Renegade Rip

Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Erik Aguilar

Nathan Albert is a sophomore pitcher for the Bakersfield College baseball team. He was drafted in last June's draft by the New York Yankees in the 45th round. Albert has a passion and commitment for the game of baseball. No matter what is going on in his life, Albert always has fun on the baseball field.
Head coach Tim Painton used the words "power arm" to describe Nathan Albert. "He is a guy that was blessed with an above average arm," said Painton. "He's a guy that shows up and tries to do his job. The ceiling is the limit for him."
Renegade: Where were you born?
Nathan Albert: I was born in Bakersfield, California, in 1987
RR: What position do you play?
NA: Pitcher.
RR: Do you consider yourself a pretty good pitcher?
NA: I like to think that, I do my best.
RR: How long have you been playing baseball?
NA: Basically my whole life since I was five.
RR: Any favorite memories in your baseball career?
NA: Getting drafted was pretty good. I will always remember that.
RR: How were you drafted by the Yankees?
NA: I was out here playing last year when a scout came up to me and said he liked what he saw. I got an information packet and a business card with his name on it.
At the end of the season when the draft was coming up I was informed that I was most likely going to be drafted at that time. I did not know by whom. The day of the draft I got a phone call. It was a scout for the Yankees calling me saying we just drafted you.
RR: How did you feel after you got drafted?
NA: I was happy. I wasn't going crazy over it. I told my family about it. I didn't want to make a huge deal out of it.
RR: What inspires you?
NA: I guess you can say my family. I kind of motivate myself. I want to go out there and try and do better than last time. Every time I go out there I like to do one step better than the last game.
RR: Do you have any superstitions, wash your socks, play with the same glove; why?
NA: I try not to be too superstitious but most games when I pitch I'll wear the same attire to the ballpark. I'll wear sweats and a hoodie. I wear that when I throw. It's something I did the first couple of games. I just kept doing it.
RR: If you don't mind me asking, why didn't you sign with the Yankees? Did it have anything to do with wanting to improve your draft status?

Continued...

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