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New York Post
09-08-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Ryan Helsley talks moving out of closer's role with Mets, ‘surreal' ‘Hells Bells' entrance
Amazin' trade-deadline, fireballing, bullpen addition Ryan Helsley gets the call for some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby. Q: Do you get a kick out of throwing 100 miles per hour? A: (Laugh) Yeah, it definitely doesn't get old. I'm very thankful for that, and God's blessed me tremendously with my health an my talent, and all the glory goes to Him. I was kind of a late bloomer, and just over time gradually gaining velocity, and do it pretty consistently now. Q: Do you enjoy being an intimidator with your 100 mph fastball? A: I really haven't thought about it that way. Obviously, the harder you throw, the harder it is to hit. The less reaction time hitters have, so just trying to take that out with me on the mound and attack, and knowing that it's gonna be hard for hitters facing that kind of velo, it's gonna be hard to hit no matter what. Q: Do you bring that closer mentality to the eighth inning? A: I always tell people, they ask if it's any different, I don't think so. I'm trying to throw up a zero, no matter what inning I'm in. I'm trying to help the team win. No matter what inning I get, whether it's three outs or just one out or finish an inning whatever the case may be, I'm trying to throw up a zero no matter what inning it is. 7 Ryan Helsley of the Mets throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Guardians. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Q: Was it easy for you to adapt to being a reliever? A: I don't know if I'd say easy. I think it's just something you learn over time. To learn something like that in the big leagues, you always have guys to ask and learn from that have had a lot of success in the big leagues — I think being able to learn and be willing to learn was a big key. Q: Do you miss closing? A: I just like being a part of the team, just getting outs and helping the team anyway I can. Q: Describe hearing 'Hells Bells' when you come in from the bullpen. A: Yeah, it's pretty electrifying, honestly, and they turn the lights down and the music gets going and you hear this crowd erupt and you take the field. It's a pretty surreal and special feeling. Q: What was the key to winning NL Reliever of the Year last year? A: Being consistent every day, day in and day out. As a reliever, in the bullpen, it doesn't really matter what you did yesterday, good or bad, you still have to show up today and be ready to go. Q: What is it like pitching an 'immaculate inning' while with the Cardinals in 2022? A: That's pretty special. There's not too many guys that have done that in Major League Baseball history, so to be a part of such a small group is very cool and something I'll always look back on. I still watch that inning every now and then, so it's pretty cool to kind of relive that moment. Q: A scout once asked you if you were totally consumed with baseball, and you told him that you might go to medical school if it doesn't work out. A: I was just being realistic, and wasn't putting all my eggs in one basket. I was trying to be realistic with myself and have some goals outside of baseball. Schooling was always big for me and my family, and getting a degree was always important. You never know in sports in general with injuries and stuff like that, stuff can just pop up and not be the same after that. But yeah, I think I wanted to go to medical school, and my mom worked in radiology, I thought that was something that I liked and would want to do and something I thought that I would enjoy. 7 Mets pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) gets out of the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants Robert Sabo for NY Post Q: You thought about maybe becoming a doctor for your Cherokee Nation? A: Yeah, definitely a possibility, could have been for sure. But you never know where life takes you, and wherever you go to school and things like that. Q: How gratifying is it for you that you're looked upon as an inspiration to Cherokee Nation? A: It's very important to me, it's a big deal to come from a small rural area and a small town, and to be part of a tribe … just to be someone that not only kids but maybe other people from that area are chasing their dreams know that they're possible and capable if you just kind of put your mind to it and give it everything you got. Q: Describe your mound mentality. A: Just try to be aggressive. … Take the fight to the batter and not beat myself. Q: What was it like for you being under-recruited? A: I didn't really know any better as a kid. Obviously I didn't have too many offers, and I was throwing like 91 as a senior in high school — which back then was pretty good, and nowadays it's not so good. But back then it probably would have warranted a little bit more of some recruitment, but I just took the offer that I got [Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla.], it was in my hometown, and I was excited and had family close that could watch me make every start. It was an opportunity for me to go play and go get better, and that's kind of the mentality I had there. The big leagues and professional baseball wasn't on my mind, but the deeper I got and the progress that I made, you could kind of see that that was a possibility, and just kept working toward that. Q: Do you agree that you're an underdog story? A: I don't know, I feel like baseball's hard to say that, 'cause you can find talent anywhere. I think kind of like a Josh Allen's probably more of an underdog story, a guy who wasn't recruited in football and is one of the better quarterbacks in the league. He didn't have any big D-I offers, and it's harder in football. Basketball to make it if not at a D-I school, but there's plenty of guys jumped out of high school or JUCOs or smaller Division II or III schools that can make it to the big leagues. Q: From your Instagram: 'If your dream don't scare you they're too small.' A: Yeah, I think it says it all for itself. If you're not shooting for the moon and the stars, you're kind of selling yourself short. We only get one life, and you can't play it safe and you gotta be able to take risks and make some sacrifices, and not live with any regrets. 7 Ryan Helsley of Cardinals pitches against the Washington Nationals in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on July 8, 2025 Getty Images Q: 'It takes darkness to be aware of the light.' A: The ups and downs of life, when you fail you have to be able to learn from it. If there was no failure you wouldn't know what you need to work on. Q: 'We can't be who we want by remaining who we are.' A: If it wasn't for change in your life, you're not gonna do it by staying the same. You gotta be willing to, like I said, take risks and make changes and be comfortable being uncomfortable. Q: 'Two things define you: your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything.' A: It's just about being humble and trusting the process. For me, it's knowing that God has a plan for me and that He's looking out for me always, and that things are gonna work out. Q: 'Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.' 