Jay Yaconetti has been on a tear with the rest of the Saltdogs. Here is a Q&A I did with him for the program.
Five minutes with … Jay Yaconetti. By Brian Reetz
Jay Yaconetti has become a fixture at the hot corner for the Lincoln Saltdogs. Originally from Bellevue, Washington, Yaconetti played in high school at Gilbert, Arizona. He then played for Central Arizona College, where his team won the Junior College World Series in 2002. After Central Arizona, he signed with the University of Oklahoma before transferring to the University of New Orleans, where he belted 17 home runs in his final season. The Minnesota Twins signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2004 and he played one season with their rookie league team in Elizabethtown. In 2005, he started the year with Surprise in the Golden League where he was hitting .345 with 45 RBIs before he joined the Saltdogs, where he hit three home runs in August.
What does it mean to you to be the first-half champions of the American Association’s Northern Division?
It was a key part to our season. For one, it was because we had never won a title yet for this team and two it puts less stress on the pitchers and on what the hitters are trying to do. Everyone is really pressing to get the win and now that we’ve won the first half it kind of relaxes everybody and everybody comes to the field more stress free. It helps with the team chemistry.
What do you see as your role with the Saltdogs?
Being a rookie, keep your mouth quiet (he joked). I’ve talked with Bryan Warner before and both him and T.J. (manager Tim Johnson) have said that I’m not necessarily here for my hitting because we have great hitters on this team, people that have experience with big situations or have played in Double-A or Triple-A. They wanted me to focus on defense and if I hit, I hit, but to make all of the plays in the field.
What is the best part about playing in Lincoln?
I love playing here because it seems more professional. You go to some places whether it is in this league or other leagues or minor leagues and the facilities aren’t very nice or you don’t get many fans. Look at some of the professional sports places like the Tampa Bay Devil Rays or even the Arizona Cardinals. If you don’t have a nice facility or fan support it kind of dominoes down the entire organization. What Lincoln has done for us has been amazing. You get a good spread of food, nice uniforms, good fans and the field is amazing. It helps the team because you enjoy coming here to the field. A lot of us are here between 12 and 1 for a 7 o’clock game because we like being here.
What is your most memorable baseball moment?
Probably winning the College World Series with Central Arizona. Playing professional ball with the Twins was nice even though I wasn’t there very long.
What is your at-bat song and why did you choose it?
I used to have my best friend’s band do it but I kind of wanted to change the beat. So I changed it to rap, which is kind of funny because I’m not a big rap fan. It’s the one by Nelly, “Here comes the boom.” It has a cool beat. It pumps you up and gets the fans into it.
If you could be good at any other sport, what would it be?
I grew up liking hockey. I never really got to play it. I like it and it is fun but I don’t think I’m good at it. (He moved to Arizona from the Northwest when he was 17). Defensively I was good at basketball but I wasn’t the best shooter. Baseball has just always kind of been my sport.
QUICK FACTS
What music is in your iPod?
I like slow, easy music like slow country songs or slow rock songs. I like the easy melody kind of stuff like Tim McGraw, George Strait and Gary Allan. I like a lot of small bands like The Format.
What is the most recent movie you’ve seen and how was it?
Click with Adam Sandler. It was a really funny movie but it was more of a life lesson movie than I thought. I just thought it was going to be funny with this guy that has a remote control that stops time but they do a role reversal. I liked it but it just kind of snuck up on me.
What is the best meal you’ve had recently?
I eat at Brewsky’s almost every night. I’m either at Jimmy John’s before the game or at Brewsky’s after the game. That’s all I eat. At Brewsky’s I eat the chicken fingers but I’m also a big Philly cheese steak guy.
What is your favorite TV show?
I don’t watch much TV but it would probably be Law and Order. It’s a good show and it makes you think. You try and solve the crimes.
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