 |
|
| ESPN Network: ESPN | NBA.com | WNBA.com | NHL.com | ABC | Radio | EXPN | Page 2 | INSIDER | Shop | |
 |
| | Tuesday, October 23 Chat wrap: Denny Hocking | |||||
Hocking, a native of Torrance, Calif., appeared in 112 games for the Twins this past season, batting .251 with three homers and 25 RBIs. He was a 52nd round draft pick in the 1989 free agent draft by the Twins and has spent his entire nine-year career in Minnesota. One of the finest utility men in the game, Hocking played everywhere except pitcher and catcher in 2000 as he enjoyed his finest season in the big leagues. He got into 134 games for the Twins and hit .298, while posting career highs in runs (52), hits (111), doubles (24), RBIs (47) and on-base percentage (.373). Denny had a 10-game hitting streak in August and became the first player in Major League history to play seven different positions at least 10 times in the same season. You can hear Hocking each Saturday morning on ESPN Radio as the MLB post-season analyst for The Sporting Life with Dick and Jeremy Schaap from 9-11 a.m. ET. You can get a list of local radio affiliates for the show by clicking here. The following is a transcript of the October 23 chat: For a list of upcoming ESPN.com chat guests, visit the Community section.
Josh (MN): Denny, Do you think that the Twins will have to add an outfielder that can hit with power to take it to the next level and win the Central Division next year?  Denny Hocking: (3:51 PM ET ) I think we already have that in Brian Buchanan. Give him 500 at bats and he will hit 25-30 HRs. There are only a couple guys who can get above 40. He may not have the name recognition but he can get it done. It would be great to bring in a free agent though. Buchanan is the perfect platoon guy. But we do need someone to take us over the top.
coachknight (Michigan): Denny- Many people don't understand how difficult it is to be a utility player. Can you discuss a little bit some of the reasons why this role is such a challenging one? Denny Hocking: (3:54 PM ET ) In my opinion, it's the hardest job in baseball. You never know when you will come in. If you are a relief guy, you know when you'll be in. Same with a closer. As a utility guy you have to prepare to pinch hit for 3 or 4 guys, pinch run for 3 or 4 guys, etc. It's a tough job to prepare for. But if you prepare yourself, the easier it becomes. When you get your starts, it's always against guys like Clemens, Pettitte, etc. It's always the No. 1 or 2 guy it seems. When you pinch hit it's always against the toughest guy in the bullpen. People say .250 isn't that impressive but it's a huge accomplishment.
JavyNiceDay: Did you like those silly Twins Get to know 'em commercials this year on the radio and TV this year? Denny Hocking: (3:56 PM ET ) I think as well as the onfield personnel stepped up, the front office and marketing guys did as well. No offense to Kirby Puckett, but we finally got some guys we could promote and we promoted their personalities. They were goofy but true.
coney: Toughest pitcher to face? Denny Hocking: (3:57 PM ET ) It's David Cone! Is this David?
Actually, it's Mariano Rivera. You know what's coming, and there is only one way to hit it. You work on it but still get beat. And everytime you face him, it's a crucial situation. But there are lots of filthy guys out there, Hudson is one of them. Tom (Minneapolis): You sure do foul off a lot of balls. Is that by design? Are you tying to get at a better pitch. I actually caught one for your foul balls two years ago. Thanks, Denny Hocking: (3:59 PM ET ) I'm glad you caught the ball. I've hit several that hit people and I never get thanked for that.
When you are a guy who focuses on bat control and trying to hit the ball all over the field, you try to spoil pitchers to get him to throw a better pitch. When you hit lefthanded and look for pitches to hit in the hole, you look for a middle in pitch. WGNCharnelSirteen: Would you like to see the Twins get a new stadium in the next few years, and how do you feel about playing in the Metrodome, compared to outdoor stadiums? Denny Hocking: (4:01 PM ET ) Playing 81 home games it's nice to play in a dome, with the way the weather is in Minnesota. People push for the new stadium when it's 85 and sunny but it gets really cold in April. We service lots of people in the area and it's nice for people to buy tickets, schedule their vacations, and be able to see the games they want. I've seen what some of those stadiums have done, like in Cleveland, and it's great. We've stepped up and will put a quality product on the field and I think we can draw betwen 25-30K a game and that would be huge for the economy of the city.
Shawn (Cleveland): Do you like seeing the Yankees win the World Series every year? Denny Hocking: (4:04 PM ET ) No particularly. That's one thing about them, they have so many great playes and good personalities. They have likebale guys. When they used to kick our tails every year, they never made us feel like we shouldn't have been there. They never tried to embarass us. They should be commended for that. I didn't think they would make it this year. I though Oakland and Seattle would push them to the limit. When Jeter only drives in one run in the ALCS and they still win, that is a team of destiny. I got a kick out of seeing Guliani staying in his seat until Torre got him. News flash Rudy .. you're the Mayor. You can go on the field.
