Bryan Bush Interview

Conducted by Captain Joe Davis, 3/4/09

(Bryan Bush is in his 5th full BAB season and already has 3 Gold Gloves and a Rookie of the Year to his credit. In 2008 he came in 2nd in MVP voting after finishing 5th in 2007; more recently he has been nominated by outgoing commissioner Rob Flores to be his successor. Many have clamored for a Bryan interview in recent weeks, and I finally listened.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JD: Did your then-girlfriend (I believe Gina was her name) really call you Honey Bear in private? Were there any other embarrassing nicknames you're willing to share?

BB: Ya, She called me all kinds of lame shit. That's the only one I remember because when she said it in front of you guys it became my name for BAD ASS and for her. 

JD: As a Raiders fan, especially in the wake of the Deangelo Hall disaster, how did you feel about the Asomugha deal?

BB: I'm glad for him. He has put his time in as a Raider and has proven himself, so give him the money.

JD: You may be the most exciting player in BAB. Who, if any, is the most exciting pro player in the game today?

BB: Right now for me it's Matt Holliday. I just want to see how he does in Oakland.

JD: The play you made to end the Dirty Sanchez/Cleveland Steamers series in which you snagged a hard one-hopper from Al: Any hesitation on the ball or did you have it all the way?

BB: More like an easy grounder up the middle, and I had it all the way. If it was a one-hopper then I would have been scared till it hit my glove, just like every one-hopper that comes my way.

 JD: Your profession (EMT) has caused you to miss substantial amounts of BAB time, especially in your first two seasons. On a game Sunday did you ever find yourself, in the middle of helping save a life, wondering if Brandon's Big Bats had broken out of their hitting slump (for example)?

BB: Hell ya. Every time I looked at a clock I thought, "Fuck, I could be playing baseball right now". It sucked, let's just put it that way.

JD: When you deleted your MySpace profile in the offseason, Skillz wrote you a long, poignant Smackboard message offering his support. What went through your mind as you read it?

BB: He's reading way too much into this... I just didn't want an account that I wasn't going to keep up with. Besides I still have Facebook.

 JD: The Honey Bears---or was it just Bears---Yellow Treats series, you ended up losing in a sweep. You lost Game 1 on a walkoff, and Game 2 by two runs that you could have easily been the difference-maker in scoring. (you missed the game to bury your grandpa). The series could have ended very differently. What are your thoughts of a rematch with the same rosters?
         
BB: No rematch. That series sucked. I would much rather do a Sanchez/Steamers or B52s/Cavsuimiaks before that one.

 JD: Bryan Bush is usually a mild-mannered guy who's pretty cool. However, the argument over the ball Torance hit off your glove into foul territory in 2007 brought out a side of you we don't often see---you seemed pretty angry. Do you have any other recent instances, on or off-field, that brought you to that level of emotion?
          
BB: No not like that. It's not like I don't get mad during games. I just try to get back at other teams by beating them in the game, instead of verbally. That day I guess I took the verbal route.
 
JD: What do you think was the key in your unprecedented 15-homer season of 2007? Did you have more power as a goal that year?
         
BB: Ya; I had a bet to hit 20 HR that year. Which I lost as you can see.

 JD: When Simas fell on you at second base, what was going through your mind?
 
BB: Man I heard everyone laughing and thought, here comes all the "gay" comments.

 JD: You are a non-original BAD ASS who, over the years, has become as vital to the league as anybody. Tell us how you found out about it, why you joined, and why you keep coming back.
 
BB: Greg Minor was my roommate back in the day. On the last day of 2004 they needed more guys so I came with a few friends, and I've been hooked ever since. I just love that there is a group of guys who can all come together every Sunday to play some ball.
 
JD: In your career you've made loads of incredible defensive plays. Is there one that even YOU couldn't believe you made?
 
BB: One time in a backwards game I was in the OF with my camera when a fly ball was hit my way. I decided to take a picture of it and then try to make a play on it. After I snapped the pic I realized that the ball was way further away then it looked in my camera. So I dropped the camera and took off after the ball only to make a diving catch in some soggy, mud filled grass. I think Rob and someone else were the only guys who saw the entire play and they fell down laughing on the spot.

 JD: You were (co)-captain of two series totaling 8 games last season, so this year you're likely off the hook for leading a team. Give us some captain matchups you'd like to see...and why.
 
