major leagues that you admire and enjoy watching play?

Jeff: Sure, there’s other players I enjoy watching. I love to see how far McGwire can hit the ball. I love watching A-Rod hit. Juan Gonzalez, Manny Ramirez, and guys like that that are just great hitters. I’m a fan of baseball so I like to see good players play.

JrBB: What goals have you set for yourself as a major league baseball player?

Jeff: I don’t set goals. The only goal I have is to remain healthy for a full year. If I remain healthy, then all the numbers will be there at the end.

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