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Hendrickson baseball's James Lee on knowing the value of sleep. And sugar. Lots of sugar.

rick cantu, austin american-statesman
·2 min read

All about James: globe trotter in the outfield

Tell something about you that most people don't know.

I’ve lived in New Jersey, Georgia, California, South Korea, New York and Texas. We moved around a lot because of my dad’s studies and getting new jobs.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?

I plan on studying kinesiology and become a physical therapist to give back to the sports I've played. It has taught me a lot about overcoming failure, how to build relationships and applying these into life. I want to give back by helping out athletes with injuries so they can go back and play the game they love.

What has been your favorite vacation?

My favorite vacation has been going to Hawaii when I was 16 with my family. I loved it because the atmosphere and the culture was just beautiful. They’re not afraid of sharing their culture to people, so it was a great experience learning something new.

Hendrickson outfielder James Lee has lived in New Jersey, Georgia, California, South Korea, New York and Texas. He plans to study kinesiology in college.
Hendrickson outfielder James Lee has lived in New Jersey, Georgia, California, South Korea, New York and Texas. He plans to study kinesiology in college.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would go to Italy because of the history behind the country and the culture. Both are something that wouldn’t bore me, especially because I love Italian food.

You're outta here! You too, and you and you and ...

What has been your favorite baseball memory in high school?

My favorite baseball memory in high school was when the home plate umpire kicked out every single person in the stands at our home game. They all watched on the sidewalk and some were even watching from the football stands.

Hendrickson outfielder James Lee says he must get at least eight hours of sleep the night before a game. He also has to eat some form of sugar to gain energy and wears specific underwear for games.
Hendrickson outfielder James Lee says he must get at least eight hours of sleep the night before a game. He also has to eat some form of sugar to gain energy and wears specific underwear for games.

Do you have any game-day rituals?

I make sure I get eight hours of sleep at least the night before the game, try to have some sugar before the game so I have some energy, and I try to wear one specific underwear for important games.

What is your favorite thing to do in a game?

My favorite thing to do is running the bases and scoring at home because that's when everyone on our side gets pumped up.

What are your individual goals for the season?

My individual goals are to have a .400 on-base percentage, a .300 average, no errors in the outfield and make first-team all district.

Dream dinner: an evening spent in iambic pentameter

If you could have dinner with four people in the history of the world, who would they be?

I would invite Steve Jobs, (Dodgers pitcher) Hyun-jin Ryu, William Shakespeare and Kevin Hart.

Why Shakespeare?

I chose him because of all the plays and poems of his that I’ve read throughout my elementary to high school career. Instead of reading it and interpret it how I’ve been taught to, I would love to spend a dinner with him just explaining all these famous works he made throughout his life.

— Rick Cantu

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Faces off the field: Hendrickson baseball player James Lee