BCB Interview: Michael Barrett

by Al Yellon on Apr 4, 2007 8:09 AM CDT in Interviews

Many thanks to Matt Kramer, Michael's rep from his website Barrett Baseball, for helping to make this interview possible. Thanks too to all the BCB readers who submitted questions for Michael, making this a true community interview.

BCB: In calling a game, how much work do you do with video to study batters and prepare a game plan for attacking opposing hitters and (2) do you do most of this or does Larry Rothschild help and (3) how much does the starting pitcher collaborate with you on a game plan? Finally, if the game starts and the starter's curve is hanging, or the fastball is flat, do you have multiple "what if..." plans?

MB: We do a lot of film study. I think that part of the game is something that not everyone has the opportunity to see. Our coaches do a great job of not only helping us break down film, but also help us come up with a strategy to go after hitters with.

The starting pitcher and I do collaborate quite a bit on a game plan, and it's my job to make sure that we have a strategy ready. There are always going to be "what if" plans associated with how a specific pitcher is throwing, but the pitcher - more times than not - is going to start out a game by throwing to his strengths, as opposed to a hitter's weakness.

BCB: As a catcher, you have a unique perspective on the coaching staff, as you work with both the hitting and pitching coaches. What are the major differences in the team's approach to hitting now that Lou Piniella has taken over the team? Has Larry Rothschild changed any of his advice to you or the pitching staff, now that he has a new manager?

MB: It's probably too early right now to characterize the specific differences of the coaching staffs. Both Dusty and Lou are great managers. As far as the approach to hitting goes, it's important for me to work hard every single day to make sure that I'm maximizing my potential. I spent a lot of time this off season working in the cage, and getting ready for this season.

BCB: Last year, there were quite a few injuries to Cubs pitchers and thus quite a few rookie pitchers started. Rarely, though, do we hear about how you and Henry Blanco deal with it. How hard is it to handle so many different pitchers in a year, particularly young ones? And which of the Cubs' young pitchers do you feel is the most promising?

MB: Certainly last year was a difficult season for everyone who follows the Cubs, but I think one of things that I noticed is that there is some real promise with some of our younger pitchers: guys like Juan Mateo, Carlos Marmol, etc.

As with any new pitcher, young or old, it takes a little while to get to know their stuff, but there is a lot of promise with our younger guys. Even a guy like Ted Lilly should be considered "young." He's just over 30 years old, and he's coming into a new league, so I see a lot of promise from him as well.

BCB: When do you decide you need to go out and talk to pitchers? Do you avoid doing this if they are doing badly, or going well in a particular game?

MB: It varies. If I see one of our pitchers struggling out there with his emotions I will go out and talk to him. If one of our guys is really pitching well, then I'll tend to make sure he stays in his groove. I don't think catchers need to necessarily say a lot, but if we can help to keep a pitcher focused and keep his emotions in check then I think a trip to the mound is worth it.

BCB: Does the grind get to you? Along the lines of fatigue for you, pitchers sometimes have problems with control after long rain delays - does a rain delay ever bother your knees/shins?

MB: The grind of a season is very difficult for any ball player, catchers included. That's why it's so important to make sure you maximize my work that's done before games, after games, and during off days. When teams are traveling on the road in the heat of the summer for extended period of time it wears on anyone.

BCB: Regarding your success last year's offensively, was there anything that you changed at the plate, stance or cocking of the wrists, picking a certain pitch and location, or do you think you just seeing the ball better than years past?

MB: I just worked really hard on my approach at the plate. Just being in the Majors for a few years now, I've worked hard this off season on understanding how to prepare everyday to maintain my focus.

BCB: Do you have any preferences as to your slot in the batting order? Do you think you hit better in certain slots as opposed to others?

MB: I really don't. Wherever Lou wants to put me I'm okay with. If there is a spot in the lineup where I am helpnig the team, then I want to hit there.

BCB: Do you think that the responsibilities of catching has ever hurt your development as a hitter? It's sometimes said that catchers develop late because "they've got so many other things to worry about, they can't concentrate on their hitting as much." Do you think that's true and if so, is your recent development as a great hitter in part related to being more comfortable behind the plate?

