Rockies Fest must have been weird for Jake McCarthy.
Just two weeks ago, the Colorado Rockies traded him, and last Saturday, he found himself wearing a Rockies jersey and answering questions from the Rockies crowd on a very cold day in Denver.
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Still, McCarthy, like any good baseball player, showed up and did his job.
He first appeared in a team with players from other positions in the afternoon. At that panel, he was funny and shared that his go-to song was Kurt Angle’s WWE song; that at least it is easier for him to turn right than left at the Salt River Fields Training Facility; and that he is determined to start playing with the Rockies.
After Rockies Fest ended, he and Hunter Goodman and Kyle Freeland met with the media.
Here’s a clip from that session courtesy of Guerilla Sports:
Below are highlights from McCarthy’s interview with the media.
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Played at Coors Field
At first I was very happy. I’m so excited. I’ve always loved coming to play here. Obviously, it’s a beautiful park. The fans are great. But, you know, when you talk about the big outfield, the height, I think that plays into my game very well. And I think this team, in particular, is also a very athletic team. . . . So I’m happy to be a part of it. Whatever that role looks like, I want to make an impact offensively, defensively, in the fundamentals, and put my game out there.
In the changes the Rockies are making
It is very exciting to be a part of something new. . . . I just think a lot of people in this building are hungry, and I have a lot of respect for this organization. I’ve been here, I’ve played with the Rockies at all levels of the minor leagues so far, so I have a lot of respect for the coaches and players that I’ve played with for a long time. And again, I’m really excited to be a part of it, really, really excited to be a part of what’s going up here.
In making changes
I honestly can’t tell you what the life adjustment will be like so far because I’m going from one building to another department. . . . I just continue slowly to enter another entrance to the building. So that’s the easiest part of spring training. But I think this team played against me a lot, so I’m sure they have a lot of tests, but they sold me, and I’m very grateful for that, and I want to make them look really good in this trade. And again, I’m just thankful for the opportunity here to come out again [get a] It’s just a new beginning and I’m making my own impact here and helping this team. So I keep repeating myself, but I’m very happy.
That’s what he worked on during the offseason
I think I’m going back to what makes me go as a player, and I think it can be powerful, and I think that means getting a foundation of guys like this guy to my left. [Goodman] and playing good defense, especially on a field like this. So, I think there were parts of last season where I might have moved away from that a little bit. So again, I’m just eager to kind of get back on track.
When you relax at Coors Field
I will say that I’ve always kind of jumped into all three outside positions, and there hasn’t been the same communication, what the role is going to be, but I’m perfectly fine with doing that, and I always have. I’m proud to play all three outfield positions, and then, yes, the big outfield, whether it’s left, right, center, there’s a lot of space I can cover. So I’m looking forward to the challenge, and I’m excited to play with some good defensive players, and I’m excited to build on our reputation for playing the field well.
To Warren Schaeffer
I just met him for the first time in person five minutes before this. But he seems to be a go-getter. He seems like the right guy to get this organization going in the right direction. And, you know, I love it. I like a direct manager, a guy who will just shoot you straight and try to win football games. So I think that’s the type of guy we need, and I’m excited for him.
After the session ended, McCarthy found himself surrounded by Denver media who introduced themselves to him. He smiled, shook everyone’s hand, and said, “I’m sorry, but I won’t remember your names.”
It was a drinking-from-a-fire-hose kind of day, but McCarthy handled it with grace.
Now to see how it plays on the field.
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