The P-DQ: Colby Rasmus
HOUSTON — He has been the torchbearer for the St. Louis Cardinals’ revamped minor-league system since the moment they took him 28th overall in the 2005 draft, and center fielder Colby Rasmus hasn’t been overcome or buckled by the expectations because he isn’t overcome or buckled by much.
Sometimes he has to be checked for a pulse.
Quiet, reserved and careful with his comments, the Cardinals’ rookie is making a bid to win the National League Rookie of the Year award at the same time he’s making a daily audition to be remain an every day player for the Cardinals. With the young outfielder, it’s easy to see the power that will develop, the gifted glove that will likely roam center at Busch Stadium for awhile, the keen baseball IQ, and the speed/pop/strike zone judgment that makes him an ideal fit for that No. 2 spot ahead of Albert Pujols. Rasmus could score a lot of runs for the Cardinals in the coming seasons.
Less obvious is Rasmus’ dry wit, which can be as sharp as his cleats and as subtle as his lead off first. His wry take on things doesn’t always translate in print or on television, but it’s there. It was definitely there, lurking playfully in almost every answer, when Rasmus recently took his turn with questions that make up the P-DQ …
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What is some advice you received from a parent that has stuck with you?
Always be a good person.
What is a memorable Christmas or holiday gift you received?
Underwear. It’s what we always get.
(DG Aside: Rasmus once told me he used to get pieces of baseball equipment each Christmas too and that buying a good glove or a new bat was a priority even on a tight budget.)
What is the word or phrase you use too often?
Yezzir. I do say that a lot. I say “yezzir” when I don’t want to talk.
Who is favorite superhero?
Batman. Should have won my Batman shirt for this.
The best baseball movie?
“Summer Catch”
What is your greatest achievement?
Probably being Mr. Alabama in baseball, when I was in high school.
What is your greatest extravagance or indulgence?
My car. A 2006 330i, and 2008 M5.
Who was your favorite ballplayer growing up?
Ken Griffey Jr.
(DG aside: Rasmus’ father and Griffey Jr. once played on the same minor-league team and there is a family joke that Rasmus is the only lefty in the fam because he sat on Griffey’s lap as a baby.)
What was your first car?
1992 Honda Prelude.
What is your current car?
The 330i.
The place you’ve got to visit before you die is …
The Promised Land, right? I’m already in the Promised Land. … OK, Fiji.
Who would be in your Fav Five?
Nobody. I don’t want to call anybody unless I have to.
What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod?
Hanson’s “Mmmbop”.
What movie will you stop to watch whenever it comes on?
“Saving Private Ryan”
Do you sing in the shower or in the car?
Both
You know you’re in the minors when …
You’re staying at a hotel in Bluefield, Va.
I tune out when people talk about …
Lacrosse.
When I think of St. Louis, I think of …
Toasted Ravioli.
I wish I knew how to …
Make computers. Make what Microsoft makes.
What is your greatest fear?
Being on a rollercoaster and it goes off the tracks and — smash! — it hits ground.
When and where are you the happiest?
Back at home, sitting on my couch, watching my TV and listening to my surround sound. Playing “Call of Duty”.
What is your treasured possession?
My car.
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Previous P-DQs: 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. … Joe Thurston. … Mark DeRosa. … Lance Berkman.
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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. 
Nice to know there is some humor and enjoyment underneath that exterior. Sometimes it’d be nice to see him crack a smile on the field, but as long as he keeps hitting, he can respond however he wants.
There’s more to that Ken Griffey Jr. story than he let on…
http://www.springfieldgo.com/GO-Magazine/July-8-2007/GO-Getter-Colby-Rasmus/
Nice write up DG.
You should have asked Rasmus what his Gamertag is for Call of Duty.
HaHa, I am sure some Cardinal fans would like to “pwn” with Colby.
Thanks for the Q&A!
The answer to the gift question had me laughing out loud. Thanks DG.
Can def tell he’s a 22 year old. Pretty weird/funny answers.
Seems like the kind of guy who’s shy overall but will open up one-on-one. Hope he’s a Cardinal for a long time. Obvious talent now, with even more to come.
Always wondered how difficult it is for guys like this to be in pro sports, in testosterone-driven clubhouses and having to talk to the media constantly. Can’t be easy.
Who talks about lacrosse?
“I wish I knew how to …
Make computers. Make what Microsoft makes.”
God help us when he qualifies for free agency.
I tried the link above with the Griffey Jr. details. The whole 2007 interview with the Springfield, Mo., paper is very Bull Durham:
Who were the professional players you watched growing up?
I always loved Randy Johnson and Ken Griffey Jr. [Griffey] was pretty much my favorite player growing up. When I was, like, one, [Griffey's team] was playing against my dad’s team and [Griffey] sat out that day. He was sitting in the stands because he was hurt. He was hitting on my mom a little bit and I sat on his lap.
You sat on his lap while he was hitting on your mom?
Yeah.
You know you’re in the minors when …
… the local paper asks you questions like they’re in 9th grade.
Do you have any hidden talents or know any stupid human tricks?
No, not really.
So you turn 21 in about a month. (Ed. Note: August 11 to be exact.) What are the big plans? I looked at the schedule and it’s a home game that day. What are the big plans when the game gets over that Saturday night?
Uh, I don’t know. (laughs) We’ll probably go out. Probably go to Trolley’s. That seems like a nice place to go. Go out and take some of the players out and try to have a good time.
Do you have a girlfriend?
I’m single.
There’s a 24-year-old girl on our staff. She wants to know if you like older women because she thinks you’re really hot.
I definitely do. (Smiles) Definitely do.
Then the follow up question is that she wants to know if you’d go on a date with her if she buys you a beer. When you’re 21, of course.
Definitely will. No doubt about it.
So how much of your time in the dugout is spent looking at the hot girls in the stands?
We look every now and then.
Have you ever asked a girl out at a game?
Um, not really. I’ve asked for numbers a couple of times after the games, but not really. I don’t do that a whole lot. But, I don’t know, it’s all good fun. If you see a good-looking girl in the stands, everybody will be taking a peek. It’s pretty funny watching everybody.
I LOVE these posts-but seriously someone has got to start editing for spelling on this website!