By Diane Stanley
February 7 2003

This weeks interview is with one of my dearest friends Brad Hoffman. A mutual admiration of ex Blue Jay now LA Dodger Shawn Green brought us together. I love him like a son. Over to you Brad!

I am currently studying second year broadcasting at Niagara College in Ontario, Canada. I Enjoy all sports, but mostly Baseball and Hockey. I also like camping and other outdoor activities.

How long have you been interested in baseball?
I first started watching baseball in the 1992 playoffs when the Jays played Oakland. Seeing them go on and win the World Series got me hookedand after that I just sort of fell in love with the game.

Did you ever play little league or high school ball?
I did play on a house league team for about five years. I still love to play, but don't really have the time to play on a team anymore.

How many games do you attend in a season?
I usually attend about five to ten games a year.

Have you ever been on a road trip?
I went to Texas this past summer and saw the Jays play the Rangers but that's about it. I'd love to go on a longer road trip and see more parks though.

If you could attend a game at any major league stadium which would you choose and why?
I think I'd pick Fenway Park in Boston. It's one of the oldest stadiums remaining and there is so much history to it. Yankee Stadium and Wrigley Field would be right up there too though. All three of those stadiums have such passionate fans, it would be great to be in that atmosphere.

You are studying sports journalism at university. What made you chose this subject?
Well the actual program name is broadcasting so it's kind of broad but ultimately I'd like to get into the sports end of it. I really love baseball, but I also enjoy other sports and I think informing other people about it would be great.

How much longer do you have until you graduate?
I am in the second year of a three-year program.

What is your ultimate goal when you have finished university?
Obviously I'll have to be versatile being new in the field, but ultimately I'd love to be doing baseball play by play.

Is there a certain journalist whom you would fashion your career on?
Well they tell us to be ourselves which I think is good advice, but there are certain aspects I take note of from watching other broadcasters. So I guess to answer that, I try and make note of the best qualities that each possesses.

Who do you think are the best and worst sports journalists. Please give the reason for your answer.
Joe Buck and Dan Shulman are two baseball broadcasters I really admire. They are both very professional, knowledgeable and I just like the style in which they call the game. In hockey I really like listening to Hall of Famer Bob Cole. As for the worst, well I guess to be covering major league teams they can't be too bad but there are some I like less. Brian Williams of CBC fits in that category. I think he's hard working but sometimes I wonder if he's more concerned with making speeches than watching the game. Bob Costas is another one. I think he has a great voice and is a great person to broadcast baseball but sometimes he annoys me with his long-winded speeches. If he just called the game that would be better.

If you could interview any player who would it be?
I would really like to interview Shawn Green. It would be great to talk to him about his path to stardom.

Who is your favorite active player, and why did you chose him?
My favorite active player is Shawn Green. I first saw him play in 1995 and he was really skinny and looked kind of unsure of himself. Despite that, you'd see flashes of talent though. He'd hit a homer or throw a runner out at the plate and I had a feeling he'd be good. I just liked the way he carried himself on and off the field. Especially in 1997 when he was being treated unfairly by his manager. He is a class act.

Have you ever met this player?
I have got his autograph a couple of times but I have not had the chance to have an actual conversation with him.

I asked Christine this same question and was intrigued by her answer so I'll ask you the same. Do you think there will ever be a female in the major leagues. Please give your reasons for this answer.
I honestly don't know. Sports have come a long ways over the past 25 years. There was a time when women weren't even allowed in the locker rooms and now there are many successful female sports journalists so I guess it isn't out of the question. We saw it in hockey several years ago. I can't really see it being common, but I wouldn't rule it out entirely.

You have your own website featuring Shawn Green, Pat Hentgen, Paul Molitor and Brad Fullmer. Why did you chose these 4 players?
I wanted to honor a couple of my favorite players. These four are players who I admire and each has different qualities. Brad Fullmer is more of an up and coming player, but I admire the intensity he plays with. The other three have all had success, and each has achieved it in their own unique way.

Do you intend adding any more players to the site?
I'm not 100% sure yet. I think I may add more players over time. I'm always looking for ways to improve the site, so it's definitely a possibility.

What is your favorite and worst baseball memory?
My favorite baseball memory I would say is when the Blue Jays won their second world series on Joe Carter's home run. I don't think I appreciated it enough at the time, as I was still kind of young, but that excitement is something you see maybe once or twice in a lifetime. My worst memory would probably be the pathetic end to the 1994 season when the strike led to the cancellation of the World Series. That ugly strike was tough to take for any baseball fan.

Apart from Jackie Robinson which player do you think has done the most to change the face of baseball and why?
I don't think anyone can ever come close to doing for baseball what Jackie Robinson did. The things he endured while paving the way for other people's dreams to come true, makes his story amazing. I think Cal Ripken Jr. has had a big impact on the game though. The way he handled himself in 1995 while chasing an "unbreakable" record may have saved the game. Fans were still bitter about the '94 strike and he helped get the game back on it's feet.

Thanks Brad for a great interview and just for being one of the most wonderful people I know.

You can visit Brad's website by clicking on this link : Brad's Baseball Page

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