In this edition of Docking with the Ports, Relief Pitcher Scott Deal talks about the fun of being in the bullpen in 2011 and the off-season plans.

Stockton Ports: How was your experience in Stockton this season?

Scott Deal: Playing for the Stockton Ports this season was a great experience both on and off the field. I had a great host family that made being away from the field comfortable and fun. My teammates and coaching staff were great, it was one of the best summers I have had playing professional baseball.

SP: What was the highlight of your 2011 season?

SD: The whole season was a lot of fun, I think clinching the playoffs, and the playoff series wins were my highlights.

SP: Do you have a favorite Ports memory?

SD: There are countless memories, but I will never forget the bullpen. We had a great group of guys all season, and we had a lot of fun together.

SP: Any weird pre-game rituals?

SD: Not really, I just always triple check to make sure I have everything for the game.

SP: What was it like claiming the California Northern Division Championship Title?

SD: It was a lot of fun. It was the first time in my professional career to be part of a team that won a playoff series. We came up a bit short but it was a great experience.

SP: Who were you closest with on the team?

SD: My roommate for the season, [pitcher] Murphy Smith. He was a good roommate and a great friend. I was really excited for him to have the opportunity to play in the Arizona Fall League this fall.

SP: Who was the funniest guy on the team this season?

SD: [outfielder] Rashun Dixon. He always had a smile on his face and made everyone laugh. He enjoyed every day, through the ups and downs of the season.

SP: Will you keep in touch with any of your Ports teammates in the off-season?

SD: Yeah, I try and keep in touch with everyone as much as I can. It is great catching up with guys to see what they are up to.

 

SP: What will you do to get ready for next season in the off-season?

SD: I am working out and running to build strength and endurance for next season. I also recently started biking. It has been a lot of fun.

 

SP: Are there areas where you want to improve for next year?

SD: I want to continue to get better every day, and take it a day at a time. I would like to also get my core stronger.

 

SP: What are you most looking forward to in 2012?

SD: I am unsure what 2012 will bring for me. I am a minor league free agent. Whatever I am doing, I will be looking forward to new adventures.

SP: What is your favorite thing to do in the off-season?

SD: I like spending time with my wife and family. I also enjoy hiking and kayaking when the weather is nice. I recently climbed Mt. St. Helens, it was tough but the view from the top was amazing!

SP: Any big plans for the off-season?

SD: I am taking classes in school, spending time with my wife and family, and also going to all the Seattle Seahawk games. I am a proud season ticket holder!

SP: If you weren’t a pitcher, what position would you want to play?

SD: I would want to play the outfield. I played some in high school and in summer ball. It would be a lot of fun to roam the outfield making plays.

SP: You were selected by the A’s right out of high school in Washington. What was that like for you?

SD: It was really unexpected. I was really excited to live out my dream of playing professional baseball. I have had a great experience and I never will forget it.

SP: Were you intimidated at all, being so young, or were you ready for it?

SD: It was all new to me. I left a couple days after my high school graduation, but everyone made me feel really comfortable and it made for an easy transition.

 

SP: Is there anyone in the A’s organization that you look up to? Anyone you’d like to model your pitching after?

SD: It has been a lot of fun playing with guys throughout my career that are now playing in the major leagues. I have had a lot of great coaches and teammates. My pitching coach in 2006, when I was only 19, was Craig Lefferts (Lefty), and I had him again this last season. He has been one of my favorite coaches to play for. He has taught me so much on and off the field, and he has a lot of great stories.

 

SP: Ports jersey theme nights – This year you all wore five different jerseys. If you could come up with any specialty jersey to wear, what would it be?

SD: I think Christmas in July would be a great idea; there could be interesting jersey designs with that theme. Or country music night would also be a lot of fun.

SP: You do a lot of community events. What was your favorite one in 2011?

SD: The kid’s camps at Banner Island Ballpark were a lot of fun. I hope to be a teacher and coach some day, so I really enjoy helping and working with the kids.

SP: Favorite baseball player of all time?

SD: Ken Griffey, Jr.  Growing up close to Seattle made me a huge fan.

SP: Finish this sentence – I can’t live without my…

SD: Wife, Shanley.

SP: What is something that most people don’t know about you?

SD: I am a clean and neat freak. I like things really clean and organized.

SP: Favorite restaurant in Stockton?

SD: Whirlows, I went at least once a week!

SP: If you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?

SD: Quiet, Relaxed, Sarcastic

SP: One food that you can’t live without?

SD: Chips and Salsa

SP: True or False – You could beat [pitcher] Rob Gilliam in a swimming race across the Delta?!

SD: False! You couldn’t get me to even think about swimming in the Delta!

Jeremy Barfield dazzled the Ports faithful during the summer of 2010. In the last visit with Outfield Jeremy Barfield, he shared with us his unusual off-season job as a Limo driver. In 2011, Barfield was a member of the Double-A Midland Rockhounds.  We catch with the “Rocket Arm” himself in this edition of  Docking with the Ports.

Stockton Ports: What was your time like with the Rockhounds in 2011?

Jeremy Barfield: It was nice to play in my home state of Texas. Midland is by far the toughest place I’ve had to play so far professionally. It was in a severe drought and wildfires were common. Thankfully, we had lots of fans show up every night.

SP: How different was it playing in Midland than it was in Stockton?

JB: It was way harder to hit in Midland. It was almost a nightly occurrence to have a dust storm blowing in the hitters face.

SP: What do you think about Stockton winning the California Northern Division Championship Title this year?

JB: I’m proud of that group of guys because they were so focused all season long.

SP: Who were you closest with on the team in Midland?

JB: Definitely my roommate on the road [pitcher] Trey Barham.

SP: Funniest guy on the team in both Stockton & Midland?

