Q & A with Justin Myers – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
After being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds out of small Scottown High School in Scottown, Ohio, Ohio State sophomore pitcher Justin Myers decided to put his professional career on hold so he could get stronger and improve. He suffered a major set-back during his first season, tearing a ligament in his pitching elbow that would require surgery and months of rehabilitation. Now, after nearly two years, Myers is rounding back into form and ready to move forward, whether it is on the baseball diamond or in sociology, his major.
What is life like in Scottown, Ohio?
“It’s about as far south in Ohio as you can get. It’s a real small town – real close to the river. It’s friendly. I pretty much know everybody in the whole town.”
What was it like to be drafted in the 35th round by the Cincinnati Reds following graduating from high school?
“They contact you, tell you what is going on and make you an offer. Then you just go from there, keep talking and figure out what your options are. Even before I was drafted I was thinking more about going to college, then I came up here to visit and liked what I saw. I figured I wasn’t ready for the pros yet, so I came here to develop a little more and get stronger. My mechanics weren’t very good. I just relied mainly on speed.”
How would you describe yourself as a pitcher?
“It’s tough to say. I am definitely a fastball pitcher. I rely a lot on my speed, like I said. I’ve got a good curveball. Mostly, I just rely on throwing strikes.”
How did you hurt your elbow?
“Coming from a small school I went to, I had to pitch a lot. I think I just pitched way too much. There was wear and tear. The doctors said it was actually torn in high school. I think I originally injured it during my junior year, and it just eventually tore when I got here.”
What did you go through after having surgery to repair the tendon in your elbow in October 2001?
“A lot of rehab everyday – day in, day out, seven days a week. It took me almost two years of rehab. It was probably six months before I could do anything. Right after surgery I just stretched it for probably a month. That’s basically all we did. Then I started in with weights, trying to get a little more strength back. Then I moved to elastic armbands. After that it was throwing and staying on that rehab program. I’m still doing it today.”
Does an injury like this stay with you for the rest of your career?
“Yes. You have got to keep (the elbow) strong. It’s very easy to injure it again. I have to keep it strong or it will get weak again.”
Has coming back from this injury changed the way you pitch?
“No, not at all. I’m still throwing hard. It did take me a long time to trust my arm again. That was probably the biggest thing. I was just afraid to throw hard, to cut it loose. It was at least six months after I was back to regular pitching before I wasn’t afraid. It took me a long time, basically all summer (2002).”
How have your appearances this year felt in comparison to last year when you were only able to make four appearances?
“Really good. I’m a lot more confident. I have felt a lot different. I’ve thrown a lot harder. To tell you the truth, I think my arm is stronger than it has ever been, but none of my pitches have changed.”
Your major is sociology. Why did you choose sociology?
“I like dealing with people. If you’re in sociology, you can do just about anything with people. Sociology is kind of a broad subject. Maybe later I can get into some criminology. That’s what I am hoping for.”
How long have you enjoyed dealing with people?
“Always. Like I said, I come from a small town where I know everybody and I’m always socializing with them. It’s just one of the habits I have picked up.”
Why criminology?
“Any kind of police work is very interesting to me. I always watch (television) shows about cops, like ‘Law and Order.'”
What else do you enjoy doing in your free time?
“I just basically hang around with my roommate, Trent (Luyster). We always talk about baseball stuff. It is relaxing.”
Do you have a favorite Major League baseball player, or one you try to emulate?
“Yes, Pedro Martinez. I try to mock him in everything, except for the long hair he has now.”
Are there any players besides Pedro Martinez you like to watch and pick up pitching tips from?
“I read a lot of Nolan Ryan books. He’s probably the best pitcher ever. His books always talk about how he mentally prepares for games. That’s a big thing. Also, I know Roger Clemens works out all the time. Knowing that helps me get in the weight-room every day.”
