A Conversation with Chris Graham: Sports Writer Jessica Kleinschmidt

Determination, strong drive, relentless work ethic, and endless thirst for knowledge. All of these are traits you need to have, to work in the sports world. If you want to know how to get any of these? Go ask Jessica Kleinschmidt. She has every one on lock down. She has been working at this career since high school and she refuses to stop until she reaches her goal. Below is an interview I gave her just so fans can get to know her better:

CG- Chris Graham

JK- Jessica Kleinschmidt

CG: How did you get interested in writing and (sports) commentating?

JK: Um, when we had to do this big senior project in high school, and everybody was doing performance enhancing drugs but they were doing so much of the scientific stuff. They never went to the social media aspect, the social aspect, any of that stuff. I was more interested in how it affects the people that are watching the sports as opposed to the people that are actually using the PED's. Nobody cares about that. Everybody has their own opinion.

That's where it all kind of started, and I kind of got hooked, and I've always loved sports. I think I was eight years old when I stepped onto a baseball field and I kind got hooked on that too and I knew softball wasn't going to work out for me professional wise so going into the other aspect of it (sports). I've always loved commentating. I don't want to be just some girl on the sidelines reading a script, I genuinely want them to respect my opinion. I think it's such a great opportunity for me, and I'm really passionate about it. I don't like the people who just settle for a job because it pays well. I genuinely want to live my dream job and I think I deserve it.

CG: What is your ultimate dream job?

JK: It's kind of silly but would love to sit next to Nomar Garciaparra and John Kruk to talk about baseball on "Baseball Tonight." That's my ultimate dream job.

CG: I thought you wanted to commentate in the booth?

JK: Well I could do that too, but being on "Baseball Tonight" next to Nomar and 'Krukie' (John Kruk), or Mulder (Mark Mulder) that would be the coolest thing ever.

CG: So, what have you done so far to accomplish the dream?

JK: Oh my gosh, I have been so blessed lately I was with "e-Draft" for a year and I did everything from NFL to fantasy advice to tons of baseball stuff because if it's anything I know it's baseball. So I did that for a year. I did a lot of articles and I did a radio show. I have gone and visited a lot of minor league clubs, watched them, and really analyzed it. I just landed a job with "MLB Nation" and that's been such a blast because I have pretty much free reign of whatever I want to do. I also have a writing job for "Baltimore Sports" and I get to talk about the Ravens and write about the Ravens. Everything is just amazing. I do a lot of guest appearances on radio shows and they want my quote "expert" opinion.

CG: So any big radio shows that you've been on?

JK: I was on ESPN Radio actually. Um, and FOX Sports (Radio) about a couple of months ago. It was local in Reno but they replayed it on ESPN Radio and then there was a "best of" session and I was on the same episode as Zach Sudfeld (Nevada grad and current New England Patriots Tight End) so that was really, really cool.

CG: How did becoming a writer become about?

JK: I've always loved writing, and I've always been passionate about it because you can put everything you want in ink on a piece of paper and people don't judge you because they don't think you're being creative or being real. Um, it's actually a funny story. When I was a junior in high school I was reading this story to my baby brother who is not a baby, he's 21, but he's a baby to me. I read it to him and he goes: "Jessica you should just give up writing and become a journalist." And I told him it's the same thing.

I've always loved writing. I think an intelligent opinion is very rare, and I think I have a pretty valuable opinion. I've been a part of sports my whole life, and I've seen different aspects of it that a lot of females have not. So, I think that is what I can bring to the table that a lot of people can't.

CG: What's the hardest thing you've experienced so far in this whole thing?

JK: A lot of people don't take me seriously because of the way I look. It's difficult. They look at me and they think I'm all girly and all talk. People can be disrespectful, and they don't think I'm in it for the business reasons, you know, that's probably the most difficult part.

CG: Do they eventually change their mind?

JK: Oh yeah. One hundred percent. I'm awesome.

CG: What's the best thing that you've done so far.

JK: This job writing about the Ravens is absolutely amazing because my dad was a huge Ravens fan, he passed away when I was 19, and I remember the first time watching the Ravens was their first Super Bowl against the Giants and they won. My dad loved knowing that I loved watching them. So being able to report on the Ravens knowing how my dad was super supportive, he loved the Ravens.

A lot of people paint Ray Lewis in a bad light and I'm really hoping that I can---I'm not going to change everybody's opinion---but I want to get my voice out there that Ray Lewis is not a bad person. But the ultimate coolest thing was knowing I am writing about the Ravens and that would make my dad so happy.

CG: Who's your number one athlete you want to meet that you haven't?

JK: Cal Ripken Jr.

CG: Why is that?

JK: He's just the guy I was use to. I've always heard about him. My parents were huge Orioles' fans. I was born in Baltimore, so him and Ray Lewis, I'd love to meet them. If you put Baltimore aside I'd love to meet Nomar Garciaparra. Oh, and I would love to have a beer with Randy Johnson

CG: Why have a beer with Randy Johnson?

JK: Why not? Why not have a beer with Randy Johnson?I think it'd be cool to have a beer with Randy Johnson.

CG: What's the first article you ever wrote that went live?

JK: Oh my gosh let me think.....It was "Start These Five Running Backs" (fantasy football). Running backs or wide receivers something like that.

CG: So your first writing job you ever got was with "e-Draft"

JK: "e-Draft" yes.

CG: And you did what for them?

JK: Everything. Everything from---I started fantasy advise, and then I did more A's articles than a person should be allowed to. My "e-Draft" family has been so amazing towards me. They gave me a lot of free reign, they knew I was an A's fan so I got a lot of A's material to write on.

I got to do a ton of Ravens stuff and it was the perfect year to do it because they won the Super Bowl. It was the coolest thing ever. I did a lot of just regular baseball stuff too. I finally told my editor: "I know you want me to do all this A's stuff but can you please challenge me?" So he started throwing all this other stuff at me. I do that with "MLB Nation too I'm a beat writer for the Angels which is awkward but I love the challenge of it.

CG: Especially when they play the A's

JK: Mmmmhmmm....

CG: What MLB team would you like to work for?.....Knowing that you've worked pretty extensively with other teams now.

JK: I mean the easiest one to say is the A's obviously. I'd love to work with the Orioles it would be so cool. I've also become a Pirates fan girl this year so I wouldn't mind working for the Pirates. Go Bucs.

CG: Why the Pirates? What do you like about them?

JK: Well, I love how they were under the radar forever because since '92 nothing has happened. They came out of nowhere and I was concentrating a lot on their minor league teams. I heard about their farm system a lot. It's really cool to see a strong organization like that finally make a name for itself because they've always had the good names but it has never really come together.

CG: Ok, so, what's one fun fact you want people to know about you?

JK: I've never been on a date to a baseball game. Also, I have a weakness for chick flicks. I'm such a romantic at heart.

I am grateful I can call Jessica a personal friend of mine, and I know she will go very far with her sports career. She is highly knowledgeable in sports, and extremely intelligent. I have the upmost respect for her, and all I can say is watch out because her ship is coming in. She will take the sports broadcasting world by storm. You can also follow her on Twitter: @JessMLB