As part of our off-season schedule we plan on bringing you closer to major and minor league Padres.  Starting pitcher turned relief pitcher, turned starting pitcher, Anthony Bass will kick things off.  A Michigan native, Bass lead the Cal League in ERA in 2010 and after starting the 2011 season in San Antonio, he got called up to "the show".  On June 13th, Bass made his major league debut in Colorado and threw five innings, allowing only one run in route to his first major league victory. 

I have had a chance to get to know Anthony over the last couple seasons and I felt it was time everyone had a chance to get to know the guy in close circles referred to as Sting (yes, the wrestler). 

Steve: Who was your favorite baseball player growing up?

Anthony: I had two if that's allowed. I loved watching Cecil Fielder hit some far home runs at old Tiger Stadium. As I got older I liked Cal Ripken JR.

Steve: Who has been the most influential person in your baseball career?

Anthony: My father. He is the one that caught me growing up and taught me how to pitch.

Steve: What do you think you would be doing now if you weren't playing baseball?

Anthony: I would be working on my degree in Business at Wayne State University.

Steve: Who is the prankster in the clubhouse and what's their best work?

Anthony: In San Diego, the big prankster would be a toss up between Heath Bell and Aaron Harang. Heath has loaded up the bottom of my equipment bag with all 100 baseballs we use in the batting cage on a road trip in Florida. That was pretty good because he placed all my clothes on top of the balls so it looked as if there were no baseball at the bottom. As soon as I went to pick it up I thought my left shoulder was about to fall off. I'm gonna get him back.

Steve: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Anthony: Not too many. I listen to a song by Bullet for My Valentine before I go out to the field to begin my pre-game warm-up.

Steve: What non-baseball teams that you root for?

Anthony: I root for the Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, and the Detroit Red Wings being that I was born in the Detroit area and grew up in Michigan.

Steve: So Brad Pitt just played Billy Beane in "Moneyball," who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Anthony: Funny question. In no way shape or form do I look anything like this person (I wish I did) but I think Hugh Jackman would be a great actor to play as me in a movie. He'd be my vote.

Big thanks to Anthony Bass for his time.  He is currently playing in the Arizona Fall League and blogging about it.  You can follow the blog here.  Also, make sure you like his facebook page and follow him on twitter. 

Questions provided by Friarhood staff members Leila Forsythe and Richard Dorsha