GB: Winning the World Series was definitely one of the best moments I have had in baseball. The dog pile on the field after the final out was made, feeling the champaign burn your eyes while spraying everyone in sight in the clubhouse, taking a team picture with the trophy after celebrating in the clubhouse with teammates, family, and friends, and realizing I was getting a World Series Champion ring was literally unbelievable. That was a dream of mine for as long as I could remember.
ABR: You were drafted in 1990 and came up with the Phillies in 1995. When you were in the minors, did you ever consider giving up on baseball? If so, what do you think you would've done instead?
GB: There were a few times in the minor leagues where I had my doubts and thought about doing something else, but I could never come up with what that something else would be. So I would just continue to work as hard as I could, and see how far I could get. I would've gone to college and more then likely studied finance, or accounting, or something else with numbers. I always liked math.
ABR: What's the best game you ever caught?
GB: There really isn't one game that sticks out as the the best game I caught. I would say anytime I caught a shutout was awesome. Trevor Hoffman, the closer for the Padres, would bring me a beverage to me at my locker when I caught shutouts in San Diego. Sometimes we would enjoy a cigar for the shutout as well.
ABR: In addition to playing baseball, you also instruct during the off season (at your facilities, Slammers, in Lake Forest). What advice would you give to young catchers calling their own games?
GB: Calling a game for me is nothing more than being aware of what is going on with the game. First off you need to know your pitcher's strengths and weaknesses. A good rule of thumb is you never let your pitcher get beat with his worst pitch. For example, if it is later in the game and there are runners on 2nd and 3rd, you are not going to let the hitter beat him with a slider if his curve ball or his fastball or is better. If the hitter gets his best or second best pitch then you tip your cap. If you need a ground ball for a double play you are going to call pitches that he tends to keep down in the strike zone, maybe a sinker, or a slider.
The score board will also help dictate how to call a game. Example being if it is a tight game late, your are going to try not to let the other team tie or go ahead on one swing. That usually means you are going to try not to get beat with a pitch the hitter can pull for a home run. Not saying you can't throw a pitch inside, just throw it inside for a ball to set up going back away. If you are way ahead, you are going to remind your pitcher to stay aggressive in the strike zone, because the last thing you need as a team is to walk hitters. When teams come back from a big deficit, there are usually a lot of walks involved. These are a few examples of how being aware of the game situations can help call a game.
ABR: How do you approach your role as a backup catcher?
GB: I learned early on in my Major League career that if your not playing everyday, you need to prepare like you are playing everyday. That way you get your work in and are always ready to play, whether it's to pinch hit, or maybe someone got hurt or whatever. If I don't play for a few days I will go to the stadium early for extra work. That way I can stay as sharp as I can, so when I do start, or there is an injury, I give myself a better chance to succeed.