7 Ryan Helsley of the Mets throws a pitch during the 10th inning against the Cleveland Guardians. Jason Szenes / New York Post A: Those are all really good quotes, and if you dig into 'em, not just in sports but in life in general, life's not supposed to be easy, and God never promises that it's gonna be easy for us, but He does promise that He's gonna be there with us every step of the way. Q: 'It's comical seeing people hate when success is around.' A: I don't remember that one, maybe that was when I was in college or something. … I think just being around people that want to support you and find the people that are in your corner and want the best for you. Q: What was it like for you walking down the aisle to 'Hells Bells'? A: Yeah that was pretty crazy. My wife surprised me with that. I think everybody knew but me, so everybody was waiting for a reaction out of me. That was pretty funny. Q: What is your best single baseball moment? A: Probably just my debut [with the Cardinals, April 16, 2019, at Milwaukee]. That or maybe just getting drafted [Cardinals, fifth round, 2015], just have an opportunity to play baseball, and obviously the debut's a huge milestone. And my parents got to be there and watch me pitch that day. To be able to play a game for a living and get to do this every day, I'm very blessed and thankful for that. Q: Describe your two All-Star Game appearances, in 2022 and 2024. A: I think the first one was just incredible. We had five guys from the Cardinals that year. Just to be on the biggest stage in a city like L.A., and just to experience all that, and be there with some of the game's best is pretty surreal, and something I'll always remember. Q: Worst single baseball moment? A: Maybe also in my debut I gave up a homer to [Christian] Yelich (laugh). Not a great way to start your big league career off, but I pitched pretty well after that. Q: What about the ninth inning of Game 1 of the 2022 NL wild-card when the Phillies scored six runs? A: I went out there and did what I could. I jammed my finger a couple of days before that, and tried to pitch through it and probably shouldn't have. We all know what a jammed finger feels like, so just trying to throw a baseball and everything based on feel and having that sensation in your fingertips, basically that was gone having a swollen finger. Obviously not what you want to happen in the playoffs, but things happen and you gotta kind of learn from it and move on. 7 Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages, back, and relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) celebrate after a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, May 10, 2025. AP Q: The Cardinals were swept by the Nationals in the 2019 NLCS. How hungry are you to pitch in a World Series and win a World Series? A: I think every player's dream is to pitch on the biggest stage, and help a team and a city win. That would be awesome, and to be here, a part of this team with so much talent, it's very cool, especially to be part of a fan base who's got postseason experience and a city like that, and of that magnitude, it's exciting. Q: You would ask your college coach if you could hit BP. Are you a good hitter? A: I would say so. Q: You thought about playing football in the fall in college. A: I was a receiver and safety in high school. Q: Pretty good player? A: Yeah, I was solid. We were a smaller high school, so obviously the talent level was not as good as some of the teams across the country, but for our level, my senior class, we were really good. Q: You were a Cowboys fan growing up? A: A little bit. My dad more so than me. I'm more like a fantasy football fan. I just enjoy the game of football a whole lot, so fall's probably my favorite time of the year. Q: I'll give you some fantasy football advice when I see you. A: Yeah, let's do it. I need it. Q: You've tweeted about Inky Johnson, the former University of Tennessee football player who suffered an injury in a 2006 game that left his right arm paralyzed. A: Just his whole story is pretty incredible. He stepped up and used everything for fuel and motivation and not a woe-is-me. I think he's very in tune with his mentality and how to get people to think the right way, and just the motivation that he has to help others and be an inspiration to others. 7 Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) reacts after striking out Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (not pictured) to close out the game at Busch Stadium. Jeff Curry-Imagn Images Q: How did Kobe Bryant's tragic death affect you? A: He was my favorite basketball player, and my favorite numbers are 8 and 24 because of him. Just watching him and like his mindset, I think there's something to learn from the game's best — not only the NBA, but across all sports just how they handle themselves and their mentality on the things they do. Q: You have two daughters. What is fatherhood like? A: The best. You don't really know what you're missing out until you have it. Not being a dad, you always hear how cool it is and stuff like that, until you truly experience it you don't really understand or grasp what it's like to be called Dad and to be depended on, and just to come home to smiling kids every day just excited to see their dad is truly special and something I'm very thankful and blessed with. Q: Eliana is 3. A: She's a fireball, man, she's sweet and sassy all in one. We look just alike, I think she's my little twin. She probably acts more like her mom though (laugh). Delivering insights on all things Amazin's Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Q: Tatum is 5 months old. How's your diaper game? A: Locked in. Q: What is her personality like? A: Oh man, she's the sweetest little thing ever. She's always smiling, she's got the biggest blue eyes, and she's just so sweet. They're definitely a lot different, which is crazy 'cause they came from the same two parents, but it's cool at the same time to see how much different each one of your kids are. Q: Describe your wife Alex. A: She's beautiful, she's very driven and hard working, and she's a great mother. She had a lot of goals and aspirations too in college, I think that was one thing that really attracted me to her, she's an optometrist and she also played sports growing up, so we had a lot of things in common that we wanted to do. 7 Ryan Helsley Jason Szenes / New York Post Q: You're living in a hotel these days? A: You know it. Q: What's that like? A: Just try to grind and be the best I can be while I'm there. Q: How does a kid from Tahlequah adapt to New York? A: One of the biggest cities on Earth, so it's definitely a challenge, and something that I think's gonna be good when I kind of get in a groove there. Q: Three dinner guests? A: Mariano Rivera, 'cause he's the best closer ever, truly, he's got something I can pick his brain on about and learn from; Tom Brady; Jesus. Q: Favorite movie? A: Any of the 'Lord of the Rings' or 'The Hobbit.' Q: Favorite meal? A: Quesadillas. Q: What would you tell Mets fans about what kind of pitcher and person they're getting? A: Obviously a power pitcher, and throw the ball hard, and try to be aggressive and attack. … Try to be a good teammate, help others around me and build 'em up. This is a long and grinding season, so just try to be someone that's consistent every day and being the same guy every day no matter what. Q: What have you learned about the Mets clubhouse? A: They've been great, they've welcomed me with open arms and just getting to know these guys on a little bit more on a personal level. This team's pretty cool and pretty special. The pitching staff's been great, too. Q: What drives you? A: I think just wanting to be the best. Getting the best out of myself. Not cheating myself and not having any regrets later on in life. Q: You must be proud of coming a long way to where you are now. A: That's the coolest thing about baseball. You see guys that have been out of the game for years at a time and pick it back up and make it back to the big leagues, or guys that never pitched at a big D-I like myself, or all of the above, XYZ. I think that's what makes baseball so great.
