Amy G's Bullshootin' – Shane Loux

Amy: Thanks so much for logging on to CSNBayArea.com. We've got another webisode of "Bullshootin'" - I always say that really slow so I don't mess up - with reliever Shane Loux. And this is the first time I've actually had a chance to spend any time with you, and it's your first time up here with the Giants this season. So tell us a little bit about how it's been kind of acclimating into this clubhouse and into that crazy bullpen and have really good chemistry.

Shane: Well you know you get a little taste in spring training when you meet everybody. I was in spring training last year and this year coming back, and it's, uh, it's been awesome. I knew the guys I was dealing with and to get out, to come up here and actually interact day in, day out, in the clubhouse, on the field, at dinner with these guys is something I've really, really enjoyed. It's been a lot of fun.

A: Ok so now I'm going to tease you a little bit. As far as baseball years go, you're, you- You're old. You've got 16- He didn't think that, he didn't know I was going to say that. I'm teasing.

S: No, I, I know.

A: You've got 16 years playing professional baseball, and in doing that clearly you have had ups and downs in your career, and what I'm trying to get at is that it's amazing that you've had a 16 year career. Tell us a little bit about it.

S: Well thank you. It's been a long road and I know it's kind of clich but, you know, I've been in every level. I've been in the Big Leagues, I've been in the Minor Leagues, I've been released, I've been designated, I've been outright - Anything that can happen to you in a game I've been through, so I think, you know, with the exception of maybe Huff or somebody like that I may be the most...

A: The eldest member?

S: Yeah, you know, there's a couple guys older than I am-

A: I'm- I'm older than you, if that makes you feel better.

S: I know, I'm aware.

A: You can call me grandma.

S: I'm aware. I know.

A: You are? He's getting me back!

S: Well. I just, I've been through a lot, you know, and I know how quickly it can be taken away and why you should cherish it while you're here, and I'm just trying to appreciate every day because you never know how many days you have left.

A: And with that, and with the experience that you've gained through your years in baseball, how has it made you a better performer on the mound?

S: Well, the worst possible case scenario is not that bad. I mean, it's hard to say when we live, we eat, we breathe the game, you know, and our families' meals provide on us, providing for them and performing on the field, but you know every day I stop to realize I have an 11-month old daughter.

A: Yeah.

S: She's healthy. You know, my wife and I are best friends. We get along. So if I give up a homer, it, it...I'm disappointed, I'm upset but, you know, it's not the end of the world. And I always, I always try to say I'm a- I play baseball, it doesn't necessarily define me, who I am as a person. It's what I do, not who I am, and as long as I remember that, and keep that in perspective, I, it helps me to deal with ups and downs on the field.

A: That's awesome. And you mentioned your 11-month old daughter, your wife, and I was able to read about them through your tweets. And I love that you're so socially active and so socially available. You know, letting people know about your family and what's important to you. How have you been able to balance social media, because a lot of players have trouble with that.

S: Well, I think....I think players that struggle with it are trying to be someone that they're not. That's not always the case, but when you're trying to put on a front, then when someone says something to you that's not what you want to here, you try to think of ways to react to it. But I was very clear when I started my Twitter account that you were going to get what you get out of me, and there's all these lines in songs that I listen to that say "I'd rather you hate me for what I am than love me for what I'm not." So, I mean, it is what it is. You know, I, I tease people on there if they ask a stupid question. I'll say "That was a stupid question." You know, but then again-

A: Oh my gosh, I'm scared about my next question.

S: I, I enjoy it. I mean, that's what it's for, for them to interact without having to really interact.

A: Yeah, that's true.

S: It's what it's for, and I'm not like some of these guys like Brian who have 500,000 followers. I mean I can - Right now I'm managing 2,500 people and it's not that tough when I get five questions a day, and every once in a while I'll do a Q&A. It's fun for me. My wife just rolls her eyes and we go on with our day.

A: What's your Twitter handle?

S: It's @shaneloux.

A: Now you're gonna get like five more after this video.

S: That's fine. Five more. I'm gonna try to get to, you know, 2,700.

A: Ok now I have to ask you a quick baseball question actually about you being a long reliever. Play on words. You have times where - The other day you had to start warming up in the first inning for Timmy, but they didn't need you. But what happens when you warm up, and you warm up, and you warm up and then you don't go in? How do you- How do you continue to stay sharp?

S: Well, um- That actually helps you stay sharp. The more mound time you can get, you know, at full strength when you're getting ready to go in a game is how you stay sharp. Sometimes extended days off are when you start to lose a few things and you need to get on the mound and get moving. Other than battling a fatigue if you get up three, four, five times in a game, and then sometimes you forget that you- You think "Oh, I didn't pitch yesterday," but really you threw like five innings in the bullpen so you've got to manage your- Physically you have to manage yourself which sometimes is harder than mentally.

A: Last one.

S: Ok.

A: And this was on Twitter, so this is just letting people know who are not on Twitter the pronunciation of your last name. I came to you the other day and I wanted to make sure, but I loved your tweet. It is 'lukes.'

S: 'Lukes.'

A: And what does your daddy say?

S: He said "We add the X because we can."

A: We add the X because we can. It's there.

S: It's our name. If you don't like it, say whatever you want. I'll answer to anything.

A: Alright. Were there any stupid questions in our interview?

S: Umm...none that I'm going to make fun of you right now for.

A: Ok, but I am older. It's Ok.

S: By like two years.

A: That's a lot. Shane Loux, thanks for joining us on 'Bullshootin'.' Remember we say that slow. CSNBayArea.com, brought to you by Go Pro AM. Check you out next time. Bye.