Rapid Questions with Bruce Zimmermann

Left-handed pitcher Bruce Zimmermann achieved a lifelong dream on September 17, 2020, when he made his Major League debut for the Orioles at Camden Yards. Fast-forward 18 months, and the Woodstock, Maryland native had achieved yet another dream come true – taking the mound for his hometown team as the starting pitcher in Baltimore’s Home Opener on April 11 in front of his family, friends, and fellow Birdland faithful.

Since that start, Zimmermann has enjoyed an incredible performance to begin the 2022 campaign, pitching 9.0 scoreless innings across his first two appearances. Birdland Insider sat down with the 27-year-old southpaw for a rapid-fire Q&A to learn more about the man on the mound and away from the diamond.

What’s your favorite ballpark to play in and why?

Probably Camden Yards – I grew up here, so I have a lot of history with coming here as a kid, wanting to be a Major Leaguer, and finally getting to do it for my hometown team.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

This is tough. It is honestly between an architect – my dad was an architect – and a baseball player. Obviously, it started out as a baseball player. Then it flip-flopped in high school a little bit, and then flipped back in college when I realized I had a shot to do this for real. I was kind of back and forth.

If an ice cream truck pulled up right now, what would your order be?

My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. So, anything – cup, cone, soft serve – I’m mint chocolate chip all the way.

What is your favorite way to spend an off-day in Baltimore?

Wake up, get some coffee and breakfast. I go to Ceremony a lot and THB. Then usually I walk around the harbor, and later go out to eat. I like the Fells area, there’s a lot of good restaurants over there.

Does your number have any special meaning behind it?

No, the team gave it to me. But if I could pick one, I’d probably choose 44. I’ve always liked that number growing up, but after college I didn’t get it. It’s always one I’d want to have. I like the look of it. I’ll see if I can get that again, one day.

Which teammate would you want to be stranded on a deserted island with?

Probably Keegan Akin. I know Keegan is a big outdoors guy.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

I didn’t fare too well in the rookie karaoke on the bus, but then again, I didn’t get to choose my own song.

You have to make a dish for a potluck, what is your go-to dish to bring?

I make a pretty mean breakfast casserole that I always make for my family on Christmas. It’s a mix of hashbrown, sausage, bacon, and eggs. It’s pretty good.

What is your favorite show that you never get tired of watching?

Currently it’s Yellowstone. I think I killed that show in a matter of like a week and a half in Spring Training.

If you weren’t playing professional baseball, what would you be doing?

Not anything nearly as fun. I probably would’ve gone into some sort of project management work. I always thought that was interesting. I didn’t get to go to architecture school, but it was in the same realm of things. I took a lot of business classes in college, and project management seemed to pique my interest. That or business acquisitions.

Which actor would you choose to play you in a movie about your life?

Bradley Cooper.

What’s your favorite video game?

I’m not a video game guy. But growing up it was probably Halo or Call of Duty.

Tell us one fun fact/unique piece of information about your hometown.

I grew up in Woodstock, Maryland. It’s tiny. I don’t even know if there’s anything that interesting about the place, besides that it’s named Woodstock and everyone always thinks it’s the one up in New York. I would imagine I’m one of, if not the only, professional athlete from there, so we can claim that.

Do you have any pets? If so, what type and what are their names?

I did grow up with numerous outdoor cats. They always had a litter, and we’d keep one. We also had a dog, Maggie, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. I want to get a dog sometime soon.

What superpower would you like to have and why?

Can I say Superman so I can get a whole bunch of them?

If you could play any position other than your own, what would you play?

I’d probably say first base. I like first base a lot. You’re in all the plays usually.

Who’s the greatest athlete of all time?

If you’re just going based on athlete – Bo Jackson. He was a multi-sport guy, and an All-Star in both. If he had a longer career, he’d be the all-time GOAT.