By Seth Tow, Editor-in-Chief
On Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014, All-Star Orioles catcher Matt Wieters visited River Hill for a texting and driving assembly. After the texting and driving discussion had ended, there was an open question and answer session with Wieters for about 30 minutes. After the assembly ended, I was able to interview the catcher personally.
Seth Tow: How hard has it been for you to watch this season unfold from the dugout?
Matt Wieters: It’s tough, but at the same time, when we’re playing as well as we are it makes it a lot easier. And especially when Caleb [Joseph] and Nick [Hundley] are doing as well as they are, and anything that’s good for the Orioles, I’m for.
ST: What are your relationships with them [Caleb Joseph and Nick Hundley]? How do you think they’ve done in filling in for you?
MW: They’ve been doing unbelievable. The main job of a catcher is to run the pitching staff, and our pitching staff is pitching better now than they have in five years, so they’re doing a great job, and on top of that, they’re starting to swing the bat pretty well.
ST: Where are you in your rehabilitation process?
MW: Improving. It’s a long process, but I’m starting to actually get to do some more activities, and each month that goes by you get to do more and more. Anytime you’re doing something new in rehab is exciting.
ST: Are you spending more time around the team, or rehabbing on your own?
MW: I get to the field and I’ll do about three straight hours of rehab, and then after that I can kind of forget about it for the rest of the day and enjoy watching the game.
ST: Who was your favorite player growing up?
MW: I had two. Chipper Jones was a guy I got to watch all the time, and Ken Griffey Jr. was probably my second favorite.
ST: Do you follow any sports besides baseball?
MW: I do. Football is something I love watching on sundays especially, and I always gotta follow my alma mater Georgia Tech and anything they’re doing.
ST: How do you spend your offseasons?
MW: A lot of relaxing. I try and get out to the golf course a time or two, and that’s kind of how I unwind from a grueling season.
ST: How would you describe the atmosphere in the clubhouse?
MW: It’s great. I’ve only been a part of the Orioles, but I can’t imagine any team in the league that has a closer group of guys than we have.
ST: What’s the most fun team you’ve ever played on?
MW: It’s gotta be this one. Winning is always more fun than losing, so the last three years have been more fun in our clubhouse, but especially when you can have a lead and go for a division title, this year’s been pretty fun.
ST: How many different signals or signs do you need to memorize at the major league level?
MW: A lot. Especially when Buck’s your manager, he’s going to demand it, especially out of the catcher, to sort of be able to verbalize and remember everything that he’s told you.
ST: Who would you say has the weirdest taste in walk-up music, or music in general?
MW: Bud Norris; he comes out with some stuff that just doesn’t fit my ear.
ST: I know you were also a pitcher in college – were you a little mad when Buck sent Chris Davis to the mound a couple years ago in Boston instead of you?
MW: No because I was glad I was saving my elbow at least then. It didn’t make it too much longer. *laughs* But especially after catching 16 innings in that game, I was fine just to stay behind the plate.
ST: What did it mean to you that you were voted into the All Star Game as a starter this year even though you were injured?
MW: It’s great. I only played 26 games, to be able to make the all star team and be voted in by the fans, which was my first time voted in by the fans, it speaks to how well Orioles fans get out and vote, as well as being respected throughout the league, which is always a good feeling.