Former professional baseball pitcher Jay Yennaco, 32, owner of Delahunty Nurseries and Florist in Windham, pitched for Pinkerton Academy in Derry.
He graduated in 1995, the same year he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox. He pitched in the minor leagues for Boston, as well as the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals organizations before elbow and shoulder injuries ended his career.
Did you dream of being a big-league ballplayer as a kid? You know, did you have team pennants up in your room?
"I was never a huge baseball fan and still am not one."
When did you realize you had potential to be a professional ballplayer?
"Freshman year (in high school)."
Is it hard to keep from getting a big head when so much attention is being paid to you for your pitching skills?
"I think it is difficult. Obviously, it's hard to keep a level head because numerous people do not. Many do, though. I very much did."
Is professional baseball a game or a business?
"I went in thinking it was game. I went out thinking it was a business."
What was your favorite and least favorite part of playing in the minor leagues?
"My favorite and least favorite were the same thing. The amount of travel and time away from home was the least favorite. My favorite was the places I saw."
Is money a big motivator for ballplayers?
"I think if you went around major league clubhouses and asked the players if they would play for $50,000 a year, you'd get maybe one or two - and they'd both probably be rookies."
What do you think of the huge salaries commanded by players, especially the estimated $20 million to $25 million per year contract that Minnesota Twins left-handed pitcher Johan Santana is expected to sign if he is dealt to a big-market team?
"Baseball is a business and the superstars get paid a substantial amount of money, as they do in any form of entertainment. The money is not justifiable in any form of entertainment, although the realization is that if an owner is willing to pay $25 million a year, then they feel they are going to make money because of that player."
Would you trade Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury for Santana?
"I probably would. Pitching and defense win World Series. So you go get the best pitching and defense."
Did you watch the Red Sox in the World Series?
"My wife and I watched bits and pieces of games, as we do with most sports when it comes to playoff time."
How did you get into the line of work you are in now?
"My wife and I wanted to buy a local business that we could grow to a new level."
