20 questions with Brian Sikorski

MiLB.com: This year, you returned from a five-year stint playing ball in Japan. How did you go from Triple-A Oklahoma to Japan?

Brian Sikorski: In 2001, I got a call from my agent who said a Japanese scout saw me. They talked to my parent team and went from there. Originally I thought it would be three months, but three months turned into five years (laughs).

MiLB.com: How much of a culture shock was it?

BS: It was difficult at first; I went out there not knowing anyone. The team was allowed to have four foreign players, but they were on the road when I arrived so I spent about a week by myself. But once the other three players returned they helped me adjust.

MiLB.com: What are the differences between American baseball and Japanese baseball?

BS: Here, you think of power hitting and home runs in the Majors. They have that there, but it's more contact, bunting, move the runners along, steal bases.

MiLB.com: So, how well can you now speak Japanese?

BS: (laughs) Not as well as I'd like; enough so I could hold my own if I went out alone. I was pretty spoiled my first three years because my interpreter lived just around the corner, so anything I needed, I'd call him.

MiLB.com: What were your options are far as returning to the Minors while you were still under contract in Japan?

BS: Every year my agent would talk to teams here, but it was hard because I was only home for two weeks each offseason. One year there was an offer for a split season with a Minor League team, but I thought it was better to stay in Japan.

MiLB.com: You're now 31 and are starting back up in Triple-A. Did you ever regret spending so much time in Japan, or even going there in the first place?

BS: Not really, I enjoyed my time there. Five years is a long time, but overall it made me a better pitcher. I was a starter here, but there I did everything; starting, long relief, setup and closing.

MiLB.com: What was the hardest part of being there?

BS: Being away from my family. My wife and son came out to visit after about two months. One year we were pregnant and could only come home for a few days for the birth of our daughter. It was hard leaving her right after.

MiLB.com: You were married at the time you were offered to go to Japan. What was your wife Samantha's reaction?

BS: She's been great through all my Minor League travels. She told me she'd support whatever I wanted to do, which made the decision a little easier. She actually grew to like Japan.

MiLB.com: What was the transition from Japan back to America like?

BS: I was nervous because I wasn't sure how things would be here. I did well in Japan, so I wasn't sure that would transfer back to here, but after a couple of weeks things were back to normal.

MiLB.com: Can you compare Japanese fans with fans here?

BS: The fans there are great. Each team gets its own cheering section, if you call it that, and they're just as into the game as the fans here.

MiLB.com: What was your first impression of the crowds?

BS: Sometimes they bang drums and play horns, so I just thought, "Are you kidding me?"

MiLB.com: What's the best baseball advice you've received and from whom?

BS: There's been a lot over the years. I've had great pitching coaches along the way, so it's hard to narrow one thing down.

MiLB.com: What are your pet peeves?

BS: Being late (laughs). I'm always paranoid of being the one who's going to be late, or miss the bus, so I'm always up like two hours early.

MiLB.com: How do you enjoy being more in the public eye?

BS: If someone wants to come and talk to me, I'll gladly do so, but I'm not in need of all the hype. I kind of like to stay in the back and let my games speak for themselves.

MiLB.com: Who would you most be flattered to hear yourself being compared to?

BS: Anyone really, any established Major League pitcher would be nice. Someone in Japan once told me I reminded them of Mark "The Bird" Fidrych (laughs).

MiLB.com: Why, do you talk to the ball, too?

BS: No, but when I first got there people must've thought I was crazy because I'd run on the field, hop over the lines and grab the ball and start swinging my arm around. The first time I ever did that in Spring Training, my pitching coach came out and asked me if I was OK.

MiLB.com: What's your favorite Minor League promotion?

BS: Over there, in spring and summer games, they would stop the game after the fifth inning to have a fireworks show. It was funny, we'dleave the bullpen and go watch from the stands. They'd wait for the last one, then it was like, "OK, back to the game."

MiLB.com: What advice are you giving to young guys trying to get into professional baseball?

BS: Just have fun and enjoy it, because you never know when it could be over. At any time someone could take that jersey away from you, so make the most of it.

MiLB.com: Who are your biggest baseball and non-baseball influences?

BS: Baseball would be the usuals, like Roger Clemens. Non-baseball would be my family; my wife acts as a pitching coach sometimes, at home (laughs).

MiLB.com: What are your favorite ballparks -- Minor League and Major League -- to pitch in?

BS: I liked Oklahoma's park (SBC Bricktown Ballpark), it was an incredible stadium. I started once in Yankee Stadium, and it was just surreal. To walk down the hall and pass by all those plaques and monuments, that was nice.