From the Booth #2: An Interview with Zach McCulley

This is the second post in a six post series featuring the Cornell At Bat broadcasting team. These posts will appear throughout the Fall semester. For part one of the series, click here. 

One hallmark of any successful baseball team is depth on the mound. Following a strong 2012 season where Cornell set a program record 31 victories and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time ever, the hopes for repeating as Ivy League champions will largely rest on the team’s pitching staff. Adding to the already deep Big Red staff will be 6-foot-5 left handed transfer Zach McCulley.

The tall and lanky southpaw from Faulkner State Community College boasts a solid three pitch mix with an upper eighties fastball, a solid breaking ball, and a changeup. McCulley brings real experience to the team, and will be a welcome addition to the Big Red stockpile of arms.

Cornell At-Bat sat down with Zach to talk baseball, his journey to Cornell, and how through it all, his faith guides him. Read the interview after the jump.


Me: “Hey Zach, thanks for taking the time to speak with us today. How’s it going?”

Zach: “You got it, man. My pleasure.”

“Let’s get right into it, shall we? We’ll start you off with an easy one to get it started. Where are you from originally?”

Zach: I was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, way down south. It’s much warmer there than up here, as I’m starting to learn, but it was really just a solid place to grow up.

It’s definitely a bit of culture shock, coming up north. Could you tell us a little bit about why you did choose to come to Cornell?

Zach: Well, being a transfer, this is the fifth school I’ve been at. William & Mary, Pensacola State, NW Florida State, and Faulkner State. Cornell was just the right fit for me and my family. It’s obviously a good mix of baseball and academics. After about a year and a half of reevaluating where I was going in life, I realized this was just the right place that God wants me.

Definitely. Can you take us through your personal path and how you traveled through all those different places?

Zach: Out of high school, I went to play baseball at William & Mary, but after a semester there I decided to transfer. Baseball wasn’t taken too seriously there and neither were academics and some of the other things outside of baseball. It was a real loose environment, and wasn’t really a fit for me. Spring semester of my freshman year, I was actually out of baseball and just went to school [at Pensacola] and that gave me a bit more time to reevaluate where I wanted to go with as far as baseball is concerned, and how I was going to let faith determine my path. Through the other two junior colleges, I was able to prepare to come here by getting the most innings possible under my belt.

How long did this whole process take, start to finish and eventually winding up here at Cornell?

Zach: It was about January of my freshman year until this past August when I committed here. It was a solid chunk of time spent just searching.

I think that speaks to your mental toughness, being able to go through that. Can you describe your season last year?

Zach: Junior College baseball is A LOT different from here. It’s a real blue collar environment in the respect that you’re doing field maintenance almost just as much as you’re doing actual work pitching or hitting. That really helps, though. We were more pals than teammates. It was really like an extension of high school baseball. We had a good run though as a team, and got to go down to Ozark, Alabama (the middle of nowhere) for our conference championships. It’s definitely a lot different from Ivy League athletics.

Did you work at any other positions?

Zach: (laughing) They didn’t want me to drop any bombs. It wouldn’t be fair for anyone.

(laughing) I see. Did you primarily start or come out of the bullpen?

Zach: My first appearance was actually out of the ‘pen and it was rather shaky. I came in with the bases loaded and preceded to cash ‘em in with a home run. That was definitely a humbling experience. They figured I wasn’t too good out of the ‘pen, so from there I started.

Ouch, that’s rough, but I suppose it worked out for the better. Off the field, what do you see yourself doing post-graduation?

Zach: To be honest, my answer to that question has probably changed a lot in the last year and a half. Initially I wanted to come here to make a lot of money (laughing). That’s what the word is. You go to an Ivy League school, you get a sweet job, and you’re set. But then I really started to understand the Gospel and what it means to have true faith in Jesus Christ. My goals have shifted and I’m not really sure where I’ll end up, but I’m hoping it’s a place where my faith can be exhibited through my job field and my entire life.

Do you see yourself staying in the game somewhere?

Zach: I can’t really imagine what it would be like to not have anything to do with baseball. I feel like the game will always have a place in what I’m doing, but honestly, I don’t know. I’d like to say so, but I just don’t.

What else are you involved with here on campus?

Zach: I’m involved with a few things here or there. I’m actually a member of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and that’s a group that’s starting to grow and mature together. I’m also involved with another Christian Fellowship on Campus, CRU, and that’s really allowed me to meet a lot of great guys who share faith in Christ as well. It’s definitely important to get plugged into a community that you can grow together with. Other than that, I’m a semi-pro/amateur Ping-Pong phenom. A lot of time is spent their working on my game (laughs).

That’s awesome, definitely important to get connected. I’m going to give you a couple lighter questions here, rapid-style fire, ready?

Zach: Oh yeah.

Favorite team?

Zach: Braves. Or anyone that’s winning and/or has soft-tossing lefties.

When did you start playing?

Zach: When I was 3 and a half, got some pre-teeball action going on.

Were you always a lefty?

Zach: They actually tied my right arm behind my back. It was actually a little bit shorter than my left arm growing up. They took it seriously in my house (laughs).

Did your dad play baseball?

Zach: He did in high school, but he was a football guy and played at Navy. He broke all his knees, so he never had me play. I’ve always been baseball.