New York Post
02-08-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Chris Manhertz believes hungry Giants are embracing ‘dawg mentality' and ready to surprise NFL
Veteran Giants tight end and Bronx-raised Chris Manhertz blocks out some time for some training camp Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby. Q: Describe your on-field mentality. A: I would like to think I'm a dawg. Somebody that's relentless in their preparation, relentless in their effort, and having a mindset to kind of dominate. Q: On the field, describe a dawg mentality. A: A dawg is somebody that has discipline, for one. Somebody that has a great attitude. Somebody that displays a type of grittiness, not only physically but mentally as well. And more importantly, somebody that has the ability to recover quickly from mistakes. Q: It seems to me that there are more dawgs on this team than outsiders think. A: I would like to think so. We have a good amount of talent on this team, and that mentality, that dawg mentality, I think it's transferred. It starts from the top, it starts with the leadership we have on the team, and slowly but surely, you carry other guys along, and next thing you know you look up and you have an identity as a team, you have a mindset as a team. Somebody goes up against the New York Giants, they know exactly what they're getting, they have to bring their lunch pail. So that's kind of the mentality that we try to not only preach and say, but also embrace and embody with our style of play. Q: Do you think it's drastically different than it was a year ago? A: I wouldn't say it's drastically different, because we have a great group of the core guys here, but you see a lot of the younger guys really try to take that next step as far as they got their feet wet last year as a rookie, now this year is the year to step up. You know how things go, you know how to carry yourself as a professional, you know how to go about your business and prepare like one, so slowly but surely, it just gets better and better. Q: Is this team ready to surprise people? A: Yeah. I think a lot of that just comes down to the expectations that we have for ourselves as a unit. I'm sure that we'll surprise people, but I think there's a standard here that obviously the outsiders might not know but we try to play up to that standard that we have for ourselves, and more then likely it really exceeds what other expectations people have of us. 8 Giants tight end Chris Manhertz catching a pass during practice at the Giants training facility in East Rutherford, NJ. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Q: Why do you enjoy blocking so much? A: Well, I kind of take pride in just kind of really trying to dominate and to take the will of my opponent, whoever's in front of me. When I first started playing football, that was my way to kind of get on the active roster and try to figure out and create value for myself outside of what other people or other competition in my room looked like. So that's how it started for me, and it's kind of blossomed from there, but it's a dirty job, but it's necessary. I always kind of adopt the 'why not you?' mentality? Somebody has to do it. I think that's mentality kind of carried me through for quite some time. Q: What is it like blocking Abdul Carter? A: There's one word I would probably use to describe him — he's twitchy. Explosive. Has all the right tools, all the right traits. Quite impressed with the type of player that he is. He has a great motor. And I think that if he continues building, he's only going to get better and obviously be a problem for opposing offenses. Glad to have him on this side. Q: Does he remind you of anyone? A: Nah, I don't even like to draw comparisons. I think that he's his own player, he had his own set of tools, but he's a slippery guy, I'll say that. Definitely somebody that you kind of have to have a plan for, but he's hungry, he puts his head down and he works, so you get a lot of respect from doing that and just going about your business the right way. Q: What have you learned about Russell Wilson that maybe you didn't know? A: Me and Russ have history. I was with him in Denver a couple of years ago, so I knew exactly what we were getting. But just the type of leader that he is, he's a Super Bowl champion … that type of guy you want to have in your team. He knows how to prepare the right way, he's great at bringing guys along and getting everybody on the same page, and that's what we need, that's what you need to be an effective, efficient offense in this league. Q: What makes Malik Nabers a dawg? A: You throw the ball up in the air, nine times out of 10 he's making the play. The ball finds him. He's not afraid of making the big play. He's a worker, and he wants the ball. He wants the ball in those big moments. He wants to be the person to have all that pressure on him to be able to deliver and make a big play, and as a young guy, you don't see that a lot. 8 Chris Manhertz of the New York Giants AP Q: What is it like blocking Brian Burns? A: Brian is another one that's I have history with. I was with Brian when he got drafted [in 2019], I was with him in Carolina for a couple of years. He's blossomed into a really, really … he has the ability to wreck a game (laugh) with his style of play. His relentless pursuit to the ball stands out all camp. His ability to take on blocks in the run games and his pass rush, obviously, is something that could be damaging for opposing offenses. But he's another great player that's blossoming and turning into a good leader as well. Q: Kayvon Thibodeaux? A: Somebody that works his tail off. Another player that I love to have in this side as opposed to the opposite. Q: He says he's faster than he was a year ago. A: I would say so. Stronger, too. Q: What do you expect the personality of this defense to be? A: It's a pretty talented group, very talented, one of the better defenses that I've been around. Shane [Bowen, defensive coordinator] has done a good job as far as instilling the right mindset and culture within that defense. It screams out on film. Everybody's relentless in their pursuit to the ball. Q: You expect the run defense to be better? A: I'd like to think so. Assuming everybody's healthy … everybody's grown in a new system. You have to take into account that last year they had a new DC. Q: Jaxson Dart? A: Try to think of a word to describe him — swagger, confident. Obviously there will be things that you learn as a rookie and it's an ever-growing process, but he has all the right tools to be a great quarterback. He has the right leaders around him in the quarterback room. I can't picture a better situation being as a rookie as far as learning from guys like that. Q: Swagger how? A: Just the way that he carries himself, in a good way. He's hungry to learn, he learns quickly, which is what you want from a quarterback. That type of swagger, that confidence, that moxie kind of jumps out. 8 Chris Manhertz of the Giants completes a reception under coverage by Percy Butler of the Washington Commanders for a touchdown last season. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Q: Cam Skattebo? A: Hard runner. Physical. Not afraid of contact. I'm excited to see what he does in the run game for us this yea, but definitely a player that every team needs as far as being a power runner and things like that. Q: What would you tell Giants fans who are still concerned about the offensive line? A: Just remain hopeful. I'm pretty confident in their abilities and what they could be able to do for us in the pass and run game. Q: Fellow tight end Theo Johnson? A: He's another player that I would consider a well-roofed guy. He's somebody you could depend on in the run game. He could be at the point of attack in the run game. He could separate in the pass game and make plays. For a big 260-, 265-pound guy, he's pretty athletic and can move well in space, so those type of things make it exciting, as far as what his potential could be and what type of asset he could be for us as well. Q: What do you think of Evan Neal moving inside to guard? A: Having the willingness to kind of adapt and move and be able to embrace changing positions, you tip your hat to him as well. He's hungry and he wants to learn, and he's slowly getting better at that and learning the nuances of that position. Q: Brian Daboll? A: Brian is a great leader, great head coach. Does a good job of getting all the guys in the same page, is very receptive to what we need as a team, what we need as a unit. A lot of times people always think that head coaches see just straight X and Os guys, but Coach Daboll does a good job kind of leading from upfront, galvanizing us in a sense of getting us on the same page and make sure we're aligned with the culture and the vision that he wants to see this team become. 