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Episode #020: Lou Colon- Drew University Coach/ Infield Instructor

April 2021 By Evan

Ep. #20: Lou Colon- Drew University Coach/ Infield Instructor

Join Evan and Lou Colon, Drew University Coach and Infield Instructor, as Lou provides insight into his baseball journey, college coaching and passion for the game.  Lou shares ways Infielders may take their game to the next level and so much more!

What You’ll Learn:

01:20   Lou’s youth baseball story

04:39   His journey to Professional Baseball

09:35   Coaching at the college level

16:09   Tight V and creating efficiency when throwing

17:35   Tips to increasing throwing velocity

24:18   Tips for executing the slow roller play

25:46   Ways an infielder can increase range and cover more ground

27:22   Reading the spin on the ball

27:22   Insight into the College recruitment process

27:22   What makes a Player stand out?

36:09   Lou’s popular infield clinics

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode we’d be really grateful if you’d rate the show and leave a review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here. This will help other ballplayers find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Instagram @coachloucolon24

YouTube: Coach Lou Colon

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Episode 020_LOU COLON_DREW UNIVERSITY COACH_INFIELD INSTRUCTOR

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of Born To Baseball is sponsored by the BTB Travel team and training tracker. Are you a parent or player searching for a travel team or training facility in your area? Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach? Then you have to check out the BTB triple t tracker at borntobaseball.com, make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Music 0:23

Calling all ballplayers. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? Then bring it in. it's game time.

Evan 0:40

Hey guys, and welcome to the born to baseball podcast. I'm Evan. And today we have Lou Colon joining us. Lou played three seasons professionally with the Baltimore Orioles organization, and played two seasons of professional winter ball in Puerto Rico. He's currently the first assistant coach, recruiting coordinator, fielding and hitting coach for the Rangers at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. I'm super excited to be here with you at Drew University. It's such a beautiful campus.

Lou Colon 1:07

Thank you, Evan, I am excited that you're here. And I just want to thank you personally for attending all my clinics, and doing so well in them.

Evan 1:16

Your clinics were great. And thank you so much for talking with me today.

Lou Colon 1:19

Of course, of course.

Evan 1:20

So yeah, I'm going to jump right into it. I want to start off with your baseball journey. What age did you start playing baseball and what was your youth baseball experience like?

Lou Colon 1:30

Oh my gosh, I started I guess I started playing organized baseball, I would say I guess seven or eight years old playing t-ball baseball. It was a lot different back then than it is now. I think, I think I played more with my friends then the organized part. I think today the kids, if there's not a coach or if it's not so structured kids kind of back off on it or won't practice or play. But back then we, any time, any moment, any sunny day, and if we had a couple of baseballs or even with three players, we would just play baseball. But as far as playing organized, I would say about seven or eight years old playing for Franklin Township Little League t-ball.

Evan 2:19

Yeah.That that first part and playing with friends too. It's what makes you love the game more.

Lou Colon 2:26

Yeah. 100% I think when you, when you play with your friends, you start to understand what competition is, right? You're trying to be a, trying to make a better catch then your best friend or trying to hit the ball farther than your best friend. It's healthy competition. There's not that coach kind of telling you Hey, you have to do it this way, you have to do it that way. You're just playing and you're trying to compete against your friends.

Evan 2:55

Yeah, that motivation too, just to beat one another. What was baseball like for you in high school?

Lou Colon 3:01

High School. We um, It was good. I was um, I played varsity. I started playing third base my freshman year and our shortstop, our varsity shortstop made four errors. The first two games so they brought me up to varsity. We didn't have great seasons my first three years but our senior year we were mid-state conference champs

Evan 3:26

Congratulations

Lou Colon 3:27

Yes, thank you. It took a lot to get there because we, believe me we'ds taken our beatings but that was um, I still remember that lineup and that team for sure.

Evan 3:38

No, I hear a lot of players they also grow and really mature during that time. It's definitely a good time for that.

Lou Colon 3:44

Yeah. You learn your, it reveals your character when you lose. And so that's, that's part of it for sure.

Evan 3:56

What adjustments did you have to make when going from high school to college baseball?

Lou Colon 4:02

So that's a great question. So every jump the game gets faster. Okay, so as an infielder you have to be more efficient. Alright, so I think the the biggest jump from from high school to college was in high school I could take my time as a shortstop. I could take my time making that throw across but in college these kids are bigger and faster. So I had to learn ways to be, to play smarter and take better angles. But um, yeah, that's, the biggest adjustment the game just overall gets faster.

Evan 4:39

Can you walk us through your journey to professional baseball?

Lou Colon 4:43

Sure. I played college at Fort Myers Junior College in Florida. So a kid from Somerset, New Jersey, central jersey. I think the reason I got into baseball and playing it at that level, was my, my parents, my dad did not play baseball, didn't even understand the game. In fact, my my dad grew up in Puerto Rico, loved boxing, boxing, loved boxing, and that was a great, legitimate volleyball player in Puerto Rico. My mother used to watch the professional winter league games in Puerto Rico. So my mother was the one who got me into baseball. And ironically enough, when we moved to New Jersey, the house that my dad purchased was right next to Franklin Township Little League baseball field. So my backyard Evan, four open baseball fields. So when I would wake up in the morning, I'd see four open baseball fields. And it goes back to the point we spoke earlier is, all we did every summer was play baseball, just play baseball, baseball, and I grew a love for it. Even though my dad didn't understand the game. It helped me. And the reason I say that circling back to your question is, that my last pro seasons were actually winter ball in Puerto Rico. So my mother actually got to see me play in Puerto Rico, when she would see all the others. So that was, that was a great moment for me. So that, that's kind of briefly my story. But I played at a junior college in in Florida Fort Myers Junior College. Back then they had two drafts. They had a fall Draft, I signed as a free agent, and didn't play professionally long. I was always a great fielder, but I couldn't, I just couldn't hit at that level, I couldn't hit at that level. So I knew that God put me on earth to be a coach to develop infielders and demonstrate my passion for it.

Evan 6:47

Now, that's an awesome passion.

Lou Colon 6:48

Thank you.

Evan 6:49

So how did you feel when you like signed that contract that you were going to play professional baseball?

Lou Colon 6:56

Nervous nervousness, right? Again, when you're, when you sign as a free agent, when you're not drafted, you're typically filling a spot of a kid who was, who didn't sign on the draft. So you really have to, you really have to perform right away. So, lots of pressure. I knew I could, I knew I could play defensively at that level. But I knew early on, hitting was a struggle for me. So I always kind of, when I was on the field I was relaxed. But when I was batting, I was a little bit nervous and had anxiety. So but the overall, I think the overall experience, the relationships that you built with the players are quite, you know, obviously, the fondest of memories for me.

Evan 7:42

Yeah, the relationships are the things you cherish, and you've take in forever.

Lou Colon 7:46

Sure, of course,

Evan 7:48

What were some of the most important things you learned while playing in the minor leagues?

Lou Colon 7:52

Um, great question, um, how to deal and cope with favor, with failure, rather. And what are you going to do about it? You know, it's all on you. You know, it's, I have this saying to my players F.I.O. (figure it out). You know, if I made if I made an error or two I would, I would, you know, what am I going to do about it? You know, it's my career, it's my responsibility. So I would work harder, you know, talk to the coaches and ask what I needed to improve upon or what do you see? But learning, ownership, accountability and responsibility on your actions?

Evan 8:32

Yeah, those are those are great lessons there.

Lou Colon 8:34

Yeah.

Evan 8:36

I know, you talked about how your, your mom used to always watch the, the Puerto Rican winter ball, those games. But how did the opportunity to play in the liga de beisbol profesional come up?

Lou Colon 8:49

They had a, they had, I was released from the Orioles. I went over there. They had open tryouts. And I tried out and, and I made the team for sure. Yeah.

Evan 9:00

Oh, that is awesome. And yeah, you mentioned your mother was able to watch you on TV, that had to be special.

Lou Colon 9:06

Yeah, she actually watched me in person. Because she went to Puerto Rico and I played for Santurce. And she, it brought tears to her eyes, you know, because as, when she was a young lady she'd watch, and she saw her son play so that, that meant a lot to me. Yeah.

Evan 9:23

That's that's really special.

Lou Colon 9:25

Thank you.

Evan 9:27

You've had experienced coaching at the high school and college level. What's been unique about coaching at the college level?

Lou Colon 9:35

Great question. college level it's a it's a process because you're recruiting these kids, right, So you're, I treat them as my, my kids. Okay, see your um, you may recruit them as sophomores and juniors in high school. You're following them during their summer, summer seasons, you're, you're constantly communicating back and forth via email via text. How are doing in school? There are lots of layers and responsibility on both ends. And then once they get on campus now you're, you're watching them in development for another four years. So, with high school, you know, I was the head coach at Franklin High School. So sometimes although you're responsible for the full program, you're typically coaching the varsity kids. So with college, it's, it's just a huge commitment. Athletically personally, and with the family. Yeah.

Evan 10:36

And that has to be a good time, bonding with those players. And really, and I like how you said, it's almost like a family there.

Lou Colon 10:43

Sure, sure.

We do, we do a good job here. I feel, at Drew University, building relationships and building that family program. We um, if our kids are struggling academically, we have mechanisms in place. Mandatory study hall, or you know, they all have to have a certain GPA, of course, to play at the NCAA level, but we exceed the standard.

Evan 11:07

That's, that's awesome.

In 2014, after you joined the Rangers coaching staff, the Rangers ranked first in the landmark conference in fielding percentage, and committed the least amount of errors in the league. That's, that's pretty incredible.

Lou Colon 11:21

Thank you. I'm, I'm proud of that accomplishmen.t We've been, we've been doing very well, the kids are, are committed to that standard. They work hard, that's probably 10% me and 90% of the players.

Evan 11:37

What were some of the changes you made and also the players to get to that level?

Lou Colon 11:44

A system, a system that they... you have to you have the players to believe in first, okay, Believe in the coach and believe in the system and see results like anything, right. So I love, I feel that baseball players are creatures of habit, right? They, they, you know, they're into routines, whether it's from the things they do in the morning to at night to till they go to sleep. So we put a system in place in our practice plans, a lot of isolation work. If when we practice six days a week we'll, four of those days, Evan we'll do isolation and drill work. And two days we'll do mass ground balls so it's more feel work. So the ISO days, today's an ISO day, we'll you know, we'll focus on possibly, maybe just handwork, isolation and handwork, you know, and then tomorrow, we may isolate the footwork. And then mass days, we kinda just put it all together. And we take a lot of video. We, we do a lot of video breakdown, you know sometimes when you're, when you're working with an infielder, and you tell him Hey, Evan, you know, you're not getting low, get in your legs more. And the player may feel that he's getting low, but when he sees it on videos,he's like oh my gosh, you're right. I'm not getting low. So I, we break, we do a lot of video work with our players individually. And we compete, we compete in our practices as well.

Evan 13:13

video, it's a great tool to help get better and have those players see like you said what they're doing wrong and help them adjust.

Lou Colon 13:19

Sure.

Evan 13:20

The drew Rangers have consistently been at the top in fielding percentage since you started there. How do you coach to maintain that performance even with new rosters each year?

Lou Colon 13:31

That's also a great question Evan, you're crushing it with the questions today.

Evan 13:34

Thank you.

Lou Colon 13:37

So again, it goes back to having a system in place. So when my, my seniors and juniors actually coach the freshmen and sophomores because they're used to the system. So it's, it's amazing. Sometimes they'll finish my sentences, you know, and say, hey, what Coach means is this, this and this. And typically the first, a typical freshman that comes into our system, a shortstop, the first three months of practice, he is overwhelmed. He is overwhelmed with all this information. And we tell them hey, just survive your freshman year everything you learn your freshman year, you're going to take into that summer, we're going to place you in the summer, a competitive summer league, and you're going to start feeling it the next, your sophomore year in the fall. It happens all the time. The kid you know, we, we recruit, we recruit athletes and, and good players. But once they, they're in our system, we teach them how to be more efficient right. To understand, you know the spin of the ball, the speed of the ball, the flight of the ball, how to be efficient with your arm action, center exchange. All these small micro movements that collectively just make a better infielder.

Evan 14:54

No, having, having the systems in place, systems can be amazing to creating a player and how they operate, it can just either keep them at the same level or boost them to the next level.

Lou Colon 15:10

Yeah, for sure. You're exactly right. And that's why the results are measurable, you have to have measurable results

Evan 15:20

What do you enjoy the most about coaching?

Lou Colon 15:23

The relationships, the relationships with the, with the players, their, their success and, and their failures, right? Not every player is going to be successful, right? Not every player is going to go 4 for 4, not every player is going to field 1,000% so part of having that great feeling with moments of success is you have to have that talent, you know, you have to have moments of failure in order, you know, to feel the difference. But the relationships even now, you know, kids that have moved on to, you know, in life, you know, in jobs and just the communication back and forth. So I would say the relationship with the players.

Evan 16:09

That's, that's great. I've gone to a number of your infield clinics, and I've definitely learned a lot from them. I know you teach the importance of having a tight v after you field the ball. Would you explain what a tight V is and the importance of it?

Lou Colon 16:26

Sure, a tight V is simply bringing your throwing hand closer to your body kind of in a V shaped position. And that is the strongest position you want to be prior to throwing. If you're and again, I'm just demonstrating with my hand here. But if you're if your arm is outside your body, it's kind of akin to if you're lifting weights, right, if you're lifting weights, you're curling your hands tight, right? If you're lifting weights and your arms are straight or out, you're not going to have that integrity or that strength. So getting to that center exchange, it's either called a tight V, I call it your slot before you throw. And that's going to be the most efficient way to throw as an infielder.

Evan 17:14

See I know you've said it keeps you healthy, and you have to be healthy to be out there on the field every day.

Lou Colon 17:19

Yeah, baseball players throw every day, play 162 games 180 days, so they have to throw every day.

Evan 17:26

Yeah.

Can you share one or two tips for older players to help them work on increasing their throwing velocity across the diamond?

Lou Colon 17:35

Great question. Um, long toss, understanding how the ball moves, the flight of the ball, if you're, if you're a shortstop, you want to have 12/6 spin. 12/6 spin is kind of just really good backspin on the ball. And in order to do that, it has a lot to do with your throwing mechanics, right. Getting to that tight v, being short in the beginning, but long at the end, creating length and whip and looseness at the end that will, that will increase the flight and the pace of the ball. But you have to work on it. You have to work on it. I was just having this conversation with, with a player this morning. We were working on slow rollers, two hands to his right side. And I asked him Well, we'll how often do you work on this particular play? And he goes, coach maybe I don't know, maybe once every two weeks. Well, like what is the expectation of success if you only work on it, just once in two weeks. So you know let's let's come up with a routine or if this is a play that you're challenged with, let's put it, make it part of our, our practice plan, our sustainable practice plan. So now, you're gonna be one of the top players making that play simply because you're working on it every day. Your body understands it and now it becomes habit.

Evan 19:00

What would you say are some of the key things an infielder should work on every day to help them become fundamentally sound?

Lou Colon 19:09

I always, if you focus on three things, I tell infielders that if you focus on three things, moving with great posture, moving athletically. Having a clean catch point. Alright, securing that ball off your index finger, right into your control hand, out in front where you could see the ball and glove, bringing it to center exchange with thumbs down. Everything else will work. The dots will connect. The dots will connect those three simple things, if you work on those things. You will be fine. You'll be fine.

Evan 19:42

Do those things change at all when you go from the size of the field being like 50/70 everything's close to when you get older. 13 teenage years and above to that 60/90 field.

Lou Colon 19:55

No it's, it's, again, the change the consistant change as you get older will be the speed of the game. Okay, so think about it when you're swinging a bat. If, if you have a really good swing, if a pitcher throws harder, do you change your swing? Do you change your swing speed? No, it's the same swing, you just get there a better timing. And as an infielder, it's all about as you move up, it's all about efficiency, okay, it's it's now maybe in high school the kid is, you have to, when the ball is hit, from the contact of the bat to when the first baseman catches the ball, typical high school or college is 4.2 seconds. If you want to play pro baseball, you have to get that ball over there in 3.9 seconds. So we have to find ways to kind of take shortcuts and be more efficient. Right. So now we're, what's the definition of efficiency, right? Maybe more straight lines instead of long, you know, kind of curved lines. Better angles, right? Minimize those long actions with our arms and shoulders. The kind of things we went over in our clinic. And now we're, we're playing, we're practicing smarter to kind of catch up to that speed. So now Yes, I can, I can throw that left handed batter that gets down the line with that time if I use this footwork. You know if I'm if I'm consistent with our center separation, and I'm in a good throwing slot every time

Evan 21:25

Those key things you work on. Just they help you stay fresh and make those routine plays.

Lou Colon 21:31

Absolutely.

Evan 21:33

In your opinion, what's more important for an infielder? Good Hands or Good Feet?

Lou Colon 21:39

Oh my gosh, that's I've never been asked that question. That's, that is a great question. Um, oh my gosh. Geez, that's tough. I would say. I would say, Man, you got me there. I would say hands I guess. They're so, both, both components are so important. I would say hands because there are going to be times when you're not going to use your feet. Let's say you're playing infield in. Right. And there's a hard hit ball right to you, you know, where you can't adjust your footwork or you can't move your feet, you have to just trust your hands. So I would say having soft hands understanding how to use your your wrist as a hinge and your elbow as a hinge. And, and yeah, I would say hands

Evan 22:29

The hands. They're, they're crucial and just being able to field a ground ball and the reaction time

Lou Colon 22:35

For sure. For sure.

Evan 22:37

I actually mentioned to you last week that the first time I'd ever heard the term heel toe roll was at one of your infield clinics. Can you share what heel toe roll is and why you see it and a lot of guys sure.

Lou Colon 22:53

So heel toe roll is your, your shortstop right handed throwing shortstop, the heel toe roll is your left, the landing of your left foot. Okay, oftentimes infielders when, their approach to the ball is, they get stuck, their both feet are flat. Okay. If you look at pro infielders, really focus on the relationship of when the ball makes contact with the glove and how the left foot heel toe works. Kind of like how we walk right, when we walk, we could walk heel toe, heel toe, heel toe, heel toe. well, why wouldn't we want that same action, that same fluidity going through. So we'll preset, we'll have some preset drills where we'll have the left toe up and kind of just heel toe roll. And that's going to keep your momentum, just going to press through the ball. And now when coaches see a play, they'll say well that kid has good action, he plays through the ball instead of getting stuck and having two parts to throw.

Evan 23:58

After I heard you say that in one of your clinics, I went and now every time I watch an MLB guy, I always see it and it's something, it's like, and I would never see it before because I wasn't aware of it. So

Lou Colon 24:11

There you go.

Evan 24:13

What drills do you do with your players to help them execute like the slow roller play?

Lou Colon 24:18

Slow roller play. We'll do a lot of, that's a great question. A lot of ISO drills. There are so many versions of the slow roller right, there's the barehand slow roller, there's the come get it two hand slow roller. We try to keep it consistent with that slow roller. One of our rules are If the ball is bouncing, kind of a slow roller bouncer and the ball is above your knee we typically field that with two hands to center exchange separation if the ball is approaching you below your knee, we'll field it with one hand. So the constants are, the constants are ball security out in front, bring it to center exchange and be athletic, be athletic. One of the things we, we really push on our players is, I don't want them thinking mechanics when they're fielding. I tell him just be athletic. In fact, there's two personalities when I coach, and my players will tell you, during practice, I'm a little bit more stern, a little bit more tough. And in the games, it's just fun time. Is it just fun time. I'm a totally different person in the games, because my job, practice time is my time. My job is to, to make sure they are prepared. So I'm a little bit more forceful and stern and practices but in the games, it's just fun time. Hey, let's have fun today, lets win, Let's win.

Evan 25:42

I love the way you think.

Lou Colon 25:44

Thank you.

Evan 25:46

What are some things an infielder can practice to increase their range and cover more ground?

Lou Colon 25:52

Footwork, footwork, understanding footwork patterns. Often times, when kids practice both youth and in high school and I see it in the college level, their practice regimen is just simply ground balls, you know, within their fielding radius, okay, maybe with five yards, five yards to the left, five yards to the right. So there's, there's no adjustability there. Okay, so I like placing cones, you know, I say alright, we're gonna, we're gonna extend this cone now. Instead of a forehand play to your left it's going to be a reach forehand play to your left where you have to, instead of replacing your feet, you have to crossover with good posture. And, you know, use your hinges to get in the right throwing position. So I'll, I'll challenge my players and place cones so we're isolating their footwork and they understand well, yes, now I can make that 5/6 hole play if I use this footwork pattern, instead of this other footwork pattern.

Evan 26:51

Footwork, it helps you get to the ball, create good angles, and really be comfortable when you're out there.

Lou Colon 26:57

Sure, and the mind, you know, it's, it sounds very basic, but the mind will remember things. Okay. And if you if you did it 20 times, you know, three weeks ago, you're going to make that play in the game. Right? Bbut if you've never ever practiced that play, you're probably going to make the play, but your throw may not be there, there may be one component of that play you're not going to complete.

Evan 27:22

What can you tell us about reading the spin on a ground ball and trying to get the good hop?

Lou Colon 27:28

You've been listening at my clinics huh? Spin on the ball. Typically, kids, when they're reading the approaching ball, they will read the flight of the ball and the speed of the ball. But oftentimes, they will not read the spin of the ball. So what does that mean? On a top spin ground ball, the ball will repeat it's hop, repeat it's hop. That's why you see a lot of big leaguers they'll field with one hand and that youth coach will say, well, that player is doing that because he's a big leaguer. He's super talented. Well, yeah, that's a player I want to see because I want to be a big leaguer. So I want if he's doing something, he's obviously doing something right and he's talented. So on that top spin ball, it will repeat it's hop and kind of die at the end. So that's the ball, you can come in, field it with one hand, with two hands. Where in contrast, that backspin ball on the first hop, it will check, the second hop it will reverse spin. And that's a lot of kind of bites you. You ever feel that ground ball, you think it's a perfect ball and it kind of gets on you quickly. So that's why it's important to read spin because it's going to help you with the approach to the ball.

Evan 28:35

We hear a lot about the importance of a pitcher-catcher relationship, but in your opinion, how important is the relationship between middle infielders?

Lou Colon 28:44

Huge, huge... we have, we have about six shifts with our infielders. So, when you get to the college level and the pro-level, even in now, I would say it's in the high school level, there's so much more going on. Okay we, they have about three checks, right. My infielders are looking at me in the dugout and I will tell them the speed of the runner, right, if i do one, it's a fast runner, two, it's an average runner, three, it's a slow runner. I will give them a shift. We have a.... now I'm gonna give you my secrets. We have a, we have a shift called Oregon, where we're shifting pull side right handed batter. Alright, so over 80% of ground balls to third base, third baseman are typically right handed pull batters. Alright, so we're gonna have that first baseman move over, but the infielders are, I will call the speed of the runner I will call the play, the shift and I will call the depth. So the depth is the distance, how deep they are. So my infield, my middle infield guys are not only communicating with each other, but they're always giving, they're also given signs to the outfield with the shifts. There's a lot, there's a lot going on. There's a lot going on within those, those 15 seconds, you know, 15 to 20 seconds that the pitcher has to throw the ball.

Evan 30:06

It's a whole different level in college. It's, it just gets that much faster as you said and things, the little things get more important.

Lou Colon 30:14

100%... I mean, think about it. We talked about, we talked a little bit about prep step, not here but in the camp, in the clinic. And in a typical game, you're going to pre pitch or prep step about 150 times for possibly, Evan, receiving maybe four to six ground balls. So the, sometimes the mind wanders, right, sometimes the mind wanders in between prep-steps so you have to be super focused and not miss, miss a pitch.

Evan 30:47

Yeah, staying focused, being able to be on task. You're there. And if you truly love it, it's gonna be fun

Lou Colon 30:55

100% 100%

Evan 30:57

I want to talk a bit about the college recruiting process. So what do you look for when you're recruiting and scouting an infielder?

Lou Colon 31:06

So Drew Universiy is um, we're considered kind of a high academic school. So grades are number one. So you have to have good grades. One advice that I would give most kids out there, get good grades, you will simply be more recruitable with good grades. There's more academic scholarships, more funds out there allocated for academics and then there are for for athletics. So we're division three and in the ivy League's, we do not offer athletic scholarships. So most of our kids here are on some type of merit, or academic scholarship. So the grades are important for us to get in. And then we of course, like any other school, we look at their athletic athletic ability. We have a recruiting board, so we know how many shortstops we need for 2022, 2023. We know how many pitchers how many first basemen. We don't, we don't try to over recruit. We try to commit to our board and the kids we're recruiting and there's different levels. There's, there's little interest, there's high interest, and we'll track these kids. It's typically hard to watch these kids during the high school season because we're in our season. Right. So we will go out in the summer and watch a couple of their their travel teams. And yeah, we, we, it's an overwhelming process for kids in the recruiting process. But I would... one of the things that I that I see trending is so many kids are focused more on marketing themselves. Right? They all have these Twitter pages and everything and, and instead of focusing on your development and your grades, alright. You don't need to have a Twitter page and have 10 million followers, you know, believe me coaches know. They'll say yeah, he can play, he can play at this level. Alright. So I would, you know, tell kids to hey, continue to to achieve academic success. Continue your development, and then focus on your recruiting after that.

Evan 33:23

That's, that's great insight. So, what qualities make a player stand out above the rest?

Lou Colon 33:32

He has to... that's also a great question. And that's where the the development comes in. Okay. There are so many recruiting events, right. There's PBR. There are all these recruiting events all over the country. And oftentimes, you may have about 30 college coaches there from Division one, Division Two, Division Three, NAIA, junior college. And these coaches are there all day. These coaches are there from eight o'clock in the morning to six o'clock in the afternoon. Okay. And when you're watching about 200 players, right, after a while, they kind of all look the same, right? Kind of a blur, like this line. So you have to have something plus, something that's going to give them a plus or a check, whether it's your running speed, you're faster and everyone else, right. Whether it's your arm strength, you know, whether it's your range, whether it's your plus power. You know, those, those are typical tools that college recruiters look at right away. That's the immediate, Alright! He caught my eye. So you have to work on that. Right? You've been training all your life for possibly, maybe a two hour event.

Evan 34:47

Yeah,

Lou Colon 34:48

Right. And often, oftentimes kids are, kids are, you know, their, their training is um, they're kind of focusing on the basic stuff, basic stuff instead of well... I need to focus on how to relax in these events and execute my natural ability. Oftentimes, you know, these kids, I see them and they're, they're nervous. There's a lot of pressure, their parents are there, this is, I've been waiting all year for this. So part of training is understanding how to perform in front of pressure situations, how do I breathe? How do I relax? You know, how can I play the way I practice? And, you know, how does this surface when accounts,

Evan 35:27

Mindset, it also plays a huge role in everything really.

Lou Colon 35:31

Of course.

Evan 35:32

Would you be open to coaching or joining the coaching staff of a big league organization in the future?

Lou Colon 35:40

That, that's a, that's, that's one of my goals. That's one of my goals. I'm working on that. There are people working on that for me as well. So we'll see. We'll see what happens.

Evan 35:52

Now, I hope you get that opportunity.

Lou Colon 35:53

I appreciate that. So do I.

Evan 35:55

So I want to talk about your infield clinics quickly. So you work with at least a couple hundred kids a week at your clinics. How did the idea of putting on infield clinics and filming them come about?

Lou Colon 36:09

So I always, I would run my Drew infield clinic here all the time, every year, once a year. Last year, well, prior to COVID, the year before, we had tremendous success. We had about 100 kids here, and just parents reaching out to me. I've always trained kids all year, I've always trained... when I was a head high school coach prior to college, I ran camps there. And it was fun for me. You know, it wasum... People always ask me, you know, put more stuff out there, you know, on my social media pages. It's almost like a, coaches use it, you know, because I can, I think because there's no bells and whistles. I can train a seven year old kid, you know, on a Tuesday afternoon and train a 17 year old prospect that a coach sent me to work on a Wednesday afternoon, okay. And it's, I could be training let's say slow rollers, right? I can be training the same thing. But you know, the language is different. Right? And the way you communicate, right, there's... I always say there's, there's people who communicate and there's people who connect. Okay, because kids will often forget what you tell them. Kids will often forget what you did for them. But kids will never forget how you made them feel. Kids will never forget how you made them feel. That's why we play baseball. Because at some point on a baseball field, you had a good feeling.

Evan 37:39

Yeah, all the time.

Lou Colon 37:40

Whether it's a good play, or otherwise, why would you play? Why would you play something that's not a good feeling? Right. So that's, so when kids come to my camp, you know, I hope they have a good feeling and that's why they come back. When kids train, they have a good feeling and they want more, they want more. But that's what got me into it. I love, I have a passion. You know, I tell people every day, two things I am every day is lucky and grateful. Lucky and grateful. You know I get a chance to make a difference every day. It's a constant, a daily great dream. I'm gonna wake up tomorrow, It's gonna be another great day. I look forward to this day. I'm blessed every day.

Evan 38:17

That's wonderful.

Lou Colon 38:18

Thank you.

Evan 38:20

I have to plug your YouTube channel because I think your videos are a must see if you're an infielder who's serious about playing at a high level. So the channel is coach Lou Colon. So listeners Definitely be sure to check it out

Lou Colon 38:33

Coach Lou Colon 24,

Evan 38:35

sorry about that.

Lou Colon 38:36

That's okay.

