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Live Chat With Former MLB Pitcher Collin Balester
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Collin Balester
2:57
Hello everyone, just wanted to thank Tim for having me on to chat with you all. My name is Collin Balester and I played 15 seasons in Professionally with the ( Expos ) Washington Nationals, Detriot Tigers, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Reds also a small stint in Korea with the Samsung lions! I am married and have 4 children and my wife and I own a Juice shop in the town we live in. Thank you for having me and look forward to answering all the qquestions.
Kory
2:57
What was your favorite moment in your career?
Collin Balester
2:57
Hello Kory,
2:59
My favorite moment in my career was Getting called up and making my Debut forsure, but a couple other good moments have to be playing in the Futures Game in my home state, Playing in Anaheim for a road series in a stadium i watched probably 400 games growing up, and being able to play winter ball in Mexico just to name a few
Duffy Scliff
3:00
Collin, thanks for doing this!! How hard was it rehabbing and getting back to the majors post-TJ surgery?
Collin Balester
3:02
Duffy, Tommy john rehab was very challenging to say the least, all the hard work, excercises and movements when your elbow hurts with every movement. I would say the one good thing that came out of it was my arm healing and also the time away from the game helped me really appreciate what i had when i was back to being healthy. From the time i got back i never took that for granted again
mike
3:03
Hey Collin, now that you are making healthy drinks, did you stop drinking Moxie?   Who was your favorite teammate with the Nationals?
Collin Balester
3:06
HA! this is great I loved how I got connected to  MOXIE, Yes I can still drink Moxie even with my heathy Juice shop and my question to you is are you going to send it to me :  ) and I would say I have so many favorite Teammates to count and with the Nats I still to this day have lifelong friendships with guys like , John Lannan, Jordan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond, Criag Stammen and Tyler Clippard just to name a few. I would say the Funniest teammate I had with the Nats was for sure Nick Johnson no doubt about that!
Johnny
3:06
I have been wondering whether MLB players like Steve Cohen’s spending in terms of a competitive advantage. Do you think the league should slow him down or let him keep doing what he’s doing?
Collin Balester
3:07
I dont think players really care about spending like that I mean I neevr thought one time about that, All i wanted to do is be part of the 25 man roster somewhere and obviously if a team spent like Steve does I Most likley wasnt going to be on that team Ha!
Lucas
3:08
What’s the best baseball movie according to you?
Collin Balester
3:08
I love sandlot obviously a Classic and I also love Benchwarmers and Rookie of the year! I was hoping that would happen to my arm after TJ lol
Nick
3:08
What was it like being traded from the organization you had known for your entire pro career?
Collin Balester
3:11
I Thought It was awesome! made me feel like a ORG wanted me again ( not that the Nats didnt) I like a good change and a good challenge. It was also cool to get traded to a team like the Detroit Tigers with that Known brand and they English D with all that history and the team with Verlander, Prince, Max, Porcello ETC.... It was a super star team and it was cool to be a part of that. Also my wife and her family are from Ohio so the Tigers were the team they all loved so that was awesome also
Guest
3:11
Did you change any mechanics when going over seas?
Collin Balester
3:13
That was my least favorite part of gong to Korea, they have a different way of throwing with the mechanics they are used to and see all the time so a new guy coming in you think they signed you because they liked what you had to offer. So yes in very short I did change a little and I couldnt ever feel normal and thats not an excuse why i didnt perform but I just wanted to fit in and do what they wanted me to  do and it cost me being me.
Mike
3:14
Thoughts on the Comerica Park and Rogers Centre wall adjustments?
Collin Balester
3:15
As  a Pitcher I hate it lol but as a fan the fences are way too deep in those parts of the park where they moved them in! Im in favor of them doing it!
Chris
3:15
What’s your advice for working back from any injury in a sport?
Collin Balester
3:16
Work hard put in all the work needed to get back! No shortcuts, also like i stated before learn something new about yourself, dig deep try and figure out what makes you tick and how you can get better as a person, teammate and overall human every day
Mike
3:16
Favorite Minor League and Major League city?
Collin Balester
3:17
Minor league would be Savannah, Charlotte, Columbus
MLB city would be New York, Seattle, Anaheim, Miami, Chicago and Millwalkee
Josh
3:18
What do you miss the most about being a pro ball player and what do you not miss about it?
Collin Balester
3:19
Being with your teammates. Being in the clubhouse, bus trips hotel rooms just hanging with the boys! I will never ever change that answer all the other stuff playing in big league citys and parks was awesome dont get me wrong but nothing like being with the boys for a 8 gamme roadie
Taylor
3:19
Hey Collin! Who was the victim of your favorite MLB strikeout?
Collin Balester
3:20
Ken Griffey Jr and there isnt a close 2nd! lol
davE
3:20
Which big league park has the best and worst mound and overall facilities?
Collin Balester
3:21
None But if we are talking about bullpens I hated warming up on the On field bullpens like Wrigley and Oakland and I swear that in St Louis the rubber was off like half inch and casued you to throw across your body lol
Kirk
3:21
How big of a difference did Jayson Werth make in the Nats clubhouse/organization during his first season in Washington? Seems to be talked about a lot as a big turning point for the franchise in how many things were done behind the scenes.
Collin Balester
3:23
Jayson was a big clubhouse leader! he was a guy that people just felt like he was in charge and he led the team by doing the right things and we had some young guys who needed that, the big reason Bryce Harper is who he is is do to Jayson Werth Ryan ZIm and Rick Ankiel
Dan P
3:23
Thanks for doing this - What was it like playing in the KBO both on and off the field?
Collin Balester
3:24
KBO was awesome, ballparks are great faciltys are great and the players are really good and most of all the Fans Love baseball and its great to play in front of those fans! Wish i could have done better and stayed a long time
Guest
3:25
COME ON TIM GET SOME GUYS LIKE TROUT OR TATIS TO DO SOME CHATS OPEN UP THE WALLET A LITTLE
Tim Dierkes
3:25
Hi!  These aren't paid chats.
Collin Balester
3:25
Thanks!
Hubs
3:25
Do you like the new rules? Pitch clock, limited throws to 1B
Collin Balester
3:26
No! I liked Baseball the way its always been for hundreds of years but in the same time I get it!
Garrett
3:26
Hey Collin, thanks for spending your afternoon with us! What do you think contributes to a top pitching prospect not quite meeting expectations. Why is the jump from the high minors to majors so difficult for some and seamless for others?
Collin Balester
3:27
Pressure placed on himself, thinking you have to do more and be better and change each level you get to and that causes the player to get worse and worse till he figures out that his stuff will play at all levels and then the confidence grows and then you get a superstar in the making
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