Dean Green spent three years playing for Oklahoma State University before leaving school after his junior season. Green was a 3x All-Academic player in his time at OSU playing in 154 games over the three seasons. In 504 career at-bats he collected 137 hits (.271 BA) along with 16 homeruns and 71 RBI. He decided to leave to prepare himself for the 2010 MLB Draft, unfortunately, he did not hear his named called.
After going undrafted Green refocused his efforts, enrolling at Barry University in Miami. In his fourth college season Green played 57 games clobbering the ball for a .400 average (82-for-205) while surpassing his HR and RBI totals at OSU with 19 and 77, respectively. These impressive numbers at Barry were likely the reason the chose to take Green in the 11th round (No. 347 overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft.
Green would go on to spend six seasons in the Tigers minor league system, advancing to Triple-A Toledo in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons. During those six seasons Green slashed .306/.371/.479, good for an OPS of .850, while bashing 76 HR and collecting 401 RBI. After his time in the MiLB he would go on to play both Japanese and Independent baseball.
I was awarded the opportunity to do a written interview via email with Dean. Below you will find some questions and answers about his playing career.
The Detroit Tigers drafted you in the 11th round of the 2011 MLB Draft, what was it like to get that phone call?
I truly can’t put into words how exciting and nerve racking that day was. I had gone through the draft the year before and not heard my name called so I was worried that there was that off chance that it happens again. I sat at my dining room table with my mom and was waiting and hoping for a phone call. The St. Louis Cardinals were the ones that called me and said we’re going to take you with our next pick. So, I sat and was watching my computer screen, then my name came up under the Detroit Tigers and I was a little confused since the Cardinals were the next pick. I then got a phone call from Al Kaline telling me that he was the reason I was a Tiger and that he couldn’t wait to see me in Lakeland and welcome me to the Tigers. It really was a dream come true for me that day. I immediately called my dad at work and then called my grandfather to tell them. It was truly one of the best days.
You split time between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo in both 2015 and 2016, what was it like splitting a season between two levels and two teams?
It’s a tough adjustment to make going from one team to the next within a season, because you’re adjusting to a new city, new playing field, new teammates, new coaching staff, new living arrangements, etc. Fortunately, everywhere I went, I had a great group of teammates that made me feel welcomed and made the transitions a lot easier. I enjoyed my time in both Erie and Toledo. Both are great places to play and the fans at both are some of the best in baseball.
What is life as a minor leaguer like? Buses, planes, trains? Accommodations? Ballparks?
In the lower levels its tough; you’re making below minimum wage, living at a host families home (I got lucky and had some great ones), bus trips through the night that can last up to 14 hours, and you have no job security. It’s a tough life, but, if you do well it’s an enjoyable career because you get to play a kid’s game for a living. In the upper levels the accommodations are a little nicer. You bus and fly for travel and the ballparks you play in are much nicer than that of some of the lower levels.
You put together an impressive offensive career in the Tiger’s system, do you have a moment you will never forget?
I made so many great memories with the Tigers its hard to choose just one. I was blessed in the Tigers system with getting to meet such great mentors like Al Kaline, Willie Horton, Alan Trammell, Scott Fletcher, Dave Owens, Gene Roof, Dave Huppert and so many more outstanding individuals. My time spent with them is probably the most treasured moments that I keep with me. But if I were to choose an offensive moment it would probably be between hitting a homerun with my family in the stands at West Michigan (the first time they say me play pro ball) and hitting a couple of homers on my mother-in-law’s birthday with her in the stands in Erie.
You spent your entire career playing first base, was there ever discussion of changing positions? If so, what position was discussed and why was the move not made?
There had been talks of moving me behind the plate because I’d had a pervious background as a catcher, however, injuries ended up limiting me to the first base position.
As a first baseman did you feel like you were blocked from making it to the Big Leagues by the likes of Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder?
At times I do feel that way, but I couldn’t control any of that. I was honored to have future Hall of Famers like Miggy, Prince, and Victor Martinez ahead of me. They made me push to be better every day. I knew I had to be really good to make it to their level. I got to learn a lot from watching how they carried themselves and went about their business and I feel being able to see that made me a better player.
Multiple sources still list you as “Active” or “Free Agent” are you currently pursuing a contract? Hos is that pursuit going?
I am not pursuing one. Currently, I have started my post baseball coaching career while trying to obtain my master’s degree.
You’re still young, only in your thirties, what is the plan for after baseball?
Right now, my main focus is taking care of my wife and three boys. I’m trying to finish up my masters so I can be a head coach someday, but truthfully, I’m just taking things one day at a time and enjoying family time.
After 6 years in the MiLB you ended up going over to Japan to play, what was your experience with Japanese Baseball like?
I love my time in Japan. My now wife, but at the time fiancé, was able to go over with me and that made things much easier for me. Japan was so inviting and I loved the fans and the people over there. They are some of the nicest and humble people I’ve ever come across. My teammates were great and so were my translators, Akira and Go. The baseball side of things as far as the game itself was the same, but the outside of the game distractions such as chants and music during the games were quite different. Game preparation and practices leading up to games were also quite different. The work that the players put in over there to prepare for games is very intensive and through, which is what makes them so good. I learned a lot from my time over there and I was sad to leave. I’d love to make it back and coach there someday, if they’d let me.
Given the opportunity to go back and do your career all over, is there anything you would have done differently?
No. I can honestly say I played the game with everything I had. I always tried to put my best foot forward. I tried to lead by example and be a role model for kids and fans in the community wherever I was at and I feel that is something I will always be proud of. If I was able to spark one little boy’s or girl’s interest into playing the game of baseball, then I have fulfilled my goal as an athlete; to provide an option to kids for a better opportunity in life. I’m proud of my career and my accomplishments even though it seems I may have come up a little short of my end goal. The time I’ve spent in this game has opened up doors to great opportunities for both me and my family. I can only hope that my boys choose to follow in my footsteps.
If you could offer any advice to young players that have dreams of playing professional baseball, what would it be?
Two pieces of advice to young players: 1) Enjoy every minute of playing because you never know which game will be your last. 2) Make people notice you in the right way, by hustling on and off the field, playing the game hard, being a competitor, and being kind to the fans who come out to support you.
Were you able to meet/work with any legends of the game? If so, who?
Al Kaline, Willie Horton, Scott Fletcher, Alan Trammell, Gene Roof, Leon Durham, Lloyd McClendon, Gerald Perry, Mike Henneman are all guys that were with the Tigers that I had the privilege to work with. Some of the guys I got to meet throughout my journey are guys like Reggie Jackson when he would come watch players for the Yankees. I got the opportunity to play against the likes of A-Rod and Nick Swisher when they were on rehab assignments, and that was always fun to be a part of. I’ve met a lot of great people and played with or against a lot of current big-name stars in the game. It’s kind of neat to look back on all of that.
What is your prized piece of memorabilia from your time as a player?
An Al Kaline autographed a baseball for me at Tiger Town in Lakeland while we had lunch together. I will never forget that moment and I won’t ever give that ball up.