In the Offseason: Tyson Gillies
Everett, WA - Throughout the off-season, the AquaSox will be catching up with some of your favorite former players. This week, 2008 AquaSox outfielder Tyson Gillies checks in from Vancouver, B.C. where is playing hockey, relaxing and working on his Iron Chef skills.
Tyson Gillies, a 21 year old native of Vancouver, was drafted by the Mariners in the 25th round of the 2006 Draft. In 61 games with the AquaSox in 2008, Tyson batted .313 and stole 24 bases. He was named Everett's Player of the Year by the Mariners for 2008.
In 2009 Gillies played for the High Desert Mavericks of the California League. He hit .341 for the Mavericks, stole 44 bases and had a .430 OBP. Tyson's speed helps him stand out from the crowd; on top of his 44 SB, he had 14 triples in 2009. He has experience in all three outfield spots, and is considered a top prospect throughout baseball.
Tyson is also hard of hearing, although he speaks clearly and uses hearing aids in both ears (occasionally removing them when he plays). He has not shied away from taking about his hearing issues as a player, rather choosing to use his position to help serve as a role model for others in the hearing-impaired community.
AquaSox: What is your focus this off-season?
Tyson Gillies: Honestly to just chill out and relax. I just went through my first full season and that's always the biggest grind (so I've been told). It's always great to come back home and be a kid again, although there's always that itch to get back to work again. I love getting to see my family and am still working out to stay strong and lean to help me stay quick on those base paths and healthy through another long season!
AquaSox: What are you up to on a typical day?
Gillies: To be honest at first when I got home I went in to hibernation - some days I didn't get out of bed until after 12! I think I'd forgotten what it was like to sleep during the season. I would wake up and cook myself a huge meal consisting of about five eggs, ham and tons of bacon! I go and walk around the exciting streets of downtown Vancouver. There is always stuff going on and many great stores to shop and look around in. Then depending on the rec center schedule if there is hockey that day I play to get my cardio in. Not too many people know it, but I was a hockey player long before baseball.
Then I head to the gym where I spend most of my time working on my core and shoulder exercises for throwing. I recently found an indoor hitting facility locally that has been great to me. They run a great program there and I have had a chance to teach younger children everything I've been fortunate to learn about the game so far. I wish that I had the facilities and coaching some of these kids had when I was there age. Watching some of these kids grow and progress as young athletes gives me chills. It's an amazing thing to watch and I can see why the coaches in the Mariners organization have such a passion to teach us the game.
After throwing hours of batting practice its time to head home! I come home and cook dinner for everybody (That's kind of my thing when I'm home). After dinner I relax and watch one of the many TV series I've like, drink some tea, head to bed late and then wake up and do it all over again!
AquaSox: In your spare time, what kind of non-baseball activities do you enjoy?
Gillies: I love playing hockey! I really missed the smell of a fresh sheet of ice and the coldness of a hockey arena. It's a great sport and you get such a good workout without even realizing it. I don't really enjoy just getting on a treadmill or going for a long distance run. I like everything to be a sprint and would rather play squash, hockey, or basketball to keep in shape.
I spend a lot of time watching TV series - I tend to watch one episode and then get hooked! I also love to cook. I love to experiment in the kitchen and work to master the ways of the Iron Chef. Some of my favorite dishes to cook are mashed potatoes, pork chops cooked and marinated in mushroom soup (a family favorite) and teriyaki chicken caeser salad. I've recently expanded my menu to lots of fish like sole and salmon. I wrap them in tin foil at a high of 400 degrees. I poke little holes in them so the lemon and butter can sink through, and then sprinkle dill weed and minced garlic for the big finish.
Everyone is so into XBox, Wii, and Playstation, but I'm more of an old school character myself. I have been playing the old Nintendo and super Nintendo and I love it. I think it's because it brings back memories from when I was little.
AquaSox: When do you start training again?
Gillies: The training for me never stops I'm not the type of person that can just sit around all day. I am a very hyper individual (I've been told) so I'm always moving around and pursuing physical activity. I went to the gym the day after I got home from the season. I always just want to keep in shape and be ready for anything that comes at me. I'm not the type who really plays baseball all year around, growing up in Canada where the snow is incredible there's no baseball in winter. Some say it's too bad, but I love being so antsy to get back when season starts. It's such an rush to miss something and always get to do it again. I just love it in Peoria and can't wait to get back there.
AquaSox: What do you miss about Everett?
Gillies: Everett has an amazing atmosphere and great fans. Everyday playing at the stadium there was very exciting and I miss it. It just feels like home, I grew up just up the road in North Vancouver so the rain and dewy grass is what I know. It helped having such good host parents that went out of there way to make me as comfortable as possible and its great to still keep in touch with them and know they will always be around.
AquaSox: What are your goals for 2010?
Gillies: I've never been a crazy goal setter. Every day and every year I go into the game and life with everything I've got. I would say my only goal is to be successful as a person. Knowing myself I won't ever take a day off and will continue to work hard day in and day out. I think if everyone on our team has the approach to want to work hard and learn then we will all be successful.
AquaSox: Favorite restaurant in Seattle/Everett?
Gillies: My favorite place to eat was this little teriyaki chicken spot like right across the street from the stadium. I spent many great times in there hovering over the lunch special! I always got the same thing and would go like three times a week. Just thinking about it has my mouth watering - I'll definitely be back there!
AquaSox: Best minor league stadium?
Gillies: I would have to say Nat Bailey Stadium. Partially because I grew up watching the games and when I was younger I would think about being good enough to step on a field with those guys. The fans there are unbelievable and for a sport like baseball in Canada it comes as a bit of a surprise. It's overwhelming how the sport is growing so fast up here. During batting practice there the crack of the bat echoes throughout the whole stadium it's a great sound that even myself (being hearing impaired) can enjoy and hear clearly!
AquaSox: Best minor league city?
Gillies: I would have to say its Everett. The time I shared there with my team was unbelievable. The group of guys that was there while I was there made all the difference.
AquaSox: Favorite MLB team?
Gillies: My favorite team is the Mariners. They are the closest team to where I live and growing up watching The Kid Ken Griffey Jr. made watching the Mariners very exciting for me.
AquaSox: Favorite Current/All-time MLB player?
Gillies: I can't just choose one here. It's always been Ken Griffey as for many I'm sure. Also I have to choose players like Juan Pierre and Pete Rose because of the hard work, and everything is full speed with those guys; Watching Juan warming up doing around twenty sprints to get ready for the game and hustling everywhere, Pete Rose stretching doubles to triples sliding hard like superman into the bases... These types of players I admire and want to be like.
AquaSox: Super Bowl Prediction?
Gillies: I grew up in Canada so... well...enough said! My best friend once asked me to name five current NFL players and I came up with three. And that was only because I named TO (Terrell Owens) twice! I'm more of a hockey fan then football.
Want to keep up with Tyson?
Check out his new Facebook Fan Page, run by Tyson himself.
Click Here to see more AquaSox in the Off-Season Interviews.