Q&A with Shane Hawk

Honestly, I could have gone back and forth with Shane Hawk for weeks because as you'll see from his responses, Shane is a class act. Shane was on the fast track to holding down the LOOGY/Long-relief role in the Mets bullpen for years to come until a rash of injuries forced him to retire in his prime. With the recent heat on the Mets training staff making front page headlines, I thought Shane's perspective would be extremely insightful. Here's what he had to say about his time with the Mets, his injuries, the rehab staff, and "throwing his fastball through walls" (God I love that quote)

Teddy: Shane Hawk, my man. Tell us about the day you were drafted.

Shane: It was June 2003, I was home from Oklahoma State and had a good feeling I was going on the first day. I had my dad and brother with me listening to the draft on the internet. It was very nerve racking. I heard my teammate, Scott Baker picked in the second round by the Twins. Then came the fourth round and I was picked. It was funny because Larry Chase, the scout from the Mets said if I was still there in the fourth round, they were going to get me. I kind of blew that off because I had heard so much from so many people. Sure enough, I became a Met. It was the best day in my life aside from my children being born and marrying the love of my life. I signed pretty quick and began my career in Brooklyn.

Teddy: What’s the first thing you bought with Fred Wilpon’s money?

Shane: The first thing I bought, and anyone of my teammates from OSU could tell you was a Chevy Truck which I tore apart and lowered and put all sorts of fix ups on. It was fun and I wish I still had it.

Teddy: During your tenure with the Mets, who were some of the teammates that really impressed you?

Shane: I was really impressed with Evan Macclane, We worked together alot and he has a tireless work ethic and desire to keep getting better and better. Shawn Bowman, we went through rehab together for 2 years, and lived together; and he showed so much heart and character to get where he is now. We went through so much negativity trying to get back. It wasn’t like we were on a big league roster rehabbing and collecting a fat check. We were both on A ball rosters trying to get by, and trying to get back healthy is in my opinion the toughest obstacle an athlete can go through.

Teddy: What players (past & present) do you think have the makings of being solid big leaguers?

Shane: I think once Malo and Bowman get their chance to shine, they will be impressive big leaguers. I always keep up with most of the guys I played with, and there are a lot who have come and gone that could probably play today. The team we had in Cap City in 04 was one of the best I ever played for. It was fun, we all worked hard, and we all came out to dominate the opposing team, no matter who they were. Those were some fun days.

Teddy: I always thought Rogow, Nemo (Randy Niemann), and the rest of the Mets training and rehabiliation staff had there act together and did a good job, but there has been a lot of bashing in the media of late due to all of the weird injuries/surgeries and shady circumstances surrounding them...given your history, you can elaborate better than anybody I know...what were your thoughts on the Mets training/rehab staff?

Shane: I felt that the Mets have one of the top five facilities in all of MLB. In my opinion, they did all they could to help me to try to get back. Rogow and Nemo both put in countless, tiring hours at the rehab center and they really deserve more credit for what they do. I do not think anything they did hurt me more. You for one saw how hard I worked, and the time I put in. I just think my aggressive style of pitching only led to more blowouts. People try to tell me to back down a little and pitch at like 84 or 85, but I just couldn't do it. I wanted to throw my fastball and slider through walls. My goal was to try to embarrass every hitter I faced, so that's probably why I blew out 3 times. I feel like they get alot of pressure for trying to get people back, but in my opinion, once you get hurt, it already starts a trend for future problems. I think God has a plan for everybody, and mine wasn’t to get to the big leagues. It is sad to say but I feel like the path I am in now is what has been in store for me. I miss being at the field playing ball everyday, but I know in the end, if I don’t get the chance to throw again, I gave it my all. Now I’m graduating this May with a bachelors of science in business management and will be the first Hawk with a college degree. I have a little girl and boy who are my world, and my wife backs me in anything, so all is well. If I get the itch to try again, after I finish this may, and can get into shape, you never know what this lefty has in the trunk, ever seen "The Rookie"??

Teddy: What actor is gonna play Shane Hawk in your version of The Rookie?

Shane: Kenny Powers, just kidding... I dont know, maybe Christian Bale, Edward Norton??

Teddy: What's the plan after you finish up your degree? Do you think you want to work in Baseball?

Shane: I plan to get into baseball. I started coaching high school last season and it has been like riding a bike. I was pitching coach for a 19 and under team that has a couple guys going D-1 and we finished 71-11 while winning a state championship. I feel like I have a lot to offer for these kids and would like to become a Division 1 level pitching coach. I guess I could be a great model for the whole "having a backup plan" quote. I never had one and just figured getting to the big leagues was going to be my way. School is just as important, especially to kids who don’t have that financial stability by being a top round guy. Baseball does not last forever, and having something as a back up plan is a great option. I love Baseball and all that it has given me the opportunity to do; playing at Oklahoma State, Cape Cod, and with the Mets, and now going back and finishing my degree. I have done many things the last 8 years of my life that alot of people just dream of, so I look back at that as a positive, instead of looking at the negative side of things.--i coulda, shoulda, woulda, etc. I have also made many friends and enjoy the people who still remember what I brought to the game when I played.

Teddy: I didn’t realize you played in the Cape League (Best 2 Summers of my life hands down, Pro Ball included). Tell us a little about your time on the Cape.

Shane: Cape Cod was an incredible experience. To play in a league where 1 in 7 players get to the big leagues is a very good feeling. I played for the Hyannis Mets "irony". I wore Al Leiter's old pants. The NY Mets donated old pants to the team. I played in the summer of 2002 and had Ryan Garko, Brian Wilson, and many other great players on my team. It kind of humbled me because I didn’t realize how important coming out of the bull pen was. I was told I would be a starter to prep me for my junior year and just was a lefty specialist. I didn’t really like that at the time so I didn’t play as well as I could have. All in all, it was a great experience.

Teddy: Anything you’d like to say to your fans out in Mets Nation before you sign off?

Shane: All you Mets fans....Be patient, the Mets’ time will come, there are too many great players in the system to be down. Keep being the great fans you are by backing your players like you do. That's why you guys are so great.

On behalf of the writers and readers at Mack's Mets, I'd like to wish Shane the best of luck in all his future endeavors. Anybody who places his wife and children ahead of himself and his professional baseball career is a good man in my book and no matter what Shane pursues in life, I have a feeling his work ethic and positive outlook will ensure his success. Thanks Hawk