Garrett Gould
July 23, 2008 @ 11:11 a.m. by Joannaby joanna
I wrote a Garrett Gould story for today’s paper, and it was in the paper because of this blog. I like to think that I have a pretty good handle on the top athletes and top teams and the goings-on around here just because I talk to so many different people through my job. But there’s no doubt that there are things that I just don’t know about.
And that’s where you, the loyal readers and posters of this blog come in. I do pay attention to what you guys say, I note the players that you mention, I check into the story lines you talk about. Which is where the Garrett Gould story came from.
So thanks to you. Man, I’ve got a tear in my eye. This is embarrassing.
Want to know more about Gould? Check out below.
When I called Garrett yesterday, I admitted that I was doing so because he was such a hot topic on the blog. That if I was going to keep you guys around, I had to have a chat with him. I’m not sure if that scared him or what.
He talked about the visits that he’s thinking of taking — Arizona, Arkansas, LSU, maybe Miami. (I will keep in touch with him to talk about those visits). I then asked him about the Shockers for all you WSU fans out there.
“I grew up always watching Wichita State and always wanting to go there. They’re probably in the top five.”
I then asked him a question that had cropped up on the Bishop Carroll and WSU walk-ons post about whether having a football team affects a recruits decision. Here’s what Gould said.
“Not really, because I’m going there just to play baseball. That’s going to be my job. It’d be nice to go to a football game and go do all that, but it’s not going to factor into my decision.”
About his repertoire of pitches: “I stick to fastball and curveball and mix in a change, but those are the two main pitches that I stick to. I use my fastball (mainly) during the high school season, but in the summer, I rely on the other two pitches more.”
About the game you guys mentioned at WSU, saying that Goddard senior Kory Schroth jacked one over the wall and onto 21st: “I don’t know about that. It was a shot, but Nathan Rausch (Goddard senior) had one in the tournament that cleared the scoreboard.”
Gould said he’s been playing first and the outfield, as well as pitcher as a way to keep him in the lineup.
About choosing baseball, he also said: “I’m going to miss (football) a lot. I know it’s a smart decision. All the coaches told me that I have to do what’s best for me. I would love to get out there and help the (football) team, but I have to do what’s best for me. They’ve got a junior QB (Dylan Ayres) that’s going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league.”
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Thanks Joanne & thanks Garrett.
You are truly a giffted athelete & I look forward to following your career. We’ll miss you in F-ball, but I get it.
Oh yeah, Nathan crushed that one & is also a player that could use a little hype.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Amazing what a couple of hits in a game of that size will do for your confidence, especially with some of the people that were watching.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 5:11 pm
How big-time of it that he gives the new QB a shout? I think that says a lot about Gould.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Garrett…i love that kid, hes got a hot brother too
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July 24th, 2008 at 9:34 am
I don’t understand when it is front page sports news that a kid decides to NOT play a sport. You would think that he was Lebron James. Strange timing for the story since high school football doesn’t start for a couple of weeks still. I guess we needed to make his head bigger, like he is not cocky enough already. Nice of him to give a shout to the new quarterback, why dont we go ahead and give him props like he is Dan Marino endorsing the next guy. I would have rather seen a story on someone IS playing football next year.
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July 24th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Hopefully we are helping prepare Garrett for the press, good & bad.
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July 24th, 2008 at 9:56 am
once again chi-bears his hind end. What a tool.
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July 24th, 2008 at 9:59 am
The story was about his making the top 34 players in the USA 18-U national team you idiot, and that he was skiping football to prepare for his future. As for the next Lebron James, he plays baseball dummy, not basketball. However, the MLB scouts do say he is one of the best in the country.
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July 24th, 2008 at 10:55 am
I am encouraged that most of the posters on these boards support others instead of try to tear others down. There are many tremendous athletes around the city and it’s great that these young men have an opportunity to play in competition during the school year and lay that aside and come together during the summer and build not only a great team but a true bond of friendship and mutual respect and are not afraid to let others know how much they appreciate their teammates for their accomplishments on the field.
Thank goodness the “Chibears” are the exception on this board.
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July 24th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Chibears, I’d like to give you the benefit of the doubt and think that if you read the whole story on Gould you would see why it’s worthy. Here’s a kid who obviously is one of the best baseball players in the country — and he lives in our area.
That he’s decided not to play football, that’s news, too. He would have been one of the top five quarterbacks in the area, easy. Plus he had Brett Soft as a receiver, which would mean the top tandem was back. So yeah, that’s a story.
Two major things, both stories, both worthy.
As for him being cocky, I just am not sure how to respond. I don’t know him well, I admit, but when I’ve dealt with him, he’s been nothing but respectful, willing to talk and never once came across as someone with a gigantic ego.
If you disagree on stories, no problem. Feel free to pass on any ideas of stories you’d like to see. I’m always interested in hearing new ideas.
