Last
season the Memphis Tigers had one of the best seasons in
school history as they advanced to the NCAA Regionals and
finished the year at 36-27. The program also received another
boost when frequent University of Memphis benefactor FedEx
pledged three million dollars to help replace the Tigers
home field of Nat Buring Stadium and provide the team with
a facility to rival any in the Mid-South region. It appeared
Memphis was on the fast path to competing with Conference
USA powers Rice, Tulane and East Carolina at the top of
the conference standings.
This season however hasn't been quite as
celebratory. Memphis has been forced to rebuild as they
featured an opening day starting lineup with five talented,
yet inexperienced newcomers and are currently 11-19 on the
season. However the Tigers can boast one of the most dynamic
and exciting players in the nation in speedy centerfielder
K.K. Chalmers to lead the rebuilding effort. The senior
Tiger captain epitomizes the phrase "big things come
in small packages" as at 5'7", 165 lbs, Chalmers
is a little guy, who plays a big game. When he hangs up
his spikes at seasons end, the Wallace Watch List candidate
will likely be Memphis' all-time leader in stolen bases,
triples, walks, games and runs scored.
The Tiger leader recently found time to
answer some questions from Ping!Baseball about a host of
topics including the future of Memphis baseball, twisted
testicles and where to get the best ribs in town.
PING!: I
see your legal first name is Kellen, but your listed middle
name is McRae. Where does the second "K" in your
name come from?
Chalmers: When I was younger
my older sister couldn't pronounce Kellen. So when I was
born she called me K.K. for short and the name just seemed
to stick. I'm not sure a lot of people even know my real
name is Kellen.
PING!: You
now have 97 career stolen bases (Chalmers actually reached
the century mark last Tuesday night’s game vs. Austin
Peay). Anything special planned for when you reach the century
mark?
Chalmers: I hadn't really
thought about my 100th stolen base. I didn't know that I
was approaching it. It is always a good feeling to see hard
work pay off and im sure my parents will have something
up their sleeve for me.
PING!: The
Tigers host conference rivals Rice, Tulane and East Carolina
in Memphis. How much of a difference does it make when you
play competitors of their caliber at home instead of on
the road?
Chalmers: It is always
fun playing conference series at home or away. I think it
gives the home team a slight edge, but with teams of that
caliber coming in you still have to get the job done on
the field.
PING!: Last
year you had played almost 150 straight games before being
sidelined to injury. What's the worst injury you've suffered
while playing baseball? Hopefully you've never had any injury
like Cubs' centerfielder Felix Pie who suffered a testicular
torsion (aka twisted testicle) in spring training this year.
Chalmers: Luckily I have
been blessed as far as my career goes with injuries. I have
had pulls, sprains, a separated shoulder, and a few other
mild injuries. This past fall I broke my hand and had surgery
to put a plate in so it grows back properly, but it wasn't
all that spectacular of an injury. I was hoping for a little
bit bigger scar though.
PING!: What
has been your favorite place to play away from Memphis?
Chalmers:
By far my favorite place to play away from Memphis
is East Carolina University. The atmosphere that their fans
bring to every game is unbelievable. Those guys out in the
jungle behind center field always keep me on my toes and
make the game fun for me. One of my close friends Harrison
Eldridge is ECU's centerfielder and that also makes the
series fun. Their fans do a great job of hazing me and riding
me while I'm out on the field, but they also do a good job
of keeping it fun. They have a picture and some other things
of me hanging in their tent out there. I also was asked
my freshman year to sign my strikeout K that they hang on
the fence out there and to my surprise they still had it
when we returned my Junior year. It is always a good time
when you visit ECU. Clemson ran a close second with their
centerfield crowd. Those guys did a great job also.
PING!: As
a Tiger captain and the team's only senior you've been put
in a position of a team leader this season. In what ways
have you taken the title to task?
Chalmers: As a captain
and somewhat of a team leader I just mainly try and provide
as much knowledge to these younger guys as I can. I'm not
a big motivational guy so I try and show them with hustle
and hard work. I feel like I can make more of a difference
that way than I can in words.
PING!: Since
you are the only four-year player on the team, the club
will need someone to take your place as a leader next season.
Which of your Tiger teammates do you foresee assuming the
role in 2009?
Chalmers: We have a couple
of JUCO transfers that have come in this year and have made
an impact on the program. My roommate Brett Bowen is one
of those guys and if he is back next year I would be disappointed
if he didn't assume that role. He is an amazing guy and
can be another leader by example.
PING!: Memphis
is famous for BBQ. When I lived there I was partial to Corky's
for saucy ribs, but Rendezvous for dry. Where do you recommend
for the best ribs in town?
Chalmers: I am a huge
fan of Corky's BBQ. I don't get downtown to Rendezvous as
much, and I'm not a big fan of dry ribs. If I had to recommend
anything it would be Corky's. Their Banana Pudding is off
the charts. A very close second would be Central BBQ down
near the Liberty Bowl. If you like Corky's then you probably
need to head down and see those guys at Central.
PREVIOUS PLAYER SPOTLIGHTS
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PREVIOUS COACH SPOTLIGHTS
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