Tim Anderson: Marlins shortstop and ... drummer?

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola’s Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

JUPITER, Fla. -- Marlins shortstop Tim Anderson was the 2019 American League batting champion and a two-time All-Star, but did you know the 30-year-old Alabama native can play the drums?

With the return of Spring Training, what better way for fans to get to know the newcomers both on and off the field than through a fun Q&A? In this installment, we catch up with Anderson.

MLB.com: You broke both legs in high school. Have you ever thought about whether you’d still be playing basketball if that didn’t happen?

Anderson: I wouldn't have stuck with basketball. The biggest decision for basketball was coming down to the average height at the time was like 6-foot-6, jumping up to like 6-foot-9, 6-foot-10 now, so that was my decision on whether to play basketball or baseball. And I knew that I was fast, and if I could learn how to hit and catch -- which I'm still working on that -- then I got a shot at it. So that's what made my decision to come play baseball.

MLB.com: What did you miss most about baseball when you were focusing on basketball?

Anderson: It used to be my first love, and then I started playing basketball. All my friends played basketball. Probably had like a few friends that played baseball. And the only reason that I got back into baseball [is] because I had that one friend after I broke my legs in high school, I was just going to focus on basketball, and he was like, ‘Man, if I can get you a tryout with the team, would you come out?’ Then, I missed the tryout.

And so, he talked to the coach again. I played against the same guys when I was younger, so they kind of were familiar with me. The coach was like, ‘If he comes out, we'll give him a look.’ After I went out, the coach at the time was just like, ‘We’re going to let the seniors decide if they want to keep you on the team.’ And the seniors decided I could stay on the team. I didn't play that whole [junior] year just about. I was riding the bench, and I started playing like halfway through. My first game, I just played left field. I didn't hit or anything. I just played defense. As time goes on, I started getting in the lineup and got back into it.

MLB.com: How would you describe yourself?

Anderson: I'm different. I'm real quiet, real passionate about the things that I love. I'm real chill. I'm easy to get along with. I'm laidback, pretty cool. A lot of people go off of what they see. You have to kind of be around me to understand me.

MLB.com: Do you have a hidden talent?

Anderson: I used to play the drums. It has been a minute since I played the drums. I like to juggle a little bit.

MLB.com: How did you pick up the drums?

Anderson: Just having rhythm. And I'm a music head. I love music. I listen to music all day every day. Music is something that I go to, to get in a safe place, get in a good place to even fix my mood.

MLB.com: At what age for the drums?

Anderson: I was young. I probably got a new set of drums when I was like 7, 8, 9 [years old], every Christmas because I would bust them and I'd have to get a new one. I was driving my family crazy, and they were probably excited when I busted [them], so I won't be playing in the house anymore.

MLB.com: What were you playing?

Anderson: I would just make my own beats. You've got the snare and all the other things around it, so I was just making my own beats and just having rhythm.

MLB.com: What has been your happiest day?

Anderson: Normally when I'm with my kids. I'm excited. I'm happy. Nothing else matters. No baseball matters. No nothing. It's just strictly the kids, enjoying the moment, soaking up the moment and learning about them as they learn about dad. So that's probably when I'm at my happiest.

MLB.com: Why the No. 7?

Anderson: I always wore seven. Seven always found me. My daughter was born on the seventh. My son on Oct. 7. His name is Seven. It's ‘perfect completion.’ It's just so spiritual and it means a lot, so I always carried it and I just enjoy it.

MLB.com: Did you give Jesús Sánchez anything for the number?

Anderson: I'm going to take care of him, give him something. Order some gear, some luggage or something to make him look cooler or to feel special. [I] definitely appreciate him. I didn't have to beg him. He just came up to me and was like, 'Man, I want you to have seven,' so that says a lot. My biggest thing was just coming in -- I'm the new guy -- so I didn't want to cause any confusion, so I was OK with wearing whatever other number. But just for him to come up to me and give it to me means a lot. So I'm definitely going to take care of him.