BBNW ALUM/WORLD SERIES HERO
JACOBY ELLSBURY INTERVIEW

Jeff: Well, I guess the most obvious question is-- how does it feel to be a World Champion?

Jacoby: It hasn't quite sunk in yet, to tell you the truth. This whole experience, well, starting off at double A, just trying to get to triple A at the beginning of the year. And then get to triple A, maybe hoping to for a September call up, you know, just hoping to kind of get my feet wet. Getting called up before the all star break, then get me some experience to show them what I could do. And that definitely helped me; going to the September call up. There were some injuries and making the best of the situation. Being ready to play allowed me to be put on the post season roster. And, you know, you dream of playing in the big leagues you dream of winning a World Series, but for it to happen this quickly, I thank God for that.

Jeff: So what did it feel like when you got that call, that first call, that said that you were going to the big leagues? What was your initial feeling?

Jacoby: Heart stopped for a second, I mean, you just think of all the hard work and everything you put into it, you know, everything that comes along the way. And, I mean, I was just thinking of getting up there. I was in Pawtucket so you have to take the drive, 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic or it could be longer than that, two hours, in traffic. My girlfriend was sitting there and I was driving up after I threw all my stuff together real quick, and I was like, "Oh, man, I forgot my gloves, I forgot my hat, what am I forgetting?" That ride up there was pretty tough. I felt like I was going to throw up or something. Just driving into Boston and, knowing I'm going to start. They told me ahead of time. They said, "All right, you're going to bat ninth, you're going to be playing center field for the Boston Red Sox. Go out there; we know you can do it. Just go out there and play." It was awesome.

Jeff: So how do you like Fenway Park? How do you like the Red Sox? I understand they treated you really well, accepted you really well?

Jacoby: Yeah, well, I'll tell you about my first threat my debut, before I went out there. Josh Beckett I always like to tell this story so ten minutes before game time, Beckett was throwing that night, just getting ready for the game, about ready to go out, and he goes, "Is this your first game?" And I was like, "Yep." And he goes, "And is this your debut?" And I was like, "Yep." And he's like and he's pitching, remember this, he's like, "Don't screw it up." So I'm thinking, Oh, man, Josh Beckett, you know. Like I said earlier, that's how his personality is. But, it's just fun and games. He didn't smile or anything, or snicker. I'm thinking, he's totally serious! But, I mean, the guys treat me really well, I think that's one of the reasons why we've had as much success as we did with the younger guys, because the veterans on the team, the guys that had the experience, accepted the young guys to the clubhouse and allowed us just to go out there and play and not really worry too much. I mean, it's little things, they talk about. It's not like they sit you down and, "this is what you need to do" it's kind of in the conversation, just chitchat, you know, while eating. And just stuff that has to do with the media. Just little things that, you know, aren't that big, but could be big for a younger player who's already thinking about a lot of different concerns at the end of the day. They're very accepting in the clubhouse.

Jeff: What, specific about the World Series, what's your best memory, your favorite moment? What do you when you think about it, what do you reflect on mostly, one memory, one incident? When you think back, what is a highlight for you?

Jacoby: First game, leading off the World Series, my first AB, just kind of on deck, just waiting for the game to start, all the nerves well it's not necessarily nervousness, just anxiousness, knowing you can go out there, knowing you put the work in before, you've done the preparation, the confidence you started going out to play, and, obviously it's the biggest stage, you can play on in baseball but, go out there and just relax and have a good time. A lot of the guys are like, you never know what's going to happen. I mean, guys build their hopes and dreams without getting to the pros or getting to the World Series. And here I am, 33 Big League games and I'm leading off at the World Series, so I've pretty much decided to have fun with it. I mean, it seems pretty simple, have fun; and at the same time be serious because you know it could be the last time. That first AB and, obviously, the three double game that I had was pretty memorable; but just that last pitch, you drop a ball. You're counting down the outs, six outs away, three outs away, two outs away, one out away. Now you're two strikes away, one strike away. And you're thinking, oh, my gosh, there it is, strike three. And they started running in after we won.

Jeff: That's great. As we're talking now it's actually during the winter meetings, and, there's some trade talks going on. That's got to be a little bit disconcerning at times. Any feelings about that?

