June 16, 2015
Last year, right fielder Rhett Wiseman made arguably one of the biggest catches in Vanderbilt baseball history by robbing an extra-base hit in extra innings of an elimination game against Texas in the College World Series. This year, the junior ranks second on the team with 14 home runs — after just three total the previous two years — 67 runs scored and 35 extra-base hits. When not on the diamond, the interdisciplinary studies major from Mansfield, Mass., native, loves to head back to the Cape for deep-sea fishing.
Commodore Nation: What was your greatest moment from last year’s College World Series and run to the national championship?
Rhett Wiseman: I think the biggest takeaway from that was that game against Texas that sent us to the national championship. The Tyler Campbell walk-off (infield single that scored Wiseman) right there at the end. It was about Tyler getting the hit. Sharing the excitement with all the other guys was so much more fulfilling than anything that one person could have done for themselves. The inner joy we felt for him was so much greater than anything else I’ve ever experienced. It was incredible.
CN: How often have you gone back and watched your catch against Texas?
Wiseman: Not that often. The things we remember are the feelings we had. Going to Omaha is like going to Candy Land. It is pretty crazy. But you can’t think about it too much. We are just focused on today. If you even start looking at the future today gets away from you and then you never end up getting there.
CN: With the catch, in that moment, did you sense how big of a play that was?
Wiseman: No, I just think I was letting the body take over. You get to the point in the season you are just so mentally locked in that you’re just out there doing it. You’re not thinking about anything, you’re just reacting. It’s all reaction at that point. I think that is why we were so good. Mentally we were so prepared to be in that situation and no one’s mind was ever speeding up on them. We were totally relaxed the whole time and we just let our bodies take over and play.
CN: This year your numbers have been up. How do you explain the power surge?
Wiseman: I think it is maturity at the plate and adjustments in the offseason to incorporate more of my lower half in my swing and using the strong base God gave me. I’ve had a lot of college at-bats, too. I’ve seen a lot of pitchers, I’ve seen a lot of pitches, had a lot of plate appearances and maturity kind of being a third-year guy. Being fortunate enough to be playing all three years it all kind of comes together.
CN: That’s how you’ve always seen yourself, right, as a power hitter?
Wiseman: Yeah, it has been there and it is frustrating being able to do it in batting practice and not bringing it out in a game. It is something I’ve been waiting to unlock. It is a guy I used to be in high school but the transition wasn’t as easy for me coming to college. Now that I’ve found it , it definitely has benefits for the team.
CN: What hobbies do you enjoy when you step away from baseball?
Wiseman: I love to be outside. I like to fish. I don’t like to sit around and play video games. I love going to restaurants, going to concerts all the time, and just getting out there and doing different stuff.
CN: Have you fished your whole life?
Wiseman: Yep. We had a boat out on the Cape down in Onset Bay. It has been tough getting away from that. The guys from down here are, `Let’s go fishing.’ This isn’t fishing. You go to a pond and catch a bass this big (fingers barely apart) they think it is the coolest thing. But I miss it. Down here it is a type of fishing. I tried fishing a lot in the Cape (while also playing baseball in the summer in the Cape Cod Baseball League) but the schedule is so tight. That is more my thing, fishing off the beach than a pond.
CN: Your mom (Stephanie) owns a dance studio and is a professional choreographer. Has she been doing that for a while?
Wiseman: Oh yeah. She has been doing that since way before I was born. She is a sick athlete, a freak athlete. She danced her whole life and she still does. She is in 10 times better shape than I am. She is a freak.
CN: So what are your dance moves like?
Wiseman: They’re terrible. I’m sorry to admit that they’re really bad.
