Getting to Know the Fishermen – Andrew Sepkiechler
12/9/2012: Gloucester, MA – In the ongoing series “Getting to Know the Fishermen”, next up is bullpen ace Andrew Sepkiechler.
Q: You have 195 career saves and an ERA of 2.48. Which do you take more pride in?
A: Definitely the 195 career saves. I’m not saying it’s the toughest job in the world – probably underwater welding is tougher – but being a closer is really hard work. I grew up playing little league in Canada. I was a starter and I envied the bullpen, how incredibly tough they were. My junior year in high school, they moved me to the pen and I felt like I was home there, and I’ve been there ever since.
Q: Speaking of Canada, not many major leaguers are from Canada. Is that something you take pride in?
A: Oh sure. There’s definitely a major Latin American contingency in our locker room. I believe I’m the only Canadian on the team, but people give me grief and say that I’m the one who needs a translator. (laughs)
Q: Is it pronounced “aboot” or “about”?
A: Definitely “aboot.”
Q: Did you play hockey as a child?
A: Oh yeah. We all play hockey when we’re younger up in Canada. I had the heart of a lion but wasn’t big enough to really thrive on the ice. I’m 5’ 9”, 188 lbs. now, which isn’t very big for a professional athlete, but I can throw the ball 97 MPH and I have a wicked slider to go with it, so I’m perfect for baseball. I do follow hockey, though. Still a huge Vancouver Canucks fan.
Q: “Wicked”? Is that a word you picked up in Gloucester?
A: Yeah, I must’ve. I didn’t even realize I used it. (laughs)
Q: If you weren’t a professional baseball player, what would you do?
A: I would love to be a chef. I love to cook at home. I keep hoping they’ll do a celebrity Top Chef. I would love to be on that show and meet Padma. She’s a real hottie. She’s on my infidelity clause list.
Q: You have an infidelity clause list?
A: Oh yeah, definitely. (laughs)
Q: Who is on your wife’s list?
A: Oh, I don’t know. I think Brad Pitt, maybe. It used to be Lance Armstrong, but I think it’s now Brad Pitt. Yeah, Brad Pitt.
Q: What’s the proudest moment of your life?
A: I bet some would assume it’s when I made my first All-Star team, but without a doubt it’s the birth of my first child, Hunter. I still tear up thinking about it.
Q: What do you love most about Gloucester?
A: The schools. Good public schools. I didn’t want to send my kids to private schools because that seems a little elitist to me and I’m paying a lot of property taxes already, so I wanted to send them to public schools. Truth be told, that’s one of the reasons I signed an extension with Gloucester.
Q: Other than baseball, what’s your favorite sport?
A: This sounds cliché, but I love curling. I love the strategy and poise that it takes. It sort of reminds me of being a closer.
Q: What’s your favorite hobby?
A: (laughs) You can probably guess based on my son’s name, but I love hunting. There’s nothing better than sitting in a deer blind in the middle of the winter with your thoughts and a Remington 12-gauge rifle.
Q: We talked to your teammate Manuel “Mayor” Corona earlier, and the origin of his nickname is interesting. Do you have a nickname?
A: Not really. Some people call me “Sep”, but that’s probably because they can’t pronounce my name. At least my mum and dad gave me an easy first name to pronounce. (laughs)
Q: What was the worst job you had?
A: (laughs) Oh, I have had a lot of bad jobs. Let me think… probably Tim Hortons. I worked in the drive-through of a Tim Hortons when I was a teenager, and let’s just say I wasn’t very good at it. (laughs)
Q: Okay, it’s time for rapid-fire questions; one or two word answers are best. Are you ready?
A: Yes.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: Strange Brew.
Q: TV show?
A: Hannah Montana.
Q: Hannah Montana?
A: Yes. I have three kids, remember?
Q: Herbivore or carnivore?
A: Omnivore!
Q: Greatest invention?
A: Microwave oven.
Q: I thought you were going to say the slider.
A: Oh. I should’ve.
Q: Too late. Beer or wine?
A: Beer.
Q: Tennis or golf?
A: Golf.
Q: Facebook or MySpace?
A: MySpace.
Q: Really? You’re the first person to say that.
A: MySpace is better for musicians, and I’m in a band.
Q: What instrument do you play?
A: Are we still doing rapid fire?
Q: Yes. What instrument do you play?
A: Drums.
Q: Who’s your favorite band?
A: Anvil.
Q: On that note, we’ll end this interview. Thank you for your time.
A: Thank you.