Most Valuable Athlete: Danny Kinney

Name: Danny Kinney

School: Burlington Central, senior

Sport: Baseball

Why he was selected: In a matchup with Richmond-Burton, Kinney went seven innings, striking out 10. It is his fourth consecutive outing with 10 or more strikeouts.

Chronicle sports reporter Jacob Bartelson caught up with Kinney to discuss his affinity for baseball and who he looks up as a role model within the game. Below is an edited transcript:

Bartelson: Who is your strongest influence as to why you play baseball?

Kinney: I would say my dad is my biggest influence. He was the one who first introduced me to the game, and I fell in love with the game right away.

Bartelson: What does the game – and what it encapsulates – mean to you?

Kinney: Baseball means everything to me. I wouldn’t have of become the person I am today if it weren’t baseball. It has helped me learn how to work hard.

Bartelson: If there’s a pitch that you don’t throw but wish you could, what would it be? Why?

Kinney: If I could learn to throw another pitch, I would probably want a sinker or something with a downward movement to be able to throw off hitters more. Learning a new pitch like a sinker is definitely something I am going to try to do this upcoming summer to help me going in to college.

Bartelson: Is there a major league player, current or former, that you look up to? Why?

Kinney: The one player I really idolize would be [deceased Miami Marlins pitcher] Jose Fernandez because of his huge personality, and his love for the game. He is someone I want to play the game like because he never lost his love and joy for the game. Whether he was pitching or sitting the bench he was always a positive influence to his teammates.