The P-DQ: Joe Thurston
DOWNTOWN — In the St. Louis Cardinals’ lineup Brian Barden and Joe Thurston often share a position, and in the Cardinals’ clubhouse they share the same area, their lockers pressed next each other. So, when Barden was trying to get his gears going to answer the P-DQ questions recently, there was one reason why he roped Thurston into helping.
Location. Location. Location.
Or maybe there was more to it. As Barden answered his questions, he liked to bounce them off Thurston or get Thurston’s input. Whether it was true or not before they began sharing the same position with in the Cardinals, they have plenty in common now and plenty to talk about as they sit at their lockers along the near wall at Busch Stadium. Barden even volunteered Thurston to run through the P-DQ questions.
“How long does this usually take?” asked Thurston, who scored the winning run in Sunday’s 8-7, 10th-inning victory against Cincinnati.
Usually less than 5 minutes, often around the 4-minute mark, I explained. Relievers tend to breeze through it.
“No kidding. Those guys work their minds all the time,” Barden said.
“Doing crosswords,” Thurston nodded.
“I know. I know,” Barden said. “I’m over here just worrying about my swing.”
And with that, Barden passed the questions to Thurston, until he too was drawn into the conversation for an assist:
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Advice you received from a parent that has stayed with you is …
Always have a good attitude. Always do it with a smile on your face. Play hard. Work hard.
A memorable Christmas or holiday gift you received is …
A dog. I got a puppy. Louie.
What is the word or phrase you use too often?
“What’s up, meat?”
Your favorite superhero?
Superman.
Best baseball movie?
“Sandlot”
What is your greatest achievement?
Making it to the big leagues.
Your current state of mind?
Positive.
Your greatest extravagance or indulgence is …
Going to the mall. Both walking and buying. Sometimes I like to go to the mall just to clear my head about things. People watch. Look at new fashions.
Your favorite ballplayer growing up?
Ozzie Smith.
First car?
Honda Accord, 2000.
Current car?
BMW. Bought it off my dad.
The place you’ve got to visit before you die …
I’ve been to a lot of places. Probably would have to be … One of the seven wonders of the world, maybe. I’ve been to Australia, I’ve been China. I’ve been to Venezuela. I’ve been a lot of places. Where did Barden say? What’d you say, Bardo? (Barden answers: “I’m going to Greece.”) I’ll go to Greece. Me and Barden — we’re going to go together.
What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod?
Probably, “Beauty and the Beast”. I have all my songs from iTunes on there, and my daughter has some stuff on there. But if it starts playing, I definitely turn it off. Just to be sure. It’s for my daughter.
The movie you’ll stop to watch whenever it comes on …
“The Passion of the Christ”
Sing in the shower or in the car?
Both.
You know you’re in the minors when …
I don’t think you have enough paper for that answer. You know you’re in the minors when you have a day off and you’re flying home for the All-Star break, and the people back home forgot your tickets. We were stuck, for like … Well, eventually somebody had to go to the place back in Pawtucket to get the tickets, to get the information. Without that no one would have been able to fly.
I tune out when people talk about …
Talk negatively.
I wish I knew how to …
Read music.
Your greatest fear?
Not being able to share Christ with family and friends who don’t know.
Your treasured possession?
Shoes. All of them. My wife is always on me to get rid of some. And I go back and forth - which pair should I take? Oh, I haven’t worn these for awhile. Let me wear them again first.
Your greatest regret?
No regrets. I’m blessed to be where I am right now.
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Previous P-DQ: Adam Wainwright … CC Sabathia … Skip Schumaker … David Wright … Brian Barton … Ryan Ludwick. … Ryan Franklin. … Brad Lidge … Chris Carpenter. … Brandon Phillips. … Todd Wellemeyer. … Dustin Pedroia. … Jason Isringhausen. … Chris Perez. … Matt Capps. … Evan Longoria. … Brian Barden.
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Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
My parents always taught me that as well. “Word hard, son”, my dad would say, “and the world will be your otter.”