WATCH: Colin Rea details his experience of playing in Japan |
Chicago Cubs veteran pitcher Colin Rea spoke to the media from spring training, talking about competing for a spot in the starting rotation, his experience of playing in Japan, and more.
Watch the interview below: Video summary/cliff-notes: (00:00) Colin Rea discusses competing for the fifth starter spot in spring training, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and adaptable to the team's needs. (00:37) He expresses his comfort with any role, including middle relief or starting, but mentions he enjoys starting for the routine. (01:12) Rea talks about his experience playing in Japan, keeping in touch with former teammates and translators, and looking forward to meeting a former catcher, Kai. (01:43) Reflects positively on his time in Japan, sharing that his family visited during his second year, making it a great experience for them. (02:15) Rea mentions maintaining connections with people in Japan, including the Mauno company for his cleats, which he continues to wear and prefers for their custom fit. (02:47) He shares excitement about working with Manager Craig Counsell, praising his leadership style and the winning culture he fosters. (03:30) Rea discusses his role as a pitcher, stressing that his job is to get outs, whether it's in the first or last inning. (04:33) Rea admits he wasn’t a big sushi eater before Japan but found other American restaurants and enjoyed Korean barbecue while there. (05:12) He explains how playing in Japan was an unexpected opportunity but ultimately a great experience that inspired him to explore more of the world. (05:48) Rea describes the challenges of communication in Japan, relying on translators and Google Translate, and mentions golfing with one of the translators outside of baseball.
