I had the opportunity to interview Dave Matranga, of the Salt Lake Stingers (Triple A affiliate of the Angels). Matranga was a 6th round draft choice (which I did screw up in the interview) of the Houston Astros. This past off-season, he signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
IP: I have to get the S question out of the way. What do you think of the steroid policy adopted by MLB? Do you think any big name players will be caught/suspended? What needs to be changed in the policy?
DM: I like the Policy. A big name player will get caught if he’s using and is tested, other than that they won’t. I saw Vlad Guerrero get tested, so I know big names are being tested.
IP: Since the Major League steroid policy is being focused on, has it put more emphasis on the Minor League policy? In the past, no one paid attention to who was caught, but this year there were a few lists released (over 60 names).
DM: The Minor League program has always been very strict, but nobody cares about the Minor leagues. Now they’ve decided to name names in both the Major’s and Minors.
IP: Greenies (amphetamines) have been a popular topic recently in baseball. Are they used as much as some people at saying? Are they part of the banned substance list?
DM: Yes they are very popular and no they are not currently banned.
IP: Speaking of the banned substance list, is it readily available for all players to check? Is language and translation problem a valid reason for some of the foreign players (as seen with Juan Rincon from Minnesota) who have been suspended?
DM: Yes, you can get the banned substance list, and no that’s a bunch of crap. I spoke with Rincon and he speaks perfect English.
IP: Who were your baseball idols growing up? Which teams did you follow?
DM: I liked Gary DiSarcina, Cal Ripken. I followed the Angles.
IP: I assume you played little league. What positions did you play? What was your favorite?
DM: Pitcher and SS, I was as good pitcher until High School then I shut that down.
IP: You attended Pepperdine University. What was it like playing baseball there? You were drafted before you finished, have you gone back for your degree? Was there interest from Major League teams before college?
DM: Great University, and a great baseball program, I had a lot of fun. I haven’t gone back, not sure if I will or not. Yes there was interested in High School but I let them know I was going to college.
IP: You were drafted in the 5th round of the 1998 draft by the Astros. How is the draft different than the drafts of other sports? Everyone watches the football draft and knows what goes on, but very few know about the baseball one. How did you find out you were selected?
DM: 6th Round…I found out when the area scout called me after the 6th round was finished and he told me. The draft is the same as the other sports, there is just a lot more rounds to go through, and since college baseball is not followed that much in the media, nobody would care to watch the draft.
IP: Did you get the ball from your first Major League hit?
DM: First Major League hit was a HR. Yes, I have the ball.
IP: Who was your first hit off of?
DM: Juaquin Benoit of the Rangers.
IP: Did you go out and buy any of your rookie cards?
DM: Got all of them on Ebay.
IP: You signed with the Angels in the off-season (correct?) and had a strong spring (10-31 in 18 games). Were you disappointed that you didn’t make the squad?
DM: I was the last one cut, so I felt I did my job. I made the decision hard on them. It was a long shot to make the club, so I got over it pretty quick.
IP: What do you think about the new name of the team: The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim? Did it even matter to the players?
DM: Doesn’t matter to us at all.
IP: What was/is it like playing with some big name prospects, like Chris Burke, Casey Kotchman, Dallas McPherson, and Jeff Mathis?
DM: It’s no different than playing with anybody else. They are good players but so is everybody else.
IP: What have you thought about Ervin Santana in his 1st start in Triple A?
DM: He’s a good pitcher with good stuff. If he can stay healthy he’ll be a good one.
IP: Who is the toughest pitcher you have faced? Who have you had the most success off of?
DM: Scott Williamson is the toughest…Don’t have enough big league experience to have success off of anybody.
IP: Do you get star struck when you see some opposing players (like players on rehab assignments)?
DM: No I’m over that at this point in my career.
IP: I would take it that you were at first. Who were you in awe of? Have you ever asked a teammate or an opposing player for an autograph? Do other players do that?
DM: Not really, I mean it was cool and all, but they are just human beings like me. I’m not a big autograph guy, but (Ken) Griffey Jr. gave me a bat and ball. Yes, other players do it.
IP: The [URL=https://insidepulse.com/]Inside Pulse[/URL] encompasses most of pop culture and I want to ask a question from each section.
What is your favorite video game? Were you/are you still a person that plays a lot of video games?
DM: I really don’t play much video games. I like the racing ones though.
IP: What TV shows do you watch in your free time?
DM: Baseball Tonight.
IP: Did you watch wrestling growing up? If so, who was your favorite? Why?
DM: No didn’t follow it that much, but I did like the Ultimate Warrior.
IP: What is your favorite sport to watch (other than baseball)? What is your favorite to play?
DM: Football I guess….baseball is my favorite to play.
IP: What was your favorite action figure as a kid?
DM: He-man.
IP: What is your favorite movie? Actor/Actress?
DM: Bull Durham. I like Johnny Dep.
I would like to thank Dave for the interview and wish him good luck for his season and his career.
