Martin Perez Interview

by jparks77 on Jan 13, 2009 6:36 AM CST Comment 46 comments

Q: What was it like playing in the Unites States, separated from everything that was familiar to you?

Perez: Its not easy if you don't know the language. If you come from Venezuela, like me, you have to get used to how difficult it can be here in the States. You are alone and bored, but that's what you have to do if you are going to be here for years without family, without friends, without anyone. It is hard, but it's worth it.

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I am really impressed by the overall

maturity level of our prospects. Thanks again Jparks!!

by Michael Cave on Jan 13, 2009 7:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

great stuff

thanks for these. Excited to see what he can do at Hickory.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 13, 2009 7:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Damn what a quote

I will be your friend, Martin.

"And the Rangers looking to win it! The Rangers have won it!"
-- Josh Lewin, Sept 23, 2004

by Agreen07 on Jan 13, 2009 7:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wow. I didn't realize how close we were to losing him.

The next day, the St. Louis Cardinals called me and said, "Martin, we want to offer you $600,000," but I had to tell them that I signed with the Texas Rangers.

Suck it, Saint Louis!!!

The 40 Trumps All!!!

I don‘t know you who you are. I don‘t know what you want. If you‘re looking for me to be a man and move to third base for the good of the team, I can tell you, I don't have man parts. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills acquired over a very long career of secretly being a pretty huge douche. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you trade me now, that will be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don‘t, I will look for you, I will find you. And I will throw a gigantic hissy fit in the media.

by thedirkatron on Jan 13, 2009 8:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

how much bonus did we give him?

"I see their [Angels] rotation as John Lackey and a bunch of decent starters." - AJM

by tricer on Jan 13, 2009 8:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

580k

Nine in '09 series: Matt West

by jparks77 on Jan 13, 2009 8:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

that was a close one then

Wait 'til the year after next

by NothinG on Jan 13, 2009 9:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and great stuff as usualy from Jason "National" Parks.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jan 13, 2009 8:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Berman.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jan 13, 2009 12:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

that interview is a little heart breaking

you really see how young he is trying to find his way in a man’s sport.

I wouldn’t say that he’s immature but he’s certainly every bit of 17.

Get him some spanish speaking friends! Do we know anybody in Hickory?

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 8:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Definitely wishing the best for him.

And as a matter of fact, I have a coworker out of Charlotte NC that has a degree in Spanish.

"that suzuki guy should go back to making cars" - My girlfriend after C.J.'s close in game 2

by tdi1985 on Jan 13, 2009 8:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

more importantly

some spanish speaking women.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jan 13, 2009 12:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I live in Charlotte, and will be making the trip to Hickraw

several times (50 minutes from the house) to see that sick roto break the hopes and dreams of the Carolina league. I am armed with only a smattering of Spanish. I have been meaning to put this out there because I wanted to solicit ideas on how I can enhance the LSB knowledge (i.e. take pics, video, personal insight, etc.)of the Low A affiliate. Fire away, but be gentle.

Your 2009 Snow Monkey Ambassador

by Parman on Jan 13, 2009 1:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

All of the above

put up a “My trip to Hickory” fanpost with lots of pics and videos and watch the Rec’s come flying in.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 13, 2009 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sit behind the scouts

and get radar readings if you can. I love reading personal views, even if the person giving them is not an expert. The thoughts and observations of avid fans are always interesting to me.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Jan 13, 2009 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

lots of video would be great.

"Fuck Michael Young" -Coolaid

by Kinslerhomer on Jan 13, 2009 1:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

d00d!

Sleep in a little. But good post

by BuckyB on Jan 13, 2009 8:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I like this kid

one thing is for sure, he’s no Juan Dominguez

Building the Rangers and Rays

by Goyogringo on Jan 13, 2009 9:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

hopefully

don’t you get the sense that he’s not that far from going that route? definitely more stable as of right now but he’s suffering from the same things that led Juan down his route: loneliness, homesickness, isolation.

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 10:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

uh

no I don’t. Sounds like he’s handled it really well as he started the adjustment before he came to the states during his training periods in which he was away from his family. The other issue is that these kids have a deep-seated devotion to family, and a professionial career is more than just money to them and individual success; it means that they can take care of their family.

Building the Rangers and Rays

by Goyogringo on Jan 13, 2009 10:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Isolation/loneliness

I wouldn’t read too much into that. Perez is 17 years old and a long way from home. It’s common for minor leaguers, especially Latin American kids, to experience some homesickness. He is very close with Wilfredo Boscan and they will be together next season in Hickory. He will be fine.

