Jair Jurrjens' 2008 Tracker

Subject: Re: Jair Jurrjens' 2008 Tracker Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:48 am

That sure rubs salt into a sore wound! Tigers came out on the short end of this one, even though Renteria has not been horrible, JJ is now a super star!

Subject: Re: Jair Jurrjens' 2008 Tracker Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:27 am

If we woulda kept him, we coulda brought Hollimon up and put him at SS, and we wouldnt even have to worry about the spot in the rotation, I still wouldnt know Eddie Bonine, and JL would have some major job security.
_________________
"Contrary to what everybody else thinks, I still think I can come back and help this team."

Todd Jones on shoulder injury.

Subject: Re: Jair Jurrjens' 2008 Tracker Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:55 pm

11/04/08 12:20 PM EST
ChopTalk Q&A with Jair Jurrjens
Right-hander talks about love for homeland of Curacao

By Patty Rasmussen / ChopTalk Magazine

ChopTalk: What's life like in Curacao, where you're from?

Jurrjens: It's not a big island, so it's like everyone knows you and they recognize you easily. Growing up there was really fun. When I'm home (in the offseason), I mostly hang out with my family and my friends, the guys who play pro ball. When you're home, you want to see "your boys." It's been six months since you've been able to hang out, so we go to the clubs. We have fun, but we're safe, too. Sometimes, we'll just go to a club and sit around and talk. It's good to make jokes and talk -- like a boys' night out.

ChopTalk: When you go to the clubs, do you dance? If so, are you a good dancer?

Jurrjens: Yes, I definitely dance, and I am a good dancer! We do the salsa type dancing.

ChopTalk: You pitched more innings this season than any time previously. How do you feel physically, and how was your transition to the Braves after being traded here from Detroit last October?

Jurrjens: When I was getting to my career high in innings (previously 143 1/3 in 2007), I was getting a little nervous, because I didn't know what was going to happen when I got there -- whether I'd feel pain in my shoulder and get sore. I worked really hard last offseason with Lloyd Van Pamelin and the training staff with exercises that would strengthen my shoulder. Thanks to guys like Tim Hudson and John Smoltz and veteran guys, they made it easy for me to feel like a part of the team right away at Spring Training. They helped me be part of the team, be part of the family. If it wasn't for them, the transition would have been a little slower and a little rougher. The veteran guys accepted me into the Braves. It was fun. I accomplished goals I had and still have more to go. I really came here to try to help the team make it to the playoffs, and that's still something I want to do.

ChopTalk: What was the highlight of your season?

Jurrjens: For me, honestly, it was staying healthy. That was something that I was really trying hard to do this year. The last couple of years, I've missed starts due to injuries, and I didn't take care of myself like I did this year. I missed a start (in Chicago), but I missed it because I hurt my ankle. It was stupid and had nothing to do with baseball (slipped on stairs at Wrigley Field). I didn't feel anything bad in my arm this year, other than normal soreness after a game. I worked between my starts really hard, doing my exercises, getting massage. I've felt really good all year, and I think that's what's made me happiest this year.

My goal for next year is throwing 200 innings (188 1/3 in '08), for sure, and trying to get 200 strikeouts (139 in '08), even though I know that's really difficult. It's a tough goal, but it's something that makes me work hard in the offseason and during the season. I want to just try to help our team make it to the playoffs. That's the thing I'm missing, to accomplish my dad's dream. I'm playing for his favorite team, in the big leagues, and just want to get to the playoffs and get a ring.

ChopTalk: What's the first thing that comes to your mind to these questions: Who's the best-dressed guy on the team?

Jurrjens: Mike Gonzalez.

ChopTalk: Who's the funniest guy on the team?

Jurrjens: Martin Prado.

ChopTalk: Who's the most serious?

Jurrjens: Chipper Jones.

ChopTalk: What's the craziest thing you've seen one of your teammates do that you can tell me about?

Jurrjens: I think I'd better not answer that one.

ChopTalk: What's the most recent song you added to your iPod?

