February 23, 2011
Hangin' out with ... Dan Wheeler
Q&A with the new Red Sox reliever
by Ian Browne/
Red Sox reliever Dan Wheeler (Warwick, R.I.) (photo: J. Meric/Getty Images)
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the March 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal.
Boston Red Sox right-handed relief pitcher Dan Wheeler (Warwick, R.I.) hangs out with New England Baseball Journal to talk about growing up in Rhode Island, rooting for the Red Sox, pitching in the World Series — and playing Super Mario with his boys.
How did you get started playing baseball?
“My mom was a big believer in making sure we did stuff as kids. We weren’t just going to sit around and play video games all day. My mom and dad always signed me up for certain things. I think I played soccer and basketball and baseball and a couple of other things. I loved basketball, but baseball is the one that really stuck. When I started playing, I had an immediate love for it.”
What’s the key for a young player hoping to play at the next level, especially one who grew up in a cold-weather climate like you did in Rhode Island?
“I think one of the things that helped me out is I played other sports. I didn’t just play baseball. Living down in Florida now, everything is baseball, baseball, baseball. You can play baseball year-round, and I think you can definitely get burned out on it. I think if you go out and play other sports, that just enhances your athletic ability. Don’t take it too seriously. Just go out and enjoy it and have fun and just play the game.”
What is the biggest highlight of your career so far?
“Being able to pitch in a World Series. I’ve gotten to do it with two different teams, and there’s nothing like it. I hope to pitch there again, and I hope to pitch there again real soon. I was on the mound with the Astros in ’05 at St. Louis when we advanced to the World Series. I got the final out at Busch Stadium and that will be a memory I’ll never forget.”
Who was your most influential coach or manager along the way?
“There’s a number of guys. I can’t just pick one guy. I’d definitely have to say my Little League coach; he was real instrumental in giving me the basics. His name was Jim Dawber. He coached me in Little League and in Legion. As far as professionally, I’ve had a number of different pitching coaches: Jim Hickey, Jackie Brown, Chuck Hernandez, Guy Hanson. There’s just a number of guys who have just given me little things to take from them.”
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
“I don’t know if it was one specific thing. I was very fortunate to be around older, veteran guys when I was younger. When I was with the Mets, the likes of David Weathers and John Franco and Mike Stanton. Then when I got traded to Houston; Russ Springer was really influential in helping me become the player that I am today. I think the most important thing they showed me was to be a professional and to trust and believe in my stuff. What the book says might not necessarily mean exactly what you do. You have to still go and do what’s best for you, as far as your strengths.”
What kind of goals do you have going forward?
“The first thing I want to accomplish is to win a World Series. That’s the most important thing. I’ve been close twice. I want to be on that team that is celebrating last. I’ve always said to my family, I’ve always wanted to pitch until I’m 40. That would be a benchmark for me. Every day, I try to put myself in position to do that.”
What is your favorite way to prepare for a game?
“Just staying active. I can’t just sit around and do nothing. I think we do that a lot, and I’m always trying to stick to my routine. That’s the most important thing, whether it’s getting in early or getting some cardio in or some movements with weights and stuff. I think that’s the most important thing.”
Who is your most memorable teammate?
“Russ Springer and David Weathers. Those guys have been a big part of me, just watching what they’ve done over their 15-year careers. That’s something I aspire to. We were all in the same position, just at different times in our careers. I can just envision myself following in their paths. They are good paths to follow.”
Are you superstitious when it comes to pregame meals and things like that?
“I have a routine that I do. It’s more just to kind of get ready. There’s a couple of things I like to do, but it’s nothing crazy. It’s nothing out of the ordinary where I have to eat chicken every day.”
What’s the best part about playing in Fenway?
“The atmosphere. There’s no question. I’m looking forward to it. It’s definitely going to be different. They are actually on my side now, which I’m pretty excited about. There’s just an energy of that ballpark and the history that ballpark has. It’s amazing. I love it, and I don’t know if there’s really words that can describe Fenway. It’s a unique place. I’m a big fan of baseball history, and it’s great what they’ve done with the place and how it’s packed every night. I’m real excited about that.”
Who were your favorite Red Sox players as a kid?
“I had a couple. Mike Greenwell was one. Roger Clemens. Wade Boggs. I also liked Mo Vaughn and Nomar Garciaparra. Those guys were a little later on.”
How many Sox games did you go to at Fenway when you were a kid?
“I probably went about 10 or 12 times growing up. We were playing a lot. At that time, I was probably more interested in playing.”
FAVORITES
Favorite movie: “Old School” or “Wedding Crashers”
Favorite actor: “Vince Vaughn or Will Ferrell. Those guys work great together.”
Favorite nice meal: Steak
Favorite dessert: “Maybe like a chocolate molten lava cake. Those are pretty good or a tiramisu.”
Favorite vacation spot: “We went to the Caribbean once and we went to Aruba on our honeymoon, and we loved it. Anything in that area. We’ve made a couple of trips to Europe, but that was more for my wife. I like to be somewhere real relaxed.”
Favorite music group: Dave Matthews and Pearl Jam
Favorite TV series: “Oh, I could go on for days about those. Favorite all-time? ‘Seinfeld’ is up there. I’m into ‘Dexter’ right now. ‘Entourage’ has always been good.”
Favorite video game: “I have a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old, two boys. And I have a little girl, she’s only 3 months, but the boys both love the Wii. They can’t get enough of Super Mario. It kind of brings me back to when I was a kid.”
Favorite sports besides baseball: Football
EQUIPMENT
Glove: Mizuno
Spikes: Mizuno