8 iants tight end Chris Manhertz (85) participates in drills during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Q: If there was a movie title about your NFL career, or about your life, what would it be? A: Probably 'Week to Week' would be the title. Moreso displays the mentality I had initially in my journey in the NFL, adopted a week-to-week mentality, having limited room for error. But having that mindset also forces you not to be complacent, whether you're a rookie or 11-year vet like myself. Q: Where in The Bronx did you grow up? A: Close to Gun Hill Road. Q: Did you go to Arthur Avenue? A: Oh yeah, some Italian food. Q: Dominick's? A: That's a staple! Q: Describe what it's like for a hometown kid being a New York Football Giant. A: I think it's full circle. Especially 1, the proximity of being home. And 2, just being near family, being a part of an organization like the Giants, the history that the organization has, the great players that came through here, the great coaches that came through here. Definitely something I don't take lightly, but it's definitely humbling as well. Q: What resonated with you when Tom Coughlin spoke to the team this week? A: Just probably the value of being a good teammate. That matters a lot, especially as far as 1, building the right culture, [and] 2, having continuity with each other and building a chemistry with each other and having an ability to connect with each and every player. And obviously it looks different for everybody, but I've realized that the sooner you could and the better that you could connect with guys on a level outside of between the lines of the football field, the better that things would be when adversity strikes, or they need a pick-me-up or whatever the case may be. 8 Giants' Daniel Ballinger (82) and Chris Manhertz (85) practice during OTAs. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Q: Do you remember what resonated when Lawrence Taylor and some of the other former Giants spoke? A: All of them had a theme as far as what it means to be a New York Giant. It is a privilege to be a part of a storied organization that has a great culture, and that culture kind of travels through every single generation. There's a right way to do things here and there's a wrong way to do things here. If you're on the other side of that, you'll get weeded out pretty quickly. Q: What is the biggest adversity you had to overcome? A: Giving football a shot with no experience ever. That was probably one of the hardest things I ever had to do — death by fire, if you will (laugh). But it worked out. Q: Your childhood dream was to be an NBA player. Were you a Knicks fan? A: Wasn't a Knicks fan, I was more of a Lakers fan, a Kobe [Bryant] fan growing up. Q: You were a center at Cardinal Spellman [High School], who did you see yourself similar too? A: Kevin Garnett. Just the type of mentality he played with, the versatility he had, the dawg mentality that he had. I will always love players like that. Q: Did you get into the Knicks playoff run in the spring? A: I did. Went to a couple of Knicks games. Nothing like the Garden. It's electric, no place like it, so it was kind of a fun experience. Q: Did you go to Knicks games as a kid? A: No. Went to my first few Knicks games as a pro athlete, believe it or not. 8 Chris Manhertz of the New York Giants reacts after he completes a reception for a touchdown during the second quarter of the Giants and Washington Commanders game in East Rutherford, N.J. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Q: What do you think of Jalen Brunson? A: Great player. Glad to have him here (laugh) rather than somewhere else, but another player that kind of adopts that like dawg mentality. He's undersized, but he has a will, he has heart, and he's talented. Q: Did you go to Giants or Jets games? A: No. I didn't even watch football growing up. It wasn't nothing close to what I planned on being on my radar. It was something that I picked up when I was 21, 22 years old. Q: What drives you? A: At this point, the biggest things that drive me are my family. I have a wife and three kids. And also just honoring those that poured into me, that helped me get to this point. Q: Your first NFL touchdown was on a pass from then-Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey in 2018. A: (Laugh). Fourth-and-1, 'Monday Night Football,' on the 50-yard line. Fake power halfback pass, nobody expected it. I didn't even expect to take it to the house, but I saw green grass. But definitely a moment I'll never forget. Especially against the Saints, a team that had cut me. Q: Describe your TD catch as a Giant last year against Washington. A: Goal-line play, corner route, contested catch. It was another full circle moment, not only it being a touchdown, but being a touchdown in my hometown in front of my family and things like that. Another moment that you kids check off the bucket list, but I'll never forget that. Q: Did you do a dance? A: I'm not a dancing guy (laugh). 8 Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) watches as tight end Chris Manhertz (85) runs the ball during the second half versus the Indianapolis Colts. Robert Sabo for NY Post Q: You spiked it. A: Probably deflated it. Q: Dan Campbell was influential for you when he was Saints assistant? A: For sure. Not too many times you have a tight end coach that actually played the position that they're coaching and played it at a high level. Q: Favorite New York City things? A: Probably not the answer you expect, but having the ability to connect and network with a litany of people from different industries — whether it be in the sports world, whether it be in the business world. It's kind of limitless as far as being able to connect those dots and connect with people. Q: TV in the future for you maybe? A: I've explored it. The longer time goes by, I kind of think about it more, but definitely something I'm open to … You think I should do TV? Q: You can. You're insightful enough. A: I appreciate that. Q: Your boy-girl twins will be 2 next month, and your daughter is 4. How's fatherhood? A: It's busy, especially with this profession. My wife and I definitely have our hands full, but it's also fun just being able to … you look at them and I'm like, 'Man, we created this little human being.' They're constantly trying on us for any and everything, but it's a responsibility I love to be a part of, and I love being a dad. Q: You have your master's degree from Canisius in what? A: Sports administration. Q: Three dinner guests? A: Malcolm X, Denzel Washington, Will Smith. Go behind the scenes with Big Blue Sign up for Inside the Giants by Paul Schwartz, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Q: Favorite movie? A: 'A Bronx Tale.' Q: Favorite actor? A: Denzel Washington Q: Favorite singer/rapper/entertainer? A: Jay-Z. 8 Giants tight end Chris Manhertz (85) IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Q: Favorite meal? A: Some jerk chicken and rice and peas. Q: What are you most proud of? A: My longevity. I don't take it for granted, the amount of work that it takes to get to this point. You look at the average career is three years, and for somebody that never played the sport and picked it up at age 22, to be able to withstand 11 years in the NFL is something that definitely is kind of a testament to the work that I out in and me taking care of my body, and also having the right coaching staff that believed in me in my development at least initially. Q: You enjoy playing on the New York stage? A: Yeah, yeah. The lights are bright, the attention is high, but that's kind of what comes with being in New York in general. I'm sure there'll be a fair share of criticism if something goes bad, and a fair share of praise when things go good, so it kind of comes with it. Yeah, I like New York. Q: What would your message to Giants fans be about this team? A: Be ready for a team that embodies toughness, a team that embodies a relentless attitude, and a team that also embodies handling adversity well, because inevitably it will happen, don't know when, but when it does, it's really how you respond more than anything as far as what happens. Q: Is this an ascending team? A: I think so. I think so. We have all the talent to really do well. We have the right coaches and we have the right players that want to work, that's not complacent, and that kind of just has what I would call that lunch-pail mentality. You wake up, you go to work, and it's a constant race to improve, it's a constant race to get better and figure out a way to find your edge, because there's 31 other teams that's trying to do the same thing. Q: So after 3-14 last season, do you sense a hunger here? A: Of course. Of course. It puts a pit in your stomach being 3-14 and how the season ends. You want to figure out ways to get better. You want to win. We're not working to hope to win. We work to expect to win.