MB: Sometimes it affects me. At times last season it was difficult to separate my catching responsibilities from my hitting responsibilities. I actually started as a SS/3B coming up through the Montreal Expos system, so I probably went through that transition later than most catchers out there today. I think it is true that catching is a really tough position out there, but I look at the fact that I need to be great at both catching and hitting as a great challenge that I want to face.

BCB: Do you have a book on the umpires? Just how much will the pitching game plan depend on the guy standing behind you? Just how much talking do you do behind the plate? Do you feel you can get into either the hitter's or umpire's head by talking with them?

MB: I think that I've got a pretty good relationship with the umpires out there. You really do have to have some sort of communication out there with the home plate umpire throughout the game. I don't talk to the hitters when they are up at the plate, but I'll say hello to them in other ways (throwing some dirt on their shoes, etc). The biggest thing for young catchers to realize is that I think it is smart for you to have some dialogue with the umpire, because you each have your own set of eyes and you aren't necessarily going to agree with where a pitch came in.

BCB: What are the pros and cons of today's catchers masks - hockey style, coated wire frame, etc. Which one do you prefer?

MB: I've worn both, and I prefer to wear the mask with the coated wire frames. It's a combination of a couple of different reasons, but it's important for me to feel like I'm as comfortable as I can possibly be during the game.

BCB: Growing up, which major league player or players did you try to emulate? And now, as a major league player yourself, who is your favorite current player to watch? Assuming that's a Cub, who is your favorite non-Cub to watch?

MB: Growing up in Georgia, I was a big fan of the way Dale Murphy played. He was with the Braves when I was growing up so he was probably my favorite major leaguer growing up. Also, my cousin, Scott Fletcher, was in the big leagues and I loved to watch him.

Watching some of the young catchers has been very enjoyable. Joe Mauer has really impressed me. I saw him last year when we played the Twins in Minnesota.

BCB: What aspect of the life of a major league baseball player is least well understood by the serious fan?

MB: I think the biggest aspect of life that well educated fans don't understand is truly the lack of privacy that not only we face - but that our families face.

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Comments

Okay interview...

...the answers were not as nearly as enthralling as the questions; not your fault, Al, I thought you did an excellent job. Seemed a bit too cliche in the answering, unfortunately. Michael Barrett has been my favorite player since he joined our squad, I love his rugged work style and no-nonsense attitude. Thank you to MB for this and to BCB, too.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 4, 2007 8:29 AM CDT reply actions

Through his rep...

... I have issued an invitation to Michael to sign up for BCB and to join this discussion... I hope he'll take me up on that. I'll let you know.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 4, 2007 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Does anyone remember...

...the Barrett story about a fellow BCBer catching him on the way in/out of Home Depot? For some reason that is my favorite Barrett story, that is what makes him so likable and personable. And I have an autographed ball of MB I got last year at spring training!!

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 4, 2007 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Found the diary.

Here's the Barrett/Home Depot story, from last October.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 4, 2007 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions

That story...

...gives me chills. Awesome, awesome dude. Ball players still gotta put pants on one leg at a time, but it sure is cool to meet the guys you watch on WGN and have a man-crush on. :)

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 4, 2007 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Good read

Thanks Al for putting this together, interesting to get in the players' heads a little bit whenever you can. I appreciate the mention of the story Dan, it was great meeting Barrett and learning that he is really a great guy (and buys his own lumber!)

by cubbiefanatico on Apr 4, 2007 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Barrett

I have run into him myself. He is a very nice person and his wife is gorgeous.

I want to get him tied up after we get Z tied up.

For Cub fans spring training combines the eternal hope of spring with the irrational belief in the impossible.

by kerrysotherwife on Apr 4, 2007 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions

Please do

That would be great.

WOODY!!!!

by Sarah Hope on Apr 4, 2007 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions

When Barrett retires from baseball

he should become a politician. He did a great job of dancing around questions and evading direct replies.

by Clark Addison on Apr 4, 2007 10:04 AM CDT reply actions

I don't know...

