
As a native, how would you describe the baseball culture in Rhode Island?
"I don’t think the talent pool in Rhode Island is any smaller than other states, but because it’s so small there’s only so many people. Everyone in Rhode Island kind of roots for each other because it’s not really a hotbed baseball state. When you see a guy make it, it kind of gives other guys hope. Rocco Baldelli is probably the most well known, but Jeff Beliveau and Chris Iannetta went to Hendricken and Saint Ray’s, then went on to play in the minors and proved they could make it through. That’s why all the guys root for each other. We’re a small state and might not have as many big names, but you look to make it as far as you can and hope the next guy makes it further. It’s such a small state, everyone knows everyone. We were in the airport in Jacksonville last weekend and met C.J. Dandeneau from UConn. I’d never spoken to him in my life, but we talked for 45 minutes in TSA because I knew he went to La Salle and we played against each other. Now I’ll say hello to him every time I see him."