Interview with Coco Crisp: Baseball player and so much more

by Joseph Landini
Sportsrageous.com
http://www.sportsrageous.com/interview-with-coco-crisp-baseball-player-and-so-much-more-11-14-2011

Coco Crisp is a Major League Baseball player who has made a name for himself as one of the most exciting guys in the game. Between his combination of speed and power, Crisp has become one of the most solid outfielders in baseball. Outside of baseball, Crisp is just a normal guy by helping out whenever he can and even doing other sports on occasion.

Growing up, Crisp was not just a baseball player. His father was a fighter, so Crisp was into the contact sports, such as football, boxing, and even karate. While playing all these sports, Crisp began to excel in baseball. “I started to become really good at it, so I took the appropriate steps toward being even more successful,” said Crisp. It was also a plus in the sense that his father also had a major love for the game.

When asked what his favorite moment of his career was, Crisp didn’t have a difficult time just pinpointing one. “My big league call up has to be on top. That phone call was so exciting, and catches you totally off guard,” explained Crisp. Coco at that time called all his family and friend to tell them the big news. “It was like winning the lottery,” he continued. Crisp also mentioned how winning the World Series was like nothing else. He talked about how you work so hard to get there, then you are there, and once you win it how unbelievable of a feeling it is.

Growing up loving baseball, Crisp had various idols in the game he watched. “Every aspect of the game had a player to go with it,” he explained. When Crisp was younger he wanted to become a switch hitter, so he watched Ken Griffey Jr. bat left handed, which is also where his power came. Locally in California he would always watch the late Brett Butler, while for his speed aspect, Ricky Henderson was his guy. When he was young Crisp attempted to collect all of Henderson’s baseball cards. He told a story about how every other weekend he and his father would go to swap meets, and other card stores looking for new cards so he had them all. Lastly, Ozzie Smith was another player Coco grew up liking. Being drafted as a middle infielder, Crisp would love to watch Smith play. “Every time I would go to a game Ozzie was playing in, I was hoping to see something spectacular, hoping to see a back flip,” Crisp said.

For the Oakland Athletics this past season Crisp sported a .264 batting average to go along with eight homeruns, 54 RBI, and an impressive 49 stolen bases and an almost perfect fielding percentage (.997). The Athletics, as a whole, finished third in the American League West with a 74-88 record. Crisp said, “We had a team that could compete, but we under performed.” He went on to say how the backbone of the team, the pitching staff, was injured which hurt them as well. Crisp was surrounded by a great group of guys, but was not satisfied with his overall performance. His power numbers and average were down from years past, but injury did hold him down. “It just seemed like every time I got hot, I’d get injured,” commented Crisp. He talked about because of this he could not get into a rhythm, thus not being able to help the offensive struggles. Outside of the offensive struggles he was happy and thought he did a good job stealing bases.

Also last season, Crisp was being shuffled in the lineup, due to him being a veteran and his versatility. “I’m very easy going, because no matter what I knew how to stay within myself,” he said. Crisp mainly batted in any of the first three spot in the lineup. Coco explained all the advantages in hitting in each of those spots. If he batted third, he was able to have more chances of knocking in runs. “Hitting third was not typical, but I have done so in my career whenever I am hot,” said Crisp. As for hitting in the two hole, Crisp is comfortable in this position, because he loves to bunt, move his runner over, thus giving his team a better chance of scoring. Lastly, was the lead off position, which is where Crisp mainly hits in the lineup. The lead-off spot is where Crisp is most used to because of his speed, and ability to steal bases.

Coco Crisp’s contract with the Athletics expired making him a free agent this off-season, looking for a new place to excite the crowd. “It’s a waiting game, and patience is key,” Crisp said, commenting on free agency. Crisp loves being home with his young children and his wife, making California a nice place to be. Talking and being close with his family was a way mentally to get through the entire baseball season. “It is a tough grind, you need to lean on people,” Crisp said. He talked about how being in Oakland was an easy commute to home on certain days. Despite this, Crisp wanted to make it clear that he was not opposed to anything. Aside from being home, when it comes to free agency, winning was another factor. “Winning always makes the baseball experience better,” exclaimed Crisp. He would go on to say how he would love another opportunity to win a championship. There are always rumors out there of where he will go, but Crisp said, “Nothing is close or concrete yet, so we will see how things go.”

Crisp is not just crafty with the baseball, but with another ball as well. Crisp talked about how back in the day he could bowl over 200 consistently. After his two shoulder injuries in 2009, Crisp said it was hard. He went on to tell a story on how the other day he went to the lanes by himself to bowl a few games. “I bowled 140-140-140, and just said to myself that today was not my day,” Crisp laughed. Crisp enjoys the game of bowling, and may even have a future in it. “With some training, after baseball, I could give the PBA a run,” stated Crisp.

Coco is currently involved with the Read Across America program locally. Crisp went to schools, read books to the children, and told them what reading did not him. “ For Me, talking in front of people was difficult for me when I was younger,” explained Crisp. He talked about how he gave the children tips on helping them with that problem. Some of the tips included not worrying so much, and concentrating on their breathing. “For me, doing this really touches home,” said Crisp.

Although his destination for next season is not mapped out yet, Crisp does have some personal goals in mind already. “The numbers will always be there, I just need to continue to play hard and stay on myself to set a good example,” he explained. Crisp finally talked about how his season would turn out the best way. “As long as I’m going out working hard and having fun, then things will work out.