Major League Baseball is a high-pressure world. Not only for players, but also for pitching coordinators. All the more because they serve as crucial guides and are entrusted with unlocking the potential of talented arms. For the Cubs of the Windy City, Casey Jacobson holds this responsibility. But don’t be surprised; he shared an anecdote when “it was definitely intimidating”.
On one hand, he appreciated the opportunity to get to work closely with rising stars like Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and the veteran Kyle Hendricks. On the other, in an Exclusive interview with Essentially Sports, the senior pitching coordinator for the Chicago Cubs gave a rare glimpse of the challenges and rewards of working with these elite athletes. His answer was something one could never expect.
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From Intimidation to Appreciation – Casey Jacobson Gets Candid About Work With High-End Players
Jacobson’s journey began with a tinge of trepidation. He admitted, “It was definitely intimidating,” and elaborated on how he felt he wasn’t as nearly as good. Considering their stature, Jacobson was not even sure if he would be able to get to those guys. While he grappled with feeling confident and comfortable, he learned an invaluable lesson.
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Acknowledging one of his earliest interviews, he shared learning that if he had any information that can help the players, they would be super receptive. This was particularly 100% true when it came to Steele, Taillon and Hendricks. With that, his concerns and feeling of intimidation were quickly dispelled.
The key, according to him, lay in mutual respect. He further went on to say that they are all just really good people. He also made a special mention with his words, “Kyle Hendricks is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met.” This, in fact, holds true to for the rest of the pack too. After all, when you see how hard they work, it is not too long before this respect translates into open communication.
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Respect & Bravado: The Core of the Chicago Cubs’ Pitching Staff
An underlying aspect that Jacobson covered in the Exclusive interview with Essentially Sports was that respect isn’t just about technical expertise. It’s about creating and nurturing a comfortable environment as well.
Thanks to some of these elite Cubbies who made conversations so easy. With their “bravado”, it became easier to be with them, to play with them. So beneath their super successful outer skin, they are welcoming and normal-good people underneath, plus “they’ve got great families,” Jacobson said.
Jacobson’s insights on how he grew comfortable despite being amidst high-end players paints a picture of a successful pitcher-coordinator relationship. One that is built on trust, communication, appreciation, and mutual respect. That said, as the Cubs settle in for the 2024 season, Jacobson continues his vital role, directing his pitchers towards excellence.
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Edited by
Deepanshi Bajaj