FINE: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where were you born, what was your hometown like, how big was your family, etc.?
KARA: I’m a Florida girl – born and raised in Naples. I feel blessed my family and I get to call this beautiful place home. Growing up here was far different then it is now. I spent the summers with my sister, Kelli, and my cousins at the beach and on our Papa’s boat. So many of my childhood memories are weekends on the beach and much time spent playing in the woods. I grew up on acreage with horses and lots of animals, with plenty of wide-open spaces and room to explore. It was a beautiful way to grow up. I’m a country girl at heart.
FINE: Where else have you lived in the US or the world?
KARA: Where haven’t I lived?!? ☺ Growing up I always wanted to travel. I feel lucky to have lived and seen all the places that I have. Traveling and living in other parts of the country and world was always something I desired, and baseball gave my husband and I that opportunity. We’re two kids who grew up in Naples, and I can honestly say that we never expected to have lived and seen all the places we have! Traveling has taught me so much about the world around me and also about myself. It has certainly been a benefit to my family and me.
FINE: How and when did you meet Chris?
KARA: We met in high school. We didn’t date, but we were friends. He was as kind hearted and humble back then as he is now. I can remember telling my friend, one day I’m going to marry him – and here we are!
FINE: When did you guys decide to start your family? KARA: We started dating when he was visiting home for the off-season, and I was going to FGCU. We reconnected and the rest is history. When Chris got traded to the Anaheim Angels we got engaged. This year we will celebrate our 8th anniversary. I married my best friend. He and I have been on such an amazing journey together, I can’t imagine sharing my life with anyone else. I’m a lucky girl!
FINE: What brought you to Naples and how do you like living here?
KARA: Though baseball has brought us all around the world, Naples has always been home.
FINE: You have a great business here; tell us a little bit about what your store offers and how you got into that business?
KARA: During our travels, we kept seeing blow dry bars pop up on every street corner throughout the country. I loved the concept and the business plan. Chris saw the potential. We did our due diligence and formed a partnership with Blo! It’s something I’ve wanted to do for sometime, but I knew we would have to live here full time before we made the commitment. Once Chris retired we became franchise partners of Blo Dry Bar.
FINE: Naples has a lot of great restaurants and shops, what are some of your favorites?
KARA: Chris and I love Bricktop’s and Brooks Burgers. I love Heart and Soul Boutique – they are right next to Blo. I can get into trouble over there! They have so many amazing treasures and so many cool digs to choose from!
FINE: What are some of your favorite vacation spots?
KARA: We went to Jamaica last off-season with a group of our baseball friends and had the most amazing time.
FINE: Do you have any advice for other women or women business owners here?
KARA: Owning a business for me isn’t only about the business. Life is so much more than making a buck. Have fun, work hard and be kind along the way. I love empowering other women! I had the opportunity in baseball to meet so many powerful women who used their time in a productive way. It’s incredible how far an act of kindness can go, especially when it comes to women. At Blo, I’m surrounded by women every day and I make a conscious effort to be kind and courteous to every soul who walks through my doors. Sounds so simple right? But often times we can forget to do such a simple task.
FINE: Tell us a little bit about your background, what your family was like, and how you first got into baseball?
CHRIS: I was born here in Naples and grew up with a younger sister, Jacqui, along with my parents, Tom and Kathie. I first got into baseball when I was about 4 years old in Tee Ball. From there I continued to play every year. I always loved the game. However, when I was younger it was all about the bubble gum during the game and the hot dog and snow cone to follow the game. It was exactly what it’s called, “A Game.” It’s a child’s game that I was fortunate enough to play for a profession as a grown man. It was a true honor.
FINE: Did you always know you wanted to play baseball or did you consider other sports?
CHRIS: I always enjoyed baseball from the moment I began playing at a young age. It was always fun to me. I tried soccer and basketball but never took a liking to them like I did baseball. I did start playing football in 8th grade and was the quarterback. Once in high school, I continued to play and was the varsity starting quarterback for Barron Collier my sophomore through my senior year. I really enjoyed football a lot but knew baseball was going to be my destiny.
FINE: How and when did you first get noticed or seen by the Scouts?
CHRIS: I first started getting recognized by collegiate scouts during my freshman year or soon after that. My goal was always to earn a college scholarship to continue playing the game. Playing professionally was never really an idea for me when I was a freshman. After my Sophmore year the college scouts really started to talk to me and I wound up signing my National Letter of Intent to play college baseball for the University of Miami. Soon after I did that, professional scouts started to come into the picture. All 30 teams were scouting me. On any given night, there were about 10-30 scouts at each game. It was honestly a little crazy to me. I didn’t understand why? I never saw myself as that caliber of a player.
