Questions & Answers with Sam Fuld -- ANSWERS POSTED

[Laura]

http://peoriachiefs.com.ismmedia.com/ISM2/PlayerManager/362.jpeg.300.jpeg

 

Sam Fuld, the Center Fielder for the Peoria Chiefs, has graciously agreed to answer questions from posters on NSBB! If you would like to send a comment to Sam, or if you would like to ask Sam a question, feel free to post it here. Since the Chiefs' regular season is winding down, the deadline for submitting questions is MIDNIGHT, Tuesday, August 23. Once Sam has had an opportunity to answer them, the responses will be posted.

 

This session will be coordinated as in accordance with The NSBB Q & A Guidelines.

 

From the Peoria Chiefs website:

 

Birthplace: Durham, NH

DOB: November 20, 1981

Bats: L

Throws: L

Height: 5' 10"

Weight: 180 lbs

 

Fuld was drafted by the Cubs in the 10th round of the 2004 draft after a four-year career at Stanford. As a member of the Cardinal, Fuld was a two-time All-American and a three-time all-Pac Ten First Team choice. He holds Stanford records as the all-time leader in runs and at-bats. He finished his Stanford career with a .335 average, 16 home runs, and 148 RBIs.

 

He was originally drafted by the Cubs in the 24th round of the 2003 draft and played in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2003, leading the Hyannis Mets to the playoffs in earning an All-League selection. He attended high school at Phillips Exeter Academy, earning preseason high school All-American honors from Baseball America in 2000.

 

Sam holds the all-time College World Series record with 24 hits. The previous record was held by Keith Moreland. Baseball America named Sam the best defensive player in the Cubs 2004 draft class.

 

Thank you to Sam for taking the time to interact with us on such an up close and personal level. Many thanks to Nathan Baliva, Broadcast & Media Manager for the Peoria Chiefs, for setting up the interview! As always, thanks to all of you for making NSBB such a wonderful community! :D

Edited January 8, 2006 by Laura

[Jon]

Sam-

 

1) First off, how's the oblique muscle?

 

2) How is your running game coming along? What are the specific things you're working on currently?

 

3) As someone with more walks than strikeouts, what do you look for on a 3-2 pitch? Do you take relatively close pitches or do you tend to try to foul off anything that looks even remotely close to the corner?

 

4) What was it like when you started to play with Eric Patterson and then (later on) with Grant Johnson after you played with both on the 2002 national team? What were those two summers like for you?

 

Thanks and keep up the great work!

[CuseCubFan69]

Sam,

 

How did you figure out what adjustments to make to improve your swing as the season progressed?

 

Also along those lines what adjustments did you make?

[Joe_Cub]

Hello and thank you for answering questions.

 

Does it matter to you where you bat in the lineup? You\'re really good at leading off now. Where did you bat in the lineup in college? Do you mind trying to buntsingle or is that part of your gamE?

 

Did you ever crack on Keith Moreland for breaking his college world series record? Good stuff.

 

Thanks.

[NCCubFan]

Thanks for taking our questions.

 

Did you give any consideration to signing with the Cubs when previously drafted in 2003, or were you completely committed to returning to Stanford for your senior season? Do you think you made the right decision in hindsight?

[Chris]

Thank you for taking time to answer our questions! Feel free to visit us at NSBB at any time!

 

The Peoria Journal Star reported that "When the 1999 All-Star Game was at Fenway Park, Fuld and his buddies sneaked into a VIP area at a fan fest in order to obtain Garciaparra's autograph."

 

When you had a chance to talk to Nomar on his rehab, did you talk to him about that autograph and did you make sure to get something else signed by him? What was it like to be in a game with him? That was a really great gesture to offer your jersey for him to wear!

 

Keep up the great work!

[Laura]

Thanks for taking our questions!

 

I was at the Peoria game when Bill Holden visited and threw out the first pitch to you. They explained that you had been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when you were 10 years old.

 

How did you and your family react to the diagnosis?

Were there any concerns about continuing to play sports?

What additional steps do you take to prepare and play a full season of pro-ball?

 

Cubs fans have been active in JDRF fundraising, given Ron Santo's involvement in those efforts. Northsidebaseball.com sponsored a Q&A session with Jeff Santo and Tom Comstock, producers of the movie "This Old Cub", and coordinated fundraising efforts to support the Diamond Jaxx charity auction benefiting JDRF.

 

Have you watched "This Old Cub"?

If so, what did you think about the movie? (if not, it's definitely recommended!)

 

Thanks -- and congrats on putting together an excellent season! It's been fun as a fan to watch you play CF for the Chiefs. :)

[coldsteel]

Sam,

 

As a big red sox fan, did you have a fun time celebrating the red sox world series last year? Did you go to Boston? How was the scene where you were? Any good stories?

 

Vicariously,

 

Cold

[CuseCubFan69]

If you are having a hard time with a pitcher, what adjustments do you make to be able to have success against him?

 

Who do you listen to for advice on hitting, is it one person or do you let a bunch of people give you advice and you take a little from each?

