Interview with former OF Dave Macias

 

What have you been up to since the draft?

Well, I just got home a few days ago. I've been hanging out with my brothers and my mom.

How thrilled are you to get drafted and get a chance to play in the majors?

I'm going to play in the minors but hopefully in a few years I'll make it to the majors. We'll see.

You're going to camp in a few days aren't you?

Yes, I'm going to Arizona for a few days to get my physical done and then hopefully I'll be sent to Boise, Idaho to play the rest of the year. We'll see what happens.

OK, let's say it's game 7 of the World Series with two outs and bases loaded. It's you against David Price. What happens?

Well, I'd like to say I get the game winning hit but I'd rather have him on my team.

He's doing really well right now.

Yeah, he's doing very well.

Why did you choose Vanderbilt?

I took my visit there. It was my only visit. I was playing football so I didn't get a chance to go see other schools. I went to the campus and fell in love with the coaches and campus. Obviously the great academics was a big part of me going there. It was just a no-brainer for me to go there.

What do you think of the improvements to the stadium since you came to Vandy?

It's great. It's a credit to Coach Corbin. He's done a great job. He's turned things around. It's good to see all the improvements. And in a few years it's going to get even bigger. It's what Nashville needs.

What makes Coach Corbin so successful?

He belives in hard work and instills that in all of his players. We practice hard and it comes out in the game. He instills hard work and it brings out the best in all of us.

What are you most proud of from your time at Vanderbilt?

There are so many moments. 2007 was great where we won the SEC and the SEC tournament. I'm so proud to have played with such great guys and of all those relationships.

Where was the hardest place to play?

I wouldn't describe it as hard but as fun. Playing at Ole Miss was the hardest/funnest because it was a big atmosphere. It was so loud and it was a lot of fun. Arkansas was also hard/fun. There are 10,000 people there and 9,000 are rooting against you.

Who was the toughest pitcher you faced?

Sean Watson from UT. He used to throw 93 or 94 miles per hour. He also had another pitch that was impossible to hit. Josh Fields from Georgia is pretty good.

You went 4 for 4 against UT back in May. On a day like that does the ball just slow down on it's way to the plate?

It's just one of those days where your first at bat you get a hit. Then it seems like everytime you go up there you are going to get a hit. After the first bat you are relived and you just go out there and your comfortable. It doesn't happen often but when it does it's exciting.

Also this year you had a great game to put South Carloina out of the SEC tournament and advance to play Ole Miss what sticks out from that game?

In that game our backs where against the wall. We had won the first game against Florida and lost the next day to LSU. We were one loss away from elimination. We just went out there with the mindset of being relaxed and to have fun. I was able to help the team out to fortunately win the game.

How disappointed where you after Oklahoma hit that two run shot to end your season?

It was like deja vu from last year. It was unfortunate because we worked so hard the entire year and to have one pitch end the season. But that's life. We'll move on.

The pitch before that should've been a strike.

Yeah, I was playing centerfield and I could see it perfectly. They definitely missed that call. But that stuff happens. It's unfortunate it ended that way.

Speaking of disappointment what did you think when Price gave up the homer against Michigan last year?

I was suprised like everyone else. It's one of those freak moments. We are all better for it. That guy from Michigan, it was his day I guess.

What does it mean to you to be an SEC champion?

It was obviously exciting to win the regular season being the best during the regular season but we lost the first game of the tournament and to come back through the losers bracket it meant more. We felt really good about ourselves being able to bounce back from adversity. That was the most exciting part of the year. We beat Ole Miss twice and winning the whole thing. I was very proud to be part of that team. Great teammates. I'll never forget it.

What's your thoughts on the program next year?

I honestly haven't thought about it much. I graduated and I don't have any elgibility left but I hope the best for them. There's a bunch of great young guys coming back and I know Corbin will get back to work and will do what he does best.

Anything else you'd like to say to the Vandy fans?

I'd like to thank all the Vandy fans for all of their support. It was the best four years of my life. Thanks again. I appreciate it.