Late last month, local media buzzed with the news that our very own Prince Fielder, the hulking, injured, $168 million albatross currently not playing first base for the Rangers, would be making an appearance in ESPN the Magazine. Naked. Because why the hell not?
See also: Prince Fielder to Appear Nude in ESPN the Magazine, for Some Reason
Apparently, Fielder's shoot went so well that ESPN decided to make him one of the Body Issue's six cover athletes. His candid interview with ESPN.com in advance of the magazine's July 11 newsstand date is an enjoyable read, here are some of the highlights:
Early in his career, Fielder told ESPN, he worked out just to maintain his poor diet: "My thing was, especially during the season, I would just lift weights and eat -- play for the tie. I'd eat a big meal, then do cardio to try to make it even. Instead of eating right and working smart, I was working harder and making myself more tired."
Now, Fielder says he takes better care of himself. He still doesn't have a typical athlete's body, but that's OK with him: "A lot of people probably think I'm not athletic or don't even try to work out or whatever, but I do. Just because you're big doesn't mean you can't be an athlete. And just because you work out doesn't mean you're going to have a 12-pack. I work out to make sure I can do my job to the best of my ability. Other than that, I'm not going up there trying to be a fitness model."
You can check out borderline NSFW video from the shoot and read the rest of the hulking slugger's interview here.