Evan 38:37

I have a few quick questions before we wrap up. So first, what's your favorite type of ground ball to field?

Lou Colon 38:44

Favorite type of ground ball is the short hop. Low topspin short hop. A lot of kids will say the the shelf, the kind of, the topspin shelf hop but I like the, the feeling of securing that ball and playing through it on the short hop. Two inch short hop.

Evan 38:59

Who are your favorite two infielders, one from the past and one who plays currently?

Lou Colon 39:05

Omar Vizquel was my favorite, my favorite infielder. He was he was amazing. Lindor, Lindor. If you watch Lindor play, when I'm doing a lesson or I'll break down Lindor's, fielding mechanics. He is, I think he is probably one of the best sound infielders mechanically in the big leagues right now. He is, if you want to study an infielder from a pasture, to tight V position, to band separation, to glove tilt, to everything. He's a great infielder to study.

Evan 39:45

Yeah, both of those, those infielders, they're incredible.

Lou Colon 39:47

Sure.

Evan 39:49

And last but not least, I know you talked about how the passion and the love for the game makes you really want to continue what does that really mean to you?

Lou Colon 40:03

I want to do this for the rest of my life. This is what I do. This is what God put me on earth to do. To teach baseball. So, day by day, day by day, you know, tomorrow, I know I have my schedule. I have my lessons and practice. And if I'm not doing private lessons or clinics, I have my responsibilities, my responsibilities here at Drew University. And this is, this is what I want to do. My faith is in God. So whatever he has planned for me.

Evan 40:34

That's amazing.

Lou Colon 40:35

Thank you.

Evan 40:35

Well, Coach Lou, thank you so much for coming on today. It was it was truly a pleasure.

Lou Colon 40:40

Well, thankyou for having me and much success and congratulations on your podcast.

Evan 40:46

Thank you so much.

Lou Colon 40:47

Great

Evan 40:49

Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at borntobaseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media @borntobaseball where we can connect live. Now, Let's play ball

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Episode #019: Endy Chavez- Former MLB Player

March 2021 By Evan

Ep. #019: Endy Chavez- Former MLB Player

Join Evan and Endy Chavez, as Endy shares his baseball journey, what influenced him to become an Outfielder, great moments from across his professional playing career and making “The Catch”. Endy also shares his experiences now as a Coach for the Mets organization as well as key insight, tips and advice for youth ball players dreaming to play professionally one day. 

What You’ll Learn:

03:49   What influenced Endy to become an Outfielder

06:29   His journey to Professional Baseball

10:53   His first MLB game experience

15:02   What contributed to success with the 2006 Mets

16:31   On making “The Catch”

23:30   The must-see recreation of “The Catch 2021”

25:24   What contributed to his success as a player

26:49   Endy’s approach at the plate

29:11   Key qualities every young player must have to play at a high level

33:28   Tips for becoming a stronger Outfielder

35:29   Joining the Mets organization as a Coach

38:11   What Endy enjoys most being a Coach and things he’s learned

40:15   Advice to youth baseball players dreaming of playing in the bigs

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.

If you enjoyed this episode we’d be really grateful if you’d rate the show and leave a review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here.  This will help other ballplayers find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  

Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

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Born To Baseball Links:

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Episode 019_ENDY CHAVEZ_FORMER MLB PLAYER

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of born to baseball is sponsored by the BTB Travel team and training tracker. Are you a parent or player searching for a travel team or training facility in your area? Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach? Then you have to check out the BTB triple t tracker at borntobaseball.com. Make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Unknown Speaker 0:23

Calling all ballplayers. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? Then bring it in? it's game time. Check it out.

Evan 0:40

Hey guys, and welcome to the born to baseball podcast. I'm Evan and today we have Endy Chavez with us. Endy Chavez has played over 13 years of Major League Baseball with several different organizations. He's played 21 years of professional baseball since his minor league debut in 1997. Baseball fans of all ages are familiar with one of the best catches in New York Mets history made by Endy in game seven of the 2006 NLCS. Endy, I really appreciate you coming on today.

Endy 1:11

My pleasure, man. I hope you like it and everyone enjoys it.

Evan 1:16

Yeah, no, I'm really excited. I would like to start off with learning more about your baseball journey. You grew up in Venezuela. When did you begin playing baseball?

Endy 1:27

Oh, very early. I think I was kind of six years old. And I always loved baseball from the beginning. And, you know, I think that was one of my wish to be a pro player. So like I say, like, every kid wants to do it. But I didn't know if that was going to be possible. But, you know, when I started growing up, I get more, how you say focused on what I want. So, and it's still baseball. So um, you know, preparing myself training alot and I started practicing in an academy and you know, get the best out from from the academy and be a better baseball player too. So I can sign pro baseball, and that's what I did and here I am.

Evan 2:29

Yeah, yeah. So what was your training like, as a kid?

Endy 2:35

Well, like a normal kid. I didn't use that kind of training that you can see in social media right now. I think my training was more, you know, playing every sport... soccer, basketball, baseball, riding bike, and stuff like that. I enjoyed myself as a kid. I was doing what kids are supposed to. I understand, you know, life now is a little, You know, a lot changes. Like kids from eithgt,nine years old they are already getting training like pro players, and all that kind of stuff. So a lot of people ask me how you see the kids and all that kind of stuff. And I'm like Oh, he's just 10 years old. Let him be a kid. You know. I cannot tell you if he is going to be in the majors or not. Because it's too early. So yes, let him be a kid and enjoy it.

Evan 3:38

Yeah. No, you talked about playing all different sports. And that contributes to just being an athlete. And that ultimately helps them yeah.

Endy 3:47

Oh, yeah. I love basketball. So,

Evan 3:49

yeah. So did you always want to be an outfielder from a young age?

Endy 3:55

Well, yes. That's what I was playing from the beginning. I remember the first position that I played was first base. And because I didn't know what position to play, and I asked my dad, and he said, a leftycan play first base, so I don't think I liked too much. ground balls. So... the ground ball was hard. Every time I missed it hit me on my leg or on my arm. It kind of hurt. So I didn't like it that much. So I asked my dad again, lefty can play another position and he said yeah, right field. And I'm like where is that? And he said, in the back of the field, and I'm like Yeah, I want to go back. I didn't want to be any more in the front so I start playing right field. And I liked more the flyballs. So I;m like yeah, this is what I like. So then the coach say oh, you can catch a lot of fly balls, so you're going to play in centerfield. And I'm like, NO my dad told me lefty's can play in right field. And he said no, a lefty can play also in center field and I'm like Okay, well I'll play.

Evan 5:14

no, that's awesome. That's awesome.

Endy 5:16

Yeah.

Evan 5:17

Who are some of the like the major league guys you looked up to when you were a kid?

Endy 5:22

Ken Griffey, Jr. I like him. Well, I was like growing up. I think I was what 12,13, something like that when I loved Ken Griffey Jr. as a player. And I wanted to be like him.

Evan 5:36

No, he's definitely a great player. Great player.

Endy 5:38

Yeah.

Evan 5:40

When did you know you wanted to play like professional baseball?

Endy 5:45

Like I said, when I was very, very little I dreamed to be in the major level, like, you know, a big league player. But like I said, that's a dream that we have as a kid. But when I was about 16 years old, I realized that I really want to be a professional baseball player and try to make it to the major league level.

Evan 6:12

Well, it's awesome that you were able to achieve that goal and get there to that level.

Endy 6:17

Oh, yeah. It takes a lot of work. But it's not impossible.

Evan 6:21

It's worth it. So can you tell us about like the moment you found out you were getting signed by a major league organization?

Endy 6:29

Oh, yeah. I was, uh, the Mets the New York Mets. When, first of all, I was in the Colorado Rockies. Academy. And when the the Academy was closed, they say we're going to close so we want to see you next year. And I'm like, okay, I keep training so they can see me next year. And you know, before like, I think a week before they opened, the Mets showed up and they signed me. And I told him well, I think the Colorado Rockies are waiting for me to show up this year. They said they are gonna sign me and they're like don't show we're gonna sign you. And I'm like, okay, I stay here. So I signed with the Mets. That was pretty exciting. And you know, my whole town was, you know, very, very happy. And it was a fun experience.

Evan 7:32

No, that has to be a special moment there.

Endy 7:35

Oh, yeah, definitely. Very nervous too.

Evan 7:40

So, as you said, you were signed by the Mets and you were picked up by the Kansas City Royals in the rule five draft. You went back to the Mets and then traded to the Royals before making your MLB debut. That's a lot of change. How did you manage to stay positive during that time?

Endy 7:57

Well, um, you know, first of all, when I was the first four years with the Mets, I was in rookie ball, middle A, and single A, and that year, you know, you just want to play and do the best year you can have, have the best year. And year was the rule five draft and the Mets, they didn't plut me on the 40 man roster. So that's when the Kansas City Royals picked me in the rule five. And I'm like wow, for the major league level and I, I can't believe it you know, I was very excited. And the thing was like, the rule five, You have to be on the 25 man roster the whole year. So if, they take you out you have, I had to go back to the Mets. And it was very exciting. And I'm like oh, a full year in a major league season. But when I was in spring training, all that kind of stuff, the last day of spring training, they called me in the office and they said I didn't make the team. And but they were so happy because I trained me and I'm gonna start in dougle A. And you know, that was a big hit for me because I was very excited that I'm going to be in the major league level and now I'm not. So it caused a lot of frustration in that moment. for me. I feel like I can't play baseball anymore. It was a big hit. So I started in double A and I played two months in double A and finally they called me to the major league level after two months.

Evan 9:55

I know it was a big hit. Like you said when you didn't make that MLB team but you Pushed through and you're able to make it later on.

Endy 10:02

Yeah, and the thing is, like, I saw the major league level so close, and then when they put me in double A I saw it, I see the the major league so far, that I was like, you know, my dream is gone, you know, I'll never be able to make it. So, you know, I start playing again. And I had that surprise that I got called up to major league level. So I played a month and three weeks when they called me up, and then they sent me down to AAA. And that's when I get more confident. And I say, Well, if I already was there, I know I can be back. So I started working harder, and made it again to the major league level.

Evan 10:51

Yeah, that's awesome. In 2001, you made your MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals, what were some of your emotions leading up to that first game?

Endy 11:02

Woof! It was a lot of excitement because I was double A like I said, and I remember, I flew from Arkansas, to Texas. And that was my first stadium when I played ever, at the major league level and you know, everything was so different everything, even the hotel, and I'm like, Whoa, yeah, this is nice. So I get to the field, to the stadium. And saw the lineup and the board, on the board, and I saw my name, playing left field, No centerfield and hitting ninth. And I'm like, wow, I'm playing so I get ready. I went to the field, take batting practice and I started the game. And when I when my to my first at bat I was a lot of nervous. I want you know, to show everybody that I can play in the major league level. And everything was so no, alot, alot of adrenaline in there. Yeah. And it's, a lot of things happened in my head. So I can't believe I'm there. And like I said, I saw for the first time. I saw the big cat Andres Galarraga, A-Rod, Rafael Palmiero . I saw all those guys that I've only seen on TV. So I'm playing against them so, To be honest, I don't feel like a real baseball player feel more like a fan in there. But the thing is when I start playing, and I get my first hit I think it was in the 3rd at bat. You know, I like I released a lot of pressure. So I remember I made it to second base with a base hit. and RBI. And A-Rod came to me and asked me Oh, your first base hit. Okay, congratulations. Where are you from? I'm from Venezuela. Venezuela, Okay. Oh, congratulations. You know, here it's the same baseball. The only difference that we are here is everybody got money. And I'm like, okay, you know, and I like wow he was so nice to me. And then, you know, that moment I'm never gonna forget.

Evan 13:41

Oh, yeah, no, that must have been incredible.

Endy 13:45

Yeah.

Evan 13:46

So, as you progressed in your career, you were picked up by the Montreal Expos and recorded the final out and Expos history before their transition to the Washington Nationals, which had to be a cool experience. And soon after that you made your way to the Mets. Were you excited when you first learned you were going to play for the New York Mets?

Endy 14:06

Oh, yeah, like I say, I like to be back home, you know, and I was very excited. And I know New York is a city where the people like the competition, There's a lot of latin fans in there that know, know the game. So you're not going to fool those guy like, oh he's good, he's not good, he can play he cannot play. So I'm like you know, you have to play you have to show that you can play in New York. And, and I like this kind of challenge. And I was happy and like I said, I like that kind of challenge. And I had a very, very good year that year.

Evan 14:57

Yeah, New York baseball. It's definitely exciting., definitely exciting

Endy 15:01

Yeah,

Evan 15:02

The 2006 Mets were a really strong team you had guys like Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, David Wright and yourself a bunch of superstars there. What was it like to play with all those guys on the same team?

Endy 15:20

Oh that was amazing. I think we had the year we had because the chemistry we had during the whole season, it was very, very, very good. You know, everybody having fun at the same time we're working hard as a team. And like I said, the chemistry, the chemistry was very amazing. And I think that made it easy for each one to make their job and, you know, focus on the game and be professional. Because we know we had a talent. We had a lot of talent on that team, we just had to let it go on the field.

Evan 16:07

Yeah, no, the guys in the clubhouse in the team. It's it's like family. It's like a second family.

Endy 16:12

Exactly. That's my point when you feel that way. a lot of positive, good positive things happen. And like I said, the baseball will take care of himself when you do the things right and you have the ambience around you.

Evan 16:31

So that brings us to NLCS game seven, the score is tied onc to one and Scott Roland is at the plate and you make "the catch" Knowing the hitter and knowing how a pitcher is trying to pitch to a hitter can be very important. Can you tell us about your awareness during that at bat and how it contributed to being able to make one of the greatest catches in postseason history?

Endy 16:54

Well, um, what I can say is like, when you focus in the game, and you're into it, you know, you read what's going on, like, you know, who's the pitcher, who's hitting. If he's fast, he got power or something like that. You, you're involved in everything and trying to anticipate what's going to happen. In this situation, we had a man on first and Scott Roland was hitting. And I know because of the advanced report, they challenged him in with the fastball. So I'm playing left field and I'm like you know, normally I play where I was playing, I say, at this time, I want to pull a little bit back, I make like four or five steps back, because I was getting prepared in the scenario like if the ball is in the gap, I'm gonna grab it quickly and throw to the cut-off man, if the ball goes down the line, I'm going to do the same thing. So I want to attack the ball, the fastest I can so the guy from first don't score. And that was my mindset. So I pull myself back. And the first pitch I saw that bullet to left field. And my reaction was, you know, trying to get to the fence, the fastest I can. And, and I know right away the ball was in the fence or was a homer. So when I"m hitting the warning track, I still see the ball very high and I'm like Oh, well the ball is not here. So I didn't have that time to to make it to the fence and wait for the ball. So I feel the ball is passing me already. So on my way to the wall, I just tried to time the perfect moment to make a jump and trying to go for it and that's what I did. And honestly, when I elevate my arm, I, I saw the ball in front of me for the last time, but when I catch it, I wasn't able to see my glove. So I just feel when the ball hit my glove and I'm like, Whoa, it's in. I got kind of surprised. Like, oh, the ball is in so I cannot grip it because almost my my glove went off my head because the hit with the fence and I tried to pull it in. And I say well if you had thrown any air, at least it's a double not a homer so I can throw the ball in but when I pull it in and I'm looking for the ball in the air, I saw it right in the top of my glove and I'm like well it's here. So my reaction was look for, Edmunds that was running from first base. And I saw him stopping around shortstop to go back to first and I'm like, well, he better hurry up because I got you. So I saw Reyes and the shortstop shortstop waving at me like Give me the ball. And I'm like you know what Reyes, I got a good arm and I saw Valentin like, near to second base, and I go for it because I love the infield to make the short throw, and that's what I did I throw the ball to Valentin and he threw to first ihe ball to Valentin and we doubled up the inning.

Evan 20:39

those hops came from basketball when you were a kid

Endy 20:42

the alley-oop you I call it the alley-oop.

Evan 20:49

When you were in the dugout at the end of the inning, like the crowd wouldn't stop cheering and they made you come out and do two curtain calls. How connected Did you feel to the fans at that moment?

Endy 21:01

I mean, when I made the catch that I was running into the dugout, I thought Shea Stadium was going to fall apaty. I thought it was gonna drown. And I you know, it was so much noise that honestly I wanted to cover my ears. It was so loud and when I get to the dugout, I can hear they're calling my name. And and the guys like Endy, you gotta go out. And I'm like, okay, I'll go out. So I, I wave to the people, I clap. You know, let's go. And they won't stop. They keep going and I'm like but what I should do. I already did it. And I never seen like the same guy go twice on the same play. And they say Endyjust go again. So I did it two times. And it was fun. Because everybody was like, what are you waiting for go ahead.

Evan 22:13

That's hilarious.

Endy 22:15

Yeah.

Evan 22:17

Your catch is known as one of the greatest catches in postseason history.

Endy 22:22

Thank you.

Evan 22:24

Yeah. What does that mean to you being able to have the catch as a part of your legacy?

Endy 22:28

I mean I feel very, very proud. Because like I said, That year, they gave me a trophy as a play of the year. And I'm like, wow, that's very cool. I never thought they got those kind of trophy. And, you know, to have that it was very special. You know, it's something like it's gonna be there for years, you know, for all my life. Like I said that was 13,14 years ago, and the people are still talking about it like it was last season. And it's crazy, you know, because I made a lot of good plays. But like I said, that's the famous one.

Evan 23:21

No, you made a ton of good plays. But yeah, that one, it was just the right spot at the right time.

Endy 23:28

Exactly.

Evan 23:30

I have to say, your recreation of the catch. That was incredible in the snow. That was incredible. The internet went crazy. reposted all over. That was awesome.

Endy 23:44

Yeah, well, I I got surprised that people liked it because my kids over there were like, you won't be able to do it. You cannot do it. You're too old, you're a dad, like, Oh, really? I don't do it. Okay, watch me. They were laughing. And they said yeah, but that's not all you have to put it on social media and I'm like, oh really! okay. I'll do it. It was fun because I was enjoying with the kids over here and the people liked it. I think they love it because that was... oh well, I didn't know it was going to have that kind of impact.But it was fun to watch all that.

Evan 24:27

It was crazy. No clearly you still got it. I want to move kind of on to the Texas Rangers. So what was it like playing in the World Series with the Texas Rangers?

Endy 24:41

Oh, that was special because that was my only world series appearance. And it was special. You know, I wasn't playing every day but I had some action in there. And like I said when when you get to the World Series it's like another world, you know. You, you're in air you know, you're in outer space I don't know. It's very different. And it's the same baseball but the stadium looks so different, you know, it's very fun to be there. I feel blessed to be part of that kind of show.

Evan 25:21

No, that must have been a lot of fun.

Endy 25:23

Definitely, yeah

Evan 25:24

thinking back. What contributed most to your success as a player?

Endy 25:31

I think discipline, I think discipline was my main core for playing baseball. Because you have to have passion, talent, and be smart about what you have to do. But when you do it consistently, with discipline is when you every day get successful. So you can have talent and, and let's say you today feel "like I don't want to play today". But I'll play tomorrow or play the next day, or I'll play this week, next week, you know, I'll play so-so, that, that doesn't count for me as a baseball player, pro baseball player because you have to work hard every day, every day. No rest you rest when the season is over. And, and that was my, my way to play baseball.

Evan 26:35

No discipline, that's big. And like you said baseball's every day, every day,

Endy 26:41

Every day,

Evan 26:42

As a leadoff hitter, did you have a certain approach or mindset at the plate?

Endy 26:49

Sure, everybody, not just leadoff hitters, everybody has to have a plan, every time you go to the plate, you have to know or have an idea what you want to do. In that is specific at bat. And one thing that I just always tell to the young guys, don't wait to your way to home plate to think what you want to do. That starts from the dog out, because you have the hitter, you have the one guy on deck. When you're in the dugout, ready to be on deck, that's when you are watching everything. So by the time you go to home plate, you already know what's going on. So you have to know if the pitcher is throwing strikes or he's just wilds or he just made two out with four pitches. So you have to know all that kind of stuff before you you step to the plate. And that's why I always recommend to the guys be ready from the dugout, start making your plans in the dugout and not wait to go to home plate to make one.

Evan 28:09

That's great. That's great. Were you always naturally a fast runner? Or was it something you had to build over time?

Endy 28:19

Well, I used to be fast but not that fast. Because I was like when I was young, I was too skinny that my legs weren't powerful. And after I signed I think the training or the, you know, eating helped me and I got stronger and I start running faster. But that helped me a lot after I signed as a pro player and I started like, looking at it like, well I can do a lot of things you know on the bases, cover some ground in the outfield and in I love the speed in the game

Evan 29:05

No it brings another aspect into it being fast.

Endy 29:09

Mm hmm. Yeah.

Evan 29:11

What would you say are one or two things a young outfielder must have in order to have a chance at playing at a high level?

Endy 29:20

Well, like I said every player who signs to pro players is because he has talent, right right. From the rookie to the major league level it's the same talent. They from the rookie can throw. if it's a pitcher they can throw 100 miles an hour from the rookie to the major league level. If it's a position player they can do the same thing from their rookie to the major league level. The only difference they, they have to do to make it to the major league level is how much baseball you have in your head,

Evan 30:01

interesting.

Endy 30:01

So that's, that's why you have to learn how to play the game. So you can leave behind the group where you are or where you was. So every time you step in a level, in the minor league level like rookie, middle single A, high A, double A, you will see the thinking of those players, it goes up and up and up. That's why even if they have the same talent, but you're telling everybody you know how to play the game, that's the difference. So like I said, if you you, you miss a ground ball, you drop a fly ball, you know, that's part of the game. And you know, everybody makes mistakes. But what the organization doesn't want is like, if you caught the ball, you must know where to throw it. Where are you going to throw the ball. Not, I caught the ball and what do I with the ball? So that is unacceptable on the major league level, you have to know what to do. That's why you have to anticipate every time the play is coming. So that's basically my opinion on what's the difference between the minor leagues and the major leagues

Evan 31:29

Yeah, no, that's that's great insight right there. That's great. In your opinion, what unique skills would an outfielder need when they are playing left field versus right field or centerfield?

Endy 31:46

Well, for me, like, I played from the beginning I played just center field. But, like, in the middle of my career, I had to play left and right, that I never played before. Andthat helped me to have a job. Because if A, like the example they gave me, If A, uh, you know, Ken Griffey, Jr. was in Cincinnati. And they said if Cincinnati want to trade you over there but you are a centerfielder and they want you to play left field like, they are going to trade you because that's the only position you play. So like, they are not gonna give me the chance to be at the major league level because I don't play anything else just center field. And they're not gonna give me the position because Ken Griffey Jr. is there. So, that made sense. And, I was like well, I better prepare myself to play the others too. It's a little bit different. It's not the same thing. And it's like, you know, you have to practice and play because I always say, it doesn't matter how much time you practice, but if you don't play a game, you don't get in shape, you know, to get to the top of the on your skill. So yeah, started practicing hard in the corners. And I started dominating too

Evan 33:28

Yeah, that's amazing. Can you share some tips that would help young players become better outfielders?

Endy 33:37

Yes, um, one of the keys is the feet. Always move your feet when the ball is crossing the hitting zone. Because that makes you have an explosive reaction. Then to have your feet flat on the ground. So always like I'm always walking and boom, and boom, every time the ball is crossing in the hitting zone, I know a lot of players they say like yeah, that's too much, I'll just wait, I'll catch it anyway. But for me the right way is that, you know, be always in position every time when the ball is crossing the the hitting zone you know.

Evan 34:25

All those diving plays, sliding plays you made, they were, I guess they were because of that, that explosion at the beginning.

Endy 34:32

Yeah. Like I said, I don't catch the ball far away when I get to there. I catch the ball the way I started running from the beginning to there, because most of the time I prefer to wait for the ball. Not the ball wait for me. So I start explosive to get the ball and if I get there before the ball, I'll wait, I'm not hurrying up, I wait for the ball, you know, but if the I'm going slow, and then I see like, Oh, I gotta put more speed, that's when the ball beats the outfielders, and it's too late when you react. That's why always when you see me diving catch, making diving catch or running catch, it's because I didn't have the time to get there first.

Evan 35:29

I love what you said earlier when you talked about it's not when you get there, you make the catch. It's it's those first few steps. It's that explosion at the start. I love that. After playing in the MLB, you went on to play for the Bridgeport bluefish and the Somerset patriots in the Atlantic league and the pericos de puebla in the Mexican League, you then rejoined the Mets organization as a coach, how did it feel to be back with the Mets organization?

Endy 35:57

Oh, well, I'm happy you know, especially when I get there, 2019. And I was in, Brooklyn cyclones the low single A. And, you know, I was learning how to be a coach and all that kind of stuff. My first experience ever, and I was excited, because I feel like I know a lot of stuff those guy don't know yet. So I'm able to help them, you know, and, and tell them what I already see in the game that they don't. You know, and, and it was cool. And I was having very good communication with the guys. And we made a very good team. And for my surprise, we had the you know, we won the championship. And it's like, my first year as a coach, and we already have a ring. It's Awesome, you know, yeah, then well and then comes, you know, the pandemic, we didn't have a season and well I'm waiting for this year and see how's it gonna be?

Evan 37:14

Yeah, no, I remember going to one of the cyclone two games in MCU. Park. And

Endy 37:21

oh, you were there?

Evan 37:22

Yeah I think I was along the third base side. But I remember I saw you in the dugout.

Endy 37:27

Oh ok.

Evan 37:28

No the team played really well. Yeah.

Endy 37:30

Yeah, we had a great team.

Evan 37:32

I mean, that's what coaching is all about and being able to share the information that guys may not know yet.

Endy 37:38

That's why I want to keep being in baseball,

Evan 37:43

Were there some things you learned as a coach that you wish you knew as a player?

Endy 37:49

I think the experience, the experience, that especially earlier in my career when I had my talent on the top. I didn't have the experience that I have now. And I said well, if I had, if I knew everything that I know right now with my talent, it would have been a lot different.

Evan 38:11

Yeah, that's, that's interesting. What do you enjoy most about being a coach?

Endy 38:18

Being on the field, being around baseball, you know, makes me be alive, and I always like the challenge, I like the competition. And like I said, baseball is my passion.

Evan 38:33

Is there a difference on how you see the game now that you're a coach compared to when how you saw it when you were a player?

Endy 38:41

Oh, yeah, big difference. Because as a baseball player, you know, you just think about yourself. You get prepared with what you have to do to prepare for the game and everything. But as a coach, you have to pay attention to everybody. You have to think for everybody. You got to pay attention for everybody, not just you. So that's one of the things I learned. Like, okay, I didn't have to prepare for myself to play the game by have to know if he's ready, he's ready. You know, I have to be all over everybody. And I'm like, Yeah, you know. I cannot think just about me. I have to think for everybody on the team.

Evan 39:30

Yeah there is so much that goes into this strategy as a coach, definitely

Endy 39:35

Oh, yeah.

Evan 39:37

Do you have any interest in managing at the big league level someday?

Endy 39:42

Yeah, why not? I keep that open door because I like, I like know and understand the game a lot. And I like to be in that position. That's why I'm like learning right now. Because it's a lot of things on the side to learn to be a manager, it's not just to watch the game and make decisions. And that's why I'm learning right now. But in the future Yeah, why not?

Evan 40:15

That's great! Endy, what advice can you give to youth baseball players like myself who want to play in the major league someday?

Endy 40:25

Just play the game, enjoy the game, every time you play, go happy. And think about the way you can beat the other team. So if we, they give you something, take it. That's the way I think you can be very successful. Learn from the other guys' mistakes. Don't wait. until it happens to you to learn. Because I think that's why I get very fast to the major league level. Because when my team makes an error or making mistakes, okay, I know that I'm not supposed to do that, you know, so I don't wait to til it happens to me to learn. So watch the game and see everybody's mistakes and learn from them.

Evan 41:18

that's great advice.

Endy 41:19

Even the mistakes we make too. But don't wait for those mistakes to come to you to learn. Let everybody else do it (laughter) Yeah,

Evan 41:30

so I have a few last questions before we wrap up. I call them rapid fire questions. So first, what's your favorite MLB stadium? You've played him?

Endy 41:41

Well, I got a few. You know, I love playing at the Montreal Expos in Canada, And the Atlanta Braves the old stadium. I love to play there too. And Texas

Evan 41:58

Yeah, those are great stadiums.

Endy 42:01

Oh, yeah.

Evan 42:02

Second, who's one of your favorite outfielders that you've enjoyed watching or learning from?

Endy 42:09

My favorite outfielders, Andruw Jones is one. I learned a lot watching him play. Ken Griffey Jr. and I had the opportunity to play with him in Seattle. I think those guys, I learned a lot from them.

Evan 42:28

And last but not least, I hear you're a big salsa music fan. And you love to play percussion.

Oh, yeah. Ask your dad (laughter)

Yeah. So if you had to choose, which is your favorite, the timbales or congas?

Endy 42:44

oh, los timbales, timbales. Yeah.

Evan 42:48

No, I have to hear you play sometime soon.

Endy 42:51

Well, I'm waiting for Bobby to invite me one day (laughter).

Evan 42:56

So Endy, thank you so much for coming on today. This was amazing.

Endy 43:01

No problem. My pleasure. I hope people like it and I had fun talking to you man.

Evan 43:08

Thank you. It was a pleasure.

Endy 43:10

All right.

Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at borntobaseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media at born to baseball where we can connect live. Now, Let's play ball!

