Your Next Jimmy Scott's High & Tight Monday Morning Interview: Eric Valent

Have you ever been to Japan?  It's a small country with too many people.  But, putting that aside, it's a great country (do you sense a hint of political correctness here?) with many very nice people.  One of the best parts about Japan, if not the very best, is they play a lot of baseball there.  Lots of it.  We know what it's like when we "import" their stars, guys like Dice-K (winner) and Ichiro (hitter) and Hideo Nomo (pitcher) and Hideki Irabu (the Nolan Ryan of Japan who became a "fat pussy toad" in the States).  Do we know what it's like when "our boys," meaning MLB players, go there?  How is the experience?  What happens if you disappoint and get sent down to the Japanese minors? 

(Think movie trailer voiceover now)  There is only one man who can tell us.  (Music begins to swell)  A man who knows no boundaries.  (Additional swelling of music - maybe put some ice on it.)  A man living in a world where baseball isn't a game; it is life.  Who is this American hero? (Swelling music crescendo...louder...louder...stronger...and cut.) 

Eric Valent. 

(Don't think move trailer voiceover anymore.  Think Jimmy Scott now.  Thank you.)  That's right.  Former Phillie and Met Eric Valent will grace your earwaves on the next Jimmy Scott's High & Tight Monday Morning Interview. 

His time in Japan is just a part of the interview.  What about his time with the Mets and his unexpected (in a good way) 2004 season?  And after a season of personal glory, what happened next?  And why, at age 30, did he quit playing baseball to coach?  Where is he coaching?  How did he get that gig?

I love my questions.  They're completely reeling you in.  Even better, you're going to love Eric's answers.  You'll sense that he's smart and you'll hear his plan for world domination.  Well, no, you won't.  But you'll hear his perspectives, which are intriguing, impactful, and engaging. 

So come back Monday for stories of the road and stories about the Mets and stories from a guy who never made millions (so far) but gave an interview worth a many times that.  We're looking forward to seeing you then.  Love you.  Need you.  Want you. 

Jimmy Scott