Servidio Basking in Keyspan Sunlight

June 22, 2008   ·   Patrick Hickey, Jr.   ·   Jump to comments

With blue-chip prospects like Zach Lutz, Brad Holt and Reese Havens on this year’s Cyclones squad, a player like John Servidio didn’t look to be an impact player. However, after three games, the 2008 26^th round pick from Barry University has been just that, showing remarkable range in the outfield and power at the plate with four RBI in four games played. Chatting before the Cyclones took on the Staten Island Yankees on June 19, the 22-year old talked about his first few days as a professional ball player.

Dem Brooklyn Bums: What’s your impression of Brooklyn so far?

John Servidio: I love it. It’s amazing. It’s more than everyone said it would be. It’s a great place to play and it’s just superseded anything anyone has said about it.

DBB: Did you ever think you would play in front of this many people at the minor league level?

Servidio: My dream was to always play pro ball and I expected to do it one day, but to do it here, it has taken a while to set in. Later that night [after his fist professional game on June 17], it finally sunk in that I played in front of that many people. I did better at blanking the crowd out during the game than I thought I would too. It was awesome.

DBB: You’re one of the lower drafted players on the team, yet your starting and playing a big role on the team. You must feel pretty good about yourself right now. How do you feel?

Servidio: I’ve always lived by the motto, “Work as hard as you can and good things will happen.” So far, it’s been working for me.

DBB: How have you been getting to know your new teammates?

Servidio: This team is like a college team. We’re all joking around; it’s very loose in the clubhouse and there’s no one big leaguing anybody. Reese [Havens], a first round guy, I didn’t even know who he was at first. I was joking around with him and then I found out when he was drafted. It was the first time I hung out with someone like that and he was just one of the guys. That’s how the whole team is.

DBB: Who’s the biggest “character” on the team?

Servidio: I think Brandon Richey is probably our biggest “character.” He’s a funny guy and he’s my roommate. It’s actually me, Josh Satin, Richey and Jeffries Tatford all roomin’ together. We have an awesome time and we’ve gotten pretty close already over the past few days. I’ve been having a blast.

DBB: For the people who haven’t seen you play yet, can you tell us a little about your game?

Servidio: Hard-nosed baseball. I go out there every night with the approach that you’re not going to beat me. I think to go at it any other way, you’re on the defensive. I think that’s the way the game should be played. However, I always remember that it is a game. Some people don’t think that way and they let the pressure get to them.

DBB: Have you set any expectations for yourself this season?

Servidio: I never set any expectations. I just go out there and do whatever I can. What ever happens happens.

DBB: Lastly, take us through your draft day experience. What was it like for you?

Servidio: It was the tensest household in the world and then it became the loosest household in the world. I was originally told I was going to be drafted in the tenth round or later, so once the tenth round came, then all the way up to the 26^th, there was no breathing once the Mets popped up on the screen. It got to the point where I couldn’t stand it anymore and decided to eat lunch and my mom starting screaming. I had to run and go see and see if it happened. Then it hit me and I started getting phone calls from my friends and family. It was an incredible day. The next day, my dad called a bunch of my friends without me knowing and had a little party at my house. It was really nice that I got to see all the people I grew up with and my High School coach before I left. It was awesome.

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.

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Box Score to last night’s 3-1 Cyclones loss