There’s never been a sport like baseball. It caught my eye immediately when I traveled to America at six years old. We went to a game at Wrigley Field and we watched the teams bat and pitch, bat and pitch, and it cemented a lifelong excitement for the game. Fake baseball is no different. Sometimes, even the biggest heroes can be kids, can be giddy as they make their way to the field. They were those children too once. I sat down with Phillies pitcher /u/TheChaddy, known by some admirers as Cy Hadd, and asked him what his first experiences in a game were like, and whether or not that child was released.

KD: Tell me about your first MLR pitching experience. Were you nervous when you were on the mound?

C: “My first time on the mound was exhilarating. All of my hard work and dedication finally came to a head, and I was able to finally show the fans, the media, and my team what I am capable of. I can’t wait for my next start.”

Who was the hardest Minnesota hitter to retire?

“Toughest batter was definitely [/u/]darkbobman1. He’s a grinder and definitely proved that in game one. He got me.”

What did you feel when the Phillies took the lead? Was it relief, or did you feel pressured to keep it?

“Definitely relived when we took the lead. Then came the pressure to keep the lead. I had pitched relatively well, just ended up leaving two pitches out over the plate early on, and they took full advantage of my mistakes. Once I settled in and found a groove, I felt untouchable out there.”

What was the clubhouse presence after the win? How do you feel about your teammates? Your GM?

“The guys are an amazing group. Really supportive, communicative, and very involved in the game. Our team has great chemistry, and I really feel like that’s what helped us win game one. I can’t say enough good things about our GM. I feel fortunate that I was drafted by the Phillies.”

Do you think the Phillies will win against the Royals? Go all the way?

“I feel good about game two. The Royals are going to be a tough matchup, but we’ve got our first win under our belt and are hungry for another.”

What do you feel about rumors that you will not start Session 2?

“I’m here to help my team win, whatever it takes. If that means that I’m not starting game two, then I trust in that decision by my GM. He knows that I’ll be suited up and ready to compete, if called upon. My performance in game one, gave me the opportunity to really showcase what I’m capable of, and prove that I’m a competitor.”

Whatever happens with the Phillies going on with the season, we know that they have a splendid group of guy that are dedicated to the clubhouse and the uniform they wear. Who knows; maybe the Paper Cup will make its way down Broad Street in a victory parade sometime in the future.