Jack Howell, known by his MLB teammates as “Cactus Jack,” joined JapanBall’s “Chatter Up!” on Sept 10 to discuss his time with the Yakult Swallows and Yomiuri Giants, his 1992 Central League MVP season, and his ideas about the minor league process and what may result from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shane Barclay:
Let’s get to our special guest, Jack Howell. So Jack, I’m just gonna put you on spotlight so everyone can see you.
Jack Howell
How you doing? I’m proud to be here. I appreciate the opportunity to be here. And are you enjoying the cactus in the background?
Shane:
Love it. It’s perfect. I expected nothing less. You’re just in your backyard, right?
Jack:
Tucson is my home. [In the] last few years we moved to Kansas in a rental home because my grandkids are there so we want to spend time with them. But when the COVID hit, we moved back out here to Tucson. Just a little tidbit of information: years ago when I played for the Angels I was given the nickname “Cactus Jack” because I’m from Tucson, so cactus is my mantra, I guess.
Shane:
There you go. You just took my first question, I was gonna ask you about that.
Jack:
I’m sorry, I’ll just shut up and let you do the show.
Shane:
No worries. I’m gonna give a quick intro for everyone who doesn’t know your story, I’m just going to run down a quick bio here and then we’ll get into the questions. So Jack was born and raised in Tucson, as he mentioned, [and] was Arizona through and through; he went to Pima CC and the University of Arizona. Despite not being drafted in the ‘83 draft, the Angels signed him and he quickly shot through the system and made his big league debut early in the ‘85 season and established himself as a reliable and versatile player. From ‘87 til ‘89 he averaged 20 home runs this season. And then in ‘91, the Angels traded him to the Padres, played with [the] Padres for a little bit and then went on to Japan, which is where he really shined and is the reason why he’s here today. He played for the [Yakult] Swallows from ‘92 to ‘94, [and in] ‘92 he won the MVP of the league; [he was] first “gaijin” to win in his first season. He led the league in homers and batting average and led the team to the Japan Series where they lost to the [Seibu] Lions in the seventh game. And then in ‘93, they made it back to the series, the beat the Lions in seven games, and during that year, he really established himself as one of the all time clutch players hitting five “sayonara” home runs, which is a record he still has, hit for the cycle that year. I think it’s safe to say that the Swallows fans forever will love him for those couple seasons. He played one more season with the Swallows before going on to Yomiuri Giants in ‘95. And then he turned to the Major Leagues with the Angels for a couple years, the Astros for a couple years. And in total, 17 years of playing pro ball; does that sound right?
Jack
You’re saying that I’m old, I think that’s what you’re leading to right?
Shane:
Not like that. But throughout the 17 years he was really just a reliable guy that could play all over the field. You played every position in the field as a pro except for pitcher and catcher and I’m sure you would have done those if they let you, right?
Jack:
Well pitching because I was afraid of how fast it was going to come back at me, and catching because I didn’t want to squat down. So I left those two tough positions out.
Shane:
Fair enough, I don’t blame you for that. And then since retiring as a player in ‘99, he’s been coaching in professional baseball, he’s the big league hitting coach at the Diamondbacks, has been with the Angels for quite some time. If this season wasn’t all messed up, he would have been the manager of the Burlington Bees for the third season. So that’s the story up to today, if you all didn’t know it. Thanks again for joining us, Jack.
Jack:
No, thank you. I appreciate giving everyone that insight into my career, and going back to the Japan thing, I think it’s one thing a good insight to have. Although the honors are amazing [and] I really appreciate the MVP season, but truly my MVP season was that ‘93 season. It’s amazing how just because you don’t get the MVP honor, it truly was the season. [I had] some big clutch hits and then ultimately, helping the team win a Japan Series, so those were memorable times and I appreciate being on this call. It brings back a lot of memories and man, I really miss Japan a lot. I’ve been able to go back twice since I’ve retired, but haven’t been back in a while. So I really missed those times and excited about this podcast.
Shane:
Cool. I know a lot of us are excited to talk to you. I don’t think you get a group of American fans who are more knowledgeable and into Japanese baseball, so you’re in the right place here. So I want to start with, in ‘92, when you went to Japan initially, how did the offer come up? And what was the decision-making process to jump over to Japan?
