Indiana University Athletics
In the Dugout with Andy Casper
1/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 10, 2006
Along with head coach Tracy Smith and assistant coaches Ty Neal and Micah Nori, the Indiana baseball team also welcomes 12 new players to the 2006 roster. In the coming weeks, IUHOOSIERS.com will feature each IU newcomer. After catcher Jason Dew took his turn in the spotlight, pitcher Andy Casper is up next.
Casper comes to the Hoosiers from Monterey Peninsula (Calif.) Community College, where he spent the 2005 season. The 6-6 right-hander picked up five wins, one save and one complete game (12 starts) en route to being named a second team All-Coast League member. He also posted a 4.30 ERA in 73 1/3 innings to go along with 56 strikeouts, 55 hits and 37 walks.
A standout at New Prairie High School in New Carlisle, Ind., Casper was an All-Northern Conference selection, all-area (LaPorte County), a captain, Most Valuable Player and New Prairie's leading hitter.
The son of Johnnie L. Casper Jr. and Susan Mitchell has one brother, Johnnie L. Casper III, and is a psychology major.
Hometown: Watsonville, Calif.
High School/Last School: New Prairie/Monterey Peninsula (Calif.) CC
Position: Pitcher
Height/Weight: 6-6/190
Bat/Throw: R/R
If you were to play another sport at IU, what would it be?
Basketball
Best thing about Bloomington:
Indiana University
Best thing about the team:
Everyone gets along great, and we're extremely competitive.
What are three words that best describe coach Smith?
Professional, personable, honest
Who would play you in a movie?
Clint Eastwood
Which professional player would you compare yourself to?
Barry Zito
What is your favorite major league ballpark?
Wrigley Field
What would be the title of your autobiography?
Never Die Easy
What is your favorite/most memorable sports moment?
Steve Bartman robbing the Cubs in the 2003 NLCS
Should Pete Rose be eligible for the Hall of Fame?
No
Should college baseball switch to wooden bats?
Yes, we're not in high school any more.
Who is the best hitter and pitcher in major league baseball?
Hitter- Barry Bonds; Pitcher- Roger Clemens
Should baseball impose a salary cap?
No
Who is the one MLB hitter and pitcher you would want to face?
Go big or go home. I would want to face Barry Bonds and hit off of Roger Clemens.
Favorite baseball team:
Indiana Hoosiers
Favorite player:
Barry Zito
Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
I eat a banana and cottage cheese, drink some Gatorade while watching SportsCenter, then I head to the field.
Why did you choose IU?
It is a great school and small college town with a great atmosphere. The basketball also is great, and we play in the Big Ten.
