Eagle-Tribune Blogs: Burt Talks Sports

Curt Schilling proclaimed himself ready for the season after pitching 4 2/3 innings (56 pitches) Wednesday night against the Twins, giving up just two hits while striking out one and not walking a batter. He finishes his spring have given up four runs over 19 innings, while having developed an increased confidence in his change-up.

He will now throw a side session on Friday before starting the season opener Monday in Kansas City.

Now for Part 2 of the Bradford On Baseball speaker series (See scouting director Jason McLeod for Part 1): Mike Lowell.

Mike, what do you do in your spare time to escape from the grind of a season? Your father has played a huge role in your life, what tools would you say he instilled, baseball wise, to make you one of the truly classy guys in the game who plays it the right way?

Mike Lowell: In my spare time I like to hang out with my family because time is so limited, it’s a nice escape and it take you away from the season. My dad, the thing he taught me the best was to respect everybody in the game but not to fear anyone. I think you can approach that in life, whether you’re a garbage man or the best attorney in the world people deserve to be treated nice. Just because I’m in the public eye I don’t think I am better than anybody or deserve a different type of respect, and that’s one thing he instilled in me. He also showed me the mental way to play, trying to maximize your physical talent by being prepared

After playing alongside Alex Gonzalez for so many years, what’s your impression of Julio Lugo’s defense? And how does playing with a new shortstop affect your defensive approach?

ML: I think I’ve been tremendously spoiled playing next to Alex Gonzalez the last eight years because I don’t think there is a defensive shortstop better than him. So far I think (Julio) Lugo is very athletic, he moves around well, but I think we have to see him during the season to see what he really is. We’re just getting bits and pieces here in spring training. A new shortstop affects me much less than maybe a new second baseman. I just kind of see how he moves to his right and that allows me to cheat to my right. Lugo is very athletic, he’s not a slow-moving guy so he should be able to get to a lot of balls.

Are you involved with any charities? What are your personal goals for this season?

ML: I’m involved in the Mike Lowell Foundation which works closely with the Miami Children’s Hospital and helps pay for cancer treatment for kids. It’s not cancer research but cancer treatment because there are a lot of families who can’t pay for that stuff. My goals are to stay healthy and be consistent. I think if I do those things the numbers will be there.

Hardest pitcher you’ve ever faced?

ML: John Smoltz when he’s closing.

Pitcher you have had the most success against?

ML: I don’t want to say because he might come back to get me.

Best teammate you’ve ever had?

ML: Mike Redmond.

Best team you’ve ever been on?

ML: 2003 Florida Marlins.

Best moment on the field?

ML: For a team it was winning the World Series. Personally, it was hitting a home run in Game 1 of the NLCS.

There’s such a difference between playing for the Marlins and the Red Sox, as far as pressure and expectations go. Could you ask Mr. Lowell why, in his opinion, some players blossom under that pressure, and others wilt? How does he deal with it himself?

ML: (Great question, but Mike wants to refer you to story that will be running in The Eagle-Tribune Friday for the answer.)

What was the greatest bit of advice you have ever gotten when in your playing career?

ML: Play hard, do your best, and let the chips fall where they may.

How much of a role do you think the dimensions of Fenway Park plays in terms of you hitting and in terms of your fielding?

ML: Going into last season I thought the wall would help me tremendously, but I think it actually took away six home runs. I rather have the six home runs rather than the five doubles and the single. Defensively, I think when I take cut-offs from the left fielder I have to be in position quicker because usually they’re playing so shallow there is usually a quick turnaround. I think that’s the only adjustment.

Any idea why your numbers on the road were better than your numbers at Fenway? Did you change your approach or was it just luck?

ML: I think it was just a fluke thing. I think my numbers are usually better against lefties too and I didn’t hit lefties well either.

Do you think you could have ever made it as a catcher?

(Note: Lowell was actually drafted as a catcher by the New York Yankees, but after five days was switched back to the infield where he had played his entire life.)

ML: Mentally I could have made it, but I’m not sure I would have hit like I would have wanted to because of the grind on your legs.

Who’s the best DJ in the clubhouse?

ML: David Ortiz, whether we like it or not.

Entering your second year with the Red Sox, has there been any change with your comfort level both with the team and with the city of Boston.

ML: Absolutely there’s a comfort level. There’s much less uncertainty because I know the personality of the manager, the staff and the guys on team and I had to learn that last year. Not that it’s a hard thing, but I think it’s much easier to get into a routine this time around.

Who is your favorite current teammate?

ML: Alex Cora.

Outside of baseball, your favorite athlete/team?

ML: Whomever is scoring the most points on my fantasy football team.

Random thing that no one would ever guess about you?

ML: That I am a tremendous … and I mean tremendous … ping-pong player.

I’d love to hear Mike’s thoughts on the possibility of MLB in Havana, Cuba. Does he think the idea is viable, economically and otherwise, and does he think it could happen in his lifetime?

ML: I wouldn’t say no to anything. But under the current regime, I don’t think so.

Questions for Lowell.

Why do you think that baseball never really took off in South Florida. With a large Latin community, I would have thought it would have for sure. Could it be because there is so much more to do down there, than say in, here in Boston? Or is it more simply the fact that the Marlins are not a football team?

ML: Our TV ratings for the Marlins are actually better than average, but the stadium situation kills us because it’s not Miami and it’s not Fort Lauderdale and hits a heavy drive no matter where you are from. I don’t think major league baseball wants it to die because it’s a bridge to Latin America and a new stadium in the right place could really jump-start that organization.

What is your favorite movie?

ML: Scarface, no wait … Wedding Crashers.

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