Those of you who have kept up with my stuff may remember that I'm a little afraid of going into losing teams' clubhouses. I had three interviews I wanted to conduct with players from the U.S. Team after the game, and I was apprehensive about going into their clubhouse – they lost 7-2.
Fortunately, from Johnny Whittleman riding on cloud-9 to everyone joking about Joba Chamberlain's nipples, it was all fun and smiles in there.
I started by going up to Clayton Kershaw and apologizing. Prior to the game, I interviewed Kershaw and brought up that he'd only given up one regular-season home run in his pro career. When James Van Ostrand took Kershaw deep in the 7th inning, I felt like I jinxed him.
Kershaw laughed at my apology and said he gave up a home run in the Midwest League All-Star Game, too. I asked if he thought guys were just trying extra-hard to hit home runs in All-Star Games or what? He shrugged, smiled, and with a laugh said he didn't know but he was over it.
I'd also talked to Johnny Whittleman during warm-ups about his impressive power showing this season. He came up to me in the clubhouse after the game and was like, "We were talking about hitting for power and then that. What a coincidence!" still excited about his moment in the spotlight. He then sidestepped and sunk a Gatorade bottle in a garbage can from about 10 feet away.
"That makes you a six-tool prospect," I commented.
"No, only five," Whittleman responded. "I don't have any of that speed tool."
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The clubhouse was an art show of tattoos. Collin Balester had his MySpace name "Ballllllly Sta®" tattooed on his arm. Cameron Maybin and Colby Rasmus had MLB logos on their biceps. Joba Chamberlain had a few tattoos of his own, too, but he had a much more attention-grabbing display going on.
Both of Chamberlain's nipples had tape covering them. Whittleman shouted across the room, "I still can't believe you did that!"
Apparently, Chamberlain had decided to get his nipples pierced for fun not long ago.
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Justin Upton was the main attraction in the U.S. locker room. The poor guy didn't have time to change or shower because he was so popular. Futures Game personnel were having him sign bases. Media members came to interview him, just talk to him, and even get his autograph.
I waited in line to ask Upton some interview questions of my own. But I could hardly see him as I got closer to the front of the line...Jeff Niemann was in front of me waiting to get a copy of Upton's autograph himself.
"Even you have to wait in line to get Upton's autograph, Jeff?" I asked.
"Yep, I guess that's the only way you can get it," Niemann said.
You can reach Adam Foster at adamwfoster@gmail.com.