Kurt Horne

Interview with Kurt Horne

During the June 24th game between the Brooklyn Cyclones and the Hudson Valley Renegades, I was on the field as my father and son threw out the first pitch.  During that time, I had the opportunity to meet Cyclones left-handed pitcher Kurt Horne.

The British Columbia native was the Mets 2014 31st round draft pick.  The tall left-hander eschewed an opportunity to pitch in college.  Instead, at the age of 17, Horne decided to not only sign with the Mets, but to move to the complete opposite end of the continent to fulfill his dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player.  Horne agreed to do an interview with me to discuss his path to the Mets organization and his development in the minor leagues.

The natural question to start for someone from Canada is why baseball and not hockey?

Ha ha!  Of course, I grew up in a baseball family, I followed after my brother, doing everything he did.I also used to play in the backyard with my grandpa hitting Wiffle balls everyday after school when I was younger, so baseballs in my blood.

So at 6’5″ you were the little brother?

Well, my brother is 6 years older then me, so it took a while to catch up.

I take it your brother was a good baseball player in his own right.

Absolutely, he was a good pitcher when he was younger but grew up to be a better hitter.

You ever have a chance to pitch against him?

No, unfortunately not; it would’ve been a awesome experience.

When did you start pitching?

I was around 6 or 7 years old when I started to pitch.
How would you describe yourself as a pitcher?
Not over powering.  I’m more of a finesse pitcher. I mostly use my sinker to get weak contact and a change up to keep hitters off balance.
How have you progressed as a pitcher during your four years in the Mets organization?

I’ve learned a lot about the game: How to read hitters; how to mix my pitches better.  I’ve really learned how to actually pitch rather than just following what the catcher calls.

What are the things you need to work on to improve and help yourself get to the next level?

I need to make my delivery more consistent so I can throw strikes more consistently, and I need to be able to spin a breaking ball for a strike.  And that will help me advance.

When Mets fans hear breaking ball, they immediately think “Warthen Slider.” Is that a pitch they’ve introduced to you, or are you working on other pitches?

I haven’t worked on a slider much – really trying to focus on a short curveball that’s easier to throw.

Your pitching coach, former Met Royce Ring, used one in the majors. Is there anything particular he’s shown you to make it a more effective pitch?

We’ve just been working on making it a fastball until the last possible second and finding the right release point.

Now, you’ve had a different experience than most minor league pitchers in that you’ve had Ring as your pitching coach during different stops. How has working mostly with one person helped or hurt you?

It’s helped with getting consistent feedback.  We’re able to communicate really well now so we are both on the same page, and we know what my goals are moving forward. But being in extended spring, there’s other coaches around, so I like to here some other feedback for things to think about.

What are your goals moving forward?

To minimize my amount of walks, and do a better job of getting ahead in the count.

You’ve been predominantly used as a reliever. Do you see yourself as a reliever, or do you believe you could be a starter?

I just see myself pitching, whether it be a reliever or starter is up to the team. I feel I have the ability to do both.

Overall, who has had the biggest impact on your career?

My Parents and brother without a doubt. They push me to be better day in and day out and did everything in their power to help me get to where I am today.

Specifically, how has your family impacted you in your career as a baseball player?

My family impacted me from the beginning.  From introducing me to the sport, watching my brother playing, having my dad who studies the game more than anyone I know and my mom went everywhere I went to support me when I played.  I couldn’t ask for a more supportive family.

Outside of your family, who else has had an impact on you?

I also learned a lot from my pitching coach Marty Hall, who along with my parents helped me become who I am.

I grew up watching and then participating in his baseball clinics, he is a very close family friend who I consider to be family.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received how to succeed as a pitcher and make it to the major leagues?

Have a short memory.  Focus on one pitch at a time.  Have a routine, and most importantly, have fun.

What’s it like pitching in New York?

Pitching in Brooklyn has been amazing.  I love stadium.  The fans are all into the games, I love it!

What has been your favorite memory as a baseball player?

It’s hard to pick just one.  Playing for the Canadian junior national team was amazing, and being selected by the Mets in the first year player draft was a dream come true.

Who was your favorite player growing up?

I always wore 13 because of Billy Wagner, and I couldn’t get it with Team Canada so I wore #31. It also stuck because I’m a Jon Lester fan.

It does take courage to wear Mike Piazza‘s number in New York.  Big shoes to fill there.

Of course!  Now, when it comes to it I’ll wear 13, but I had the option so I went with it.

Last year, former Mets minor leaguer Nicco Blank made a name for himself for leaving tickets for Taylor Swift to see him pitch. What famous person would you like to come see you pitch?

Ha ha!  That’s a good question.  I’m gonna say Drake because he’s Canadian, and he’s one of my favorite artists.

On a personal note, how was my son’s first pitch?

He hit me right on the glove, so I’d say it was perfect.  Plus extra points for being left-handed.

Personally, I want to thank Horne for taking the time for this interview, and for the time he spent with my father and son when they threw out the first pitch.  For those that want to follow him, his Twitter handle is @AroundTheHorne_.

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Thank You Brooklyn Cyclones

This past week my Dad turned 70 years old.  It is because of him that my brother and I have been lifelong Mets fans.  For that, I’m not sure to thank him or to curse him.  All joking aside, some of my fondest memories with my Dad have involved baseball.

There were the Mets games through the years.  We were there for Robin Ventura‘s Grand Slam single.  We saw Todd Pratt‘s homer ending the 1999 NLDS.  We were there a year later as Bobby Jones propelled the Mets to the 2000 NLCS.  There was the last game at Shea Stadium, and the first game at Citi Field.

We saw Matt Harvey come so close to pitching a no-hitter against the White Sox.  We loved see Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero have their first ever start at Citi Field in the 2013 Future’s Game.  Our favorite moment at a Mets game hands down was Game 3 of the 2015 World Series.

But it was more than the Mets games.  There were the catches he used to have with my brother and I in the backyard.  There was him throwing pitches to help try me to become a catcher.  There were the times, he would throw batting practice to my brother and I.

When it came time to give him a gift, my family wanted to give him more than a present.  We wanted to give him a memory that would at least rival the fond memories we had of him.  With us not having 499 friends to invite to a Mets game, or the money to purchase those tickets, that left us with the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Brooklyn in and of itself was fitting.  It was the place he would commute over an hour each way in order for him to support our family, to put my brother and I through school.

After speaking with the Cyclones, Joe Senis specifically, we were able to arrange for my father to throw out the first pitch before Saturday’s Cyclones game. Not just that, but at my Dad’s request, they allowed his grandson to take the mound with him (and throw out a pitch of his own):

 

Personally, I think they both did a great job:

Also, great job by Kurt Horne catching both of those pitches and for taking a brief moment to shake my Dad’s and my son’s hands.  It was also great Edgardo Alfonzo, one of my Dad’s favorite Mets, gave us his autograph.

That’s not all the Cyclones did for us.  They also sent the mascot up to where we were sitting for some family photos . . .

 

and they put on a great postgame fireworks show:


It was a classy move from a classy group of people.  They gave my Dad and his family a memory we will forever cherish, and we are forever grateful to the team.

 

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