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First lady of the Phils: an interview with Heidi Hamels (part two)
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TO READ PART ONE OF THE INTERVIEW, CLICK HERE
PG: How have Survivor and Playboy changed your life?
HH: “Actually, I got really, really sick from Survivor, which is what got me more involved. But Survivor put me in a different position where I had kidney failure, I lost all of my hair, I weighed 72 pounds; it was awful. Most days I wanted to die instead of live. But the one thing I had was a support system. And these kids that have AIDS or HIV, none of them have that support system. Most of their parents are dead from AIDS and HIV. So that’s what really got me hooked on helping another human being that has no one else. I’m part of something really amazing. So I think Survivor changed my outlook on that.
Most people were shocked, and if you had met me, you would never think I’d have done Playboy. The only thing Playboy has done is change people’s perception of me. They think that you’re not educated, you’re not smart, and you’re a dumb blonde. But it was a great experience. I’m not trying to degrade it by any means, but people don’t like to think that anyone intelligent is capable of doing something like Playboy. But Playboy is something that was an amazing opportunity in my life; I was younger! It was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of deal. Most women think it would be awesome if you could have an experience like that.”
PG: What do you enjoy most about baseball season?
HH: “I love chess, I love trying to outthink someone else, and that’s what a pitcher does. You’re trying to constantly outwit the hitter; it’s really a game of chess between the pitcher and the hitter. Once you realize that about baseball, it makes it even more fascinating. Cole will remember every pitch, he doesn’t write it down in a book, he’ll remember the exact pitch he threw to so-and-so on this day, and how they hit a home run off of him, and on and on and on. I ask him ‘how do you retain all of that information?’ But it is really fascinating to watch, especially when he strikes a guy out and when he wins the game, there is no better feeling. And even when he has a no-decision or loss, and maybe gives up one run or two runs, I could not be more proud of him. I know that he tried his hardest.”
PG: I read that you guys met at a Clearwater Phillies game. How did that happen?
HH: “Yeah, I had a baseball contract (through Survivor) where I would go around to 30 different stadiums and throw out the first pitch, then sign autographs the rest of the baseball game.
"Clearwater was my last stop and they had Survivor night, but there was a hurricane. So they flew me back to Missouri and I thought, ‘OK, that’s it, I’m done.’ And mentally I was done too. I just wanted to be done with all of the Survivor stuff. But they said, no, you have to fly back out, it’s part of your contract. I fly back out of course, and Cole was in my autograph line and I don’t think he had any clue I was on survivor (Cole chimes in “it was the most beautiful blonde I had ever seen”). So he asked me out and I actually had just moved back to Missouri from L.A. and I told him, totally joking of course, ‘unless you plan on flying out to Missouri to take me out.’
He came back out to the field again, asked me out again, and I said, ‘OK, I will go out with you under these circumstances…’ and two weeks later he flew out to Missouri to take me out.”
PG: What do you guys like about the city of Philadelphia?
HH: “There isn’t a better town to be in. The fans here are awesome. At the same time, when your losing, they will let you know that they think you stink. But, it’s a catch 22, because when your winning, I mean, there’s not a better town that Cole could play for, honestly. If you’re going to win the World Series, this is the best team you could ever play for.
The other great thing about the city is the history, and the food rocks. It is awesome. They have just a plethora of amazing food here. It’s been really cool to experience, because there are so many different cultures that live here. We also try to go out in West Chester as much as possible, we love supporting our local community. Anything we can do for them, we really try to do.”
PG: Do you think the Phillies can win it all again?
HH: “I do! Last year I said, ‘I know your going to go to the playoffs but I don’t know if you’re going to win the World Series.’ I have that feeling this year, and I know I’m supposed to say ‘of course they’ll win it all.’ But really, we’ve picked up some amazing, amazing players this year, but we also got rid of some amazing players. Every year I think they will be contenders to make it to the World Series, and nothing changes my mind about it this year either. I think they’re going to make it to the World Series and if they win or not, gosh I hope.”
Coming on Monday: my interview with Heidi's husband, Cole Hamels.
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