Interview by Robert Adams // Art Charles is the starting first baseman for the Yucatan Leones of the Mexican Baseball League. The 28-year-old from Bakersfield, Calif. currently is having a standout season for the division-leading Leones, batting cleanup and exciting fans and teammates with his power at the plate.
Mid-Point caught up with Charles at Kukulcán Stadium in Merida before a recent game against the Oaxaca Guerreros. Here are some of his comments:
On Merida:
“I love (Merida). It’s a great city, a beautiful city, a historical city, there’s lots to see and do. There’s monuments everywhere. There are underground places, cenotes, the pyramids. The beach is close. And the people are great as well.”
On what he misses about the U.S.:
“About the only thing is it’s a little harder for my family to visit and see me play than in the States. But I love it here. I love the culture. I love eating the different types of food. I get to see lots of things I wouldn’t be able to (in the U.S.).”
On learning Spanish:
“It’s getting better. You’re here in Mexico, you’ve got to learn Spanish. You’ve got to communicate. My teammates say, ‘Come on, let’s go, you’ve got to learn Spanish.’ They help a lot. My girlfriend, who’s Colombian, helps too. I already know the important things. I know how to order food, you know, I’m a big guy, so that’s important. And I’m also learning to say other things, like how to get help in certain situations.”
On Mexican baseball and his future:
“It’s a great league. You’ve got a lot of former players from the Big Leagues (U.S.), and then there are lots of great Mexican players who’ve played here their whole lives. Whether or not they get a shot at playing in the States, they’re still great players.
“I’m getting exposed to playing in other countries, that could open up the possibility of playing in Asia, maybe Japan or Korea. I’m still hoping for the chance at playing in the (U.S.) Big Leagues, that’s still the big dream, the big plan of attack.
“We have a good shot at the championship here. We’ve got a great team, great batters, great pitching. We’re solid one-through-nine (players), if one guy doesn’t get it done, the next one will.”
SEE GAEL MEDINA’S GREAT PHOTOS OF ART CHARLES OF THE YUCATAN LEONES IN THE MAY 1st PRINTED EDITION OF MID-POINT YUCATAN, AVAILABLE FREE AT SCORES OF LOCATIONS AROUND MERIDA…