Jacoby: I try not to think about it, but at the same time, when my phone's blowing up with text messages, everybody wants to know the inside, and thinking I have all the answers. But the truth of it is, I have no control over it so, I mean, that's the toughest thing about it; I have no control over it. And obviously when Johan Santana's in the mix, anyone's tradeable. So, I mean, obviously I want to be with the Red Sox, I came up through their minor league system, I'm familiar with the coaches, staff. So for me going into spring training next year, that'll be a lot easier that I'm familiar with them. I'm comfortable, I know the guys in the locker room, so it would be nice to go into spring training with the Sox. But I know I understand this business and I understand the game and trades happen; I would like to maintain a Red Sox. But I’m working out here in Oregon with my trainer, and just getting ready for anything.

Jeff: So what are you doing this off season? I know it's been kind of crazy with, obviously, your success and with the World Championship; and I know you're working out hard, so just what is the off season going to bring you now?

Jacoby: I've definitely had I really haven't had too much time just to relax afterwards, just because it's the first time in my life I've really had to have a calendar to schedule everything and make sure, I'm at this place at this time, just keeping things more organized. But, I went back home. It was nice just to get back to Oregon just to kind of relax and be with my family and come back to Madras. We just had an awesome parade in my home town which was very neat. I got to see my old teachers, kids I've played with in high school, classmates. It was very nice to see them. Right now I'm just working out, getting ready for next year. I think as a young player you can't get especially after winning the World Series you think, I'm set, I'm ready to go, I got my job for next year; but I'm going with the mentality just to keep on getting better.

Jeff: Talk a little bit about it's been reported that you're the first Navaho Indian that's ever played in the big leagues, can you give us a little more background on that and exactly how that makes you feel?

Jacoby: I wasn't aware of it until I found out some reporters did some research and what not, and I thought it was pretty neat being the first Navaho to play in the big leagues, of Navaho descent. I think especially going back to my home town of Madras, on the reservation which they aren't Navaho, but to see kids playing catch and younger kids, obviously little cousins, that never really got into baseball before, never really had interest in it, and now they're watching games on TV, they got gloves, they went out and bought some mitts, some gloves, some bats, balls; just getting them outside. And I'm excited about helping, watching their games, you know. I always look at it, it's not necessarily baseball related, but just give them a dream, some motivation, that I could do it, they could do it. Whatever they want to do whether it's baseball or school or being a teacher or whatever might be happen. Maybe give them a little hope if they didn't have that before.

Jeff: It's great that you're helping the young kids. It wasn't that many years ago, I can remember when you were 15 years old and you walked into the tryout camp at that time it was Baseball Oregon, now it's Baseball Northwest but we had a tryout camp and I remember this skinny kid from Madris walked in about 135 pounds, maybe 140, maybe; but he could really run! I wouldn't say he was a good baseball player but he was a really good athlete, and he ended up obviously being a very good baseball player. But talk a little bit about your time with Baseball Oregon back then, and I think you played on our USA Junior Olympic Tournament team that summer, I know played on a scout team or two with us in the Northwest Championships.

Jacoby: It was a great experience. I met a lot of different people, and a lot of the friends that I met there I'm still friends with now. I mean there's so many guys I met off those teams that went on to play college baseball, and I'm teammates with now and we have a great relationship. You know, it's nice to be guys from the state of Oregon, you know, we all came to represent, whether it's with Oregon State with my buddies there see, the guys from Oregon have a sense of almost family; we're all from a small town. Other states can kind of count us out, but I think with Oregon State doing so well just with that class I was a part of, you know, other people are taking notice and it's been neat to see the progression of everybody, just where Baseball Oregon went and how it's grown.

Jeff: Talk a little bit about your time at Oregon State. I think a lot of people as you well know, you have a have a huge amount of fans not only in Oregon but I think all across the Northwest, but obviously specific in Oregon, and they're going to remember you first, I think being at Oregon State and being the first time they went to the college World Series and you were the leader; talk a little bit about your time at Oregon State.

