With spring training right around the corner, Post columnist Steve Serby caught up with Mets outfielder Mike Baxter for some Q&A.
Q: Why will the Mets be better than the experts think?
A: We’ve just got a good, scrappy, hungry group of guys. Baseball’s a game you really can’t count anybody out. Knowing the group we have here, it’s just a really resilient and hungry group that is going to go out and not be too fazed by what’s going on publicly.
Q: Can you imagine having a championship-contender New York Mets dream?
A: I don’t think it’s an outlandish dream. I really don’t.
Q: Can you imagine what the city would be like if the Mets were contenders?
A: The city would be going nuts. It’s the greatest city to play baseball in, without a doubt.
Q: What do you think of Michael Bourn, the free agent outfielderwho interests the Mets?
A: He’s such a good defender in center field. He’s a game-changer on the basepaths and at the plate. He definitely gives a lineup a different dynamic. You have to game-plan around a player like that. It would be great to have him on board.
Q: What do you think of young pitcher Zack Wheeler?
A: His stuff is electric — it’s probably the best adjective I can come up with. His demeanor on the mound is impressive. He’s easy to talk to, he’s a nice kid.
Q: Young catcher Travis d’Arnaud?
A: I haven’t seen him catch yet. His swing looks pretty good, a really loose athletic swing and he’s got some pop.
Q: David Wright getting engaged to model Molly Beers?
A: He couldn’t have picked a better girl. She’s so sweet. I’m happy for them.
Q: Ike Davis?
A: I think Ike’s going to be the player we saw in the second half. It’s really fun to watch him play. You really can’t put a ceiling on a guy like that. He’s a special guy.
Q: Your catch that saved Johan Santana’s no-hitter against the Cardinals last season — did it change your life?
A: No, it didn’t. A lot of people think that. What it has done is give me a great memory. Definitely one of the highlights of my short career to date. It was such an honor to be part of that day, something I’ll never forget.
Q: Re-enact the play.
A: [Yadier] Molina hit a line drive, over my left shoulder. It was tough to take your eyes off it. Fortunately, I caught the ball. Unfortunately, I stumbled and lost my footing where I couldn’t brace myself.
Q: How hard did you hit the wall?
A: I hit it pretty hard. It knocked the wind out of me somewhat. It was really the first time in my career I knew I couldn’t play [missed two months with a bruised left shoulder].
Q: Describe the standing ovation from the fans.
A: I won’t forget that coming off the field, as I was worried about myself.
Q: You watched the end of the no-hitter with the trainers and doctors.
A: Everything stopped. We were glued to the TV. I was so happy he did it.
Q: Paint the scene in the trainers’ room.
A: People just screaming, high-fives, jumping up and down. Without the pile, a mirror image of what happened on the field.
Q: With Jason Bay gone, there could be an opportunity for you in the outfield?
A: We’ll see. It’s an ever-evolving thing. I just want to be consistent. I want to come out and keep it at bat by at bat.
Q: Put into words what it’s like for a kid from Whitestone who grew up a Mets fan to play for the Mets.
A: It’s cliche. It really is a dream, pretending to be guys in my front yard playing Wiffle Ball.. .taking the Q14 bus from my house to the 7 train to 74th, then the F train to Molloy. It’s really incredible. The greatest part is sharing the experience with my family, being home eight months, six months out of the year.
Q: What are Mets fans like?
A: Passionate, definitely passionate and intense. Really great fans to play in front of, speaking as a fan and a player. In my opinion, it’s the greatest place to play in, especially if you start winning. The city’s going to be behind you.
Q: Do you remember the 1994 Stanley Cup champion Rangers?
A: I was a huge Ranger fan. I went to a game against the Canucks. I’ve probably been to more Ranger games than Met games.
Q: After six years in the minors, did you wonder if you ever would make it?
A: Yeah, I think that’s what made getting called up so emotional for me. You do wonder that. You believe internally you can play in the big leagues, and it’s just a matter of time and you just want an opportunity. The trust you have in your game, I think it supersedes the doubt.
Q: Worst minor-league bus ride?
