KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Infielder Christian Colón has made a major impact during his time in Kansas City. Watch the video above to hear from the second baseman and shortstop to see how he stays prepared.
Q: You played a major part of two of the arguably biggest moments in Kansas City history, the 2014 Wildcard Game and the 2015 World Series Game Five. It’s got to be pretty special for you?
A:It is for the city. And I keep telling everybody I see, I stay prepared because I care so much about this organization and the people who are in it. It’s a great city, baseball town and the people in the organization are so good. I stay prepared, and I feel like I just want to do my job. My teammates win.
Q: You spent a lot of time in Omaha, in the minor leagues and in the major leagues. Talk about some the differences between the minor and major leagues when it comes to being a player.
A: The travel is a lot different. In Triple A you’re waking up really early and playing the same night. So your travel is different and the whole atmosphere. You’re playing in smaller complexes, stadiums, the locker rooms aren’t as nice. But the competition, at the same time, you’re in the big leagues. The best of the best, and you’ve got Triple A guys who are trying to get there who have been there, who are very knowledgeable and stuff. But it’s just something about being in the big leagues that’s a lot different.
Q: The foods a little better right?
A: Yeah, you don’t have to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and all that.
Q: Filet mignon, lobster?
A: Yeah, the spread is coming to you every night. It’s nice, but it’s about winning not that it’s not in the minor leagues but you know, that’s what this organization is really that good about to the minor leagues, we win too, and it’s a good thing to see.
Q: As, a first-round draft pick, you’re used to being the star and then you come in here as a role player. Quite the transition. For those kids out there watching who are maybe role players but dream of being in the big spot and play more, what advice would you give to them?
A: Be patient. Be patient because if you believe your time will come, it will come. Have faith. Work hard. I think when opportunity meets preparation you have something good. You don’t know when the opportunity is going to show up, but you can always be prepared. I think that’s one of the main things that I think about, is that my time will come whenever that is, but this is much bigger than me. It’s about Kansas City, the people, the organization and we were able to accomplish that.
Q: And preparation, like you said, you got that opportunity in Game Five to win the World Series and you were ready for it.
A: Yes I was. I felt like all along, I’m in the cages, BP, I’m going to try to stay ready and I gave them some of my best, coming in late. I knew my role and in my head I just pictured these things happening and you know, thanks to God and the opportunity presented itself, and it worked out.
Q: What did you do during this off-season to prepare, especially with a shorter off-season?
A: I’ve been really working on my flexibility, moving side to side, been quicker. I think being in the middle infield, you have to be quick and move side to side well. I’ve been working on that a lot.
Q: So, yoga?
A: Yeah, a little yoga. Sprinting. It’s funny you say that because a lot of guys make fun of me for doing yoga, but I do you yoga and all that stuff. Your core is probably really strong. Yeah it’s strong, but it could be better. I’ve just been preparing mentally. I’m ready to go. Going to be a good competition and like I said before, it’s all going to be about who’s helping the team win. That’s the main thing.