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Episode #017: Todd Coburn- “The Catching Guy”

December 2020 By Evan

Ep. #017- Todd Coburn AKA “The Catching Guy”

Join Evan and Todd Coburn AKA “The Catching Guy” as Todd shares his catching  journey and provides a wealth of knowledge, tips and insight on being the best catcher, and the best ball player, you can be.

What You’ll Learn:

01:13   Todd’s journey as a Catcher- from Little League to Pro ball 

02:30   Work ethic and his major transformation 

18:37   How he became “The Catching Guy”

24:53   Importance of the Pitcher Catcher relationship 

28:18   Todds “Big 3” for receiving 

42:12   “Mitt Magic”

43:01   Characteristics of a great Catcher 

45:27   On “Blocking” as the difference maker 

50:14   The age catchers should start calling their own game

54:03   Pitching “by the book” and pitching “backwards”

1:07:35  Favorite Foot Quickness Drills

1:12:16  Todd’s “Big Four” for Throwing 

1:16:42  Mindset and managing emotions 

1:26:15  Training and Clinics for Catchers 

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
 If you enjoyed this episode we’d be really grateful if you’d rate the show and leave a review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here. This will help other ballplayers find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Website https://thecatchingguy.com/

Facebook https://m.facebook.com/TheCatchingGuy/

Twitter @TheCatchingGuy

Instagram @TheCatchingGuy

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/c/ToddCoburnTheCatchingGuy

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

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Instagram: @borntobaseball 

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Twitter: @bornto_baseball

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Episode 017_TODD COBURN_THE CATCHING GUY

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of born to baseball is sponsored by the BTB Travel team and training tracker.

Are you a parent or player searching for travel teams or training facilities in your area? Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach? Then you have to check out the BTB triple t tracker at born to baseball.com. Make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Music 0:23

Calling all ballplayers. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? didn't bring it in. it's game time.

Evan 0:40

Hey guys, welcome to the borns baseball podcast. I'm Evan and today we have the catching guy, Todd Coburn with us. Todd was an all conference catcher at Butte junior college and went to the D 2 college world series with California Polytechnic State University. He was drafted by the Astros in 1991 and spent some time catching in the Phillies organization. He is the founder and president of the catching guy and gamer baseball. Todd, I really, really appreciate you being here today.

Todd 1:10

You bet and thanks for having me.

Evan 1:13

Can you start us off by sharing your early baseball journey through high school? Did you always love catching?

Todd 1:21

I did. I've always been a catcher from from literally practice number one. Kind of a funny story how it started I was I actually got put in the outfield at first but I was kind of hard to focus and I would watch airplanes fly by and birds fly by and the coach had a good idea said you know what we're going to make them have to focus put them behind the plates that Todd put the gear on. And I fell in love with the position immediately. And played it literally every year my entire career. All the way up in the high school. And I think I have a pretty unique story with with my experience, at least in high school baseball, getting to the point that I got to I was actually cut from the team my freshman year I wasn't very good baseball player. I love baseball. There was nowhere else I'd rather beat. I wasn't very good at it. I got cut my freshman year of high school I made the team my sophomore year, I always say that I was just kind of average Joe just average player average hitter average catcher. I did play most of the time because I was the best option that coach had. I made varsity my junior year. Super excited. Of course, I thought I was gonna be a varsity baseball player. I ended up being what they call the bullpen guy. All I did was warm up pitchers all season long. I got like 10 at bats my whole junior year. And in between my junior and senior year, I had this mindset of man. All I want to do is play baseball. I want to get a college scholarship. My dream has always been to play professional baseball. But I'm not even playing on my high school high school team. I better figure this out. And that's when work ethic kind of kicked in for me. And then in between my junior and senior year, I practiced and worked out literally every day practice so much. My parents were like, Hey, you need to take a break, take a day off. I'm like, No, I've got goals. I've got dreams. And to make a long story short, by the end of my senior season, I got drafted by the Houston Astros. So pretty, pretty unique story. But yeah, I've always been a catcher, and always loved that position. And that's kind of where it all started for me.

Evan 3:16

What was it about catching that made you fall in love with it so quickly?

Todd 3:21

I think for me, it was. Again, I started in early age. And one thing was when I put on that gear, I felt like a gladiator. I thought man, this is really cool. I look all tough in this cool gear. And then once the game started, I realized I had the whole field in front of me all eyes were on me. You know, I was able to you know, set an example for my team, I was always high energy I would I would never shut up and I just kind of fit perfectly into the position. I mean, that's, you know, communication and being loud. and energetic is a super important part of being a catcher. And just with my personality type, it just fit perfectly. So again, just being being in the action being involved in every pitch, I get bored really easily. I think that's one of my work ethic comes to this dam, always doing a camp always doing a clinic always on a podcast always doing something because I get bored really easy. And as a catcher, you're always in the action. So again, it just kind of with my personality type of fit right in.

Evan 4:23

That's great. Like you mentioned you were drafted out of high school, but you decided to go to college instead. What influenced that decision?

Todd 4:33

There was a couple things about that. Number one, I wasn't like a high draft pick where it was going to be like this life changing money. And I thought you know what, I know I can't play baseball my entire life. I better get some school done. So I wanted to go to school to get bigger, better, stronger and smarter. So it was a financial situation for the family. And also I knew I wanted to get some school done. So I knew once I got drafted at the level I did wasn't a very high draft pick, there wasn't very much money involved. I thought I need to get get some education and, and just work on, you know, work harder and work on getting drafted even higher.

Evan 5:15

It's a really mature decision too because a lot of times it's like, you get drafted especially out of high school and it's like it's a dream come true. But then it's like, you know what, let me make a smarter decision No way, in a way

Todd 5:27

No, absolutely. 100% it was a you know, again, it was basically just going to be a plane ticket they say we will sign you if you want to sign we'll get you out to spring training and what happens happen so I thought, you know what, it just makes more sense to get some school done first. Again, continue to work hard like that work ethic kicked in and just continue to do that and and see what happens and I did I got drafted 10 rounds higher than next time I got drafted. So I was drafted in 1990. drafted higher 1991. Again, it was another situation where, you know, financially, it wasn't gonna make that big of a difference. For me and my family. It made more sense to get to go play an awesome awesome school live in an awesome city in San Luis Obispo, California. Play for a great program. Like you mentioned the intro get a get a chance to play in a college world series even though it's de to college world series of so called World Series. Yeah, absolutely. And we almost want it all We lost four to two in the national championship game rebels national champions. But again, get getting that school done. I fell in love with San Luis Obispo. I go back there all the time, and never would have happened if I didn't decide to go to school instead. So pretty cool.

Evan 6:36

Yes, definitely. Really, really cool. You're an all conference catcher at Butte Junior College. What would you say were one or two things that contributed to your success?

Todd 6:49

Oh, well, definitely. Again, I kind of turned myself into a baseball player in high school. So I think the thing that the biggest thing that attributed to my success and being able to be recognized all conference when I got to college was just the time I put in. And I stress this all the time of my camps and tell them the kids that I work with. I was literally you can ask all my old teammates, I was literally the first one to the field, whenever possible. Obviously, there were some instances where something for school prevented me from from doing that, or, you know, other circumstances, but I was almost always the first one to practice. In the batting cage. If there was no other teammates there, I was hitting off the tee until a teammate showed up. And then we could throw to each other. And then after practice, depending on practice winner, if I had something going on after not, then I'd be in the cage again, hitting more after so 100% think it was doing my work ethic and the time that I put in. And for me, I took a lot of pride in my performance, I wanted to be known as the best I wanted, you know, my teammates to think I was the best I wanted my opponents to think I was the best. So I took so much pride in everything that I did, that there was no no holding me back, so to speak. And I that was always a goal of mine, be the best on the team, be the best in the conference, do what I could, you know, needed to do to shine and and kind of made it happen. So I think work ethic is probably the number one most important thing.

Evan 8:16

It's a huge key success. Do you think that work ethic is something you can teach? Or does it just come with a player?

Todd 8:25

That's a great question. So I stress it all the time. And there's some players that I speak with at my events, that I think that portion of my talk goes in one ear and right out the other, and they still end up spending majority of their time playing video games, you know, vision out on the couch, whatever you want to call it, but the ones who really listen, the ones that really want to have success and want it to happen and really have a passion for the game and getting better. Those are the ones I can't tell you. You know, again, I've been doing working with kids for over 20 years now, numerous emails, messages, even phone calls, saying hey, you know, I thought my son had a good work ethic after your camp. He's taken it to a whole other level. I want to thank you so much. Not only is he doing better in baseball, but he's actually doing better in school because we understand that you don't get good grades you don't play so we got to work just as hard in the classroom as you do in the gym and on the field in the batting cage. So yeah, it's a it's something that I preach all the time. And the kids I think that really, you know, have a passion and want to make it happen. Make it happen to kids for whatever reason that you know, baseball is just something that's fun for them or they enjoy catching but it's not necessarily a goal of theirs. They might not you know, vibe with it as much as the others do. So, I've always said it that way too. If you truly want to make it happen. You'll make it happen. You'll buy in you'll put in the time and they'll do what you got to do and if not you You won't, and there's you know, maybe you just have a different passion in life. And it's not going to be baseball or catching in particular, and it is what it is. And you just do the best you can whatever it is you decide you want to be the best that

Evan 10:11

it's a decision that every player has to make, whether it's it's really their passion or just something they enjoy doing.

Todd 10:18

Excellent, absolutely.

Evan 10:20

What was your college world series like? Like, what was that experience like?

Todd 10:25

It sounds kind of funny, but I almost expected it to happen. That team out I played on this was in 1993, we had our leftfielder sign in playing the angels organization, our centerfielder sign in played in the White Sox organization. We had I don't know if the our rightfielder our normal rightfielder ended up playing professionally. But our third baseman played with the Brewers organization, our shortstop, although he didn't play professional was probably the best shortstop I've ever played with. We had a second baseman that played professionally, we had a first baseman to play professionally. I think four of our pitchers off of that team play professionally, I play professionally. So my point is, we kind of had some swag to us. We knew we were very good. We had like 10 players off of one college team that played professionally. So we're basically a minor league team playing against a bunch of collegiate kids, you know. And I guess my first point again, what I'm getting at is, of course, we were excited. It was an amazing experience, really disappointing to not win at all, because we went into that season, with some swag knowing we were good and expecting it to happen. And we basically made it happen and then we just were that close to that ultimate goal of winning it all. So again, I'm not downplaying it at all I'm just saying it was like it wasn't Wow, we made it it was all right. We've you know we've accomplished a goal we made this happen Alex when it all kind of thing and is it was it was definitely exciting was fun. It was, you know, my first experience with with kids asking for autographs asking for batting gloves. Can I have your hat? So one of the kids at one of the games asked if they could have my cleats. But just really cool to just be in that really exciting atmosphere of really big time games and kind of, you know, lead perfectly into playing some some professional baseball.

Evan 12:27

That's your ridiculous team. You had to be awesome.

Todd 12:33

Yeah, we had a couple that were that close to making it to the big leagues. But no one off that team ended up playing the biggest we had plenty of guys who played 6789 years professionally. And we were really good team fun to play for.

Evan 12:45

You were actually drafted again, like you said, by the Astros, how did it feel to get drafted again? And how did you get your name kind of out in the scouting community? Was it like showcases? Or was it a coach who advocated for you?

Todd 13:03

You know, back in back in my day, there wasn't very many showcases there wasn't a lot of travel. It was just, you know, right place right time. You got to you got to shine, so to speak in front of the right people. So back in high school just to kind of lead into this. Like I said, I was I was, I don't say I'm a nobody. That sounds pretty harsh. But I wasn't known in northern Nevada. In high school because my junior year I never played I played 10 games. So in between my junior and senior year, I told you I worked out so much and worked out so hard. And I think it's important understand that confidence, in my opinion is like the number one most important thing. To be an athlete, you have to have confidence in your abilities. You have to have that swag if you want to succeed. What confidence comes from practice comes from reps I practice so much I went into my senior year, both catching and hitting like on the hitting side of things. It didn't matter what that pitcher was going to throw it to me Didn't matter how hard he threw. I didn't care. I knew I prepared so well that I was going to succeed. So true story, my first two games in my senior season, while the first game I was three for three with two home runs and a triple. Wow, I set my second game I was three for three with three home runs. So I had Yeah, I was five home runs six or six with five home runs in my first two games as a senior just went in with this. This confident swag attitude. I don't care what you throw me. I'm going to smash it. Well, that second. Yeah, that second game in particular. There was some scouts in the stands to watch the opposing teams pitcher. The pitcher was a prospect. And I just happen to have a three for three with free home run game and I actually think I threw two guys out catching. So the scout started to take notice and who's this kid who is this guy and so I had to start filling out Information cards for the scouts. And they started to come out to my games after that. So it was one again, one of those right place right time. And I had amazing game in front of some scouts. And that kind of carried over into going into Junior College, where I made a name for myself. And so the scout started to come out and I had a pretty pretty darn good first season, we had a really good team. My first year Butte went to the playoffs, were 19, and one in league only lost one game really, really stacked. We had a rightfielder who play professionally, a pitcher, you play professionally. So we just we just again, just got has some good games in front of the right people. And, and again, that's how I was able to get drafted.

Evan 15:43

A lot of times, it's just like, being at the right place at the right time.

Todd 15:47

Yep. 100%

Evan 15:49

was it any different playing pro ball than college baseball, like did the game speed up for you.

Todd 15:56

So every level that I played on, hitting was always a challenge for me even after I just told you what a great couple games I had there, I had five home runs in my first two games, I hit two more the rest of the season. That's kind of a little side story to that. Hitting was always a challenge for me. So like I've added about 360, my senior in high school about 310 my first year college just below 300. My second year, and my average continue to go down as the pitching got better and better. So I guess my point is, by the time I got the professional baseball, those pitchers are pretty darn good, right. And so I had some respectable seasons, I've added 261 year to add another year, which is totally respectable numbers. But I really started to get overmatched with not necessarily the fastball is I could always hit the fastball is pretty good. But those pitchers are starting to have the really good sliders and the really good curveballs. And so the average continue to go down. So I guess to answer your question, defensively, I feel like I could catch and throw with the best of them. I was actually what they call utility guy, which I'm sure you're aware of. And I ended up playing a lot of third base first base. I've even played a little bit outfield, so I was athletic enough, lucky enough to be athletic enough to play multiple positions. So on the defensive side of things, I felt like I had, you know, Bigley tools. But the pitching man, it kept getting better and better and better. And my average kept going down, down, down. And I was what they call a perfectionist. And if I didn't, didn't do well, I get pretty frustrated with myself. That's why I stress so much now in my events, the importance of the mental game. And, you know, really got to practice controlling your emotions and understanding that baseball is a game of failure. And you have to learn to deal with those failures and that kind of stuff. So again, to answer your question that the game didn't necessarily speed up just the pitching got better and better pitching made me fail more often and more failure got me frustrated. And yeah, it was a really, really cool experience. It was always my ultimate goal and dream pretty disappointed when I stopped playing. But I do love what I do now and getting to coach kids and tell them my story. So

Evan 18:10

hey, I mean, first of all, hitting hard hitting.

Todd 18:14

No, I say it all the time. You got to you got to learn to control your emotions, if your emotions start to control you. baseballs is a game that, you know, if you try and try and play the game mad and over swing and overthrow. It's it tends to mess everything up. So you have to learn to control those emotions. Stay calm, stay level headed. It's super, super important. maybe more importantly, than the physical side.

Evan 18:37

How did you become the catching guy?

Todd 18:41

Ah, great question. So I did. Once I was done playing, I got into coaching. I coached a couple different high schools, couple different junior colleges, I was actually coaching at Cal Poly as their graduate assistant while I was getting my master's degree. And way back in 2000, year 2000 Excuse me, I got into doing some lessons with some kids and working some baseball camps. And although I thought I wanted to be a collegiate coach, the second I started working with kids, I was like, wow, this is exactly where I need to be. You know, having a positive impact on kids lives was really impactful for me as well. Just seeing when, you know, teaching a young player, whether it's hitting, catching, pitching, whatever, and they get it and they succeed and they start to have some more success was amazing for me. So I've been doing that ever since. So I started to run my own camps, way back in 2006. And I did all around camps, hitting infield outfield catching, you know, bass running everything. I'd done one of my camps. This was the fall of 2016 I think it was maybe 17 and I sat down in my office after camp I'm definitely not bored with it. I loved what I did. But and not burnt out. But I just decided right there on the spot, I need to make a I need to make a change. Every time at all my camps when I teach catching my energy level picks up, I'm more excited about teaching it, have the most fun teaching it and looked on the social media. trying to think of a name of something just to teach catching. I typed in the catching guy, I thought to myself, man, I'm just a true, passionate catching guy. I love teaching catching on the catching guy looked on social media, if anyone had the catching guy, nobody did punch it in started some pages. And there you go, I became known as a catchy guy. And it was just one of those things where I started posting some information, just teaching what I normally teach. And people started to eat it up, I guess, whether it's my teaching style, the way I word things, whatever you want to call it, people kind of vibe with it. And I went from zero followers to 10,000 followers in like a month. And yeah, now after four years, I'm well over 100,000 followers over all the different platforms and travel the country, just teaching, catching and speaking it conventions and all that kind of stuff. So kind of a funny story. But that's where it all came about. Just sit in my office one day and decided to make a change and focus on my passion and what I love teaching the most. And here we are.

Evan 21:28

Yeah, that's a pretty cool story. And I mean, just like early like finding what you're passionate about, even if you might enjoy doing but really finding what you're passionate about doing what you love and enjoy the most.

Todd 21:43

Absolutely, absolutely. I'm pretty I'm pretty lucky to be able to do what I what I love and do what I do might be able to make a living out of it. This is all I do for a living. I don't do any other side jobs. I'm just the catching guy and just get to teach, teach catching and work with kids. It's pretty cool. Kids and coaches.

Evan 21:56

Yeah, really cool. Who has been one of the most impactful people in your baseball career?

Todd 22:04

Oh, man.Well, as a player, I was lucky enough, my senior year when it all started to click for me to have a coach who had a passion for the game. He was actually a former catcher himself, you know himself he played? Actually, I don't think he played professionally. He may have played a little bit of metal maybe, maybe maybe I can't remember but I just know that he instilled his passion in me and his work ethic in me. You know, I told john like a lot of times be the first one out to practice well, he'd be in a cage with me, you know, flipping me baseballs and really working with me to get me better. His name is Ron Malcolm. Coach Malcolm is real fiery coach really intense. And he kind of helped me develop my my passion and intensity toward the game and, and really striving to be the best. So again, as a player, it was definitely coach Malcolm, way back in Little League. It sounds funny because I'm almost 50 years old now. But I still remember my little league coach, his name's Ray, Pawnee, he was the first one to decide to put the gear on me and start that passion and love the position the catcher. So if he didn't decide that day, that first practice to have me put the gear on, there's no telling if I'd end up being a catch or not, but I fell in love with it right away. So way back then it was coach, Pawnee, high school coach developed a passion for me. And then, you know, nowadays, just, I mean, there's so many great catching guys out there that I learned from every day, you know, the social media thing that we have nowadays is pretty amazing the amount of information that's out there. So there's, there's a whole bunch of guys out there that I follow. And I literally daily, every morning, I wake up and see what those guys post and learn from them. And it's been pretty cool. So I think as the catching guy, probably my biggest mentor would be Jerry Weinstein, Coach Weinstein. I don't know if you know who coach Weinstein is J dub They call him. He's been in the game for like 5060 years, he actually recruited me. He coaches sex ed Community College back when I was in high school. And I went over to his his facility for a workout. And he asked me to come play for him. And for whatever reason, it didn't work out. And I ended up at Butte College. But coach Weinstein is a mentor to a lot of us out there. Not only catching guys, but just baseball coaches, period just because of his knowledge and his his passion for teaching and willing to help and all that I have his phone number in my phone, and I can text him and ask him a question anytime. So it's pretty cool. So those are probably the three most that impacted me over my career.

Evan 24:41

And that's great. And I mean, we're, I mean, we're all lucky to have people like that in our lives to help us out when we need it.

Todd 24:50

100%

Evan 24:53

so preparing for this interview, I reached out to a couple catchers to learn a little bit more about the position I realized like there are so many so many interesting and like important aspects when it comes to catching and just being out there and being the leader of the field and you're involved in every place, you have to get almost everything right in a way. So your team can win. So what are some of the things that you did to develop a good relationship with the pitchers that you worked with that you feel that resulted in a good outcome?

Todd 25:30

So I talked about this all the time at my events. 100%, the pitcher catcher relationship is what we call paramount to Team success, right. And I think developing the respect and trust of your pitcher, starts in bullpens and starts in practice. I think learning the personalities of each of your pitchers understanding what their best pitches, what they're really good at what they might struggle with. Are they a pitcher who you can get pretty intense with, and I just call it lighten their butts up, go out and get on pretty aggressively. And then understanding the pitches you need to go out and kind of pat them on the back a little bit. But just getting to know them personally. understanding their their pitch repertoire, what, again, what's our best pitch, what pitch do we just show every once in a while developing the trust as far as well, sometimes, obviously, coaches calling the game but if I'm calling the game, they can trust me and the fingers that I'm putting down, the pitch that I'm asking them to throw is going to successfully get that hitter out developing that kind of trust, developing their trust, and they can bounce that curveball or change up to me and they know that I'm going to block it right. So we want to throw that Chase, we call it a chase pitch, get the batter to chase. But you know, all that trust and all that respect, in my opinion comes from practice time and volken time. And if we can develop that relationship there, once we get in the game, we're just kind of in an autopilot. We're on the same wavelength so to speak. And we just go out there and do our thing and play the game. So a lot of catches, I think especially in particularly young catcher start to kind of dread bullpens, especially on those days where we have to catch four of them in a row, sometimes five of them in a row. The other catcher wasn't a practice, for whatever reason, there was no one else available. Hey, we have five guys who have to throw 2030 pitch pins, and you're the guy so you're stuck in the bullpen literally all practice long. But in my opinion, instead of dreading them, we need to see it as an opportunity for us to get better work on our skills and in receiving and blocking and footwork and everything and develop the relationship with that pitcher. So it all starts in both in time and practice time for sure.

Evan 27:51

Yeah, pitcher catcher relationships. They're they're super important from what I'm hearing right now. And from what I've heard from other catchers.

Todd 27:59

Yeah, absolutely. And I think important thing is, there should be some time, even off the field, where you're hanging out with the, you know, with the pitching staff, a lot of the pitchers and developing that personal relationship as well. Not only the baseball relationship, but even off the field is super important. That's interesting.

Evan 28:18

for players who are newer to catching, what would you say are the basics of receiving? And for more advanced catchers? What are the top one or two things that you're often correcting?

Todd 28:34

So it's funny you asked about receiving first, I think probably whoever you spoke with let you know that receiving is top priority for most catchers nowadays, just the way that the game is evolving, that position is evolving. They've been able to in the last three or four years really since I became the catch and guide, they've been able to quantify or put a number on how catches receive how they block, you know, how successful are they at different skills. And they've just found that how we receive the baseball will have more impact on a bat on an inning and on a game than anything else we do. So receiving has definitely been been prioritized, has been put at the top of the list. And in probably the last two, maybe even three years, the way we receive has changed tremendously. So one of the things they found with all the data analysis and everything that they're doing the stuff I was just mentioning, they found that the catchers that move the ball are getting significantly more strike calls. So back when I was playing and even when I first started the catching guy, I was what we call a stick guy. So stick in the pitch means minimize movement. Wherever the pitcher throws it, you get your mid behind it, you receive it and you freeze and then you let the umpire decide if there's a strike or not. Well, and I believe is probably the Dodgers who were the catalyst of this they started filming every pitch Every game at every level, and they would watch how their catcher received it. What was the location of the pitch? How did our catcher receive that pitch? Did they move did they stick did their glove turn did their arm move. And what they found was, when they the catchers received a pitch, that was a borderline pitch, it could go either way, it could be a ball or a strike. So it's just off the strike zone. It found that when their catcher received it and stuck it, they got a strike call, and my numbers aren't going to be exact, but you get the point, they got a strike call, like 11% of the time, the pitch was a ball, it was out of the strike zone, they caught it froze, but the guy still got a strike call 11% of the time. Well, they've watched again, and then the times where the catcher would catch it and move it over a little bit, they got a strike call 17% of the time, even though that's it even that's, even though that's a small percentage, it's a higher percentage, they're getting worse either getting more strike calls. So if we can get that strike call, depending on account, anytime we can get the count to two strikes, it changes everything. Even in the big leagues, the average, let's say it's a one day we catch that borderline pitch, we pushed it away from the strike zone, instead of moving it toward the strike zone, and it was called a ball. So now it's to one. Again, my numbers aren't going to be exact, but it's somewhere like to one count in the big leagues, the average is like around 300, maybe even just over 300. But if I catch that borderline pitch, and I move it toward the strike zone, and I get the protocol to strike, and now the count is one in two, the batting average drops down to around 200, if not under 200. Yeah, so if we can, yeah, absolutely. So if we can get every strike we get, especially getting those even counts and getting a getting our pitcher ahead, the chances of the batter succeeding go significantly down. So again, what they found is the catches that move the ball are getting more strikes, more strikes equals more success for the pitcher, which in turn, helps, you know makes more success for the team and more wins for the team. So it's one of those things that is often debated on social media, there was actually a talk about it and kind of you could say a debate or even maybe even call it an argument on Twitter, between catching coaches, there's some traditionalist, some that do not believe in moving the ball. But again, the numbers don't lie, the numbers are showing that catches the move the ball are getting more strike calls. So I guess my whole point, kind of get back to your question, you're asking about some some, you know, fundamentals of receiving when I teach receiving, we talked about being on time, and all our time means is as we're receiving the pitch, we want to get moving toward the strike zone. That's how we know Ron timing from it's moving away from the strike zone, we got to that pitch late. We want to manipulate the ball or manipulate the MIT college coaches call it different things. So constantly moving the ball toward the strike zone. And then we want to give the the umpire a nice consistent look both with our mid position and the movements that we make. So those are the, what I call the Big Three of receiving. And again, the biggest thing that they've come to find that helps the most is moving the ball is getting more strike calls.

Evan 33:15

Okay, and when you say giving the umpire like a consistent look and always move in glove. What do you mean by that?

Todd 33:23

So when at all possible, and I don't have my mitt with me or else I'd show you that, but I can use my hand as an example. So with my hand in this position, with my thumb aimed up, my mitt would be in a vertical position. Okay. With my thumb pointing to the side, now my mid is flat, or horizontal, we want to give the umpire a horizontal mid position look as often as possible. If we have to go vertical for any reason, we want to turn on it really quickly back to horizontal, because there's going to be more of the mitt over the plate or over the strikes on in the strike zone. So if I catch Yeah, if I receive a pitch down the middle, like this, and then the pitch is over here on the edge, and I turn my mid vertical, but I leave it there, that's a different look for the umpire, and that's telling me I'm pyre, oh, this pitch must be off the plate a little bit, he's turning his mid vertical to catch it. So the more consistently, we can make the mid look the same. Sometimes we go thumb down, and we turn it up. Sometimes we go thumb up and we turn it down. But getting your mitt looking the same. That's one aspect of giving up our consistent look is with what our mid looks like. And then also, if we every time the pitches in the strike zone, we stick it in. And every time the pitch is a little bit out of the strike zone, we move it and they'll start to pick up on that. So when they see it, they might if it by the way, if they see the move, that means we move late it should be as you're receiving it. If I catch it and then move the umpire will see it and now they're going to start to question what they saw and we might not get the strike call. So as long as we're catching it and moving it all at the same time. That's a consistent look for the umpire. And so sometimes they'll even be pitches that are already in the strike zone. We're going to move those a little bit to if it's low in the strike zone, but it's already strike but it's low. I'm going to lift it a little bit. If it's at the top of the stretch, and it's already a strike, but I'm gonna catch it move it down a little bit. It's off to the sides a little bit, so I'm constantly giving them it just a little subtle move. Sometimes we move more than others. I'm not sure how much you follow on social media, but there was a pitch last night in the Padres game that Austin Hedges caught. It was like six inches out of the strike zone. It was like four inches from the ground and he caught it and lifted it up really quick as he was catching it. And the umpire called it a strike. And everyone was going nuts on social media like this is of course they blamed it on Yeah, of course, they blamed it on the umpire this this is the worst thing ever. Was it bad umpiring? Is it really good receiving by Austin Hedges, right? moved it so quickly, and so on time. But yes, he kind of fold the umpire. But that's our job is to try and get as many strikes as possible for our pitcher to help our pitcher and team succeed. So you know, moving the ball is getting more strikeouts. So that's what I mean by consistent look is always moving a little subtle move, and get it looking the same as often as possible. Sometimes it's nearly impossible, especially in the big leagues nowadays, to have those so many pitchers going 100 miles an hour. And not only is it moving at 100 miles an hour, but it's moving at the same time. So sometimes, you know, we're catching a pitch and just try not to break our thumb or let the ball fly by so our mid position. Sometimes it can be challenging to make it look the same for them prior but when at all possible, given them giving them a consistent look what gets more strike calls.

Evan 36:38

Yeah, that makes a lot more sense. At least for me now. Yeah, there you go. So I'd like to talk to you about some like receiving techniques. For our listeners. I know you mentioned your big three. I believe you only mentioned one of them, though. So if you can mention all three, and how they kind of help you get increased strike calls.

