Q/A: Former OSU pitcher Andrew Heaney

OSU must find a way to win its biggest series without a win from ace Andrew Heaney.

By Anthony Slater

aslater@opubco.com

Follow on Twitter @anthonyVslater

Frank Anderson said it best around midseason.

When talking about Andrew Heaney, who at the time had a 5-1 record and sub-1.00 ERA that surged his name up the draft boards into first-round range, the former Oklahoma State coach said:

“It couldn’t happen to a better kid. He works hard and does it the right way. I mean I never, ever have to worry about him off the field. Anything that comes his way, he deserves it.”

What’s coming his way is a big-time paycheck. Heaney was drafted ninth overall in Monday’s MLB Draft, going to the Miami Marlins. The story is here.

And really, with all the recent off-field issues at Oklahoma State and around the country, Heaney’s success story should be celebrated.

The Oklahoma City native dedicated himself and worked hard at an in-state school, going from a 140-pound freshman to a top-level prospect and earning every penny from his soon-to-be lucrative signing bonus.

He always represented the school the right way, dealing with fans and media members with class.

And during the busiest week of his life, which includes his professional dream and 21st birthday, Heaney was gracious enough to sit down for an extended interview.

He talked everything from draft day to his relationship with Frank Anderson to his career at OSU. Enjoy:

Did you get to meet MLB Commissioner Bud Selig?

Yeah, it was pretty cool. Meeting your boss in a way. The guy you see on TV all the time and hear people quoting him and stuff like that, so it was cool.

Did he have a message for you?

Just shook my hand and said congratulations, stuff like that. Told us he was proud and thanked us for coming up.

You meet anyone else famous?

Yeah, I met a lot of people. Each team had a couple of representatives from their clubs, like an assistant to the GM or a former player, so I got to meet a lot of guys. Got to meet Pudge (Ivan Rodriguez), got to meet Frank Robinson, all kinds of people. Lots of pretty high up baseball people.

This is a week that includes your 21st birthday. If you had to pinpoint a single moment as the best, what would it be?

I don’t even know, there were so many cool things. Like I said, we had a banquet to meet all those former big leaguers. Then being in the draft room and seeing the studio and being there in person was crazy. Then getting called up there and holding the Marlins jersey was awesome.