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Live Chat With Former MLB Reliever Chuckie Fick
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Grant
10:21
What was it like jumping into the world of white-collar work after being a professional athlete?
Chuckie Fick
10:22
There was some adjustment. I gave people too much credit in the white-collar world. I assumed everyone was Ivy League educated and knew more than I did about professional work. When really, we are all trying our best to do our job and its always a learning curve. Asking for help and using a companies resources are key.
Josh
10:22
Was there a team you loved pitching against, whether it was for rivalry purposes or cause it was just fun?
Chuckie Fick
10:23
The Cubs. I think I had some pretty good success against them. outside of a 3-2 slider to Alfonso Soriano.
Karl
10:23
You played professionally in three different countries. I'm sure every player kind of dreams of carving out that long MLB career, but is there a part of you that's glad baseball gave you an avenue to see so much more of the world?
Chuckie Fick
10:24
This is something I am very grateful for. I got to see a lot of the United States, Panama, Cuba, Taiwan, and Mexico. I wouldn't have been able to see a lot of what I did and experience the culture. I think everyone needs to get out of their comfort zone and see other places.
Bella
10:24
What traits do you look for in the ideal catcher?
Chuckie Fick
10:25
A quiet receiver. Show me the target early and leave it there. I hate the new age drop the glove and get underneath it technique. It's hard to hit a moving target
Altuve
10:25
You were teammates with a very young Jose Altuve. With guys like that, is it just immediately clear that they're a special talent?
Chuckie Fick
10:26
I had my locker next to him on every road trip. I can honestly tell you that he is a great guy, and a VERY hard worker. He was always in the cage, watching video, or just engaging with his teammates. He also worked at improving his defense, and it has showed.
James
10:26
What was the worst injury you had in your career? How tough is it, mentally, to get back to feeling like yourself on the mound? I feel like fans often overlook this part of the game and rehab process.
Chuckie Fick
10:28
I had 2 major injuries. I had ulnar nerve displacement surgery at 15 years old. They moved my "funny bone" nerve, and it was a long road back. Towards the end of my career, I in 2013 while in AAA, I had early onset issues with thoracic outlet syndrome. I still have issues with it today. It got to a point while with the Rockies my hand was almost always in a claw and my pinky and ring finger were numb.
Bella
10:29
With the Astros, do you feel like you missed some of the cutting-edge technology Luhnow eventually utilized?
Chuckie Fick
10:29
I do. I wish I was able to stick around know about spin rate, trackman, edgetronic, more shifting, pitch modeling, etc
Prospect lists
10:29
Do players pay attention to these in the minors? Like, are players all aware where they do/don't rank on organizational top 30s and top-100 prospect lists and all that? Or is it just noise that guys try to filter out?
Chuckie Fick
10:30
It's mostly noise. And a lot of the time 15 of those 30 top players suck. They are a long way away and its all projections. If you are a top 10 prospect and never make it, then you were always suspect
Rory
10:31
You probably didn’t get to pick a song to walk out to, but if you had, what would it have been?
Chuckie Fick
10:31
I did. I had a few
Jimmy eat world " Bleed American"
Major Lazer "lean on"
Phoenix "1901"
10:32
Phantogram " dont move"
Cole
10:32
Did you sign autographs before or after games in the Majors? Do you think players should interact more with fans?
Chuckie Fick
10:33
I tried my best to sign as many as possible pregame. Post game not as much as I needed to go eat and take care of any post-game stuff. I think all players should carve out an extra 5 minutes for the fans
Jimmy
10:33
Have you ever seen Jimmy Eat World live? Best concert you’ve been to?
Chuckie Fick
10:33
I haven't, but I would like to!
Kurt
10:33
What´s your take on the new pitch clock?
Chuckie Fick
10:33
I worked really fast, but I HATE IT
Rory
10:33
Did any coaches ever ask you to purposely hit a batter? If so, how did it go?
Chuckie Fick
10:34
That never came from coaches. That was always a player/team decision
surf style
10:34
long board, short? Goofy-footed? did you grow up surfing?
Chuckie Fick
10:35
Regular foot and short board. I have 6 shortboards and about 6 wetsuits. The water gets cold where I live in the winter.
Hung the Curve
10:35
Which are the most important qualities that a good MLB manager can have?  It must go beyond in-game decision-making.
Chuckie Fick
10:35
Being able to trust that they will support you, and the culture they create in the clubhouse.
Calvin
10:35
18 minor league plate appearances -- 1-for-15 with a double! Tell us about that double.
Chuckie Fick
10:36
Firs pitch ambush ground rule double against greg reynolds with my parents in town watching. It felt so good. I was a really good hitter in HS, but once you stop hitting, its hard to get it back.
Vinne Velo
10:36
Are teams too obsessed with velocity and "power stuff" these days? It feels like there's a benefit to different looks (arm angles, velocity, different types of breaking balls, etc) but a lot of relievers are just blazing heater/slider nowadays
Chuckie Fick
10:37
No. Velocity helps create more of a margin for error. Once guys can combine velocity with command *(which they have) thats why K's are up and batting averages are down.
PR WBC Champs!
10:37
You hit two batters in the majors.  Were both intentional or just one?
Chuckie Fick
10:38
Neither. Anthony Rizzo was a backfoot slider, and Carlos Gomez was also a backup slider. He walked towards the mound and almost started a brawl because of it.
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