DJ
Continued from Page 8
the Major League level?
A: I think for kids in Michigan, it’s
good to go out and play because you
get a lot of exposure from scouts and
colleges. I think youth travel for kids
around the ages of 10-12 might be a
little excessive. I think, in baseball,
the more people you play against the
better you’re going to become.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a professional athlete?
A: I enjoy the competition. I’ve
worked my whole life to be a Major Leaguer. I didn’t know if it was
possible when I was in high school.
To play in the major leagues is a
blessing. I definitely don’t take it for
granted.
Q: Where do you keep your Gold
Glove?
A: It’s in our kitchen right now, just
hanging out. I tried to put it next to
my bed but my wife wasn’t having
that.
Q: What is your favorite city to visit?
A: I enjoy playing in Detroit. Going
to all of those games as a kid and
to come back and play against the
Tigers was pretty special.
Q: How often do you come back to
Michigan?
A: I still have great friends from
Brother Rice and I come back a couple times in the offseason. We play
some basketball and hang out, I still
see Coach Riker and Coach [Brian}
Kalczynski. I enjoy being back there.
Q: Is there an athlete you were re-
WRESTLING
Continued from Page 8
Wrestling team has 10 members, and a
first-year coach who was hired only a
day before the season started.
After Coach King was let go after
last season, the team was in need of a
replacement. With the season quickly
approaching, the future of the program was in jeopardy. But, when the
threat of dissolution seemed imminent, Rice found Coach Griffin.
Griffin has been a wrestling coach
for 20 years, was an assistant under
Coach Koss, and most recently was
the Head Coach at Port Huron High
B R OTHE R R IC E H IG H S C H O O L C H I E F TA I N
ally excited to
meet or would
still like to
meet?
A: Growing up,
Ryne Sandberg
was my favorite player. My
favorite player
now is probDJ LeMahieu
ably Miguel Cabrera or Mike Trout, and I got to meet
both of them. I always enjoy watching
other players, especially the best in the
game.
Q: Was there someone along your
road to the Major Leagues that gave
you some good advice?
A: My dad was probably my best mentor. Coach Brian Kalczynski and Coach
Riker also. My dad just would tell me
to love the game, not take it for granted
and really compete in everything you
do. Whether it’s basketball, baseball or
whatever it is, just compete.
Q: Have you given any thought as to
what you might do after baseball?
A: I haven’t given it too much thought
yet. I just want to play as long as I can,
but I probably want to coach and still
be around baseball or basketball.
Winter Schedules
Basketball
Besides the usual Catholic League
schedule, which begins in January,
the Warriors play Seaholm and
Shrine just before Christmas, will
paricipate in the Motor City Roundball Classic over Christmas Break,
and play at Country Day Jan. 9.
Bowling
The first meet is Jan. 7, and then
the team has at least two meets per
week until Feb. 12. The Catholic
League Championship is Feb. 20 at
Oak Lanes, and the State tournament starts Feb. 26.
Hockey
After an up-and-down start, the defending State Champions have key
matchups against Cranbrook and
rematches with St. Mary’s and CC.
Skiing
Snow permitting, the ski team has
races every Tuesday and Wednesday from Jan. 12 until Feb. 3. Several
invitational meets will prepare
them for the CHSL championship,
Regionals and States.
Q: Would you ever consider coming
back to Rice?
A: I would. I love Brother Rice. I love
being around it. I think the staff, teachers and coaches stand for the right
things. They teach the right things and
right morals. It’s something I would
definitely want to be a part of just
because of how they shaped me as a
person.
Swimming
Early meets for the defending State
Champs are the Warrior Relays and
a tri-meet with Saline, Groves and
Northville. 'WBF