Jack:
Well, it’s funny. Working with minor league players now and stuff we always talk about what is their “why,” you know, “why are they here?” Obviously, to get to the big league and you know, occasionally guys will talk about money, let’s face it, you got a chance to make a lot of money but I always try to say that your “why” should be to be successful and be a big league player and achieve something that you’ve probably wanted since you were a kid. But going back to your question, it’s amazing that I tell this story. You mentioned I was traded to the Padres. And towards the end of the season, we’re playing the Dodgers in Dodger Stadium and I get a call from a guy that says, “hey, man, I know [that] you’ve been traded, it’s your free agent season. Have you ever thought about playing in Japan?” And I said, “No, I didn’t even know they played baseball in Japan.” I was pretty illiterate when it came to that. And he said, “Well, would you be interested?” And I said, “Man, you know, it’s my free agent year. I’d like to sign a nice deal with somebody and continue on here.” And he said, “Well, what if I could get you a million dollars?” And I said, “Where do I sign?” I was clueless when it came to that, but as we negotiated and I realized it was going to kind of be a strike year and and the opportunity was there and as I learned more about it, you know, I signed in winter and I definitely had no clue man. I think we our first spring training was in Yuma, Arizona, which I had gone down to Yuma’s spring training to play against the Padres for years, but couldn’t imagine that my first spring training with the Japan team would be in Yuma, Arizona. [I] showed up there and just really had no clue to anything, man. But I think, you know, you kind of mentioned earlier [that I’m] an undrafted player that just found a way to make it. I think the thing that really helped me and I didn’t have a lot of advice from people, but they said, “Man, just get to understand the culture, get to know the players, you know, engage yourself and engross yourself.” And maybe I was that player that just always did what I was told, and I think it really helped me because, you know, we’re out at six in the morning doing running and working out and I’m right along with him. I think a lot of them were shocked that I was out there but I just immediately just kind of joined in and became part of the team and through that I think maybe I got some credibility early on. But it was a struggle early, man. I was away from home. My wife [and] I had a 10 year old and eight year old and then my wife was pregnant with twins at the time. So it was tough to leave the country in those circumstances, but started out the season really, really slow and really struggling and really questioning myself. But I was really grateful for that opportunity. And obviously things changed. And I don’t know if you want me to continue on with kind of how it happened.
Shane:
Maybe you’re alluding to this, but I know from Rob Fitts’s book [Remembering Japanese Baseball] which was the first way I learned about you, except for a couple of baseball cards. I read the chapter in the book, and my favorite part was you talking about when your son joined you for the second half of the season? And you said that really coincided [you] putting up the numbers that one year [for] the MVP. So yeah, if you can talk about that, and I’m also curious if your son still talks about that summer today.
Jack:
Yeah so, where I was going with that was that I’m struggling, it’s the All-Star break, I’d had a really bad hamstring and really fought through playing through that and really was just struggling. My wife is getting close to having those twins and I went to ownership and just said “Look, if you would let me go home for about a week, let me go home and hope that she has the kids… that would be really important to me.” And I said “And then I’ll see some of my doctors that I’d grown up with in Tucson and I think they can get me healthy and I’ll come back and have a good second half.” I think they were a little leery to that, but they let me do that and I flew back to Tucson. Kelly did not have the twins, she went into a false labor. But during that time, I saw some doctors that did some injections on my leg, and I was able to come back healthy, but at least I got to go home and support Kelly a little bit and I think that was a big key. I think in the book, I’m pretty sure they talked about it too, [but] another key there was [that] my hitting coach had me use a different bat in the second half, which I know had a lot to do with it. But I think mental[ly], as well as, you know, physically getting healthier, and then maybe that adjustment with the bat, all that, that you talked about winning that MVP, and all those numbers I put up, were all in the second half, because I think the first half I was batting .245, with maybe 10 home runs and like 30 RBIs. And that second half was tremendous. But it was just that going home and getting healthy and getting mentally in a better spot. And some adjustments through my hitting coach really turned that season around.
Shane:
Yeah, that’s interesting talking about the family stuff, because you know, as fans you see these guys in the field and you expect them to perform. And I think especially in Japan, when you come over as a foreign player, [the fans have] even higher expectations, and there’s even more complications off the field too. So that’s an interesting insight there.
Jack:
Yeah, definitely. You know, I was raised in a Christian home and I was brought up that you give back and so, you know, I was not taking that nice contract and the ability to go to Japan and continue my career lightly. I was really embarrassed at my play in the first half, and really wanted to come back and have something to prove, but I knew I had to physically and mentally get better. So my hat’s off to the Swallows for giving me that opportunity to do that. And then, you know, I think that I rewarded them with a good second half season.
Shane:
Was the bat a Japanese bat? Or was it a lighter bat?