Todd 37:01

Sure. So I actually did say all three, I just didn't say a number before I just kind of That's right, I just kind of spit all that information out just so I'll make it a little more clear. So number one on the list, the most important thing with receiving is being on time. And as I was saying, being on time, all that means is, so if say my fist is the baseball, I set my mitt here, and this is where the pitch is, I have to move my mitt over to catch it. If I get there late, my mitts gonna go like this, as I catch it, my mitts gonna be moving away from the strike zone. So to be on time, I have to get my hand behind it as quickly as possible, then the ball gets there. And if that happens, I'm able to move my mitt toward the strike zone. So again, sometimes it's impossible, you guys are throwing so hard with so much movement, it's nearly impossible to be on time every time. But when at all possible, we want to beat the ball to the spot, it's going to get our mid around it and bring it back. So if the pitch is high in the zone, maybe even just out of the zone, I have to do my best to get over the top of it, and then have my mitt moving down as I catch it. If it's down to the bottom of the zone, I want to have my mitt underneath it and moving up as I catch it. If it's on either edge, I need to get around it, or inside of it and move it back as I'm catching up. So that's what being on time means is your mid is moving toward the strike zone. And again, sometimes we move it more than others depends on Pitts location, how early were we? How late were we that kind of stuff. And also, I'll explain this to you the way we're on time. There's two components to being on time, in my opinion, what I teach number one is you have to be relaxed. A relaxed body is a quick body, if I'm really tense back there, and the pitches are away from where I'm expecting it. If my muscles are flexed and I'm tense, I'm going to move slower. If I'm relaxed, I'm going to move a lot quicker. It's just the way the body works, you get into the physiology of the body, a relaxed muscle moves your contracts faster than a tense muscle. So we want to be relaxed. So that's why if you watch baseball nowadays, you'll see so many captors pretty much all of them. There are very few instances where they hold their mitts still, most catchers most of the best anyways will show their target. And then they relaxed their hand and their hand goes all the way down and they touch the ground. Okay, so they're what they're doing is they're relaxing their hand, wrist and forearm, they're relaxing their shoulder, they're getting their mid down below the strike zone so they can move back up toward the strikes. And as they receive the pitch, they're relaxing and getting below the zone. Okay, and then another component to being on time is and this isn't always possible with pitchers your age, but you get to higher levels where the pitchers can throw it where they want, inside and low outside and low up in in up in a way down the middle. So if you have a pitcher that's able to throw it where they want, in order to be on time, it just makes sense to move my mitt into the area where I'm expecting the pitch to go. So my mid is already over there. So if I want that down in a way to a righty and then the pitcher hits there Spot my myths already there, because before the pitcher even threw it, I moved my mid into that area. So that's how we're on time we relax. And then we move our mid into the area of anticipated fits location, that's going to help us be on time and be able to move it back to the struction as we're receiving it. So again, number one on my big three is timing, we have to be on time. And it's funny because I just posted a video. This was the the beginning of this week or the end of last week. And I got into a little bit of debate with some coaches out there that are saying, You can't teach kids to do that to move the ball. But the guys in the big leagues can do it because there's so much stronger, more advanced, more experienced, in my opinion. And again, I've been working with kids for 20 years. So I can I've seen the difference I've seen it's possible, it just makes sense that we should be you can and should be teaching kids advanced techniques, and have plenty of examples out there of kids that I've worked with that are around your age, they're only 1112 years old, and they're just moving pitches, you know, and manipulating the mid and getting strike after strike, call it even at the lower level. So it's 100% possible to have kids use these advanced techniques, okay. Number two is going to be manipulate the mitt or move the mitt move the ball again, back in my day. And even more recently, like in the last few years, we used to teach stikit but they found that moving the ball gets more strikes. So we've already had a really in depth talk about that and why we move it and how we move it. So number two on my list of Big Three is moving the ball. And then number three is like we just got into depth was giving the umpire a nice consistent look. So number one, timing number two, manipulate the myth number three, give the umpire consistent like those are, in my opinion, the three most important things and receiving and some of the catching guys out there might have a little bit different philosophy or feelings on some of those and they might, you know, switch those around or something but but that's that's in you know, for the catching guy for Coach Todd that's that's in my opinion, the big three.

Evan 42:02

Yeah, well, that's really insightful. And those are some great tips I mean for for catcher's and being able to, in a way steel strikes.

Todd 42:10

There you go. Exactly. Some coaches don't like the terminology steel strikes, but I say it that way all the time. We're, I call it mid magic, when done correctly, when done correctly is like a magic trick. The umpire literally can't see it. I've actually I've actually talked to a big league umpire about that. He said they're good. They're so good at it, Todd, we can't see it. Now everyone has that centerfield camera view? So we have all the you know, dads and parents out there and coaches that see the centerfield camera view and they're like, Oh, my gosh, hedges move that 12 inches. How is the umpire calling that a strike will try and get behind a catcher on a pitch moving at 100 miles an hour. And a catcher using crept technique. They can't see it. That's why I call it magic. It's a magician. We're magicians back there.

Evan 42:55

Yeah, I like that name. Yeah, yeah. It's clever. So catching definitely is not for everyone, and is probably the toughest defensive position out there. So what are some characteristics of a young player that they should have if they want to be a great catcher?

Todd 43:17

So for young catchers, I think they're sometimes leadership that that field general mentality comes natural to some kids. But most kids that side of it, it comes over time, it comes with experience, you start to build more confidence in yourself back there. So in my opinion, for most young catchers, probably the most important quality, obviously, you need to be able to catch the ball, right, and you got it, you got to do your response back there. But the most important characteristic is physical toughness, physical and mental toughness. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable, you have to go into it understanding, you're probably going to have some pain at some point in the game, you're going to get, you're going to get hit by the ball, your legs are going to get tired from squatting, your arms going to get tired from throwing so much. Sometimes you run into the runner, you know the runners coming in to score and you're catching energy, all you're doing is turning to try and tag and just the way the play worked out. You guys run into each other. The bats flying right past you. Sometimes the batter throws the bat and it hits you. I mean, there's so many things that happened back there as a catcher that or create or cause physical pain, that it takes a really unique personality to be able to deal with that pain. So physical toughness and again, always include mental toughness, being able to, to deal with the grind of being a catcher. You know, some kids when they get tired, they're like, I'm done. I'm tired, My feet hurt. I don't want to play anymore, but as a catcher. We're like, I'm tired. My feet hurt. My head hurts. Mom's kill me. My wrist hurts from the ball. I just blocked in the dirt and I got a foul tip off my big toe. But it's the life of a catcher. So it says on my shirt, it's the life of a catcher, I'm going to deal with it, and I'm going to pound through it. I'm just going to keep going and be there for my pitcher and be there for my team. So, again, to kind of get back to your question, I think for in particular for young catchers, you have to understand it's a grind being back there. And you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and deal with the pain and toughness, you have to be physically and mentally tough to be a catcher.

Evan 45:27

So how do you train catchers at the youth level to throw their bodies in front of a hard ball and not be afraid of blocking? And what are some of the core principles when you work with your players on blocking?

Todd 45:41

So I call blocking the difference maker. And what I mean by that is everyone thinks they can be a catcher until they need to block and then once they have the block balls in the dirt, especially if they have a pitcher who's throwing hard and they're wild and they're spiking, fast balls. And the balls flying all over the place. And then you know, usually to be like, you know, I'm going to go back to the outfit I don't want to catch up, I don't want to catch. So that's kind of goes back to what we were just talking about that physical toughness with blocking? Well, I'll say it this way. human instinct says if something's flying at you, especially flying at your face, your instincts say, duck, Bob, we've moved Get out of the way this I don't want this to hit me I'm going to move. So catchers we have to go against what our instincts say and actually jump in front on purpose. So getting comfortable with the ball hitting them is super, super important. And so and actually, it's funny because at my camps, when we get to blocking day, I can tell almost immediately the kids that are not going to have much of a future catcher, because what I'll do is I get the catcher down into blocking positions. So they're down on the ground on their knees, and I talked to him about body position and their posture and where should my hands be where should my knees be? Where should my feet be and all that. And I'll literally stand right over the top of them and take a baseball and I slam it into the ground right in front of so hits the ground, and then it hits them. There's some there's some kids that just go like this. And that's it that there's let the ball hit him. And then there's some kids that go in, they start flinching and bobbing and weaving. And I explained to them, hey, you can't be moving like that, it's going to mess you're either going to miss the block, or it's going to hit you and fly off to the side. Because you're moving so much you have to get comfortable heading is so that the flinch is I call them they've got some work to do. If they're flinching, they need to get comfortable the ball hitting them and they're not going to be a catcher. It's just that this is the reality of it. Right. So again, to kind of get young catchers comfortable with the ball hitting them, we have to hit them. So I'll bounce the ball, I'll bounce the ball and make it hit him in the facemask, I'll bounce the ball, make it hit him in their chest, hit them in their arm. Sometimes it's it sounds mean, but I'll do it on purpose, I'll throw it a little bit crooked and make it hit them on their form. So you get that smack sound, they get a little steam feeling. And if their reaction is to curl up and don't want to do the drilling and more, we might have some work to do and turning them into catch are the ones that take it. They're like non good coats, go ahead, throw me another one. That's the mentality that we need. So it's actually what I call a sit and get hit series. They get down in blocking position and I'll bounce ball after ball after ball run into him hit the ground hit him in the mask and him the chest and wherever. Then we practice getting our mid position. And then we get them are they comfortable getting from their, you know, their ready position or their secondary position? Or even if it's a one knee setup, dropping down behind the ball? Are they comfortable? Are they quick and moving? Are they hesitating or they're trying to catch it instead, we just need to get them the ball hitting them. And again, sometimes I'll literally instead of bouncing it I'll go up and I'll just throw a ball right into the catcher's mask. Because if they're if they're flinching and turning, they're actually risking hurting themselves. If they look at it, sometimes sure it hits your mask and it makes your ears ring because it's a you know really hard pitch. But for the most part you don't get hurt. It has to be your the guys in the big leagues. You hear stories about foul tips in the mask and they get a concussion. They actually get concussed from the ball hitting so hard, but those balls are coming in and you know, 100 plus miles an hour. On at the youth levels. There are some definite hard pitchers. But rarely Will you see any kind of serious type of injury I got. I got hit in the mask one time in 20 years of catching and it hurt the rest of the time. I was just fine.

Evan 49:20

I like how you said like the catcher, they have to really get used to throwing your their body in front of it and being able to take those hits and say Yeah, I'm fine and stay in the game instead of curling up and I'm not a catcher. So sometimes I do almost imagined myself catching and it's like, but once I envisioned myself blocking ball. It's like ugh, I really don't really want to try this out. Yeah,

Todd 49:45

yeah, well, you're out there a shortstop and you have the body up on some ground balls, right? You have to take some off the chest body up to it and knock it down and throw them out. Sometimes you get that between off it is what it is. So you guys are doing it sometimes without gear on. So I bet you'd be just fine back there.

Evan 50:01

Thank you. So I attended your virtual pitch calling clinic. And I have to say it was it was really, really good. There was a lot of really great content. And for me, even though I don't catch, I found like even for pitcher, sometimes I do call my call the catcher calls or games, but I get the ability to shake them off. So I was wondering, at what age would be the best for your catchers to start calling their own games.

Todd 50:33

So I think my, my philosophy on this is probably the rarity, not the norm. I was lucky enough, back in my day, that coach was like, Alright, go play, go call your own game. Like he they rarely called pitches. I don't know if it was my era, or whatever it is, or my coach's philosophy, maybe they didn't quite have the understanding of it or something and just put it on me. But literally nine years old, I was already calling my own game. Now obviously, at nine years old, we don't have sliders and all kinds of breaking balls and stuff. I mean, we did throw curveballs probably earlier than we should have a lot of them back in my day. But I think right away, I think we teach the catcher's, you know, to Hey, go go call the game. And then either in between innings or after the game. As a coach, we take notes. Alright, this batter in this situation, this is what was called, and this was the outcome. And then we sit down and talk with our catcher after the fact and say, Hey, so you remember we had second and third, you threw a fastball when a changeup would have been the best pitch. And this is why because the batters reaction to this, that that just kind of teach them how to do it, and give them the freedom to call that game right away. I think it and I did mention this in the pitch con clinic. I think it maintains the tempo of the game. A lot of times a lot of times that catchers like he's got a lot going on his head or he or she has a lot going on their head. And Coach has all that stuff going on. And so sometimes there's like this lol in the game where the catcher finally looks over coach coaches doing something and then coach finally looks over and coach causes and it just slows everything down. infielders. Instead of being off on their toes and ready to go, they start to kind of want mind wander waiting for assigning a call. Okay, now, here we go. So I think it keeps the tempo of the game up. I think it helps tremendously with the pitcher catcher relationship they were talking about earlier. Yeah. And I think it actually helps tremendously with the catcher umpire relationship as well. Because we're keeping the tempo of the game up. And a lot of umpires out there. They do it for the love of the game as well. Right? And I think they respect catchers, you can call a good game and receive pitches correctly blocked balls, and they're like, I just think all of that pitch calling stuff comes can be very beneficial with all those different relationships. Obviously, it's going to help the catcher's learn, kind of develop some more game savvy and learn the game more learning about hitters learning about outcomes, learning about where the defense is set up. It was actually one of my favorite parts of being a catcher, actually, if not, the favorite part was to, you know, have bases loaded in a one run game or to run game toward the end of the game, and full that batter and get him to pop up or get them to swing and miss because of a pitch that I called. It was always so fun. And I took just as much if not more enjoyment out of getting a guy to pop up, strike out a rollover on a ball, as I did throwing a bass run around or getting a good hit. It was so such an important part of the game for me. And I think as coaches we should be teaching these catchers immediately. So by the time they get to the higher levels, they know the game they know how to set up hitters, they know how important is that pitcher catcher relationship. And they're they're good to go and dialed in, by the time they get to high school and beyond.

Evan 53:57

The earlier the better.

Todd 54:00

Absolutely, perfectly said yep.

Evan 54:03

Can you talk about what it means to pitch by the book as well as pitching backwards. And if you could give some like scenarios to support that?

Todd 54:13

Sure. So pitching by the book, like we talked about yesterday, is it's kind of a funny way to put it, but it's just the reality of it pitching by the book is almost everybody in the park knows what pitch is coming. So pitching by the book is after throwing a hard pitch, you throw a soft pitch and then if you throw a soft pitch, you throw a hard pitch. After you throw high and hard one, you go soft and low. If you throw soft and low, you go high and hard. After going soft and away you go hard in you know that it's just like it's doing something different every time mixing up that batter. And again by the book just means you know stereotypical pitch, even the batter a lot of times knows Okay, they just threw one that almost hit me They're probably going to throw a little curveball. Now, after making me move back, it's just, you know, setting up hitters in that way. And there's a lot of times in games, where you can throw by the book and get the batter out, okay? Then throwing backwards or going against the book means, you know, basically, this is the exact opposite. So, every time that pet, the battery is expecting a fastball, you throw a breaking ball, every time they're expecting a breaking ball, you throw a fastball, or anytime they're expecting such a slow pitch and speed pitch, you come with a fastball and vice versa, or after hardening, you go harden in again, after soft and away, you go soft and wagons. So that means doubling up on a pitch during the same pitch over and over again. And there are instances where we double up on a pitch with the same pitch twice. Sometimes a mess with the batter will triple up on a pitch. Every once in a while we'll quadruple up on a pitch. And if you remember in the clinic, one of the examples I showed at the end was and I can't remember the pitchers name. But he throws he threw four straight breaking balls to Kyle schwarber, a very powerful, very big powerful hitter, big time home run hitter. And after the third curveball in a row, the camera goes on the shore when he's like a little grin on his face, he's like, what is going on is that really all you're going to throw me and he's like, yeah, I'm going to throw you through another one. And then out of nowhere after four curveballs in a row, then he snuck a fastball in there. And he got him to take a really weak swing and got him out on an easy ground ball to the first baseman. So again, pitching by the book is hard in and softer way hard, high soft, and they'll soften low hard and high throwing kind of the exact opposite where you threw the pitch before pitching backwards against the book is doing the opposite of that trying to mix them up, double up on pitches, double up on locations, triple up on locations, you know, instead of like by the book is get ahead with the fastball, get them out with us speed, going backwards would be start them off with some kind of off speed pitch a changeup or a breaking ball, and then finish them off with a fastball. So that'd be backwards of what everyone is expecting. So that's what we mean. And again, you said you know, give some scenarios on when you might do that. The example I gave yesterday in the clinic is, you know, maybe the first time through the batting order, you try and just pitch by the book the entire time through all nine batters, or 10. If they have an eh, like they're doing travel ball, you just you get ahead with the fastball, and then you throw a speed to finish them off. And then the second time through the order, that same batter comes up, you throw that fastball, he remembers his last at bat. Okay, after they got a strike on the fastball, they threw me a breaking ball. So I'm going to stay back and hit this breaking ball and then I'll send you throw into the fast one. They're like, Whoa, they're late, it totally fools them. So first time through the audio pitch by the book, second time through the order you pitch backwards. And it's not always the case. I mean, like I think the example I gave you're trying to pitch by the book, and guy hits a double in the gap. And then you're like, Okay, well, that was kind of a fluke, I'm gonna pitch to this next batter by the book, and they hit a ball in the gap, like, Okay, this pitching by the book is not working, we need to start messing it up right away. So there'll be instances in games, and I was some of the examples I gave is, you know, hitters reaction to the previous pitch, success and failure, the previous pitch, what was the outcome of it. So there's different things to take into consideration, but to when we switch it up, but that's what pitching about a book or pitching backwards means,

Evan 58:22

before I went to the clinic that you held, I had no idea what pitching by the book or pitching backwards was. So that was part of it. Like just being so informative, and helping me out and almost it gave me a new approach when now next time I go out on mound, it's like, now I can use these things to help me get more hitters out.

Todd 58:45

No, that's perfectly in it. And as a pitcher on the pitching side. Obviously, as a catcher, we need to recognize this. But sometimes even as a catcher, we might miss out on something that you as the pitcher. See. Right? One of the examples I give a lot I don't think I've talked about this yesterday was Europe on the mound, you're addressing a catcher and you look at that batter. And they're standing like this. And you can just see their eyes are really big and they're frozen like a statue. They're already intimidated, right? Those guys that get in the box and had this kind of stuff going on and had this determined look on their face, like okay, now it's time to go to work. This guy's got some intensity to him. He's got some swag, he's ready to smash. Because they're frozen like a statue. Like, okay, I got this guy, the guys have the swag. We got to go to work, you know what I mean? So that's kind of stuff to look for. Even when you're out there on the mound. You know, sometimes it's before the first pitch is thrown. Sometimes a kid gets in there and he's got that swag and you throw that first fastball. And then the next time you get to the box is like oh, and his swag goes away. You know what I mean? So that's stuff that we should pick up on his catcher's, but a lot of times you might pick up on as a pitcher instead. So, again, that's why I say, in my opinion, I think the pitcher should always have the ability to shake and say no, I want Though this other pitch is something you picked up on in the guy swinging, you know, maybe you realize he's stepping out so we can beat him away. Maybe you notice he's diving in so we can get under his hands, something that I might miss, I think the pitcher can pick up on those as well. So it's always, in my opinion that the pitcher should have the ability to shake. So they have 100% confidence with they're about to throw.

Evan 1:00:20

Definitely. You shared that sometimes a hitters body language, after a certain pitch can determine what pitch you're going to call next. But you also mentioned like different scenarios, whether it's the hitter actually verbalizing something to the catcher or mumbling something under their breath, or if they're just like, really timid, or just super loose. So can you talk more about like, how, as a catcher, you can pick up on those type of things, and how that can affect what pitch you're gonna call?

Todd 1:00:52

Yeah, you know, so this probably happens a little bit at the lower levels. Honestly, I can't remember back that far on. And if I did, I'm sure it probably did here and there, but at the higher levels, especially when you have pitches that can hit their spots, pitches are getting the better arms and going with some pretty high velocity to start to get some movement on their pitches. I just know, in my experience, there were several times where we would purposely call a brushback pitch you know, a pitch inside, a moving back kind of pitch go in for a purpose is what we call it just going inside is throwing inside. But throwing for a purpose is we're trying to get a reaction out of the batter, we're trying to get them going Oh, like and literally having to move out of the way sometimes you go inside, we go a little too far inside about it turns into a gets hit in the wrong gets hit in the back, and they get to go to first base for free. And even in that instance, especially if the guy's going hard. That batter might think twice about leaning into it next time Next time, they're gonna get out of the way kind of thing because it hurt pretty good. But my point is, there were times where we were going for a purpose. And the guy would like do a back flop getting out of the way. They would turn away duck dropped their bat, and they would literally like look at me like was that on purpose? Like you guys trying to hit me? And then I knew right away we got to right where we want them. Every once in a while. You almost hit someone and they get like ultra focused and ultra intense and they still hit it really good. I've actually had a couple of brushback pitches and then a guy hit a home run. Which is like the ultimate revenge for the batter, right. But most of it most of the time, if you knock the guy down, they'll groan theyll moan, they'll, they might even turn to the catch and look at them. They might look at the pitcher, like what's going on. And now you know that they're not focused on their plan anymore. They're not focused on their task at hand. And now we can probably throw some kind of chase pitch next, throw that loan away, change it, throw that loan away, break and ball, we've got the batter all frazzled in their head thinking man, I hope this guy doesn't hit me. They're focusing on what they don't want to have happen instead of what they do want to have happen. And then we've got to write where we want them. Right. And then it doesn't always have to be a fastball inside. That's just the the best example to explain it. There's going to be times where you have a pitcher that they have a really good curveball. And I showed that Clayton Kershaw example, with bo bichette he threw that curveball to bo bichette goes a righty Kershaw's a lefty, so it's not like the pitch even came close to hitting bo, but his knees buckled and he jumped back out of the way, like whoa, and it wasn't even close to him. So you could tell right away as a catcher and I know Kershaw had the same thought like, he wants nothing to do with my hammer. Why would we not throw it again? Right? And I'm not going to throw it in a hittable spot. I'm going to throw it down and try and make him Chase and that's exactly the set them up perfectly. Funny thing is, and I think I talked about this the first session because I did two sessions of the pitch calling I didn't talk about the first time but this I didn't talk about the second time I did the first time was later in the game bo bichette to Kershaw deep. actually think he had two home runs that game but on the the home run he off Kershaw, it was off a slider his slider instead of that curve on a why they wouldn't stick with the curveball after his reaction to it. So again, those are just two really good examples of how the batter reacts to whats thrown to them will tell you exactly what to throw the next pitch double up on it or switch it up and go go with something else. But those are two good, really good examples.

Evan 1:04:21

So I remember when you when I attended the clinic, you talked about how if maybe the catcher gets a call, and the haters pretty frustrated with it, and then you can pick up on that as a catcher. And you see Okay, now let's make them Chase. I believe you gave an example of was it Ryan Braun?

Todd 1:04:43

Ryan Braun? Yeah.

Evan 1:04:45

And you gave an example like he was frustrated with a certain pitch, and then all of a sudden the pitcher he goes out and he throws that same pitch but for chase pitch, and since he's frustrated, he goes out to get it. What a catcher almost look up at the hitter to check that

Todd 1:04:59

Yeah, absolutely our eyes, our heads always on a swivel. And we need to be attentive to that kind of stuff. And this is something I think that's really important for especially young catchers to understand. It's super important for us to develop a positive relationship with the umpire. Because if we become their buddies throughout the game, if that batter disrespects the umpire, looks back at them, gives them a look like, like Braun did start arguing with them. If that umpire I'm sorry if that batter disrespects the umpire. That next pitch we could probably call a fastball for baseball is off the plate. And that umpire is going to ring up the batter, we call it doing their dance, they're going to ring up that batter because this batter just disrespected me his strikes on just went from a regular strike zone to this big, right. So we need to watch that pay attention that now if if I'm catching and I've been having bad body language, I haven't developed that relationship with the umpire. There's been pitches that I've caught that I thought were striking. He's called the ball. And I do this and I kind of drop my shoulders and I throw it back to the pitcher out of frustration and my pitchers out there acting frustrated and kind of showing up the umpire. If that's the situation, we're not going to get any calls. But if we've developed a good relationship with them, we've talked it out throughout the game we've become buddies with the umpire on a first name basis. You know we've caught up pitch we thought was a strike umpire call the ball I throw back to the pitcher I can actually kind of quietly go Bob was that low and he'll talk it out. Yeah, I had that low man. I thought that was a good pitch. No, I was low talk. Okay, okay. You're just tap talk it out with him develop that relationship. So in those instances during the game where the umpire maybe makes a bad call, or what that batter in, saw was or thought was a bad call and shows up the umpire or if the other team's coach is starting to bark at the umpire Come on blue. That's terrible call. umpires, they're human. They're going to kind of it's um, if it's the right way to sit, but they might hold the grudge a little bit and the other team's strike zone expands and we can start to work pitches off of the plate that the batter can't even reach and the umpire is going to call a strike. So yes, be very attentive to how the hitter reacts be very attentive, the hitter starts to argue with the umpire if the other team's coach is yelling at the umpire, if the team's bench is being really disrespectful and yell at the umpires, that's just going to help us out. So we need to stay positive and develop a good relationship along with a bad relationship for the other side that's going to help us out tremendously.

Evan 1:07:35

Definitely as an infielder myself, I know that footwork is a key component to being able to make a play and getting a good throat first. The footwork is also extremely important for catchers. What are some of the best ways that catchers can improve their mobility and improve on their footwork.

Todd 1:07:56

So I have my I have four of my favorite foot quickness drills and exercises that I tell my kids to do. Number one, jump rope. Jump Rope isn't just you know, it's like double dutch in the park with with, you know, friends like it's for whatever reason, there's this like, stereotypical thing about jump rope. It's like for girls or something. And hopefully I didn't come across wrong, but my point is elite level athletes, almost all do some type of jump rope training, right? I always use fighters like boxers and UFC fighters. If you ever watched those guys do jump rope. It's unbelievable. They're doing like double unders and triple unders and crossovers and swinging backwards and running in place in their feet moves so ridiculously fast. The same concepts will help catchers as well. So doing jump rope that plyometric of hitting the ground getting up hitting the ground, getting up hitting the ground and getting out the plyometric movements is going to develop the foot quickness that we need to be able to, you know, throw runners out, go out and field a bunt retrieve a ball in the dirt that we block and just get our feet moved into the position they need to be in to make the throw quickly and efficiently, right correctly and efficiently. So jump rope, I always encourage my catchers to get their own jump rope and start to jump rope regularly like three or four times a week before practice before even before a game if you have an area where you can go do it, you know, comfortably and you know, obviously not unless you're out on the field but in a bullpen or something. But it's a great warm up exercise on gets the heart pumping tremendously and it's going to get all the muscles activated in our lower body and about that foot quickness. So jump rope is number one, number two, it's called dot drill. You may have seen those black mats with five white dots on it. So if my fingers or my legs, they're on, the dots on my feet are apart, then my feet jump forward and touch the middle dot and then it spread back out so my feet are going apart together apart together apart together. I'm jumping on the dots on the ground. There Dot drill forward and back, there's Dot with a turn, you can do single foot hopping on all the dots, two foot jumps on all the dots, you know, like hopscotch type stuff on the dots. But dot drills, another great foot quickness drill, there's line drill. So we're going to choose a foul line is a, you know, the general idea, you jump from side to side over the line as fast as possible, you jump forward back over the line as fast as possible. You do like scissor switches with your feet, you can do crossover with your feet, but you're jumping over the line with little tiny, short, low to the ground jumps. Again, the idea is that the tempo is just faster, hitting the ground getting up hitting it up, picking it up picking it up. There's another one is line drill. And then finally, and I do this at most of my camps will do agility ladder. So the ladder, we lay it on the ground, and there's all the different there's literally 1000s of different variations of footwork drills you can do through an agility ladder. Some coaches hate it, some coaches love it, we definitely don't call it a speed ladder. It's not necessarily gonna make you faster. But there's definitely it's a big fancy word, but I'll explain what it means. There's a huge neuromuscular coordination component to the agility ladder. neuro means your brain and your nerves that go through your whole body muscular is obviously your muscles. neuromuscular coordination is just your brain telling your feet to do something and they do it in an efficient and coordinated manner. Right. So the more agility ladder exercises you do, you know, the, the in and out out and he shuffles and the cariocas and all that kind of stuff. The more you do those, the more coordinated you're going to be with your feet. So foot quickness is actually on my list of most important things for throwing success. And those are my four favorite exercises to help catchers and athletes develop quick feats can be jump rope, dot drill, line, drill, and agility ladder.

Evan 1:11:52

Yeah, those are all great tools and things for any position, any sport, really. It can help with just agility and being able to develop quick feet Really?

Todd 1:12:03

Yeah, no, absolutely. That's what I say it all the time. It's beneficial for all athletes. it's beneficial for all baseball players in particular catchers, middle infielders footwork around a bag and even first baseman for sure.

Evan 1:12:16

When it comes to throwing like to a base, what would you What do you tell your catchers to focus on when it comes to like stealing or back pick.