Jacoby: Great experience. I was drafted out of high school, and it was a tough decision whether to sign a professional baseball contract at the time, or go to Oregon State. And at the time, Oregon State definitely outweighed professional baseball. I wanted to get that college experience, and then have the opportunity to come play college baseball. You can't do that it's not in a Major League contract, so I knew it'd be there at least after three years maybe after four years, but there, met great people. First time away from home. So you're starting to learn what it takes to win, what it takes to get better. The 5 a.m. workouts, things like that, are crucial in your progression, not only as a person but as a baseball player. Pat Casey, he did a good job turning the program around; just getting the most out of his players. And I think that's the biggest thing. Once we started winning games and once we started turning things around, the recruits started coming in. Him and Marty Lees, Dan Spencer, they've all done a tremendous job of bringing in guys that were great athletes and making them into great baseball players; getting the most out of their abilities. And I think that speaks a lot for the coaching staff and their vision at Oregon State. It was a great three years, playing in the college World Series especially with guys you worked hard with; like I said, 5 a.m. workouts. Those two years build up to my junior year when we went to the College World Series. I know how much work they put in. It's exciting to see that they've won two national championships since then. I know the hard work they put into it.

Jeff: Speaking of hard work--where do you see yourself, as a player, that needs to be improved on. Obviously you're a big league player, but every player's got to get better. What are the things that you're going to look for next year to improve on?

Jacoby: Right now I'm just in the weight room putting on strength. Not necessarily weight, not necessarily size, just strength. Just to take me through 162 games a year. And that's probably one of my main focuses; just to be consistent, work off the tee, doing the little things that will take a good player, make him a great player; an average player, make him a better player. So I think the biggest thing now is really working on the fine things of the game and fine tuning it. There's really nothing that I'm going to totally change, just fine tuning the abilities that I have.

Jeff: I've seen you over the years, and I've seen the time that you've put in, when we talk to young kids we try to stress, it's not going to come easy, I don't care how good of an athlete you are. The success in this game, it's not going to come easy, without some work. Think back when you were younger, now, that you've had this success, is there some advice you could give the kids? What would you want to tell kids, what would you have wanted to have heard back then that you've found to be true now; help out those players now who are young and want to be the next Jacoby Ellsbury?

Jacoby: Well, the biggest thing I noticed is when I walked through the big league clubhouse, is probably took me about three weeks to understand it was the better players in the league, the better players on the Red Sox, the better players on the other teams, they're the ones that were in the weight room. They're the ones in the cage extra. They're the ones getting to the yard early. They're the ones that are staying later. And you see the talent of these big league players and your thinking, oh, they've already done the work, when they were younger, and they're just going out there and playing in the game. The better players are the ones that have put more work in. And that holds true to when you're younger. And it still carries over to the big league level. Everybody sees, for instance, Manny Ramirez. They think he shows up to the yard and he's lazy, but he's one of the hardest workers, and that holds true to a lot of the guys in the league. The younger players, you know, you might have God given ability, but you still have to practice, prepare, do the little things to make you a good player.

Jeff: Talk a little bit about your family, I know you have some brothers, and know family is important to you. I understand you have a young brother coming. I guess he's at Madras now, and I guess he's a baseball player too, so talk a little bit about your family, maybe a little bit about your brothers. Do I need to go scout your little brother?

Jacoby: Uh, hopefully, hopefully, yeah, he's only a sophomore in high school right now and he's working hard. It's just progression. You know, you may not be the best player your freshman year, you may not be the best player your sophomore year, or senior year; but, like I said, it's the guys that keep working hard... But, my brother, he's a senior at Oregon state. And I have another brother who's a sophomore at Oregon State. And then my little brother is at Madris High School and he's a sophomore. So right now he's in basketball. After that he'll be on the diamond. It's exciting going back to Madris and watching his games. You know, they've been cheering me on for all my years, and it's fun to give it back to them.

Jeff: I definitely appreciate your time, Jacoby. When I talked to a lot of people and said I had a chance to meet with you. And you've got a lot of fans out there. And I think more than anything, not only of your baseball ability, but I think everybody's so proud of you because of the way that you handled yourself. The way you conduct yourself, you're a good role model for the kids and certainly as part of the fans, I want to make sure that you continue to do that. And I know a lot of people wish you the best. And I know that the off season is really busy, and everybody wants to piece of your time now, and everything else, so I really appreciate the time together. But anyway, I just want to wish you the best of the luck. I understand that one last question, you're close to signing a deal with Nike, to go onboard with them. Is there anything you can tell us about that?

Jacoby: It's in the works right now. I really don't know too much about it right now. I just know both parties, my agent, and Nike are trying to work something out. So I'm definitely excited about having the opportunity and it's nice that it's in Oregon.