...if that is necessary. It's the beginning of the season, I'm sure he is busy. I agree the answers were not stellar, but he still took time out of his day to share a bit with his fans. We need a bit more positive attitude if he's to join BCB like Al suggested.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 4, 2007 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 4, 2007 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Points to agree on

He had to be busy, and it was way cool for him to take the time to answer questions on this site. I hope he visits BCB again, but don't type too much, we don't want a Zambrano wrist injury!
I also agree some answers were short, but it's much like going to the doctor, they don't think we understand all of it so they give a quick answer. I believe I asked the first question, which could have been completely answered in a small book. I find this part of the game interesting because it is so behind the scenes and rarely seen by fans. I would love to sit in on the first game of a series, go through the hitters tape, listen to the approaches to pitch each one, hear what the coaching staff says then hear how MB handles this with the pitching staff. Maybe it's easy, but I doubt it. Watching the game after knowing the scout work would be very entertaining. Overall this was great, that's one thing we should all agree. Let's try for this again later in the season with new questions. MB seems like a down to earth guy that may satisfy his BCB fans with this request to do it again. BTW, thanks for getting this done Al!

I'm a bleedcubbiebluer!

by mrcubsfan on Apr 4, 2007 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

And did anyone really expect him to bash Baker

I'm sure a few people wanted it but he wasn't going to say how good this year is compared to the years under Baker.

by rlpete on Apr 4, 2007 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions

In all honesty though,

wouldn't have been extremely cool if MB had thrown Baker under the bus? I know that he couldn't do it, but I'm just saying....

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Apr 4, 2007 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Uh, no

It woudn't have been cool. MB made the cool choice: Don't say nasty stuff about someone you've worked with, and may work with again someday. Also, don't say nasty stuff about someone that your teammates may like.

Sorry to say it, but much of what passes as cool and entertaining is pretty bad behavior.

by helen on Apr 4, 2007 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Honesty compels me to say,

that I know you are right.....MB said exactly the appropriate thing....That being said, I think that you have to agree, the last four years were just so hard to endure.

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Apr 4, 2007 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh

no argument there. I'm really, really glad Dusty is gone.

by helen on Apr 4, 2007 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Didn't see this till now.

Much as I defended Baker long past the time I should have, let me say here and now that I clearly recognize the damage he did to this team, and I too am glad the Baker era is done.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 9, 2007 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks Al and Michael.

I enjoyed the Q&A. It was nice of Michael to take the time to answer the questions.

Go Cubs!!

by sue369 on Apr 4, 2007 10:32 AM CDT reply actions

Question missed

How did it really feel clocking AJ?

Did you go with the stainless steel cup this year since your injury?

Roy Oswalt thoughts?

What about the knock the defensive side of your game?

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by Scott G F on Apr 4, 2007 10:56 AM CDT reply actions

MB

I'm picking MB to have a monster year at the plate.

Think about it. When a player like him is your at worst 4th best hitter you got an awesome lineup. If LF and RF are performing he at times will be our 6th best. That's awesome.

(I put Lee, Ramirez and Soriano above MB pretty much at all times. I think 4-6th best hitters on this team is going to be a little variable)

For Cub fans spring training combines the eternal hope of spring with the irrational belief in the impossible.

by kerrysotherwife on Apr 4, 2007 11:52 AM CDT reply actions

Michael rules!

I'll agree that he did play it decidedly safe in his answers, but I still think there's some interesting content there.

If anything, his replies denote his intelligence. After all, we all know that stuff you do or say on the Internet -- even as a joke -- can be taken the wrong way and get around rather quickly. (coughcough C.J. Wilson!!! coughcough)

I must confess, when I first saw that the interview had been posted, I immediately scrolled through to see whether Michael had answered my question. For those of you who missed the initial thread on this, it was:

Without getting into the incident last season, what role, if any, does physical intimidation or confrontation play in Major League baseball today? More specifically, do you feel there are times when standing up to another player (not necessarily punching him, of course, but confronting him physically) is still justified?

Al, I'm not sure whether you decided not to send this question to him or whether he decided not to answer. (I'm guessing it's the latter, because you seemed to like the question.)

But, in either case, it's no biggie. I don't blame Michael for avoiding this issue entirely. He's no doubt sick of hearing about it.

