Chicago Cubs pitcher Chris Rusin talks to Wildcat Blue Nation

Chicago Cubs pitcher Chris Rusin, who played baseball for the Kentucky Wildcats, spoke to Wildcat Blue Nation last Wednesday.
Feb 28, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Chris Rusin (18) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Daniel Solzman: Chris, thanks for joining Wildcat Blue Nation today. How are things treating you at Chicago Cubs spring training camp in Mesa?

Chris Rusin: It’s good. We’re starting intra-squads tomorrow. We start first game on Friday. I’m throwing my first game on Friday so bullpens have been going great. Everything’s healthy. It’s been great. It’s been fun. The new manager has been bringing positive energy to the club, and it’s been exciting.

Daniel Solzman: What has the major league experience been like with playing for the Cubs and how did it feel when you made your debut in 2012?

Chris Rusin: Well, it’s crazy because you grow up watching the Cubs on WGN because it’s always on TV. To be able to play there, it’s pretty crazy. It’s a pretty good feeling but still really hasn’t set in almost but it’s a lot of fun playing there. Getting up there last year helped me out a lot this year because I know that I have the stuff to do to make the next step. I just have to be a lot more confident in my ability to make my pitches.

Daniel Solzman: What was the feeling like when you first walked into historic Wrigley Field for the first time as a Cubs pitcher?

Chris Rusin: Oh, man. I made it. I made it, and then just walking out onto that field. It looks a lot bigger than it looks on TV. But other than that, it left me pretty speechless pretty much but ever since then, I’m having a great time. They always come out but you can’t ask for much more.

Daniel Solzman: You were drafted in by the Oakland Athletics before your senior year but opted to return. In doing so, you were drafted in 2009 by the Cubs in the 4th round. What factored in your decision to play one more season at Kentucky and when did you find out that the Cubs were interested in selecting you?

Chris Rusin: Well, Gary Henderson was the head coach at that time. He spent a lot of time in the off-season with me in the summer when I was rehabbing from the injury that I had at the end of my junior year. We were talking and we were going to throw a bullpen for the Oakland Athletics at the end of the summer and I couldn’t get ready in time for it.

We decided to head back for my senior year because I felt I could get drafted higher in my senior year than my junior year if we did the same. I thought I could do a lot better. My numbers weren’t that good but I improved a lot more so that improved my stock. I felt I made the right decision.

Daniel Solzman: The Cubs have Hall of Famers in Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Fergie Jenkins. Have you had a chance to get to know them at all? Has Fergie given you pointers for your pitching career?

Chris Rusin: Fergie was out here today. He addressed the entire Spring Training staff and the teams. He talked for an about 20 minutes and did a little Q & A session. I learned a lot of things…a lot of crazy things that I didn’t know about him. Other than that, I’ve met the others maybe once or twice while I was walking through the clubhouse and they’re always around so it’s good to see.

Daniel Solzman: In what ways did Coach Gary Henderson prepare you for the next level?

Chris Rusin: Just always being hard on me. Every year—from the minute I walked through the door as a freshman to the day I left as senior—he was always on me. He always wanted me to do my best and never accepted anything less. He also taught me a lot about pitching, too: how to move in and out, pitching with sink. I’m not a flame-thrower so I had to use my craft unit in my mind to get hitters out so that he’s big on that and helped me out there, too. He did a lot of things and I’m thankful for that.

Daniel Solzman: The Cubs are on their second manager during your time on the club. A lot of the top prospects are closing in on making their debut with the Cubs. What do you expect will be different this season than last year?

Chris Rusin: Just a lot more energy. It’s a younger squad. The coach is flying around the fields being boisterous, energetic, and positive. It’s an exciting group for the fans to watch. It’s exciting to see what happens this season. A lot of those young guys are going to help the club this year. Don’t know when but these younger guys are really good. Hopefully, they get up here sometime this year or the next couple years.

Daniel Solzman: As a pitcher, which hitter gives you the hardest time?

Chris Rusin: Oh, man. I’d say Aramis Ramirez from the Milwaukee Brewers. He always seems to put the ball on the bat pretty solid. I’ve yet to figure him out this year but, hopefully, sometime this year.

Daniel Solzman: Who was your favorite player growing up?

Chris Rusin: My favorite player? I bounce around. But as a pitcher, I watched Andy Pettitte and Tom Glavine a lot. Those are the pitchers I studied closely. It’s between those two as pitchers.

Daniel Solzman: What did you think of Kentucky’s performance this last season and what thoughts do you have as they start up the 2014 campaign?

Chris Rusin: I saw that they won against the #1 team, Virginia, their first game so that was a pretty good start to the season. I just saw recently where I think they cracked the Top 25 or Top 30, I think. The program is headed in the right director for the season. We’ll see what happens. Hopefully, they make a regional and can get to the World Series.

Daniel Solzman: Thanks again for joining us and enjoy the rest of spring training and best of luck this season. Any final words for Big Blue Nation?

Chris Rusin: Go Cats!