Joe Crede—third baseman

Baseball Digest, June, 2008 by Rick Sorci

FULL NAME: Joseph Crede

AGE, HT, WT.: 30, 6-2, 220

BORN: April 26, 1978 in Jefferson City, Missouri

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

HOME: Westphalia, Missouri

STATUS/FAMILY: Married with two daughters

NICKNAME: Joe

LIFE OUTSIDE OF BASEBALL: I have a farm back home and enjoy doing things with the family and anything my girls are involved with. I like to hunt and fish.

SPORTS HERO WHEN I WAS YOUNG: It was my older borther, Brad. He is four years older than me and he's the guy I grew up playing in the backyard with all the time.

PEOPLE WHO INFLUENCED ME THE MOST/WHY? My Dad and Morn. They were very influencial in my life, but there were others who influenced me also. Going to Cardinals games when I was young influenced me to become a baseball player.

BEST ADVICE ANYONE EVER GAVE ME: Never be satisfied. Also, my baseball coach in high school, Dennis Fick, said, "You can't hoot with the owls and fly with the comets."

PLAYERS--PAST AND PRESENT--I'D PAY TO WATCH PLAY BASEBALL: I grew up a big-time Cardinals fan, so I'd pay to see Jack Clark, Ozzie Smith and Tommy Herr. They were awesome. Today, Jim Thome.

HOBBIES: Fishing and hunting TYPE OF CAR: Chevrolet Silverado truck

FAVORITE MOVIE: Gladiator

FAVORITE ACTOR/ACTRESS: Russell Crowe and Jennifer Aniston

FAVORITE FOOD: Italian

FAVORITE TV SHOWS: The Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel

FAVORITE MUSIC: Everything, I like all kinds of music.

FAVORITE BALLPARKS: I like Yankee Stadium, but I also have different likes for different reasons. The best clubhouse is in Tampa Bay and the best field surface is at Chicago's US Celluar Field.

FAVORITE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM OUTSIDE OF BASEBALL: Kansas City Chiefs

PERSON IN HISTORY I'D LIKE TO HAVE MET: Probably my grandfather, my mom's dad. He died before I was born, but I hear so many stories about him through my six uncles and two aunts. He seemed like a great guy. I would have loved to have met him.

BEST TIME OF MY LIFE/WHY? My kids being born. It's always something I'm going to remember. I'll remember where I was at, I never thought I'd have kids, but it's an unbelieveable feeling having my girls look up to me.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: When I first came up to the big leagues, I didn't have that success I dreamed of right away. The failure part of the game was one of the biggest things I had to overcome.

CHARACTERISTIC I ADMIRE MOST IN A PERSON: Someone who takes pride in what they do.

THE TRUE SIGN OF SUCCESS IS: Again, I'd say having pride.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTE A BASEBALL PLAYER NEEDS: The ability to overcome failure.

IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT BASEBALL. IT WOULD BE: The travel

IF NOT A BASEBALL PLAYER I WOULD HAVE BEEN: I probably would have been a farmer.

BEHIND MY BACK THEY SAY: They probably say I'm quiet and don't say much. I pretty much keep to myself.

TOUGHEST PITCHER I'VE FACED: Johan Santana

LIFE AFTER BASEBALL: Taking care of my girls and supporting them in whatever career they choose. Just being there for them.

I'M MOST PROUD OF: My Family

MY FAVORITE CITIES ON THE ROAD: Kansas City, New York, Seattle

MY MOST EMBARRASSING BASEBALL EXPERIENCE: In 2001, when I was a rookie, my teammates took my clothes after a game in New York and I had to dress up as a cheerleader. I got to my locker and saw my clothes were gone and this costume was hanging there. I thought, "This isn't going to look good." I had to wear it out of the park and then back to the park the next day.