Aaron Hicks on his evolution, becoming golf pro and why he’s not a 4th OF – New York Post

Yankees outfielder, and golf fanatic, Aaron Hicks takes a swing at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby.

Q: What drives you? A: Probably just the love of the sport of baseball is probably what drives me. And also, I mean, I want to prove people wrong, that Im a good player.

Q: What is the biggest criticism youve heard that bothers you the most? A: I dont want to be considered I want to be a starter. I dont want to be a fourth outfielder. Thats kind of something that I dont like. Im better than a fourth outfielder.

Q: Whats the difference between the Aaron Hicks we see today and the one the Twins gave up on after the 2015 season? A: I dont know, Im just more confident. Im confident in my approach. From spring training I was trying to hit for power this year and being able to drive the baseball. When I was in Minnesota, I was just trying to have a good approach into making solid contact at the big league level and telling myself that I belong there.

Q: Are you on your way to reaching your personal goals for this season? A: I think Im off to a good start.

Q: And what were those goals? A: Theyre personal goals!

Q: Career goals? A: I just kind of want to be a player that people remember.

Q: Describe teammate Aaron Judge. A: He looks like a confident player.

Q: Whats it like watching him in batting practice? A: It kind of hurts your neck (laugh).

Q: Gary Sanchez. A: He wants you to run just so he can throw you out. Hes an amazing catcher.

Q: How good do you think this team is? A: This team is very good. Its a dangerous team. A combination of veteran players and young players that are hungry and that they want to win.

Q: This team is for real? A: Very for real.

Q: What is your on-field mentality? A: Im a relaxed player while Im playing. I mean, when something pumps me, Im gonna be excited, thats for sure.

Q: What is your favorite catch? A: Probably my rookie year [2013] against Adam Dunn, when I robbed him of a home run.

Q: Youve robbed a few guys of home runs. What was special about that one? A: That was my first one ever.

Q; How great a feeling is that? A: Its an amazing feeling! When you see the guys face that thought they had a homer and now they dont its awesome.

Q: You threw out Oaklands Danny Valencia out at home from left field with a record 105.5 mph bullet in April 2016. You threw 97 as a high school pitcher. Were colleges looking at you as a pitcher? A: Yeah, but I told everybody that I dont want to pitch.

Q: Why dont you like pitching? A: I dont know, I just dont enjoy it. I like playing every day.

Q: You were criticized publicly in Minnesota for not knowing who the opposing starting pitcher was. A: Yeah. Guys would tell me and Id go look at video of him.

Q: Did that bother you, being criticized publicly like that? A: Not really, because that just comes with knowing how to become a big leaguer.

Q: Who is one pitcher in history you would want to test your skills against? A: [Clayton] Kershaw.

Q: If you could pick the brain of one hitter in history A: Ted Williams.

Q: Describe Rod Carews influence. A: He helped me out a lot when I was in the minor leagues. He helped me out a lot with bunting.

Q: What specifically did he work on with you other than bunting? A: Being able to drive the ball to left-center.

Q: Describe Yankees fans. A: Passionate fans.

Q: Who are athletes in other sports you admire? A: I enjoyed Tiger Woods coming up, just because of the dominance and he kind of changed the way golf athletes perform nowadays with weightlifting, and hitting the ball very far away.

Q: Does it sadden you, all the troubles hes gone through? A: Of course. I just cant wait for him to get back to the old Tiger and back on the course.

Q: Do you think hell win another major one day? A: Yeah. I mean, he has to stay fully healthy though to be able to do it. I dont know, theres some really good young players (chuckle). Theyre not gonna make it easy.

Q: What is your favorite golf course? A: I dont know, I played Hudson the other day. Thats an amazing course.

Q: How so? A: Just the view of the Hudson River, and just the course layout was awesome. The greens were amazing.

Q: Is turning pro one day something youve thought about or dreamed about? A: Of course! Yeah, definitely. Id love to try to make it.

Q: But you want to play baseball for a long time first. A: Yes!

Q: Other than you, who is the best Yankees golfer? A: Tyler Clippard.

Q: How good is he? A: Hes like a scratch golfer.

Q: And what are you? A: Im like a 1.

Q: Who was your boyhood idol? A: Torii Hunter.

Q: What did the Urban Youth Academy mean to you? A: It just gave me the guidance that I needed to become a better baseball player.

Q: Three dinner guests? A: Martin Luther King, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson.

Q: Favorite movie? A: 61*.

Q: Favorite actor? A: Denzel Washington.

Q: Favorite actress? A: Scarlett Johansson.

Q: Favorite singer/entertainer? A: John Legend.

Q: Favorite meal? A: In-N-Out Burger.

Q: Flowers for your mother on Sunday? A: Flowers, of course.

Q: How would you describe your mother? A: She loves her kids. Shes someone that will always be there for them.

Visit link:

Aaron Hicks on his evolution, becoming golf pro and why he's not a 4th OF - New York Post