BB: I cant think of any that I really want to see this year. I'm more excited about the return of the exhibition games like 20s vs 30s, Rook's vs Vet's, Whites vs Non whites, and mine and Alvin's Mother's Day rematch! 
 
JD: Why do you keep lighting up Kevin Holley's shin with line drives, no matter where he plays?
 
BB: Simple. Kevin has no fear. If you hit a hard grounder at me, I'm going to move my body out of the way and keep my glove in there, but Kevin just gets in front of it no matter how hard you hit it at him.
 
JD: In 2009, where do you envision yourself at season's end statistically, and attendance-wise?
 
BB: Probably the same as last year with more games played. Maybe not as many triples.....but i'm only saying Maybe.
 
JD: In your line of work, you've had to have seen some interesting stuff (you shared a story a while back that I could kick myself for having forgotten). Can you give us any weird, funny, gross, or all three, stories that stand out in your mind?
 
BB: Weird- One time I was in a really long CPR code. Sadly the person didnt make it, and I was covered in sweat. (I keep a spare shirt in my car for times like these) I went to my car to change and on my way back in I noticed a car pull up in our ambulance bay. I saw a man run in our ER and come running out with one of our nurses. It seemed serious so I ran over there. It turned out to be a woman in labor. The head was showing so we delivered the baby right there. The weird thing was that I just got done touching a life that was ending, and the very next person I touched was a life being born.
Gross- "Code Browns"... need i say more.
Funny- You will not belive what I've seen people shove up their butts. Beer bottles, soda cans, rulers, telephones. You name it, someone has put it up their butt. The best is when they try to say they "tripped and fell on it".
 
JD: Is Rob really lucky Torance didn't kick him?
 
BB: Ya, I think we are all lucky. Who knows what that would have done to our smackboard?
 
JD: During a game last year, you were overheard expressing a desire to play a little less third base. It seems more and more teams are plugging you there, especially with the arm problems of Cav and Kevin. Ideally, how would you divide up your defensive time, or is there a defensive position(s) you would play exclusively if possible?
 
BB: I've come to terms with 3rd base. It's grown on me. I guess there is only one time where I think I should play SS and thats if I'm on a team with Lynas.
 
JD: As an Athletics fan, how do you feel about the Giambi signing, and of the A's Fremont move thwarted? Do you attend many games?
 
BB: I'm glad they got Giambi back; he is still a good ball player, and I could care less about Fremont. I want the San Jose deal to go through. They better work something out with San Francisco for the rights to the south bay.
 
JD: You have a well-deserved reputation as someone never afraid to get bloody and/or dirty on the diamond. You end up with more skinned knees than everyone else put together. Will you ever play full-time in pants, instead of a few times a year?
 
BB: No Butt-Huggers for me. I'm just going to stick with shorts and sweats...bring on the skinned knees.
 
JD: For the BAD ASSes who didn't attend the Championship series draft at your house, please describe for us where your BAB hardware (3 Gold Gloves, 1 Rookie of the Year trophy) is displayed.
 
BB: In the front room right on top of the fireplace. What can I say, I like showing off the hardware.
 
JD: The first time Ed saw you after breaking his triples record, what did he say to you? What had he said to you beforehand?

BB: Beforehand he said that he wouldn't let me get it and that he would buy beer for teams if they stopped me. Afterward he was cool about it and congratulated me.

JD: Break down the play last year in which you took a relay throw to the face. How long was it before the stitchmark healed?
 
BB: Man all I remember is that Tim was running to 3rd and he ducked his head as we ran into one another. I tried to get my glove up in time, but it was somewhat tangled up with Tim. It felt like I gave someone a free punch at my forehead.
 
JD: Any chance of Josh Berry returning to BAB?
 
BB: Fat chance... no pun intended.
 
JD: Generic questions:
Favorite BAD ASS teammate.
 
BB:Torance, Norberto, Dave W. (any guy who will blaze during a game.)
 
JD: You have just been named BAB commissioner. What changes do you apply, if any?
 
BB: I would allow tag ups only to 2nd and 3rd.
 
JD: Favorite field to play on, and why?
 
BB: Gill. You don't have to worry about a fence.
 
JD: You have the top 9 picks in the draft. Who do you take?
 
BB: T.O.-Torance, Norberto, Simas, Stoph, Cav, Kevin K. & H., Dave W, Leland, and Rob. JD