Interview by Jack Parker, Sportscaster for WROC Duluth
Sunday, March 25, 2012

WROC Duluth is the official radio station of Warriors baseball.  It provides coverage for all 162 regular home and away games throughout the season.

WROC travels to Canton, Ohio to provide coverage of Warriors baseball during spring training.  In addition to providing the play-by-play for games, on a daily basis there are interviews with Warrior players and coaches.

The following transcript was taken was taken from a recent interview with Warrior catcher Pat Holman.

JP: Welcome back to the Warriors’ post-game show here on WROC.  Now joining us live here is the outstanding Warriors catcher Pat Holman.  It’s our pleasure to have you back with us this year, Pat.  How are you, man?
PH: I’m doin’ good.  Real good.  How have you been, Jack?
JP: I have been doing well.  It is good to have you back on.  I know it has been a long day.  Thanks for the time.
PH: No problem.  I always try to make time for you.
JP: Well, I appreciate that.  How are things going for you so far?
PH: It’s goin’ good.  Goin good.  I’ve been workin’ hard and gettin’ after it, tryin’ to get myself ready to get this thing cranked up.
JP: How did you feel about the game today with Loren Mathis?  How did that go?
PH: It went well.  Went well.  Everyone looked good.  Mathis was throwin’ the ball well.  Hittin’ his spots.  He went two and a third innings and pitched well.  Um, I think we’re where we should be at this stage of the game.

JP: That’s great.  It’s good to hear you say that because I was going to ask you, Pat… we as fans get pumped up.  We can’t wait for the season to start.  Even though these are spring training games, we get excited when you play well.  Do you get the same way, too?
PH: Oh ya.  It’s the game.  That’s what we do.  It’s why we’re here.  It’s our life.  Any time we have a game goin’ on and we’re in the lineup, we’re thinkin’ about gettin after it, for sure.
JP: All right.  Hey Pat, as you know, this spring, some of your teammates are gone.  Some new faces have come in.  There are some question marks about who is going to bat leadoff, who is going to be in the pitching rotation.  One thing we can count on, Pat, is that you are going to have an outstanding season.  Does that expectation put a lot of pressure on you?
PH: It’s there.  I won’t deny that.  But that’s what I am paid for – to have big seasons.  I don’t really think about it, though.  I just go out there and play ball like I always have.  When I’m on the ball field, there is nowhere else I’d rather be.
JP: Well, no one can say that you have not lived up to your potential.  You have a huge Warrior following.
PH: That’s somethin’, isn’t it?  The fans have treated me like I was family.  I try to give back to them as much as they give to me.
JP: You are a role model for what every PEBA ballplayer should be.
PH: Thanks, Jack.
JP: This is WROC radio.  We have Pat Holman of the Duluth Warriors live from Canton, Ohio with us.  Remember this time last spring when we talked about all of the hitting work that you did in the cage?  Maybe the numbers were not what you wanted, but how did you feel about last season?
PH: Well, you know, I had a lot of confidence coming out of spring training last year.  I’ll be honest; last season did not go the way I had hoped or the team had hoped.  Going into this offseason, I had to start over.  To get my head screwed back on straight.  I was excited to see that Mr. Roof was signed as the GM.  We were a Detroit Tigers family up until Major League Baseball folded.
JP: You have been a four-time All-Star.  What motivates you each year?
PH: I get to play ball for a livin’.  What other motivation do I need?
JP: You have a point there, Pat.  Near the end of last season, manager Miguel Flores said having you behind the plate is was like having another pitching coach on the field.  Ah, how do you feel when you hear something like that?
PH: It means a lot.  Especially when I know how much Skip values catchin’ and defense, because that is number one.  They stress that from the first day we show up in camp for spring training to the last day of the season.  That is a great compliment coming from him, with all of the things he has done in his career.  It’s just nice to hear stuff like that.
JP: Do you feel, Pat, like your relationship with Miguel Flores has grown over the time you have been with Duluth?
PH: Oh ya.  I mean, we have been together for five seasons now.  I try to take in everything that I can from him.  I listen to what he says and apply it to my game.
JP: Warriors catcher Pat Holman, live with us from Canton, Ohio after today’s spring training game.  Hey Pat, let’s talk about the pitching staff.  How does this year’s staff shape up?
PH: We are okay right now.  We have some good talent, like Rocky (Reed).  Then there is Ben (Thomas).  He just is lights out.  I can tell he has been working hard during the offseason.  The way he is throwing this spring, I am just glad I am catching and don’t have to bat against him.
JP: There has been speculation that the Warriors may pick up another starter or two before the season starts.  What is your feels about that?
PH: I don’t have anything to say about that.  I play with the people that are on the roster with me.  This game is hard enough without trying to second-guess management.
JP: Now before I let you go, Pat, I know this is going to break the heart of many of the female Warrior fans, but I heard that you got married less than a month ago.
PH: Yes, that is right.  Her name is Jenny.  In fact, we got back from our honeymoon just before spring training started.
JP: Congratulations Pat.  I wish you two the best.
PH: Thanks Jack.
JP: Well Pat, thank you for time, especially after your day today.  We appreciate it.  The fans always love to hear from you.  We’ll talk to you during the season.
PH: I look forward to it.  You all have a good one.
JP: Warriors catcher Pat Holman with us live here on WROC.