Forget the crack of the bat and listen to the rumble of a thousand pounds of heart and muscle barreling down the home stretch instead. An ex-MLB diamond champion has discovered a new, and perhaps even more effective-platform for the old adrenaline thrill of competition. The story encompasses more than just the horses and hats. It’s a voyage from the noisy baseball stadiums to beautiful horse racing tracks.

Life after baseball for this former outfielder wasn’t about quiet retirement or leisurely rounds of golf. Instead, it was about the thunder of hooves replacing the familiar sound of a well-hit ball, and the vivid silks of jockeys overwhelming the familiar pinstripes. 15 seasons, over 1,583 games in the MLB for clubs like Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals. When Jayson Werth finally hung up the cleats, who knew there was a new pair of boots awaiting him—riding boots.

Known for his combination of power and speed, Werth loves his post-baseball life at the Kentucky Derby. In a recent interview, he opened up about the thrill he gets. He said, “I never experienced nerves before. Never got butterflies. I’ve played with a guy who would throw up before every game, and I’d look at him like, ‘What the hell is wrong with you?’ And now here I am, fighting back puking before every race. It doesn’t make any sense to me, but I have all these crazy emotions with this sport.”

Sounding like a hobby? Not for Werth! It’s a passion. Did you know he founded Two Eight Racing with friends to honor his baseball jersey number?  Not only that, but he entered racing by buying promising horses like Flying Mohawk. Also, the 151st Kentucky Derby will feature Barn 21 resident Flying Mohawk as one of 20 starters on Saturday. And if his horse wins, he will be awarded $3.1 million. Cool, right? After all, he was a champion from the Phillies’ 2008 squad; perhaps his horse can become one too.

More than a race, the Kentucky Derby is a cultural event rooted in history. From the famous garland of roses to the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home,” it inspires sports fans all around the globe. For our ex-baseball star, running in the Derby is like playing in a World Series game, with all the related pressure and thrill.

Though 30-1 odds make Flying Mohawk a long shot, the excitement of competing at this level is unmatched. He claims, “Owning a horse that runs in the Kentucky Derby is literally the highest level of sports.” He admitted, “It’s like getting your name called on Opening Day to run out on the field for a storied franchise like the Phillies or the Yankees or somebody like that.”

Werth’s competitive spirit extends beyond horse racing and the Kentucky Derby. Some old flames remain as a former MLB player with substantial NL East roots. His intensity during on-field clashes often appears in playful, sharp banter with familiar rivals post-retirement.

Jayson Werth’s latest jab at an MLB team

We have heard and seen that MLB rivalries run deep, but do they persist even after retiring? Not sure! For Werth, at least, the answer seems to be yes.

The former MLB outfielder Werth revived a long-standing feud with some harsh words during the New York Mets‘ 19-8 start to 2025. Werth stated on the “BSBLR Show” podcast: “If you live in New York, you have a choice. You have an obvious choice: you can either be a fan of one of the most storied franchises… or the Mets.” He added, “I have no respect for people that pick the Mets.”

Werth has long disliked the Mets. After their 2007 debacle, he helped the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Mets en route to the 2008 World Series. Werth said his Phillies “ripped the heart out” of the Mets. His relocation to the Nationals, another division foe, exacerbated the enmity. He was hit by Mets reliever Frank Francisco in 2013, prompting a bench-clearing incident.

Werth’s views remain intact even after retirement. According to a 2018 interview, he contacted every MLB team during free agency except the Mets, saying, “I wouldn’t play for the Mets.” His latest statements remind us that baseball rivalries and grudges never end.

Werth has taken his competitive life to a new level with the same drive and passion he brought to the MLB. His journey shows that for some athletes, competition never disappears; it just finds a new track.