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TCB Interview: Brian Bogusevic

HOUSTON - AUGUST 16:  Brian Bogusevic #19 of the Houston Astros watches as he hits a walk-off grand slam in the ninth to beat the Chicago Cubs 6-5 at Minute Maid Park on August 16, 2011 in Houston, Texas.  (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Brian Bogusevic was one of the pleasant surprises for Astro fans this past season. In fact he provided quite possibly the moment of the year for the Astros, on the field with his pinch-hit walk off Grand Slam against the Cubs in mid August.

Brian was gracious enough to take time out of his offseason to answer some questions for us:

Crawfish Boxes: What is the origin of your last name, Bogusevic?

Brian Bogusevic: My last name is Lithuanian. I think that it might actually have been longer at some point in time before my relatives immigrated to the U.S., if you can believe that.

CB: What was the most important thing you learned this past season?

Bogusevic: I think that watching and seeing the amount of preparation that takes place before a game was very important. Everything from watching video, to scouting reports, to defensive meetings take place on an everyday basis.

CB: What was the hardest part switching from a starting pitcher to position player?

Bogusevic: The hardest part was probably just getting my body accustomed to playing on an everyday basis. Playing up to 162 games in a six month period takes a huge toll on you physically.

CB: How much data do the Astros provide in preparation for opponents? and do you prefer having as much data available or just going out and playing?

Bogusevic: There is definitely a lot of data available, and I prefer to have as much information as possible. I think that it can only beneficial to be as prepared as possible.

CB: What kind of waves have the ownership and front office changes meant for you as a player, if any? And have you had the opportunity to meet the new people in charge?

Bogusevic: I had to opportunity to meet our new GM Jeff Luhnow very briefly a couple of days ago, but have not met any of the other new front office members. With where we are as an organization, I think that almost every player is in the same boat in terms of where we stand with the new management. The rebuilding process is about finding guys who can play. We all have to prove that we can be the type of player that they want in order to a part of the long term plan.

CB: What area of your game are you looking to improve upon this upcoming season?

Bogusevic: Everything! Baseball isn't a game in which you can get complacent. I think that everyone who plays this game is always trying to improve every part of their game.

CB: Thank you for your time.

A big thanks again to Brian for taking time out of his rest and relaxation period to answer some questions for us here at TCB. Also, a thank you to Beverly Hills Sports Council for setting up the interview.

If you're not doing so already follow Brian Bogusevic on twitter: www.twitter.com/brianbogusevic and facebook: www.facebook.com/brianbogusevic

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Didn't realize Bogusevic is Lithuanian.

I’ve got a new favorite Astro (I too am of Lithuanian descent).

"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"

by DrewRusse on Jan 11, 2012 7:36 AM CST reply actions  

Awesome

Great job getting this set up, and thanks to Bogusevic for taking the time to answer.

P.S. I’m going to pull my hair out if he isn’t a starter in 2012.

by CRPerry13 on Jan 11, 2012 7:57 AM CST reply actions  

I'm with your p.s.

I LOVE THE ASTROS. Now lets win something!

by ccislanders on Jan 11, 2012 9:23 AM CST via mobile up reply actions  

Same here.

He deserves a shot.

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Jan 11, 2012 9:45 AM CST via mobile up reply actions  

the work he did against lefties during winter ball

might convince Brad Mills to leave him in against lefties more oft….hahaha can’t even keep a straight face over that one. Never going to happen.

SSS suggests Bogusevic might have value in RF just on defense alone. I really have a hard time predicting what he could do in 2012, but I hope he gets a shot.

by AstroB on Jan 11, 2012 10:02 AM CST up reply actions  

I don’t mind platooning Bogusevic. It depends on whom the Astros use for the other half of the platoon. If it’s the main way to get Downs playing time, that is an OK trade off for me. As a LHB, Bogusevic will get the the majority of playing time. There are a lot of moving pieces that could affect Bogey’s playing time, including whether Lee is traded and/or Brett Wallace having a spring training that puts him on the roster. That said, I would like for Bogusevic to get substantial playing time to see if he can live up close to last year’s numbers. I also love Bogusevic’s defense in RF. Hopefully, Bogusevic will have a great spring. Based on what he has said, I think he realizes that it’s open competition for positions and he needs to perform this spring. It’s also seems like he is a good guy.

by clack on Jan 11, 2012 11:57 AM CST up reply actions  

I just posted that on Clack’s fanpost of Martinez also. I hope it is the Astros that claimed him.

by conroestro on Jan 11, 2012 12:21 PM CST via mobile up reply actions  

that would be nice. F-Mart at least gives the fans something to follow and pin their hopes (whether long or short odds) on. With an option remaining, this would make a whole lot of sense.

by clack on Jan 11, 2012 12:38 PM CST up reply actions  

Prepare to start pulling...

I can already see it; Mills is going to platoon him with Bourgeois (yuck).

by mike_o on Jan 11, 2012 11:39 AM CST up reply actions  

Cool interview!

I love hearing/reading this kind of stuff!

Where’s February 20th at?

I LOVE THE ASTROS. Now lets win something!

by ccislanders on Jan 11, 2012 9:26 AM CST via mobile reply actions  

On your calendar, somewhere between the 19th and 21st. Don’t miss it! :)

by CRPerry13 on Jan 11, 2012 10:13 AM CST up reply actions  

I saw on MLBTR last night that Carlos Lee has a few suitors.

I hope Luhnow can make it happen. A Lee trade would give Bogusevic a lot more opportunities at playing time.

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Jan 11, 2012 9:47 AM CST via mobile reply actions  

Awesome job, and a big thanks to Bogusevic.

I’m really rooting for him this year. He’s a badass in the outfield and has shown some monster power.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 12:05 PM CST reply actions  

It's official.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/fernando-martinez-claimed-by-nl-central-team.html

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Jan 11, 2012 1:40 PM CST via mobile reply actions  

The link still says “claimed by NL Central Team”, but the story header now says Astros.

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Jan 11, 2012 1:41 PM CST via mobile up reply actions  

Oh it’s a great claim. What have we got to lose?

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 3:21 PM CST up reply actions  

What is the risk when F-Mart still has a minor league option left? It’s not even like he has to make the big league team out of spring training. I’m with you….I’m overly excited. This gives us something fun to watch and hope for.

by clack on Jan 11, 2012 5:51 PM CST up reply actions  

Second that.

by conroestro on Jan 11, 2012 8:21 PM CST via mobile up reply actions  

Cool to hear from players

I wonder now that he’s interviewed here if he’ll start following the site?

If we’re ever in one of those emergency player has to pitch situations, I like having him around.

by Its Gonna Happen on Jan 11, 2012 3:10 PM CST via mobile reply actions  

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