Eastern League Extra: What would you say is your best moment in baseball?

Rich Thompson: Probably finding out I made the big league team with Kansas City.

ELX: How did you find out you made the team? Were you expecting it?

Thompson: Yeah, I was expecting to make it, but it was still something that was definitely not guaranteed. I wouldn't even say I expected to. I'd just say I had high expectations for the season and when Tony Pena called me in his office, they were realized.

ELX: How about your worst moment?

Thompson: I don't know, I don't think I have one in particular.

ELX: You made your big league debut on April 7, 2004 against the White Sox. What do you remember about that experience?

Thompson: It was great, it was a tie game with two outs, and I stole second. Then I scored the game winning run, so it was a pretty big, critical time to come into the game and get a nice chance to contribute.

ELX: Who was the most talented player you've ever played with?

Thompson: Probably Carlos Beltran or Mike Sweeney. Both of them were just great people, which is a nice thing to see from a superstar. The whole team just fed off of Mike Sweeney. With Carlos Beltran, he does things that most baseball players can't even dream about doing.

ELX: Your only big league at-bat was against a catcher...tell me a little bit about how that happened.

Thompson: It was a blowout, and they got me in. It was a groundout off of Tim Laker.

ELX: Was it difficult to know that your niche with that Royals team was being the pinch runner or the speedster off the bench?

Thompson: No, I mean I knew that if I was going to make that team, that was going to be my role. I wanted to do it the best I could, and I was fine with that.

ELX: After just being in the big leagues two seasons ago, is it a little frustrating to have to be back in Double-A this year?

Thompson: The important thing is to get in the lineup every day, and I'm fortunate enough to be able to do that here. As long as I get to play, I'll let my play take care of itself.