FINE: What teams did you play for and which one stands out as being a favorite?
CHRIS: I played professionally for the Florida Marlins, Anaheim Angels, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland Athletics, and Boston Red Sox. In between there I also played professionally in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers. I really enjoyed playing for each team. I was able to travel the world at such a young age. Each team and city offered something different and unique in its own way. I will have lasting memories from each one.
FINE: What was a typical “work-week” like during baseball season being on a major league team? Also, what was the off-season like?
CHRIS: Baseball is a very difficult sport due to the length of the season and the few and far between days off. A typical workweek was 7 days, period! Whether home or away I would leave my house or hotel around 1 PM every day to get to the “Yard” and wouldn’t get home until around midnight every night. Once I arrived at the field, I changed clothes and went to the weight room every day to begin my work. I lifted weights 3-4 days per week but was doing some sort of movements in there every day. From there I would go outside to get my running/conditioning in. By the time I was finished, it would be time for the pitchers to go out together for stretch and to do our long toss and whatever other work we needed to get done. Then we would shag batting practice which could get quite monotonous. Once that was over it was a rush to get inside, shower, eat and get ready for the game. Most people think that we would just show up and play the game. We would actually practice at least 2-3 hours per day leading up to the game.
FINE: What made you guys decide to settle here in Naples when you could be anywhere in the country?
CHRIS: My wife and I were both born here in Naples. Both of our families still live here as well and I have always loved Naples. Traveling as much as we did and being in big cities, Naples was always a desire to go home to. We both have some of our closest friends here and they are a big part of our lives. I also grew up fishing here and still do! Anytime I can get out on the water to fish with some of my good friends (Henley and Robby from Surf and Turf) is a great day for me.
FINE: Tell us what you are doing now in town after retiring from baseball?
CHRIS: After leaving the game of baseball I knew I wanted to continue to work and stay busy. I enjoy working and using my mind. Real Estate has been in my family for about 70 years. My family has been involved in commercial and residential development in St. Petersburg, FL since the 1960’s. Real estate has always been of interest to me. I have actually practiced real estate for about 9 years on the side helping family and friends as well as for my own personal investments. Once I left the game, I got into it full time and am now working with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty downtown on Broad Ave in Naples. I love what I do and wouldn’t change it for a thing!
FINE: I know you are very involved in charities – tell us a little about your charity “Cut For A Cure” and how long you and Kara have been involved with it?
CHRIS: Charities have always been near and dear to me. I have always been a firm believer in giving back to the community any way I can. During my career in baseball I was always fully involved with the Pediatric Cancer Foundation as well as working with local children’s hospitals in the cities for which I played. This year my wife and I held Naples’ first “Cut For A Cure” event at our Blo Dry Bar. The event consisted of
several local men and kids from Naples along with myself, and together we all shaved our heads to help raise awareness for Pediatric Cancer. There were a few kids from the local children’s hospital who attended and helped shave our heads. It was a huge success and I couldn’t be more proud. We are continuing to try and raise funds to help this cause. Our fundraising will continue until around the middle of May. I have decided to split our proceeds giving half to Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the other half to Golisano Children’s Hospital. To date, we have raised over $25,000 this year for this great cause. My wife and I alone have raised over $100,000 the past few years for charities. One of the most honorable and most memorable awards I received during my career was the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award for my charity involvement in baseball. That was a true honor! Baseball doesn’t make you who you are. It was simply a game I was able to play. What you do off the field is what makes you who you are!
FINE: Naples has a lot of great restaurants, what are some of your favorites and what are some of the menu items that you like most?
CHRIS: Naples has some amazing restaurants! There are a few that stand out to me as being a couple of my favorites. Capital Grill is definitely at the top of my list for steakhouses. Bricktop’s is another one of my favorites here in Naples. I have never had a bad meal there and the service is fantastic. I enjoy the Baby Back Ribs as well as the Parmesan Crusted Chicken. On a casual night, I always enjoy going down to Brooks Burgers. They have an awesome Burger and it’s a fun family atmosphere.
FINE: Are you involved in any business ventures locally or elsewhere?
CHRIS: I am dedicated to my real estate career while my wife dedicates her time to the Blo Dry Bar. While running two businesses is a lot of work, our primary focus is on being great parents to our two amazing kids!
Pictures taken by Sammy Duffy at locations: Blo Dry Bar 2349 Vanderbilt Beach Road Suite 516 and Barron Collier Field 530 Cougar Drive