 

How do you adjust to pitches on the outside of the plate, can you let it get deeper and how hard is it to be able to not try to pull it?

 

This drives me crazy when I see players do this so please be honest....when a ball is hit away from you do you glide to it or beat the ball to the spot?

 

How do you break down a pitcher when you're watching him from the dugout/on deck circle?

 

If you go into a 1-18 kind of slump, what do you do to break out of it?

[Outshined_One]

Sam, thanks a bunch for answering our questions!

 

My question to you is, how do you prepare yourself before every game? Do you try to relax and listen to music, make small talk with some other players, or do you have any rituals or superstitions that you go through?

 

Thanks again!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hey Sam, thanks for taking your time to answer our questions!

 

Why did you choose to go across the country from New Hampshire to Stanford for college baseball?

 

I went to a few Stanford-UCLA games at Jackie Robinson Field/UCLA. I remember one game your senior year where you hit a HR and had quite a few RBI and beat us. I was really impressed with your play and glad to see the Cubs drafted you (again). Do you still keep in touch with your former Stanford teammates, like Carlos Quentin?

 

You were struggling to start the season. Did you make any changes as you got hot, or did things just finally click?

 

Keep up the good work, Sam! I'll especially be rooting for you since I was a CF in high school and was an econ major at UCLA. :)

[Laura]

Questions & Answers with Sam Fuld

 

JonMDavis (Evanston, Ilinois)

 

Sam-

 

1) First off, how's the oblique muscle?

 

Everything is good. I had to play through some pain but now I’m 100 percent.

 

2) How is your running game coming along? What are the specific things you're working on currently?

 

I work on a lot of different things on the bases. Reading the pitcher, getting a good jump, working on first step quickness and being as explosive as possible.

 

3) As someone with more walks than strikeouts, what do you look for on a 3-2 pitch? Do you take relatively close pitches or do you tend to try to foul off anything that looks even remotely close to the corner?

 

In general my strike zone expands with 2 strikes. I’ve been fortunate enough to hit in front of a great hitter in Patterson so I tend to get a lot of fastballs in counts like that.

 

4) What was it like when you started to play with Eric Patterson and then (later on) with Grant Johnson after you played with both on the 2002 national team? What were those two summers like for you?

 

Those two summers were great experiences with the level of ball and the travel. We got to see some great places and play against very good competition. It is great to reunite with those two. We had a great time and it always raises your comfort level when you know guys in the locker room from day one.

 

Thanks and keep up the great work!

 

 

CuseCubFan69 (New York)

 

Sam,

 

How did you figure out what adjustments to make to improve your swing as the season progressed?

 

I got great instruction from Julio and Ricardo and Dave Keller when he was here as a rover. They helped me figure out what was wrong.

 

Also along those lines what adjustments did you make?

 

Specifically I moved closer to the plate and tried to be smoother and softer with my hands.

 

 

Joe_Cub (Rennsselaer, Indiana)

 

Hello and thank you for answering questions.

 

Does it matter to you where you bat in the lineup? You're really good at leading off now. Where did you bat in the lineup in college? Do you mind trying to bunt-single or is that part of your game?

 

I batted first and second in college and feel comfortable there but it doesn’t really matter to me where I hit, the goal is the same and that is to get on base. The bunt single is definitely part of my game and it helps to draw in the infield and create more opportunities.

 

Did you ever crack on Keith Moreland for breaking his college world series record? Good stuff:

 

No. I did get a chance to meet him this spring at a big league game but definitely didn’t talk any trash.

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

NCCubbieFan (North Carolina)

 

Thanks for taking our questions.

 

Did you give any consideration to signing with the Cubs when previously drafted in 2003, or were you completely committed to returning to Stanford for your senior season? Do you think you made the right decision in hindsight?

 

I definitely considered signing in 03 it was a win-win decision but a difficult one. Either sign with a great organization or go back to a great program and school and get my degree. I’m happy I got to finish my education and have a great senior year on the field and off.

 

 

DJAXXFAN (Tennessee)

 

Thank you for taking time to answer our questions! Feel free to visit us at NSBB at any time!

 

The Peoria Journal Star reported that "When the 1999 All-Star Game was at Fenway Park, Fuld and his buddies sneaked into a VIP area at a fan fest in order to obtain Garciaparra's autograph."

 

When you had a chance to talk to Nomar on his rehab, did you talk to him about that autograph and did you make sure to get something else signed by him? What was it like to be in a game with him? That was a really great gesture to offer your jersey for him to wear!

 

No I didn’t mention it to him at all. He was nice enough to sign a ball for each player when he was here. It was a great opportunity to play with a guy I grew up idolizing but you just want to talk to him like another teammate and not be over-bearing. He had 25 guys just watching his every move and the last thing he needed was to be bothered by us. He was awesome to us and the fans and it was a great three days.

 

Keep up the great work!

 

 

Serena (Indiana)

Thanks for taking our questions!

 

I was at the Peoria game when Bill Holden visited and threw out the first pitch to you. They explained that you had been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when you were 10 years old.

 

How did you and your family react to the diagnosis?

