Kip Wells brings loads of big-time experience to Ducks

Now in the 11th season of his professional career, Chris Spurling has begun preparing for life after baseball. Before heading to the ballpark, the 33-year-old spends his mornings taking online college courses and hopes to become an elementary school teacher once his playing days are over.

Spurling was originally drafted by the Yankees in the 41st round of the 1997 amateur entry draft and traded to the Pirates in 2000 for Luis Sojo. The right handed relief pitcher spent parts of four seasons in the majors with the Tigers and Brewers posting a 4.32 ERA in 187 major league games. Since joining the Ducks in June, he has gone 3-3 with a 4.97 ERA.

Q&A

Most intimidating batter you've faced?

"Barry Bonds...I'd rather not say how I did against him."

Most embarassing on-field moment?

"I fell off the mound after a pitch in the minors."

Most famous person in your cell phone?

"Armando Benitez and Keith Foulke."

Something teammates have teased you about?

"Early in my professional career, I had a license plate that was customized and it said 'Pro Ball' on it. They used to call me 'Pro baller' and stuff like that, just making fun of me. I changed it after that."

If you were commissioner of MLB for one day, what would you do?

"I would make sure the minor league players get more meal money than they do. In the minors they only get $20 a day and in the big leagues they get almost $100 a day...It doesn't make sense."