Mike (Minnesota): What's your favorite position to play and which one is the hardest?? How's the nose doing? Denny Hocking: (4:07 PM ET ) I've grown up being a SS and I enjoy that the most. Not far behind is CF. I know a lot about the people we play and I know how to position myself. When you see a Torii Hunter dive at a ball, I think wow I wouldn't have had a chance at that!
My nose is fine. The media jumped all over it. I tried to lull my teammates into a false sense of security so they would always be looking over their shoulder. Likeduh: Two Questions :Does Doug Mientkiewicz really talk like a "surfer dude", as they potrait him in the Star Tribune? What do you plan on doing in the offseason? Denny Hocking: (4:09 PM ET ) Doug is our Charles Barkley.He says what he wants to say. If someone doensn't like him, so be it. He was asked if Cleveland clinched would he sit in the dugout and he said "sure, that's the last time they will get to celebrate a title for a long time".
I"m just getting my body in shape just like every other player. I'm playing golf and working out. Tom (Minneapolis): Do you think the Indians are your greatest rivals at this point? They seemed to have a lot of attitude when they played us. Denny Hocking: (4:11 PM ET ) I know there is a lot of emotional games we played with them. I think it's the Chicago White Sox though. We handled them easily this year and that didn't go over well with them. I heard a lot about them saying they were better than us and were baffled that we beat them. It just came down to execution and we beat them. Maybe if they worried about themselves and not so much about us, maybe they would have taken second place.
Tony (Houston): What do you expect from your ball club next year,Do you think you will have the same kind of success like this year ? Denny Hocking: (4:13 PM ET ) I expect to improve on what we did this year. I expect the expectations to be higher, not only for the people in Minn. but the critics and eveyrone on this team. We will figure out how to be a better ball players.
John: Do you ever surf for Twins fan pages on the Internet?
John (Columbus): Have you talked with any of your teammates since Tom Kelly announced his retirement? How are you guys feeling about it? Denny Hocking: (4:16 PM ET ) I talked to Doug and he was under the impression he was signing a three year deal. TK had shown sign of possibly leaving, brining in Gardenhire and asking him opinion on things. But we wre shocked.
Matt (West Virginia): If you were offered a job with the Yanks and the Braves, which would you choose and why? Denny Hocking: (4:18 PM ET ) The Yankees have a solidified lineup so as a utility guy I would get more at bats with the Braves. It would always be nice knowing that there is a 99 percent chance you will be in the postseason with the Yanks.
Keir(maple grove, MN): Denny, kind of a different question for you. do you ever talk to dave bigham much?
Gonzo (Eugene, OR): What other sports did you play in high school? Denny Hocking: (4:20 PM ET ) I think my media profile says I played golf but that's a farce. I played youth soccer and basketball in 7th grade. I was actually a better high school basketball player than baseball.
Hocking for Player/Manager: If you got a chance to be a full-time player, how would your approach change? Denny Hocking: (4:22 PM ET ) It would be totally different. You could focus on one specific job. When you are a utility guy you have to focus on so many things. When the fifth inning comes, I'm looking at the lineups, who might be coming in to pitch, etc. Being an everday guy, I could set personal goals and try to attain those.
Justin (Orlando): What stadium do you enjoy visiting the most Denny Hocking: (4:23 PM ET ) Baltimore. It's a great place to play, the fans are so knowledgable. They have been spoiled watching Ripken for so long. We have a nice hotel right by the ballpark. There are so many plusses and no negatives.
Tony (Houston): I do not want to start any controversy, But Who is your favorite team mate ? Denny Hocking: (4:25 PM ET ) Far and away Doug M. Our lockers are right next to each other. I could understand what he was going through this season. He benefitted from struggling and he came back and just starting hitting great.
Nathan(Brookings, SD): Looking back on this season, is there one moment that sticks out in your mind? Denny Hocking: (4:30 PM ET ) I think the Yankees series when everyone was throwing stuff at Knoblauch, that series, we won two of three and we were playing so well. Cashman told us we were the best team they had played all year. Jeter said we were for real and Torre said some nice things about us. When you have those guys speaking so highly of your team, we knew we had a chance to do something special this year.
Thanks to everyone for your participation today. Hopefully I got to most of your questions. I hope we can do this again at a later date. If not, do me a favor and root for Greg Swindell in the playoffs. Be sure and check me out on Saturday morning on the Dick and Jeremy Schapp show, 10:20 a.m. ET. For all you gamblers out there, I can win you lots of money. Talk to you soon!!! | ||||||
|
|
