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This season was the final swan song for one of the game's all time legends. Writers of the Bakersfield Gazette sit down this week with All World Catcher Ian James and discuss his incredible career.
BG: No that it is all over, what are you going to miss the most?
IJ: Everyone says it, but it's true. The guys. I don't think there will be any replacing the camaraderie that you share in a BLB clubhouse as you battle towards the Brewmaster every season. There's just no feeling like 26 guys all pulling toward one goal.
BG: Who was the most influential person in your baseball career?
IJ: That's an easy one. My dad, Ian Sr.! He worked 80 hours a week in the vineyards back home, but he four two hours a day, every day to play catch with me. Funny think though, he caught and I always pitched. I wanted to be a pitcher so bad, but my coaches and managers had other ideas with how my talents would be best served on the ball field.
BG: What is your fondest baseball memory?
IJ: As a kid, it was throwing a perfect game in my last little league start. It was also my last game ever pitching again. We were playing this team from the other side of the tracks that always beat us. They had this big kid that just hit bombs. I struck him out three times. The best 100 pitches I ever threw!
BG: What is your fondest BLB memory?
IJ: That's easy. Winning the Brewmasters Cup with SDR in 2033. We had so many good teams in my time there, but just couldn't quite put it all together. 2033 was a magical run that finished with us beating Philadelphia. Let's be honest, who doesn't love watching Philly fans get upset! The best part, was winning for JB. The guys and I knew how hard he's tried to get over the hump, and when he finally did it, it was just unreal!
BG: Do you have any regrets?
IJ: Just one. I can't help, but think that I should have retired a Rumrunner. I can't help but look at guys like Suarez and Morla and feel a little jealous. I really thought I would be a Rumrunner for life.
BG: The Hall of Fame?
IJ: I enjoyed my career, I did the best I could, and now it's up to the writers.
BG: Last question. Clearly you'll get in. I'm assuming a Rumrunners hat will be on your plaque.
IJ: All speculative of course, but I'm leaning toward California.
BG: Wait? What?
IJ: Strange, I know. I didn't have a single BLB at bat for the Kodiaks, but there is a certain kinship I felt with their GM that I dust didn't feel any where else. That, and he let me fulfil my lifelong dream of pitching in the pros. Although I only did it once, I'll never forget the strikeout I threw this season for Bakersfield.
BG: Really, the last question now. How do you think SDR fans will feel?
IJ: That's honestly who I'd feel most for, but SDR had the chance to do the right thing. I told myself I'd never share this, but a deal was on the table to send me to SDR for a tenth round pick to allow me to retire there, but the phone call wasn't even returned. Having said all of that, I'd love to thank JB for giving me the chance to be a BLB player, and more importantly, not getting taken by that poor excuse for a franchise in Montreal.
BG: Thanks for your time!
For his career, James finished with a lifetime 0.310 AVG, 502 HR, 1367 RBI, 14x All-Star, 14x Designated Drivers, 1 New Brew, 3 Stout Sluggers, and 1 Brewmaster Title... Wow!
BG: No that it is all over, what are you going to miss the most?
IJ: Everyone says it, but it's true. The guys. I don't think there will be any replacing the camaraderie that you share in a BLB clubhouse as you battle towards the Brewmaster every season. There's just no feeling like 26 guys all pulling toward one goal.
BG: Who was the most influential person in your baseball career?
IJ: That's an easy one. My dad, Ian Sr.! He worked 80 hours a week in the vineyards back home, but he four two hours a day, every day to play catch with me. Funny think though, he caught and I always pitched. I wanted to be a pitcher so bad, but my coaches and managers had other ideas with how my talents would be best served on the ball field.
BG: What is your fondest baseball memory?
IJ: As a kid, it was throwing a perfect game in my last little league start. It was also my last game ever pitching again. We were playing this team from the other side of the tracks that always beat us. They had this big kid that just hit bombs. I struck him out three times. The best 100 pitches I ever threw!
BG: What is your fondest BLB memory?
IJ: That's easy. Winning the Brewmasters Cup with SDR in 2033. We had so many good teams in my time there, but just couldn't quite put it all together. 2033 was a magical run that finished with us beating Philadelphia. Let's be honest, who doesn't love watching Philly fans get upset! The best part, was winning for JB. The guys and I knew how hard he's tried to get over the hump, and when he finally did it, it was just unreal!
BG: Do you have any regrets?
IJ: Just one. I can't help, but think that I should have retired a Rumrunner. I can't help but look at guys like Suarez and Morla and feel a little jealous. I really thought I would be a Rumrunner for life.
BG: The Hall of Fame?
IJ: I enjoyed my career, I did the best I could, and now it's up to the writers.
BG: Last question. Clearly you'll get in. I'm assuming a Rumrunners hat will be on your plaque.
IJ: All speculative of course, but I'm leaning toward California.
BG: Wait? What?
IJ: Strange, I know. I didn't have a single BLB at bat for the Kodiaks, but there is a certain kinship I felt with their GM that I dust didn't feel any where else. That, and he let me fulfil my lifelong dream of pitching in the pros. Although I only did it once, I'll never forget the strikeout I threw this season for Bakersfield.
BG: Really, the last question now. How do you think SDR fans will feel?
IJ: That's honestly who I'd feel most for, but SDR had the chance to do the right thing. I told myself I'd never share this, but a deal was on the table to send me to SDR for a tenth round pick to allow me to retire there, but the phone call wasn't even returned. Having said all of that, I'd love to thank JB for giving me the chance to be a BLB player, and more importantly, not getting taken by that poor excuse for a franchise in Montreal.
BG: Thanks for your time!
For his career, James finished with a lifetime 0.310 AVG, 502 HR, 1367 RBI, 14x All-Star, 14x Designated Drivers, 1 New Brew, 3 Stout Sluggers, and 1 Brewmaster Title... Wow!