AUGUST 27, 2007

Thanks to everyone for all the great questions that have been submitted so far!  I'm going to do my best to asnwer as many questions as possible. I want to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone that has passed along their well wishes since I've been on the disabled list.  It's frustrating to see our team play well as we compete for a spot in the playoffs and knowing that I cannot be on the field to help.  But I'm very close to returning, and I hope to be able to make positive contributions to the team down the stretch!

Remember that you can submit questions by e-mail to Maroth@CareerSports.com.

Now on to today's questions:

1. (from Matt in St. Louis) What is life like on the “DL” during the season? Do you travel with the team? Do you do everything else with the team? What is a typical day like?

It’s not fun because our time is spent watching games that I’m not able to play in. On the last road trip, I didn’t travel with the team. Instead, I stayed back and worked with a trainer that works with other guys who are on the Disabled List, getting treatment and working out.

When I’m at home, however, I do everything with the team. A typical day on the Disabled List changes depending on where I am in the rehab process. Where I am now, there is a lot of icing, heating, stretching, and strengthening exercises.

I do limited throwing based on what the trainers have in store for me, and then I do typical things to keep myself in shape. That mostly consists of the stuff I wouldn’t do if you were on the DL (jogging, etc.).

2. (from Roger in Detroit) Now that you have been in both Detroit and St. Louis, I’m curious as to your thoughts on the differences in Ivan Rodriguez and Yadier Molina? Do you see a younger Pudge in Yadier?

They are very similar. Having played in Detroit from 2002-2007, I played with the Pudge in what would probably be considered the “back end” of his career and so I was never able to play with him while he was Yadier’s age right now.

Then again, there aren’t too many catchers that can play at Pudge’s level at his age. Both Pudge and Yadier have very accurate and strong arms. Pudge is very mobile and is probably the best catcher I have ever seen field a bunt from behind home plate. Yadier, however, is someone who falls in the “complete” defensive player.

 

3. (from Greg in Chesterfield)What has been the biggest difference between the baseball played in the AL Central and baseball played in the NL Central?

It’s facing Jim Thome or Travis Hafner vs. a national league pitcher. (DH vs. No DH.) There’s the difference.

4. (from Mitch in Montgomery City) Being a pitcher, what do you make of the transition that Rick Ankiel has made to the outfield? Just how hard is that move?

It’s unbelievable. I think it’s more than a great story because so few players make it to the Major League’s as either a pitcher or an outfielder. Rick’s been been able to do it both as a pitcher and as a hitter. If you go back in the history books and see how many players have been able to succeed as both pitchers and outfielders, I’m sure you will realize just how tough it is.

 

5. (from Liz in Mt. Vernon) I’m curious to know what some of your favorite NL cities are? Do you enjoy going to NL cities or AL cities more?

It’s funny. One thing nice about getting traded from the American League to the National League is being able to see new cities that I haven’t seen before. Since I’ve been traded, every National League city that I’ve gone to has actually been a city that I had already been to with Detroit!

 

6. (from Michelle in St. Louis) Hey Mike, I wanted to know what some of your favorite things to do in St. Louis are? I know you are a “newbie” to the town, so what sort of places do you go when you have an afternoon off? What are some of your favorite restaurants, etc?

I like to go out to eat or catch a movie. I’m still new to the team and still learning the area. In Detroit, we had a few favorite restaurants and we’re still searching for our favorites in St. Louis. The Cheesecake Factory in St. Louis is good, but I know that there are probably some suburban restaurants out there that are great. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!