Q&A: Mercer on family ranch, holiday traditions

PITTSBURGH — During the season, it’s hard to keep Jordy Mercer off the field. He wants to play every day — literally — at shortstop for the Pirates in 2017.

But Mercer enjoys the offseason, too. It’s a chance to be Kasey’s husband and a dad for 4-year-old Maverick and 1-year-old Maddon. And it provides plenty of time to hang out on Mercer Ranch in his native Oklahoma.

While stopping by snow-covered Pittsburgh for an appearance at PirateFest, Mercer set aside some time to chat with MLB.com about his offseason, the Mercer family’s holiday traditions and what he might get his Pirates teammates for Christmas.

MLB.com: What is offseason life like on the Mercer Ranch?

Mercer: Oh, man. It’s a blast. To be able to get away — we go from big city to big city — and enjoy some time and some relaxation, some R&R. One of my offseason hobbies is to go hunt and be outdoors. At the farm, you can do a lot of that stuff. I help dad out with the cows, the cattle. The wheat’s already up. Can’t do much with the wheat. He’s got the wheat planted about the time I get home, but there’s always some stuff you can do on the farm. I enjoy being out there, being away. You barely get cell phone service out there. It’s really nice. I really enjoy it.

MLB.com: No cell phone service sounds nice.

Mercer: Yeah, you put your cell phone aside. Constantly during the season, you’re getting text messages and things like that. At the farm, a lot of that stuff doesn’t happen. You can enjoy it.

Gerrit, @jordy_mercer and @DrewHutch hanging out at #PirateFest pic.twitter.com/RaUOl6fNCP

— Pirates (@Pirates) December 10, 2016

Gerrit, @jordy_mercer and @DrewHutch hanging out at #PirateFest pic.twitter.com/RaUOl6fNCP

MLB.com: For those who might be unfamiliar, what’s the backstory and family history at the ranch?

Mercer: For as long as I can remember, the farm’s been in our family. My grandpa lived on it. My dad didn’t grow up there, but he moved there and my grandpa built a house there. He lived there. I can always remember going over there, going to see grandparents. They …

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