BUBBA TRAMMELL

L: Marty Lurie here on Right Off the Bat, today with Bubba Trammell of the Padres. First of all: Bubba. Is that a given name or is that a nickname?

T: No, it’s my middle name. I don’t know why Dad did that to me, but he named me that five years before I was born.L: Marty Lurie here with Bubba Trammell on Right Off the Bat. Baseball. For you, growing up in the South, who did you root for? The Braves, obviously, were on the Super Station then. Maybe you can tell us some of the people you followed and how you modeled your game.

T: Well, I definitely followed the Braves. Just being able to see them every game. I was a big fan of Dale Murphy’s. Just watching him play in the outfield, a power hitter, he was a big part of it. Me being able to watch him was a big thrill. I got to see him play live for the first time, it was really a good thrill.

L: Getting to see a Major League game live for the first time. Now you’re a big leaguer. You think back to your feelings then, seeing that first big league game. What was that like?

T: It was unbelievable. I can remember to this day, going in there. I was actually out in left field in the stands, and when I got to see batting practice and see Dale Murphy actually get to hit, and the likes of those guys. I got to see them every day on TV, but to actually see them live was something you never forget. I can’t wait to take my son when he comes out to the ballpark. I love just being around him and seeing his eyes light up around the baseball players.

L: Bubba Trammell, our guest on Right Off the Bat today. Growing up in the south, in Tennessee, you went to the University of Tennessee and were a star there in baseball, a golfer in high school as well, as I understand. But playing little league. I always like to ask people what position they played in little league. ‘Cuz you’re a big power-hitting left fielder right now.

T: I think everybody played shortstop at some point. I played a lot of shortstop, third base, and actually enjoyed it. I kinda hated when I had to wind up going out to the outfield. I did that in high school. But I had a lot of fun playing those positions. I used to put my uniform on as soon as I woke up. I’d have a game that night and I’d have my uniform on at 7 o’clock in the morning.

L: Todd Helton, of course, of the Rockies, one of the good hitters in the National League, was your teammate in high school. You guys musta had some high school baseball team!

T: Actually, we were 31 and 0 my senior year, and it was some kinda team. He was a pitcher too, then, and he’d always been able to hit but a lot of people didn’t know how good of a pitcher he was. He could throw it up there about 90, 91 miles an hour with a great change-up. I’m telling you, if he hadn’t hit he probably would’ve been a pitcher.

L: You end up going to junior college, then to the University of Tennessee. Coming out of high school, were you ready for pro ball if you wanted it at that point?

T: Definitely not. Not for me. It was something that I, my path was perfect. I needed the extra seasoning, I needed to go to college. I went to junior college, like you say, first, and learned a lot of things there, and progressed on. Heck, I’m 30 years old right now and I’m still learning. I feel like I’m getting better every day. It’s a learning experience. You learn something new all the time.

L: Year 2000, five pinch-hit home runs in the year 2000 for you. You end up in the World Series that year with the New York Mets. Getting a pinch-hit home run. I know you can’t plan it, but you must have a philosophy going up there.

T: Pinch hitting is one of the toughest things you can actually do in this game. It’s so hard. Your timing is kinda messed up, and you don’t know, you’re not really as sharp as you are when you’re playing every day. The only thing I can say is I go up there ready to swing. Anything close that I think I can hit hard, I’m after it. I don’t go up there to stand when I’m pinch hitting.

L: They say playing in New York is a different experience for people. You went there from Tampa Bay, which is another different experience for people. How ’bout the year 2000 for you?

T: I went from last to going to the World Series. To be able to say I played in the World Series is a dream come true. I hope I get back there, ‘cuz it’s just the most fun I’ve ever had playing this game. I was fortunate. I got to the right team at the right time, and actually got a start or two in the World Series. I’ll always cherish those moments, getting to play, and I hope I get back there.

L: Bubba Trammell, our guest on Right Off the Bat. Now, you hear about teams that want a left fielder, a power-hitting right-handed hitter; you’re the guy. You’re not a big salary guy as of yet. Do those rumors get to you?

T: I’ve learned in this game you can’t think about trade rumors. If it’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen. You just kinda show up to the ballpark and do your job, and other than that it’s out of your hands.

L: The Padres are a team somewhat in transition, but a nice team. You have some teammates on this team. Last year you had Rickey Henderson in this clubhouse, Tony Gwynn in this clubhouse. Tell me about the team this year and what you expect from the Padres.

T: I expect good things. We’ve got a good nucleus of guys, with veterans and young guys. We’ve got some young kids who can pitch, run it up there well, know what they’re doing. Right now we need to get together and blend a little bit and feel each other out. I like this club. Like I said, we’ve got some young arms in the system coming through, and definitely with our line-up we’re gonna score some runs.

L: Major League debuts are always interesting. Yours, I’m sure, has got a story to it.

T: My first time was in Minnesota. I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was in ’97. I came up with the Tigers and actually got to DH and start that game. My family was in the stands and got to see me play. It was just a special moment to be able to say that I’d finally made it to the big leagues and see my old man in the stands cheering for me.

L: So what happened?

T: Actually, I didn’t get a hit that game. I got the hit the next day. But I just remember walking in there and knowing that I’d finally made it to where I wanted to be. It was just a dream come true. I think I lined out my first time to shortstop. Heck, I was on cloud 9 and I don’t really remember a whole lot about it.

L: What did you think of old Tiger Stadium?

T: As far as the memories and all the stuff that’s happened there, it was awesome. I enjoyed playing there. You look at that and just think about some of the people that played there; it was just unbelievable.

L: All right. Nice to have you on Right Off the Bat. One of the good power hitters in the National League, Bubba Trammell. Thanks for being on the show.

T: Thanks for having me.