C.J. Nitkowski Interview

INTERVIE WITH C.J. NITKOWSKI FROM TheCelebrityCafe.com ARCHIVES

DM) A lot of critics say that baseball is no longer "the American sport" and that basketball is becoming much more popular. What's your perspective on this subject?

CJ) It's very true; basketball is a more marketable sport. You can play it anywhere. People are more amazed at the physical prowess of a professional basketball player. You have to be a physical freak and have incredible athletic ability, especially the super stars. Baseball is different, because when you watch a baseball game, it's like watching the same game as when you were a kid. Fans have less tolerance for baseball players, because to the naked eye, they are doing a job that a fan thinks he can do. In addition, recent labor problems are ticking off fans, and with good reason. Things have become too complicated and fans don't understand. I believe the owners have created a situation that has gotten out of control.

DM) When were you most proud of yourself after a game?

CJ) I am often humbled and very rarely proud, but I would say the moment that best sticks out in my mind was my first start in the big leagues. It was in June of 1995, and, at only age 22, I was a member of the Cincinnati Reds The game was in Cincy against the Pittsburgh Pirates. My parents drove out, along with my girlfriend and a bunch of my friends from New York. We won in extra innings 1-0, I pitched 6 shutout innings and was lifted for a pinch hitter by manager Davey Johnson in the bottom of the 6th. After the game, I had a catered party for my family and friends at the hotel where I was staying. It was really nice, the people I loved were there, plus it was a time when I had reached the moment I had dreamed about my whole life, playing in the big leagues. I often refer to it as the best day of my life...so far.

DM) So what other sports do you play for fun?

CJ) I play a little basketball in the winter to stay in shape. I'm very active and my girlfriend is too; we play tennis when we can. I love riding my mountain bike and doing just about anything else outdoors.

DM) What do you watch?

CJ) I don't watch sports all that much, a little bit of pro football. I enjoy going to live hockey games and I love to watch baseball, especially old games.

DM) I would imagine that with the life of a sports celebrity, family life must suffer. How true is that and how do you handle it?

CJ) Life with my girlfriend has suffered, time together is limited. It's all part of it, though, and she is good about it and understands how much I love this game. We work through it together. You have to be selfish to be a pro athlete, because you have to take time away from your loved ones, and it's not always easy.

DM) I just read a rather sarcastic article in the paper saying that with ball teams moving all over and players living elsewhere, city names should be abolished, as it means little now anyway. What do you think?

CJ) It's the state of pro athletics these days. The industry has gotten so large it's almost out of control. Some of the sincerity of the players has been stolen, and fans have to pay the price. The player who plays in the same city his whole career has been abolished, thank you, free agency.

DM) Also, do you think that the World Series will ever actually encompass the world? Or at least more than the USA and Canada?

CJ) I doubt it. The foreign leagues really aren't up to par, except maybe for those in Japan. That idea is a long time away. For now, we'll let our college kids battle for us in the Olympics.

DM) How did you feel about getting into the major leagues at such a young age?

CJ) It was a great experience being in the big leagues at age 22. It was also a tough one. I was happy to be there, and I appreciated the opportunity. My only regret is not taking better advantage of the situation.

DM) Why do you use C.J. and not Christopher John?

CJ) I have always been called CJ since I was a kid; it just stuck, plus it's a lot shorter.

DM) Having played in both the majors and the minors, do you feel that there were aspects of the minors that you actually preferred?

CJ) Obviously, in the big leagues comes the money, the little bit of fame, the excitement of the great big league stadiums, and all the travel. It is really everything I had dreamed of and more. The minor leagues are nice, too, because you find more guys that are "down to earth"; most of the guys are on the same level, in the same boat, so to speak. I seem to develop stronger relationships with teammates in the minor leagues than in the big leagues. Unfortunately, you find a lot of guys who are extrinsically motivated in the bigs, working hard, and being a good teammate isn't always important to them. You don't find that as often in the minors.

DM) How is the sense of camaraderie with your teammates?

CJ) I have made some good friends in baseball. It's hard to get along with 25 guys when you just throw them together, but I have been pretty successful in that department. I make it a point to talk to all my teammates and get to know them as well as I can.

DM) Do any of the players hang out together after work?

CJ) I would say after a game, not after work. This is still a sport. Some guys hang out together afterwards. A lot of guys are married and have kids, so they can't wait to get home. I spend a lot of time in the clubhouse after a game--I'm a clubhouse rat. I love being there, so I show up early and leave late. I know this will come to an end at some point, and so I like to make it last as long as I can.

DM) What's your favorite moment in baseball history?

CJ) Tough call, I have a few. I'm not a big baseball historian, but I love to watch old games, and the more I learn about the history of the game, the more I become awed by it. I would say my top three favorite moments, in no particular order, would be:

a) Kirk Gibson's post-season home run in Los Angeles off Eckersley when he was hurt. (I was fortunate enough to have Kirk as a teammate for a few weeks, kind of cool).

b) Joe Carter's World Series clinching home run off Mitch Williams in 1993. (I getchills every time I see or hear it.)

c) Eddie Murray's 500th home run in 1996. (I was there in the bullpen with the Detroit Tigers, and it was the greatest baseball moment I have ever witnessed!)

There are others, but those are the ones that come to mind.

DM) How did it feel being part of baseball history?

CJ) I don't feel I was a part of history; I was just there watching it, and it was awesome.

DM) Thank you very much for the interview.

CJ) You're welcome.