JB: By far [pitcher] AJ Griffin.

SP: Will you keep in touch with any of your Ports/Midland teammates in the off-season?

JB: Yeah I keep in touch with some of the guys.

SP: What will you do in the off-season to prepare for 2012?

JB: I am planning on playing Winter Ball in the coming weeks.

SP: Do you have anything fun planned, non-baseball related?

JB: I am definitely going to see my family after new years. I miss my nieces.

SP: Is there anything you want to improve on for 2012?

JB:  Regardless of where I start the season I just want to be more consistent as a hitter.

SP: What are you most looking forward to during the 2012 season?

JB: Just a chance to really open some people’s eyes if I play the way I am capable of.

 

SP: What is your favorite thing to do in the off-season?

JB: Go to NBA games which unfortunately I can’t because of this lockout.

 

SP: Favorite restaurant in Stockton?

JB: Definitely L&L Hawaiian BBQ.

SP: Finish this sentence… I can’t live without my___________.

JB: iPhone.

SP: Did you think St. Louis would win the World Series? Did you watch?

JB: I thought they’d have a chance because of their veterans but after game 4 I thought they were done. It was the best World Series I’ve watched since 2001.

SP: What is something that most people don’t know about you?

JB: I own a pair of Cowboy boots.

SP: Favorite baseball player of all time?

JB: Ken Griffey, Jr.

SP: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

JB: I always wanted to be a baseball player even when other kids said astronaut or fireman.

SP: Baseball runs in your family…What’s it like having your brother in the majors?

JB: He always has great advice for me and is always there when I need him.

SP: Are you two competitive with one another?

JB: Only in ping pong and video games.

SP: Does he give you good advice?

JB: The best.

SP: Does your dad, former MLB player, give you any advice?

JB: Absolutely.

SP: True or false…Your brother could beat you at a home run contest?

JB: Completely false and he would agree!

SP: If you weren’t playing in right field, what other position would you like to play?

JB: Right Field is in my DNA. If left field gets me to the Majors so be it, but I can contribute the most in right field.

SP: You were selected by the Mets in 2006. What made you wait until you were selected by the A’s in 2008?

JB: I wish I had some great story to tell you but ultimately it was money. It wasn’t enough on the table for me to pass up college.

SP: You went to college at San Jacinto College in Houston Texas, what did you study?

JB: I didn’t declare a major so it would be easier to transfer my credits to a university afterwards.

SP: One food that you just can’t live without?

JB: Tex-Mex.

SP: If there was a movie made about your life, who would be the leading actor?

JB: Idris Elba because everything sounds better in a British Accent.

Docking with the Ports sits down with Rob Gilliam as he discusses the season in Stockton and what his off-season consists of.

Stockton Ports: How was your experience in Stockton this season?

Rob Gilliam: It was great! I had a really good time.

SP: Do you have a favorite Ports memory?

RG: I really had fun making ice cream floats for the fans [on Root Beer Float Day], and obviously the spray in the locker room after the Division Championship Series win!
SP: Who were you closest with on the team?

RG: It’d be impossible to name just one person, we had the closest knit team I’ve ever played on, and everyone on the team became really good friends with one another.

SP: Who was the funniest guy on the team this season?

RG: Hands down, [pitcher] Connor Hoehn!!!

SP: What was it like claiming the California Northern Division Championship Title?

RG: It was a blast! The locker room after was the craziest moment I’ve ever had in baseball.

SP: Any weird pre-game rituals?

RG: I drink a few energy drinks, but that’s about it.

SP: Will you keep in touch with any of your Ports teammates in the off-season?

RG: Yes, definitely. Hopefully I’ll be able to hang out with a few this off-season.

SP: Ports jersey theme nights – This year you all wore five different jerseys. If you could come up with any specialty jersey to wear, what would it be?

RG: A’s, duh!
SP: What was the highlight of your 2011 season?

RG: Winning the Northern Division Series.

SP: What are you most looking forward to in 2012?

RG: Getting back out on the field and playing in front of fans again.
SP: What will you do to get ready for next season in the off-season?

RG: Follow the off-season workout program the A’s have for us, and try to make some physical gains.
SP: Are there areas where you want to improve for next year?

RG: All year I struggled with my change-up, but I made some strides at instructs, and I hope to build off that.

SP: Were you expected to be drafted when you were in 2009 or did it come as a surprise?

RG: I thought I had a chance, and was really happy when I was drafted.
SP: If you weren’t a pitcher, what position would you want to play?

RG: Shortstop, what else?

SP: Favorite baseball player of all time?

RG: Nolan Ryan
SP: Finish this sentence – I can’t live without…

RG: Mexican food.
SP: What is something that most people don’t know about you?

RG: I really dislike pickles.
SP: Favorite restaurant in Stockton?

RG: Green Frog.
SP: What is your favorite thing to do in the off-season?

RG: Hang out with my family and friends!

SP: Any big plans for the off-season?

RG: Nope!
SP: Did you think St. Louis was going to win the World Series? Did you watch?

RG: Never would have thought St. Louis would pull it out, until the win in game 6. That was unbelievable!
SP: If you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?

RG: Spontaneous, fun, yes-man.
SP: One food that you can’t live without?

RG: Macaroni & Cheese.
SP: You were born in Virginia, and live in North Carolina. What’s the biggest difference between the east and west coast?

RG: The biggest and most noticeable difference has to be the humidity.  The east coast is really humid during the summer, but that didn’t seem to be an issue in Stockton.
SP: What did you study in college at Greensboro?

RG: Political Science.

SP: Your birthday is coming up at the end of November. Any big plans?

RG: Nope, no big plans, if anyone would like to take me on vacation they’re more than welcome!