New York Post
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Jose Reyes shares his favorite David Wright moments ahead of Mets jersey retirement
Access the Mets beat like never before Don't miss Mike Puma's text messages from Queens and beyond — he's giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Mets. Sign up Now As told to The Post's Steve Serby: I don't want to cry on D-Wright's day, but … I don't know, probably tears are gonna come to my eyes. Advertisement I'm looking forward to his speech, big-time. I know it's gonna be a great speech. I remember in the Instructional League in Port St. Lucie in 2001, when Guy Conti, who was running the minor league system at that time, said to us, 'Do you guys know that you guys are gonna lock down the left side of the infield for a long time in New York?'
New York Post
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Joey Chestnut gives behind-the-scenes look at ‘hungry' prep for Nathan's return
Competitive eater Joey Chesnut eats up the chance for some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby ahead of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on Sunday, which Chesnut has won 16 times. Q: What is so great about a Nathan's hot dog? A: Oh my gosh, it's a 100-year-old recipe — more than that now — it's good from the start. There's no reason to change something that isn't broken. It really is a unique taste, an all-beef hot dog, natural tasting … it's simple, but it's delicious. Advertisement Q: How would you describe your mentality on game day? A: I'm hungry. That's all it is. I'm staying hungry no matter what. I'm expecting to eat uncomfortable and bloated and I'm ignoring whatever feelings it takes to get there. Q: Right before the first at bite, what is going through your gut? A: I think the hardest part of the contest is the first one. Stay calm, don't try to swallow the hot dogs whole. My first instinct is to try to swallow whole, which is not a good thing, your muscles are not stretched out yet, I don't want to cough, right? Stay calm, take a normal bite and work into the rhythm, which is hard. Sometimes I over-attack the food, my muscles aren't ready to work for me right away. Stay calm, and don't shove too much in at once. Advertisement 11 Joey Chestnut competes in Raising Canes Chicken Finger Eating Contest during Fanatics Fest NYC at the Javits Center on June 20, 2025 in New York City. Q: Who is your biggest threat? A: My biggest threat is myself if I get in my own head, if I let something bother me, that's when I can make mistakes. … There's a guy from Montreal [James Webb], I think he is amazing, he's young, he's fit. This guy likes to work out so he's gonna be pushing himself really hard. If I let myself mess up, he's the only one that could really catch me. Advertisement Q: Do you feel any pressure? A: I wouldn't say pressure, it's more of support. Every once in a while you get a little bit of pressure from people who are betting. Like, 'Oh, you need to get this Over.' I'm like, 'Oh my god, the Over's really high this year (laugh).' Q: What is the Over? Advertisement A: I think some people are putting the Over at 74, or 72. That's high. Even though the record's 76, it's gonna be hard for me to push myself. I know like minute six if I have a chance at the record. I have a tendency to get lazy if I don't think I can get the record. I would love to get the Over. I'm gonna really try hard. Q: Which one has been your sweetest victory? A: The first one was really, really amazing. Beating [Takeru] Kobayashi for the first time was awesome. I go back three years ago, I had a broken leg, I had a cast on, and like 2 ¹/₂ weeks before my mom passed away, and less than a week later my dog died. And during the contest there was like a protestor who got in front of me — everything was going wrong that year. It was like **** the ***** worst year, I was still able to get it done. Q: After the competition, do you actually have dinner that night? A: No, no, usually I'm in bed. Sometimes I'm going for a walk if I get up from sleeping. If I can, maybe some yogurt, maybe a little salad. I don't really have much until the next day. Even if I'm not hungry, I'm trying to eat salad, just trying to keep things moving. 11 Joey Chestnut competes in Raising Canes Chicken Finger Eating Contest during Fanatics Fest NYC at the Javits Center on June 20, 2025 in New York City. 11 Joey Chestnut, winner of the 2021 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest. AP Q: How about the sickest you ever got? Advertisement A: Oh my god, there's been a couple of times. When I talk about heat, it's because of those hot days. If I'm devastated before the contest, I can tell like right after if the food's not settling and if my body's gonna reject it. The only way you get better is by getting your body to accept it. That's something I don't necessarily practice for is to be dehydrated. I want to say 2006 was probably my worst time getting sick. But it's been a while. Q: What would you say about the New York sports crowd at Coney Island and you being a fan favorite? A: The audience at Coney Island, you feel like you're at the center of the world. It really feels amazing. There's energy, electricity like no other place. Q: What is your mindset the night before the competition? Advertisement A: Stay calm. I usually watch some old practices, almost kind of simulated contests just swallowing air, go through the motions. Usually I'm in bed before 9 p.m., wake up about 5 a.m. and start doing stretches and yoga and burping exercises to get my stomach loose and stretched after sleeping. 11 Joey Chestnut eats an Impossible hotdog after he ate 57 hotdogs in five minutes at the Pop Goes the Fort eating contest on Fort Bliss, Texas on July 4, 2024. Justin Hamel for the NY Post Q: What do you mean by swallowing air? A: I do burping exercises where I swallow air and burp it up just to get those muscles used to being stretched. Advertisement Q: You drink a concoction of liquids the night before? A: There's aloe vera juice and things to make sure that I'm hydrated, and also empty, I'm finishing up my cleanse. Q: I read that you drink milk to stretch out your stomach. A: I do drink milk like a big baby. I'm a believer that if your body can digest milk, it's great for you. Every now and then I'll drink half a gallon of milk in the morning with some water. That's a nice healthy stretch. Advertisement Q: What is the last food you eat the night before? A: The day before I usually have to eat a hot dog at the weigh-in. Before that, I usually have some eggs for breakfast. Maybe a little bit of protein, like protein shake that day. I go in really, really empty the day of the contest. 11 The annual Nathan's Famous 4th of July Hot Dogs and Buns eating contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Paul Martinka Q: Why eat one hot dog at the weigh in? A: [Co-founder of Major League Eating] George Shea likes to make the eaters do a faceoff and eat one hot dog (laugh). He's kind of the boss, and I kind of do what I'm told. Q: What's the purpose of the weigh-in? A: Competitive eaters, we're sizing each other up. Q: When you say sizing each other up, what do you mean? A: We're friends, but we also talk trash … we're posturing (laugh). I like the weigh-in because it's my last chance to really get in the other eater's heads a little bit. Q: What makes you so good about psyching the other opponents out? A: I don't know … I convince myself that there's only one outcome this contest. Once I think they can see that I'm convinced, and the audience is convinced, it's really hard for them to overcome. If I convince myself, then everybody else falls in line. 11 Fans arrive to Coney Island Nathanâs Hot Dog eating contest on July 4th, 2024. Paul Martinka for NY Post Q: What are the strengths of your game? A: I love to eat. I'm a natural eater. It's one of the hardest things for me to control. I need to make sure that I control my eating so that I'm not heavy. I'm competitive, that's another strength. I'm really good at problem solving. Where a lot of athletes, they have coaches, competitive eaters don't have coaches. It's all kind of self-taught. I had to figure things out trial and error. It's been a really good combination being able to push myself. Q: Any area you need to improve that you consider a weakness? A: I wish I liked to work out (laugh). My cardiovascular, I've noticed it more and more as I'm getting older, where I'm slowing down not because I'm full, it's because I haven't been hitting the gym like I should. If I'm running more, if I'm cycling more, if I'm lifting weights more, I can push my body harder. I'm so jealous of people that love to get up early and work every day. That's life. Some people don't like the feeling of being bloated after eating, and I don't mind that. I hate running, even though I have great respect for it. Q: Do you like it hot on July Fourth? A: No, I don't like it hot, Jesus! Oh my god, I'm nervous, I've been seeing the weather you guys are having over there, and I'm like, 'Dang it.' The last time I made a record it was 75 degrees, and it was like a perfect day. When it's warmer, my body just runs out of steam towards the end. I'm really hoping a cold front comes in. And you know whatever happens, I'm gonna eat like a beast. Q: When do you get to New York? A: I get in [July 1]. 