I have yet another interview for you today! This one is pretty special, because it was the first interview I have ever have done with a current ballplayer (but I made sure that all of my questions were baseball history questions). I have just interviewed new Cubs pitcher... Edwin Jackson! You are probably wondering: who is this Edwin Jackson that I speak of? Well, let me tell you.
The German-born Jackson has been playing in the MLB since 2003 and has played with the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Rays, Nationals, Tigers, White Sox and Cardinals. He was recently signed by the Cubs because of free agency. He has a current record of 70-71. He has made one All Star Game (2009 with the Tigers) and has won one World Series (2011 with the Cardinals). He also pitched a no-hitter against the Rays when he was on the D-backs on June 25, 2010. Well, that's basically all you need to know about Edwin. So, here's the interview:
Matt: Who has been the toughest hitter you've had to face in your career?
Edwin: Probably Barry Bonds.
Matt: Do you let anyone wear your 2011 World Series ring?
Edwin: No. I don't even wear it much myself.
Matt: Who's your favorite player of all time?
Edwin: I grew up in Georgia, so it would be Andruw Jones and Chipper Jones (no relation).
Matt: If you were able to travel back in time to any point in baseball history, which player would you like to face?
Edwin: Jackie Robinson. It would be an honor to pitch against the hitter that integrated baseball. He would also be a challenge at the plate.
Matt: When did you start following MLB, considering you are from Germany?
Edwin: I moved to Georgia when I was eight and the Braves had just gotten to a couple of World Series, so I guess it would have been as soon as I came to the U. S.
Matt: Can you tell me a little bit about your charity?
Edwin: Me and my fiancee are giving back to military families who lost someone in the army. We thought it was a great way to give back to the military community, considering there are a numerous amount of military bases in the state that I live in, Georgia. [Note from Matt: Here's a link to some recent great charity work that Edwin has done.]
Matt: What do you think should be done to increase baseball history knowledge among the younger generation of fans?
Edwin: The former players should enlighten their communities about the game. It's a little confusing to follow baseball and its history, but I think if someone would explain it, the sport would be much easier to follow.
Matt: What was the clubhouse like after you pitched a no-hitter for the D-backs against your former team, the Rays?
Edwin: The clubhouse was like a party. Everyone was congratulating me. There were reporters filling the clubhouse to talk to me. It was a lot of fun.
Matt: What was the fastest pitch you've ever thrown in your career, according to a radar gun?
Edwin: I pitched a 100mph fastball in the early part of my career. I don't think I'll be able to reach that speed again.
Well, there you have it: an interview with Edwin Jackson. Thanks to Edwin Jackson for agreeing to do it and a special shout-out to Christal Jordan, the President of Enchanted PR, for reaching out to me to offer to set it up in the first place. Hope you enjoyed reading this interview as much as I enjoyed conducting it. Thanks for reading!
hey matt. it's Ari. this is amazing dude
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