D.J. Houlton: Stretching the Limit
June 3, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
It is no surprise that baseball players have strange habits or unusual superstitions and pitchers are known to be the worst. For last week's Texas League Pitcher of the Week, D.J. Houlton, baseball yoga seems to be the secret to success. Houlton started taking a special yoga class two years ago that concentrates specifically on baseball. It's a combination of 20-minute stretches and breathing exercises that the California native uses on his scheduled pitching days.
"It helps me relax and get some stress out," Houlton said. "I like to do it on days that I will be starting to help get my mind set."
The baseball yoga seemed to help Houlton when he pitched his first complete game shutout Thursday, May 29, 2003 and ended up with an 8-0 win over the Midland Rockhounds.
After finding the secret to success for the recently named 2003 All-Star pick, he opened up with a question and answer session to let fans know more about him.
Q: What do you miss the most, besides family and friends, about your hometown? A: Definitely the beach.
Q: What has been your favorite Texas moment so far? A: Throwing the shutout the other day.
Q: What do you plan on doing with life after baseball? A: Probably coach baseball and playing with my kids whenever I get them.
Q: What is your most embarrassing baseball moment? A: In college, we got beat by Kirk Saarloos for Cal State Fullerton. We got beat 28-0 and he threw a no hitter (and this is Division I baseball too!).
Q: Who has been the biggest role model in your life? A: My dad. He is a hard worker. He works in a factory, sweating, with big machines and I just think about the fact that I play baseball. It's about 130 degrees where he works.
Q: What is your favorite movie? A: Definitely "Dumb and Dumber".
Q: Before a game, is it sock-shoe, sock-shoe or sock-sock, shoe-shoe? A. I put two socks on and then both of my shoes.
Q: Would you rather watch "Bull Durham" or "Field of Dreams"? A: I like "Field of Dreams" better.
Q: What do you do for work in the off-season? A: I am probably going to be a substitute teacher. That is right when we are home in September. I would like to sub for elementary school kids.
Q: If you could be anything you wanted to be (other than an athlete) what would you be and why? A: I would be in a music group. I would definitely play guitar for a rock group like Dave Mathews band.
Q: Do you call it Coke, pop, or soda when you are asking for a drink? A: I call it soda, not pop. I'm not from the mid-west.
Q: Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays? A: Mantle
Q: Would you rather play under the lights or day game for atmosphere? A: Well, I pitch better during the day, I think.
Q: If you could meet anyone, now or in the past, who would it be and why? A: Larry Bird. I loved him when I was a kid. He was awesome and I always picked his number. I almost picked number 33 for baseball.
Q: What would you consider your greatest accomplishment so far? A: Graduating college and getting drafted. I was really happy when I graduated college. I got a degree in Sports Science so now I give Jamey (Snodgrass) heck all of the time, but my degree is more in the area of P.E.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 3, 2003
- Zephyrs and Cubs Suspended in Fourth Inning - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Breaks finally go Express' way - Round Rock Express
- Trappers Game Cancelled - Edmonton Trappers
- Express All Stars - Round Rock Express
- D.J. Houlton: Stretching the Limit - Round Rock Express
- Royals' Bats Quiet Vs. Sounds - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sounds Defeat Omaha In Road Trip Finale To Gain Series Split - Nashville Sounds
- PCL Attendance Warming Up - PCL1
- Beavers Break Streak, Win 3-2 - Portland Beavers
- Top Prospects Combine to Shut Down Trappers - Edmonton Trappers
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