San Diego Padres star Fernando Tates Jr. is close to a comeback, he revealed in an interview with FanSided.
After a doctor’s visit on Tuesday afternoon, San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tates Jr. is close to getting clearance to start full swings. And when he finally returns, one of baseball’s biggest stars will immediately join one of the best teams in baseball.
Join Tatis Jr. To The Baseball Insiders Podcast on Tuesday to talk about his recovery, and how his life has changed since his signing. 14-year contract worth $340 millionhis relationships with Damien Lillard and Sammy Sosa and what it was like to be traded by the Chicago White Sox in 2016.
Fernando Tates Jr. discusses rehabilitation after injury in an interview with FanSided
How do you feel?
Fernando Tates Jr. : Everything is looking good today. I had one of those meetings where I met the doctors. Moving forward, I feel like we’re in a really good position now.
It was a learning process. …I feel like we’re managing ourselves. Our doctor does a great job. I feel like we’re moving forward now. It comes together. I am one step behind. I feel like this step is going to come really quickly at this pace.
You have played baseball since you were 8 years old. How difficult is this for you?
Tates Junior: It was difficult. It was difficult. I didn’t miss that much time on the field. It’s a terrible feeling. I just want to be there. I want to be with the boys I have another 12 years with the Padres, so you have to be smart and not rush.
You mentioned that you signed for another 12 years. How has your life changed since you signed a $340 million contract?
Tates Junior: You’re more comfortable financially, but it’s really a great compromise. How will you prepare yourself for the future? What kind of legacy will you leave behind? I only think about baseball and I don’t have to focus on anything else and everything will take care of itself.
Let’s go back to the time when you were a kid and hanging out at the club with your dad. Do you remember anyone who stands out as being super cool to you?
Tates Junior: I have more memories of when (Fernando Tates Sr.) was with the Mets. I remember that Jose Reyes always had fun with me and my little brother. Owner Bagan has always been such a wonderful man to us and my family. I had Carlos Beltran too. Most of the Latino guys were very close to my dad and they were really cool to us. This was a great club and a very good team.
Has this affected the way you play/interact with fans?
Tates Junior: surely. It gives you a great feeling I was a fan when I was a kid and now I can interact with people and fans. I remember this feeling. I remember how I felt. It gives me a little more motivation and that 10-15 seconds will probably make an impact on someone for the rest of their life.
Who are some of the players you have been looking forward to growing?
Tates Junior: When I was a kid, I looked up to a lot of guys. I feel like my game has little bits of these guys. Derek Jeter. Jose Reyes. Hanley Ramirez. A-Rod. These guys were the main people who grew up. I haven’t talked much to these guys about baseball, but one guy I call the “godfather” of baseball is Robinson Cano. This is the mind I chose the most. He knows a lot about batting, a lot about baseball and how to slow down the game. Getting the chance to learn from a guy like this is huge.
Do you look at the second half like “I’m coming back, this team is in the right place. Why can’t we win the world championship this year?”
Tates Junior: surely. This is the mentality of everyone here. The way this team plays, the players we’ve got, how the team keeps going without key players.
We’ve already mentioned the joy you have in the playground. An ESPN headline reads “Fernando Tates Jr. Brings Joy to Baseball.” When you hear that, what goes through your mind?
Tates Junior: This is madness. This is madness. Every time I’m in the park, you just try to be that kid who used to watch his dad play, and you want to turn the rules on the playground and slide no matter what. When I’m in the field, I have the same memories. The same feeling in my heart. Every time I’m there I try to give it my all.
On a lighter note: I had a little birdie tell me you had an affair with Damien Lillard. Is this accurate?
Tates Junior: I know him and we talked a little. When he was doing well during the season, I would text him like ‘keep playing’. Last year, when I was doing well, he would text me “Keep on being a killer.” When people like it… you know they’re watching and I feel like that’s really cool for us athletes.
Your #1 choice: LeBron James or Steve Curry. Who do you take?
Tates Junior: You are making it difficult. I love Steve, but this time I have to go with LeBron.
What was your reaction when you were traded with White Sox? Were you upset? Excited to reach the major leagues?
Tates Junior: You always have that feeling for the team that gave you the first opportunity to participate in the game as a professional player. I really appreciate the White Sox for giving me a chance. They traded me off knowing it’s part of the game. This is difficult for me. I was only 17 years old when I was traded. I didn’t even play my first professional match. I was like, “Am I obnoxious?” It was a new experience. I really hugged him.
Do you know who you were traded to?
Tates Junior: James Shields.
Sami Sosa is also from San Pedro de Macorís. Do you remember watching it as a kid?
Tates Junior: surely. Who doesn’t remember Sami? I feel he was one of those guys who brought joy to the game the way he played the character he was playing on the court. Especially for us Dominicans from the same hometown. I was at his house this off season talking about batting and how I can take it from 40 to 60. It was a really good conversation.
What are some things I tell you about spanking?
Tates cs: It was more of a mentality. He said, “I don’t need to fix anything in the house panel.” It’s mental and grinding. How do you go from being happy with one home run to trying to hit 2-3 in one night? How to be more than a killer. How to keep fit. How to stay comfortable inside yourself at the plate. It was really deep and wonderful conversations about spanking.
Tatis Jr. spoke. With FanSided on behalf of Dairy Queen and the new Summer Blizzard roster.
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