Checking in with Delino DeShields

As you may recall, Delino DeShields has agreed to check in from time to time throughout the season and let us know how things are going for him. (Here's the first of our chats from back in January.) I had the opportunity to talk with Delino earlier in the week before he received his assignment to Lancaster.

WTH: How would you compare this Spring Training with last year's?

DD: It's definitely different. The new uniforms, all the new people who came in this year, and the competition level is amazing. Everybody's better. Everyone is competing for a spot. The whole atmosphere is better than it has been.

WTH: What do you feel like you've accomplished during the Spring? Anything you're working on?

DD: I feel like I've done the things I need [to do] to take me to the next level, but I'm just trying to get ready for the season at the end of the day. Of course, I'm working on stuff, but Spring Training is just to get your feet wet again and get you ready for the season. I haven't really been working on anything specifically, but I'm just trying to get it going and get the motor running.

WTH: What has the experience been like, being a part of the major league camp?

DD: It's cool. Growing up, I've been in that situation as a kid, as a son. And to be in that environment now and thinking back when I was a kid in the same kind of surroundings ... now it's here, me. I'm playing. I'm on this team. I'm in this clubhouse because of what I've been doing. It's pretty cool. It feels good being up there. I'll be there for a long time one day. Getting to be up there and getting to feel what it's going to be like is really fun.

>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<

Delino and I shared a laugh when I asserted that I think he has his "motor running" pretty well already. His final words to me? "Everybody looks good in the blue and orange!"

Thank you for your time, Delino. We all wish you the best of luck in Lancaster and hope to see you just down the road in Corpus Christi sooner rather than later.