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July 24th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
First off Chlbears, you might want to proof read your post next time. Someone IS playing football next year? Simple fifth grade English. Next, I hope you know Garrett on a personal level, because if not, who are you to judge people. You sound pretty cocky yourself. Garrett is a great kid, and the fact that he had nothing but good things to say about the new Maize qb speaks volumes of the kid’s character. This is a kid who just turned 17 and he has a whirlwind of things going on right now. I think he is handling all of the media attention with class. Oh, and another thing, Dan Marino? Marino can’t throw a mid 90’s fastball.
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July 24th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I appreciate you pointing out my mistakes on my english. You must be one of those perfect people who have perfect english everytime you write something. By the way I do know that Lebron plays basketball but I think he is someone who deserves front page press. Not cocky, must be maize people because Gould is nothing but cocky. He could take a few lessons from someone like Watkins on how to act on the field. To say I am the exception is something I appreciate, I was taught to be uncommon and not be a follower. You are right about the Marino comparision, I mean Marino is a hall a famer who cares how fast he throws the ball. Joanna write what you want I will continue to read and I think you do a great job. Most women think my hind end is nice so I will continue to show it when I can opportunity.
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July 24th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Well, chibears, must be Goddard people. What, with the high and mighty attitude you have. While I agree Watkins is a class act, I have never seen Gould do anything on ANY sports field that made him look cocky. Maybe you are thinking of someone else, because it sounds to me like you are just hating on someone because of their talent.
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July 24th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
It’s curious that Schroth, Rousch and Douglas from Goddard can play on the same baseball team with Gould, Marasco, Hege and Schuyler from Maize and all get along well and be friends.
I think it’s obvious that Chibears is the one with ego, not to mention insecurity and maturity issues. Chibears is the one that feels the need to bring up how wonderful HE is…HIS hind-end…how he thinks MOST women think HIS HIND-END is NICE. Hmmm…maybe you would benefit from your own advice, Chibears.
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July 24th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Don’t know if Garrett pitched or not, but the Wolverines run ruled one of them select teams out of Dallas, and that is Texas, today 12-2. So much for Texas being better in this game. Kansas 1, Texas 0 for all you puds who like to brag on how much better Texas is than us in everything.
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July 25th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Garretts team is now 2-0 after run ruling a select team out of St. Louis today (Friday)
they play back to back Saturday against team DeMarini and Oklahoma Baseball at Glencoe, Oklahoma High School field
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July 26th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
“While I agree Watkins is a class act, I have never seen Gould do anything on ANY sports field that made him look cocky.”
Didn’t Joanna do a blog post about how cocky Logan Watkins is. I remember it because of how everyone that knew Watkins disagreed. Just look at the archives if you don’t know what I’m talking about.
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July 26th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Check your facts, dude. (Informant) I never called Logan Watkins cocky. Nice try, though. In my job as a sportswriter, I take great pride in not calling out high school kids like that — not in the paper, not on the blog.
Good luck with starting some crap, though.
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July 27th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Informant asked the question but what he is really remembering is that some sleazeball wanted to start some crap on Joanna’s blog and people who know Watkins came to his defense and defended his character, just like in this case with Gould.
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July 28th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Joanna said “crap.” ;)
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July 28th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
RikRok, you made me laugh. You did. I was thinking worse than crap, though.
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July 28th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
OK, I went back and looked it up and it was Jeff Lutz who said that Logan Watkins was cocky. Here it is:
http://blogs.varsitykansas.com/blog/2007/11/15/logan-watkins/
As for Jeff calling him cocky — that is the pot calling the kettle black. And that’s why Jeff can get away with that. Jeff loved Adonis Gantt, too, and Gantt could be said to have an ego. Check out this quote that he gave Jeff in a story that Jeff wrote in February: “Everybody says, ‘He’s got a big mouth, he talks trash a lot,’ ” said Gantt, whose Buffaloes meet East at 8:30 tonight at the Kansas Coliseum. “The game’s not fun for me if we’re just playing this game and no one’s talking.
“That’s just how I like to compete. Sometimes it brings out the best in me and sometimes it don’t, so I have to learn to channel it a little bit more.”
All good stuff. In my time dealing with Watkins, I never got the feeling that he was cocky. I’m pretty easy on athletes, though, because I figure you have to have an ego to go out there and think you’re going to win every time. Just like I have to have some sort of an ego to put my name and face on my stories. It’s just that my ego is less obvious that, let’s say, Jeff Lutz’s. And I say that in love.
But this discourse on whether someone’s cocky or not, nice or not, is a little ridiculous. There’s perception, which is those who don’t really know someone but have seen them play. There’s reality, which is what those who know someone personally see. And then there’s the fact that some people treat specific people differently. There’s a kid I know in my personal life who has issues with women in authority, yet he treats me with the utmost respect and kindness.
In my job, I do wonder if I really get a good look at who a person is? I’m not sure. When I spend quite a bit of time with someone, I feel like I get a good read on them. But I think for those few minutes of an interview here or there after a game, because I’m in the media, I’m not necessarily going to see that real person.
