The slugger for the Rouen Huskies and the French national team, Bastien Dagneau, opens up extensively to Baseball TV France. When he talks about the game, his family, his passions, his rivals, it hits just as hard as when he crushes the ball. A captivating interview with one of the greatest French players in history, a story that is far from over.
BTVF: To start, can you introduce yourself in a few words, what you do in life, how you got into baseball, what you love about the sport…?
B.D.: My name is Bastien Dagneau, I’m 27 years old. I started playing baseball at 8 years old thanks to my uncle who introduced me to the sport in the garden. I then joined the small club of Orgeval in the Yvelines (78). I’m a coach and also a firefighter. What I love most about baseball is that everyone can play and contribute at their level to the team, no matter their physique or role.
BTVF: You started in Montigny, you have very strong memories with the Cougars. What are the best ones?
B.D.: I did play in Montigny, but I started in Orgeval with Alexandre Diomede who taught me to enjoy the game even when losing!
The first spark came from my participation in the Pineuilh tournament for minors and cadets at the same time, which brought in teams from Spain, Italy, the USA, etc. After that, I stopped complaining when I went to practice and set my mind to becoming the best player possible to play in tournaments like that again.
In Montigny, there was the victory in the Pineuilh cadet tournament ahead of the France selection, the 2010 cadet French championship title, and of course the 2018 season with the D1 where the team qualified for the final against Rouen and for a European Cup.
BTVF: What convinced you to join Rouen?
B.D.: I wanted to play at the highest level possible. When Rouen contacted me to say they wanted to develop me, I was surprised and honored. I saw all the players on the team as coaches and listened to all their advice. I wanted to go to the United States and had long discussions with everyone about their professional experiences, colleges, or the national team.
BTVF: When you step up to the plate, do you always have the home run in mind?
Not at all. In reality, I think more about what the pitcher is going to throw at me. My swing will depend mainly on his pitch. I know I can hit almost any type of pitch, but I also know I can strike out on the worst pitch if I don’t have the right concentration. That’s why I never underestimate a pitcher, even when I’m used to facing them. After that, once you know the ball is going to end up over the fence, you have the right to show off a bit.
BTVF: How do you manage your role as a right fielder? You don’t get many balls per game, so you need a lot of concentration, study the batters, know the situations. It’s very demanding, I imagine?
B.D.: It’s mostly about observation, analyzing the batters’ swings, knowing the pitcher’s speed, anticipating situations and coverages, and having absolute confidence with your center fielder. I’ve been lucky in Rouen to have only high-quality center fielders who I got along with perfectly (Combes, Bert, Sosa, and now Vissac). The outfield is a team of three. As soon as one of us changes position, they warn the others so everyone is on the same page, otherwise it leaves big gaps and it’s unforgiving. Over time, I’m getting bigger and less fast, but I know the game a bit better, which allows me to be more serene.
BTVF: How does the winter preparation go?
B.D.: This year, the winter preparation started in November. Admittedly, with the change of coach, the first D1 training sessions only started in February, but all our young French players were present a month after the title in the cages, freezing, lifting weights, doing throwing programs, and hitting balls. We have a physical preparation program designed by Dylan (Gleeson) that works like a charm. This year, I repeated it all winter, I’ve never seen so many D1 players training so hard so early in the year. We’re now reaping the benefits. For my part, I juggle between baseball physical preparation and the one I must have for the firefighters, which is quite different. I am therefore mostly alone and autonomous, but I admit that I like to follow the others when there are guys like Hugo (Blondel) who challenge me in max strength!
BTVF: Would you have liked to try your luck in the United States or in another European championship?
B.D.: I had the chance to go for a year to Texas at Cisco College, a D1 junior college where I was redshirt. I don’t regret coming back after a year because I’m comfortable in my country and I didn’t necessarily have many opportunities where I was.
BTVF: Let’s talk about this season: I get the impression that you keep improving. Do you think you’re having your best season?
B.D.: It’s still early to say. If we don’t win the championship, then no! What’s certain is that I’m having a much better season than last year. I had a hard time dealing with not satisfying my team with my level of play. When everyone expects you to hit 10 home runs in a year and you don’t hit one behind it, it’s really bad. Honestly, I’m not really looking to compare. There are goals to achieve and poor performances from last year to erase at all costs. We brought Rouen back down to Group B, we had to sweep that away. Now we have to do the same for the French national team in the European championship.
BTVF: There were a lot of emotions after the victory against Hoboken. Was this one of the most beautiful victories you’ve experienced?
B.D.: Yes, of course, you never get tired of it. And there really were a lot of people there. It’s really inspiring to play in front of your public, your family, your friends, your club, but also the players you coach. It has a special flavor. We don’t have the right to disappoint. We demand a lot from the young players all week, so in return we have to show the way. Moreover, it was another come-from-behind victory, with all the tension we experienced and the stakes, so yes, it will remain a day I will not forget.
