Q & A with Chris Hanners – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
From hitting the ball off the tee as a youngster to pitching left-handed against the top high school and collegiate teams in the nation, Ohio State junior Chris Hanners past, present and future have been and will be defined by baseball. Undeterred by injury or defeat, Hanners’ ambition and discipline reflect his willingness to serve and lead his team and do whatever it takes to keep playing the sport that he loves.
What other sports did you play when you were younger?
“I played baseball, basketball and a little football when I grew up. My dad was my football and baseball coach and with two other brothers, all we did was play sports. We also lived out in the country and had a big back yard, so we always had land around us to go outside and use for sports.”
What attracted you to baseball?
“I started playing tee-ball when I was 5 and since I was left-handed, I started pitching when I was 9. Baseball had always been in my family, with one of my uncles owning a minor league team and my great uncle actually playing for the New York Yankees. Baseball has always been a focal point in my family, and again, as a left-handed pitcher, it only seemed natural for me to stick with the sport.”
How did your father and your great-uncle Roger Hanners, left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees in the 1950s, affect your baseball aspirations?
“My dad has always been my baseball coach and Roger was someone I could relate to as a left-handed pitcher. Having my dad as a baseball coach made me a tougher athlete and a more disciplined pitcher. He was fair to everyone, but had higher expectations for his son and pushed me hard. I learned to work hard and give it my best at all times from my dad.”
What were your experiences playing in the summer collegiate leagues for the Mat-su Minors in the Alaskan League and the Delaware Cows in the Great Lakes League?
“Being a freshman at the time in Alaska, I was scared a little to be so far from home, but I was on a good team and in a good league. I got to get away from home, became a little more independent and got focused on baseball, especially since there was not much else to do out there. I really enjoyed playing for the Cows the summer of my sophomore year. I was on a great team and my family could come watch my games.”
Why did you choose to attend Ohio State?
“I am originally from Groveport, Ohio, and I just grew up around the Buckeyes. When I was looking at schools, I went on several visits to schools with good attributes, but deep down I always knew I wanted to be at Ohio State. My family also was going to be near by and Ohio State just fit as the best place for me.”
Does your family attend the games?
“My parents very rarely miss any of my games. They travel to as many away games as they can and try to make it to the home games, but having two other brothers playing baseball can make it difficult sometimes. They try to split it pretty evenly among their sons and all three of us can always count on their support.”
How are you a role model for your brothers?
“My brothers are each individuals with their own goals. We all have similar goals, though, and they have always been able to look up to me. We all support each other equally and watch each other’s games when we can. We are all there for each other, regardless of the game or level of competition.”
Who is your No. 1 fan?
“My parents are my No. 1 fans. When they attend home games, they always sit in the same seats. I always know they are there and where to look from the mound to see them. They aren’t extremely loud, but in my head when I am pitching, I can always hear my mom yelling. She is the first person I look at when I do something good or bad, but regardless, I know both of my parents will be there for me.”
How did it feel pitching six innings of scoreless relief against UAB your first time on the mound as a Buckeye your freshman year?
“It was an atmosphere which could have been overwhelming, but as soon as I went out to the mound and kicked my nervousness after the first inning, it was like any other game I had played. I figured that I wouldn’t be on the mound if I wasn’t good enough, so I carried that inner-confidence with me at that game. I had a good outing and started on the right foot for my freshman year.”
What would you like to accomplish while playing for the Buckeyes?
“Every athlete who has played for coach (Bob) Todd has walked away with a Big Ten championship ring. My goal is to walk away with that league ring and maybe even make it to Omaha for the College World Series before my time is done at Ohio State.”
How do you deal with rowdy or animated fans at away games while you are pitching?
“When you play down south, like at Mississippi State or Auburn, you run into people that create a more hostile environment to play. They just give the visiting team a harder time and never stop ragging on us. But all it does is get me fired up. It doesn’t put me down personally in my mind, but makes me more excited to throw and do well against the opposing team. I use their negative energy in a positive way as a pitcher.”
Fellow Buckeye Paul Farinacci has called you the team’s best dresser. Where do you get your fashion sense?
“I actually try to dress like Paul Farinacci and copy his care-free California clothing style. California is where all the stars live and that’s the look I am going for. And if Paul can dress like the stars, then that is what I want to look like.
Do you have any other nicknames?
“Everyone calls me ‘P-hammers.’ It got started from Mike Rabin and then my roommates starting calling me that. I also got a dog recently and gave him that same nickname. Now when my roommates say ‘P-hammers,’ we both look.”
What kind of music do you enjoy warming up to?
“I am a big hip-hop fan and I love techno. Every year, my warm up music has been techno and Coach Todd hates it. When I go out to pitch, my music puts me in the right mindset. Then as I warm up with my music, I can glance around the field and see my teammates bobbing their heads up and down to the music. I think it gets everyone loosened up.”
