Growing up at the Alamo Heights Little League, one person you knew you would always find was Will Curren. Curren has been a Mule from the very beginning. Once he reached Varsity, Curren took on a role as a leader both on the field as a catcher and pitcher as well as in the dugout helping younger players.
Before Senior Night at the Mule Yard, Curren sat down with me to talk about his life playing baseball at Alamo Heights, his serious superstitions before games and his love of the Boston Red Sox.
When did you start playing baseball?
I really started playing at the Little League when I was probably six, but I would hit little wiffle balls when I was three.
When did you make varsity?
I made Varsity my sophomore year. I started on JVA, and the first day after we were told what team we were on, I played inter-squad with the varsity all the way until the first tournament. Then a couple things happened and Coach Thompson brought me in and said ‘Hey, you’re going to come play a tournament for us,’ and after that I didn’t get called back down.
What has been your favorite memory with Alamo Heights baseball?
Definitely going to Round Rock for the State Tournament. That’s the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball. The memories with the guys on the bus after the games, the celebrations after wins and the electricity in the stands was incredible. It was just an awesome time.
How did that experience as a sophomore help you in your future with the baseball program?
I saw great leadership from the seniors that year, so I really tried to do what they did and mentor these young guys, because I was one of those young guys and I know how they feel.
What is your next step after high school?
I hope to play college baseball, hopefully Division I somewhere. As of right now, I’ve also looked at a couple of Junior Colleges, because you can go to Junior College and light it up, and you never know if a big Division I school comes knocking on your door.
Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
Of for sure. Listening to music is a big one. I start when I wake up in the morning and put headphones on all day. At school, you know, I’m doing school work, but I’m really getting ready for the game on game-days, and as for superstitions, I’ve got a lot of them. Baseball is a superstitious sport. If I have a bad week, maybe even a game, of hitting, I will usually throw away my batting gloves or give them to someone else. Then I have four different pairs of cleats that I switch off, so when I’m hot, I stay with the same stuff, but if I’m not, I’ve gotta get rid of it. Then this is a little more during summer baseball, but I’ve done it a couple of times: If I have a really good game, I won’t wash anything. Everything stays the same.
When you’re pitching do you do anything differently to prepare mentally?
No, I prepare the same way.
How has being both a pitcher and catcher affected your perspective on baseball?
Being catcher is hard, and you’ve gotta want it. And I say this probably because I am a catcher, but it’s the hardest position in baseball. You have to want to catch. You see the game, and you see everything that happens. You’re pretty much like the captain. When you’re catching, no one cares about you. Like in the stands, you have a mask on, so no one knows who you are. When you’re pitching, it’s like you’re on an island by yourself. Everybody sees what you do. If you make a mistake, everybody sees it. I 100% prefer being catcher. I love pitching, and I love competing, but catching is what I love most.
What’s your go-to song before a game?
Definitely “No Hands,” by Waka Flocka. That is the song.
Who is your favorite sports team?
The Boston Red Sox. It all started with Big Papi (David Ortiz). I was very young, and I think they were in the World Series, or at least the playoffs, and I’m watching on TV, and this big ole’ dude gets up there and hits a bomb. I’m like ‘I like that dude,’ and I’ve just loved the Red Sox ever since.
How did you feel when he retired, and who is now your favorite player on the team?
It was time for him to retire. Greatest designated hitter of all time and definitly a first ballot Hall of Famer. My favorite player now is probably Dustin Pedroia or Hanley Ramirez. I’ve always loved Hanley, even when he was the Marlins.
Do you play MLB The Show?
I have, but I don’t have a PlayStation 4, so I can’t play very often. I want to get a PS4 really bad just so I can get The Show.
Would your go-to team be the Red Sox, or would you pick someone else?
It depends. See, when you’re a good gamer, it all depends on what the other guy picks. You don’t wanna have the better team because if you win it’s like ‘Wow, cool.’ If you play NBA 2K, you can’t just be the Warriors, so it depends, but I’m usually the Red Sox or the Blue Jays. Sometimes I’m the Dodgers because I like Yasiel Puig.
If you were stranded on an island with one person, who would you choose and why?
Conor McGregor. He would protect me.
If you need a laugh in the dugout or at practice, who do you go to?
We’ve got a lot of them. One guy that makes me laugh every time I’m with him is Jake Wright. His sense of humor is outstanding. And you know Rob Ellwood is a real funny guy.
How about over the years, since you’ve been here awhile?
See that’s tough. Parker Taylor is pretty funny. It’s more of a combination of people, you know when they’re together. If you put Hunter Campbell, Parker Taylor and Parker Winton together along with Hatch Campbell, you’ll get some laughs.
If you had to tell the world one thing about yourself, what would you say?
I’m a competitor. That’s how I want to be remembered.
good job
Thank you!