Todd 1:12:28

So for, for throwing, I have what I call my big four, I told you with receiving how my big three for throwing. Number one is going to be mindset with throwing. Okay? What I mean by mindset is two prong number one confidence in your abilities. We already had that talk about confidence. Confidence comes from reps, so practice it a lot. So if it happens in a game you've practiced so often, you're just an autopilot. And you know, you can throw that runner out. Sometimes I call it the Johnny Bench mindset. Johnny Bench is arguably one of the best catchers if not the best catcher of all time. And he had a famous quote where he said I can throw out any man alive. Like it didn't matter who how fast they were who they are, he knew in his mind, he was going to throw him out. So having that mindset is super, super important. The second component to mindset is, knowing who the good runners are. So we have a little anticipation or we're expecting them to go there's going to be runners that are what we call plus runners that they go, depending on game situation there, they can still base and then we have plus plus runners, like the Billy Hamilton's, like when they get on we pretty much know they're going to go right everyone knows they're going to go so just when we anticipate we have that mindset, we're going to react quicker and even move quicker. Second thing with throwing is you want to get rid of the ball as quickly as possible. So quick hands, we call it a quick release is essential. Some coaches will actually put arm strength or quick feet ahead of quick hands, but in my experience and all the video analysis and breakdowns that I've done over the years, the catches that get rid of the ball quickly have just as much success as the catches to have strong arms. I actually always use Tony Walters for an example for this Tony is known as having some of the quickest hands and one of the most athletic catchers in baseball. His average velocity is like 79 miles an hour. It's under 80 miles an hour but his average pop his average pop time is still under a 2.0 It's a 196 at least that was his numbers last season. Right so he doesn't have a bazooka for an arm but he still has a ton of success throwing runners out because he's so quick with getting rid of it. And obviously when we get rid of it we have to put it somewhere near the back so quick hands and then our accuracy put it somewhere close or infielder can put the tag on. So number one is mindset number two is quick hands number three is quick feet game we already talked about the importance of quick feet. And then the fourth thing is going to be on strengthen mechanics. So arm strength is definitely a difference maker. We want to strike To be as quick as possible, the average release time. So release just means by the time the ball hits the mitt, and then the ball leaves the catches fingers. So from top to release, that's release time, the average is around point seven. The elites are between point five, five and point six, five. When you can focus on quick release, you'll have tons of success, but continue to work on your arm strength. And again, kind of directing this to your young listeners kind of games around your age, focus on getting rid of it quickly. But continue to do your band work and your long toss and your you know, your push ups and getting stronger. So then you've worked on the quickness, you have that valid and then you add on strength. And now you're gonna have tons of success. And I was used jt realmuto as an example that he's got one of the fastest releases, he averages about a point six. And he throws the ball harder than most in the game. His average velocity was 88 miles an hour. You have your jorge alfaro, and your Martin Maldonado. Those guys throw the ball around 90 miles an hour's real Gary Sanchez, but they're not quite as quick as JT jt has the quick hands, he's got the bazooka for an arm. That's why it's considered the best throwing Catcher in the world. He averages a 1.88 pop time when he throws it down a second because of his quick hands and his in his green arm. So that's what I tell kids to focus on when they ask about how can I have some more throwing successes, get rid of it quickly? Right work on the jump rope, the, you know, agility ladder, whatever it is, for your quick feet, continue to work on your arm strength, and you'll have tons of success.

Evan 1:16:35

I know you've mentioned earlier, like some characteristics that good catchers should have. So when it comes to the mindset of a catcher, would you say how much would you say is above the shoulders?

Todd 1:16:50

Well, you know whether regardless if you're a catcher, or whatever position you're playing, and I'm actually a perfect example this. I actually I tell stories all the time in my camp. So I have what I call coach toss final thought. And they're called lessons from a coach who should have made it as a player but did, I had on a six foot three, or rip 200 pounds, I could hit the ball 400 feet, I could throw the ball close to 100 miles an hour, I could dunk a basketball, I could do the splits, I could play first I can play third. Obviously I was a catcher put me out, but it doesn't matter. athletic ability wise, I was elite, I was very elite. What I never practiced. And what I didn't work on and was very bad at was the mental side of the game. And we touched on this a little bit earlier and one of the topics that came up where it came up, but I can't stress enough how your physical abilities. Again, whether you're a catcher, or whatever you play, your physical abilities will only get you so far in this game. It's your attitude, staying positive, even in what might be considered negative situations. Your effort and always doing your best never getting down on having a bad game and you just don't run hard. You don't you know, put your you don't stay focused, and your ability to control your emotions. Those three things are what is going to not only help you get to the next level, but stay at the next level and succeed at that level. And it's easy to keep your head up high. smile on your face, your chest bowed out, when things are going good. It's how you react when things go bad and matters. So for me personally, that first about the game, or first inning catching, if I threw a guy out, or I hit a ball in the gap or hit a home run or just hit the ball hard, I used to have a pretty good game, if I struck out popped out rolled over made an error if something bad or something went wrong early in the game, I almost always have a bad game. And that's not the way it should be. We have to learn from the failures and move on not dwell on the failures. It's such a it's a skill that has to be practiced. And it's something that I never really did. And that was like the ultimate divine demise of my career. And I became a coach at 24 years old. Because I couldn't handle the mental side of the game. No one ever really taught me No one ever had these kind of discussions with me when I was a young kid. That is, you know, just kind of let us play so and I got myself in trouble a few times. And I guess I could tell a quick personal story just as an example.

You know, there's there was plenty of instances of this early in my career, but the one that kind of ended it all for me. I struck out in a game I was playing in the Phillies organization, South Atlantic league. I struck out on a pitch that I thought I should have smashed. On the way back to the dugout, I broke my bat over my knee. I threw it in the trashcan. And I basically did that one too many times. There was player development. People there in the stands and coaches got to talk in and managers and player development and they decided they'd had enough of my attitude and that kept me from the team. I got released from my contract. draft. Because my attitude stunk. At the time, I wasn't playing very well either I was in a little bit of a slump hitting wise. And so the coaches looked at my numbers, watch my little temper tantrums, and they released me from my contract. So I guess to kind of get back to your initial question there. You know, and I can't stress enough this is whether it's a catcher or anybody, you have to learn to control your emotions. That's such an important part of the game, you say how much is between yours. You know, there's that that saying that the game is 90% mental, that is 100% accurate, you need to be able to deal with the failures of the game, it's really the difference between the big leaguers and everybody else's their work ethic. I would say it this way, when you feel like you've worked enough, work some more. And then their ability to deal with failure, you can even add in their ability to make adjustments because they're facing the best of the best if you're hitting your face in the best pitchers. If you're pitching your facing the best hitters, you need to learn to make adjustments to face the best of the best. And you have to understand that you might throw your best pitch, and they still hammer in the gap. Or you might take your best swing, and still swing and miss how you're after those failures is going to make a huge difference in in your future success.

Evan 1:21:09

Being able to bounce back and just being able to learn from your failures is yes, got to stay level headed.

Todd 1:21:15

Yes, you have to stay level headed. And I used to let myself get so frustrated. And I would just boil over to the point where I would do stupid stuff like break bats and, you know, do just do things that I shouldn't be doing. And again, it was my ultimate demise. So it's again, it's lessons from a coach, you should have made it as a player but didn't, it's great that I get to pass on these messages to kids like yourself, you know, there's something to be said about the guys who made it to the high level and being able to tell you how they did it. And then there's guys like me, that should have made it to a higher level. I mean, I played professional. So that's pretty cool in itself. But I didn't reach my ultimate goal playing in the big leagues is the lessons and things and mistakes that I made that I can pass on to kids like yourself and your listeners that that hopefully don't make the same mistakes I did and figure out how to how to make the adjustments deal with the failures and move on

Evan 1:22:03

so before we wrap it up can you recommend at least two current big league catchers that younger guys can really learn from just by watching?

Music 1:22:13

You know what, yeah, there's a, I think the obvious one is jt realmuto. In my opinion, now he's like he was a Gold Glove winner. He does have a pretty unique receiving style, where he just kind of catches the pitch and rakes it through the zone, he doesn't really present it to the umpire, which is pretty unique to him. But he has a lot of successes in the top 10 and receiving receiving metrics, as we were just talking about, he's actually the best throwing Catcher in baseball right now. Because of his arm strength and quickness. And then he's always top 10 and blocking as well. I think he was like, top five and receiving number one and throwing in like ninth in blocking or might have been the other way around. It might have been ninth and receiving and like fifth or something like that in blocking. And I always have actually posted about this on my social media. You can learn a lot just by sitting there and watching the best of the best watching a game and see how they do they what they do. JT is kind of what they call a read catcher, there's obviously you've probably noticed that a lot of catches in the big leagues now set up on one knee is done. There's a whole bunch of benefits to setting up on one knee, in particular with receiving side of things. But it can also help with blocking although a lot of people argue that it messes up blocking, it definitely makes a little bit more challenging on lateral blocks. But one of the most common mistakes and blocking especially for young catchers is they're late getting down to their knees to block. Well, if I'm on one knee and the pitcher bounces that I'm already down. So it's going to help me be on time. And there's definitely we could talk about that for the next hour and a half. But I won't say much more about that. But to get back to your question. jt realmuto is a really good example for young catchers to watch and learn from because he does everything so well. And again, that's why he was a gold Glover. And then the other one that that actually a lot of people kind of get surprised when I say he's actually a former gold gold Glover as well, but he's not. For whatever reason he's not considered to be at this jt realmuto level or whatever. But it's Tucker Barnhart. And I think that one thing that's unique about Tucker is everyone is so focused on the one nice setups, and they'll even do it with runners on but Tucker and he'll even tell you this, he actually spoke on another podcast out there and stated this that when there's runners on base, he just does not feel comfortable getting on one knee so he stays in a traditional setup with runners on and I believe he's top three in blocking metrics in baseball, at least top five. He's really up there's one of the best blocking catchers in baseball. But in my opinion, he does everything. Well, he's really transitioned to this new receiving technique he'll set up on one knee when needed, manipulating Ball. Again, elite elite level blocker, nothing gets by that guy. And he's got some of the quickest hands as well in baseball and has a lot of throwing success. And I just like his, his approach and his mindset and his ability to work with his pitching staff. So again, and actually before I get lit up on social media about not seeing Yadi or Salvy, some of these, you know, these savvy vets that are out there. It's hard to pick, like a favorite. I love watching all those guys. Yadi has been one of my favorites forever. Salvy has been one of my favorites forever. roberto Perez is obviously always underrated for some reason, but obviously a Gold Glove winner one of the best. There's there's so many out there that you can watch. But right now, in my opinion, I use Tucker Barnhart has as an example on blocking. And then just watching how JT approaches the game? Those are two of the best to really learn from.

Evan 1:25:57

Yeah, I mean, two great examples. I'm not a catcher myself, but I have seen them in the success that they have. And it's it's incredible what they do.

Todd 1:26:07

Yeah, absolutely.

Evan 1:26:09

So do you have any clinics that you're currently working on or projects that you're working on?

Todd 1:26:15

Yeah, you know what, so obviously, I know you're aware of this, we're all in a pretty unique situation right now, with the COVID virus thing going on. And some people right now are lucky enough to be able to play some baseball. But there's still a lot of states and cities out there and leagues that are just been shut down. And when this all started to go down in March, I was lucky enough to have filmed almost all of my drills and exercises over the past few years. And doing a lot of online stuff. So I have I literally have I don't have a catchy one. I'm sorry, I don't have a blocking one put together. But I have a throwing program out there called drop your pot. It's actually the second version. So it's called dropping pot 2.0. I have one called mitt magic for receiving out there. I have I always get asked, How can I throw the ball harder? How can I be more explosive? How can I get more endurance. So I developed a eight week strength program. That's totally doable for youth kids. So I have that on there. So all those are online programs that I have going on are on the catching guide.com. my social media pages are basically clinics almost every day, when I'm super busy, I don't get a chance to post but when I'm not, I'll post, you know, at least one sometimes two or three times a day. And I'll post the breakdowns. And you know, they're always very educational and how to help kids out. So I'm just the catching guy on all the social media platforms. And then what I've started to do is try and direct everybody to what's called the catching lab. And this is a perfect time and opportunity for everyone out there to get some online work and continue to work even when they're shut down unable to get on the field. The catching lab is is all done online. It's self paced. And we're also going to start doing a whole bunch of Facebook Lives. I know not everybody's on Facebook. But we also have zoom clinics coming up like I just did a pitch calling. We're in the process of working on doing a receiving one mitt magic will probably be the next online one that I do. We'll do a blocking one I call it be a wall. I just did a little practice one of a drop your pops. So working on throwing session all online. So all that stuff, if they follow me on my social media the catching guy, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, go to the catching guy.com. And then if for those that are on Facebook, there's I have a page that's kind of a smaller group page is called How to catch featuring the catching guy. And I'm constantly giving tips in there in that group as well. So

Evan 1:28:49

where is the best place that our listeners can reach you?

Todd 1:28:54

Yeah, the website is the catching guide calm that has all my contact info on there my email if anyone ever has a question, or you know, concern or whatever, again, my social media, join the hundreds of 100,000 followers that I have with. And again, it's on Instagram. Just search the catching guy, Twitter, the catching guy or Facebook to catch a guy and that's all my all my pages have pop up on their forum.

Evan 1:29:21

Well, Todd, I really, really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to share some incredible insight with the youth community.

Todd 1:29:31

Awesome, man. Thanks for having me. happy to help. Hopefully they find some some takeaways from our talk. Yeah, I had a blast. Thanks so much.

Evan 1:29:42

Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at born to baseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media at born to baseball where we can connect live Now let's play ball.

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Episode #016: Manny Roman- Pitching Coach Monroe Mustangs

November 2020 By Evan

Ep. #016: Join Evan and Manny Roman, Pitching Coach for Monroe Mustangs, as Manny shares his experience as a pitching coach, what it was like at the Juco World Series as well as tips and tools to help pitchers take their games to the next level.

What You’ll Learn:

01:13   Manny’s journey

04:15   Arm care tools and tips

07:55   Training the whole body

09:39   Pitching drills

11:10   Pre-season Process

14:42   Juco World Series experience

20:24   Pitcher Catcher Relationship

21:54   On trusting your players

23:03   College Recruiting

26:51   Accountability

27:14   MLB Pitchers to watch

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.

If you enjoyed this episode we’d be really grateful if you’d rate the show and leave a review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here. This will help other ballplayers find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  

Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Twitter @coachManny45

Instagram @coach_Manny45

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

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Episode 016_MANNY ROMAN_PITCHING COACH MONROE MUSTANGS

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of born to baseball is sponsored by the BTB. Travel team and training tracker. Are you a parent or player searching for travel teams or training facilities in your area Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach? Then you have to check out the BTB triple T tracker at borntobaseball.com. Make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Music 0:23

Calling all ballplayers. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? Then bring it in it's game time.

Evan 0:40

Hey guys, and welcome to the born to baseball podcast. I'm Evan and today we have Manny Roman joining us. Manny first started coaching at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 2012, and served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Lackawanna college. He is currently the pitching coach for the Monroe Mustangs from New York who have won three regional championships in the last four years. Manny, thank you so much for joining me today.

Manny 1:05

Hey, thanks for having me, Evan.

Evan 1:07

Can you start us off by sharing a little background about your baseball journey as a player,

Manny 1:13

My baseball journey started, I'd say probably around three or four years old, in my native Puerto Rico, I was born and raised there, played through a lot of the leagues over there. After high school, I decided, you know, my dream was to play professional baseball. And I also wanted to play baseball in the States. So after high school, I decided to go to Scranton, Pennsylvania Keystone college, a small Division Three school, I got to play there for four years. And after my sophomore year, I kind of realized, Hey, you know, I might not be a professional athlete, you know, but I do really love baseball and, and that's where I kind of made the transition and said, you know what I want to coach after I'm done playing, and that's what I've been doing since

Evan 1:55

Would you say there's like, a difference between baseball in Puerto Rico and then here in the States?

Manny 2:02

Yes, yes. Not not so much different from New York City, I would say but a lot different from other states. And I think in Puerto Rico, it's a lot more passionate, like the kids and a little bit more, I would say exciting. When you're in the dugout, people are always chanting and singing and all that. Here it's kind of more laid back. But yeah, it is a little bit different.

Evan 2:26

And how did you get into coaching? Was it something like you always knew you sort of wanted to do?

Manny 2:33

So? Not really, you know, my plan originally was I was going to play four years of college. And if I could play professional baseball, I would do it. If not, I would go back to Puerto Rico. But like I said before, after my second year in college, I was like, You know what, I really like this, I thought there was a lot of information that wasn't brought back to Puerto Rico. So I said, Hey, I want to coach and I want to help kids, you know, get to places where I couldn't go and offer them a better opportunity. So it kind of started with me wanting to help guys from Puerto Rico. And then it turned out that helping kids from all over.

Evan 3:06

Yeah, that's great. That's a really great, like passion that you have for wanting to help kids where you come from, and I really like that. Would you say there's one or two coaches that really inspired you to coach?

Manny 3:22

So yes, you know, there's a lot of guy had a couple coaches in Puerto Rico that, you know, they did a lot for the sport. And while they had, you know, they had their families, they had their full time jobs, and they kind of put so much time into us that you know, at first you don't really appreciate it. But as you're getting older, you're kind of like, Hey, you know, that person did a lot for me, and they put me in the right track. And then once I got into Keystone, the same thing, I had a couple coaches where I was like, you know what they, they want the best for me, not just only in baseball, but in life in general. So that's when I was like, You know what, this, this is something I can see myself doing for a career.

Evan 4:03

That's really amazing. And many of our listeners, they're youth baseball players and coaches. So for those middle school and high school baseball players, can you share some advice on how much attention these players should be putting on ARM care.

Manny 4:18

That's where the majority of the attention should be. You know, I think arm care is something that sometimes we kind of, it kind of takes a backseat because we just want to play and play and win. But I think arm care is The most important thing that you should do as a youth athlete, because it's going to help you out. Once you make that transition into college. You know, it's very important to make sure that you probably stretching before games, making sure you're getting your bands done. And then when you're done playing the same thing, I think it's more important to take care of your arm after you're done playing for a day or throwing than it is prior to it.

Evan 4:58

That's really valuable. And I know a lot of guys, including myself, we use j bands from Jaeger sports, which are definitely a great tool for arm care and arm strength. So do you have some of your guys use bands? And what are some of the different exercises and movements that you do?

Manny 5:20

So we actually purchase Jaeger bands for all our pitchers. So that's something that you know we, Monroe does a really good job is providing those tools for the guys that, you know to take care of themselves. So we implement that from day one, they show up in the fall. And we follow the program that they have. And then as the year goes on, guys kind of come up with their own exercises and do what works for them. We also do a lot of plyo ball arm care stuff from driveline. So we try to kind of implement that. And, you know, we set like I said, a program for them. But you know, everybody's different. So everybody kind of adjusts ands tweaks it to how they're feeling on a day to day basis.

Evan 6:02

For those exercises that you give them. How many reps would you say on average would you give for each exercise.

Manny 6:12

So when they're warming up, we do anywhere from 15 to 25, just to kind of get the blood flowing to your shoulders and all the way through your arm and stuff. once they're done, post throwing, we'll do anywhere from eight to 10 nothing crazy, just you know, work on the arm a little bit, and make sure we're hitting those small muscles and getting the arm strength that we need.

Rene 6:37

And like once again, for a youth baseball player like Middle School, and then again, for a high school player. Would you recommend doing like, a certain amount of reps for them? Would it be what you do for Monroe? Like in the beginning? or after? How many reps Do you think for them?

Manny 6:57

I think you know, I'm not as much as what we would do at the college level, you know, cuz guys are a little bit more mature. But I think if you can do anywhere from eight to 12 reps, and maybe two or three sets, just depending how you're feeling on that day, that would be great. No, I think that's a good baseline, you know, before throwing and after throwing to follow.

Evan 7:19

Okay, that's really good to know. And with pitching, it's not just about using your arm and training your arm. It's also about using your entire body.

Manny 7:28

Correct.

Evan 7:29

When I talked with former Major Leaguer Nelson Figueroa in a previous episode, he said that he wished he trained more his legs and even at the major league level. So my question to you is, what are some workouts and movements that you do with your players to help them train some of the other body parts that help a pitcher become physically stronger and more explosive and more effective on the mound?

Manny 7:55

Yeah, so you know, I'm, in my years coaching, you know, and what I had before a lot of people say, Hey, don't lift heavy, like pitchers shouldn't be lifting heavy, because you know, it'll restrict you, I've come to the realization that you, you don't lift heavy, but you kind of have to lift the same as a position player would. So we do a lot of squats. We do like clean power cleans. So more like a, say like an Olympic style lifting program. You know, we do a lot of box jumps. You know, skaters, stuff like that, that is not only just weight, but it's also explosiveness. So it's kind of translates into pitching because, you know, pitching is kind of like a, you know, as a short burst, you do explode once the ball leaves the other hand, there you go. So we try to get exercises that relate right to what we're doing on the mound.

Evan 8:46

And other than your arm, like what would you say the most important body part to train for a pitcher is?

Manny 8:55

I say, it's your legs and your core. And the way I see it, it's kind of like, I always tell my guys is kind of like a car, right, your legs are your motor, your core is your transmission. And then your arm is what comes out of those two. So the force comes through the ground, through your abs through your arm. So those two are not strong, it's only a matter of time we arms gonna go. So you got to make sure your legs and your core are where they need to be. So then you can put all that force into your arm.

Evan 9:24

Yeah, that's really interesting.

And for the players who are set on like pitching at the college level someday, what are some of the drills that you think would really help those players develop?

Manny 9:39

So I'm big on on on towel drills because it helps you, you know, you're not putting a lot of stress on your arm. You're, you know, you're working on your mechanics. And then it also helps a little bit you know, with the resistance of the tower with with your strengthening your shoulder. So I think tile drills are very important. And throwing, you know, I feel like a lot of kids at a younger age don't throw enough. And so I think throwing towel drills, and just maybe do things at a short distance, I think helps a lot. You know, it's, we do that a lot with our guys, because, you know, I, my philosophy is, if you can make a ball break or locate at a short distance, you can do it at 60 feet.

Evan 10:25

When it comes to like, velocity or location, which one would you say is more important?

Manny 10:33

I would say to me my preference, I would say location. I feel especially at the younger age, you know, if you can locate, it's only a matter of time with you know, with proper training and taking care of yourself where velocity is going to come in to play. So I rather have a guy that can locate a pitch than a guy that can throw in 100 miles an hour and doesn't know where it's gonna go. Right. You know, so I but you know, at some point, they have to go hand in hand. So yeah, and in a perfect world, you want to have a guy that has both. But if I would have to pick one, I'm going to take the guy that throw strikes.

Evan 11:10

Okay, can you walk us through what you do with your college guys, like during the preseason, like, before they even pick up a baseball.

Manny 11:19

So when they get in day one, you know, I always tell my guys, you're probably gonna do more running in a week than you've ever done in your entire baseball career. So we do a lot of conditioning, that's the first thing we do. And it's not just to get them ready to pitch, but it's kind of challenge them mentally, right, and kind of break them down a little bit, to kind of see how tough they are. Um, so I say like, the first week, before we fully get on the mound and do you know, start doing actual pitching stuff, we're mainly conditioning, like doing a lot of running, doing a lot of different stations like speed and agility and stuff like that to kind of get them going. And then once you start throwing, I like to get them in a long toss program first, right, kind of build their arm strength up a little bit. And then once we were right where we need to be, then, you know, we get on the mound. And then after that, it's kind of like, you know, you'll throw a bullpen on a Monday, let's say and then Tuesday, you have a, you either get a day off or you long toss, and then you go for a run and Wednesday you do something else. So we kind of map it out where every day they're throwing, they're doing some type of throwing and some type of running. And then on top of that, they d,o you know, their arm care stuff. So that that's, that's big.

Evan 12:41

Okay, that's, that's really interesting. And, as you said, like running is super important. And I like how you said, like, with your college kids, how you not only do the running to condition, but you also do them to get them ready for the troubles that they might have on the field with the mental side. So like speaking on the mental side, what do you do to help your players like if they do break down during the game and start giving up a ton of hits, and you say like, for instance, a starter, you don't want to take them out in the first inning. So what would you do during like a mound visit?

Manny 13:17

I would go back and you know, talk to him, tell him to step back, um, you know, and just relax and just go back to the fundamentals of just like, hey, just trust your stuff. You know, sometimes, you know, when you start getting hit around, you kind of doubt your ability, and you're like, oh, maybe your stuffs not good enough. But I always tell them, and that's one thing that I always tell, like harp on and say it's like, you know, everybody is a great pitcher when everything's working, right, but the day that something's not working, that's the day you're gonna find out what kind of pitcher you are, you know, you might have given up four runs in the first inning. And I'll go out down, I'll tell you guess what you gave up four. But now give us a chance, get us out of the inning. Right, we'll find a way to claw ourselves back into the game and win the game. Now your job is not to worry about what happened is what's going to happen moving forward. So it's just more kind of like, instilling in them that confidence that hey, it's baseball, anything can happen. You had a bad ending. Now you just move forward and you try to help the team as much as you can.

Evan 14:17

Yeah, that's great coaching right there.

So you've helped them enroll Mustangs to three regional titles in the last four years, as well as back to back JUCO World Series appearances, which is super impressive. Can you talk about that Juco World Series experience and some of the things that contributed to that team success.

Manny 14:42

So that experience of going to the Juco world series it's it's like no other Yeah, I wish every kid that comes through our program gets a chance to experience that. I mean, you get to see some of the best players in the country. In that stage, you know, it comes down only to ten teams and you might see a future Major Leaguer that you don't know at the time, but he might end up being in the big leagues in a couple years. You know, for example, you know, Bryce Harper got to play there. So when we went there and you go to for the banquet, you get to see them display where they have his pictures and stuff like that. So it's kind of cool to see the history of all the players that have gone through through that tournament, that, you know, end up having very successful playing careers. And, you know, getting there wasn't easy, you know, it's kind of like a lot of, you know, bumps through the road as the both years where we were playing, we didn't have the best starts, but you know, it was a matter of time, you know, we knew we had the talent, we knew we had the, the right guys to get where we needed to be. It was just a matter of getting hot at the right time. You know, in that first year, that's what happened, we got hot at the right time. And then with the weather and certain things happened, it kind of played into our favor, where we ended up playing a college that is in our same region we got, we ended up playing them in the eastern district championship. So it's kind of like, you know, we knew, you know, what they had, we know what they were going to throw at us. And it kind of made it a little bit easier that first year. Now, the second year, it was again, we started 1 and 11. So nobody in the country gave us a shot. We, nobody thought we were going to claw ourselves back out of that.

Evan 16:31

Yeah That's crazy.

Manny 16:32

Yeah. And then guys, kinda, you know, we stayed with it, we, we kept telling Hey, you're never out of it. You just got to make sure you get to the regional tournament. And then after that, it's anybody's ballgame. And that's kind of what we did. And we we ran through the eastern district where it was something very impressive, where we I think we average like 10 runs a game.

Evan 16:51

Wow. That's, that's really impressive. Yeah, that that sounds like a great, like, super cool Juco experience. And I know you must have loved going there with the Mustangs and being a part of that.

Manny 17:04

Yes, definitely. Definitely. I mean, it was a great, great group of guys, both years that we went and, and I enjoyed both of them.

Evan 17:12

What would you say like really contributed to that success? Is it like Was it the hitters? Or was it the mindset that was going on there? What type of things really contributed to that?

Manny 17:22

I think it was a little bit of everything. I mean, the first year, I'm not gonna lie, we had three starters that, you know, between the three of them, they won over 30 games. Every time those three took them on, you knew you were going to win a game. Now one of them ended up going to No, got drafted that year in the 12th. Round.

Evan 17:41

Yeah that's Unbelievable.

Manny 17:42

Yeah, the other guy went eight in one and the other guy went like, he was like, 11, or something like that. And it was like, you know, you knew when you had a shot with those three guys, right. And then the next year, we had a deeper pitching staff, but we weren't performing. So our hitters had to pick up the slack for for the pitchers. And then, at the end of the year, like I said it was you know, we got hot, so pitchers started, you know, clicking on all cylinders, plus the hitting had come around, I would say probably like two weeks prior to that. And we put it together. So it's a combination of you know, the entire team.

Evan 18:23

And some pictures, they have tendencies that really good hitters can pick up.

Unknown Speaker 18:27

Yes,

Evan 18:29

like when you identify that one of your pitchers, is either tipping their pitches or giving a baserunner a bit of an edge? How do you help them eliminate those bad habits.

Manny 18:41

So it's, you know, it's kind of tough to try and make an in game adjustment. Just because, you know, it's JUCO you're dealing with 18, 19, 20 year olds. So, you know, they are very talented, but at the same time, they're not professional athletes where they can just on the fly, make it. So you, you know, you try to get it out of him in the game, or you just you just say hey, battle through it. And then w'll get back to the drawing board tomorrow, and then we'll work on getting that out of the way. But you know, there's certain guys that can do it. And there's, there's others guys where you kind of have to take, it's gonna take a span of seven days before their next start, you know, working on it every day, they get it out.

Evan 19:22

Yeah it makes a lot of sense. And that makes you a good coach, being able to really identify them in the first place. And then say, let's work on it and knowing your pitcher knowing your guy, knowing that he might not be able to make it in game. Let's go to the drawing board tomorrow and this week and really make sure we can perfect that.

