Saturday Spotlight: Albert Laboy
Having hit .287 in 63 games with Hickory in 2007, Laboy is back with the Crawdads in 2008, adding a spark to the top of the lineup. In his first game with the Crawdads this year, Laboy hit a double and a home run to make a lasting "first" impression.
In this week's interview, the West Palm Beach discusses his favorite sports teams growing up, his athletic prowess in high school and his off-season baseball routine.
For the complete audio interview, click on the link to your right.
Albert, it seems like just yesterday that you joined the Crawdads but it's actually been a while (June 3). How are you enjoying your season here so far?
I'm having fun. Kinda struggling a bit now, but with the guys I'm having a lot of fun. We're all still loose.
You were here last year, too, before spending some time at Class-A Advanced Lynchburg at the beginning of this season. How would you compare the groups of guys between last year and this one?
Last year the guys were loose just like this year. Greeny (Ed.'s note: Hickory manager Gary Green) and the staff have us loose and not worrying so much about bad stuff like losing and not hitting. It's a really good environment.
You mentioned it has been tough lately (Ed.'s note: Hickory had lost 13 of 16 games when this interview was conducted). What do you do to get away from the baseball when things are a struggle?
I just go home and watch some ESPN, all day every day. Eat some ice cream, popcorn, whatever's close. Usually just sitting on the bed and watching some ESPN.
Are there any other sports you like to watch or is it just all baseball all the time?
Yeah that's all I watch. That's my dream, that's where I want to be in a couple years, maybe two or three, so I go ahead and watch some big league baseball.
Any teams or ballplayers you idolized growing up?
The Marlins were my favorite team. And it was always Carlos Beltran, the center fielder for the Mets right now. He's one of my favorite players.
Is it tough idolizing someone that you see doing what you want to do every night? It's different as a kid when it's all a dream but now you're going through the same grind trying to get to the same level as him.
Well, he's up there now, so I try to pick to pick up some things he does in the outfield and learn. Basically, as long as he's up there, I'm still looking up to him and I probably always will.
Now with a month to go, what's the mindset going into the off-season. What do you do when the baseball season is over?
You know, you gotta take a month and a half off. That's one of the biggest things, relaxing for a little bit. Then once it gets back toward November, you're right back at it again. So just some rest and then right back at it: working hard on the gym and on the field.
When you do get on your sabbatical, do you completely get away from the game and relax or do you try and play other sports or fun or go on vacations or take up other activities?
Well no other sports because there's a risk of getting hurt, so probably just lay around the house, watch TV and movies. Try to get out with your friends and family you haven't seen in awhile, go out and get something to eat, just a lot of little things like that.
So you obviously can't play other sports now, but in high school you also played football and basketball. What kind of player were you in each of those?
Football I played cornerback, on the defensive side. I was always kind of fast and I knew how to tackle. Basketball I was just a guard, shooting guard. I was never tall enough to be a center or a forward, and it was mostly baseball, football and basketball in high school.
You grew up a Marlins fan you told us and you played other sports, too. So were you a Miami Dolphins and Heat fan or did you just like baseball?
Born and raised in Florida so I'm all of them: Heat, Marlins and Dolphins. Dolphins have been struggling but they're still my team.
Is it an obsession to where in the off-season you never miss a game or is it sort of just a casual thing?Sunday is a family day so it's always either watching the Dolphins or the Cowboys, get a little cookout going. Sundays we're all usually on the TV watching some football.
Football is still a month away, though, and baseball season isn't over yet, so what are your personal goals in finishing the 2008 season with the Crawdads?
I just want to be in there and help my team win. Whatever I do, whether it's a walk, stolen base, double, RBIs, whatever helps my team get the "W" at the end of the day.
Well thank you very much Albert. Anybody you'd like to say hi to that might be reading this or listening to the audio interview?
Hi Mom, I love you. Her birthday is today, August 2. Deanna Avila, my mom, happy birthday!
Laboy and the Crawdads play the Rome Braves for a four-game series at home August 2-5. For tickets, promotions and more information, explore www.hickorycrawdads.com or call (828) 322-3000.