JUSTIN MASTERSON
Personal: 2004 Beavercreek H.S. grad
Age: 29
MLB pitching record: 53-63
Red Sox: 2008-09
Indians: 2009-14
Last season: 13-10, 3.45 ERA
It’s easy to root for Justin Masterson, even if you’re not a Cleveland Indians fan.
The Beavercreek High School graduate returned home this winter for the school’s athletic hall of fame ceremony. Besides being a standout pitcher for the Beavers and a 2004 grad, he’s done even better since.
He’ll make his fourth straight opening-day start for the Indians at Oakland on Monday. He’s unquestionably the ace of the staff in that time since being traded by the Boston Red Sox. He also was an All-Star for the first time last season.
He’s proud of Beavercreek. He embraces his faith, family and baseball. Here’s what he had to say about that and more.
Q: High school hall of fame ceremonies mean a lot of different things to people. How do you wish to be remembered?
A: I’d just like people to remember me as a solid individual. A man of God who turned people in the right way and set a good example. None of that has to do with baseball.
Q: You were this big and burly (6-6, 250 pounds) in high school. Why didn’t you play football or basketball at Beavercreek?
A: I played football one year; seventh grade. I was the backup. I thought, this isn’t really any fun. I played basketball through my sophomore year. Baseball Coach (Rick) Woolf and I went to this scout thing at Anderson (Ind.) College. He said, ‘Yeah, you should play basketball.’ I did well (at Anderson) and he says, ‘You know what? I’ve never said this before but maybe we just do baseball.’ When I was (at Beavercreek) we had such great basketball teams. They didn’t need me.
Q: Are you living the dream?
A: Everyone’s living the dream, right? I’m playing baseball while I’m living my dream and being able to be a father. I have (new-born) twins (a boy and girl). I have one daughter who’s 3. I have a beautiful wife and a great family. Being able to impact lives and setting a good example that God has blessed me with, that’s the dream. I also get to do the dream job while I’m doing that.
Q: Has your faith always been a big part of your life?
A: Yes. That’s the central thing. That’s what drives me and guides me. That’s what helps me stay calm in the midst of troubling times when I give up those grand slams or game-winning home runs.
Q: You injured an oblique muscle last season. How did that work out?
A: They said I probably wouldn’t pitch the rest of the season. I said, yes I will. I was able to make four-five appearances from the bullpen. (Manager Terry Francona) loved it because he’s like, old-days baseball.
A: You have an unusual sidearm, three-quarters and sometimes overhand delivery. What’s your secret?
A: Usually, I’m Mr. Rubber-nub. I was doing some things differently. I was putting some stress on here (he points). I’m not blowing the outside arm, but it alleviates the stress on the shoulder from the elbow. It’s allowed me to pitch well for just under six years now. It’s crazy.
Q: Is that how you pitched at Beavercreek?
A: It was close. I might have been a little bit higher but not much. At times I’d get a little bit lower, but in the overall sense, I was pretty close. I still remember one of my best friend’s dad when I was a young kid would yell at me for going sidearm because I’d get (way) down. So I’d just rise up to about low three-quarters.
Q: You’re all over in your delivery. Do you purposely change angles?
A: It comes and goes. Usually, when we’re at our best we’re about here (he motions, holding a pretend ball below his waist). Every once in a while we get down to here (below that) and sometimes some high ones come out.
Q: We knew you grew up a Reds fan. Is playing at Cleveland the next best thing?
A: They’re die-hard fans. You see what they are with the Browns. That carries over to baseball. They’re waiting for something great. What’s been incredible is to meet a lot of those fans. To bring that hope makes it fun. Being back in Ohio has been pretty cool.
Q: Are you a role model?
A: Athletes say they’re not role models. Hey, we’re all role models. Of course, parents thrust it upon the athletes, but it’s nice to be able to say a parent not only wants to watch me, but wants their kids to think, hey, go about the game the right way and you’ve got a shot. You don’t have to cheat. You may not make it, but you’ve still got a shot.
Q: What’s your after-baseball plan?
A: There are so many things that I enjoy doing and have been blessed with the ability to do. Life after baseball is so much more than life in baseball. I may actually have to finish a degree; that may be the starting point. There could be some coaching. If I had a nice gig at a small college somewhere, a place where you could impact lives. Maybe it’s speaking, but I don’t know. I just want a way to impact lives and not necessarily use that baseball thing. It’s OK to be a man and have some fun and go about things the right way.
Q: Most importantly, how long have you been shaving your head?
A: Since my sophomore year in high school. It was harder on my mom. I always wanted to do it. I was Mr. Clean for Halloween; that was the only way that I could get her to let me do it. Then she liked it and I’ve been doing it every morning since.
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