By Diane Stanley
February 7 2003

This week's interview is with another friend that I met via my website. Over to you Judy! My name is Judy and I'm 21 years old. I am in my 4th year at the University of Calgary, doing BSc in psychology. I hope in 10 years time, I'll be a doctor, either of medicine or with a PhD in neuroscience.

How long have you been interested in baseball?
Hard to say, probably around 6-7 years old. And then I moved away from Toronto and didn't start getting into it again until 1993-1994 (I was 13-14 years old).

Did you ever play little league or softball?
I registered, but never made it there. I was practicing with a friend in school, but I got hit on the lip by the ball, and I got so scared that I didn't want to stand in a batter's box again.

Seeing as you live so far from a Major League stadium have you ever been to a big league game? If so where?
Yes, it was at Skydome in Toronto. I was visiting my friend at the University of Toronto, and decided to go see one. It was June of this year. It was a Braves vs. Jays.

Do you have any plans to go to a Major League game next season?
Yes I do! I'm hoping to go to Seattle, as I love the M's and I want to see Safeco Field. Maybe I'll get a chance to go down the West Coast and see more!

The hottest topic in baseball right now is contraction. What are your feelings on this subject?
Economically, I can understand why MLB would do this. Just like any business, when you're not making money, or worse, having to lose money, it has to change. Sooner or later you're gonna run out of money to pay the employees (players, personnel, etc.). However, as a fan, I think it's terrible. It really shows the economic disparity and competition is stiff. Bottomline is, the economics of the game has totally dominated the situation in the present time.

If contraction does take place which teams do you feel will be the two to go and how do you feel about this?
I actually feel the two Canadian teams would be the first to go, therefore the Jays and Expos. The Canadian Dollar just hit its all-time low, and it was low compared to the US dollar to begin with. The Jays can have a full house, but when converted to US currency, it may only be 60% of what, say a full house at Fenway Park would be. I think it is disappointing, because it seems like it is no longer a "past-time" anymore, it's all about money. They can increase ticket prices, but that will only turn more people away.

Do you think that MLB could impose a salary cap at this time or is it too late?
It is too late. Baseball players have been "spoiled" and if MLB impose a salary cap now, I can guarantee that there will be total chaos. Although I know some players don't care too much about the money, some do, and they're the ones who are making this difficult.

Do you think there will be any blockbuster trades made this winter? If so who do you think will be the main player involved?
I doubt there will be blockbuster trades this winter. I think it will be like last year, blockbuster free-agent signings, with Jason Giambi being the big name.

Which team do you think was the most improved in 2001?
I would have to say it's a tie between the Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals. Both teams made the postseason in 2000 as well, but I feel that they "perfected" what they have already accomplished and realized that they are very much capable of going to the World Series.

If you could meet any player past or present who would it be and why?
Henry Aaron. I think he has really turned the game around, and he's giving a lot of sluggers an "ultimate goal" to reach. He too had to overcome racism to make a name for himself. He is definitely getting the attention now, but he never got the proper credits and ovations he deserved during his playing time. I can only imagine the way he felt when he hit homerun #715. That was a crowning moment!

Have you ever written a fan letter to any of your favorite players? If so did he reply?
Well, not really a fan letter, more like email. I wrote to Omar Vizquel, Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra, and they all responded.

Who is your favorite present day player and why?
Tom Glavine. Predominately, I support good pitching, and I just like southpaws. It's not like Tommy's intimidating on the mound, but he gets the job done (go ahead, debate about the strike zone). One day, he can come out and give up like 12 hits, but only give up 2 runs. The next time, he strikes out 15 and throws a shut out. And if pitchers don't count, then Omar Vizquel's my favorite. He's such a little guy, who can do a lot! His defense is one of a kind, and he's flashy too!

Have you ever met him?
I can only wish. Came close tho, that time I went to see the Jays vs. Braves game, 'cuz he started it. Too bad we got there a little bit too late.

This one I ask everyone. Apart from Jackie Robinson who do you think has done the most to change the face of baseball and why?
There isn't a whole lot of people who have done what Jackie Robinson has done. Look around now, without Jackie Robinson, we may never have seen Hank Aaron or Barry Bonds. Next up on the list would have to be Cal Ripken Jr. He defy's all the rules of a shortstop. He wasn't suppose to hit with a high average, he wasn't suppose to hit a lot of homeruns and he wasn't suppose to be so big! Her revolutionized the shortstop position. Without him, there may be no Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez or Nomar Garciaparra.

Will there be a strike in 2002?
I doubt it. Given what happened in 1994, I think MLB will do anything to prevent that from happening again. At least I hope they learned something from 1994.

Thanks for the interview Judy and good luck with the rest of your course.

If you would like to be the next interviewee,
please contact me (Diane Stanley) at greenfan@shawngreen.net