Jack”
It’s funny, I’ll need to reread the book. I’m not really sure, but I’m pretty sure he had me go with a little bit lighter bat. Yeah, I’m pretty sure we went with a little bit lighter bat. And I think that had a lot to do with it, too, that was a great adjustment, and he was a great hitting coach, man; he really cared about his guys, I think he really cared about us Gaijin players and understood the stress that we were under. And so he was always very complimentary, and very encouraging in everything that he did. So he was a big key to the success that I had with the Swallows. That’s for sure.
Shane:
I’m curious about the ‘93 season, [which] you said you felt that was truly the MVP season. Were you always a clutch hitter throughout your career? And did you change your approach? What kind of led to that, with five walkoff home runs that year?
Jack:
No, I would never have called myself for the previous eight seasons in the Major Leagues as a clutch hitter, I was always somewhere between four and six and just kind of a supplemental player. You got to remember in those early years with the Angels I was playing with Rod Carew and Reggie Jackson and Bob Boone and [Brian] Downing and the list goes on. So I was playing with some pretty elite, most of them Hall of Fame players so I was just a supplemental piece there. And I think when I went to Japan in the ‘92 second-half season, people probably know this, but in ‘92 in those playoffs I was horrible for being an MVP. The Lions served nothing but fastballs and just came at me hard and I think I still have the record for the most strikeouts in the Japan Series, so there was a little embarrassment for ending the season that way. And just now I think all the things we talked about earlier just came to place in ‘93, there was that wanting to come back and prove an MVP season, I was definitely healthy, we had had the twins, my wife had even come out, they’ve given us a beautiful home to live in with our family, so you couldn’t ask for a better situation, they set me up perfectly for that. So you know, kind of that body, mind and spirit, I was in a really good place. I want[ed] to get back to the series and, and kind of prove things wrong. So, I think that was kind of my overall goal. But I think on the side of home runs and things like that, it’s kind of like the compound effect or the snowball effect, you know, you have one and then you have two and you start to build confidence and it kind of just spiraled from there. Like I said, the numbers weren’t as big but definitely the word you used was clutch, I definitely really picked us up in the clutch and I think that got us over the hump and got us back into the playoffs.
Shane:
Yeah, that’s awesome. That’s great. We have a couple of questions. So gonna go to Ian first he’s gonna give you a competition for best [Zoom] background here.
Ian:
So I was just wondering why you decided to leave Japan after being so successful.
Jack:
Yeah, so my goal [was] I wanted to play 10 years in the Big Leagues, so I wanted to get back. I was starting to get a little bit older. I think my heroics for lack of a better word were dying off a little bit, [after] I went over to the [Yomiuri] Giants. But the real big key for that was, again, I know I sound like anytime there’s a family problem I’d bail, but I had a sick daughter and then some family issues that were going on and I felt it was important to come back. A lot of people think I kind of left Japan and retired from baseball. I mean, that was going to be it. But then I just when I got back home, things kind of cleaned up a little bit with my life, and then like I said, I just had always had that goal to get 10 years in, and it was the Angels that called me back. I was lucky, that a team did call me after being in Japan, it’s not always so easy to come back from Japan after you’re my age and get a job, but it was the Angels that had asked me if I wanted to come back. And it wasn’t like they handed me a guaranteed contract, they gave me a chance to come to spring training and try out, so once I was given that offer, I said, “you know what, I don’t think I’m ready to retire.” But the short answer to your question was, I just think my talents were dwindling, I was considering retirement and I just didn’t think I was the player that I was and really felt like I needed to get back to the US.
Shane
Interesting. Thanks for sharing that and Ian, and thanks for the question. With that ‘95 Giants season, even though it wasn’t a full season, you played with Hideki Matsui when he was just a young one. What was your impression of him and in that short time with him?
Jack:
He was a wonderful player. They had a lot of players on that team, and of course, the manager was a famous manager, it was really hard coming from the Swallows because you know, that battle between Swallows and Giants, as well as the battle between the two managers, so it was it was tough to go over there. But man, those were some players that I played against that I really admired, so it was a great time. But no, he was a great player, you could tell he was going to be a star, pretty quiet guy, but fun to be around. We had a great team, we had a great group of guys. Probably in retrospect, you know, it’s hard to look back and say would you do things differently, but I definitely have thought back many times and wish I would have stuck it out that season and tried to finish and maybe get us into the playoffs.
Shane:
I’d like to talk more about the managers but there’s been people with their hands raised so we’ll save that, or maybe one of them will ask. We’re gonna go to Saya Nomura. All right.
Saya:
Hi Jack. Good to see you. I want to ask you what your experience was like playing under manager Katsuya Nomura and what were some things that you picked up or that you learned in Japan that you applied when you returned to the States?