BTVF: And by the way, what is your best baseball memory?
B.D.: My best baseball memory is the victory against Taiwan in the opening of the university Olympics in Taiwan. We won while trailing 3-0 in the last inning, two strikes, two outs, nobody on base. Since that day, I’ve been telling myself that no victory is impossible. I will always remember the 13,000 Taiwanese standing up to applaud us, the French, after the game when we had just beaten their team.
BTVF: Describe that monumental home run in the final. How did that at-bat go? Did you watch the ball go, does it feel good, I imagine?
The at-bat went quite quickly since I hit the first pitch. I had seen that their pitcher threw a lot on the side with a not very fast ball but which moves and moves away from right-handed batters. On me, I was almost sure he wouldn’t throw from the right, so I was expecting that pitch. He threw a bit too high, I could see it easily and drive the ball where I wanted. After that, yes, I watched it because it always feels good and it was an important moment, but then I quickly made a lap and told the guys that nothing was done yet because we were still down by one.
BTVF: In this game, Rouen was behind twice in the score but came back each time. Is this really one of the Huskies’ strengths, this ability to always believe in their chances?
B.D.: Of course, there’s always hope. A -2 or -3 doesn’t mean much in baseball. What matters is reacting after a tough moment and continuing to stay focused and make good at-bats. On the bench, we don’t even ask if we’re going to do it or if we can do it. We know we’re going to do it.
BTVF: There’s a new coach with the Huskies, Boris Marche. How’s it going with him?
B.D.: It’s going very well. He really knew how to observe, understand the team, and rally around him a team of coaches who all want to contribute in their own way. He brings serenity to young players, trusts the veterans, and demands the involvement of foreign players. Adjustments had to be made on the players’ side because obviously there are different ways of working than those we were used to for a long time, but with communication and because we’ve known Boris for a long time, it happened very quickly. He is an intelligent, calm man who has always been a hard worker. He instills an additional seriousness that we comply with because we must not forget that he has his number at the back of the field.
BTVF: Your parents are very often in the stands to cheer you on. Is that important to you?
B.D.: They are always there. They have always been there since I was 8 years old and even when I played other sports. They met at the INSEP, so it helps with the sports culture and high-level sports. I couldn’t say how much they contribute to my fulfillment and my performances. Even when I bore everyone by talking about baseball all the time, they are always interested even though my father doesn’t understand half the rules after all this time. Even if they can’t be present, they always follow the game in one way or another. I really have an incredible luck to have such support from them. At every at-bat, my father comes down from the stands to yell at me before my at-bat, so when you hear Mr. Dagneau tell you to hit, you hit!
BTVF: I think you’re going to take on responsibilities at the Normandy Academy and the League. Training young people is something that motivates you particularly?
B.D.: The goal is to train high school and university players so they can achieve their goals. The academy offers daily training on Rouen’s facilities and benefits all players from all clubs who can come in the evening to train. The staff consists of Dylan Gleeson and myself and aims to attract both players returning from colleges during their time in France and those pursuing their studies on the territory.
BTVF: Outside of baseball, what are your passions?
B.D.: I’ve been with my girlfriend for 3 years with whom I love to travel when our schedules allow it, and it’s no secret to anyone, my dog Naïa, a husky who plays hide and seek a little too often! I also try to see my family, especially my two older sisters and my 4 nephews, and of course my friends who never let me go.
BTVF: Who is the pitcher you liked, or like, facing the least?
B.D.: I liked facing pitchers Will Musson, Harvey Garcia, and James Murrey, I had quite a bit of success against them, I think. The one I like facing the least is quite easy, Camacho on Thursdays, and then Esteban, and then you’re sure to have a bad quarter of an hour at practice.
BTVF: And who has been the player who impressed you the most?
B.D.: Tough question, I have a few in mind. In France, I think I’ll say Ethan Paquette. The guy hit 3 home runs in each field the same weekend, he had a crazy season, he had an arm, and above all an incredible leadership.
BTVF: What are the areas for improvement that you set for yourself to become an even better player?
B.D.: I must continue to be consistent and dangerous for pitchers. I would also like to strike out less. I must continue to progress in the field and even stay in shape because with the young athletes who run the 60 yards in 6.5 seconds and throw 90 mph, it’s hard to compete. One day will come when I will have to return to first base and have a wrestling match with Hugo to see who will be in 1 and who will be DH, but let’s not think about it just yet.
BTVF: And to conclude, the usual question of our questionnaire: what can we wish for the future?
B.D.: Win the championship, bring France back to Group A at least, qualify France for the Classic. And then work hard to finally perform in this Group A (nation and club) and make baseball respected by other European countries. Nothing less!
Interview by François Colombier
Photo credits: Benjamin Witte, Glenn Gervot, and Rouen Huskies
