Q&A with Nook Logan

Nook Logan seized his opportunity last September to become the Washington Nationals’ starting center fielder. Logan, who was acquired in a Sept. 1 trade with the Detroit Tigers, hit .300 in 27 games for the Nationals. He is now the club’s everyday center fielder. The speedy outfielder is a defensive wizard and a switch hitter who lives in Houston during the offseason. Ken Wright caught up with Logan and talked about how it feels to have a secure job and other topics.

Q: How does it feel to come into camp knowing that you are the club’s starting center fielder?

A: It feels good in a way because you are in that position, but you’ve still got to come out every day and play like the position is wide open. That’s the mindset I’ve got, just come and play like I’ve still got to go get it.

Q: Well then, what would you like to get out of this camp?

A: Just come in here and just tuneup everything. Get out here and work with the new guys, our new coaches and everything, Mitch [hitting coach Mitchell Page] has been here. I’m looking forward to working with him the whole spring, because I never really had time to work with him last year because I got there towards the end of the year, but I’m looking forward to working with Mitch the whole spring and hopefully get on a little program or whatever and get it going.

Q: The club apparently believes in you, inking you to a new contract. Is everything going good?

A: Everything is looking bright right now. I’ve just got to go out there and make it happen.

Q: Are you thinking about buying a house in the D.C. area?

A: I’ll probably rent for now and see how it goes. It’s kind of cold to be up there in the offseason. I’m used to 55 to 65 degrees in the winter.

Q: You’re a switch hitter and had a good little month in Washington. Can you talk about that last month because your performance earned you a full-time job after spending most of last season in the minors?

A: I was just trying to reassert myself, to show people that I can play when given an opportunity. I had an opportunity here so you’ve got to make the most of it.

Q: Do you want to show the Detroit Tigers they made a big mistake in getting rid of you?

A: In a sense you do, but in a way you want to take care of yourself first. Just do what you can do and then realize what you can and can’t do, and then maybe they’re like “maybe we were wrong about that guy. I know there’s been a lot of people in my situation before, some guys who took their opportunity and ran with it. I want to be one of those guys.

Q: What did you do in the offseason?

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