Too on One: Josh Spence

Kyle Odegard, Tribune

June 6, 2009 - 5:37PM

FROM DOWN UNDER: Arizona State starting pitcher Josh Spence is a native of Australia.

Ralph Freso, Tribune

PageTOO: How did you end up playing baseball in Arizona?

Josh Spence: I came to an Arizona State camp in 2005, and there just so happened to be a junior-college coach (from Central Arizona Community College) watching in the stands. He heard that I wanted to come play baseball, and he gave me the opportunity.

ASU notes: Spence says he's ready to go

PT: Why did you attend the ASU camp in the first place?

JS: It was more my dad. My dad was looking and I didn’t know too much about it. He brought up the idea (of ASU), and I was all for it. I came in 2005, so it was just after they had been in the World Series. A bunch of my friends went the juco route in Texas, but I just wanted to be an individual and head somewhere else.

PT: Did you know anyone when you got to Central Arizona?

JS: I didn’t know anybody. I got picked up at the airport a week early and I lived on campus. I was in the desert by myself. It was a bit of a culture shock. But 24 months later, it was really hard to leave that school.

PT: Was the goal always to get to ASU?

JS: Yeah, that was always the goal. Everyone makes goals, but especially with the big ones, you never think they’re going to pan out. It’s unbelievable to think three years ago I was making my way over here, and now I’m competing to get to the World Series.

Up close and personal

Favorite TV Show: ”Reno 911”

Favorite movie: ”Stepbrothers”

What do you drive?: No car

What song would you sing on American Idol?: ”Hey Barbarooba.” It’s an Australian song.

Worst habit: Losing my accent

Ringtone on your cell phone: Always on vibrate

First job: I’ve never really had a real job before

What would you have for your last meal on Earth?: My mum’s chicken parmigiana

Person you’d love to switch places with for a day: Manny Ramirez

Favorite place to visit: The Baseball House

Food you refuse to eat: Zucchini