11 Joey Chestnut and Livvy Dunne compete in Raising Canes Chicken Finger Eating Contest during Fanatics Fest NYC at the Javits Center on June 20, 2025 in New York City. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock Q: Who are you coming in with? A: My fiancée, two sisters are coming out, one of my buddies. Q: Does your fiancée, Brie, cook for you? A: Of course (laugh). She loves to cook, and she's great. I'm super, super lucky. It worked out perfect. Q: How did you meet her? A: I was at a bar drinking in San Francisco and this guy sees me from outside as he's walking by, and he comes in and starts talking to me. And we were talking for like 20 minutes and then all of a sudden the girl and a dog come in — 'Hey, you left me outside.' So I was like, 'You left her outside?' The guy was an idiot. So then I went out and took a picture with her, and met the dog, Zeus, and a year later we matched on Tinder. Q: How does she feel about your career? A: She knows I love it a lot (laugh). She knows it's me. When I'm in training, we do all these little low-carb meals. … She has all these homemade salad dressings. She's awesome. She works with my crazy diet so that I can keep doing it. Q: Any marriage plans? A: It'll happen. We're both in our 40s. No children, we just got dogs, and a garden. Eventually just get a little courthouse wedding and have a party maybe. Q: Did you watch the event last year, when you were banned because of a sponsorship conflict? A: Yeah, I watched it. I told people I didn't, but I watched it (laugh). It was hard, but it was good practice 'cause I know one of these days I'm gonna be either older or somebody's gonna be beating me, and I'm gonna have to retire. It was good practice for when that day comes. It made me appreciate that … if I can do it, I want to be there. Q: As you've gotten older, have you made any changes to your training? A: Definitely, I train a little bit less. It takes me a little more time to get back to my normal weight. When I was younger, I could just be a beast, like practicing every third day. Now it's like every five or six days, maybe even a week between them. It takes a little more time to recover. You gotta find a way to do it. There's no other option. Q: Do you eat hot dogs when you're not competing? A: Yeah! Baseball games, and at home. If I'm going on my diet, I actually have a lot of willpower not to get a hot dog 11 Joey Chestnut on his way to eating 57 hotdogs in five minutes at the Pop Goes the Fort eating contest on Fort Bliss, Texas on July 4, 2024. Justin Hamel for the NY Post Q: Do you put mustard, relish or ketchup on your hot dog? A: Always mustard. I definitely put raw onions on. Baseball games, I usually want to get mustard. At home, I put everything on it. Q: Growing up, did your parents put hot dogs on the grill? A: My dad was big on hot dogs. He called them tube steaks (laugh). Q: What is the biggest adversity you had to overcome? A: I remember when I had that broken leg. There were infections, it healed crooked, now it's about a half an inch shorter than the other leg, but I'm finally walking without pain. Q: Three dinner guests? A: My mom; Babe Ruth — hot dogs, he had a good time; Winston Churchill. Q: Favorite movie? A: 'Inglorious Basterds.' 11 Druski, DJ Khaled, CEO of Fanatics Michael Rubin, Joey Chestnut, and Livvy Dunne compete in Raising Canes Chicken Finger Eating Contest during Fanatics Fest NYC at the Javits Center on June 20, 2025. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock Q: Favorite actor? A: Leonardo DiCaprio. Q: Favorite actress? A: Nicole Kidman. Q: Favorite singer/entertainer? A: One of my biggest regrets, had a chance to go see Tom Petty live, and I had to go to a burrito contest that day. Q: Favorite meal? A: I get cravings — some days it's prime rib, if I'm at a baseball game, I love hot dogs. I get a lot of cravings for tacos. Q: Do you have a favorite team to watch? A: I live in [Westfield] Indiana, so I go to this minor league team in Indianapolis, and this year I went to Opening Day in Cincinnati. 11 Joey Chestnut walks the blue carpet at JAY-Z's Iconic The 40/40 Club in partnership with Fanatics Sportsbook at the center of Fanatics Fest NYC at Javits Center on June 20, 2025. Getty Images for Fanatics Q: Are you recognized by the hot dog vendors? A: I'm sure they do, but the baseball fans recognize me like crazy. Throughout the game, I'm eating hot dogs and chugging beers with baseball fans, which is not a bad deal. Q: What's your second-favorite competition? A: I haven't done a rib contest in a while. I'm craving a rib contest. A good rib contest, where they're cooked right, I have a really great technique. I lost this one recently, last couple of years in Buffalo, there's wing fest, I really love that contest. Buffalo's a great city. Hopefully, this year I can go to that contest and get the win. That city is an amazing city. It's one of the most underrated cities. It's open till 4 a.m., all the bars have great food. I overdo it a little bit. Q: Boyhood idol? A: Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, the Bash Brothers. Q: You didn't play baseball, did you? A: Just Little League. My dad made me try the marching band in high school. 11 Joey Chestnut Champion hotdog eater attends the Mystics against the Fever game on June 3, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. NBAE via Getty Images Q: What did you play? A: Trumpet. Q: Boyhood dream? A: I remember I was playing with a fire engine, and my mom asked me if I want to be a firefighter when I grew up. I was like, 'No, I want to be the dog on the back of the fire engine (laugh).' Q: What drives you? A: I think I have perspective. I know how lucky I am. I used to have a normal job in construction management, and now I get to travel, eat, make other people happy, meet people. It's a really good gig, and as long as I'm healthy and having fun, I'm gonna keep doing it. Q: How long do you want to do this? A: I think Tom Brady won his last Super Bowl when he was [43], right? Getting older and pushing your body it gets harder, but it's really satisfying if you can still do it. Q: Goals? A: Stay healthy and treat people the way I want to be treated. Q: What are you most proud of about your career? A: Really that first victory. People said it couldn't be done. Q: Why did they think it couldn't be done? A: Kobayashi had such a lock. He had everybody convinced that he was special. I refused to believe it. That's why it's so important for me to convince myself and convince the other people. Once everybody's convinced, it's hard for the other eaters to convince themselves. Q: Broadway Joe Namath guaranteed a Super Bowl. Will you guarantee a victory on July Fourth? A: I can't guarantee it, but I can guarantee it's gonna be really, really hard for somebody to beat me. If somebody beats me, they will have had to earn it. I can guarantee if my body works for me even 80 percent, I'm gonna blow everybody away.
