Josh Harrison: Some Teams 'Fake The Funk,' But We Don't
BRADENTON (93-7 The Fan) – Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison sat down with "The Fan Morning Show" at McKechnie Field on Thursday to talk about Spring Training, and his preparation for the 2016 season.
Harrison heads into this season as the Pirates' starting second baseman after spending the past couple seasons in a "super-utility" player. He made a large number of starts, but never settled in at one position. He's thrilled to be able to settle in at second base, because while he was perfectly willing to play a wide variety of positions before, he prefers this one.
"I really am comfortable at all the other positions, but this is the one that I probably feel is the most natural," Harrison said. "At the time, I couldn't really say that, because I didn't want to say that and not be able to bounce around."
Harrison was asked to address the perception that he doesn't draw enough walks, and he offered a response that was as feisty as his approach at the plate.
"People that point that out can continue to point it out from their couch," Harrison said. "I'm not a guy that goes up there looking to walk. I'm ready to hit, and if a pitcher throws a pitch in my zone, I'm ready to whack it. I'm not a guy that's just going to continually give you strike one...I'm a guy that's not looking to walk."
"For people to say I don't walk that much - I don't really worry about what people say," Harrison said. "I play my game."
That has been a common refrain for the Pirates this offseason, who are outwardly confident in their own abilities despite all the hype around the Cardinals and Cubs. Harrison said that the team's swagger isn't manufactured.
"I'm sure everybody has been on a team that's faked the funk," Harrison said. "Where you act like you're good, but you know deep down inside as a team, you collectively aren't that good. But, for us, we know we're good, and it starts within the locker room. You can tell guys get along, and really have each other's best interests at heart, and what makes a good team is knowing the guys to the right, left, behind you all got your back. And that's what makes us a good team."
For Harrison and his teammates, it all comes down to one simple fact - you can't win a game before it starts.
"Obviously, in the offseason, you see all the moves that happen," Harrison said. "But, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what happens between those white lines - and for us, we know when we worry about ourselves and take care of what we have to, we'll be in a good position."
The interview can be heard here:
"The Fan Morning Show" will be broadcasting live from Pirates spring training in Bradenton all week long.