Domonic Brown: 'I Work To Be A Champion'
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Domonic Brown has had a rough ride so far in his career with the Phillies. Injuries, call-ups and send-downs, and Hunter Pence have all stood in the way of consistent playing time, and consistent production.
If Brown is going to turn it around this season, he's getting off to the right start. He's hitting .395 with three home runs and an OPS 1.131 so far during Spring Training, and pretty much assured himself of a spot on the opening day roster as a corner outfielder.
"I just came out and did my regular routine, worked a little bit harder," Brown told Angelo Cataldi and The WIP Morning Show on Thursday. "I had some ups and downs the last couple of years, so I came in the off-season and I was very hungry to work and get after it, came into Spring Training in good shape, and just out there having fun."
Brown was touted as a future star for the Phillies, and when that didn't happen right away, there was a lot of criticism from fans.
"I really don't worry about what the fans say," he said. "I really don't worry about that. I think if I get my opportunity---get my 500, 600 at-bats, see what happens, and then we'll call it a disappointment or whatever. Go to a different team or whatever, and that's part of the business. That's not a disappointment at all, man. It's just going out there and performing, and if not, then once I get that opportunity then you guys can say that."
LISTEN: The WIP Morning Show interviews Domonic Brown
"Are you capable of 25 or 30 home runs?," Cataldi asked him.
"You already know that, so why are you even asking me?," Brown laughed as he said. "Angie, you already know that. You already know that Angie!"
"That's what I work for. I work to be a champion," Brown said. "That's the big goal. I don't work to be an average guy. I don't work for .250 or.240. I don't want to be that, so I love when I hear a little bit, 'Dom needs to step it up' because I know what I'm capable of."
