Talk to the pros slideshow: Andy Sonnanstine

May 19, 1:55 AMTampa Bay Rays ExaminerRob Quinn

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What was Andy Sonnanstine like before he became an American League hitting star? Well, on Saturday, the day before his now famous entrance into the Rays’ batting order, Sonnanstine entertained youngsters in a "Talk to the Pros" event sponsored by Mizuno.

The event preview can be found right here.

Sonnanstine answered questions from kids for about 30 minutes before taking pictures and signing autographs for the lucky winners. The kids really came through with excellent questions and Sonnanstine represented the Rays and Major League Baseball with class.

Here are some of the best questions and answers:

Q: What’s your favorite pitch?

Sonny: "A sidearm slider over the outside corner to strike out a lefty."

Q: Who was your baseball hero growing up?

Sonny: "My great uncle Ken Keltner, who was a third baseman for the Indians and he made two great defensive plays on Joe DiMaggio to end his 56-game hitting streak in 1941. Even though he was on my mother’s side, my dad would always tell me stories about him."

Q: When should kids start throwing breaking balls?

Sonny: "That’s a really tough question. It’s tempting because it’s fun, but you need to be careful with it. I was pretty much double-jointed as a kid and could always snap off some real nice ones, but my dad warned me to take it easy because you can ruin the possibility of having something special happen for you in the future. I would say be careful and always make sure you’re comfortable throwing it."

Believe it or not the conversation somehow got around to hitting and Sonnanstine fondly remembered his days of playing every day.

Sonny: "I went to college as a pitcher/shortstop and I got legitimately beat out for the shortstop job, so I still miss playing every day and I enjoy every chance I get to get to the plate and hit."

Little did he know he’d have to hit the next day. As a matter of fact, I asked him if he used his own bats, and he replied:

"Yes, I use my own bats and I’m really excited because I just ordered them."

Obviously, they didn’t get there in time for Sunday’s heroics, but that leaves me curious as to whose bat Sonnanstine used to stroke his RBI double.

As a final example of what kind of individual Andy Sonnanstine is, let me tell you one more story from Saturday’s event. One of the winning children couldn’t make it to the event because he had just gone through a bone marrow transplant. Andy filmed a special message for him to be sent to his school, and not only signed an autograph for him, but went out of his way to sign enough pictures to send along to his entire class at school.

In a day and age when all you hear about is steroids and selfish millionaires with huge egos, it was refreshing to see Andy Sonnanstine prove that most players out there are stand-up individuals who care and try to do the right thing. My hat goes off to him.

Who’s the nicest ballplayer you’ve met in person? Let me know in a comment.

Jason Bartlett hits: 53

Jason Bartlett groundball singles between short and third: 10

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