The MLB 2K franchise is celebrating its 10th birthday this year, and the folks at 2K Sports could not have picked a better cover athlete to celebrate the milestone. Donning an All-Star game and a celebrity name, 2K Sports hit a home run by naming Evan Longoria the face of MLB 2K10. Tabbed for the job just days after winning a Gold Glove award at third base, the good news for Evan seems to be coming faster than a mid-90s fastball -- luckily for us, he’s dealt with a few of those in his career.

Evan took time out of his busy schedule to chat with Operation Sports about contributing to MLB 2K10, his game-day routine and even some music.

Operation Sports: What does it feel like being a part of the 2K Sports family?

Evan Longoria: It’s a tremendous honor. To be a part of the 2K Sports family, have these guys welcome me in, let me add my input and help out in as many ways as I can with the game. To be a part of this franchise, not only for me and the Rays, but the city of Tampa is huge. It’s usually the big-market teams on the cover, so it’s cool to have the smaller market clubs get some publicity and catapult us a bit more into the national spotlight.

OS: Other than the cover, in what other ways have you contributed to MLB 2K10?

EL: We did a shoot probably three weeks ago, and I was able to stand around in a baseball setting in the cage and talk to them about the way I see pitchers versus hitters, and the way I approach the battle at the plate. We talked about what it’s like to step in against a guy like Tim Lincecum, step in against a guy like Josh Beckett –- I think that’s one of the things they’re trying to get across with this game are those moments, the battle between the pitcher versus hitter. It’s been cool to talk with these guys about my input on pitchers, and they in turn kind of put it into the game.

OS: What goals do you have for the Tampa Bay Rays next season?

EL: We just re-signed Carl Crawford for another year, and he’s an integral part of what we do. We have the guys that we need to win, along with myself, James Shields, Matt Garza, and the guys we need to pay to keep around. So just continue to work hard with a good attitude and try to make the playoffs again –- that’s the ultimate goal.

OS: Unlike most baseball players, you are not very superstitious. What do you do to get you locked-in for game time?

EL: Yeah, I have certain things that I do everyday, but I wouldn’t call them superstitions. It’s not like if I don’t do them then my day’s going to be terrible. I hit off the tee every day. I usually go down on the field and do some kind of cardio to get my blood flowing for batting practice. During BP I try to hit the same routine everyday -– balls to the right side, balls to the middle, balls to the left side ... but it’s not superstition, it’s just part of my routine.

OS: Why did you choose Tantric’s "Down and Out" for your walk-up music?

EL: I was searching for a song, and a month and a half into my rookie year, I came across Tantric on my iPod and it’s been that song ever since for almost two years now. But when I first came up to the Rays, they threw on Tupac "California Love" (laughs). I’m a big Tupac fan, but I think they just did it because I’m from Cali (laughs). But I love the way it ["Down and Out"] sounds when I come up to the plate. The guys down in the bullpen told me I can’t change it, because when it comes on, they’re all down there pretending like they’re playing the violin (laughs).

OS: You recently won the Gold Glove award. Is third base the toughest infield position to play?

EL: I actually think third base is a little bit easier than playing the middle of the field. The ball does come off a little bit harder, but there’s a lot less responsibility playing third, and I played short for a lot of years.

OS: Good point. Before we wrap this up, we got some quick three and out questions for you.

OS: Favorite non-baseball video game?

EL: Fight-Night 4. All the Fight Nights.

OS: Favorite desperate housewife?

EL: I gotta say Eva, because that way she doesn’t have to change her name when we got married (laughs).

OS: Bottom of the ninth, two outs, close game -- who is the last person you want to see on the mound?

EL: Mariano Rivera

OS: Can’t close it out better than that. Thanks a lot, Evan.