Dunio : One on One with Pirates Catcher Tony Sanchez

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Tony Sanchez was drafted 4^th overall in the 2009 draft. He made his major league debut with the Pirates on June 23^rd after having a breakout season in AAA Indianapolis where he hit .288 with 10 HR and 42 RBI in only 76 games.

Sanchez has quickly become a fan favorite because of his willingness to interact with fans and his pure candidness on social media outlets like Twitter. In fact, there might not be a better major leaguer to follow on Twitter than @Tony26Montana if you are looking for a blend of major league insight and humor.

Sanchez was gracious enough to spend 15 minutes with me discussing a variety of topics from major league life to teammates and expectations for the remainder of the season.

Justin Dunio: Explain how you felt the first time you were introduced as “Pirates Catcher, Tony Sanchez”.

Tony Sanchez: Its honestly indescribable, there’s nothing like realizing that 15 years of hard work has finally paid off. I understand that I still have a lot to learn and there is much more to accomplish, but no one can ever take that first game away from me. Seeing my face on the jumbo tron as they announced the defensive positions gave me the chills.

JD: When did you realize that a professional baseball career was a real possibility?

TS: Not until after my freshman year of college. I went into BC extremely overweight and out of shape, but still managed to play extremely well all season as a freshman. One day a scout came up to me and asked me how much I weighed. Of course I lied and took off about 15-20 lbs but he still asked me if I was going to work on that for him. That was kind of the point where I realized professional baseball could be a possibility if I got myself into shape.

JD: Did you have a player or multiple players that you idolized growing up?

TS: I’ve always loved Pudge [Ivan Rodriguez] and Benito Santiago. I try to mimic the way I set up back there the way they did. I learned a lot as a young catcher watching those guys. Growing up in Miami, I watched a lot of UM games and to this day Greg Lovelady is my favorite catcher.

JD: Favorite perk of being a major leaguer over a minor leaguer?

TS: Chartered flights, meal money, salary, stadiums, exposure, respect. Take your pick, it’s impossible to nail it down to just one perk.

JD: Most memorable moment as a major leaguer?

TS: My career is still young but I would say nothing made me happier than catching [Brandon] Cumpton in my debut and shutting out the Cardinals.

JD: You were drafted 4th overall by the Pirates in 2009. How did you feel about being drafted by a team that was amidst their 17th consecutive losing season?

TS: That really had no effect on how happy I was to get drafted. I don’t even think the streak crossed my mind at the time.

JD: You’ve mentioned before that you’re learning as much as you can from Russell Martin. What makes him such a good mentor for you?

TS: The guy is just one of the best. He takes as much pride in his defensive abilities as [Michael] Mckenry and I do and is willing to help us in any way possible. He’s been extremely open to help the both of us. I’ll ask him things all the time during games and whether he’s catching or I’m catching I’ll get an answer.

JD: You make yourself very accessible to fans and this has made you a fan favorite. What drives you to interact with fans as well as you do?

TS: My mentor in college once told me to give everyone a reason to like you. I enjoy making people happy and if interacting with them on twitter or at the ballpark while signing autographs does that, than that’s the least I can do.

JD: Nothing goes unnoticed in a major league dugout. You’ve been caught on camera eating, picking your nose, etc. Anything else we should be prepared for?

TS: Unfortunately, the best has yet to come.

JD: You’ve become Franciso Liriano’s personal catcher lately. You’ve been behind the plate for his last 4 starts and he’s posted video game-like stats. How have you and Liriano developed such great chemistry?

TS: I’ve only done so well with him because I’ve watched him and Russell work together. Learned what he likes to throw in certain counts and what he likes to put guys away with. I’ll continue to take that same learning path with every one of our pitchers.

JD: You have the only vote that matters for the Cy Young. Does your vote go to Clayton Kershaw, Matt Harvey, or Francisco Liriano?

TS: Kershaw already has one, Harvey has plenty of time to win a few. What Franky [Liriano] has done after missing the first month and a half… He deserves it.

JD: The 79′ World Series winning Pirates had great team chemistry. The 2013 Pirates appear to have similar magic. Can you describe what chemistry does for a clubhouse, if anything?

TS: Good chemistry makes the grind of a long season much more enjoyable. Everyone pulling for one another, all 25 guys with one goal in mind, having each others backs. That’s a dangerous recipe for success.

JD: Speaking of the 79′ champs, Willie “Pops” Stargell was a player many teammates looked up to. Do the 13′ Pirates have a “Pops”?

TS: I look up to every guy in that clubhouse. So it’s hard to narrow it down to just one. Everyone brings something to the table.

JD: The Pirates went from worst in 2012 to first in 2013 at throwing out base stealers – a 20% improvement. How did the club make such a drastic transformation?

TS: We just put a huge emphasis on controlling the running game and having our pitchers give us a chance to throw guys out. They bought into it and its obviously been a huge part of our success.

JD: Pirates pitching has been among the best in the majors all season. How significant of a role does pitching coach Ray Searage play in the pitching staff’s success?

TS: Extremely significant. Not only has he played a major role in the success of everyone on that staff, buts he’s also made the transition from Indy to Pittsburgh for me as smooth as possible. Whether its making sure we’re all prepared for each game or just reassuring us how good of a job we’re doing, Ray has been a very important guy in that clubhouse.

JD: It seems likely that you’ll be part of the first winning season in the last 20 years for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Is this something that’s discussed in the clubhouse?

TS: Not at all. But it’s on everyone’s mind. We’re not settling for just that 82nd win though. We want the division.

Tony Sanchez is one of the MLB’s “good guys” and he’s a pro’s pro. Sanchez has the ability and the frame of mind to become a mainstay for the Pittsburgh Pirates for many years to come. Hats off to Tony and best wishes to finishing what’s been a magical season so far in Pittsburgh.