Justin Upton
Justin Upton
Justin Irvin Uptonis an American professional baseball outfielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2007 to 2012, Atlanta Braves in 2013 and 2014 and the San Diego Padres in 2015. He has been a teammate of his brother Melvin Upton, Jr. with both the Braves and the Padres. While primarily a right fielder throughout his career, Upton has since transitioned to left field for the Braves and Padres...
ProfessionBaseball Player
Date of Birth25 August 1987
CityNorfolk, VA
I'm not going to play something just because of stereotypes, ... I'm going to play it because I love it.
I hope we can set some history, ... But that's not up to me. That's up to the teams that are drafting.
That's a monkey off my back. That's what I wanted to do, get one hit at least and get myself in a groove, and hopefully I won't be as nervous when I get another at-bat.
We tried to get Justin to go to private school, but he was, like, 'I want no part of it,' ... B..J. needed the smaller class size. That was no problem for Justin. So we didn't force him.
Coach Lee is very knowledgeable about the game, ... He's made me better. He'll make comments in practice like, 'You can't get away with that in the major leagues.' I used to field and I'd take a couple of shuffles. He'll say, 'The game is a lot faster there you have to field in rhythm.' He's harder on me than he is anyone else.
Only if you let it be, ... I think it's easier for me than maybe for some other guys. I watched B.J. go through the same thing. I kind of know what to expect.
Nobody else knows what I'm going through, ... B.J. knows exactly.
I wouldn't be the player I am today if he cut me any slack,
It's exciting to be here - and to have my own locker.
It was crazy when they picked me. Everybody had their reaction, and it was just a good time.
I haven't played in seven months and it's warmer out here. Back home, it's like 30 degrees and I can't get outside on the field.
I didn't leave much room ... It's kind of funny how it's working out.
Yesterday, I got my jitters out. And today, I took my normal approach to hitting. I got something down and in that I could hit.
I think we're so competitive, ... he wouldn't even realize I'm his brother.