BRADENTON, Fla. – Kris Benson is downplaying sexually
explicit remarks he and his wife made to Penthouse magazine.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher and his wife, Anna, are the
subject of an interview in the May issue of the men's magazine,
scheduled to be on newsstands this weekend. Media began receiving
advance copies of the story Tuesday and Benson addressed the matter
Wednesday at the Pirates' spring training camp.
The interview contained details of a most personal nature about
the Bensons' love life and created a stir Tuesday night on
television newscasts and radio talks shows in Pittsburgh. However,
Benson doesn't think any fuss is warranted.
"We were pretty candid but I thought the whole thing was done
in good taste," Benson said. "I had a lot of fun with the
interview and so did Anna. It was a good experience. I don't regret
doing it. We just were having a little fun."
Benson and his wife conducted the interview by phone in January
after the magazine contacted his agent, Gregg Clifton. He said he
fully knew what he was getting into.
"I knew this would be different than the usual baseball
interview," Benson said. "I had no problem doing it. I thought it
would be fun. I though it would be something new, instead of just
talking about my curveball or something like that. I didn't have
any reservations talking to Penthouse. It was a very professionally
done interview and we had a lot of laughs, too."
Benson said he does not feel fans will now look at him in a
different light. He also doesn't expect any negative backlash over
the interview.
"I didn't hurt anyone or say anything bad about anyone,"
Benson said. "I didn't say anything bad about the Pirates'
organization or my teammates. I didn't say I went out and chased
prostitutes or did drugs.
"The (sexual) things I talked about in the interview were my
wife and I having fun together. You need to have fun to keep a
marriage going and keep it strong."
Accompanying the story is a risque photograph of the Bensons in
which both are topless.
"Hey, it doesn't show anything," Benson with a smile. "It was
tastefully done."
Benson is the second baseball player in recent weeks to create a
stir in a Penthouse interview. In the April issue, Philadelphia
Phillies first baseman Pat Burrell freely talked about his sexual
preferences and experiences.
Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon tried to defuse the whole issue
with some humor.
"I only worry about what Kris Benson does in between the lines
not in between the sheets," McClendon said.
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 Kris Benson on his recent interview in Penthouse.
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What kind of reception did Kris Benson receive from his teammates after his Penthouse interview? Benson weighs in.
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