This D-backs OF from Scranton talks 'The Office' connection

June 14th, 2023

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My colleague James Schapiro filled in for me when the D-backs were in Detroit and he spent a few minutes talking with outfielder about being from Scranton, Pa., and the connection to the show “The Office,” which was based there.

What do people think of you being from Scranton?

“They show where I’m from on the scoreboard. There’s always jokes from people who aren’t from the area. Some people are surprised that Scranton is a real place. And then even when I went to college, it was a funny thing. I would say where I was from, whether it was orientation or something like that, I would meet someone, and that’s usually one of the first subjects being brought up. It’s funny. I’m used to it at this point, but it’s a great show. I’ve watched it through a few times. I haven’t watched it in a while, but yeah, it’s funny. I’m used to answering questions about it.”

Do you also hear it from people in baseball?

“It’s more so when I meet people, or someone finds out for the first time that I’m from there. It’s also a Minor League city, so when I say I’m from Scranton, a lot of it in baseball is like, ‘Oh, I played there, I played a season there.’ There’s a lot of connections.”

Which references from the show stand out to you?

“The food places. They talk about Pizza by Alfredo or Alfredo’s Pizza -- there’s an Alfredo’s Pizza. They’ll show the Scranton Times; there’s a few episodes where they’ll actually show the newspaper. All of the pictures in the beginning, the opening theme song, that’s downtown Scranton. The ‘Welcome to Scranton’ sign is when you first go in -- obviously some of it’s a little different, because it was 20 years ago at this point. But it’s cool. They’ll name-drop Scranton High School, or something, where I went, and you’re like, ‘Hey, I went there!’”

Anyone from here remind you of anyone from the show?

“I don’t think we have any guys on this team similar to Dwight Schrute or Michael Scott. I think that’s a good thing."