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Interview with Marlins’ center fielder Justin Ruggiano

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Justin Ruggiano is an outfielder in the Miami Marlins organization. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2004 amateur draft. This year, the 30 year-old had an outstanding season with Miami, where he hit a .313/.374/.535 batting line with 13 home runs and 36 RBI’s in 91 games. Ruggiano will most likely be the Marlins’ everyday center fielder in 2013. Please follow him on Twitter:@justinruggiano.

Enjoy the Interview: 

MN: So how did you become interested in baseball? A family member showed you how to play? It was in style where you were living?

Ruggiano: Growing up my Dad sparked my interest by playing himself and taking me to countless other games to watch. In Texas baseball and football are life.

MN: How old were you when you started playing baseball? And did you play any other positions other than outfield?

Ruggiano: I think tee ball was the first time I played and growing up I played shortstop all the way through my junior year of high school.

MN: Who was your favorite team and baseball player growing up?

Ruggiano: The Braves were my favorite team mainly because their games were on after school but it helped they were really good in the 90′s. Nolan Ryan was hands down my favorite player.

MN: How was it like being drafted by a major league team? Also, what feeling did you have when you got your first opportunity to play in the major leagues?

Ruggiano: I was drafted in the 25th round so I really wasn’t sitting by the phone and waiting for a call. It did feel good being drafted but I knew that my work had only just begun. The majors is surreal. Its the ultimate adrenaline high.

MN: What were your best and worst parts in the minors?

Ruggiano: Traveling is by far the worst part of the minors. When you are young its not so bad, but when you are 30 it gets tough. In 2009 I won a national championship that ranks at the top of my minor league achievements.

MN: Last season, you were one of the few surprises of the Marlins. Was that really hard to accomplish?

Ruggiano: It was a great season, I am looking forward to building on last year.

MN: Did you find it difficult playing in Marlins Park at first since there is a lot of room in the outfield?

Ruggiano: No I think it gives outfielders more room to run and track balls down. I love our field.

MN: Are there any rituals you do before a game?

Ruggiano: Warmup, stretch, Music, and Prayer.

MN: Do your teammates have a nickname for you? If so, why did they choose that nickname?

Ruggiano: ROOOGE!

MN: What are your goals for next year?

Ruggiano: To be better than last year and make the playoffs.

Now it’s time for 5 hand picked questions from Marlins Nation followers:

Jason B. Beasley from Miami,FL: What do you think about the Marlins trades and moves this off-season so far.

Ruggiano: Upper management moves are out of the players control. I just go out and do my job.

Alex Ferrer from Phoenix, AZ: What are your thoughts on the direction of the team is heading, reaction to fan “protest” towards team, etc.

Ruggiano: Like I said before. I try and keep it simple, go out and do my job on the field. Control the things I can control and not worry about everything else. It lets me sleep at night.

James T. Bondman from Manchester, UK: What music do you listen to?

Ruggiano: I am a music lover and always interested in hearing new stuff. I love Texas country but listen to just about everything.

Marty Michaud from Miami,FL: Do you like Calamari ?

Ruggiano: Del Friscos is the best!

Matt Rogina from California: When the Marlins traded Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle,Emilio Bonifacio and John Buck to the Blue Jays, teammate Giancarlo Stanton publicly showed his displeasure with the trade. Do you feel the same way?

Ruggiano: I hate losing all those quality people but I’ve been doing this too long to get upset over trades.