Manny 19:41

And on top of that, you know we've had some really smart hitters the last couple years so when you know they face each other in the fall and then during winter ball when we're getting ready for the season. You know, they do a great job of communicating with myself and with the pitcher and letting him know hey, when you're throwing this picture doing this or where you're going You know, when you're going to go, you go fastball, then curveball right away, like, you know, so they do a good job talking to each other, and letting each other know what they're doing and what they're not doing. So, you know, it's, it's pretty good to see when they do that.

Rene 20:14

Yeah, that's, that's a big recipe for success really being able to communicate with your team and your teammates communicating by themselves without the coach having to tell them to

Manny 20:23

Yep.

Evan 20:24

And a great pitcher and catcher relationship are, they play a huge role in the pitchers and the team's success. So how do you help create an environment that really helps foster good pitcher and catcher relationships.

Manny 20:40

So, you know, one thing we try to do is like, each catcher has to catch every single guy, you know, in the fall, we make sure that they they're not just always throwing to the same guy. And, you know, when we're doing our flat grounds, sometimes when the the catches are not hitting, we'll bring them over and have them catch a flat ground. So in that way, they get used to, you know, every single guy, how each ball breaks and all that, you know, the other thing we do is, once we're starting getting ready to the season, we start having like classroom meetings, where it's caches and pitchers You know, and we talk about how we're going to attack hitters, how we're going to control the running game, and then I just kind of like, pick each other and they call pick a catcher and a pitcher, and then we'll pick a guy on our lineup and be like, how are you going to attack this guy, and give me every scenario, if you go first pitch strike, if you go, you know, first pitch ball, if it's a 1-1 count, and they kind of, you know, bounce ideas off of each other. And, and that's how they kind of, you know, kind of gel when especially in those classroom meetings, because they kind of see whether they're all on the same page or they're not, and then they work it all out.

Evan 21:47

OK that's a really interesting and really cool way to work it out between them. Like you said,

Manny 21:53

yeah.

Evan 21:54

And what did you take away from your experiences at the Juco World Series that have really helped you become a better pitching coach?

Manny 22:07

I think sometimes, yeah, you got to trust your players more, you know, sometimes you, you get so focused on what you're doing as a coach, like, for example, you know, I call the pitches at Monroe and there's times where I find myself in a pattern, right. And, you know, some of the competition that we face, it's, it's not the greatest. So you can get away with certain things. But once you get to the, to that kind of tournament, the hitters are a lot better. So they definitely pick up on a lot of things. So it's more like, hey, trust your guys trust what they're telling you, and sometimes just let them be them. You know, don't over coach them. Just let them go out there and play. Because at the end of the day, you know, we might call anything we can but we're in the dugout. They're the ones out there that have the front row seat to the situation.

Evan 22:58

For sure. Yeah, thanks for sharing that with us.

Manny 23:02

No problem

Evan 23:03

And are you involved in like the recruiting process for high school ballplayers?

Manny 23:08

Yes. So we all kind of split up the responsibility of recruiting. So we kind of split it up, you know, one guy that's like, the Manhattan area somebody else does, like the Bronx, um, I try to do New Jersey since I live in New Jersey, and then some of the Puerto Rico and stuff like that. But yes, we're all involved in it. And it's, it's a tough process that, you know, be in practice every day, and then try to go out there and watch some games, but it's fun.

Evan 23:42

What are some of the like, the measurements and characteristics that you look for when you're looking at a high school pitcher.

Manny 23:49

So, you know, obviously, we always look at the speed to kind of see where they're at. I think that's probably the first thing you see is like alright, he's, the velocity you can play at our level, then we see, you know, how he does. Throwing strikes, and then we'll see when, how he doesn't want me struggling? I think, you know, like I said before, when everything's on, it's easy to pitch. But I want to see when you're getting hit around, I want to see when somebody on your team boots a ball, I want to see what your reaction is going to be and how you're going to bounce back from that. And then you know, once athletically, he meets all the check marks, then we talked to the coach and I asked him Hey, what type of kid is he? How is he with his teammates? Like, how is he in the classroom ? And I I'm a strong believer that everything goes hand in hand. And you know if you're a good student, and that means you're gonna go to be a good baseball player because you're willing to learn. So

Evan 24:49

Yeah, that's important for high school baseball players listening, just to really say like, Okay, this is what I need to work on. This is what they look for, and different things like Like that. And so skill is incredibly important, obviously. Because, I mean, you need a certain amount of skill to play at a certain level. But a player's character also plays a huge role, like you said, in their success. So how do you guys and like the all the other coaching staff, help your players build a stronger character,

Manny 25:27

well we try to hold them accountable for everything they do, you know, it starts from going to class, right? You got to be able to show up to class every single day, you know, be on time for practice, you know, be willing to sit out and we we try to, like I said, hold them accountable as much as we can, with all the little things that they do. Because then it turns down to the bigger things, right, when you can get a guy paying attention to something as small, as you know, picking up a cup that was left in the dugout, you know, that's just being responsible, and you're like, Alright, he's getting it. So we try to, you know, if you miss class, you're going to pay the consequences for it. And if you're disrespectful to the teacher, you're going to pay the consequences to it. And sometimes, we may get a team thing, you know, just to kind of get everybody on board and be like, hey, you're not going to be able to get this, get away with this. And then what that does when you punish everybody, for something that one guy did, then everybody else starts holding each other accountable. Like, hey, don't do that, again, because we don't want to know we don't want to run, we don't want to do this. So something like that.

Evan 26:36

Yeah, that'sa great way of going about things is like, I know, my coach, like, we do things as a team, we make sure that everything is one as a team. So that's a really great way of doing things.

Manny 26:51

Because like, we say, you know, if you're gonna win, you're gonna win as a team, you're gonna lose, you're gonna lose as a team. So it's very important that, you know, everybody is holding each other accountable, you know, in a respectful way, and, and just looking out for each other. That's, that's what it comes down to, you know, you got to look out for your brother, and you got to know that guy to your right, that guy to your left, just put in the same amount of work that you did.

Evan 27:14

And so which one or two major league pitchers like past or present, would you encourage your players to watch and really learn a lot from?

Manny 27:25

Oh, that's tough. there's been a lot of great ones. But I would say, I think one of the most fundamentally sound pitchers was Mariano Rivera. I think he is he wasn't only just one of the greatest to do it. But he is very mechanically sound and in everything he did. And I think Greg Maddux, I think those two guys are the best examples to look at.

Yeah, there's two unbelievable pitchers who Yes, yeah, that amazing legacies left behind in baseball. Yeah. And what are some things like I know, you talked about like, Mariano Rivera is very, like, mechanically correct. And does everything mechanically really well? What do you think it is with like Greg Maddux? Is it that? Is it the same thing? Or is it something different about him,

I think is the same thing. You know, he's also, you know, very fundamentally sound, but his biggest thing as he learned how to manipulate the ball. And I think that that's something that kids struggle to do, because they just wait, they just want to throw as hard as they can. Which there's nothing wrong with that. But you can be able to throw hard and manipulate the baseball and make it go wherever you want. So I think sometimes it's more of a feel thing where guys need to learn how to play with the ball. And I mean, we saw how long he did it. And he wasn't throwing 95 miles an hour. So

Evan 28:56

yeah, like, once again, those are two unbelievable examples with legacies left behind in baseball. So and before we wrap it up, are there any projects that you're working on that you want to share with our board baseball community? And where can our listeners go to learn a little bit more about you?

Manny 29:17

Before everything got shut down, I was working with a travel organization from Puerto Rico that actually brings kids out here to get them exposed. So I was going to kind of help them out. You know, and help them get exposed and go to some tournaments and stuff like that. But you know, with everything being canceled, that kind of took a backseat. Um, but you know, you can go if you want to know more about myself, you can go to my Twitter. It's @coachManny45. I put some stuff sometimes up there. They're not really I'm afraid of what people are going to comment if I put some videos up and stuff or my Instagrams coach_Manny45. You know, if anybody wants, you know, to run something by me or whatever anybody can just, you know, send me a message and I'll gladly, you know, help you out if you want to send videos or anything like that. I can do that.

Evan 30:13

And I look forward to seeing the Mustangs play one day soon. They're a great team, by the way. There's a lot of success going on there. Well, Manny, thank you again. Thank you so much for hopping on and sharing insight with the born to baseball community.

Manny 30:31

Thank you for having man, this is awesome.

Evan 30:36

Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at borntobaseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media at born to baseball where we can connect live now let's play ball

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Episode #014: Rene Balloveras- Athletic Director Leadership Christian Academy, High School Baseball Academy Tournament of Puerto Rico Director, Coach, Trainer and Advisor

August 2020 By Evan

Ep. # 014: Rene Balloveras- Athletic Director Leadership Christian Academy, Director Baseball Academy Tournament, Coach, Trainer and Advisor

Join Evan and Rene Balloveras, Athletic Director of Leadership Christian Academy, Director at High School Baseball Academy Tournament of Puerto Rico, Coach, Trainer and Advisor, as Rene shares his baseball journey in New York and Puerto Rico, highlights the Leadership Christian Academy Baseball Program as well as the B.A.T- High School Baseball Academy Tournament and provides insight into youth baseball in Puerto Rico.

What You’ll Learn:

01:22   Rene’s Journey

06:21   Baseball in Puerto Rico

11:18    Good grades as a competitive advantage

18:52   A day in the life of a Leadership Christian Academy Baseball Player

24:01   The college prep process and finding the right fit

35:13   Roberto Clemente’s influence

38:37   Growth Mindset as a key success factor

31:15   B.A.T – High School Baseball Academy Tournament

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here. This will help other ball players find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  

Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Email: reneballoveras@gmail.com

Phone: 787.566.1514

Facebook Page: B. A. T. – High School Baseball Academy Tournament

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

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Episode 014_RENE BALLOVERAS_ATHLETIC DIRECTOR_LEADERSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY_HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL ACADEMY TOURNAMENT_BASEBALL COACH_TRAINER_AND_ADVISOR

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of born to baseball is sponsored by the BTB travel team and training tracker. Are you a parent or player searching for travel teams or training facilities in your area? Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach? Then you have to check out the BTB triple t tracker at born to baseball dot com Make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Music 0:24

Calling all ball players. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? Then bring it in, it's game time.

Evan 0:40

Hey guys, welcome to the born to baseball podcast. I'm Evan and today I'm here with Rene Balloveras. Rene first started coaching as a young teenager and has been a physical education and health teacher for 25 years. He is currently the dean and athletic director at leadership Christian Academy in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and leads instruction for youth baseball coach certification across Puerto Rico. Rene, thank you so much for joining me today.

Rene 1:05

It's my pleasure. My pleasure. So good to see young people like yourself involved in this type of activity.

Evan 1:13

Thank you. So can you share your baseball experience as like a youth baseball player? Like, when did you first start playing baseball?

Unknown Speaker 1:22

Okay, I first started playing baseball, and I learned baseball here in Puerto Rico. I was born in New York City. And when I was in the about to go to the fourth grade, I moved to Puerto Rico. And even though I loved playing in school and in the backyard, we had games every day we played punch-ball. We played with the ball off the wall. One day, I went to a local team, where I had this tremendous manager who made me all fall in love with the game. And from there on, I continued to play but when I moved back to New York. About when I was in eighth grade, I went back to New York. I started playing in New York, but also coached a team. So even though I was about 14 years old, I also coached my younger brother's baseball team. So that's how I started coaching. As a matter of fact, my, my brother and myself, we would save all our money that we'd get for school and we ended up buying the uniforms for for our team.

Evan 2:31

Wow, that's really cool.

Rene 2:32

So that's how I started coaching. And in fact, there were years where I really enjoyed that more than actually playing. I played in high school in New York at the Richmond High School and then at City College. But coaching to me was my passion. I knew since I was a young person that I wanted to be a coach, and that was due to some of the coaches that I had that inspired me to want to coach.

Evan 2:55

Yeah that's awesome, could you tell us about some of the coaches that you had like, what was it about them that really inspired you?

Rene 3:01

Actually my first coach. His name was Ramon Cruz from the Dominican Republic. I had him here in Puerto Rico. Maybe he was not the type of coach that was good for everyone. In fact, when I was small, there were times I didn't really like him. You know, he was old school. And some of the methods he had I used that first, he would yell a lot, he wouldn't tolerate any errors. But one thing I learned from him was one, the love for the game. And the fact that he wanted to play the game the right way. And as I grew older, and I look back, I realized that that's where I got it from, was from him. He wouldn't allow us to accept any little mistake. He wanted us to play the best that we could, in fact, I remained in contact with him till he passed away about two years ago. So he was somebody that was very influential, but again, in the old days, it was a little different. So when I was small, a lot of things that I didn't like about him that of course, we wouldn't do now, but, he did have a lot of good qualities and thanks to him I wanted to become a coach.

Evan 4:15

That's amazing. Yeah, coaches play huge roles in our lives. And when it comes to baseball, they inspire a lot.

Rene 4:22

And throughout the years, I had I had many coaches who, who I learned from,

Evan 4:27

Yeah that's really cool. Did you have like growing up? Did you have like a favorite team? You say, like, favorite team or even favorite player that you could share with us?

Rene 4:39

Yes, when I was a small I of course, I like the New York team, the Yankees and the Mets being, growing up in New York. And Tom Seaver was probably one of my all time favorite players. But of the Puerto Rican players. I had two players who,,, Oh, and Pete Rose. Of course, I wanted to play always like Pete Rose that was how every kid wanted to play at that time. But two players from Puerto Rico that I really admired, one of them the reason why I wanted to play second base, and I didn't come second baseman was Felix Millan and the other one was Jose Cruz. Those two players. But Felix Millan, I saw him a lot because he played for the Mets. And every week, there'd be a Mets game, a local Mets game in New York, and I and I got to see him. So I really, really looked up to Felix Millan and interesting story when, when I was older, in fact, a few not many years ago, maybe about 12 years ago, doing a camp for the New York Mets. I got to meet Felix Mllian and he was tremendous. I mean, I was not disappointed. And to this day, we remained in contact so and he was really a great, great player, but he's a great person, also.

Evan 5:59

Yeah, that must have been a really, really cool experience being able to meet one of your idols and one of the people who you really look up to. That's awesome. So you're currently the dean and athletic director at leadership Christian Academy, which has a top notch baseball program. Before we talk a little bit more about that program, I want to talk about baseball in Puerto Rico, thinking about Hiram Bithorn and Carlos Beltran and Roberto Clemente and Pudge and so many others. What do you think baseball really represents to the people of Puerto Rico?

Rene 6:34

Baseball is a part of life here. I mean, even people that do not necessarily understand the game itself, love baseball and follow baseball. The baseball players are really important to the people here. They they, like I said, it's a way of life. And those baseball players are not just another baseball player. They carry practically the flag on their shirt wherever they go. So people here, always associate them with what Puerto Rico represents. In fact, when you have the World Baseball Classic, I mean people that never watch baseball, fill up the stadiums and and watch Puerto Rico, because of what they represent. Even if they don't understand the game. They know who the baseball players are, and the importance of them representing Puerto Rico.

Evan 7:35

Yeah, there's a level of pride that goes with the game in all over, but especially in Puerto Rico. That's awesome to hear. So this year has also been really tough for baseball. In general, like the draft was reduced to only five rounds and some minor league teams were cut. And the players in Puerto Rico are still managing through the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, and earthquakes and of course now the coronavirus pandemic. How has this impacted your players in Puerto Rico and specifically, just baseball

Rene 8:13

players in Puerto Rico and everywhere, of course have been impacted, but thinking about the ones in Puerto Rico and in particular our school. A lot of the players, of course, dream of being drafted. They dream of being drafted and then they work hard. And I can tell you they really work hard. You should see how the kids that really want to go far, in terms of baseball work at it. So it has hurt them. It disappoints them. But, for example, the players at our school who we had about four players that we thought were getting drafted and most likely they were, did not get drafted. In fact, no player from Puerto Rico that lives here was drafted because we only had five, ther were only five rounds in the draft So, those players were not taken in when those five rounds most players that were drafted, were college players. Okay. But the good thing about it is that in our school, we really focus on transmitting to them the fact that they have to get good grades and be good students, because they have the opportunity of getting a college scholarship. So we were very fortunate, and the players were fortunate that it was based on their hard work, that they have the opportunity to go to college now. So everything is not lost for them. I know it is disappointing, because you you want to hear your name called you want to be drafted. But in some cases, they might even you know, it might be a blessing in disguise, because those players, they're really good and they'll be better after a few years and in in college, and and they'll get their education. So even though we're disappointed. I'm sure they have a lot of good things ahead of them but it's been tough is really been tough for For baseball in Puerto Rico, this situation,

Evan 10:03

and like, it just says, just a lot about, like your players and the kids who go to your school, just being able to like, this is going on and then but they know they still have another opportunity. And like you said it could be a blessing in disguise. That's really awesome. Like the way you think about that.

Rene 10:20

Yeah, something that's really good is that at least our players, and I'm sure a lot of other kids in Puerto Rico are doing it, but at home, they all worked out. You know, they continued to train. They stayed positive. So, so that's, that's good. That's good. But, you know, the bigger picture is that, that it was a terrible situation. Nobody knew that this was this was coming. But um, my message always to the kids is just prepare yourself and try to be the best student possible when you're the best one impossible. If you get drafted. You know, you have options, you have options and it even serves as leverage When, when it comes to negotiating, so it's just good to have that opportunity to go to school.

Evan 11:07

For sure. Yeah. And like you said, negotiating, like, Can you talk to us more about that, like with the draft if you do get drafted, but then you also have a college scholarship, like what goes on there?

Rene 11:18

Well, yeah, I'm not an expert in terms of that, because, but what I can tell you is that if you have good grades and you have an option of going to school, a good scholarship. Teams see that and, and they will, they will give you what the maximum may be that they can give you wherever you are selected, versus knowing that you will take whatever it is that they give you. So for example, I've heard of players who are offered very little because they have no option. So it's either you take it or you leave it. But when you have those those options, and a team really wants you They are gonna go after you because they know that if not, you will just go to college. So it's it's just, it's just a, you know, common sense that as a player, getting good grades and having an option is the way to go.

Evan 12:16

That's for sure.

So, like where do you feel like the coaches and players really strong like work ethic and resilience comes from during these tough times?

Rene 12:27

Well, obviously it all has to do and as a matter of fact, one of the things that scouts look at with players is something called the makeup that a player has. Okay. And that's very important to a lot of organizations. But most of that has come to to begin with from their homes. You know, if you have parents that that support you, you have parents that are constantly teaching lessons since you're small. That will come in handy for sure. Whenever we have tough times. I mean, and in baseball, you know, in baseball part of the baseball culture is making excuses. So also, if you learn that since you're young, and you have coaches also that teach you that since you're young, it can help you during tough times. Remember, most players will not become pro players or major league players. But there's so many lessons that you can learn in baseball, that will help you in jobs and in life in general.

Evan 13:27

Yes,

Rene 13:27

So yeah, that the players that have that, that are resilient, that are mentally tough, a lot of them it was developed at home. That's that's very important.

Evan 13:38

Yeah, families, parents and home environment can also just like coaches, they play a huge role.

Rene 13:45

I can tell you that. I'm sorry. If I can tell you that these players that we have. One thing that they all have in common is support from their, from their family. So that that's the common denominator, and we even have player was a first round pick a few years ago. And with him, it was no surprise how successful he was because not only was he a good student, he was a really good kid. But when you look at his parents and his family life, it was a tremendous family life. So it seems to always come back to that support that you have around, you know, whether teachers, parents, coaches, It all seems to get back to that. Yes,

Evan 14:31

definitely. So like, like you said, you guys had a first rounder a couple years ago, I believe in 2017. And like your Academy, it has a lot of success when it comes to players being drafted and then also D-1 athletes. So yeah, like that standout who was in that first round is Elliott Ramos. And he was drafted 19th overall by the San Francisco Giants, which is an amazing accomplishment and he was named to the The 2019 All Star futures game, and he's currently doing very well in double A so he's been very successful. So what are some of the things that make your school that Academy so strong and unique?

Rene 15:17

I feel that we've had success because we're not just a baseball school. We are a regular school with Christian faith based education, right. We have a strong values system there at the school, and we have a baseball program and so we we can be selective in terms of who comes in to our school. We just don't take anybody that plays baseball or any good baseball player. They have to have certain characteristics, right? We, we observe and we do a background check to see what what kind of kid is he, what kind of family Background and of course, yes, he does have some some talent, but we want them to want to have that option of going to college. And we have very good teachers who emphasize that. So once we have those players that come to our school, being that it's a small program, because even though our school has over 700 students, our baseball programming, the high school only has about 60 to 63. Players were able to work with them closely. For example, when we're at a batting session, we only might have seven players hiting, in our case, we have two hitting coaches. Okay, so maybe we might have 10 some classes might have five, so we get to give them a very good, almost individualized instruction. Being that we don't have, a coach does not have 15 kids or 20 kids to work with at a time so that really helps. Plus, we have an excellent staff, we have a staff that knows the game and knows how to teach and cares about kids. So that's very important to us.

Evan 17:08

And like you said, like the individualized, almost individualized practices where you might only have 5 or 10 kids, it's really good because you get, the coaches get to really develop them and as a player and it's not necessarily just repitition, it's more quality and getting that couple of players better. So, you know, your program definitely sounds like a great one.

Rene 17:32

I'm really glad you mentioned that about repetition. Because, um, you know, when we teach baseball many times we might make the mistake, and we'll have kids just take reps and take reps and take reps, but there's really no feedback. There's no correction given and that that is key, you know, it's not just taking repetitions. It's taking good repetitions. It's like you said it was the quality, not the quantity and we We try to pay attention to that, we really do. Because a lot of academies here have excellent instructors on almost all the academies have excellent instructors. But the fact that we put that emphasis on that on that amount of instructors per student and the way in which they teach the kids to us, it's very important and I try to stay on top of that, in terms of the teaching methods and strategies used when working with the players. It's not the same working with youth players, and working with professional players. It's very different.

Evan 18:35

It's awesome. Definitely just what you do, it's part of what makes it such a good program top notch baseball program.

Rene 18:42

Thank you.

Evan 18:43

That's really good to hear. So how many hours would you say like a week are your high school players practicing baseball?

Rene 18:52

I'll give you an idea of what we do at the school. So usually during their elective class. So let's say if they have physical education or, music, whatever electives they have during that period, they will take, they will have a baseball class, and it can be either strength and conditioning or hitting. That's just during school hours. Right? So that's basically their phys ed class. So two days a week, they will go with their hitting instructor during that period that corresponds. And two days a week, they will go with the strength and conditioning coach that's during school hours. Then after school after school, they will have two days a week of defense, right. Two days a week will be let's say infielders, and outfielders and two days a week will be the pitchers and catchers and two days a week, they will have speed work so they will go to a track and work with a speed specialist at a track. So, and they will do that from three in the afternoon til about 5pm you know, the school bus takes them to wherever it is, whether it be the field or the track, and then they will bring them back. But those players, most of them, of course, will also play on a weekend too. So some of those players also practice at night. Now the reason why we only have two days a week of defense two days a week of, of hitting, is because we know that they play on outside teams, and we do not want to overwork them. Okay, so um, that is the reason why we're only doing two days a week, but there's still two days a week of hitting defense and it's really a specialized instruction, that they're getting. And then on Fridays, on Fridays, we don't have baseball programming school, but we have some players might get extra work. They might need or so might work a little extra for something specific that they need to improve with the conditioning coach. That's the way we go about it in the program. But the idea is to really try to take care of the kids and not overwork them.

Evan 21:14

Yeah, that's really great. Knowing your players, knowing your team knowing that, okay, we don't want to overwork them. They're playing outside, knowing your players is a really big thing in order to have a successful team. You've also coached like basketball and volleyball. And so are there certain like drills that you've pulled from those sports that you now just teach to your players?

Rene 21:39

Well, there are always exercises that that are common at the lower age levels of baseball. One of the things that happened or can be a common mistake is where you want to teach players how to do advanced baseball drills. or think that they can perform high level skills when in reality at those lower levels you should be developing your fitness, okay your fitness and your motor development, for example, agility, balance, coordination and those have exercises that can be universal to various sports. It all depends on what category the sport belongs to, because of course, you know, there are some sports that are aerobic in nature and some are anaerobic. Okay. And one of the problems is that many times we train wrong for the sport that we're involved in, but of course, the lower levels, you want to work on all components of fitness. Very important because many times for example, you might have a pitcher, who's nine years old, and you hear you might hear the coach saying throw strikes, but the kid cannot throw strikes because he does not have any balance, or his coordination is off. So there are drills that we will use for coordination and balance that of course, we will use in volleyball and we can use in, in basketball, okay, so, so of course, we'll have drills that we can use for different sports. But there are other common denominators for all the sports is where we want to teach discipline, we want to teach dedication, we want to get kids to be committed. And each sport also does have their own culture. And, and we can see, we can see it with the baseball players, of course, that each one has their own, as you say, unwritten rules and sports culture. But um, players that learn that when they're young discipline, commitment, dedication, they can transfer that to any sport.

Evan 23:47

That's really interesting right there. And so like many of your players have attended D-1 schools which is amazing. So how do you guide your players to balance the academics and baseball?

Rene 24:01

One of the things at our school we have we have a person who works with the college placement, who does an extraordinary job. She, she makes sure that what based on the player's needs, what she knows about the player based on his grades, she will try to be realistic with the players and try to find something for them where they will most likely be successful. Okay. One of the things is we try we make sure our school not to talk to kids or want them to go to certain places where we know that it's setting them up to fail. For example, if we if we know that a personality of a kid is not to be in a big city, and like something small, we're not going to try to get them into a place where we know that that might affect them, but at the same time At the same time, we let them know that it's not just going wherever they want to go. Sometimes it depends on that school's needs, because we might have a kid that wants to go to a particular college, but that college doesn't mean that position, that college might already have players for that position. And it does not have to do with that player not being good. It's just that that college does not need that. So we try to give them a proper counseling or orientation and the person that does that our school is really, really good at doing that. So that it minimizes the possibility of that student failing once they go to that college that they're interested in or that the school is interested in that player.

Evan 25:47

Yeah, it's amazing to hear that.

Rene 25:49

But it's not a it's not an exact science. I mean, there are times it'll happen it'll happen where you have players that go away to a cottage and then come back because something didn't go right They didn't like the place. But with us again, since we're not such a big program in terms of amount of players, we can give them that special attention. In fact, I'll send you a little video when we when we get done in terms of our college players and their placement. We had about 20 players that that our, I think we have 21 seniors. And I think the 20 have a commitment to a college where they will be playing baseball.

Evan 26:32

Wow. That's amazing. That's amazing.

Rene 26:36

Thanks.

Evan 26:37

Um, have your players like really shared whether their experience playing in the states is different than playing in Puerto Rico?

Rene 26:45

Yeah, we communicate with them. They let us know their stories. Most of the ones we've spoken of, they love the experience. I mean, I've only been at the school for years, but during that time, I've experienced You know, success in terms of what, what they talk about. So, I think I think they enjoy we try at the school. And I know sometimes players might think that we want to be hard on them. But we want to try to give them an experience in such a way that when they go away to school, it's not a shock to them. That's why our high school teachers are demanding even though they are very understanding, the teachers at our school go out of their way to help the kids but the kids also have to go out of their way to get whatever work they have to make up if they weren't went out for a tournament. So because it's hard, some of these kids, they get home 10 o'clock at night after their other practices, and they still have to do their work. You know, we just don't give them the grades. They have to work for it. But we wouldn't be doing them any favors, if we are not demanding with the school workl. So that's something that our teachers do a real good job. As of now, we've had players enjoy their college experience.

Evan 28:06

That's great to hear. So MLB players service amazing role models and models for us youth and Players all over to learn from. So who are some players that you encourage your players to like watch and study?

Rene 28:23

Well, to tell you the truth I, I never really promote any particular players because they all have their own particular style. Of course, I do mention to them when when players that I am aware of that have strong work ethics, players that seem to be mentally tough, that behave themselves, you know, in a way a professional should, but I always leave it up to the kids to enjoy whatever player it is they like watching. What I just do is we just talk about with qualities that different players might have. So because also we don't want kids imitating a particular style. Because styles and fundamentals are different. And with youth players, not every style is suitable for them. But I can tell you, for example, a player who I admired his career, of course, was somebody like Derek Jeter and I admired the career of Cal Ripken players who've always had a positive image. But in terms of telling the kids who watch you to follow, we don't really specify Of course, there's players here in Puerto Rico, like Lindor and Correa that kids really look up to. And those are excellent players. And we we do use them as examples in terms of their their fundamentals. They are two fundamentally sound players, we just don't tell them to have their style because that's individual and if a kid wants to use their style, but in terms of quality of players Those two players are excellent players. But, but yeah, we leave it up to each kid to you know, like whatever player he he likes.

Evan 30:09

Yeah, Lindor and Correa are two very, very good players. They're two all star players. And I like how you said like, styles. It's not the fundamentals, each player has their own unique style that works for them. That's really, that's really great to hear. So building a strong mindset, like you said, and being really mentally tough, is really important. So what are some ways that you develop mentally tough players at your Academy?

