Rob Flores
Interview
Conducted by the BAD ASS Reporter
May 21, 2005
Q: What does it mean to be a "BadAss"? Can anyone make it in this league?
Rob: To me,
to be a true BADASS it takes more then just playing the game. In my eyes, the
Bad Asses are the guys the play more then 30 games a year, and they put the
league first over themselves. They waste their high priced gas looking for
fields or they travel from afar just to make it to the games. Commitment and
sacrifice make a Bad Ass. I used to think anyone could make it in our league but
as guys have come and gone, my opinion has changed. It takes more then just
skill to make it in this league. And even more than just Commitment and
Sacrifice. To be in this league you have to understand its history and rules and
accept it for what it is. And accept the individuals for who they are.
Q: You are drafting the first ever B.A.B.
rulebook, Are there any rules that
aren't in the book that you would like to see added? Any rules that you
think need changing?
Rob: As far as Bad Ass Baseball, I think the rule book is a tough but fair rule book. Obviously we play a different style baseball then normal baseball. And this rule book irons out the proper and fair way for this style. All the rules in place I can live with. Example, we have no tag ups. But if someone gets caught off a bag after a catch, and the fielder attempts to throw him out but the ball gets by, the runner can not advance a base. I was for letting the runner advance, but the rule we have lived by doesn’t allow for that. And in a league that’s so offensive minded, I don’t mind having a couple defensive freebees. Like the tipped ball back to the catcher rule, rules that only can exist, in Bad Ass Baseball.
Q: Which MLB player do you think your game most resemble?
Rob: As far as my pitching goes, I like to think I’m the Bad Ass version of Greg Maddux. You tell me where you want your pitch and I’ll find the location. You don’t know how many times a game I hear from my hitters great pitch Rob, while their standing on second base or rounding 3rd after a homerun. And as far as hitting, I like to think I’m the Bad Ass Version of Ivan Rodriquez, Short, Stocky and Good Looking. He doesn’t have the MVP type numbers but he is a feared hitter, and his is as Asset on every team he is on.
That’s easy to answer. Some people are just born with that natural leadership role. It’s not something you create, it’s just in you. And serving in the Army just helped fine tune it. You don’t have to be a strict hard ass to get people to respond and do their jobs. And no one wants some one yelling at them to perform or after they fuck up. There is a tactful way to get your point across and get your team to play hard.
Q: Aside from leadership,
you are probably best known for amazing phrases such
as “Fair Bitch” and “The Drunk got a hit.” They are all priceless, which is
your favorite and why?
Rob: My fav is “Catch that one Muthafucker!” I said that to Soonam’s friend Malichi. It’s the top of the ninth, two outs, game tied. And it’s his first ever bad ass game. Before I get to the batters box, he is calling me out. I yelled back at him Do I even know you and well words were exchanged and I out pissed. And for me, to honestly get pissed at someone that rarely happens. I turned that anger into focus and crushed a homerun, at Taylor’s bigger field, To this day my only Hr on that field. Anyways, while I rounded the bases I yelled that at him and stared him down. Another clutch moment for me, But I like to forget that in the bottom of the ninth he got the Winning hit past me LOL.
Q: You have a choice, the
A's win the world series or you win B.A.B. season
MVP? Which do you choose?
Rob: If I was a Giants Fan, I’d say Giants win the World Series. But since I’m an A’s fan, I’ve seen them win one and they even won one the year I was born. So I’d Choose that MVP Trophy.
Q: You are one of the
elder statesmen in B.A.B. but until just recently I never
thought of you as older. How does it feel to be one of the oldest players in
B.A.B. history?
Rob: It sucks! On many accounts, for one I’m 30 years old, slower and heavier
then my playing heyday. Monday mornings I wake up with soreness that I never
had as a 20 year old. I daydream a lot of what numbers I’d put up had I been
playing in this league when I was younger. I look at guys like Torance, Brandon,
Nick, Jason, and they remind me a lot of myself when I was their age. Young,
Strong and Skilled! But if I lose the weight and workout like I should, I think
I could regain some of the little parts of my game that I have lost. So that’s
really on me to better myself.
Q: What is your favorite thing about B.A.B.?
Rob: Being able to relive my glory days, getting out there to play baseball. What is the worst thing? Bickering, sometimes I feel the dramas of badass baseball sometimes get annoying. But we are all guilty of it.
Q: Which field is your favorite to play on?
Rob: Taylor. It's just home. I guarantee if it weren't for Cav we would still be playing there. But I don't blame him because I wouldn't want to play if I was him either. I have never hit a car so I don't really care.
Q: What position do you like to play the most?
Rob: CF, it's my childhood position, but lately I have enjoyed playing catcher. It gets me involved in both teams. And I can rest between pitching.
Q: Which player is your favorite teammate?
Rob: Leland, he's one of my best friends. He’s one guy you can count on; He does his job and doesn't get upset. Plus we rarely have been on the same team.
Q: You have the first 7 picks in the draft, who do you take?
Rob: Leland, Cav, Lynas, Tito, Bryan, Torrance, Joel.