Ben Henry Interview: Representin’ the Hickory Crawdads Bullpen

MLB reports:  Thank you for taking the time to join us today Ben.  How has your offseason gone so far?


Ben Henry:  No problem, thanks for having me for an interview for the website. It’s going really well this year, can’t complain about the weather here in South Carolina. I have been able to throw on shorts for most of the winter… so that helps with getting everything prepared for this spring.

MLB reports:  You just completed your 5th season in professional baseball. What is life like playing ball for a living?


Ben Henry:  It’s everything you could imagine. I know everyone says it’s not work if you’re doing something you love. But man- I can’t explain how fun it is to play a game for a living! Going out and being able to do something you did as a kid and to be paid for it, is almost surreal. I’m a pitcher, so it’s almost like getting paid to catch fly balls and eat pb&js before the game. Then of course get people out when I have to- but that’s the fun part.

MLB reports:  You were drafted by the Rangers in the 30th round of the 2007 draft.  Did you expect to be drafted by Rangers?


Ben Henry:  I think the team I was most anticipating every round was the Braves. Being that they are the closest team and I filled out more paper work for them than any other team, I thought that they would call my name. So yes, I was surprised to hear that the Rangers drafted me.

MLB reports:  How did you first find out you were drafted: what was that like?


Ben Henry:  The second day of the draft was my high school graduation. So all morning during the earlier rounds, I was on my phone texting the parents and waiting for that phone call. So I was pretty unproductive during our graduation practices. I was doing interviews for tv and The Sun News (area newspaper) when it was all over. As we were leaving, I had about 20 missed calls from my mom and dad. By the time I could call them back, they were pulling into the parking lot jumping up and down.

MLB reports:  Ever have to pinch yourself: does it feel like a dream playing professional baseball?


Ben Henry:  All the time. It’s very surreal when I actually think about it. I thank God for giving me the ability to play this game everyday and to do something I love doing. Sometimes I do have to pinch myself to bring me back to reality.

MLB reports:  What other sports did you playing growing up?


Ben Henry:  I played your normal sports growing up. Played football for a year, but didn’t like it. My career line for being a QB is 0-1 with an interception, so I’m not sure what my passer rating would be. I wasn’t Tom Brady by any means. But I did have one interception as a DB, so that evens it out- right? I loved playing basketball though. I played until freshman year of HS, then it was baseball from there. Seems like I made the right choice.

MLB reports:  What are your most dominant pitches?  Any new ones you are working on?



Ben Henry:  Most dominant pitch I would say for me would be an inside fb to a righty. Having a low ¾ arm slot, I get a lot of success with that pitch. Currently not working on any specific pitch, given that this new arm slot is fairly new. So I’m trying to get more comfortable with the mechanics. So I think mid-way through this season, I might try to incorporate a new pitch. Maybe a knuckleball or something…

MLB reports:  How would you describe “your game”?  What “type” of pitcher are you?


Ben Henry:  My game…Throw strikes, get ground balls and not let anybody score. Or that’s my game plan at least. Now whether that goes according to plan every night is a different story. But that’s how I try to make every outing easy for myself. I don’t try to do too much and sometimes let the hitters get themselves out. I would probably have to say I am finesse pitcher. I don’t throw hard enough to be considered a power pitcher, but I can throw all my pitches in any count. So I would say finesse.

MLB reports:  Looking into a crystal ball, when do you expect to make it to the Show?



Ben Henry:  Umm…realistically whatever it takes. Whether level by level or years. Whatever it is, I’m going to have to work my way up, improve on all aspects and go out and perform day in day out.

MLB reports:  Long term:  do you see yourself as a starter or reliever?


Ben Henry:  I think I’m more comfortable as a reliever. I know these guys would kill me if I didn’t give them a shout out on this question so…make sure you guys follow @CrawdadsBullpen on Twitter!

We had a great group of guys this year and I think that helps in dealing with all the ups and downs throughout the season, which in return helps get better results on the field.

MLB reports:  What are your goals for 2012?


Ben Henry:  To build on last year. They dropped my arm slot down during spring training last year, so it’s fairly new to me. So I want to get more comfortable with that and cut my walks in half, but mainly get more comfortable and keep moving forward with the momentum from last year.

MLB reports:  If you weren’t playing baseball, you would be __________________



Ben Henry:  If I wasn’t playing baseball, I would definitely be a mustache model.

MLB reports:  Favorite pre-game meal?



Ben Henry:  I’m a sucker for a turkey/cheese/mayo sandwiches. I could eat that all day- everyday. When I was starting, I would eat Red Lobster. Lunch special seafood alfredo with all you can eat cheddar bay biscuits.

MLB reports:  What music are you currently listening to?


Ben Henry:  I’m pretty open to everything right now. Some days I’m in the mood for country, then some Dub-step and everything in-between. I’m a real big fan of Biggie and all of his stuff. My workout playlist consists of a lot of his stuff.

MLB reports:  I see you have a strong friendship with Michael Schlact – tell us about Mike and other close friends you have in the game.



Ben Henry:  One of the most genuine guys I’ve ever met. He’s the guy who got me into twitter. We have a pretty good friendship and I’ve met a lot of good people through him like Traci Siler (@demlips). Everything you see on Twitter and hear about him is true. Great guy and I wish him the best of luck this year in Maryland. As for other close friends, there are way too many to name. Last year’s pitching staff- we were all like brothers. We did everything together, really weird and strange… but were all really close. Jimmy Reyes, Ben Rowen, Jorge Marban, Joe Van Meter and Luke Jackson, just to name a few.

MLB reports:  Funniest prank you ever saw in a clubhouse? 


Ben Henry:  
I’m sure you have heard of taking some one’s game hat before they head out to the field for the game and putting eye black on the inside rim of the hat. So when we stand for the national anthem and they pull off their hat, the whole forehead is black. Well, we had a guy do that to another player this year and in retaliation the guy put packets of Kool-Aid in his game cleats. When we got in from bp and were cooling off, he pulls off his socks and shoes and both feet were dyed purple. Stayed like that for a few days. (editor’s note:  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!) Not sure if that’s the best I’ve seen… but was pretty genius I thought.

Another quick one, not sure of the exact story: but somehow he pissed off one of the big league guys rehabbing in AZ. The next day, we come into the locker room to get ready for practice and all of his stuff, I mean everything in his locker (belt, socks, hat, sliders and shirts), were folded the best I have ever seen… and frozen solid.

MLB reports:  Final question:  What would you most want to be remembered for in baseball when you hang up your spikes?


Ben Henry:  Save the toughest question for last. Everybody wants to make it to the big leagues. But I think some things are bigger than that. With the opportunity that we have as professional athletes, we can do more than just play a game well. Josh Hamilton has inspired so many people through what he’s gone through for example. To be able to do something along those lines, would mean more to me than being known simply as a baseball player.