Starter or Reliever?

Zach: I had a good fall, was healthy. We have a lot of solid pitchers, and I think there’s 8 left-handers. There’s going to be a lot of competition, and I’d like to start. Hopefully within three-years that’ll happen.


Compared to fellow lefty,Cole Hamels for his
stature, McCulley hopes to perfect his craft like the Phillies' ace

 

Any other position you’d like to play?

Zach: Hmmm….

I know you’re a left and all of y’all like to tell me shortstop-

Zach: (laughs) I was leaning toward short, but I’ll go with catcher. I’d like to get dirty, throw my body in front of those balls in the dirt.

Very nice. If you could do dinner with three people, who would it be?

Zach: Oh man. Wow, well first off, it would have to be Jesus Christ. Christ died for me, and if I could speak to him at dinner, wow, I don’t think there could be a greater joy a man could have. Second, I’d have to go with the apostle Paul. The biggest thing that I’ve found in my faith is that I haven’t been bold enough when I could’ve been. Throughout the gospel you see that Paul is the boldest guy there is. Third, oh man, that’s a tough one. Let’s go with Stonewall Jackson. General Stonewall Jackson, one of the toughest men that ever lived.

(laughing) Stonewall Jackson? Wow, do you know why he’s called Stonewall?

Zach: I’d imagine it’s because he’s American, he fears nothing, and I heard he had rock-hard abs. Stonewall abs.

(chuckles) Excellent. How about pre-game, any routines/supersitions?

Zach: No superstitions but I like to get away from the guys a bit, collect my thoughts, talk to God and read a little scripture. I think last Spring, that was something that I picked up a lot. It puts into perspective what you do on the field and what you really stand for.

Is there any one verse that is your “go to” that you carry out with you onto the field?

Zach: Isaiah 40:31. It basically says that those who trust in the Lord will not grow weary, will renew their strength, and will soar on wings like eagles. Going on the mound, if you really believe that, all your anxiety just becomes so trivial. It’s like, “If I truly believe this, nothing is going to stand in my way.”

That’s awesome. Do you have any signature moments so far from your time with the team?

Zach: I’ll go with this Fall season. I had a good start, and after a few outings, I was probably floating a little too high. So naturally, I had a pretty humbling experience which has definitely turned into one of the best experiences so far. Chris Cruz hit a homerun. Belt-high fastball. It cleared the bases. I kind of sulked on that one for a few days, but that one really helped bring me down a bit. It reminded me to keep a level head and always to work hard. Welcome to the Ivy League, courtesy of Chris Cruz

You’re definitely not the first-

Zach: That’s what I’ve heard (laughing).

As we wrap up, what is your bottom line, number one reason for playing baseball here at Cornell?

Zach: I’m convinced that the reason I’m here is to use baseball as a pedestal for what I believe. I think if I wasn’t using this game to do that, to share my faith, than I’d be wasting my time. It’s obviously a privilege to be playing baseball at this level, but the bottom line, when it all comes down to it, I’m playing baseball to glorify God, and that’s not just to be cliché, but it’s what it comes down to.

And one final question, a real tough one. What’s one thing people don’t know about you?

Zach: I thought of this question earlier, and I’ve actually got a few. This first one needs to be taken seriously. I was 3rd grade spelling bee champion. There was a little discrepancy with how the word ‘which’ is spelled. Witch or which? I actually got a silver medal for that little performance, but the teacher never specified which spelling one was right. Not many people know that, but I WAS that 3rd grade spelling bee champion.

You just want to set the record straight?

Zach: Yeah, that needs to be out there (chuckles). Also, something else people need to know, and hopefully are getting to know is that I’m a Christian and I believe in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ dying and rising from the dead for me. I think hopefully that becomes better known as time goes on. And I’ve got one more thing as well. You know Trent Richardson, right?

Of course.

Zach: Trent Richardson, who now is the running back for the Cleveland Browns, who went to ‘Bama and did work there is from Pensacola, my hometown. In the fall of 2009, he was playing against Tate High School, home of the Mighty Fighting Aggies. Trent goes up for a fast break dunk, and gets it thrown not two rows deep, but at least three or four. Just double-handed block, into the stands. Trent Richardson, world-class athlete, swatted.

Wait, you blocked him?

Zach: Oh did I. This thing was sent. I packaged it up, wrapped it and sent it on its way.

Did you let out any guttural sounds as you landed on the court?

Zach: Oh yeah, I let out a few screams, ripped my jersey a little bit, and I think I started waving my finger at him.


And he didn’t take exception to that?

Zach: (Laughing) Nah, well he’s obviously a lot stronger than I am, but I think after that swat, he got the picture, you know, who his daddy was. In other words, I am Trent Richardson’s daddy. That’s what people need to know about me.

And on that note, let’s call it a day. Thanks so much, Zach, for sharing with us. We wish you best of luck this season and hopefully a lot of opposing teams meet “their daddy” with you on the mound this Spring.

Zach: My pleasure.

For more information on Cornell At Bat or if you want to get involved, contact Alex Gimenez email at ajg322@cornell.edu. For previous Cornell At Bat adventures, look here, here, here, here, and here.  

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