Offseason Interview: Cory Spangenberg
What's Cory Spangenberg up to these days?
Um, you know, not too much, just gearing up for the upcoming season and catching up with family and friends. That's about it.
What do you typically do in the offseason with your friends and family?
It's pretty cold out here in Pennsylvania, so we do a lot of indoor things, like going to the movies, shooting pool, anything like that. Just anything indoors.
With this being your first year in the Big Leagues, are you being noticed more in your small town?
You know, a little bit. There'll be sometimes when I'm out in public and people will come up and ask me. I'm not real recognizable because I don't have the beard, I shaved it off so I don't look the same (laughs)
What are some of your reflections from last year?
It was a good year, besides the concussion. It was a memorable, getting the call up to the big leagues and having the month of September that I did. The walk-off was pretty cool, and definitely the first game was a moment I'll always remember. My whole family got to make it out to San Diego.
What did you guys do while the family was in San Diego?
I didn't do too much. I had to be at the field pretty early each day, but they enjoyed it. They went to the beach, went to the malls, I think they ended up going to the zoo. They had all the fun and got to see all the games, and I pretty much just had to work (laughs).
What are some of your goals for next year?
I think the main goal is to make the team out of Spring Training. I was only up there for a month, and I really haven't locked in a spot yet. I'm just working hard this offseason and hopefully I'll make the Opening Day roster.
What's one thing that Storm fans don't know about Cory?
That's a tough one… Basketball was my favorite sport growing up; even in high school I liked playing it more than baseball. The fast tempo, all the fans at your games. I think I had a better time playing basketball in high school than I did baseball. But I'm only six foot so I wasn't going anywhere with that.
Do you have any favorite memories from when you were with the Storm?
Well besides cutting the fruit in the clubhouse everyday with Terrance, I'd say the day we clinched in 2012. It was the very last day, we were playing a team we were in the hunt with, and there's nothing better than a champagne shower and celebrating with everyone. The best part of that day was having Terrance wash our uniforms after the celebration (laughs).
For fans who don't know your journey, how did your pro career start?
I didn't get drafted out of high school, so I went to Virginia Military Institute my freshman year. Then I went to Indian River State College sophomore year, and after that season I was drafted by the Padres.
If you had to pick a movie to star in, what would it be?
I'd have to go with Step Brothers. I'm not a funny guy, but I think being funny would be a great character trait so it'd be neat to be funny for couple months. Being around the cast would be awesome. You'd just laugh the whole day!
What was the very first CD you bought?
Hmm… I think it was Mace, the Welcome Back CD. One of the songs from that album was my walkup song for a little bit.
Do you have any memories of the very first date you ever went on?
I want to say it was in 6th grade. This girl asked me out and I said no, then later on that day she asked me out again and for some reason I changed my mind and said yes. We went to the movies that night.
Any embarrassing moments from your pro career?
It was in Arizona actually. The very first game I made my first start in left field. The first batter hit one to me and I tripped going to it. I fell down and the guy got a double. Normally I'd say something to the pitcher after that, but Despagine was pitching and he doesn't speak English (laughs)
Thanks Cory, good luck this year!
Thank you guys, it was my pleasure.