Feb. 14, 2007
A new weekly addition to the und.com coverage of the Notre Dame baseball team will be the “Freshman Focus” series, providing a quick insight into the team’s newcomers through a short Q&A format. This offering is similar to the “20 Questions” series that have been posted previously on und.com for several sports. Third baseman A.J. Pollock kicks off the 2007 Freshman Focus series, with his number of questions (27) fittingly matching the number of outs for a team in a regulation game. Pollock is the fourth freshman since 1999 to open the season as Notre Dame’s starting third baseman, following Andrew Bushey (’99), Greg Lopez (’03) and Ross Brezovsky (’04) in that distinction.
Freshman Focus #1 – A.J. Pollock (Third Baseman)
Full Name – Allen Lorenz Pollock
Hometown – Hebron, Connecticut (lived there my whole life)
Is there anything unique about your hometown? – There’s only one traffic light.
High School – RHAM High School
What exactly does RHAM stand for? – It stands for Region of Hebron Andover and Marlborough. There are 1,100 students from the three towns who go there. Baseball is the only team at RHAM that has a winning record the past ten years. We won the state championship in 2004.
High school’s nickname and colors – We are called the RHAM Sachems and we didn’t have a football team until my junior year. Our colors coincidentally are blue and gold.
Pollock in action during his pre-Notre Dame days.
|
 |
Family members – My parents Allen and Karen both went to Boston College. My sister Rachel is a senior at the University of Vermont.
Something most people don’t know about you – I’ve played guitar for five years.
Have you been a longtime Notre Dame fan? – I’ve always liked ND. When I was six years old, I wrote Notre Dame telling them I wanted to play baseball here. … they wrote me back.
Favorite thing about coach Schrage – There’s a quiet confidence about him and he is an excellent teacher. Another thing that I really appreciate about coach Schrage is you always know what he wants. He never has any hidden agendas.
Favorite thing about coach Lawler – He’s very easy to talk to and he’s the best-dressed coach on the team.
Favorite thing about coach Clinkscales – He is very easy-going and personal. He always has a positive attitude.
Favorite thing about coach Fitzgerald – He’s just like one of the guys. He always seems to have a lot of energy.
Area you want to improve most this season – I want to draw a lot more walks than I did during our fall season.
What do you like most about the team’s freshman class? – We have a good variety of players and personalities.
Pollock flashed his strong arm during the 2006 Blue-Gold Series, with his MVP effort at that event including 5-for-9 batting, 5 RBI, a pair of stolen bases, a double and no errors in the three-game series – plus a home run in the clinching win.
|
|
Your number with the Irish – #4, a number that I’ve worn since my freshman year in high school. I saw Greg Lopez was a senior last year, so things just worked out that I could wear #4 again. I have a lot of respect for Lopez. He was a tremendous fielder and wearing #4 after him will be an honor.
Did you play other sports at a high level? – Soccer and basketball
Favorite sports teams – New York Mets and the New England Patriots
Favorite athlete – Tom Brady
How would you describe the changes in adjusting to the college game? – There is a lot more thinking involved in the college game. Everybody is always playing at a high level so if you don’t rise to the occasion, then you will be weeded out.
What are your rituals before a game? – I always listen to the same music before the game to calm me down.
What road trip are you most looking forward to this season? – Myrtle Beach trip (besides the trip to Omaha)
What do you do when you’re not on the baseball field? – Play guitar
Favorite food – Steak
Favorite TV show – Family Guy
Favorite movie – Wedding Crashers
Favorite actor and/or actress – Jack Black