August 19, 2011
Hangin' out with ... Josh Reddick
by Ian Browne/
Red Sox outfielder Josh Reddick says playing at Yankee Stadium keeps him on his toes. (photo: Getty Images)
Hangin' out with ... Josh Reddick
How did you get started playing baseball?: “My first memories were tee ball and then on, what every little kid does, just playing Little League and playing the game every day. Some kids dream of doing what they do, and being a Major League Baseball player was the only plan I had — there was no backup plan.”
What’s the key for a young player hoping to play at the next level?: “The best I could tell somebody is just to work hard and never give up and don’t let anyone tell you you’re not good enough. I had people tell me that when I was growing up and that I’d never have the chance. But I just threw that aside and believed what I believed and didn’t care what anybody else thought.”
What is the biggest highlight of your career so far?: “Hitting a homer at Tampa Bay in July with my dad and other family members in the stands. That was awesome. I’ll never forget it.”
How did you wind up with No. 16?: “I’ve run the gamut here. I have nothing to do with any of my number changes here. I just keep putting on what they give me. I’ll wear 00 if they want me to.”
Who was your most influential coach or manager along the way?: “Probably one of my biggest steps was with hitting coach Dave Joppie in the minors. I really turned things around with my walk rate. He kept me in my zone of being really happy, whether I was doing well or terrible. He had the same mindset every day coming to the ballpark. He made you feel like the same person whether you were hitting .200 or .300.”
What’s the best advice you’ve received?: “Just the advice my dad gave me. He was a guy growing up that nobody liked as a player, so he taught me that same mentality, not to care what others think and I’ve stuck with it and still stick with it today. Let the game come to you and play hard like you know how.”
What is your best preparation tool?: “A huge step this year has been watching the video. The stuff we have up here is great and Billy Broadbent, our video guy, does a great job. You can look at how a guy pitches lefties, how he pitches righties. What he throws in certain situations. I like to watch the hits a pitcher has given up. That gives me an idea of what to look for.”
Are you superstitious or rigid with your routine?: “This whole year, I’ve gone with a tight compression shirt under all my stuff. That’s really the only thing that’s stayed the same. I did find a penny in my first call-up this season in left field, so I put it in my hat and taped it so it wouldn’t go anywhere.”
Who is your most memorable teammate so far?: “My closest friend in the minors who I’ve had the closest experiences with is Mark Wagner. We still talk on a regular basis, and we’ve become best friends. He’s from California; I’m from Georgia. We go see each other every offseason. Last year when I wasn’t doing so great, he kept me in a great mood. He’s one of the best roommates I ever had.”
What’s the best part about playing in Fenway?: “You always have great fans here. They always keep you on your toes.”
What is your favorite visiting field?: “New York was different. Those fans get on you twice as much as anywhere else. Baltimore will always be special because that’s where I made my debut and hit my first homer.”
FAVORITES
Movie: “‘Boondock Saints.’ Both of them.”
Actor: “I’ll have to go with the one everybody says I look like — Seann William Scott. Stifler from ‘American Pie.’”
Music: “Country. I’ve always been an Alan Jackson fan. I stick with classic country.”
Nice meal: “I’m a big seafood guy. I love going out and eating seafood. When I’m on the road, I don’t really choose. They invite me and I go. I don’t care.”
Dessert: “I keep it simple. I’m usually a chocolate cake kind of guy. If I’m down South, maybe a slice of apple pie or something.”
Vacation spot: “I’ve gone on a cruise the last two offseasons. That’s always a blast. I went to Mexico, and then last year I went to the Bahamas. I’m trying to figure out where I want to go this year. This year, I want to go on a big fishing trip for a week.”
Sport besides baseball: “I played basketball growing up. Baseball and basketball were about it. Both seasons were fun because basketball kept me in shape running up and down. Now I enjoy a little bit of golf when I go home.”
Idol growing up: Ken Griffey Jr.
Video game: “I’m more into the ‘Guitar Hero’ or ‘Rock Band’ stuff than the ‘Call of Duty.’ I enjoy getting interactive with it.”
Hobby: “Definitely fishing.”
EQUIPMENT
Glove: Wilson
Batting gloves: Franklin
Bat: Old Hickory
Spikes: New Balance
This article originally appeared in the August 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal.
