Wilmer Flores
Young Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores took a swing at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: Who are some shortstops you like to watch?
A: I like watching [Troy] Tulowitzki. First of all, he’s tall — he’s real tall — he’s a big guy for playing short, and all the plays he makes, and I don’t know, being so tall. I see him like me. ... I like this guy from the Phillies, Freddy Galvis. I’ve seen that guy a lot, and he can play short.
Q: Can Wilmer Flores play short?
A: Is he playing right now (smile)?
Q: What’s been the biggest difference compared to second or third base?
A: I think everybody makes mistakes, and they’re gonna happen. You just let it go and make the next play. People have to understand that you’re gonna make mistakes.
Q: Where do you think you’ve made the biggest improvement?
A: Getting through all that. I know I can catch the ball, I know I can throw it. ... Just how you react to the mistakes that you make.
Q: Is shortstop your best position, or second or third?
A: I can play them all.
Q: There has been talk that one day you could become a left fielder. Have you ever played the outfield?
A: I’ve never played the outfield.
Q: Have you read that at all?
A: I don’t want to read things. Q: Even good things?
A: Even good things. That’s in the past.
Q: You live by yourself in Kew Gardens. Do you cook for yourself?
A: Not really. I just have breakfast at home. ... I mean, I cook eggs ... cereal, some fruit.
Q: How come you don’t have a girlfriend?
A: Have to find the right one (smile). ... It’s not easy to find the right one when you’re playing baseball, ’cause not every girl will be able to support this — being away, and traveling, you know? You just gotta find one that you like, that she’s gonna be able to help you and support you.
Q: So you think Derek Jeter was smart for not getting married his entire career?
A: Or maybe he didn’t find the right one. Q: What’s it like playing behind Bartolo Colon? A: Watching that guy throw, it’s a lot of fun. I mean, 42 years old, and still throwing like he does, it’s pretty amazing. Q: What’s it like playing behind those young arms?
A: It’s not a fun night for the other team. It wouldn’t be fun. First of all, they throw hard. They got the talent. And they know how to pitch.
Q: You’re on pace to hit 20 home runs possibly. Is that a goal?
A: No. It’s not my goal. If I do, I do, but I’m not trying to hit homers.
Q: How do you like playing in New York?
A: It’s fun. It’s really fun. At the same time, it’s a challenge, ’cause it’s a big city.
Q: Describe Mets fans. A: They’re awesome. The support that we get from them, it’s huge. Winning in New York, it’s amazing. They get real excited.
Q: What would you want to tell Mets fans about Wilmer Flores?
A: [I’m] just a common guy (chuckle) that just plays baseball.
Q: You’re known as a clutch hitter. Do you concentrate more in those situations? A: Not really. Not really. I’m thinking the same thing I’m thinking when I have no men on base.
Q: How homesick you were when you first got here?
A: My first year was horrible. I was always at home when I was little. I never went away for even a few days. And now I had to go away for six months. I even thought about going back home again. I was hitting good and everything, but I wanted to go home.
Q: Why didn’t you go home? A: I talked to my dad. My grandmother, she was always telling me that she was missing me, and that was one of the reasons I wanted to go home. Q: You didn’t know the English language at that point either, did you?
A: No I didn’t. I felt so uncomfortable in this country. I couldn’t talk to anyone, I couldn’t do nothing. Thank God we had some Latin coaches helped us, but I couldn’t be by myself. I couldn’t talk to anyone.
Q: Did you ever have an embarrassing moment ordering food or anything? A: There was one time, I had an embarrassing moment in, I think it was McDonald’s (smile). ... I ordered No. 1, and she said some things, and I said, “OK, yes, yes, yes.” She gave me like four combos instead.
Q: And all you wanted was what?
A: Just one (smile).
Q: You couldn’t eat four combos.
A: No. I just gave it to my other roommate. Got home and said, “Hey, I brought you some food.” (laugh).
Q: Are you recognized when you go out?
A: Oh yeah, sometimes. I just don’t go out that much. Q: How come?
A: I don't know. ... I'm just here to play baseball (laugh).
Q: Are you a U.S. citizen?
A: Not yet. The process is on right now, but it takes a while.
Q: What was it like for you when manager Terry Collins sat you down for two games.
A: He was just trying to help me, and he did.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Mom and dad and my little brother.
Q: What’s your brother’s name?
A: Wilmer DeJesus.
Q: And your name is Wilmer ...
A: Alejandro.
Q: How old is he?
A: He’s 14.
Q: So if you’re at home, and your mom or dad says, “Wilmer!” how do you know who it is?
A: No, we don’t call him Wilmer. They call him Chiquito, that’s his nickname, and they call me Catire.
Q: What does that mean?
A: Like blonde.
Q: You’re not blonde though.
A: I was (laugh). When I was little, I was.
Q: Does your brother play baseball?
A: He’s a pitcher. People say he’s gonna end up pitching, but he can hit, and he can play some third and first. He’s big. He’s gonna be taller than me.
Q: Would you like him to join you on the Mets one day?
A: Yeah, definitely. Why not? It’s not like I want him to be a baseball player. If it’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen.
Q: Is this team a playoff team?
A: Yes it is.
Q: Why do you say that?
A: We got everything we need.
Q: Do you think you can be a star here in New York?
A: I believe I do.
Q: Because?
A: Because I’m good.