Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Q & A With Senior Second Baseman Greg Andrews
02/09/2004 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Feb. 9, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
Senior second baseman Greg Andrews, a second-team all-Missouri Valley Conference pick a year ago, takes time out for a Q & A session before the Salukis open their 2004 season at No. 22 Florida Atlantic this weekend.
For starters, what made you choose to come to Southern Illinois University?
GA:"SIU was far enough away from home (Peoria, Ill.) that I didn't have to go home every weekend, and I was able to experience some things on my own. Also, Coach Callahan presented me with a great opportunity to play baseball and I was sold on what the program had to offer."
What are some things about yourself that people may not know?
GA:"For some reason, people think I'm always in a bad mood. That's really not the case. I'm just a laid back person who doesn't get too excited about things."
Do you have any unique hobbies or interests other than baseball?
GA:"Playing golf whenever I get the chance is probably my main interest off the baseball field."
How has being redshirted as a true freshman helped your Saluki career?
GA:"Looking back, being redshirted as a true freshman definitely helped my career. At the time, I was hard-headed and thought I knew everything. So, sitting out a year was a great learning experience. At this point in my career, I wouldn't trade being redshirted for anything. I even got my best grades when I was a freshman."
Last summer you played with the Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods League. Did you enjoy that experience and how did it help prepare you for your final year at SIU?
GA:"One of the perks of playing in summer leagues is you meet great people and build friendships you hope never end. I got to play a lot of baseball and traveled every day or every other day. In fact, with the team I was playing for being the only one in the league from Canada, I think we traveled an estimated 9,500 miles, while the rest of the teams in the league traveled 6,000. It was a great experience!"
Coach Callahan describes you as being "someone who's as steady as they come when making routine plays." Do you agree with that statement?
GA:"As far as Coach Callahan's statement, it is something which makes me more proud than anything. When you have a coach that speaks that highly of you, it's a great feeling. However, I'm not one who's going to tell you I agree because we have so many good players on this team."
You and P.J. Finigan are arguably the best double play tandem in the MVC. This year marks the third that the two of you will be playing together. Can you talk about how you help each other in regards to your roles on the infield?
GA:"P.J. and I have a unique relationship, and surprisingly, we don't communicate much. We may talk about what we're going to do before a game, or what we did in the game afterwards, but once the game actually starts, we don't say anything to each other. It's like, you get the ball to me, and I'll get it to you. Since we've been playing together for so long, we always know what the other is going to do."
How much do you work on turning double plays?
GA:"A couple days a week for sure. If we have an hour set aside for defense in practice, 30 or 40 minutes of that time is spent working on DPs."
Most baseball players enjoy batting practice. Other than that, what is your favorite part of practice?
GA:"When I was a freshman, I hated practice. My high school coaches even told me when I graduated that I was the worst practice player they'd seen, but I'm glad you're on this team. I guess it was then that I realized I can't have an attitude like that anymore, so I changed. Now, I love being at practice. I enjoy spending time with my teammates and preparing for games. Probably, my favorite part of practice is teaching the younger guys how to do things."
What are some memorable moments of your SIU career?
GA:"Being a part of this team has been memorable enough. But, if there's any one specific moment that stands out the most at this point in my career, it's when I hit a home run to give us the lead in what turned out to be a 14-inning win at Wichita State in 2002. It's hard to explain how great it felt to hit that home run. At the time, I wanted the moment of rounding the bases to last forever."
Any personal goals you've set for yourself heading into your senior season?
GA:"My only personal goal other than to win a MVC title goes back to defense in that I never want to make an error. It's difficult to do, but I just can't stand it when I make an error."
As a team captain, what kind of leader do you see yourself as?
GA:"I'm not a vocal leader unless I feel something needs to be said to the team like if we're on a losing streak and need some motivation. Besides that, I prefer to lead by example more than anything. We have great chemistry on this team, and I think that helps us be successful."
The Salukis are picked to finish second in the MVC in three preseason polls this year. What are some things your team has done in recent years to earn that type of respect?
GA:"Coach Callahan and Coach Henderson have done a great job of getting good players who want to stay out of trouble, play baseball and do well for themselves and the university. From where we were when I was a freshman, we've come a long way, and being picked second is a big deal. Obviously, finishing second at last year's MVC Tournament helped a little."
Where do you think SIU will finish in the Valley this season and why?
GA:"To finish first is the goal of every team in our league, so obviously, we want to do that. We play Southwest Missouri State and Wichita State on the road this year, and those series are huge. I think we'll be successful if we play to our potential. We have a lot of experienced pitchers and position players back, and if we win games on the road, I think we'll make some noise in the conference this year."
Florida Atlantic and Notre Dame are two preseason top-25 teams the Salukis face in a stiff non-conference schedule this season. How does facing teams like that help you in getting ready for MVC play?
GA:"Our non-conference schedule is extremely important in preparing us for MVC play. You have to play the best and beat the best to be the best. Regardless of the success we have against teams like Florida Atlantic and Notre Dame, the overall experience will help us for the rest of the year just to mature and understand what it takes to beat great teams."
Of all the college ball parks you've played in, which has been your favorite?
GA:"I would say that Central Florida's stadium is one of the nicest I've ever played in. Oklahoma's is also unbelievable. This may be funny, but I like our field just as much. There's nothing like a Saturday doubleheader at Abe Martin Field and other teams love to play here. To get back to your initial question, however, I'd have to say Wichita State's Eck Stadium is my favorite. The atmosphere there is incredible. I'm also the type of player who likes to be harassed by opposing fans so you get that at Eck Stadium as well. Although Eck Stadium has the edge, that could change because we haven't been to SMS' new stadium yet. We'll see when we get there this year."
What are your plans after graduation?
GA:"If I have the chance to continue playing baseball, I'd love to do so. I'm going to graduate with a Marketing degree and if the opportunity to play baseball doesn't arise, I plan on joining the workforce. Even though I'm already looking for jobs, what my plans are following graduation are definitely up in the air right now."
