On January 30,2006 I had the privlage to Interview with Eddie Frierson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The text in white is me. The text in blue is Eddie himself

 

How long have you been an actor? 

Seems like forever.  Did my first play in the second grade --- Big Billy Goat in THE BILLY GOATS GRUFF!  ;-)  Professionally, since 1982. 

 

Where did you go to school at to become an actor? 

UCLA --- one of the best experiences of my life.  I also played baseball, pitching for the Bruins. 

 

You have played many animes, what anime character you voiced is your favorite one you voiced? 

The first big one --- Lynn Kyle in ROBOTECH.  But I had a lot of fun with Makoto in the EL HAZZARD Series. 

 

Has there been any anime characters that you didn't want to play? 

Nope.  Never been a part I've wanted to turn down.   

 

What do you think is the best anime around past or present?

Every one that I have done!

 

In your years acting has there been any other actors noticing your facination about this baseball player?

No.  But there have been countless thousands that I've introduced to Christy Mathewson and with that has come thousands of wonderful experiences for me.

 

In your school days you've played for your team in High School but in the fall of 1978 your dream came true when you became pitcher for the UCLA Bruins how was that experience?

It was great.  I wish I had had the stuff to play in the big leagues ... but, with my show MATTY (see www.matty.org) I've gone farther in baseball through acting than I ever would have on the field. I'm an honorary member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown!

 

How fast was your pitching?

Highest I was ever clocked was 89.  I threw a mixture in the mid 80's.  Had a terrific change-up and a variety of breaking balls.

 

Did you play other than pitching?

Before college.

 

After you graduated did you or any of your other teamates went professional?

Dozens.  At one time I had 13 former teammates playing in the Big Leagues at the same time!  And many more in the minors.  I also coached for a number of years at Santa Monica High and two of my players there, Kelly Mann and Tony Tarasco, made it to the Majors.

 

Who is your favorite Baseball team?

I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee so my favorite team was the Atlanta Braves.  The best lineup in baseball with the worst pitching.  I mean, who ever heard of Carl Morton and Pat Jarvis?  They were ALWAYS in last place.  It's a kick that they are so good now cuz they stunk when I was a kid.  But I always loved them --- and almost signed a contract with them when I was 16!  I went to a try-out camp and they thought I was 18.  The next year my high school won the Tennessee State Championship (GO HILLWOOD!).  It's fun that I got Tony Tarasco signed and he came up with the Braves --- part of the Chipper Jones, Javy Lopez, Ryan Klesko fab foursome in the early 90's.

 

Other than Christy Mathewson, who do you think is the best baseball player today in this century?

In this century meaning the 2000's?  I don't think you meant that.  The best player of all time, bar none, Babe Ruth.  He was one of the greatest PITCHERS ever --- much less the greatest hitter.  But it's hard to compare.  Nobody ever made better contact than Joe Jackson and Ty Cobb.  It is easier to pick the best 10 of each decade.  And, steroids or not, you can't ignore Barry Bonds.  Willie Mays and Henry Aaron have to be on the list too --- not to mention Cool Papa Bell and Josh Gibson who played in the negro leagues and were among the greatest of all time.

 

You've been researhing about "Christy Mathewson" for about 22 years. How did you get fascinated about him?

My dad found a copy of a book, PITCHING IN A PINCH, that he wrote in 1912 and the characters were so much fun I thought that it had to be "dramatized" somehow.  But when I found out more about the kind of MAN that he was --- he was one of the most extraordinary Americans to ever live --- I knew that it was an important story that had to be told.

 

Are currently writing a book about him?

Yes.  It's kind of "with" him. 

 

Now to the game show talk.

Now you were on "Tic Tac Dough" in 1985 (or was it 1986).

I can't remember.  I think it was '85 but I'm not positive.  I just know that winning almost $5,000 was a huge thing for me back then.  But I was pretty stupid and froze up a lot with wrong answers.  Somehow I still managed to be champion for a few days but, come on, who freezes on "What is the capitol of Michigan?" and then answers "Detroit" when he KNOWS it's LANSING!  ARGH!  HA!

 

Which category did you had trouble with and which ones did you like?

I liked "famous blondes."  I always had hoped to be one some day.

 

How was your experience on "Tic Tac Dough"?

Fun.  My dad happened to be in town so he was in the audience.  If I hadn't listened to him I MIGHT have "beaten the dragon."

 

Have you tried out on other game shows other than "Tic Tac Dough"?

I would love to do Jeopardy --- but I have not tried, no.

 

What is your favorite Television Game Show past or present?

Jeopardy.  That's where you are really smart, not just lucky with some trivial knowledge.

 

What is your hobbies other than baseball?

Pretty much anything fun.

 

What's in the future for Eddie Frierson?

Only the future will tell.  But the big ROBOTECH movie comes out later this year!  THE SHADOW CHRONICLES --- I'll be "Louie" in that one.

 

What type of music do you listen to?

Everything.  Honestly.  Everything.  I took a class on Bach at UCLA just to fill up a requirement --- it turned out to be eye opening and now I love all classical music.  But good 'ole rock and roll and a little Elvis is always fun.

 

Do you get along with some of your fellow actors, and baseball players?

I honestly have never NOT gotten along.  I love the people I work for and have played with and coached.

 

Has there any embarrassments during your baseball and/or acting carrer?

When I actually threw a pitch at a rival guy at a rival high school when I was in high school and he FELL DOWN but as he was getting out of the way he somehow made contact and it was the ONLY home run ever hit off of me until I got to college.

 

Now I'm getting bored on writing questions so here is one last question.

What do you have to say to all of us around here?

Thanks for caring.  Y'all don't know how much you fans mean to us actors --- even ones like me who not a million people know but have somehow gotten a "following."  I wish I could meet you all some day.  Look for a performance of MATTY near your town and hang around after to say "hi."

 

Well It's been nice talking to you.

The feeling is mutual.

 

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