New York Post
21-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Trent Grisham details how he escaped ‘bad place' to become breakout Yankees star
Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham catches up with Steve Serby for some Q&A during a breakout season. Q: Center field is a prestigious position at Yankee Stadium. A: I don't think there's really any position that's not prestigious for the Yankees, but yes, it is. Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free Q: How would you describe what it's like being a Yankee? A: I love it because it kind of simplifies everything. Sometimes the big leagues gets a little bit more about everything but baseball. Here it's very simple — it's we're here to win. It's very business mentality, very straight cut, there's no ifs, ands or buts about it, we're here to win every night, and you can either get on that page or you can go somewhere else. Q: What is it like playing on the New York stage? A: It's the pinnacle of sports and media in the world, so there's a lot of pressure, but that's also what makes it a lot of fun. Q: Your baseball dream started at age 3. What do you remember about those early first days? A: (Chuckle) What my mom tells me. First word was 'ball,' and wanted to play T-Ball starting at the age of 3, and really didn't stop wanting to do that any day after that. Q: What drives you? A: I love the game. That drives me. I would say my childhood dream drives me. And obviously, I honestly just want to see what I'm capable of. I've been told since I was young that I had ability and potential and all those other things that people say, but at the end of the day, I want to see where I stand in the league at the end of my career, just to see what I can get out of my capabilities. Q: How would you sum up your major league career to this point? A: Unfinished. Q: What has been the emotional low point for you in the major leagues? A: It had to be probably middle of '23 in San Diego, maybe early to the middle of the season. I just got into a bad place where I was thinking negatively a lot more often than I want to admit, and it just kind of spiraled into a bad place. … Meaning I was playing very fearfully on the field. Was thinking, 'Don't do this, don't do that,' as opposed to just playing the game and having fun, and treating it as a game. Q: Did it turn out to be a valuable lesson for you? Or is it something you battle all the time? A: I wouldn't say I battle it all the time anymore, it was something I had to work out of. It's a very fearful mentality, worry about what was going to happen instead of staying in the present moment, let my ability come out. I would say it's something that I have to constantly work at to stay in the right frame of mind, just because this game is hard. … You're playing against the best players in the world for 180 straight days. 9 Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham reacts after he hits a double during the seventh inning in the Bronx, New York, Thursday, June 19, 2025 JASON SZENES/NY POST Q: What is the importance of sports psychologists for you? A: I've always kind of been in love with the mind, the role it plays in sports, and baseball in particular. And I kind of fell in love with it at a young age — when I was 18 I just kind of saw it as a separator. Physically, I wasn't the biggest guy, I wasn't the fastest guy, was always a good player but I always felt that what set me apart was I just wanted it more, and I was willing to think differently than other people, and I think that that gave me my edge. I kind of took it to the first couple of years of the minor leagues, maybe the first year, year-and-a-half, and then kind of forgot about my love for it. I didn't really pay much mind to it, maybe kind of got involved with more of what everybody else talks about — the swing and what pitchers are trying to do and all the different metrics. But kind of re-fell in love with it, got back to it, reminded myself of how important it was to me. Q: Describe the 2022 National League wild card series at Citi Field while with the Padres — when you went 4-for-8 with two homers over three games. A: I was in a bad place mentally throughout the year. They came to me about a week left in the season, we'd already clinched, so I played the final three days of the season. I got benched in September. I kind of treated it like I did in 2019 and said, I'm just going to go try to free myself up mentally and do what I've always done, as opposed to what mechanical change or anything that I was doing that kind of got me into a bad place. So I just kind of freed myself going into that and ended up having a great three days, played well, had some big hits, some big homers. … It was a lot of fun. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND YANKEES STATS Q; How did you free yourself up? A: By telling myself I'm going to hit the way that I taught myself how to hit when I was younger as opposed to trying whatever I was trying that year. Q: What do you remember about the Joe Musgrove sticky substance controversy in Game 3? A: I don't really remember much about it other than the ['Hold My Ear'] T-shirts that they had made (laugh). Had something to do with his ear, that was really about it. Q: Then beating the Dodgers in the NLDS? A: Well, we got beat up pretty bad the entire time I was there during the regular season. Then they beat us in '20 in the postseason, so it felt like we were always kind of the Dodgers' little brother in San Diego at the time. To beat them and send them home when it mattered meant a lot to us, and to the city, too. 9 Trent Grisham #2 of the San Diego Padres reacts after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in game three of the National League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 14, 2022. Getty Images Q: Describe the time you ran headfirst into the outfield wall in your second game in the minors. A: I was going back on a ball, tripped, and instead of kind of going down, I tripped probably a couple of steps before the warning track. … I kind of held myself up, thinking that I could like regain my balance and make the play, but I kind of ran into the wall first. I think I stood up, passed back out, got taken out on a stretcher, ambulance came onto the field and everything. Scared everybody but ended up being just 14 days on the concussion IL and then right back at it. Q: Did you think you might be done as a baseball player? A: The thought crossed my mind, but it turned out it was just a concussion. Q: You said at the time, 'They thought my neck might be broken.' A: The key word 'they' — I didn't think my neck was broken. I thought I was fine. I was trying to stay in the game. