Q-and-A with Shane Zegarac, Windy City ThunderBolts
June 21, 2012 7:32PM
Shane Zegarac, Windy City ThunderBolts. | Steve Millar~For Sun-Times Media
Updated: July 23, 2012 7:47AM
Zegarac is a native of Lansing and a product of T.F. South and St. Joseph’s College (Ind.). He pitched in four games for the T-Bolts in 2009 before being signed with the Texas Rangers and also made six appearances for Windy City last year in an injury-shortened season. The lefty recently became the team’s closer.
You’re off to a great start (1.80 ERA in 15 appearances, 2 saves). What’s been working well for you?
I just try to throw every day and work on something new every day. You never know if you’re going to pitch or not, but every day you try to get a little better. So far, I’ve been able to get some ground balls and let my fielders play defense behind me.
How good does it feel to be healthy?
Yeah, it’s nice. In the past year I’ve spent a lot of time in therapy and rehab for my ankle and elbow. It’s kind of a sweet relief to be back out there pitching and be healthy again.
What’s it been like pitching close to home?
It’s nice. We have guys from all over the country here living with host families. I get to live at home still and get to go home and sleep in my own bed every night. Every day, I check my phone and I get text messages telling me to leave tickets. People saying “I’m coming and I’m bring so and so.” It’s fun having a good fan base here.
What are your best memories from T.F. South?
That was a long time ago! (Laughs). In 2003, we were pretty good and we won a bunch of games. We had a good time with a good group of guys, having all my friends on the team. I enjoyed it a lot.
Do you have any superstitions?
I don’t know if it counts as a superstition, but I like to talk to my infielders a lot when I’m on the mound. It keeps me loose and relaxed and lets you have a good time.
Is it baseball talk or random stuff?
It’s both. Sometimes it’s baseball stuff, sometimes it might just be something different to help me take my mind off it or help them take their mind off it.
What’s your favorite baseball movie?
“For Love of the Game.” It’s a good one. It’s a pitcher going out there and doing his thing and thinking about other stuff to take his mind off it, like I do.
If you had to go on one reality show, which would you pick?
You wouldn’t want to be on “The Surreal Life” or “Celebrity Rehab” or any of those. Oh, I would go on “The Bachelor.” That’s good, obviously.
What’s on your iPod?
A lot of country, a lot of ’80s, some rap. Right now, I’ve been listening to a lot of Eric Church.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Obviously, tropical places are nice. Everyone wants to be on a warm beach. But I think Alaska would be cool. I’d love to go on a hunting and fishing trip up there.
As told to Steve Millar
