Max, Thanks for taking time for us.
Please tell us more about yourself.
My full name is Maxwell James Perlman. I grew up in Longwood, FL where I attended Lake Brantley High School and graduated in 2006. I then attended Harvard University in Cambridge, MA where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. Outside of baseball, I like to stay active and adventurous in my pursuit of happiness. I like to do anything outdoors; hiking, bike riding, fishing, camping, disc golfing. I also have a strange propensity to just go wandering through my surroundings with no particular destination in mind. I eat copious amounts of animal flesh on a daily basis. I also enjoy the peace and quiet of a library (I know, really helping my stereotype). I don’t always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Budweiser. I am the most interesting Jew in the world.
I hear there is a dancing video that the team was able to watch before a game. Care to share the details?
Oh man. After our 2nd round win against Spain I went out with some of the guys to celebrate the win sending us to the championship game. The dance floor at this particular place was empty despite some very inviting music playing. So I decided it’d be cool to start the dance party out there. Now keep in mind that I’m 6’6,” 240 Lbs. and generally lacking in grace and rhythm, but hey I like to have a good time, so why not? The only problem for me was that someone had their camera phone out and videoed the whole thing and it was less than elegant to say the least. When Brad Ausmus was shown the video the next morning before our workout, he set up a viewing for the team without telling me. As soon as he starting talking about the footage of a teammate we were about to watch, I knew it was me before he could even flick the lights off. The team got a good laugh, so all’s well that ends well. But if that footage ever gets out I’ll be taking someone’s first born child.
What was it like playing at Harvard?
Attending Harvard and being a part of that baseball tradition is something I am extremely proud of. Playing baseball for the legendary Joe Walsh was one of the most rewarding experiences I will likely every have. He taught me so much about baseball and life through his everyday interactions, all while creating a baseball environment where I was able to develop my skills and get an opportunity to play several summers in the cape cod baseball league and on to minor league baseball with the Oakland A’s after graduation. Despite his passing in late July of last year, he remains a constant source of inspiration to me.
Attending Harvard was never something I thought possible or even sought, but when I was recruited there as a high school senior I couldn’t turn down the invitation to take a visit. I flew up in October of my senior year and fell in love with every aspect of that school, especially Coach Walsh. Despite the fact that the baseball team struggled during my time there, I will never forget the experiences I had with the players and coaches I had the opportunity to compete with.
To me, that was the most incredible thing about that school, the people you meet in all facets of the university, both on and off the field. While I am one of the few who has the opportunity to pursue my athletic dreams, there are thousands of immensely talented people who will go on to pursue their dreams and impact the world in ways I could never fathom. To have the opportunity to be considered a peer with these amazing men and women is one of the most humbling things I have experienced as a human being. I get chills whenever I let that thought consume me.
Who has been the toughest hitter you have faced?
The toughest hitter I’ve faced…that’s a tough one. I’ve faced some really good hitters throughout the years, but for now I’m going to have to say George Springer. I played with George for a summer in the Cape League, but I had to face him a few times last year in the Cal League. He just has a ton of bat speed and power, so even if he doesn’t square you up, he’s strong enough to spread the ball around the field. He has that rare combination of power and speed that make him a really tough out
Do you have a favorite ballpark you have pitched in?
This question is going to get me in a little trouble with my family, who are die hard Yankee fans. I had the opportunity to pitch in front of 15,000 fans in the Cape Cod all-star game in 2010 at Fenway Park, which was an unforgettable experience. Even though I grew up hating everything about the Red Sox, it was really special to pitch in front of that many people in an MLB stadium. I’ll never forget the jog in from the bullpen and the energy I felt with all of those eyes on me, including all of my family and friends who were tuned in watching the
game on TV. I hate to say it, but Fenway Park has a special place on the good side of my heart. Sorry Dad
Do you have any rituals before games?
I’m not too much for rituals any more. I used to be over the top superstitious in high school, but I cut that act out. Too stressful. I’m much more of a routine guy now. I like to get a good meal, hydrate as much as possible, then listen to some music and read a short excerpt from one of my favorite books, “Overachievement,” by Dr. John Eliot. It varies from day to day, but its purpose is to get me to lock in, elevate my mental focus, and prepare body and mind to execute the game plan.
Cody Decker likes Batman. Do you have a favorite superhero? And why?
I probably had a 47 minute conversation with Deck one night about Batman and the related comics. I think you’re underplaying his love of comic books. It’s borderline terrifying. I thought I was a nerd…But no, I never really got into the superhero scene, maybe that’s why I was so fascinated by Cody’s love of them. Roger Clemens is my superhero. Say what you will about his recent fall from glory, but he was superhuman on the mound. His intensity, passion, and work ethic are unparalleled. Someone should make a comic about the Rocket. I need
to call Cody. I may be on to something here…
What did putting the jersey representing Israel on mean to you?
Wearing that Israel jersey was unlike anything I have ever experienced. The experience as a whole made me feel an intense personal connection with Israel as a Jewish person. I became very close off the field with a group of the Israeli players there and I still keep in touch with them now. It’s difficult to put into words how special it was to be selected for this honor. I plan on visiting Israel this winter, hopefully with a few guys from the team. I hope that the time I spent with the WBC team is just the tip of the iceberg in my connection to Israel. I hope to learn more about its history and the problems it faces as a nation. Most of all, I can’t wait to learn these through my own set of personal experiences.
What advice would you give to younger players?
The best advice I can give to younger players is to never quit on your dreams. If you want something badly enough, you can make it happen. When I look back at the past 7 years of my life since high school, I have done things I never could have imagined possible. As a kid, I was a slow, weak, marginally talented player. I didn’t have a lot of self-confidence and didn’t care much for school. If you were to tell me as a 10 year old that I would be a pitcher for the Oakland A’s with a Harvard degree in my back pocket, I would have laughed you out of the room. Never underestimate the power of the mind. It’s amazing what unwavering and even unrealistic dedication have allowed people to achieve. Have fun and see what happens. Leave no regrets. Key word is fun. If you find a way to enjoy what you’re doing, you’ll be blown away at how successful you’ll be at it.
Give me your top 5 songs of all time.
Top 5 songs, that’s another tough one. I am very diverse in my musical interests, but I’m sure you expected nothing less from the most interesting Jew in the world. I’ll give you a list but it’s going to
look like a 4 year old went through your itunes account clicking on pure randomness
1) The Ballad of Curtis Lowe by Lynyrd Skynyrd
2) Day Tripper by The Beatles
3) Levels (In Reverse) by Avicii, and God help you if you confuse this with regular Levels
4) The Music Never Stopped by The Grateful Dead
5) You Enjoy Myself by Phish
Max, thank you for taking the time.
It was my pleasure. Thanks so much for the invitation to be a part of this.