Interview with Scott Downs, former Kentucky Wildcats pitcher
By Danielle
Scott Downs recently joined Wildcat Blue Nation for an interview.
Daniel Solzman: Scott, thanks for joining Wildcat Blue Nation today. How are things treating you out in Anaheim?
Scott Downs: Things are great. The sun’s out, it’s nice, and we’re getting ready for a ballgame.
Daniel Solzman: You attended PRP in Louisville and were drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 12th round back in 1994. How tough of a decision was it to choose between going pro back then and playing for Coach Keith Madison at Kentucky?
Scott Downs: It’s every kid’s dream to be drafted, especially out of high school. You get a chance to play professionally and right away, I always a little exciting and feeling like I was ready to start that journey but then I started talking, talking with my family, with Coach (Bill) Miller, my baseball coach in high school. We talked about the goods and the bads. I wasn’t but maybe 150 pounds, soaking wet, and I knew I was going to mature. We kind of talked about that and I decided that right there made me decide college for 3-4 years would have been a good choice so that’s what made me take my game to college to try to mature, improve, and make my game better.
Daniel Solzman: What was it like playing for Coach Madison and what values did he teach that stick with you today?
Scott Downs: He’s a great guy. It was a privilege to play for him. All the thoughts that he has about pitching, about the game. The one thing he basically always told us: Play hard, give it 110%, and that’s all he asked out of us. To play the game the right way, and that’s kind of the way I go about it every day when I come to the field, I feel ready to play and give it my best. If it works out, great. If it doesn’t, you move on to the next day and you keep at it.
Daniel Solzman: What was your reaction when you found out that you were drafted by the Cubs in the 3rd round of the 1997 draft?
Scott Downs: Excited. There again, it was a dream—a dream come true to be given another chance. At that moment, I was ready to start my professional career and Coach Madison was behind me 110%. My family was—so I was excited. Like I said, it was just a dream come true to get something started.
Daniel Solzman: Back in 2004 when you were playing for the Edmonton Trappers, when you were throwing the no-hitter, at what point did you realize you had a no-hitter going and what was it like to finish the game off without giving up a hit?
Scott Downs: (Laughs) I really didn’t pay attention to it. I think I realized it about the 5th. I said something to one of the coaches on the staff, and they said that—we were just kind of talking—oh, hey, I happened to look up and see that I hadn’t given up a hit. Just to go up and finish it, again, you don’t see it all that often. It’s one of those moments that you realize that they can’t take away. It’s every pitcher’s dream to be able to do that and it was a great moment in my career.
Daniel Solzman: You came up through the minor leagues as a starter. I remember you were a starter with the Chicago Cubs as I was at your Major Legue debut against the Reds: Since joining Toronto in 2005, aside from 5 games in 2006, you’ve only pitched in relief. How did this decision come about and do you miss the days of pitching in the starting rotation?
Scott Downs: The decision came about when I signed in Toronto. They had said, they told me out in the pen, have me as a starter and times and out of the pen as a long guy. I was getting the ball in the bullpen every 3-5 days as a long guy. Sometimes even longer. Knowing that I can come to the field now and pitch every day, there’s something about that that mentality that you have to have. I have that and think I would be able to do. To be put in game situations day in and day out, instead of waiting 4 days in between starts, I wouldn’t change it. I don’t miss starting. I’d enjoy it but I don’t miss it. I just kind of taken the bullpen and try to be as good as I can.
Daniel Solzman: You’re known for your sinker and curveball. Which is your favorite?
Scott Downs: Any of them that gets somebody out (Laughs). As long as I get somebody out as fast I can with the curveball or sinker. I just make it a quality pitch and let my defense do the work behind me.
Daniel Solzman: Do you keep up with the Kentucky baseball team at all these days? If so, any thoughts?
Scott Downs: I do. Yeah, I do. They’ve had a heck of a season. I kept in contact with Coach (Gary) Henderson and we talk maybe once every two week via a text. I tell him what a good job they were doing. He got to see my pitch a couple times. It was fun to see the year that they had. It was good. It was not so fun to see that they didn’t make it all the way but the season was awesome this year. I’m proud of them.
Daniel Solzman: Outside of a game against Kansas City in 2000, has there ever been a streaker at any game you’ve been to?
Scott Downs: No. That is the first and only one that I’ve seen so far. Security is a little tougher now for them to get down onto the field.
Daniel Solzman: I was at that game.
Scott Downs: (Laughs) The fact that he slid into first and second base was unbelieveable.
Daniel Solzman: And on national television, no less!
Scott Downs: Exactly.
Daniel Solzman: Thanks again for joining us. Any final words for Big Blue Nation?
Scott Downs: Bleed blue. It’s all you got to do. The university itself with all the sporting programs—just a heck of a job. I keep up with them and look forward to the next season coming in, which would be football.