In the Clubhouse: Jonny Gomes is in it to win it

Jonny Gomes was always the secret sauce. The former outfielder/DH, who will be representing the Red Sox in this year's FTX MLB Home Run Derby X, may not have always been the biggest or the fastest player on his teams, but he was always the most beloved. Armed with a motor mouth and a sweet home run swing, Gomes blasted 162 home runs over a 13-year big league career and won World Series rings with the Red Sox in 2013 and the Royals in 2015.

We recently got a chance to sit down with Gomes as he prepares for this year's HRDX, kicking off on July 9 at Crystal Palace Park in London.

• In the Clubhouse: Nick Swisher

MLB: What's the training been like for HRDX?

Jonny Gomes: The training for Home Run Derby X has definitely been unique, has been exciting. It's been fun to get back on the field, back in the cage, throwing around some weights, getting the bat speed back. Getting back to basics, just hitting home runs.

MLB: What advice would you give to young hitters?

Gomes: The game [of baseball] is based on an average, right? That means the game was extremely hard. When they invented this game, it was not so much the hits, it's the batting average [that's important]. Your ERA is an average, so there's gonna be ups and downs. So just ride your ups, just know your lows will get cleaned up. But baseball is really, really hard. And that's why they give us an average, not just solid points.

MLB: I was really blown away when you and [Cubs HRDX legend] Geo Soto were working with Liv Cooke [Gomes' Red Sox teammate at HRDX] and were able to break down her swing so quickly and succinctly. What is it like coaching someone who is so new to the sport, but has such a big event ahead of them?

Gomes: The most important thing about coaching and which makes coaching extremely easy is the want of the information. The listening, the questions, so if they want that information, it makes it a lot simpler to coach. But at the end of the day, Geo, and I and some of these other guys played the game at the highest level for a long time. So, we've got some tricks of the trade.

MLB: You developed the reputation and even a kind of like shorthand among baseball fans as playing for winners and being the reason behind that success. How do you feel about that reputation? And does that help you in the tournament?

Gomes: I hope so. I don't sign up for too many things for the fun, especially with competition on the line. If I'm in the middle of the battle, I'm competing. Why not try and win every single one? So I'm excited for it. We've got a good team and we'll definitely be watching the scoreboard and trying to have more points than the opposition.

MLB: Do you have any superstitions when playing? Will you be bringing them to HRDX?

Gomes: I like to think I'm too superstitious to have superstitions. But if there was one thing that I did throughout my career, is if there's ever a right or a left, so a shoe, a batting glove, legs in the pants, feet in the sock, I always went right and then left. So always start off on the right foot and then go left.

MLB: What English delicacy are you eating first?

Gomes: I'm most looking forward to is probably a real fancy proper breakfast.

• Get your tickets to HRDX!

MLB: You were recently in the stands to catch Red Sox star Trevor Story's grand slam ball. What was that moment like? Does that count as your outfield preparation for HRDX?

Gomes: Not quite preparation, more of just an absolute bucket-list check. I mean, I haven't really had too many opportunities in the outfield. So, I guess my opportunities are kind of light. But [that home run] being from a Red Sox, then it being from a grand slam, then it from being on the unique seats of the Green Monster -- I went from 41 to 8 years old in a heartbeat. I was pretty pumped. It was pretty exciting.

MLB: Next one is very specific. What was your first thought or reaction after hitting a three-run homer in Game 4 of the 2013 World Series?

Gomes: The thing that I was most excited about is something that I've always wanted: It was just the opportunity. And I knew within seconds of getting in the batter's box, the opportunity was mine. And then just get back into basics. I've hit plenty of homeruns. 'One more right now would be pretty important.' Just glad it worked out.

MLB: Those 2013 Red Sox were known for their beards and you're playing with the Red Sox in this tournament. Are you going to institute a beards policy or are you going to make Liv and superstar Paige Halstead put fake ones on?

Gomes: I mean, those are two good lookin' gals without a beard. So, I don't want to screw that up. Maybe I'll just have to grow mine out three times as long.

MLB: You gave a pretty rousing speech at the Royals 2015 World Series celebration party. Will you have another ready this time around?

Gomes: I could probably dig one up if we're able to come come out with a W.