OK, I’m done.
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July 28th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Alright I apoligize for calling Gould cocky, but being cocky is not always a bad thing especially for baseball players. I mean we are talking about a sport that if you go 3 for 10 you are pretty successful. Most really good baseball players are a little cocky but they need an attitude especially pitchers to be good. I went back and re-read Joanna’s article and totally see the reasoning behind it and Gould did make class act quotes.
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July 28th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Hold up, chibears, did you just apologize? This is unbelievable. You guys are great. There’s been support, apologies, kind words. What’s going on? Is this a nice place to be? It seems that way. Wow. I love it.
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July 28th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
We have to eat a little crow now and then. Sometimes we jump to conclusions without really thinking what an idiot we can sound like.
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July 29th, 2008 at 11:32 am
gonefishing,
perhaps gould has matured in the last year, but as late as his 15 yr old year in summer ball, he still displayed some of the most vulgar, obscene and unsportsmanlike behavior on a baseball field that you will ever see. you will find a lot of people who played against him AND with him that will agree. like i say, MAYBE he has matured, but it is also possible he is just well-versed in how to behave when the spotlight is on.
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July 29th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Wichita Eagle Reader, I played sports with and against Gould for many years and never saw him do ANYTHING that would qualify as vulgar or obscene. Gould was always the first to congratulate me or my teammates who hit well or had a good game or home run and would be upset with himself when he didn’t do well. He was never a jerk to any of us or the other team. He’s not perfect but neither are you but I know one thing, he’s not and never was vulgar or obscene on the field.
At 15 he played for the Wichita Red Sox. Maybe you heard about another kid on that team who decided to relieve himself in an ashtray at a hotel while on a baseball trip. Now that’s what I would call vulgar. Or maybe you’re thinking about a kid on that team with a smart mouth who ignored the coaches and did what he wanted during the games. That wasn’t Gould either.
When you playing sports, the spotlight is always on.
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July 29th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Wichita Eagle Reader, I have played sports with and against Gould since we were little kids. I have never seen Gould do ANYTHING vulgar or obscene on the field. He was always the first one to congratulate me or a teammate when they are having a good game or hit a home run and I’ve never heard him say or do anything vulgar or obscene to the other team or to his teammates. He is too hard on himself. hardest on himself and feels like he has let himself and the team down if he doesn’t go out there and do well.
At 15 Gould played for the Wichita Red Sox. The only vulgar incident off the Red Sox I heard of is when a kid off that team releived himself in an ashtray at a hotel because he thought it was funny. Now that’s vulgar. You also might be thinking about the mouthy kid on the Redsox who never listened to the coaches and just did what he wanted. That wasn’t Gould either.
When you play sports, you are always in the spotlight.
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July 30th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Batman,
i saw what i saw, and i know who it was. i won’t describe his behavior, (on the field no less) because it is not appropriate in this forum. but i will say, i was employed at hobart detter baseball field at the time i witnessed his behavior, and i was appalled by him and one other player. vulgar and obscene are fitting descriptions for what i saw. i truly hope he has learned better manners.
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July 30th, 2008 at 10:20 am
This forum is the perfect place for posters to hide their true identity and say whatever they want about an athlete and enjoy being anonymous. It seems somebody has seen some athlete say or do something illegal, immoral, or just incredibly outrageous…Logan Watkins…Tyler Grimes…the Brown Brothers…the Bishop Carroll football team…the Independent baseball team…now Garrett Gould…who will be next?
Post your real name and I am sure someone on this board will post something about how YOU did something appalling sometime in your life. It may or may not be true but people just LOVE trashing others.
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July 30th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
HighPoint, this coming from a guy who didn’t use his real name?
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July 30th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
“Trash” from what i have read a lot of it was based on fact. The spot light is bright if you cant take the heat be” average”.
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July 30th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
$500,000 id laugh as well
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July 31st, 2008 at 8:49 am
Joanna,
Why don’t you talk to Chris McElgunn. He is the head coach of the Red Sox, the team that Gould played for when he was 15. If this vulgar incident supposedly happened on the field he would surely have seen it, have vivid memories of it and would have been given all kinds of grief about it.
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July 31st, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Highpoint, I think I hear a violin playing in the background.
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July 31st, 2008 at 5:24 pm
They have medication for that…you really ought to seek help right away.
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July 31st, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I think a few posters on these forums are hearing things playing in the background that the rest of us don’t hear.
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August 1st, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Well ive experienced garrett on and off the field. He is a funny and great kid. He’s and emotional player that loves the game, but he has never taken too far in any such manner. Garrett nothing more than a kid so everyone needs to lay off him, and that person that relieved himself in the ash tray is now a player for Goddard High and the Midwest Wolverines.
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September 1st, 2008 at 12:01 pm
no the whole ashtray happend on at a hotel after our tournament was over, how do i know about this? cause i played on that team and witnessed it
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