My guest today is McMinnville sophomore Craig Cooper. Craig, thanks for taking the time to chat with us at 9 Inning Know it All. Please tell us more about yourself.
I’m a huge Dodger fan, and I love baseball. I love being outside and being with my friends. I also like to be with my family.
Is there a team or player or players you follow and why?
I follow the Dodgers because they are my favorite team and they are really fun to watch. They have great pitching and are really great at hitting the ball.
What position do you play?
I play middle infield and I also play left field. Every once and a while coach will let me pitch a inning or two but for the most part it is second base.
Do you have a pregame ritual?
I don’t have a pregame ritual except for playing flip with the team outside of the dugout right before the game.
What advice would you give the younger players?
The advice I would give to the younger players is to have fun with it and to work hard and just enjoy it with your friends.
I’m going to name a few players, tell us what you think of them.
1. Mike Trout- He had an amazing season last year and I believe he will have an even better one this year. I honestly think he will become a big face of baseball in the next couple of years
2. Ichiro-He is a great fielder and an even better hitter. an especially a dangerous man on the bases. However I do believe he will be retiring in the next couple of years.
3. Josh Hamilton-I don’t like what he does off the field but he is definitely a power hitter and I like what he does on the field.
4. Derek Jeter- I think he is an amazing player overall and has had a great career but I don’t see him having a good season at this point.
5. Bryce Harper-I think he had a really great rookie season and think he will have a great season but the stats might not be as good as last year.
What would you like to do after high school?
After high school I want to go to university of Oregon. I am a huge duck fan and I have dreamed of going there since I was a little kid.
What’s your experience been like playing at McMinnville?
My experiences have been really great, it’s all memorable with a team this full of great guys. They are all funny. I would say we are pretty good team, so i would say winning is fun. Summer ball was also pretty fun too.
Do you have a favorite place you have played?
I would say my favorite place I have played is Medford, Oregon. The reason why is it was great weather like 95 degree weather on the forth of July weekend.
Last question, give us your top five songs of all time.
My favorite songs, first, would be alright by Darius Rucker , second, would be Springsteen by Eric church, and third, is knee deep by Zach Brown band, my fourth, is Do I by Luke Bryan and fifth, would be the world by brad paisley.
Craig, thanks for taking the time. Good luck this season.