Rene 30:47

Well, one of the thing is we, we try to, I shouldn't say, emphasize the fact that we don't want to make excuses that that's that's one thing. Of course, we know there are reasons why things happen. For example, we're on the field, and you drop a ball, which anybody can drop a ball, but you drop a ball because the sun was in your eyes. We know that's the reason. But we we don't want to players all the time say no, I dropped it because the sun was in my eyes or, or we lost the game because the umpire is not good. No, you know, we know things happen. And there are reasons for things, but we want players to focus on the bottom line. Either they caught the ball, or they didn't. Either they did their homework, or they didn't do the homework. So one of the ways is trying to not give excuses. Another way is dealing with whatever situation comes your way. One of the things that I tried to tell players that I've coached for years as we get to the field and it's really hot in my mindset, is Oh good, because it might be too hot for the other team. Or if the if we have to play and it seems like the grass is a little moist, and the ball might seem slippery, we say good, because we can deal with it, maybe the other team can't. So it's just a thing of getting into the players heads, and then believing that no matter what the situation is, they can do it. And of course, you know, with young kids in a small age group 7,8,9 10 until 12 you know, there, they're small and we've taken into consideration, right, you know, their age and their level, but at their level, there are certain things that we can teach them that they will always will always help them in terms of their their mindset, of course, always taking into consideration their level.

Evan 32:45

Yeah, that's that's a big key to success when it comes to coaching. Knowing like I said earlier, knowing your players and knowing the level that you're at knowing what they're ready for, and I like how you really said You don't let them make excuses. Because excuses ultimately, at the end of the day, they can lead to failure because you're not, you have to hold yourself accountable for the things that you do. That's a cool way to look at it.

Rene 33:14

Hey, that's awesome that you said you said accountable. I that's that's to me is an important word. And of course, I don't want to sound like we don't care when when kids make an excuse. I mean, you know, we do we do care because there are reasons why things happen. We just don't want kids getting into the habit of for anything negative that happens,There's an excuse. So I just want to make that clear. Because we understand that sometimes things will happen and we never, we never and I recommend this to any youth coach. Never bring down a kid or make them feel bad just because he makes an error. errors are part of the game. Errors are part of the game and I knowa kid who makes an error on purpose. And I know I was a coach when I first started, who used to get upset when kids make an error but, but as you mature and as you grow older, and then you look back and you say, wait a minute, I didn't like it when a coach we get on for making an error. So we as coaches, we never we never get on kids for making an error. And I think showing them that support, okay, will make them tougher, and have a better mindset. If we don't get on them from again, why? Because they will be more confident they'll know that you have their back. So sometimes coaches might believe that it'll make them tougher getting on them for errors, but it's the opposite. It's the opposite if we show them that we believe in them, and we encourage them to want that next ball hit to them that will make them suffer so it's just the opposite.

Evan 34:58

Yeah, that makes a whole lot of sense. I heard a really powerful quote from Roberto Clemente. And it's "anytime you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, you're wasting your time on Earth".

Rene 35:11

That's one of my favorite quotes.

Evan 35:13

That's awesome. Like, how does that Roberto Clemente spirit, sort of just travel and stay alive in the island of Puerto Rico?

Rene 35:22

Well, he's obviously been an inspiration to players here and the entire Latin America. He is a player who did so much on and off the field, that it'd be very hard not to have him in mind anytime we stepp onto the baseball field. So he's somebody very special here and in and Latin America. So um, so yeah, he's, he's a, he's a role model in terms of how players should act on and off the field.

Evan 35:54

That's awesome to hear. Why do you like it so much? Why is it so powerful to

Rene 36:01

Because, you know, we, and one of the things I speak about when I speak to coaches, for example, one of the things that we talk to them about is that when we coach baseball, for example, and we coach kids, we're not just speaking terms of baseball, we're not just a coach, who, who might be an instructor who knows about, let's say, fielding or hitting, to those kids they might see us as a mentor, they'll see us as a teacher, they might see us as a as a model, as a guide, as somebody who inspires them. So we have a big responsibility. And, in this case, if we just go through life just, you know, minding our business. Um, you know, just thinking of what Roberto Clemente said, then we might be wasting our time. If we have the opportunity to impact another life or do something Positive for society, then I think our life has had some, has meant something great. You know. So that's that's why I like that quote. It obviously comes from somebody who definitely has a great heart because he's thinking of how he can impact somebody else.

Evan 37:22

Definitely. Yeah, he was a great guy and he wanted to impact almost everyone he met really, it's unfortunate the way he passed away. But, you know, he passed away, wanting to do something for other people and really trying to help people out.

Rene 37:39

In fact, you know, that that there's an award Major League award, and I've heard of players who have won that award and that to them, means even more than some other awards like a batting championship, and other types of awards, but that Roberto Clemente award means so much because it means that they've they've impacted lives. So that's that's a that's a great award.

Evan 38:06

Yeah, it must be really special to win that award, knowing that you to the people of the world, you resemble some essence of him.

Rene 38:21

For sure, no doubt about it.

Evan 38:24

And so you've been involved in a lot of camps outside of Puerto Rico like in the States and in the Dr. What are some of like the key skills and qualities that you see in the most successful players that you work with?

Rene 38:37

All players, it's important that they have a drive to be better in terms of their mentality, a mindset to grow to be a much better player. In fact, many professional organizations want players that have what they call the growth mindset for example. But in terms of physicals skills and some of the physical skills, you know, scouts look for particular tools, which is the strength of your arm, your speed, your power, your fielding, okay, you know, there's five tools. But of course, it's much more than just that. There are a lot of players that are talented, but if they don't have that drive, if they don't have that mindset to want to get better. Okay, it's very difficult, but I see players here. I've seen them in Dominican Republic, and Texas, New York. And something common with those players who get far up in the baseball ranks are those players that have that drive, that dedication, that commitment, and that discipline to get better, if they don't have that. Very difficult. Of course, there's someplace that are just so talented. But if they don't have those other qualities like discipline or that drive to be better at one point or another, it'll catch up to them. it'll catch up. So that's what I can tell you regarding that

Evan 40:02

Thank you for that. That's really great insight there. So you also invest a lot of time instructing youth baseball coaches in Puerto Rico, who are required to complete a baseball certification course. Could you tell us more about that, and that experience,

Rene 40:20

Yeah that course for youth coaches, I've been doing that for approximately 11 years. There's a law here in Puerto Rico, where all youth coaches must be certified to work with kids, because one of the things that includes is that when you take the course, right, which I give them a course, that involves, you know, just teaching them how to work with kids how to, and how to teach them the skills, once you take that you go through a background check. And with that background check, just so you know, it's just to verify the type of person who's going to be working with with with this Kids, right? If you once you take the course and you've come to a successful background check, then you're eligible to get that license. And that license, the great thing about having it is that if a parent takes a kid to a particular team, and that coach has that license knows that that coach went through a check, okay. And at least a parent knows that that coach might not be somebody who's harmed kids in the past, for example, and that parent knows that at least some basic about teaching kids, he must know, or he should know. So that's the reason why we want youth coaches to be certified. Because, of course, most people mean well, most people try to help kids most people teach the kids well, but there are also a lot of coaches who don't, and not because necessarily they want to be bad, or they don't want to do things the correct way, but because maybe they don't know. So we want to minimize the risks. And keep safe all the kids in Puerto Rico and we want them to love the game and not leave the sport because of something that a coach did or didn't do the right way.

Evan 42:11

Yeah that's a great mission of that Alliance.

Rene 42:14

That's a government program that has that. So it's a law. That has to be well. What you mentioned there with the Alliance, that is something was, that's an association, an alliance that we created when we got together a bunch of different coaches, and what we try to do is promote the game the right way. And we share insights. We share strategies to try. We haven't been really in action, so to speak officially, like official events in the past few couple of years. We've just been doing it more like in a private way where we speak on the phone and we get ideas out and we share strategies with coaches and try to help them as much as we can. And, and, and they can call us and we'll give them tips and ideas, basically, but this year we're planning to do, again, more activities as a group.

Evan 43:13

So do you have any projects that you're working on right now that you'd like to share and like, where's the best place that our listeners can reach you?

Rene 43:21

You know, one project that I've been working on, and it's not just me by myself, it's been a group of coaches, where we've put together and it's unfortunate This was our second season. We put together a league that involves the different baseball academies here in Puerto Rico. And, and we were really and we still are, of course, very excited about that project. Last year was our second season. The previous school year was our first season and what we did was you see here in Puerto Rico this, there wasn't a real school baseball league. All right. So we what we did is we got together with Different academies that have top players in Puerto Rico. And we made a schedule, and we formed the league. And that league was really good because not only out of the there were about 23 players drafted that year, about 18 or 19, played in that league. So all the top players in Puerto Rico belonged to one of those schools. And by the way, six were were at our school, And then there, you have good coaches, the coaches are all good, you know professional guys. And the game is played really fast. And there's a level of respect and we played in really great stadiums every single game. So we are really excited about the league. This past school year, was our second season and was going really well until the situation with the pandemic occurred. But that project is, I really love it because just to give you an example that we would play during the Week, and at a particular site, we'd have three games in a day, right. So this way the scouts didn't have to decide what field they would go to. So, because we only, each team played once a week, and there was a game, there was a one day in particular that a lot of your prospects will claim that we had over 80 scouts there because we had the Puerto Rico scouts, you know, the scouts that work for major league teams, but that are local, their bosses and some of those bosses bosses come. That would come to Puerto Rico, so that they was incredible, it was packed, but every week we'd have you know, 10, 12, 15 scouts at our our games, but that day in particular was just incredible. We had even an assistant GM come last year to see one of the players here in Puerto Rico. So, so we're really excited about that league because the it's the highest High School league here because any other league or conference where high school play doesn't have, let's say 18 players drafted. And even in the United States, you might have a league where high schools play, but they play in different conferences not necessarily all together. But here we had the best schools were in the same conference or league playing against each other so that that's what made it special

Evan 46:29

Yeah, that sounds really special. And the level of competition is awesome too.

Rene 46:33

That was one of the goals behind it. We wanted the kids play really good competition. Sometimes on the weekends. You might have a team that's really, really has a lot of good players. But then the team they play against doesn't. So we wanted with this league. They, every game You're facing good players, the good batters, the good batters are facing good pitchers. The good pitchers are always facing good batters. So that's what we wanted. It's a really high high Level High School league.

Evan 47:01

Yes. And that league that you and some other coaches created are definitely super valuable to those players and even the high schools and the academies.

Rene 47:12

If you get a chance you can check it out. Um, of course this year, we only played three games. But it's called BAT. You know, it stands for Baseball Academy Tournament. We have a Facebook page. And a lot of our games this year or last season, they were on Facebook Live so everybody can see the games. And that final game was, the year before was really tremendous. It ended, the championship game ended with a walk off Homer. Yes, yes. Yeah, as a matter of fact, our school won the championship but it could have been the other school. It was against the Carlos Beltran Academy. And it could have been them just as well because that's how close it was. It just so happened that our player hit a 3-2 homerun with two men on base, and it was a walk off. So, but we have a pages and it's called Baseball Academy tournament.

Evan 48:10

That's awesome how you and the other coaches came together to create a league

Rene 48:14

Yep.

You see, the key is the key is and I just want to emphasize this, many times the coaches see each other, you know, in general in youth sports as competition. But in reality, what we want to and what we try to promote here is that we're all a team, we all love the game. And and we want every coach to share whatever knowledge he has with the players. And if we work together, we can get much more done. And that's one good thing here that we want to do in Puerto Rico. We we care for all the players here, not only if they're from my school, I want other kids in Puerto Rico to get drafted. So because to us, it's players from Puerto Rico. So that's that's really about And that's why we're really excited about that league and, you know, anybody needs to contact me. You asked me before about a contact. It could be via my Telephone is 787-566-1514 or Reneballoveras@gmail.com. Right. But you have you have that information. But um, yeah, I really appreciate this. This is awesome the way you do these interviews. There's many, I've seen many TV shows where we don't have somebody who's doing the interview that's as knowledgeable as you.

Evan 49:40

Thank you so much. Yeah. I really appreciate that. And I'll definitely check out your league when I get a chance and our listeners can definitely check it out to you said it's Facebook page is BAT right?

Rene 49:53

Yeah, or if it doesn't come out like that put Baseball Academy tournament.

Evan 49:58

Okay, you know, that's great to know.

Well, thank you so much for coming on today, Rene. I really appreciate it.

Rene 50:05

Yeah, this was an honor. And again, I'm really impressed with your level of preparation. That's what I, Another thing I recommend to all youth coaches, be prepared. Be prepared. Whenever you're prepared. You'll feel confident and if you're confident, you're most likely to have success, so um and that's why I guess your program, your podcast is so successful, because you're definitely prepared. So thank you.

Evan 50:30

Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at born to baseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media, at born to baseball where we can connect live now let's play ball

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

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Episode #013: Ozzie Guillen- World Series Winning Manager and 3X All Star

July 2020 By Evan

Ep. #013: Join Evan and Ozzie Guillén, World Series Winning Manager and 3X All Star as Ozzie shares insight into his 16 season career as a player, his experience as a Manager and some keys to his success in baseball and in his family life. 

What You’ll Learn:

02:38   Ozzie’s experience moving to the U.S. from Venezuela at only 16 to play baseball

09:37   What qualities are needed to be the best

11:24   His trade from the Padres to the White Sox

19:56   How he listened and learned from other champions like Tom Seaver and Carlton Fisk

23:23   All Star Game experience

26:25   On developing quick hands

35:26   Being an MLB Manager

43:49   Ozzie’s all time “Starting Nine”

45:28   His experience as an Analyst

52:02   His commitment to his Family

57:26   Hosting “Being Guillén” with his sons on La Vida Baseball

1:00:03   Ozzie Guillén Foundation and giving back

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.

If you enjoyed this episode we’d be really grateful if you’d rate the show and leave a review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here. This will help other ballplayers find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  

Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Twitter: @OzzieGuillen

Instagram: @ozzieguillen13

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ozzieguillen/

Ozzie Guillén Foundation: https://www.og13.org/

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

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Twitter: @bornto_baseball

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Episode 013_OZZIE GUILLEN_WORLD SERIES WINNING MANAGER AND 3X ALL STAR

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of born to baseball is sponsored by the BTB Travel Team and Training Tracker. Are you a parent or player searching for travel teams or training facilities in your area? Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach? And you have to check out the BTB Triple T Tracker at borntobaseball.com Make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Music 0:24

Calling all ball players. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? Then bring it in, it's game time.

Ozzie 0:39

Hey guys, and welcome to the Born To Baseball Bodcast. I'm Evan. Today we have Ozzie Guillén on. Ozzie was the shortstop for the White Sox, Orioles, Braves, and Tampa Bay Rays and managed eight years for the White Sox and Miami Marlins. Ozzie led the White Sox to their first World Series in 88 years and he is also a pregame and postgame analyst for NBC Sports Chicago. Ozzie, thank you so much for coming on today

Wow, thank you. Thank you so much. It's a pleasure for me to be on. So many people calling me from different places. When they call me as a kid and go to do this, I will love it because I know it's not easy to do that, but to me, it's a pleasure to be with you.

Evan 1:22

Thank you. So you grew up in Venezuela. What was it like playing baseball there as a kid?

Ozzie 1:28

Well, you know, we'd be lucky enough that this only thing we can do we don't have those, those games kids playing now. We, you know me I used to get hit to get into the house, now you got to get hit to get out of the house. It was great, you know me I think we grew up everybody, the only sport we really have down there was baseball. We know how many big league player. I remember parents don't want you to be a baseball player because we don't have that many. But I grew up in a good, you know, good stuff. And I think when I was like from 10 to 12, 11 then I moved to another place and that then, I stopped playing baseball, but uh, do you go to Latin American countries? You know, obviously you play soccer, or you play baseball. I grew up playing baseball when money wasn't around. And I think you got to talk about the love of the game you can say that but, meanwhile, when you start professional is different thing but I grew up loving baseball and play baseball all day long.

Evan 2:38

And you were drafted at 16 years old and you came to the US what was that experience like? And was it what you expected?

Ozzie 2:46

Horrible! Horrible experience, you know me. This is when I realized I really loved the game because first of all, different culture different you know, you know when you go from Spanish to English full English it's not easy 1980s we don't have no video chat, Wi Fi we don't have a phone. Nothing is go by letter. Now you you can be out for six months and you can see your mom your parents and your friends every day. You can make your phone call you can WhatsApp to them, you know so many different things right now is a lot easier. But then it was bad, It was bad, but you know me. I want to play the game I know when I come to United States for the first time, I put everything away. I don't have mami, I don't have papi, I don't have girlfriend or anything. And I was a kid can you imagine having a kid 16 years old come from all the way from Venezuela to the United States is not an easy thing to to go through, you know, it's not easy to go through. The process is very hard, Ah, I put in my mind say I just come here to play baseball not to make friends or speak with Good English you know my English is still bad and my English is very, very, very not understandable but I enjoy it I make up my mind and say I want to be the best player I can be when i'm here. And besides that you know me when you're 16 you not grow up as a baseball player until like you're 20 I mean, you really don't grow up as a person you grow up, you're a baby, you you're underweight, you are not matured you English is not well, when you have meetings in English, you just sit there like, okay. And now they, there's more players in the minor leagues from Latin America, that was there, and I never had a roommate,or i didnt have any teammates to speak Spanish. That's why it was, a little harder for me, but it's a little easier because that make me concentrate a little bit more about the game cause I didn have around.

Evan 4:54

A must have taken some really, really good dedication and just the love For the game, to be out there every day and continue to do what you did best. You are also a true student of the game. What motivated you to really learn strategy and raise your baseball iQ? And how did this help you in your early baseball career?

Ozzie 5:17

When I was in baseball is 20 plus years old coming from college. Obviously, our swimming against the water and I think that I learned a lot from that. I think I said that's the way I will do it. That's the way we should do stuff and play winter league and it helped my a lot because all of a sudden I played there with men I come here to United States, back to United State then I play with guys my age a little bit, maybe two years older than me. I had an advantage, and I come out there It's like I can teach those guy how to play baseball, when I was 18. Well, you know me, I tell to my kids. I go you know what you guys Got college you know me You wanna play baseball. One of my kids is managing now. He was different you know me I had to be smarter and my mind got to be a little higher than anybody out in the game that's why that helped me we got a we got to fight to go through and people believe how good you can be. And people believe you really know about the game about life. I did the hardest thing in baseball to be honest with you is of the field you know me on the field now is harder because all the social media, phones, pictures then we just play baseball now you know everybody, find out who you are, what you do, what you up to what you do wrong, what you will do, right. But, I think baseball helped me to raise a good family and to raise a family we love to make to raise a family with respect because that's the game is about respect and love. In this game everybody. Look at the money. But again oh look at the time you spend with your family. The time you left mommy and daddy home, or your real friends are there in baseball. You have a lot of friendship, but you don't have friends real friends. You can you know I have been in this game. Oh my god 16, I'm 54 years old, 40 years professional since I signed and I have few, I got more friends in music real friends in music and bullfighting. They have a baseball player obviously I know more people in baseball buy real real real friend that people call me on call them everyday all the time. It's not in baseball.

Evan 7:39

That's very interesting and what you said about your family, raising your family with a lot of respect that that just motivates me and I'm sure a lot of other people to really follow that and use that to help us grow just in life.

Ozzie 7:55

Let me let me I will not talk to kids like that. And very, very smart kid like you are. Allways always bring the kids and put up, you know, get up, raise. It is a good standing ovation for those people out there and I push... look at the parents. Kids, they don't realize how hard is for the parents to take them to be a good kid to take them to play baseball. Why you were 11 years old, 10 years old, who take you to the baseball class or baseball practice? Your parents. Who drive you back and forth? Your parents. Who spent Saturday when they can do something different like playing golf or just do something with their friends? No, my kids got a game. You know me, We have to thank the parents. Those are the people we have to say thank you. And thank you to the coaches spend a lot of time with you guys. When we're kids, we had to thank three people, coaches and the parents because that's what people really doing this to make you better and be a good kid that do something You guys want to do. And that's more important thing when you appreciate youra parents, taking their time and take the life of them to to make you guys have fun and do what you guys want.

Evan 9:12

That's really great and to my parents, just thank you for everything and helping me continue to grow as a person and in baseball. So you are in the minor leagues for four years before moving up to the MLB. Can you give us youth baseball players some tips on how to stay motivated while focusing on making it to the Major Leagues?

Ozzie 9:37

No matter what you do one night it does not mean anything the next night. Discipline, 1) discipline. Yes sir. Do whatever they tell you to do whatever it takes to be the be the best. They tell you a be on the line. We stretch at 10 o'clock be there at 9:55 the coach can see you. Play hard, play hard discipline and respect the game. And don't be lazy to do extra workouts to take extra groundballs. I'm good friends with Michael Jordan, and when I see him and a lot of the best and Kobe Bryant, Miguel Cabrera, all those guys. They're not the best because... God gave them ability, but when you want to be the best you got to work harder than anything. No matter how good God gives your talent, talent gets you to be okay, talent help you but work ethic, discipline, and the commitment, that's the thing that is going to take you to the top and and I'm play hard, respect the game no matter what you do in life. You know I talk to my kids you don't have to be a baseball player whatever you shoot to be, you got to be the best you can be you know as a truck driver well you have to be the best truck driver in the world and how you motivate yourself to get what you want to get.

Evan 11:11

That's some great advice from a really big name Ozzie Guillén. What was your reaction when you first found out that you were traded from the Padres to the White Sox?

Ozzie 11:24

Wow. I was I was number three prospect. Tony Gwin R.I.P. Was number one. John Kruk. Kevin Mareno was in the top, I was around there. And when they traded me, first of all, they lied to me because they said you'll be the next shortstop for the San Diego Padres. Gary temper was the shortstop dark great one, a good one. And when the traded me I said well, I always say things happen for a reason. And when I talk to the, to the White Sox and said you have a chance to be the everyday shortstop here. And they give me more responsibility. I give myself more push, and don't let those guys who believe in myself to make those straight to, to make those guys down will do their job or being criticized. Then I say, You know what? I got to be the best I can be and I will be the best I can be to not make those guys fail. And when I come for Chicago, remember, I know nothing you remember, you can't. Luis Aparico and Chico Carrasquel they was playing for the White Sox in the past. Very good shorts are now going to fit those shoes. I told myself I've got to be better than them. Obviously, be better on Aparico. I can't because he's a Hall of Famer, but they remember and they love me now. More than of those guys. Why? Because I played longer, I played harder, and I was the best one. But I gave everything I have every day. In the field. Let me tell you one thing. When you play out there, your kids play there, it's always gonna be a scout. always gonna be a coach. always gonna be another parent always could be your father. Or your mom make them feel proud of you play hard, and you are not going to get a hit every at bat. You know what to make the best play. You will make errors. But if you play hard. Those guys going to go home feel proud of yourself about what you did. And I think that's more important than you going 4-4, you know, be the best on the team. I think around there is going to be people watching all the time. When I was playing, I said I'm going to play hard. And I'm going to play good. The way people should be playing just because somebody pay a ticket to watch me play. Maybe one out of 50,000 Maybe one out of 35,000, 1, maybe one parent takes their son or daughter to the game to say hey, watch number 13 play shortstop that's the way you play the game, that was my my goal when they leave the game, that Father, feel proud to show the kid, look that's the way you do go about your business and that was making my life a little bit better.

Evan 14:24

That's a really, really great way to look at that. There are some people who doubted you in the beginning, because you were only 150 pounds and 5'11" Did you go into your first game feeling like you had to prove yourself to the city of Chicago? Or did you just go there and focus on yourself and what you knew you did best?

Ozzie 14:46

I gotta I gotta think about me. What I what I what I know I can do. I was besides that I was only 19, 20 but I was the smartest guy in the in the field in that moment. Why because I wasn't worried about anything I was in every game, I never lose anything. I was very concentrated in the game, what happened? What's going on, why we lose when we win why did you guys not do this? And because I had to do that, I had to fight you know me, I'm played with you know I played with Ron Kittle, Tom Seaver, Carlton Fitz, those guy hit home runs oh, wow. But me, I had to make everything I had to do everything perfect for people realize who I was. Especially my coaches. I mean, my first manager was Tony La Russa Hall of Famer, Jean Leland he was my third base coach those guys teach me how to play the game right how to be a pro. I was lucky, very lucky kid to grow up playing baseball with mens right now a few Hall of Famers men who care about the game. Love the game, respect the game. And I grew up watching those guys go about their business and I say I don't have the talent they have, but I'm better than then in baseball IQ. And thank God I was thinking that way I always pick the right friends. Something you have to, you know to be careful about at your age. Not because the kids are nice to you and be nice. You have to listen to your parents. Why? Because in life you parents is the only real friend you have. Because whatever happened, who you going to call? Your parents. Not just a you know, is a good friends out there, yes, there are. but there's not good friends either. Maybe kids got jealous that maybe kids don't want you to be who you want to be. Maybe the kids grew up in different type of family. And you had to think about it. The only real friends anybody have. I hope is your parents. You know, I know some kids grew up with bad parents. That's no good. Don't care about drinking and smoking or do bad stuff. But when you grow up with good parents. That's all you have to look up to it and make them feel proud of you made them to love you and make them to to take care of you and do everything for you.

Evan 17:11

That's a really great way to appreciate our parents and like you said before, our parents are everything. And us as youth baseball players, we don't realize how much they do for us. So we have to just believe in ourselves as well.

Ozzie 17:29

Look at it this way my kids grew up in baseball and the worst thing for my kids is being "Ozzie's kid" because everybody's expecting them to play like me to have the IQ like me. I'm gonna watch a little league game and people say you're not better than your father you know me that's a very hard way to grow up to you know, it's nice to be a Guillén and it's nice to be a Griffey and it's nice to be you know, somebody name, but in the mean in the back. Inside the house it's not easy. I'ts hard because they look, my kid was managing. I think you saw him manage and everybody thought he was going to manage like I managed because he was my son no, everybody got his own life his own way, his own way to look at stuff. And and as a parent and a coach you have to respect that. But I grew up, I grew up in a divorce. My parents got divorced when I was 10 years old. I got the best I think that divorce helped me. I was obviously you don't want that to happen to anyone. But I said you know what? I got to do what they never did. I raise a family, be with the kids, my kids day in day out I think thanks to that divorce, I am the way I am with my kids and my grandkids and friends and my kids friends. Because I know how hard it is ot be raise almost by yourself. One day is your mom with two days with mom and dad. I put that in the past and say wait. I don't make that excuse "Oh my parents and my mom they got divorced, I got into this I said no. I said, I going to be great when they grow up when I grew up. My parents getting old, feel proud. What I did feel proud what I do, I raising my family. And that's why it's my ultimate goal. Don't fail for that. If something happened to you parents would have problems they do every day. Don't worry about it. Don't worry about that. Normally, that really invalid you because you know what to take anything positive out of that system.

Evan 19:37

It's really great how you do that for your kids. You were only 20 years old when you first broke into the major leagues. How are you able to keep your confidence up when you were facing guys who were much older than you and who had way more Major League Baseball experience, then you

Ozzie 19:56

I always say I'm here for a reason. and I am gonna battle against the best one that's all. You want to be a champion. You have to compete against a champion. You're not going to be a champion competing against no one and that's why like when I got to compete you know what I mean. One day I go to the mound and your dad and your mom can tell you who those guys were, Tom Seaver and Carlton Fisk, two Hall of Famers. I go down to the mound like I own the ballclub like, tell them what to say what to do. But you know why no, people was wrong. I would go to the mound to learn what they say and what they talk about, you know what I mean. My kids would make fun of me because my English was horrible, you know, I'm a little bit better, not better like Wow. But every time I go to the mound my kids ask me like "dad, it's Carlton Fisk and Tom Seaver talking on the mound, two Hall of Famers, they've been in the big leagues for like 15 years. What are you doing there?" And I told my kids I said, you know what I was doing there? Learning. Okay, what are those guys talking about, and I don't say anything. I just listen and go back to my position. And that's how you listen, you listen to the right people, and you go about it and you put everything together, you know. And and you have confidence in yourself. And I don't believe that, by the way, I believe in goals, I don't believe in dreams. Oh, my dream come true. Or Oh my god, you make it to a Big Leagues or you go to high school, or you go to college, graduate from college. Oh, my dream come true. No it's not. . No, that's not your dream that's your goal. Your goal is to be somebody in life because you can dream a different thing every day. You can dream about you was flying the airplane and all of a sudden you wake up, you don't fly anything, but you say I will fly the airplane. And that's your goal and you put that to be your goal. Goal. It's something you can reach dream. I don't know how many dreams you can reach.

Evan 21:55

I love that way of thinking right there. So you were Really amazing in your rookie year, you even won the Rookie of the Year award. What were some of the thoughts in your head when you first found out news?

Ozzie 22:10

I feel proud because, well, my goal came true to play every day in the Big Leagues. Not just to be Rookie of the Year. That's, that's real nice. But, I feel proud because my country, it have a great news in the sport. My parents are going to be, that's going to be there for rest of baseball life. But I feel more responsibility too because every year you have to get better and better. Obviously, you're not. But that's in your mind. I said I got to do better next year. And that will help you. I don't see that many Rookie of the Year finish up careers. I see a lot of Rookie of the Year, the next year they get released. And I said Rookie of the Year to me it was in my mind. It was One good season. That's not gonna carry over for the rest of your career. And that's why you had to turn that thing away. I said, Yeah, I was rookie of the year last year. I got paid last year. This is a new year, and I had to be better and work harder to continue to play this very tough career.

Evan 23:23

That's an amazing way of looking at it. Only three years into your major league baseball career, you were selected for your first All Star game. That's an experience that so many of us youth baseball players dream of. What was that all star game experience like for you?

Ozzie 23:44

I was scared.

