Top Prospect
Alert Interview - Daniel Floyd
"Charlie Hustle from the
land down under"
In the modern game of baseball there is a lot
of room for specialists and the same can be said for the player who fills
in anywhere and everywhere. The later can be said about the source of this
interview.
Native Australian, Daniel Floyd, signed as a
non-drafted free agent January 13, 2000 with the Seattle Mariners.
Floyd made his pro debut with Peoria in the Arizona League, hitting .321
with two home runs and 34 RBIs in 34 games. He advanced to Wisconsin
in the Midwest League in 2001 hitting .260 with 5 home runs and 38 RBIs in
90 games. At the end of the 2001 season he had surgery on his left
wrist. As a result he has returned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
as a utility player.
TPA: Whom do you compare yourself
to?
Floyd: Pete Rose, because of his
attitude towards the game is the same as mine.
TPA: Did you collect cards as a
kid?
Floyd: I collected cards, but not
because of whom they were, but rather for collecting sake.
TPA: Who was your favorite team as a
young player?
Floyd: The Yankees, because of all the
tradition and all the great players.
TPA: Did you think you'd start the 2002
season in Wisconsin?
Floyd: I had a feeling I would, since I
was coming off of surgery on my left wrist after the 2001 season and the
slow start I had in 2001.
TPA: Did you have a difficult time
coping with life in the states after you signed as a free agent in
2000?
Floyd: No, because there is a lot of
Australian in the states playing and my agent always keeps in
contact.
TPA: Whom do you keep in touch with
from Australia?
Floyd: Chris Snelling; we have the same
agent.
TPA: How does the Australian leagues
differ from their American counter-part?
Floyd: The game in the states is more
advanced in the way it is played.
TPA: What role does your family play in
your baseball career?
Floyd: Family is before baseball.
They always have helped me and have been tougher with me, since they want
me to take full advantage at being successful playing
ball.
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