A: I didn’t mind the bus. You can sleep on a bus. We would have to play Colorado Springs. We’d fly from Portland, land in Denver and have to drive two or three hours. For whatever reason, that always got me mad.
Q: Your first hit came with the Padres in a blowout loss to the Reds in 2010.
A: They pulled Adrian Gonzalez. I played an inning, then I led off the bottom of the ninth against Francisco Cordero. I was 0-for-6 at that point. I hit a liner to right. It felt like two, three weeks [the hit came 20 days after his first big league at-bat].
Q: Describe your first callup to the Mets in 2011.
A: [Buffalo Bisons manager Tim] Teufel called my room to wake me up: “You just got called, you got to go.” Another great moment. I called my family: “I’m coming home tonight.”
Q: Your father’s reaction this time?
A: Similar. He was at my first game in San Diego. This one was a little easier to get to.
Q: So you landed at LaGuardia …
A: One of the security guys picked me up. I was a little bit late, BP was already going on. I’d never even seen Citi Field. It’s a beautiful clubhouse, seeing my locker — I couldn’t soak it in too much, BP was going on. I met Terry [Collins], introduced myself.
Q: What was it like putting on the Mets uniform for the first time?
A: I was really concerned about being late to BP (laugh). It wasn’t nostalgic, I was in a rush to get outside.
Q: What was your first Mets at-bat like?
A: We were playing San Diego, a very strange situation. I came up in a pinch-hitting spot. I hit a double to left. I was thrilled. It was so nice getting the first one out of the way.
Q: First Bayside Little League memory?
A: I was about 10 or 11 trying out for the summer team, and I was just hitting with my father. He was throwing me pitches on the field, Valley East. It was the first time I ever hit the ball over the fence.
Q: How long was being a major league baseball player your dream?
A: Forever. I can’t even give you an age — kindergarten, first grade. I would always talk about playing for the Mets.
Q: How often would you go to Shea Stadium?
A: We’d probably go five or six times a year. I always went with my aunt. We’d always pick out a promotion and go.
Q: John Olerud was your favorite player. … Who were your other favorite Mets?
A: When I was a kid, I remember I’d hit outside and pretend to be like Howard Johnson. I loved John Franco … Todd Hundley.
Q: Hojo and Hundley were switch-hitters. Did you switch-hit?
A: A little bit. I scrapped it when I got to high school.
Q: Describe your Archbishop Molloy high school coach Jack Curran.
A: One word — legendary. I think it goes synonymous with his name. … [He is] extremely caring. He’s selfless. He put his kids first always for 50 years.
Q: Winning the CHSAA championship at Shea in 2002?
A: It’s still one of the best memories I have in baseball, definitely in the top three or four. We just wanted it do bad. It was just a great day.
Q: You played shortstop. … Who was your favorite shortstop?
A: I liked Rey Ordonez.
Q: What was it like playing at Shea for the first time?
A: It was awesome. It was a 10 o’clock game, we had to wait outside a little while. Throwing on the foul line, looking out, taking it in … walking up to the plate and they announce my name — “Wow, this is a pretty cool moment.”
Q: Why did you spend only one year at Columbia?
A: I think I just wanted a little bit more out of baseball. Vanderbilt is in the SEC and it’s still good academically. As a kid, I always dreamed of playing at a program in the south. Out of high school, I was very lightly recruited.
Q: Describe your coach at Vanderbiilt, Tim Corbin.
A: Just a really intense guy. He has such a passion for the game. The biggest part of his program is getting you to a point to help you mature as a man. You definitely grow up and learn about responsibility and time management that’s going to help you on the other side. He’s not just a baseball coach. He’s a well-rounded guy who wants to improve the lives of these kids on and off the field.
Q: Describe Terry Collins.
A: He’s intense. He’s got a passion. I respond to those guys. I like that kind of leadership.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Ted Williams, John Olerud, Dave Matthews.
Q: Why Ted Williams?
A: I just like to talk hitting.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Shawshank Redemption.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Steve Carell.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Jennifer Aniston.
Q: Favorite entertainer?
A: Dave Matthews Band.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: My mon’s penne a la vodka.