KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Danny Jansen has had a superlative start to his major league baseball career.
The former Appleton West star was called up to the big leagues by the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night and made his debut against the Kansas City Royals on Monday. He was batting .429 heading into Wednesday's game against the Royals and has already collected his first big league home run.
Jansen, 23, took time early Wednesday afternoon to talk with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin's Ricardo Arguello about his experience breaking into "The Show."
Q: Run through what happened that Saturday night playing for Triple-A Buffalowhen you got the call you were heading up to the bigs.
A:We were playing at home in Buffalo and like the eighthinning rolled around and we were hitting, so I was getting ready. And I was in the hole and I was going over to get my leg guard on and just get my helmet on and that stuff and our trainer got a phone call, which when that happenssomething's going on. I didn'tthink it was for me, by any means. I was just looking and thinking something was about to happen, because it's happened before. Our trainer whispered to our hitting coach,who I'm really close with,right into his ear and they tried to get our manager's attention at third base and they were both waving their hands and sayingI can't hitbecause you don't want to get hurt (heading to the majors).
So they got his attention and they looked at me and he gave me the 'can't play anymore'sign and they got the other catcher and told him that he has to be ready to hit and, at that moment, I was like 'this can't be really happening' and I started hugging my teammates and the manager came in and gave me a hug and said, 'You're going to the big leagues, kid.' It was a surreal moment and one thatI'm never, ever going to forget. I went inside and kind of soaked it in for a minute and then I called my mom and dad and it was very emotional. They were obviously curious as to why I came out of the game and they kind of figured something was going on, and I called them and we shared a big moment. Then I called my brother and shared a moment with him as well. It was amazing.
Q: How great was it that your team was playing at Kansas City, with your brother (Matt) close by?
A:I was looking at the schedule and all that stuff because I had known that one of our catchers here (Luke Maile) was having a baby soon, so I didn't think by all meansthat I was going to go, but I was looking at the schedule and kind of hoping that I would get the opportunity. AndI saw they were there in Kansas City (this week)and my brother lives 40 minutes north of Kansas City, so I was thinking if that happens,that's pretty crazy. It's unbelievable. And it did. He's there,my nephew's there, my sister-in-law and some of his friends. Some of his students even came to the game - he's a teacher - and it was crazy. It couldn't have worked out any better.
Q: Talk about your first major league at-bat. What was going through your mind?
A:So, I mean, obviously it's every kid's dreamthat plays baseball to get that call and get to the big leagues and be a major league baseball player. What was going through my mind was thatI didn’t really want to put a lot of pressure on myself. I just wanted to go out there and have some fun, breathe and to get the first hit in the first at-bat. Itwas such a relief to get that first one out of the way.
And then in my third at-bat, I hit like a perfect bunt like 10 feet down the third base line and just sprinted like I never have before and got the hit. I was like, 'Wow, that's icing on the cake.'
Q: You finished 2-for-3 in your first game as a major leaguer and then got your first home run the next game (Tuesday). What was that experience like?
A:I got three balls in my locker - the first hit, the first guy I threw out and the first home run. The last few days have been crazy. For the (home run), it was awesome and I don’t really know what it felt like.I haven’t really had time to soak it all in yet, because I’ve been with family and we’re all sharing it together all that stuff. But when I hit that, I was thinking 'please get out.' And asI was running around the bases and I knew where my family was, I was just excited to be able to point to them and we can all share that moment together.
Q: Talk about throwing out your first runner on a steal attempt. Most folks know that you're bringing a great offensive game to the bigs, but that play showed right away that your game is well-rounded.
A:That’s another thing you can take a deep breath on,throwing out your first runner. And it was a delayed steal - it wasn’t like a bang-bang (play). But it still felt really good to get that first throw and to put it right on the money and just take a deep breath and say, 'You know what, I can do this. It'sthe same ballgame that I’ve been playing since I was 5 or 6 years old.' So it was crazy.
Q: How great was it for you to share your debut on Monday with pitcher Sean Reid-Foley, who was also making his big league debut? It was the first time since 1967 that a battery have made their debut together in the American League.
A:I think that made it a little bit easier to make a debut with a guy who is also making his debut and who you’ve been with. He came in 2014 and I came in 2013, so we’ve known each other since (2015) pretty much. I’ve been one of his catchers. I know it might have made it a little bit easier for him too, just because we both know each other so well and he can trust me and I can trust him. And therewasa lot of excitementon the mound and behind the plate, soit’s a day that we’re both never going to forget and our families aren’t ever going to forget. I’m glad we got to share it together.
Q: There was a lot of buzz in Appleton as you made your debut. What's it feel like knowing you have so many people behind you as you start your major league career?
A:I tell you what,the support I’ve had from back home from all my friends and all the people that I’ve met along this whole life,has been incredible. I’ve gotten so many texts and so many people have reached out and it really means the world to me that everybody is watching and pulling for me. I’ve just had crazy support. I wouldn’t change it for the world. Wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Q: Going forward, how do you plan on using this great early momentum as you hopefully are able to finish the rest of the regular season with the Blue Jays?
A:Absolutely, I’m just trying to get better and help the ballclub any way that I can. And being a young catcher with a staff that has had a lot of experience, it’s going to be a challenge. It already is a little bit and I’m trying to do everything I can and talk with the pitching coach and talk with the pitching coaches and the players -Russell Martin and Luke Maile - and really soak it all in. But, byall means, I’m not done yet. Just trying to get better every single day. I want to stay up here and that’s my goal and that starts with just being able to do my job and I got todo well and keep trust in these guys and just keep learning about myself. I'm going to make mistakes and I have to know how to build off of that. That's the most important thing.
