Q&A with Twins Reliever Buddy Boshers

When Buddy Boshers stepped onto the mound in Seattle on May 28, it marked the end of an improbable baseball odyssey that spanned nearly three years and included stops in Double A Arkansas, Triple A Salt Lake, independent ball in Somerset and, finally, Triple A Rochester.

The 28-year-old lefthander had been last seen in the big leagues with Anaheim in 2013, where he posted an uninspiring 4.70 ERA in 25 games. Since being recalled by the Twins last month, Boshers has been stellar, allowing just one earned run in eight innings over 11 appearances. He even picked up his first major league win on June 7.

The reliever and I chatted about his journey and new team during the last homestand.

DZ: You’ve been here a few weeks now, how’s it going for you?

BOSHERS: It’s going good. Can’t complain.

DZ: You’ve gotten off to a good start, that’s got to be important when you come to a new team.

BOSHERS: I just go out and throw strikes and try to get outs. Fortunately, so far, that’s been the case.

DZ: It’s your first time in the big leagues in about three years…

BOSHERS: Yeah, three years. ‘13 was the last time I was in the big leagues.

DZ: You’ve been on quite a journey since then: minor leagues, independent ball. At any point during that time, did you think about trying something else and giving it up?

BOSHERS: No, not at all. I still felt like I could go out and compete and, as long as I have that mentality, I’ve always got to keep trying. There’s always somebody watching.

DZ: What was the lowest point for you during all that?

BOSHERS: Going to Indy ball. I went to Indy ball thinking, “What am I really doing here,” and got an early wake up call. It’s actually a really competitive league in the Atlantic League. I really had to dial it in and focus on getting outs.

DZ: What would you compare (the Atlantic) League to?

BOSHERS: Triple A would be comparable. Good Double A for the most part. There are a few teams that were overmatched, but for the most part, good Double A/Triple A.

DZ: Is there any one big lesson you think you learned during all that time; one thing you can take away from it?

BOSHERS: Don’t take it for granted. It can be taken away from you in a heartbeat. Just have fun doing it while you can.

DZ: Did you know any of the Twins players before you came over here?

BOSHERS: I knew Ervin Santana and I knew (Kevin) Jepsen before coming over here.

DZ: How did Jeffrey Allan become “Buddy”?

BOSHERS: It’s just a nickname I picked up when I was really young and it kinda stuck. Been “Buddy” ever since.

See more of David Zingler’s player interviews: June 13: Max Kepler May 23: Seimone Augustus May 6: Casey Fien April 28: Tyler Duffey April 20: Ryan Pressly April 14: John Ryan Murphy

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