Ettienne R. 'Gung Ho' LaFitte - 2028

[JohnC]

Blazers reporter Richard Head recently sat down with Blazers 1st round pick Ettienne LaFitte on a bus ride from Mississauga to Chula Vista trying to get to know the much talked about first baseman. LaFitte was chosen 7th overall by the Blazers in 2027. Born in Old Jefferson, LA, he later made Fer-de-Lance, Louisiana is home. His draft day bio reads:

"Known as a leader, Ettienne is very energetic and able to carry a team on his own. He is known to display super-human strength when the game is on the line, and has hit many walk off home runs in his amateur career. His teammates rely on his selfless bravery, strength and perseverance on the field. Definitely a guy that you can build around, and has the ability to be a once in a lifetime player."

RH: So, this is your second year as a pro. How has the adjustment been from College ball?
EL: Other then playing in Canada and having to cross the border so often, it has been pretty smooth.
RH: What, you don't like hockey and donuts?
EL: I love donuts. We hang out at Tim Horton's all the time.
RH: Who would you compare yourself to in the major leagues?
EL: Probably Frank Thomas III.
RH: Really? You think you will be as good as Thomas?
EL: I never said that. I have read all those Chuckleheads comments on how I will be a poor man's Thomas, but just wait...I am going to put up some epic numbers.

You see, there was much discussion about how fortunate the Blazers were to get LaFitte at number 7 in the draft. Blazers GM Callahan had casually mentioned the value of a DH and made reference to Thomas III. Well, some took that to mean he thought LaFitte would be the next Thomas which sparked a discussion about the potential value of Lafitte.

RH: Thomas is a future first ballot hall of famer.
EL: Ya, and?
RH: I am just saying that is alot to live up to.
EL: Are we there yet? (Asking if the bus was almost at Chula Vista).
RH: Ok, let's change the subject. I hear you somewhat of a strong man?
EL: You are getting close to finding out the hard way.
RH: Do you have any unique ways of training?
EL: I like to bench press cars. Here I have a video on my phone:

[BBvideo 425,350][/BBvideo]

RH: What is that? A compact?
EL: Ya know, you are really starting to get on my nerves.
RH: I am sorry, I was just trying to have a little fun with you.
EL: Do I look like the kinda guy that would want to have fun with you?
RH: No, not really. I was talking to some of your teammates and they were all saying how much they look up to you. That you are a true leader on this team. Is that something that comes naturally? Or, is it something you need to work at?
EL: I think it comes naturally. I have always been one of the guys that other guys seem to follow. Going all the way back to high school. I was the prom king you know..
RH: Um, no. I didn't know that. Do you have any specific goals for what you would like to accomplish this year?
EL: Ideally, I will get to AAA at some point this year. My defense still needs work, but I am handling the transition to wooden bats fairly well I would say.
RH: Ok, is there anything that you would like the fans out there to know about you? Maybe something that nobody knows?
EL: That I am trying to learn about ice hockey as quick as I can.
RH: You know, Canadians really hate when you call it "ice hockey". I mean what else would you play hockey on? You don't see us calling it "grass football" or "turf football" do you?
EL: You know, I really don't like you.
RH: Then my work here is done...

[agrudez]

Nice piece, John. LaFitte looks like he's developing really well for his age.

As an aside, it seems you were going for a tough guy motif for his personality, but I'm not sure how intimidating a 6'1, 205 guy really is. That's not exactly a bean pole, but it's ALOT closer to that than a He-Man who bench presses cars. Mike Trout, for example, is 6'2, 235 and I'd say has an average build (for a professional athlete).

His draft day bio reads:

Lol. Was that bio your penmanship or does OOTP think this dude is Superman?

[JohnC]

haha...he was a custom ammy. Copied the draft bio from that. That is why I played the strength angle into the bio. Maybe he is just freakishly strong??

[agrudez]

Ah! I always forget about those custom ammys.

My HS football coach had (and maybe still has) a national record with something like a 585 squat at 165 lbs, though that was at like 5'5, iirc. I maxed a 500 squat at 5'11, 225 in HS and I wouldn't have considered myself imposing physically at that height/weight combo at all. Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure my friend in HS (a wide receiver) was around 6'1, 205 (maybe weighing slightly less) and he was a bean pole (though really, really ripped due to low body fat percentage, just not bulky at all).

[7teen]

Dick Head!

[nerfHerder]

This is who he is. The baddest of the bad.

[JohnC]

This is who he is. The baddest of the bad.

Nice! Never heard of him obviously, but hopefully for me he lives up to that image on the field!