Five Things With...

Sept. 26, 2014

Get to know a little bit about the Golden Gophers in these one-minute interviews. This page will update with additional interviews throughout the fall. Here are five things with...

Fred Manke - Fr./RHP
1. You played baseball, football and hockey. When did you decide baseball was the one you wanted to keep playing?
Actually, it started before high school. I went to New York--Cooperstown--and I participated in a 12-year-old baseball tournament. That's where I fell in love with the game. I knew I wanted to carry on playing baseball around 12 or 13 years old.
2. Do you have any favorite memories from playing in Cooperstown?
A Wednesday night, I ended up pitching in the first playoff game. I think I had 11 or 12 strikeouts and two homeruns in the game, with a double also. I had one of the better games of the tournament out there.
3. What was your favorite part of fall ball, and how have you gotten along with your teammates?
My favorite part was the team atmosphere. It was fun and relaxed, but also competitive at the same time. I've been getting along with everybody really well. It's really nice to be comfortable around everybody so early in the fall.
4. How is school going, and which classes are your favorites?
School's going really well right now. I like economics a lot, and also history. They're probably my two favorite classes so far.
5. Who are your favorite MLB team and players to watch?
I have to go with the home state Brewers. And my favorite players to watch are any big-name pitchers. They've become famous through their skill level, and it's something I want to model after.

Tim Shannon - RSo./RHP

1. Did being from Minnesota play a large part in your decision to transfer here?

A lot of it was coming back to the home state. I had a previous relationship with the coaches here and I really liked them. I played with a lot of the guys on the team and knew them really well. It was an easy transition for me because it was a lot of "known" for me. Some of the other places were very unknown.

2. You spent a year at the U before joining the team. What was that year like just being in school?

It was different. I was recovering from Tommy John surgery. It was kind of a unique trip for me. It was nice, because now that I am on the team, I'm acclimated with the campus and the guys and all that, so it made it easy.

3. What did it feel like to be on the field for intrasquad games and fall practices?

It felt great. I played this summer to get some time to get used to it, but there's nothing like being back at school and playing with my best friends. It's been great.

4. At 6-7, you took away the title of tallest player on the team from Ben Meyer. Does anyone give you grief about being so tall?

Yeah, I actually have a new nickname, "the Ticket Oak," which I got the other day.

5. Who do you want to win the World Series?

Kansas City Royals. I like the small ball more than the big home runs and all that. I think it's more fun to watch.

Lucas Gilbreath - Fr./LHP

1. Even though you knew you were coming to Minnesota for college, it still had to be pretty cool to be drafted.

It was awesome. It's every kid's dream. It was kind of a blessing just to have that opportunity.

2. What was your connection with the Rockies organization previously?

I played fall baseball with the Colorado Rockies scout team my sophomore through my senior year. I knew everybody on the staff, and they got to see me pitch quite a bit.

3. What drew you to Minnesota?

Honestly, it was probably the coaching staff above anything else. Obviously it's Big Ten facilities, Big Ten Conference, everything's great. But Todd and Rob and Coach Anderson were just the nicest guys and they actually seemed like they genuinely cared for their players.

4. What's something you've already picked up from T.O. or some of the older pitchers?

The mental and the visualization part is probably the biggest thing. I don't know of any other programs that do the belly breathing, the visualization, the positive thoughts. I think that's helped me out a lot already.

5. What has been one of your favorite classes this semester?

I like physics. Most people hate physics, but I'm trying to be a mechanical engineer, so that's all it is.

Jeff Fasching - Fr./LHP

1. What does it mean to you to come to your home state's university?

It was really important to me to be able to have my family be able to come watch me. I live an hour away, and I have a lot of family that lives down in the cities. That was the main thing for me. It's always been a dream of mine to play for the Gophers, because obviously they're the big team in the state. It's a blessing to be able to play for them.

2. Did you know some of your teammates beforehand, and how are you getting along so far?

I knew a lot of the freshmen because I played against them. I hadn't met the other guys on the team, but I like them a lot. They're really welcoming to come into, and they're just really nice guys. The older guys are really good leaders.

