For this article, I took to Twitter to interview former professional baseball player Houston Crawford. Crawford, like a lot of people had always dreamed of making it to the majors. Crawford, unlike a lot of people almost saw that dream come to fruition after being signed as an undrafted Free Agent by the Atlanta Braves in 2007. I’d like to thank Crawford again, and per his request, follow him on Twitter: @htown.
Jake: The highest level you made it to was High-A ball. Honestly, how high did you think you could go?
Houston Crawford: Growing up, I always thought I had the potential to make the major leagues, I think that’s the dream of every kid, but I knew I had potential when I was a freshman in HS playing varsity, and I hit .430. I also worked for the Rockies affiliate as a bat boy so I was always around big league instructors who would help me with some things that needed work, but I always thought I had the potential to make the show.
JA: You were signed as an undrafted free agent. Were you surprised when you didn’t get drafted?
HC: I was actually okay with that, because for me, it wasn’t about the money, I just loved the game, and any chance I got I knew I had to take advantage of, and in all reality, an undrafted FA has a little bit more of a fire to work his heart out to get seen. He has to prove himself every chance he gets, he doesn’t get the slack the high drafted guys get, and I feed off the stress, I love performing under pressure.
Q.) Your career was cut short by an ACL injury. What were your thoughts when you got the news? How did you react?
A.) It was devastating because I knew all I had worked for up until that point was gone, but I was thankful for the opportunities that I got, and the things I got to do while playing the game. So when I realized that it could have been a lot worse then it was, I was just thankful and blessed.
JA: Did you try to rehab from your injury? If so, at what point did you decide to “retire” from playing and focus on the current front office position you have?
HC: I tried a little bit but I knew I was done, I’ll wake up in the a.m. and still have pain in my knee, so I knew it was time to hang them up and focus on helping get the other players where they need to be. I started bat boying at the age of 8, and when I wasn’t doing that I was the special assistant to the assistant general manager of the team, so I knew once my playing days were done, I still wanted to be a part of the game.
JA: Your current title is Special Assistant to the GM for a Braves affiliate. What does that job entail?
HC: It’s a pretty good job, I help with the coaching staff pretty much, in the dugout during games, running back and forth to the clubhouse if someone needs something, and during the days, I make anything that needs to be done between the from office and the clubhouse happen smoothly, if a player gets moved I’ll make sure he gets where he needs to be. It seems like a lot, but it’s pretty sweet haha.
JA: What’s your ultimate goal?
HC: To become a coach at any level, but the major leagues would be great.
JA: Finally, with you still involved heavily with the Braves minor league affiliates, who are some prospects we should look out for?
HC: Well first off is Ozhaino Albies, my lil brother haha, he is a stud and just played in the futures game in Cincinnati, he’s hitting .331 so far in his first full season in Low-A. And he is just 18 years old. Also watch Lucas Sims, Jose Peraza, Caleb Beech, Jason Hursh, there’s a lot of talent in their farm system!
