September 12, 2011
Hangin' out with ... Mike Aviles
by Ian Browne/
Mike Aviles
Hangin' out with ... Mike Aviles:
How did you get started playing baseball?: “My dad. Baseball is kind of in my family — my mom’s side of the family, my dad’s side of the family. It’s just something that’s always been the preferred sport in our family. That’s kind of how I got into. I remember my mom telling me I was in the crib with a baseball in my hand and a bat.”
What’s the key for a young player hoping to play at the next level?: “First, never believe what other people say. There’s a lot of people that will doubt you because of your size or where you play or the competition you play against. Basically, always believing in yourself is definitely No. 1, that’s one thing I’ve always thrived upon, is always believing in myself, whether anyone else has faith in me or not. I feel like it’s a self motivator.”
What is the biggest highlight of your career so far?: “The highlight of my career? I would honestly have to say, for right now, it would be just getting called up. Getting called up was arguably one of my best days just because all that hard work I put in ultimately in high school, college, minor leagues, to finally get an opportunity to play in the big leagues, it was unbelievable. The second would be just to get traded over here to Boston.”
How did you wind up with No. 3 with the Red Sox?: “Funny thing about No. 3. It’s always been my backup number. Thirteen has been my number because it’s my birthday, March 13. Any time I haven’t been able to get it, I usually wind up with 3. My first time in the big leagues, I wore 30 because 13 was taken. And this year was the first year I got 13 in the majors, and I got traded, and Carl Crawford has it with Boston. When I got traded here, they told me I’d wear 3. That works, because it’s always been either 3, 13 or 30.”
Who was your most influential coach or manager along the way?: “I’ve had so, so many just because guys have always been there for me. If I had to pick only one, coming through the minor leagues, it would have to be Mike Jirschele with Omaha. Since 2006, I’ve had parts of four or five seasons down there with him. He’s a really good guy and is really helpful as far as understanding the game and helping me grow up. If I had to pick only one, especially through the minor leagues, it would be him.”
What’s the best advice you’ve received?: “Go out and play ball. I’ve heard it numerous times. It’s just ‘be you’ and ‘play ball.’ In all honesty, that’s what this game is all about. You get to the big leagues because you have the talent. Now it’s all about refining it. A lot of times you just have to go out and play and just be you and be the player you know you can be. I think everything else will work out for the best.”
What is your best preparation tool?: “Video, no, because I’m terrible with video. I look at video, I even look at good swings, and I think there’s something wrong. I have to sit down with the hitting coach and figure it out. If something is off, I have to look at video with the hitting coach. Day of game, I just like to chill and relax and take my rounds in the cage and take my groundballs. Days I don’t play, I do way more. You have to get those extra positions in. Basically, I like to keep it simple and conserve energy for the game.”
Are you superstitious or rigid with your pregame meals or other routines?: “I used to when I was younger. I’ve gotten to the point where it doesn’t matter what I’m going to eat. It’s not going to make me get two hits or three hits or affect the outcome of the game. I just try to eat healthy and keep myself prepared. Just stay nice and loose and try not to be filled on fatty foods.”
Who is your most memorable teammate so far?: “If I had to pick one so far, in all honesty, the guy who helped me a lot in my rookie year was Mark Grudzielanek. He was a second baseman, and I was a shortstop, and he kind of showed me the way of how things are and what to expect. To this day, I appreciate everything he ever did for me.”
What’s the best part about playing in Fenway?: “The fans. They’re unbelievable. Just knowing that there’s an absolutely packed house there waiting for you to do something good so they can cheer you on. They are so in to baseball. It makes the game enjoyable. It makes you proud to come to the park and put that uniform on.”
What is your favorite visiting field?: “It’s going to sound bad, but it’s Yankee Stadium, and the reason behind it is because I’m from New York and it gives me an opportunity to see my family. It’s not just going there, it’s because of the proximity issue with my family, and I don’t get to see them all year.”
FAVORITES
Movie: “‘Dumb and Dumber,’ without a doubt.”
Actor: “It has to be Al Pacino.”
TV series: “I like the murder mystery shows, like ‘Cold Case Files.’ I don’t know what it is about those shows, seeing the forensic side out of how those cases get solved.”
Nice meal: “Steak. I don’t eat seafood. I’m a big fan of steakhouses.”
Dessert: “I like them. I try not to eat them. It’s just not a good thing. Every now and then, I do splurge. If you feed your body healthy stuff 95 percent of the time, it’s fine.”
Music: “Mostly rap and R&B.”
Vacation spot: “My only vacation I’ve taken in the last eight-something years was my honeymoon. My wife and I are planning a vacation this offseason, but we don’t know exactly where we want to go. It’s almost like, at the end of the year, do I really want to get on a plane and go somewhere else? I live in Utah in the offseason. It’s so nice and quiet out there. I live in St. George, it’s a golf community. Nice, family atmosphere. People are nice.”
Sport besides baseball: “I would have to say football. I like college football. I don’t even have a favorite team. I just like to watch all the games on Saturday.”
Idol growing up: “Ken Griffey Jr. I was a Seattle fan growing up because of him.”
Video game: “No, I’m terrible at them. I used to be good at Nintendo when I was a kid. Once I got older, I was just no good at it anymore.”
Hobby: “I like to watch movies. I don’t really have time for other hobbies. When I get a little time off from baseball, I like to spend time with my wife and kids.”
EQUIPMENT
Glove: Rawlings
Batting gloves: Franklin.
Bat: “Anything. If it feels good, I’ll use it. I’ll use every model and every company.”
Spikes: Nike
This article originally appeared in the September 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal.