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Q: They strapped you to a stretcher, right? A: I got up and then passed out probably 10 minutes later and don't remember much. This is all from the coaches' and teammates' recollection. I don't remember that 10 minutes. … It wasn't even 10 minutes, it was five minutes that I was petitioning. Q: You were unconscious for how long? A: It was anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, and then the first thing I remember vaguely is being put on the stretcher and someone over me, like a paramedic over me. Q: Your head was swollen for a long time. A: I couldn't wear a hat for, like, probably a week-and-a-half. Q: How did it feel to be back on the field? A: I was 18, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, ready to play pro ball. I only got to play one game, so … 9 Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham #12 is greeted by his teammates in the dugout after he scores on his two-run homer. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Q: Describe your on-field mentality. A: Try to be as relaxed as possible. Try to play as freed up as I can. And I just try to play aggressively on both sides of the ball. A defensive coach in San Diego once told me he used to tell his infielders he liked them to play offense on defense, like attacking balls, and I always liked that, it kind of resonated with me. Q: What does it take to be a Gold Glove outfielder? A: I think that mentality. You got to love it, you got to want to do it. I remember when I was younger, in the minor leagues, I just didn't want to play outfield defense, it was boring, there's nobody out there. But once I kind of took that mentality later in my minor league career of caring about it and wanting to attack it, it just became a lot more fun for me to get myself in that headspace. Q: Best baseball moment? A: First hit was pretty cool … seventh inning in the Dodgers-Padres, I think it was Game 5 in San Diego for the [Division Series] in '22, that was a lot of fun. That was like the loudest environment that I'd been in. … Getting drafted. … There's a lot of really good ones. Q: Worst baseball moment? A: 2019 wild-card game [Padres against the Nationals]. I made the error to send us home and lose it, so that was pretty tough on me at the time. 9 Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham reacts after a single. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Q: How's fatherhood? A: A lot of fun. I've always wanted to be a dad. I always knew that growing up, so for it to come to fruition it's really more taking care of Mama right now than anything. I get to do all the fun stuff like hold the baby, try to make him smile. Q: Ezekiel was born April 21. Does he have your personality yet? A: Yeah. Stone pan face all the time, doesn't smile a lot. Not a lot of facial expressions yet. Q: How's your diaper game? A: Pretty good. They blow out still, but I get them in there nice and tight. 9 Trent Grisham (r) hit a pivotal home run to help the Padres eliminate the Mets. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Q: Tell me about your wife, Megan. A: She's a sweetheart. Very down-to-earth, really, really good person. Very kind, very caring, very empathetic. … She's just the best. Q: Do you remember where you took her on your first date? A: I don't remember the first date, I remember the first day I asked her to go out with me. We were 13 or 14, and we were at one of our friend's pools. I was kind of scared my other three buddies that were at the party would make fun of me, so I kind of snuck around a tree and asked her to go out with me. I wanted it to be private with us. Q: Where did you take her? A: The first one I really remember was taking her to Saltgrass Steakhouse. Q: Tell me about your mother, Michelle. A: One of the toughest women I know … loyal … caring … she basically raised me and my brother kind of alone with a little help. She's awesome. Q: She drove your truck across the country? A: (Laugh) Yeah, she heard about how expensive it was to ship my truck, and she said, 'There's no point in doing that. I want to come see Opening Day anyway. I'll just come out every spring and drive it to wherever you go.' She drove it from Arizona spring training to Appleton, Wis. 9 Trent Grisham hits a two-run homer for the Yankees. JASON SZENES/NY POST Q: Did you know your father growing up? A: Yeah, I knew him growing up. He just wasn't around much. Q: Did that bother you? A: I'm sure it bothers any kid, yeah. You want to know your dad, and I didn't really know him. Q: Does your wife remind you of your mother? A: Not really. My wife is sweet-natured, my mom is more direct, more hard-nosed, more straightforward. Q: Explain her reaction when she found out you wanted to change your last name from Clark to Grisham. A: She was … honored, I think is kind of the best way to describe it. She was very emotional and excited. Q: Three dinner guests? A: Stan Musial, Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby. Q: Why Musial? A: Kind of my favorite player. Obviously an unbelievable great player, played for over 20 years. But when you read anything about him or hear anything about him, no one could say anything bad about the man, the way he lived his life, the kind of person he was, the man he was off the field. Q: Why Doby? A: Because Larry Doby went through the same thing that Jackie went through right around the same time, and was going to a lot more southern cities, so it wasn't getting much press. Which means you can probably assume that it was probably worse for him. 9 Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (12) catches a hit by Texas Rangers Sam Haggerty (0) in the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Q: Favorite movie? A: 'About Time.' Me and my wife watched it for the first time together and we both loved it. Q: Favorite singer/entertainer? A: Hudson Westbrook. Q: Favorite meal? A: Since being in New York, it's 4 Charles' burger. Q: How did you get in to that place? A: Through a guy on the team, helped us out. 9 Trent Grisham celebrates a win. Getty Images Q: Favorite golfer? A: Scottie Scheffler. Q: Favorite golf course? A: Peachtree in Atlanta. Q: What's your handicap? A: Right now, it's a six. Q: Favorite Dallas Cowboy? A: Dak [Prescott]. Q: How about growing up? A: Jason Witten. Q: Favorite New York City things? A: Central Park. I love walking around Central Park. Q: Whatever comes to mind: Aaron Judge. A: Captain, every sense of the word. Q: When you watch him in the batter's box, what sticks out to you? A: He's bigger than everybody. … There's so many things trying to distract him, pulling him away from baseball, and he's able to lock in every night, and that's really fun to watch. 9 Trent Grisham homers for the Yankees. JASON SZENES/NY POST Q: Max Fried. A: Very businesslike, I'd say like very Yankee-like kind of without being a Yankee before. Q: Devin Williams. A: Quiet, goes about his business, kind of loud, emphatic on the mound, but quiet off the mound. Q: Is this a World Series team? A: Yes. Q: Why? A: Because we're really good.
