Our new Questions & Answers column, SJ Q&A, starts with one of the rising stars in baseball, San Jose Giants centerfielder Gary Brown.

Still in his first season with the Giants, Brown was named the California League Rookie of the Year last week. He was a first-round pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2010 and could be making a move to the Big Leagues in the very near future. For now, though, Brown and the Single-A Giants are focused on the playoffs starting Saturday.

Name: Gary Brown
Age: 22
Occupation: Professional Baseball Player (Centerfielder for the San Jose Giants)

SJQ&A: How long have you been in San Jose?

Gary Brown: Since April.

And where did you go to college?

Cal-State Fullerton.

What’s your best baseball memory?

Pulling the hidden-ball trick. Wait. We’re talking about baseball, right? (Laughs) We were at Southern Mississippi and I got the guy out. They were so mad they started booing me.

What is your favorite thing about San Jose?

The weather. This summer has been unbelievable. It’s been hot sometimes during games, but then it cools down. And the fans here are unbelievable.

What’s the best and worst thing about being a professional baseball player?

The best thing is you get to play baseball every day. The worst thing is you get to play baseball EVERY day.

What do you when you have an off-day?

I go to the mall, watch a movie. I was down in LA recently and went to Raging Waters with my family.

I heard Raging Waters now costs $50 a ticket?

Really?! One of my friends works there, so I got it for $15. (Laughs)

What is your favorite San Jose restaurant?

In and Out Burger
 
What is your favorite local place to go out at night?

The Brit
 
Who is the most interesting person you know in San Jose? And why?

Gigante … because he’s always smiling

What’s the best advice you’ve gotten in your rookie season?

‘You choose your attitude.’ No matter what happens, you choose your attitude. If you want to be negative you can do that, and if you want to be positive you can do that.

We hear you’re one of the bigger characters on the team. What are some of the best pranks you’ve pulled this season?

Well, just yesterday I scared the s**t out of Jarett (Parker) so bad he broke the cup he was holding. And I taped (Craig) Westcott to his seat in the bus.

What’s your favorite baseball movie?

It’s tough for me to watch pro baseball movies, because they’re not real. Obviously, The Sandlot is my favorite.

How much pressure is there being a pro athlete?

If anything, it’s pressure I put on myself. I’ve always wanted to succeed and get better.

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