JesseCrain.net

Jesse Crain took some time out of his busy Spring Training schedule to answer some questions from Seth at SethSpeaks.net.  The first part of the interview is available on Seth’s Site.  The remainder of the interview is found here.
 
(Continued from SethSpeaks.net)
 
SethSpeaks: For me, as a long-time Twins fan, those final three weeks of 2009 were as fun and exciting as I can remember, at least since 1991. What was it like as a player?
Jesse Crain: We had a great run in 2006, so we had a little experience of playing strong, and chasing a team to the last game of the season. But 2009 was unbelievable! To close the dome like that, and win the division in the 163rd game is something I will never forget, and the most exciting thing I have been a part of.
 
SethSpeaks: Watching the “Final Game in the Dome” ceremony was incredible on TV. I imagine that was a very memorable moment for you, to see all the former players and the emotion and such?
Jesse Crain: That was very special to be a part of. To see all those guys together was awesome. I’m so grateful that I have been a part of the Twins, and was a part of that special day.
 
SethSpeaks: How has your off-season been? Do you watch the playoffs, or do you stay away from baseball for awhile? At what point do you start preparing for 2010?
Jesse Crain: I will watch the playoffs if I catch them on TV. But after the season I try to relax and just spend time with family. I am gone so much, for so long I want to spend time with them. It’s nice to lay around and not worry about going anywhere. I take a good month off before I start to do anything, then I begin to go to the gym 3-4 days a week. I will start tossing a little in mid to late December. Once the 1st of the year comes around I workout and throw 6 days a week. So the season pretty much starts then. As you can see, we don’t get much down time, so we relax as much as possible.
 
A few quick questions:
 
SethSpeaks: Favorite Baseball Movie?
Jesse Crain: For Love of the Game 
 
SethSpeaks: Favorite Baseball Book?
Jesse Crain: Golf’s Sacred Journey- it’s a golf book, but really relates to pitching.
 
SethSpeaks: Favorite Sport/Athlete Outside of Baseball?
Jesse Crain: Football, John Elway was always my favorite
 
SethSpeaks: Any story behind your uniform number, 28?
Jesse Crain: 24, 21, 22, 27 were my top numbers in order. I was lucky to get #28; I like it a lot now. I feel honored to wear Burt Blyleven’s old number. I may be the last to wear it if he goes to the HOF next year. That would be cool.
 
SethSpeaks: Do you collect any baseball memorabilia?
Jesse Crain: I collect autographed baseballs, jerseys and bobble heads. When I was younger I collected cards, but it changed to bigger things. I think its cool to have people you played with and against sign things for you.
 
SethSpeaks: Is there anything that Twins fans don’t know about you, that you would like them to know about you?
Jesse Crain: Some people get carried away and fanatical about teams and players, so for them I want them to know that we are human. We are blessed to be able to play the game we love, but we have families and we have problems just like everyone else.

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