STACK: Take us through your game-day routine, starting with when you wake up.
Markakis: I pretty much wake up like any normal person. I try to get my legs underneath me and get some food—nothing out of the ordinary. I like to lounge around and play video games until it’s time to go to the park. If it’s a home game, I like to get there around one or two.

What do you try to keep consistent in your day-to-day routine?
Markakis: I put my uniform on the same way every day. I can’t tell you how though, because it’s a secret [laughs]. No, I put my sliders on, then my socks and then my long john all-weather pants. Then I throw on my undershirt and head to the training room to put on some heat to get my body going. I am a big baby powder person; I put it all over. I started doing it in high school and continued through college.

Do you like any special music or food before a game?
Markakis: No, that’s not a big deal to me. Whatever’s in the clubhouse is fine.

Since your three-homerun game last August, have you tried to do things the same?
Markakis: It’s kind of hard to repeat something like that, because it doesn’t happen very often. But I just try to keep that same approach heading into each game. It was just one of those days where I was in the zone.

Does your game prep depend on who’s on the mound that day?
Markakis: In the clubhouse, there is a video of each pitcher, so I go in and watch it to get ready for the particular guy.

Is there anyone you get excited to hit against?
Markakis: I’m looking forward to our opening game in Minnesota against Johan Santana.

What’s the environment like in the clubhouse before a game?
Markakis: We’re all just in there, hanging out and screwing around. We probably have one of the most laid back clubhouses. We have a bunch of good guys on the team, and we enjoy hanging around each other. It helps us have fun and play relaxed.

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