Of course, that doesn't change the fact that many fans (me included) find the confrontational aspect of baseball an interesting topic. And it doesn't change the fact that, though physically striking another player is obviously unacceptable, what Michael did that day perhaps cemented his reputation as one of the greatest Cubs ever to play the game.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by daver on Apr 4, 2007 12:01 PM CDT reply actions

I submitted that question...

... and was told that the topic was too sensitive. That's why I didn't repeat the question here. I realize you were trying to ask about confrontation in general, not about the specific incident, but I think Michael was trying to stay away from that.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 4, 2007 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

re: I submitted that question...

That's what I figured. And that's fine -- I can understand him trying to avoid the subject, even in general. Had to give it the ol' college try, though.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by daver on Apr 4, 2007 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Great interview

and a great coup for BCB. Congratulations. I don't think he revealed anything earth-shattering but it was nice that he'd do this, and it speaks volumes about the popularity of your site too.
Well done.

by shop girl on Apr 4, 2007 12:32 PM CDT reply actions

Another Barrett story

In January 2004, my wife and I, along with our six-year-old son and a family friend, attended the Cubs Convention. Barrett had just joined the team and while I knew him from his Expos days, my wife and son had no idea who he was. We got to one of the exhibits a bit early -- it was one of those series of interactive things the ballplayers do with fans like foot races and throwing darts and stuff -- and Barrett was there all by himself, just sort of hanging around and waiting for the other players to show up. He took an instant liking to our son and they played together for like 20 minutes. Michael would challenge him to race and they would run like crazy around the room. Barrett always let my son win.
When I told my wife that he was a Cubs player, she was stunned. She thought he was just some nice guy who was attending the convention. He's still her favorite Cub. He was as friendly and decent a person as you could possibly hope to meet. And to top it off, when he saw me and my son the next day while we waited in line for his autograph, he recognized us and not only high-fived my son, but remembered his name! It truly made our weekend.

Albert who?

by Terry Towery on Apr 4, 2007 1:35 PM CDT reply actions

Wow!

Cool story. I have always had great respect for Michael and how hard he works at his craft, but this story and the Home Depot one tell you how much of just a regular good guy he is.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 4, 2007 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

That is

a very nice story. Michael sounds like a great guy.

Go Cubs!!

by sue369 on Apr 4, 2007 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Incredible story...

...thanks for sharing. More positive Barrett stories, please!!

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 4, 2007 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

thank you

Thanx to Al and MB for there time in putting this together

by Kchance on Apr 4, 2007 2:17 PM CDT reply actions

Michael Barret for President.....

If you read my comment about the ranking of our 25 roster players you know I have a hetero-man-crush on the guy. My thought here is that the Cubs need to lock this guy up as long term as a catcher contract should be with respect to age and wear. I mean not only does this guy stand up for himself and his team, but it seems that he truly likes the fans of Chicago. After reading this interview and the subsequent stories I like the guy even more. (Michael, if you join our community and read this, dont worry I am not to stalker stage yet. Beat up Larry Jones while rounding third base against the Braves and I might get there.) If he goes into coahcing when all is said and done on his playing days, I hope it is in the Cubs organization somewhere.

Only 82 more losses and those stupid redbirds have a losing season.

by Dcubbienole on Apr 4, 2007 2:41 PM CDT reply actions

Great interview

Thanks for posting it, and Michael, if you read this, thanks for taking the time to answer. I found it enlightening, as much for the small glimpses we got of how Barrett thinks as much as anything. I liked learning when/why he decides to go out to the mound, and how he had trouble separating his hitting and his catching last year, and I would be happy to read a book about the prep they do with film.

Heh, he throws dirt on the shoes of the batters to say 'hello'. That's great.

And I agree with everyone else here, it's easy to root for Barrett, he seems like a really cool guy. The stories folks here have shared only reinforce that.

Here's to a great year for MB: Stay healthy, be happy, and win a lot!

by helen on Apr 4, 2007 5:00 PM CDT reply actions

Re

I found the most interesting answer to be the last one. I don't think any of us can possibly imagine how little privacy someone like Barrett and his family have and what they have to give up in this regard. A lot of people want to be famous until they actually are. MB seems to be handling this part of his job quite well.

Visit The Digital Gazette

by Jed Taylor on Apr 5, 2007 6:46 AM CDT reply actions