Photo by: Sarah Sachs/Arizona Diamondbacks
Catching Up With Jon Duplantier
4/24/2019 1:39:00 PM | Baseball
Rice's Newest Major Leaguer Took Time For Q&A
On April 1 former Rice pitcher Jon Duplantier became the 37th Owl to play in the major leagues. He appeared in two games for the Arizona Diamondbacks, earning a save and striking out three in 4.0 innings of work, before the club optioned him back to AAA (Reno Aces) on April 10. Duplantier, the 2016 Conference USA Pitcher of the Year, fielded some questions about that experience.
Q. What was the moment you got the news or call that you were being promoted?
I was at the team hotel in Reno, NV, just minding my own business. Our Farm Director called and gave me the news and that I had to catch a flight that evening - the most important flight I've ever had to catch.
Q. Who was the first (family, friend, social media) you shared news with?
My parents, both at the same time, then siblings, family, then Dayne Wunderlich.
Q. Any fun/crazy travel stories getting to the big league assignment?
Not really, but I had just driven 12 hours over two days to get to Reno. I had been in Reno for a total of three hours before I got the call.
Q. What was the moment like walking into big league clubhouse for first time?
I had been nervous, or at least had a pit in my stomach from the time I got the call until I walked into the clubhouse. Once I got to the clubhouse, I felt normal again, but it wasn't until I saw my first teammate (Greg Holland), that it hit me.
Q. Can you describe that first moment in the bullpen when you were told you were going to the game?
A rush of emotion. I felt happy, anxious, energized, but mainly panic mode hit. I wanted to make sure I was ready, so I was throwing pitches at rapid fire pace.
Q. What was it like to get your first save?
I didn't even realize I had gotten a save until after the game, but it was one for the coolest things I had ever done at that point in my life.
Q. Did you keep a souvenir or memento from that first appearance?
Oh I have all of the "firsts" - baseball, the cleats, and a lineup card.
Q. How many friends or family did you have come to the first (road) game?
My parents were able to make it on such short notice. Dayne got out there the next day, and we got to hang out for a couple games.
Q. Describe the postgame celebration in the clubhouse. Did the veterans have something waiting for you?
Yes they did. They showered Merrill and me with several different substances. Beer, shaving cream, mouthwash, baby powder, soap, shampoo, and who knows what else.
Q. Looking back at your Rice career does it seem that long ago that you were pitching at Reckling Park?
Feels like yesterday I was wearing the Old English R, but I've come a long way. I'm a very different pitcher than when I matriculated and that's due to all of the people that I met at Rice, and so far in my professional career.
Q. What advice would you give the current group and future Owls that aspire to one day reach the big leagues?
1. Everyone and every experience has something to offer you. You never know what you'll learn from someone or something.
2. Failure isn't fun, but it's exciting. Failure is the only true teacher in this game. I hope you never do, but when you fail, take the failure, look at it objectively, and plan to right the ship.
Q. When you were making your initial visit to Rice and saw all the former players who had their name carved into the stone wall at Reckling Park, did you feel confident you would be joining that list (and how does that realization feel now)?
I had no idea but i sure thought the wall was sweet and I wanted to be up there with those Rice Greats.
Q. What was the moment you got the news or call that you were being promoted?
I was at the team hotel in Reno, NV, just minding my own business. Our Farm Director called and gave me the news and that I had to catch a flight that evening - the most important flight I've ever had to catch.
Q. Who was the first (family, friend, social media) you shared news with?
My parents, both at the same time, then siblings, family, then Dayne Wunderlich.
Q. Any fun/crazy travel stories getting to the big league assignment?
Not really, but I had just driven 12 hours over two days to get to Reno. I had been in Reno for a total of three hours before I got the call.
Q. What was the moment like walking into big league clubhouse for first time?
I had been nervous, or at least had a pit in my stomach from the time I got the call until I walked into the clubhouse. Once I got to the clubhouse, I felt normal again, but it wasn't until I saw my first teammate (Greg Holland), that it hit me.
Q. Can you describe that first moment in the bullpen when you were told you were going to the game?
A rush of emotion. I felt happy, anxious, energized, but mainly panic mode hit. I wanted to make sure I was ready, so I was throwing pitches at rapid fire pace.
Q. What was it like to get your first save?
I didn't even realize I had gotten a save until after the game, but it was one for the coolest things I had ever done at that point in my life.
Q. Did you keep a souvenir or memento from that first appearance?
Oh I have all of the "firsts" - baseball, the cleats, and a lineup card.
Q. How many friends or family did you have come to the first (road) game?
My parents were able to make it on such short notice. Dayne got out there the next day, and we got to hang out for a couple games.
Q. Describe the postgame celebration in the clubhouse. Did the veterans have something waiting for you?
Yes they did. They showered Merrill and me with several different substances. Beer, shaving cream, mouthwash, baby powder, soap, shampoo, and who knows what else.
Q. Looking back at your Rice career does it seem that long ago that you were pitching at Reckling Park?
Feels like yesterday I was wearing the Old English R, but I've come a long way. I'm a very different pitcher than when I matriculated and that's due to all of the people that I met at Rice, and so far in my professional career.
Q. What advice would you give the current group and future Owls that aspire to one day reach the big leagues?
1. Everyone and every experience has something to offer you. You never know what you'll learn from someone or something.
2. Failure isn't fun, but it's exciting. Failure is the only true teacher in this game. I hope you never do, but when you fail, take the failure, look at it objectively, and plan to right the ship.
Q. When you were making your initial visit to Rice and saw all the former players who had their name carved into the stone wall at Reckling Park, did you feel confident you would be joining that list (and how does that realization feel now)?
I had no idea but i sure thought the wall was sweet and I wanted to be up there with those Rice Greats.
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