First time in my life I was scared because all of a sudden you walk through the hotel. And you see everybody who plays against you. I still, I think I was still young for that. But you see Ricky Henderson, Don Mattingly, ah, George Brett. Ah, oh my god. That one to me, that's the best picture I ever take in a baseball uniform. My first year in the all-star game. You know why because most of the guys, I count one by one, maybe 90% of those guys, they're Hall of Famers. And when you get dressed, and you see those guys like, Oh my God, this guy, is like 6'8" with 300 pounds, just muscles, and you sit next to them like, 152 pounds and 5'11", you're like, Oh, I don't belong here. But uh, but that was a great experience just because you were with the best in the game at that particular moment. And it's just something I feel proud and more than anything, not just because I made the all star game or made the all-star team, it's just because you're next to the good ones, to the great ones and there's nothing, it's the best feeling when you are in the dugout talking to those guys like hey man you know what I mean. Wow when they named you to the line now from the Chicago White Sox Ozzie Guillen and you shake all those superstars hand, man it was so great to be part of that. It's one thing I never realized that til I was getting older and showed my kids like look at this picture guys, look at who's next to me you know, Cal Ripken,Tony Fernandez you know what I mean, so many great players around me. That was an amazing, amazing moment. No way you're gonna forgot about it.

Evan 25:41

yeah that's sounds like a really really amazing experience.

Ozzie 25:46

You know it's funny, the guy you hate, you play against them and now they're your teammate for a day. And you know what I mean, Dave Winfield, Oh my God, I look at Dave Winfield on the other side of the ballpark or the field, man I play against him and now I'm playing with him. That's a great great, great accomplishment you can ever have when you sit down and have a couple you know, you have dinner together, all the wives and that moment just, for the all star people, it's an amazing. An amazing experience I ever had with a baseball uniform.

Evan 26:25

You were a dynamic shortstop when you played and you had some really really good hands. What drills did you do to develop really quick hands?

Ozzie 26:36

Okay, working on your feet. The feet. When you work on your feet to try to be quicker, have quick feet. It makes a great fielder. People think oh, it's just great hands. No, I think it's opposite. I think when you have good feet. It's experience I don't think I don't Derek Jeter was a great shortstop. He was a great player to me. One of my favorite baseball players ever. But you see him play short stop, he wasn't good because of his feet it make him good because of his these hands. If I'm gonna teach you how to catch ground balls. I will not teach you the way Derek Jeter was catching the ball. But Derek Jeter's feet was so amazing he made everything look easy. But it wan't his hands it was his feet. I think when you have good feet and you're ready with your feet, ready to throw the ball to first base. Your feet are the ones that make you be great or be okay. If you have bad feet or heavy feet. And you look at a big first baseman, the outfielder, but you look at a good shortstop, the best thing they have is feet. And you gotta work every day. Kobe Bryant show me something. Michael Jordan show me something like oh my god. The best like we talked earlier. They were in theym hours before they start practice and they stayed an hour later after the practice. I didn't do it the way they did. No way I never did. Not too many athletes have that push to be the best, but the only way you'll be better is working.

Evan 28:13

That's really really great insight for us youth baseball players

Ozzie 28:17

Okay, let me tell kids now. Okay, the best thing you can do is hitting.

But the worst thing you can do is run the bases.

And kids love to do what they do best. Obviously to look good. But I think fielders, you know fielding to me was the best thing I ever did. I was the best shortstop for seven years the best in the league and said I didn't even realize that until my kids showed me maybe a year ago like wow, dad you was good defenseively, you was the best in WAR guys and I was like wow, I was doing my job. I was not thinking about being the best I wanted to try and be the best for my team. But You always, always try to work more in something you're weak at. If you're a good hitter but I need to play defense. Nobody likes to play defense. Nobody wants to do stuff they're not good at it. Like when I play golf. I like to drive. Oh my God, look at how far the ball goes. But that's because that's my best part of my golf game. By my short game, it's terrible. I should be working more on my short game than my big game. That's the same way with baseball. Don't fall in love with the things you already know you're good at. Obviously, you you have to continue to work on it. But work on the stuff you're weak at or you think you need work the most and you'll be a better player.

Evan 29:48

That's really great insight and information for us youth baseball players. And yeah, it's it's really important to be committed to the things maybe you don't want to do. At the moment, but you know eventually will get you to the place you want to go.

Ozzie 30:05

Same way when you're at school

when you go to school you always have one class your lost. And because you love and you're good at it, you work in that class, but the one you're not good at, you're like, oh my god, I gotta do this. I gotta do that. No, that's the one you got to concentrate more on and pay more attention to it because the other one you like, they're gonna come natural. But the one you don't like. You know, when I went to school, it was very, Periods, I know it was not that long. I hate English. Hated. But I never worked on English. I should go there and say, I'm gonna be better in my class in English. Because, not because of my future. I don't know why we have English class in Venezuela. when nobody traveled to the united states anyway. But uh, it was my mistake. I should've been better or work harder on my English. I was working on my math when I was already okay. And now that mistake teach me how to get better or to be in the top of my class every day. And the same way it's in baseball. Same way it's in life. Don't do stuff when you're already good at it. Do stuff where you think you're weak and you have difficulty to get better. That's the one you got to work on the most.

Evan 31:36

That's really, really great advice. You never made more than 52 strikeouts in one season. What are some things you worked on consistently to stay at the top of your game?

Ozzie 31:50

I don't think it was good because I was swinging at everything. If I'm born again and play the game again. I will be better than that. Strike out, my problem was every time my bat leave my shoulder that ball is in play. I don't swing and miss that many times. Never. Every time I put my hands out the ball is in play and that cost me my average, that cost me more to get on base, that cost me more walks. And that was my problem. I can be with two strikes as soon as swing I know I'm gonna put the ball in play. And that was a problem I had all my career, taking pitches. Now when I get older I got better but it was a little too late to put that in practice. Once you have two or three thousand at bats in the Big Leagues, but strike out, the strike out thing is every time, you see a lot of guys strike out swinging or strike out foul balls. Unfortunately for me, every time I put the ball in play it's on. Somebody would catch it or somebody will, you know what I mean. That was the problem I had in that particular time. But also it was a great problem. Because my manager knew I was the best contact hitter in the game and he took advantage. He put a hit and run, bunt you know, game situation. And that helped me too in those particular at bats.

Evan 33:22

Yeah, that's also what made you such a great player during your time and ultimately, a really big figure in baseball

Ozzie 33:32

It's a funny thing because I got paid to play. I didn't get paid to be a batting champion. I don't get paid to lead the league in RBI. I don't get paid to to be a homerun leader. I'm paid to play every day and I did. I played 162 games, 155 games. I played every day. A thing that is not easy to do, play every day with my size, my body. How much I weighed. That's why I take care of myself a lot, because I'm getting paid to be in the lineup. I'm not getting paid to, to produce the way somebody else was getting paid. And that's why my goal was staying in the lineup. Every day go out there and play everyday. And that was my proud. So you know, Ah, you lead the league in homeruns. Yeah but I played more games than you did. That's the only ammunition I had to give people and with them, okay, because the way to stay in the big leagues for me, it was to play every day, and I did. It's something, I know, I know, I wasn't going to lead the league in anything. But I got to lead the league in defense. And I got to lead the league in games played. And that was my, my goal, and I did it.

Evan 34:44

And it's important to know our strengths and do what we have to do to contribute to our teams to eventually just put our teams in the best position to win.

Ozzie 34:57

Yes, I think it's the best satisfaction. That's why I got the opportunity to coach and manage more because I was playing for the team. I was the captain of the team in the big leagues and I'm hitting 240, 250. You know, you always captain of the team when you're the guy to produce or you're the guy that makes more money. Just because they know every time I put on a uniform it's about winning it's not about numbers. And I think that made it easy and my teammates respect me the most just because of that.

Evan 35:26

Did you always want to be a manager in the MLB?

Ozzie 35:31

Yes, and I'm not gonna say You know why? Because I played for a lot of bad managers and I'd say if that guy can manage, I can manage. Then, you know, I was managing in the big leagues when I was playing. You know why?

Evan 35:47

interesting

Ozzie 35:48

because because that that was my goal, managing one day. And I said, No, I never thought okay, I would do this. I will do that. I would do the same thing he does. I got my own way to manage. When I was playing, how I talked to the guys, how I approach a player, how I move the guys back and forth, and that helped me to be a great teammate. And when someone is down, I'm always next to him, Like Hey, lets go. Don't quit, because they teach me that way. You know what I mean. Don't put yourself down, you know, you're good enough. You're in the big leagues. Don't let thish thing bother you. Don't let this game bother you. And then that's why, i don't think I was a good manager. I think I was a great, great communicator. And I make you believe no matter how bad you was as a player, I make you believe you was the best. And that's why I think that's why my managing career it was good because I make a lot of friends. They were my players. Because they know I was there for them every day.

Evan 36:55

Yeah, that's awesome. What you did for your players. Either when you were Managing or just playing during your playing career. And as a manager, what factors do you consider when you're about to make a pitching change? And how do you know who you're going to bring in? Because there's so many guys in the bullpen?

Ozzie 37:19

That's a very, that's the hardest moment for any manager. Why am I going to take you ouy, why you're leaving him in. Who are you gonna call who's the hitters? You got everything in your mind. Like, okay, this guy, this guy, because whatever the reason is, use the bullpen, Put those guys in the best moment to have success. That's what my point is okay, I'm going to put this guy in this at bat because he will have success against him. And to create. I will create more confidence in the player. Because when you bring somebody you know was the right guy or the right matchup and it fails, you create, you have doubts in your mind how good you can be. That's why I tried to put those guys out there but the hardest thing or the more uncomfortable thing for any manager is when you go to pinch hit for somebody or you go to remove somebody from the mound. And then that's the two things wow that you know what I mean. Some players don't like to come out but you have to. Or I hate like, oh this guy is gonna pinch hit for you. But wait a minute, I can't hit that guy? Yes, I can hit that guy. Especially if you pinch hit and the guy you pinch hit for strikes out. You're like oh my god, you have to try to put the best guys in the right place and the right posotion for them to have success in the game.

Evan 38:53

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. And that's also what made you such a good manager. Trying to put the guys who you feel are going to have the most success in the right positions. So 2005 was a very special year for you because your team won the World Series. What was the chemistry like on that 2005 team

Ozzie 39:17

It's only one chemistry when you win, when you win, great chemistry. When you lose, That's not a good chemistry even if you want to have good chemistry. My thing is, in my clubhouse I had a great bunch of guys. I didn't have superstars. I had good players. But as soon as they put on their uniform, everyday it was about winning. And you got to tell those guys hey listen this is about winning not about numbers. If you win, Numbers are gonna be there. Why? Because when you win that means, you do something good. And your numbers and your ability will take care of that. And I think that from the First day players found out hey this is about winning it's not about numbers. And those players went to my plan, they put it together, they understand my point, they understand how we're going to play the game. And that's what at spring training, we got that philosophy. We don't care if you're 0 for 4. You go to bat and you have to move the guy over, you have to do something for the team that will help everyone.

Evan 40:29

And winning is what players strive for. It ultimately helps them and just the team in general.

Ozzie 40:37

I think when you win, if you are 0 for 4 and you win, you're happy. You might fake it. But the team win. And I think that was very important to everyone. Because you can be 4 for 4 and your team loses. You know, you can not enjoy that with the rest of the guys.

Evan 40:56

Yeah,

Ozzie 40:56

and that's why that's why I think winning is very important than anything

Evan 41:01

at what point in the season did you feel like you had a shot at winning it all with that team?

Ozzie 41:07

Never did, never did because we was like wow, 15 games over .500, 20 games over .500, we know we're gonna win the division. At the end of the division it was kind of hard because Cleveland was playing very good baseball.

But I never did. I never did I remember

we're up three games

against Houston. And I told those guys, I had a meeting with the players and said listen, don't let the duck wake up. Kick'em. Don't let it wake up because you lose this game, they know they're going to have a chance. That happened to Boston and the Yankees. They let those guys win one game. Uh Oh, there we go. If you are there. If you're in that particular World Series you know you won three games in a row before. 3,4,5,6,7,8, games in a row and that's why in the third game I talked to the guys. I said hey, kick them right now. Don't let them get up. Because if you let them, if you leave the guy get up, they might hit you and knock you down. I said let's go I said to me, Every game was important. We, until we had the last out of the World Series. Every day, I never take anything for granted, I never take anything for... Oh, we are up three games, we're fine, we got it done. No this... That's why I think this team went out and win it in four games.

Evan 42:33

That's very interesting and just take it one game at a time.

Ozzie 42:37

That's it. One game at a time and like like what I said. For you you want to play this game, it;s not an easy game but whatever happened the night before or the day before or the week before it doesn't mean anything the next day. You can have 4 for 4 one day and the next day it;s a brand new game. You can be 0 for 4, and that's why this game is not easy, but this game physically and mentally you have to be prepared for that.

Evan 43:04

What would you say your favorite game as a manager would be?

Ozzie 43:10

Wow. So obviously my first game was. My first game I was a manager like I couldn't believe I'm managing the team I played for. I managed in thecity I played all my career for or most of my career. And obviously the last out. We did it in Houston, the last out to clinch the championship. World Series. I wasn't happy for me. I was happy for the players. That's the ones that battle all year long. Stressed all year long. Played hard all year long. I feel proud for the players. And I feel so happy for them more than me

Evan 43:49

That must have been a really special moment for you and your players. If you could put together a dream team choosing players from across baseball history. What would be your starting nine?

Ozzie 44:03

Oh my god. Why do you do that to me.... so many great, so many great players. If I had a dream team. Let me see...catching I'd put Ivan Rodriguez. He was the best catcher I ever see ah. second base Roberto Alomar, shortstop it would have to be Ozzie Smith. I'd like to say Derek Jeter because Derek Jeter is a winner all his life. Third base it would have to be George Brett. In the outfield, my goodness, Vladimir Guerrero, Ken Griffey, Jr. in centerfield, left field Barry Bonds. You know, I left out Rickey Henderson you know what I mean so many great players out there. No, I'll take Barry out and Ricky because I see Ricky play more than I see Barry. I'll put Barry as a DH. First baseman that's only one I'm missing. First base, so many great first basemans out there. I would put Puljols on first base.

Evan 45:16

That's awesome but there are so many great players throughout baseball history.

Ozzie 45:20

So you can ask me tomorrow, you can ask me tomorrow the same question, I might tell you different players

Evan 45:28

as an analyst Is there a different way you see the game because you aren't like in it like playing or coaching

Ozzie 45:34

An analysts is... everything you see is easier from there. Because when you're managing everybody in baseball is managing that game. You and the fans they say why did this manager put this guy, Why did he do this, Why did he do that? I think being an analyst is the easiest way to criticize a player and say the right thing. But I think it's easier for me to watch the game. And when I am an analyst I don't try to be a former manager, a former player, I'm going to be the analyst on that day of the game. I never say oh, I would do this, why he don't do that? I always say why'd the manager do this? I don't say say if I was the manager I would do that. I think that sounds ugly, you know, that sounds ugly because it's easy to think about the game when you're with the mic, next to it. But I always say, You know what I mean, this guy got this guy on the bench, you got this guy in the bullpen. Why he don't use him? I don't say if I was the manager I'd use this guy. Because you sound arrogant. You sound you like you know the game more than anybody else or you sound like, like that manager down there. He don't know, I know more than him. And that's why you have to be careful how you say and when you Say in that particular moment, not because you managed. Or you, because you win the championship, or you managed for so many years, you played for so many years, you're better than the guy that's downstairs in that particular moment.

Evan 47:14

We're really lucky to have an analyst like you, who has a lot of baseball experience.

Ozzie 47:21

There's one thing I will tell you, I will tell the fans the truth. Even the players like it, or the manager like it, because my job is to explain the game to the fans. And whatever they say later if they like me or not, that's their problem. I will never lie to the fans and I never did. I never lied to the fans even when I was a manager. I never lied to the players. When I see something wrong, I let them know right away. And that's why I never have any problem with anyone because they know how I was and who I was. And that's the way my job is right now, to explain to you guys, explain to the fans in that particular game what's wrong and what's right. And if you like it You like it. I'm working for the White Sox right now at NBC. And I told the players if you don't want me to say bad stuff about you play good. If you play good or if you're managing good, what am I gonna say. Not, because you got four hits. Because, I see you do the right thing for the team in that particular game or that particular at bat, that particular pitch. And that's why you got to take this game, pitch by pitch, inning by inning and that's, That's how you can talk on TV. Because fans, fans know about the game. They think they know too much about the game. But when you lie, when you have the mic and you lie or you're protecting somebody, they will find out and they don't like that.

Evan 48:49

I've seen a couple of videos of you joking around around the game baseball. How important is having fun while you're playing the game of baseball?

Ozzie 48:59

Well, if you come from where I come from, and you are where I was. You had to have fun every second of the game. You getting paid. Like I always say, I never worked in my life. Never did. I never worked one minute. Because everything I was doing, I love it. I have the passion I enjoyed. And so far, I'm 56 years old. I don't know that word work, because I never did in my life. Every time I go to the ballgame, I was doing something I really love. I really like I enjoyed it. And I make money out of that. And that's why I say, I always say you know, I'm the luckiest man because I raised a family I create a family which is something I always got to enjoy what I was doing.

Evan 49:50

When you love something and it never feels like work.

Ozzie 49:54

Never did never do it and when you look and I'm one a few of those guys to show up to the ballpark no matter what happened that day. I was the happiest man in the field. I am the happiest man in myself. Because I was doing something I really does and I really loved doing and I was lucky enough to live that life.

Evan 50:17

What would you say your favorite sort of have fun moment is

Ozzie 50:24

have fun moment... when you play! You know how many people play for fun? Now we get paid to play that's, that's extra fun. You, when you get paid a lot of money and people look up to you and people ask for your autograph and people admire you or people appreciate what you did or what you do. That's the funny, The best thing about this game. And I think every time you put a uniform, let's go have fun. Especially you. You know right now, Little League, high school, and I told my kids, you're done with college fun is over. Now when you sign professional ball, you're getting paid for it. Now you have to be better. And that's two things People have to be careful with. Because it's two different things. Now you make money, you will have more responsibility. You gotta you got to expect better for yourself and people pay to watch you play. You cannot let those guys down. And I enjoyed every minute you see me play shortstop, you never see me or have the opportunity to see me play but everybody in the league say who have more fun in baseball? 90% of the players say Ozzie Guillen, play against me or play with me. And I love it because I was like, Well, you know when you go to Disney land. And to me I was going to Disneyland every day. And they say something. That's why I enjoyed the game more than anybody in my time.

Evan 52:02

Yeah, that's so cool. That's awesome. So, family is extremely important to you. What influence have they had on you as a player and in your baseball career?

Ozzie 52:15

Well, because they know, how, you know? It's funny because they know I had a lot of responsibility. I was very, very good in anything I did. And I teach my kids how it's important

to have

how do you say that?

the commitment you make, that's the commitment you're going to be. And you you make a commitment. You have to be a good husband, you got to be a good father. You got to be a great grandfather, that's commitment and I teach my kids that. I say that's the best thing I can say. You know, I was taking the game seriously. Very seriously. But with a lot of fun and to combine those two things, it's not an easy combination. But it worked for me. You know have fun with what you do but have a lot of responsibility what you do, and that's why I think my career lasted longer just because I make this combination. And one thing about it too... whatever happened in the ballpark, stays at the ballpark. Don't bring it to your house. And what happened in your house leave it in the house. Don't, because you are always going to have problems, okay. Like your father, he sings. All of a sudden he's gotta go to work. All of a sudden he has a problem, a fight with your mom for any reason or you know, he was upset with you for any reason. He can't go out there and think about those problems when he performs. Same way when you perform you let, okay, something goes wrong in in the concert. He can't go there and taking you guys what was wrong in the in the concert because you don't have nothing to do with that and then that's the thing with me worked very well. Whatever happened on the field stayed on the field, whatever happened in my house stayed in my house

Evan 54:12

Did you coach your kids in baseball when they were growing up? And were you tough on them?

Ozzie 54:18

I never did. Unfortunately I never do. I wish I could have had more time. I was tough of them? No, no, I wasn;t tough on them, not not all. I say you, I think. Maybe that's a mistake I make or that's a good thing I did. I let my kids be happy and do whatever they want as long as they do it the right way. And but I bet you my grandson and my granddaughter are going to be way better players than they did because now I have the time to coach them. I have time to teach them more. And so it's all about time. You know when I grew up, when they grow up. I watched them play. Yes I watched them play every day. Every time I have an opportunityto See them play I would go and watch it, every, every game. I never stayed home because I was tired. I never stayed home because I was busy. I never stayed home because oh my god I'm tired of baseball I got to see my kids paly. No I never did. I go there and watch like another parent. I never watched my kid like I was Ozzie Guillen. I watched my kids praying like all the parents. All the parents. I don't say hey Put your hands up, do do this, never did. I never put my nose on it. And that's why our relationship has been great. Has been good. And off the field or on the field, I treated my kids like kids. I treat my kids like my sons. And and I think my relationship with my kids is better than my career in baseball.

Evan 55:47

That's amazing. They're they're really lucky to have you as a father.

Ozzie 55:52

Sometimes they do sometimes they don't.

Evan 55:56

Your your son Ozney. He actually followed your footsteps and became a manager. What was your reaction when you first found out?

Ozzie 56:04

I was very proud? Very happy. Not because very proud because, he did it himself. I don't help him in anything. He did it himself, he just win the championship in Colombia. I was more proud more happy when that happened then when I won the World Series. because I see my kids have success. I think Ozney right now knows more of the game than me because he was into the game, the new stuff coming out right now. He knows about the game very well and I think he has a good future doing it. But you know what I mean say, he asked me questions, Yes. I answer the way I should answer yes. But we always discuss about the problem. I never right or you never right. We talk about it. We get together we talk. No, you're wrong. I say not because I say I'm right not because I played that many years in the big leagues I'm right not because I win two championships I'm right. And that's one thing you have to put on the side. Don't try to put together like I was better than you because of this, no, I think everybody have his time everybody thinks, but I always talk to him about the game. Yes. I always talk to, when he asks me a question. I answer. I never ask any question why you do this in the game why you move this guy, or why you take these guys out? Nope. I never did.

Evan 57:26

And I just want to say I watch LaVidaBaseball. And I love the dynamic between you and your sons. I think it's really special.

Ozzie 57:34

Don't miss it, it's gonna be better and better every day. Because we just not talk about our game. We just talk about life. We talk about something, we not agree with each other. And I love that. Everybody has a different way to look at the game. And that's why we put the show together just because it's fun. And I'm not right, because I'm the guy who knows baseball and everybody has their opinion. And the opinion they have is very good. And the opinion they have, if I don't agree I will say it but not because I don't agree I'm right. And I think the show it has been pretty good. And hopefully we'll continue to do it.

Evan 58:17

I really love lavidabaseball with you guys.

Ozzie 58:20

Well ask questions, you know what next time ask question we will respond to you

Evan 58:27

I definitely will

Ozzie 58:28

Yeah, do it, we will respond and I'll be aware if you are gonna ask questions and that's the part of the show. When you have people ask questions, it makes the show more fun. Because that's why we are there. For now you don't have one opinion in the show you have four. And that's why you can pick out of the four opinion, you can pick the one you like. You know what I mean, maybe you pick Ozney's opinion. And that's what the show is all about.

Evan 58:55

So Chicago has been your home for a number of reasons. Now. What makes that city so special for you?

Ozzie 59:04

Oh my god. Well, two things. I can do whatever I want in the city. At the park you know people be nice to me. People be nice to my family. They grow up here. I can you know, that's the first winter I spend in Chicago. You know it was not something we wanted to experience but when we stayed as a family we going to enjoy and I think that Chicago is a very calm city. Very nice city. Chicago, it's like a small New York and I told you guys I told Bobby Allende I told your dad why you not move out of that city, out of New York and come to Chicago but I think Chicago, I will. I will live here for the rest of my life. Now I have grandchildren. Now. I stay in the city more. I love this city. People respect me. One thing about it, I don't care if you love me or not. as long as you respect me? That's the only thing I care.

Evan 1:00:03

Can you talk to us about the Ozzie Guillen foundation and what its mission is

Ozzie 1:00:10

It start with, that foundatiotn start with Ruben Blades because I was doing a lot of stuff in my country without people notice and Ruben Blades come to me and say you got to let people know you help your community you help the town you help your city, yohelp your country and thats where it start. We start with kids with AIDS and cancer in Venezuela. That's why I love all the musicians that help me doing that. That's why I think I have more friends in the music sides than I have on the player side. And I was teaching my kids how to help the people that need help. Because we are lucky enough to have less problems than a few people. And that's how the foundation started. You know what I mean. We help a lot. We go through. It's not easy to do it, my wife, especially my wife, my wife is the one involved a hundred and Ozzie Jr. go a hundred percent. I just help and. And I think that's one of the best things my kids are going to carry from me, help others when they need help. And that's why I think that foundation is going to be long, you know what I mean. I don't do the foundation to be famous, I don't do the foundation just to be to be my, people talk about, oh look at Ozzie how great guy he is. No. I did it for my family. Make sure they have responsibility, make sure they care about people next to them, people around them, and every year it's stronger and stronger and, and people help me a lot. I got people, they put money on it. Do more stuff more important than me. And that's what the foundation was all about it. It's all about teaching my kids how to give something to the people really, want, need to.

Evan 1:01:53

That's a really great in an important lesson that all of us can learn for. Just to give back to People who may not have as much as we do, and even just the community we grew up in, you give back to others.

Ozzie 1:02:08

It's just something you feel you feel good. You feel like oh my god when we donate anything, you can donate one pencil, one book or you can donate a baseball field. No matter it's one million or $1. Every time you donate something to make the community better it's a great feeling. It's a lot of work. It's a great great feeling and I thank all the people that help that foundation without... it's a friend. You know, they never charge me anything. They never say hey, I want to do this or no. I think that Foundation, it comes from friends and you make good friends when you're a good guy. And, and so far, they know all the money go to somebody. I know have a Secretary I don't have any office, anything. You, We make a hundred thousand dollars we give away a hundred thousand dollars, we made $2 we give away $2. It doesn't matter, it's about helping and make family happy. Maybe sometimes you donate people you, you donate money to kids. They don't know. But the parents know the people around them know. And that's a great satisfaction.

Evan 1:03:21

Well, now I want to move into the rapid fire questions. You ready?

Ozzie 1:03:26

I'm always ready, brother.

Evan 1:03:29

So first, what was your favorite season as a player?

Ozzie 1:03:34

My favorite season to play my first year, you know, first year because finally I make it to the big leagues.

Evan 1:03:40

What's your favorite food from Venezuela?

Ozzie 1:03:43

Oh, from Venezuela, obviously like everybody else I love arepas. Arepas is the best one because I grew up eating that. And you talk about black beans, rice and meat. Everybody in every country eat that. In Puerto Rico, New York everything but arepas, I think that's my favorite.

Evan 1:04:01

And if there was a blockbuster movie made about your life so far, what would you want it to be called?

Ozzie 1:04:08

Oh my god the real Ozzie

because nobody, Yeah, because nobody knows exactly who I am. They got the, expecting different things, love me, hate me. But "Meet The Real Ozzie" that's the movie it should be making that's gonna be the name. And the guy, the guy worked hard, and he's a great. I'm not gonna say I'm great in everything. But I think I'm great, most the thing is I'm a great husband and great father and great grandfather that's that's my responsibility. I'm willing to do it. And that's, I think I want people to love me more with what I do with my family and my friends than what I did on the field.

Evan 1:04:48

What are some of the things that you're currently working on?

Ozzie 1:04:51

I work on my golf swing. I'm terrible, but I work on it. I work on it and I work on it to be the best grandfather I can be. I work on it everyday to be the best I can be because they're my blood. That's the people they're gonna look up to me and that's the people we're gona raise.

Evan 1:05:10

I know you're you're almost everywhere. Are there certain places where people can reach out to you and learn more about you?

Ozzie 1:05:17

Well, I'm a very home made guy. I stay home all my life that's why the quarantine don't hit me that bad because I always stay home the most I can. You can reach me and my Twitter. Or you can reach me on my Instagram, my Instagram I don't work on it that much. My Twitter Yes. And to be honest with you. This is my second, my second podcast I ever did something and when your parents and my friend Bobby asked me you want to do it, I feel like it's on. Just tell me what they because right now in that particular time, that's the thing people are doing now. They asked me from every part of the world, every media, every friend. To be honest, and I say no I don't want to be on it because It's one hour, you will enjoy it. But you never know what happened. But to be with you, and the questions you asked me, to me, that's very important. I always do that to my friends, be next to them and talk to them. They asked me any question they want, but if they want to reach me Twitter and Instagram.

Evan 1:06:20

Ozzie, thank you so much for coming on. I really appreciate it. And I'm so honored to be here with you on the podcast today

Ozzie 1:06:29

Believe me it's not your honor, it's my honor. Because I went through a lot of media and they talk to me and the question you used, I know you were very prepared for this. To me it was on honor, hoppy and glad to do this. And now now you guys know a little bit about myself, the real Ozzie who is the Ozzie off the field. And when that question comes from a kid like you and to me it's more important to teach them how to be a better kid, not how to be a better player. Thank you so much to give me the opportunity to be with you and have a great, great time with you and very proud of you, man.

Evan 1:07:10

Thank you. Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at born to baseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media at born to baseball where we can connect live now let's play ball

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

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