Mainstream
An Interview with Justin Maxwell Thursday, April 29, 2010 By Garret Smith
"It's a 3-2 count in the bottom of the ninth. Bases loaded. Last home game of the season. Justin Maxwell, just up from the minors, steps up to the plate. Here comes the pitch...it's in the air. Going, going, gone! All the way to the outfield bleachers." This scenario played out for Maxwell, a 2001 Sherwood High School graduate, against the Mets in September 2009. This season, Maxwell hopes to do more than just hit walk-off home runs in a call-up; he hopes to be the starting right fielder for the Washington Nationals. Maxwell isn’t someone you walk by on the street without noticing. This 6'5", 235 pound twenty-seven year old, let's just say, isn't exactly ordinary. Neither is his attitude. Maxwell first started playing baseball in little league at the age of five. His dad loved baseball and had played baseball, and he got Justin into it. About his time playing baseball at Sherwood, Maxwell recalls, "It was a lot of fun, and it helped me to get into college." Maxwell compared playing high- school baseball to playing at the University of Maryland by saying, “There are fifty-six home games in college, compared to eighteen in high schools." Maxwell was first drafted in 2000 by the Orioles in the 43rd round, but decided instead to attend the University of Maryland . As a rising junior at the University of Maryland , Maxwell had the opportunity to try out for the Cape Cod Baseball League, elite wooden-bat league in which most highly-sought-after college players compete. He was drafted again in 2004 by the Texas Rangers in the tenth round but declined again, opting to finish college. After graduating from the University of Maryland in May 2005, Maxwell was drafted in the fourth round by the Nationals. This time he went. Maxwell played his first season for the Vermont Lakemonsters, the Nationals Short Season A team. In 2007, he split his time between the low A Hagerstown team and high A Potomac team. Combined that season, he hit a .281 with 27 homeruns, 83 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. He was brought up to the Nationals at the end of that season. His third pinch hit for the "Nats" was a grand slam. Maxwell was assigned to the Harrisburg Senators for the 2008 season but missed most of the season with a broken wrist. In 2009, Maxwell spent most of the season with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs. He was brought up to the majors in September, which is when he hit his historic grand slam. Now he is in spring training in Florida , vying for a spot in the Nationals lineup. Maxwell's favorite part about major league baseball is the fans, because "a lot of people come to watch me play and it's special to be a part of that." When comparing his training regimen from college to the MLB, Maxwell explains that in college there is homework and baseball, but in the pros, there is just baseball to focus on. Maxwell is also a husband to Lauren, his beautiful wife, and the father of a son, with a daughter on the way. Explaining what it is like to have a family and play baseball, Maxwell says his responsibilities include working on offense and defense in baseball, being a dad, and taking care of his family. Maxwell acknowledges the secret to his success, "I give all the credit to God, my wife, and a great family for being able to succeed as a father and a professional baseball player. I couldn't do it without them. They're great." Going back to that evening of the grand slam, Maxwell says, "It is every boy’s dream to hit a game-winning grand slam, and to also do it in the majors." His advice to young players who wish to make it to the majors is to "keep working. Every time you step onto the field, it's a chance to give it your best. You never know who's watching." Recent news that may have a significant effect on Maxwell is that Elijah Dukes was released from the team, giving him a chance to start. He stated his reaction to the release was simply, "It was a big surprise to me." This year, Maxwell aspires to make the team, as that will potentially show whether or not he will have a career in the major leagues. What it does not show, though, is his work ethic and great attitude on life. Plus, he's not a bad ball player either |