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Circling the Bases ... with Zack Raabe
12/14/2018 10:01:00 AM | Baseball
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HIT & RUN
Favorite actor or actress: Brooklyn DeckerFavorite athlete: Jose Altuve Favorite book or author: Mind Gym Favorite class you're taking at the U of M: Leadership U Favorite game/video game: Fortnite Favorite hobby (outside of sports): Water skiing Favorite musical artist or band: Zac Brown Band Favorite Netflix show or movie: Friends Favorite professional team: Minnesota Wild Favorite restaurant: Tavern Favorite app or website: Twitter Biggest fear: Heights Biggest pet peeve: Talking during a movie Dream vacation spot: Hawaii Person you'd most like to meet: Jose Altuve Something you never leave home without: phone Sport you'd like to try but never have: tennis Funniest teammate: Cole McDevitt Hardest-working teammate: Eli Wilson Most competitive teammate: Ben Mezzenga Most studious teammate: Bubba Horton |
The son of a Maroon & Gold All American in Brian Raabe, first-year Gopher Zack Raabe spent his prep career with Forest Lake High School before arriving in Gold Country this fall. A finalist for the 2018 Minnesota Mr. Baseball award, Raabe earned a spot on the Star Tribune's All-Minneapolis Metro Second Team and All-Surburban East Conference honors during his senior campaign. As a junior, he helped lead Forest Lake to the State Tournament, where he earned a Class AAA State Tournament Team.
Prep Baseball Report called him the no. 1 infielder and the no. 6 overall player in the state of Minnesota. In his first taste of the collegiate game, Raabe batted 5-for-22 in the Steak 'n' Beans series this fall, slugging one double and scoring eight runs. He also swiped six bases without being caught in the eight-game series.
GopherSports.com: Why did you choose to attend the University of Minnesota?
Zack Raabe: "I chose the U of M because it has always been my dream to play here since I was a little kid. Also, I have always loved the winning culture both on and off the field that Gopher Baseball has had for many years."
GS: When did you first start playing baseball and how did you first get involved in the sport?
ZR: "I started playing baseball right when I could stand. My first word was "ball," and that was all my dad had to hear to get a bat in my hand as soon as possible."
GS: What would you say is your biggest strength in your sport? What is an area of improvement for yourself?
ZR: "My biggest strength is knowing the game, playing with passion, my competitiveness and helping the team win any way I can. My biggest area of improvement is my speed."
GS: Do you have any game day rituals or superstitions?
ZR: "I never step on the line running out to the field, and I always touch second base before I get my first ground ball."
GS: What is your most memorable moment of playing your sport?
ZR: "I've played in many big games in my career, but the one that sticks out the most is playing in the legion state tournament against many Gopher players such as Otto Grimm, Max Meyer, Bubba Horton, and Brett Schulze."
GS: Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career?
ZR: "My dad also played at the University of Minnesota and played professionally. He has always coached me since I was a little kid and gave me tips on how to be mentally tough and always out work my opponent."
GS: Did you play any other sports besides baseball growing up?
ZR: "I played football, basketball, and hockey, but I only played baseball and hockey in high school."
GS: What are you most looking forward to in this upcoming season?
"I am looking forward to helping the team in any way possible to help bring back another championship to the University of Minnesota."
GS: Do you have any advice for aspiring youth athletes?
"A big thing in my career has been work ethic. Never feel comfortable because there is always another player out there working as hard as you are trying to take your spot. It's always better to never be comfortable with your spot on the team. Keep grinding."
Gopher Baseball season tickets are available now! The Maroon & Gold return to campus on Friday, March 29 against Nebraska. This 21-game package includes Minnesota's game against Oklahoma at Target Field on Saturday, April 20. Click here to purchase yours today.
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