Hurley shared some of his thoughts the next day:
Q: What have the last 24 hours been like?
A: Chaotic. I took my last final (Tuesday) morning, and after that I was making last-minute stops in Columbus and the Ohio State weight room. Then I had to be back in Springboro by 8 p.m. to pick up a moving van with my dad. I tried to stay busy, but no matter what I did all day, I was thinking about the draft.
Q: How did you find out who picked you?
A: I left the weight room and came back to my Columbus apartment at about 6 p.m. I saw the 21st and 22nd rounds, then started driving (to Springboro). I had a text message from my agent (Joe Bick) saying it looked like the A's were getting ready to take me. Then I called my mom (Patty Hurley) and she's freaking out. And then there was another text from my agent saying Detroit was getting ready to take me. I'm like, 'OK, sweet.' Then there was a third text from my agent, sent to him by the guy who drafted me, Rich Sparks of the A's.
Q: What was your mom's role in all this?
A: My mom watched every round waiting to hear my name. My dad was on his way back from Cincinnati and we were relaying messages to him. When I got by the Springboro exit, my mom called me and I couldn't understand a word she was saying. She was screaming. I'm like, 'Calm down and tell me who and what round.' Shortly after that, Rich called me, we talked for a little bit and I thanked him for the opportunity to continue playing baseball.
Q: What happened next?
A: I got home and I must have had 70 text messages and I tried to answer some of them. Then my dad and I drove the moving van to Columbus. We got there at 11 p.m. to move my stuff out. Then we came back to Springboro and unloaded the stuff in the garage. I went to bed about 3:30.
Q: You were drafted in the 45th round last year by the Florida Marlins but opted to return to school. Clearly that was the right move.
A: It's exactly what I wanted to do — take the summer off, which I did, and focus on having a good year. I went from 45th to 29th. My goal had been to be picked in the top 10 rounds, but that didn't happen. This year I just wanted to go on day two so I wouldn't have to sweat bullets again with my career on the line like last year.
Q: Scouts question your ability to play center field and say you might not have the power to make it as a corner outfielder. Where do the A's see you playing?
A: I have no clue. At Ohio State I played all three outfield spots. I feel I could play center. I honestly don't have a clue where they will put me. I guess I'll find out. I just want to be on the lineup card each day.
Q: Have the A's heard about how you helped orchestrate the sacrifice of an already-dead chicken to help the Buckeyes out of a slump, similar to a scene in the movie Major League?
A: No, but everyone got the biggest kick out of that when (the Dayton Daily News) wrote about it. It's something I'll have to bring up. Maybe that's enough to increase my signing bonus.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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