3. What are a few things you've picked up from T.O. and the older pitchers this fall?

I like how he lets you do your own thing, whatever you're comfortable with. However you think you can succeed is how he lets you do it. I picked up some different drills and that kind of stuff from the older guys. It's been really good.

4. What's a class you like this semester, or what do you think you're going to major in?

I'm going to major in finance. I'm in the Carlson School. My favorite class right now is probably multicultural lit. It's pretty interesting to learn about the different cultures.

5. Who are you cheering for in the MLB playoffs? (Note: This question was asked on Friday before any teams were eliminated.)

I'm cheering for the Tigers. The freshmen all picked a team we want to win. I picked the Tigers, so I'm rooting for them.

Toby Hanson - Fr./C
1. What have your teammates been like so far?
It's been a lot of fun with them. All the guys are great. We work hard and we have fun on the field.
2. What's one skill area you feel like you've improved this fall?
I would have to say taking the ball opposite field. I've been putting in a lot of work on that hitting-wise, but also catching, too. I've learned a lot of things I didn't know before I came here.
3. Even though it was in a fall intrasquad game, is it nice to have your first Siebert Field home run under your belt?
It gives me a lot of confidence. It felt really good, knowing that I could do that.
4. What do you like about this field, having now practiced and played on it?
The turf is awesome. I like the whole environment here.
5. Do you have a favorite class you're taking this semester?
My favorite class right now would probably be psychology. It's interesting stuff. My major right now is sports management, so that's what I plan on doing here.

Reggie Meyer - Fr./RHP
1. What have your teammates been like?
They've been great so far. I like all of them.
2. Having Ben on the team, did you already know some of them before you got here?
Yeah, I knew pretty much all of them before, so that helped.
3. How do you like Siebert Field?
It's great. I love it here. The turf is great and everything.
4. Is there a class you've liked during your first semester?
I like my history class right now. It's pretty interesting. You get to learn a lot of new things.
5. Favorite MLB team and player?
My favorite team is the Twins, but it's kind of hard to watch them sometimes. My favorite player is probably Clayton Kershaw. He's fun to watch. He's really good.

Alex Boxwell - Fr./OF

1. What have been your first impressions of your teammates?

They're really great guys. I feel like I fit in here nicely. I've had a really good time.

2. Is there something you have already improved since fall practice started?

Just overall, every day coming out here, putting in work, and feeling a little bit better at everything every day.

3. What is your favorite class in school so far?

I like my Greek history class. It's really interesting.

4. Favorite MLB team and favorite MLB?

My favorite team has to be the Twins. It's a little tough sometimes. I wouldn't say there's a specific player I've really looked up to. I really liked watching Ken Griffey Jr. play back in the day.

5. What are most looking forward to when the season starts in the spring?

Just going around and playing at all these awesome parks that I've seen on TV. It's going to be really cool.

Luke Pettersen - Fr./IF

1. What have been your first impressions of your teammates?

I love them. I like that they treat all the freshmen equally. There's no hierarchy of guys thinking they're better than you because they're older. That's the biggest thing I love about it.

2. Is there something you have already improved since fall practice started?

Most parts of the game. Every day we do so much hitting and so much fielding and so much baserunning. The only way to get better is work on it.

3. What is your favorite class so far, or do you know what you might want to major in?

I don't know what I'm going to major in yet. I'm in Carlson, so maybe business, but I'm not sure.

4. Favorite MLB team and favorite MLB?

Gotta be the Twins, and it would be Joe Mauer. I love how he hits the ball the other way so much. He's got such a nice inside-out swing that I'd like to model my swing after.

5. What are most looking forward to when the season starts in the spring?

Playing games, being at the games. They're always really fun. Baseball's really fun to play.

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Players Mentioned

Alex Boxwell

Jeff Fasching

Lucas Gilbreath

Toby Hanson

Fred Manke

Ben Meyer

Reggie Meyer

Luke Pettersen

Tim Shannon