It was tougher on my parents than it was on me. I was a little kid and I had no idea what I was getting into.

 

Were there any concerns about continuing to play sports?

 

No the doctors made a point of telling us that the disease shouldn’t effect my ability to stay active.

 

What additional steps do you take to prepare and play a full season of pro-ball?

 

It was more of a mental adjustment than anything. Physically I was prepared after college and summer ball. This was more of a mental grind than anything.

 

Cubs fans have been active in JDRF fundraising, given Ron Santo's involvement in those efforts. NSBB sponsored a Q&A session with Jeff Santo and Tom Comstock, producers of the movie "This Old Cub", and coordinated fundraising efforts to support the Diamond Jaxx charity auction benefiting JDRF.

 

Have you watched "This Old Cub"?

 

No, I haven’t had the chance yet.

 

 

Thanks -- and congrats on putting together an excellent season! It's been fun as a fan to watch you play CF for the Chiefs.

 

 

ColdSteel (Toledo, Ohio)

 

Sam,

 

As a big red sox fan, did you have a fun time celebrating the red sox world series last year? Did you go to Boston? How was the scene where you were? Any good stories?

 

Vicariously,

Cold

 

Watching the Yankees series back home in NH was pretty awesome. No one thought they had a chance but when they did it was a great experience just to be in New England. After the World Series, I went to the parade in Boston and had a great time celebrating with all of Red Sox Nation.

 

CuseCubFan69 (New York)

 

If you are having a hard time with a pitcher, what adjustments do you make to be able to have success against him?

 

It depends on what problems I’m having with him. If a guy is throwing hard and I’m having trouble catching up then I shorten my swing to make contact. If he is off-speed I will concentrate on letting the ball get deep and go opposite field with it.

 

Who do you listen to for advice on hitting, is it one person or do you let a bunch of people give you advice and you take a little from each?

 

I listen to as many people as I can and soak in as much information and advice as I can and incorporate what I feel is most relevant to my swing. I listen to coaches, teammates, family, friends. Etc.

 

How do you adjust to pitches on the outside of the plate, can you let it get deeper and how hard is it to be able to not try to pull it?

 

I do try to let it get deep and go the other way. If you try to pull you are just going to roll over on it and that’s what the pitcher wants.

 

This drives me crazy when I see players do this so please be honest....when a ball is hit away from you do you glide to it or beat the ball to the spot?

 

It depends on the situation. If there are runners on base and less than 2 outs and a throw is needed I make sure I get to the spot. Otherwise I may drift to the ball which tends to be easier.

 

How do you break down a pitcher when you're watching him from the dugout/on deck circle?

 

I look for his release point and his general velocity and movement on breaking balls and see if he has unique tendencies on the mound.

 

If you go into a 1-18 kind of slump, what do you do to break out of it?

 

I try not to do anything different, you just stay confident and pretend you are 10-18.

 

 

Outshined_One (Madison, Wisconsin)

 

Sam, Thanks a bunch for answering our questions!

 

My question to you is, how do you prepare yourself before every game? Do you try to relax and listen to music, make small talk with some other players, or do you have any rituals or superstitions that you go through?

 

Thanks again!

 

I like to relax and try to keep my mind off the game because I have a tendency to worry a lot and lately I’ve been bringing my laptop and playing addictive card games. The guys do all talk to each other and we usually have music and the TV on as well.

 

CaliforniaRaisin101 (Arcadia, California)

 

Hey Sam, thanks for taking your time to answer our questions!

 

Why did you choose to go across the country from New Hampshire to Stanford for college baseball?

 

I wanted to go to a school that combined great academics and great baseball and I felt Stanford was the best choice for me in that respect.

 

I went to a few Stanford-UCLA games at Jackie Robinson Field/UCLA. I remember one game your senior year where you hit a HR and had quite a few RBI and beat us. I was really impressed with your play and glad to see the Cubs drafted you (again). Do you still keep in touch with your former Stanford teammates, like Carlos Quentin?

 

Yeah. It can be difficult during the season to keep in touch often but I try to as much as possible and track them on the internet and see how they are doing.

 

You were struggling to start the season. Did you make any changes as you got hot, or did things just finally click?

 

I made a few minor adjustments at the plate but it was just as much a matter of confidence.

 

Keep up the good work, Sam! I'll especially be rooting for you since I was a CF in high school and was an econ major at UCLA.

 

Thanks for all the questions and for asking me to be interviewed.

[Laura]

Sam Fuld was also interviewed on Friday's Peoria Chiefs pre-game show broadcast. You can download the mp3 file here (the link is good for a limited number of downloads; if it doesn't work, PM me and I'll repost it). The interview is a little over 3 minutes long.

 

In the interview, he talks about his approach to leading off, batting in front of Eric Patterson and Ryan Harvey, and the Chiefs stretch run for a second-half playoff spot.

[Chris]

Excellent! Thanks Serena, Sam, and Nathan!

[Outshined_One]

Thanks for making this possible everyone!

[Joe_Cub]

I meant joke around with Moreland and not rip on him. :lol:

 

good interview thanks!