Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien made a Tuesday appearance on GBag Nation on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) to discuss championship habits, Wyatt Langford heating up, health updates, and more.
Answers are edited lightly for clarity:
Was it tough for you to sit out that game the other day?
Marcus Semien: “Well, I think so. I just think my health was not in a good place at that time, from the neck injury from the fall. I tried to play through it for a while and I just wasn’t myself. I think with us having a day off the next day in Miami, it made sense and I’m definitely glad I did.”
How much different is it going through a year knowing you’ve won it all? Added expectations?
Semien: “Yeah, I think when we had a pretty rough stretch in Philadelphia, in Minnesota, and you just know you’re better than that. We know we play at the highest level and been on top. Anytime you go through a stretch like that, you just kind of understand that you’re better than that. It does get a little bit more frustrating.”
You were a great player with the Oakland Athletics. Is it a little bit sad to see what’s going on with their relocation?
Semien: “I’ve always been an advocate for the Oakland A’s staying in Oakland, because that’s just where I grew up. I grew up in the East Bay is go get on the BART train, go to an A’s game, see some of the best players in the American League play. That was my childhood. I grew up a Giants fan, the Giants’ park a little bit nicer, you get better food, and you get to go see [Barry Bonds]. But it just doesn’t feel right, thinking about the A’s not being there, as an East Bay kid.”
What is your favorite task to throw on the rookies?
Semien: “I’m easy, I’m easy. I got [Wyatt] Langford on the speaker. We have a little speaker when we travel, listen to music. So that’s all I’ve told anyone to do is grab the speaker just to make sure we have a good time when we travel. Because this game is hard enough, you don’t want to be so serious all the time, so when we travel, turn on music, play cards, and defrag for a little bit.”
How important is it for you to be recognized as an All-Star?
Semien: “It means a lot. I try and be the best at my position every single year. This is a first half award, I want to make sure I have the best second half of anybody. But it’s definitely a cool thing, especially when your team is the host. It’ll be big for our fans to see one of their own out there. It’s important.”
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