Nine in '09 series: Matt West

by jparks77 on Jan 13, 2009 10:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i don't think I'm reading too much into it

homesickness is tough for anybody – especially when you have to go almost a year without seeing your family.

i’m not saying he’s on the brink, just that these are the types of things that trigger depression and it would be nice to read that more of a support group is behind him. Boscan is a good thing.

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 10:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I really dont think

that these prospects’ friendships with each other can be understated. The Rangers haev seemed to cultivated an environment of respectful compeition. Each prospect has been very complimentary of their peers. Perez mentioned Font, Pimentel, and Boscan.

With Perez and the guys he mentioned we really do have waves set up for prospects. The first wave consists of guys like Hunter, Hurley, Holland, Feliz (guys who will spend some time this yr in Arlington and then ideally all of next year). The second wave consists of the Main, Beavan, and Kiker et al (those who will probably be introduced to Arlington sept 10 and then spend all of 2011 there). Then I believe that Perez headlines the last wave which consists of him, his latin america friends, wieland, and ross. For the next 3 years the Rangers should be breaking in very strong pitching prospects every last half of the season.

by Michael Cave on Jan 13, 2009 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

BTW

why the hell wasn’t he allowed to eat between 5am and 5pm. How can that possibly be a good thing. At least give those kids some power bars and protein shakes.

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 10:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

If I were the head coach of the Denver Broncos

I would implement a system for protein shakes.

"that suzuki guy should go back to making cars" - My girlfriend after C.J.'s close in game 2

by tdi1985 on Jan 13, 2009 10:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Last comment

Really really good interview Jason. Questions are fantastic.

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Jan 13, 2009 10:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

who was translating for you JP?

Building the Rangers and Rays

by Goyogringo on Jan 13, 2009 10:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I speak Spanish

Nine in '09 series: Matt West

by jparks77 on Jan 13, 2009 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Baxter

you know i dont speak spanish

by Michael Cave on Jan 13, 2009 11:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I speak just enough Spanish

to order up a helluva meal at Taqueria Melis.

"I see their [Angels] rotation as John Lackey and a bunch of decent starters." - AJM

by tricer on Jan 13, 2009 12:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Melis

I would move back to Texas just for Melis!

Martin Perez Interview

by jparks77 on Jan 13, 2009 12:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

next time you're in town it's on me

Since I’m the last of the big-time spenders and that place costs like five bucks or something.

"I see their [Angels] rotation as John Lackey and a bunch of decent starters." - AJM

by tricer on Jan 13, 2009 12:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well la dee da, Mr. French Man.

If you like Spanish so much, why don’t you just move there!

The 40 Trumps All!!!

I don‘t know you who you are. I don‘t know what you want. If you‘re looking for me to be a man and move to third base for the good of the team, I can tell you, I don't have man parts. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills acquired over a very long career of secretly being a pretty huge douche. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you trade me now, that will be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don‘t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will throw a gigantic hissy fit in the media.

by thedirkatron on Jan 13, 2009 11:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow great interview JP

I’m incredibly impressed with this guy. He’s my little brother’s age, but probably beats me in maturity. That bodes well for our rotation in the coming years.

Really hope this guy puts it all together.

Gerald Laird: One Man, 5 Scoops.

by Maximilian on Jan 13, 2009 10:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hey JP. Thanks for doing these interviews.

Now, I’m even more bummed the Rangers dumped Clinton for Hickory, since I live not too far from Clinton.

Gotta like that grip on his curveball. That thing needs a name.

2009? Forget it. It's all about 2010. Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jan 13, 2009 12:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Name

It’s a knuckle curve.

Martin Perez Interview

by jparks77 on Jan 13, 2009 12:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also called a "spike" curve.

No need to give it another name.

Neftali Feliz is not a swimmer.

by NoNameOnCard on Jan 13, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It makes me feel good, but I’m just Martin. I’m not like anybody else.

so there you go. just call him…

I guess you heard Fat Joe left Atlantic.

by Haeger Champ on Jan 14, 2009 11:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So his curveball grip already has a cool name, and I kinda like typing his name

as Marteeen rather than Martin. I can’t tell if Marteeen is too goofy, though.

2009? Forget it. It's all about 2010. Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jan 14, 2009 1:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

by jparks77 on Jan 14, 2009 6:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup.

That set off my bells & whistles too.

Great work, Jason.

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008

by Rodney on Jan 14, 2009 8:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs