I sat down with one of our outfielders, Steve Boggs, yesterday to do my second installment of “Get To Know Your Pacifics”. The right handed hitting outfielder is boasting a .329 batting average so far this season and has been hot at the plate as of late. Steve is an easy going guy that is pretty quiet and reserved by nature, but has an edgy and entertaining sense of humor when you really get to know him. As we sat in the grass down the first base line at Albert Park, our interview stayed pretty lighthearted as just about every question and answer was infused with breaks of laughter and dry wit. Here is what he had to say about San Rafael, Jeremy Lin, sports agents, being an internet celebrity and the San Diego Chargers.
B: Steven Capello Boggs, Thank you for letting me interview you first off.
S: I just want to say it’s a pleasure being here with you right now
B: How has your experience been here in San Rafael so far?
S: I love it up here, the people are great, really friendly. The whole area is great, good times and good people, you can’t go wrong.
B: You have 6 years of Indy ball and 3 years of affiliated ball under your belt, what has been your favorite place to play so far?
S: Definitely Chico, CA so far because there is so much to do up there, any given day or night after a game the town has something going on and people are out and about.
B: I heard you were the second coming of running back Ladanian Tomlinson back in high school down in San Diego. If you weren’t playing professional baseball or subsequently dominating the NFL, what would you be doing?
S: (After a pretty good laugh he responded while chuckling intermittently throughout his response) Uh I don’t really know. This is all I’ve got at the moment. I would probably be back in San Diego or with my girlfriend trying to make smart decisions.
B: Your father is a notable sports agent (John Boggs, represents All Star 1B Adrian Gonzalez). Have you met any other sports agents and if so, who is the grimiest you have met?
S: (Again laughing) Ah man, Yeah I have met a few. I’d have to go with Scott Boras. He (Boras) also represents one of the players on our team, Matt Durkin. I always give him a hard time for that.
B: Would you consider joining the family business after the baseball?
S: I don’t know yet, I am kind of getting pretty heavy pressure to go into the sports agent world, but as you mentioned, it can be a bit of a shady business at times, so we’ll have to see.
B: As a test of your knowledge and expertise of sports markets and contracts, would you sign NBA player Jeremy Lin to a 3 year $30 million contract like the Houston Rockets are reportedly pursuing at the moment?
S: (he responded with a laugh) No, I would not.
B: Alright, I wouldn’t either. So hailing from San Diego, what sports team do you root for since the Padres have been having a tough time in recent history and Los Angeles stole your beloved Clippers?
S: I’ve got to represent the Chargers man. The super Chargers are my team.
B: Any baseball team or other sports teams in particular beyond the Chargers?
S: Ever since I was released from my first affiliated team, I don’t really have an allegiance to any baseball team, unless they are paying me, I don’t really root for any of them.
B: I heard you were a huge internet sensation with your cameo in the “Tater Grip” (click link to see his part) TV commercial/internet video in which you starred alongside Adrian Gonzalez and masterfully delivered the line of the century. How has your life changed with the massive amounts of fame that the “Tater Grip” masterpiece has brought you?
S: Well, I can’t really say my life has changed at all from that video. That was my first and only acting gig I have ever had.
B: What is your favorite place to eat in San Rafael?
S: My hotel room when my roommate (Pacifics pitcher Matt Durkin) cooks for me is always good. Outside of that, Sol Food is pretty good and Miller’s Deli, that place is the best.
B: You are one of the few people in the world qualified to answer this next question. I am curious, with myself being a former outfielder, and I’m sure the fans want to know as well, what challenges come along with having a softball infield right in the middle of where you play in center field, does it change the way you have to play defense out there?
S: It was pretty weird at first, having a home plate behind me and a pitching rubber to worry about when I went back on balls, but to be honest I don’t even notice any more.
B: A few quick fire questions. Cats or Dogs?
S: Dogs.
B: Red Sox or Yankees?
S: Red Sox
B: Mustache or Beard?
S: I’m going to have to go mustache.
B: What song are you listening to over and over right now?
S: Eminence Front by The Who. It’s the Chargers kick off song, so it’s helping me get pumped for the season.
B: Finally, is there anything you would like to say to the Pacifics fans?
S: Keep hanging in there with us. Hopefully we keep putting together a solid campaign for the fans and city.
Thanks again to Steve for taking the time to hang out with me and answer some questions. It is awesome to have such a seasoned baseball and acting veteran to keep things running smoothly in the clubhouse and on the field.
See you at the park tonight where yours truly will take the bump against the world famous “Knuckleball Princess” at 7:30 at Albert Park. Get your tickets here!