Jurrjens: "Out Here Grinding" by DJ Khaled.

ChopTalk: You got auctioned off for the Make-A-Wish Foundation by Jezebel Magazine as one of the most-eligible bachelors in Atlanta. Do you know how much money you were "bought" for, and did you go on a date with the winner?

Jurrjens: No, no date! A girl won the auction and came to the stadium. We met before a game and took some pictures. That was it. She told me that she bid on me because no one was bidding for me and she felt pity! I said, "Thank you, I appreciate that!" I was a pity auction! I don't know how much she paid.

ChopTalk: You¹re not going home to Curacao until late November. What's the first thing you'll do when you get home?

Jurrjens: I really do just spend a lot of time with my family. When I get home, I'll give my family the gifts I've brought them and eat my mom's cooking.

She's a great cook. My favorite thing that she makes is a meat and vegetable soup. I don't know everything that's in it, but it's the best soup I've ever had. Every time I go home, I ask her to make it.

ChopTalk: You got to visit the Little League World Series when Curacao was competing. What's it like to have an entire island nation of Little Leaguers looking up to you?

Jurrjens: It's an honor and pressure, too. When I go back home, I need to make sure I'm a good example. We're all human, and we all make mistakes. But I don't want any kids seeing me do something they shouldn't do. There are a lot of kids looking up to me, and I want to be a good example.

ChopTalk: Did you get to say anything to the Little Leaguers when you were at the World Series?

Jurrjens: I got there about five minutes before the game. I got to throw out the first pitch, and it was awesome when they said my name. The kids' families were standing up and cheering and waving my flag (Curacao), and it was the best feeling ever. I didn't really talk too much to the kids about baseball.

I told them to have fun and enjoy it, because it was a big stage. Every time I see them play, I get emotional, because I come from a small island, and when the kids play, the whole world is watching. I never had the chance to play at the Little League World Series.

ChopTalk: What's the most extravagant present you ever bought yourself?

Jurrjens: The car I bought this year is the best. I got a GMC Yukon with all the things, a DVD player. When the family comes to visit, it's great. I drive it here in the U.S. When I'm at home, I usually drive a car from the dealership down there. Or sometimes I drive the car I gave my dad when I signed, a Lexus.

ChopTalk: You and Ruben Gotay became best friends. Did you know him before this season?

Jurrjens: No. The thing was I didn't have a place to live. Ruben didn't have a place to live. I was talking to Yunel Escobar, and he told me about a place (in Buckhead), and I went to check it out. I called Ruben and told him about it. We both moved in. I didn't have a car, and he was living two doors from me. I would ride to the stadium and back with him, and we began to hang out.

We were new guys on the team. Everyone here knew everyone. Omar Infante had come from Detroit, too, but he knew Martin Prado and Gregor Blanco from playing in Venezuela. So, Ruben and I just clicked. We became best friends.

ChopTalk: It sounds more like brothers.

Jurrjens: Yeah, definitely. He's got my back. I've got his. You don't always see this in pro ball. There can be a lot of jealousy. When my family is here and they cook, I call him to come and eat, and he does the same with me when his family is in Atlanta (from Puerto Rico). We go out to the mall, and if you see him, you'll see me. If I'm not there, I'll be there in a few seconds.

It's really a great friendship, and you don't find people like that all the time. The sad part about baseball is that you meet friends wherever you go, but sometimes you have to say goodbye when they move on or you do. When someone goes to another team, you lose contact, because you're busy, they're busy, and you're not living near each other.

ChopTalk: You're not the same age, right?

Jurrjens: No, he's older than me. I'm 22, and he's 25.

ChopTalk: Does he ever lord that over you, that you're younger than he is?

Jurrjens: I always tell him that even though I'm younger, he looks up to me -- because he's a midget (listed at 5-foot-11 to Jurrjens' 6-foot-1)!

This article appears in ChopTalk magazine. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Subject: Re: Jair Jurrjens' 2008 Tracker Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:02 pm

Tigers biggest mistake

Trading Jurrjens