Nghiep” Ke” Lam” was voted San Quentin’s Athlete of the Year by the San Quentin News and through a survey of 80 athletes and members of the San Quentin population.
Where were you born?
Vietnam
Where were you raised?
San Francisco, The Petreo Hill area.
Where did you attend school?
Starr King and Sherman Elementary. James Lick and Petreo Hill Middle Schools and on to Lowell and Mission High Schools.
When did you start playing organized sports?
I started playing organized sports at about 10 years old. I first played Little League for the Pirates and the Rangers.
How long have you been here at S.Q.?
I actually arrived here June 17, 2003 from Solano.
What were your thoughts when you first arrived here at the “Q”?
As soon as the bus drove into the facility, the first thing I saw was the field. They were planting the grass; I found out later, the grass had been donated from the San Francisco Giants. I was amazed and smiling. At other facilities there is only softball, and the fields are hard dirt and not very well groomed, so I was real surprised.
How many teams do you actually play on? I’m told three or four.
No. I actually play for Hard Times Softball; we were formally the Pirates and the Bay Cats. I played baseball with the Giants; I’m on the tennis team, Inside Tennis.
What is your favorite sport?
Baseball, yeah definitely baseball.
I’m told you’re pretty good at several sports. Which sport are you best at?
I really can’t answer that I don’t see myself in those lights, I’ll let other people answer that, I just try and go out and play hard and have fun and try to create the best possible atmosphere.
The San Quentin News Sports conducted an extensive survey/voting process to pick this award. You were chosen by a huge percentage about 97% of the athletes and fans. What do you think about that?
I’m honored to be recognized by my teammates as well as our immediate community. And I was told that this award wasn’t just for my athletic achievements on the field, but for overall conduct as a person through my deeds and actions. I was taught by my coaches that sports were more than playing a game or winning and losing. So I attribute my early coaches and my cultural upbringing for some of the disciplines. But ultimately God gets all the credit.
What do you like about playing here at San Q?
Playing sports at San Quentin offers so much more than just the level of competition. We play teams from the communities, which gives us chances to exchange views, concepts and just generally feel apart of society. When we play these guys, they treat us as equals, as competing athletes. They don’t talk to us about prison; our exchanges are about the world, it’s more than sports. Playing with outside teams we receive a more humanistic feeling.
With the new possible restriction being implemented about not being able to play both softball and/or baseball, how will this affect you?
Well, the jury is out on this one. However, I will say this: My first priority is to the Hard Times softball team, I’m the captain, and I take the trust the team has bestowed on me serious. So I’m totally dedicated to Hard Times. If I’m able to play baseball as well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.
What do you think about being considered one of the best athletes at San Quentin?
Well, I laughed when this was first brought to my attention. I never think in these terms. I am flattered to be mentioned in such conversation, there are some really good athletes here. I just go out and play hard. I’ve always had to prove myself, being of the smaller physical stature. I had to hone my skills and do more because I don’t have the strength or power of bigger guys.
Well, let me correct you there, Ke Lam. I came out and watched you play last year, and your first at bat you slapped one to right center for an in the park home run; which was actually a triple and you scored on an error, but what a smash. On your very next at-bat you kissed the left field fence for a ground-rule double. So don’t give me this “compensates for power thing.”
What did sports do for you or meant to you growing up in the inner city of San Francisco?
Man, it was so important to me being raised in a single parent home, with no father. It was a way to survive and a sense of family. It kept me out of gangs and trouble; it gave me character. It offered me escapes and made me believe in myself; once I started seeing I could compete with anybody, it really helped build self-confidence and self-assurance.
Who are your favorite professional teams?
Drew, you’re going to get me in trouble here. (Laughs) I’m from San Francisco, but I’m an Oakland A’s fan. I grew up on Rickey Henderson and tried to shape my game after him. My football team is the 49ers, of course.
Speaking of the 49ers, what do you think of the new coaching changes in San Francisco?
I think it’s great. I believe Jim Harbaugh is exactly what the ‘9ers need. They have a stellar defense; they’re hurting on offense and Harbaugh is a quarterback coach, so I’m excited about that.
What are your goals for next season?
I want our softball team to beat Church on the Hill. (Laughs) San Quentin has never beaten Church on the Hill. But more so I want our guys to have fun and play hard with the least drama possible.
Is there anything you would like to add in your own words?
Yes, I would like to thank everyone who sees me in a favorable light to even vote and/or nominate me for this award. I would like to thank the San Quentin News for this award; it’s a nice thing you all are doing for the athletes. This has never been done before. Thank You.
What three teammates say about Ke Lam:
Fernando Lemus, pitcher, third base, first base, Hard Times
“I was not surprised on hearing Ke Lam would be the Athlete of the Year at S.Q. I have had the privilege of playing with Ke Lam on different teams at S.Q. On the hardball Giants baseball team, his skill level is among the top levels to emulate. He not only played shortstop, he also is very skilled at playing behind the plate and pitching. Then, when I played with him in the Hard Times softball team, his outfield skills are among the best I have seen in a long time. For example, his speed to get to the ball is very impressive.
“On one particular play, one of the opposing team players hit a hard fly ball. As I was the pitcher for the game, I quickly turned around and thought to myself, ‘There is no way Ke is going to catch that ball.’ However, as I saw him running, he caught the ball at the ‘warning track’ so to speak, but the walking track in reality at S.Q. I was truly amazed at that play.
“Also, his batting skills are one that I personally have aspired to copy. The strength of his swing coupled with his patience to wait for the ball to pass the plate, consistently drives the ball to the opposite field for a homerun. However, what most impresses me about Ke is his jubilant, soft-spoken behavior. I have never witnessed him belittle anyone on the baseball field, tennis court or basketball court. He is not the type of athlete that boasts about his great skills. He shows his great skills in the field of sport. It is always a pleasure to be part of his team and not so much fun to play against him because he is such a skillful athlete that it is difficult to try to come up with a secret formula to defeat him. He knows his sports very well and knows the strategies his opponents may use to defeat him. He will laugh and say, ‘I know what you’re trying to do’ with that famous laughter of his. Truly a pleasure to know him and play sports with him.”
Chris Schuhmacher, Inside Tennis team:
“Congratulations, Ke. Hey, Lizard (Ke’s tennis nickname). In our matches, you’ve taught me that freak (shots) is the highest compliment you can earn on the San Quentin Tennis Court. This makes you the tennis freak, with your laugh and infectious smile. Just remember, Ke, one of these days…”
John “Dalton” Martin, first base, Hard Times team:
“San Quentin sports couldn’t have selected a better candidate for Athlete of the Year. Ke Lam and I first started playing softball together in 2008. From the very beginning I sniffed out extreme competitiveness. Ke Lam A.K.A. Mighty Mouse has remarkable power to all fields with the bat and excellent speed in the outfield , known as the “no-fly zone.” Ke’s attitude and his comradeliness for his fellow man in blue on and off the field are second to none. Ke’s respect for the game and coaches alike are recognized. Ke does not engage in condescending second-hand talk behind players’ or coaches’ backs. I have enjoyed playing ball with Ke and plan to do so in the future. Ke is an impact player, and a great guy; a great pick for Athlete of the Year.”