Jack:
Yeah, I’ve said this many times when asked this question, and I think he was a big key for me because my first manager with the Angels was Gene Mauch. And I really, really look at them as being an American and a Japanese version of the same type of manager. Just that older manager that had so much insight, so much experience. They weren’t afraid to try different things, but [if] you’re talking about personality, the personalities [were] really huge for me because I grew up with Gene Mauch where he was like a father figure to me. It was kind of like when you weren’t doing things well you got that little mean look, you know, that tough look, that tough love I call it, but then nothing better than when you were doing things right and he was appreciative; just that wonderful smile. Men of not many words, it was more their facial expressions, and so it was like that father figure, so it was really key for me because he was that same way and going over in Japan I had a lot of pressure on me but you know, he was tough on me and in the way that much like I said, he was like Gene Mauch like in a father figure. But there was nothing, and I know you’ll appreciate that, obviously with your relationship with him, but there’s nothing better than after hitting a walk-off home run or doing something special, and just seeing that wonderful smile, you know, no words, just that nice smile when you come back. So it was a great experience, and he was a big reason for wanting to win too because I know he spent so much time as a player, and then a wonderful manager and I think that was a great gift to give to him.
Saya:
Thank you.
Jack:
You have that same smile [Saya is Katsuya Nomura’s granddaughter].
Shane:
I was hoping someone asked about playing for him, so thanks Saya, you’re right on cue. Jack, with Nomura, how long did it take you to figure out how big of a deal your manager was when you first signed? Did they give you a heads up?
Jack:
Yeah, no, it’s like three days in Yuma, you first hear about what he was as a player. I mean, gosh, I’m probably gonna overdo this but I think he played til’ he was 40 or 45, II mean, he played forever. So I knew right away, I was dealing with a legend in Japan as a manager. But no, nobody really talked to me, and I don’t want to portray it as if he was this mean guy. He was just expected the most from you. And that’s what you want out of any leader of any manager. You want them to not be content with sloppy play, but then appreciate good play, and that’s kind of what I was alluding to is that he was not easy to play for in that he had high expectations, he wasn’t just there. Obviously he played forever, so you knew that his commitment to the game and what he had brought to Japan baseball, and he expected that out of you, and wanted you to keep up that legacy and things. So it was in Yuma [when] I heard all about his playing career and then definitely heard of his manager, but it was all positive: just do your job, work hard, don’t disrespect them, and you’ll have no problem. And that was definitely the way it was, just play hard, be on time, do the things that are expected of you, and there [weren’t] many rules compared to that. I think it was definitely a lot harder on the Japanese players, that’s for sure. Maybe this was in the book or maybe this is just something that I just know about him, but I think he really wanted the Japanese players to be the best they could because obviously we’re in Japan, but I think he understood that having one or two American players, I think he felt that that brought the level of Japanese players up. And so that’s why he wanted us Americans to play with that same type of Japanese spirit, but then go do our thing and be a compliment to those Japanese players. So I think he really appreciated the things that us American players brought to his team and to the game.
Shane:
How would you compare his style to Shigeo Nagashima’s style with the Giants?
Jack:
Yeah, you know, so you talk about obviously the same players that you know that played forever and were legends there as players, but then a little different style, a little bit easier going, and not probably that stern father figure. I think it was more that he expected you to look up to him for what he had done. I don’t want to say you didn’t fool around but I mean, you know, probably a little bit more easygoing, just definitely a different type of personality. But definitely, they had the respect for what they had done in the game in the past.
Shane:
Cool. Thanks for that. We have a couple more people at the hands race. I’m gonna go to Ted.
Ted:
Hi, Jack. I got a couple of questions. I first of all enjoyed your chapter in Robert Fitts’s book about you and your son. My question is, what do you do mentally when you’re in a slump? And that’s got to be the worst feeling, like that Series where you struck out, but during the regular season in Japan or when you played for the Angels, what was it like? The feeling that you have mentally when you get in a slump? And what do you do? I play senior softball, I’m not playing this year, obviously, but get down on myself and then I try to say, “Okay, I got to be more positive what I’m going to do to improve to hit or even play, you know, besides getting into hitting soft plays and making errors in the ball field?”
Jack:
Yeah no, it’s a great question. And it’s something that throughout my career, I really had to delve in a lot. And then now in my 17, 18 years in player development in pro baseball, it’s really as a manager, (Shane mentioned earlier my three years as minor league manager) it’s not as much as the putting the lineup up and and base coaching and the X’s and O’s, it’s really more the mental part. I don’t know how many times I have guys in my office, and just really have to talk mental. And you’re exactly right when you say think more positive, I mean, those are all things, but it’s hard when you’re struggling and it’s hard to say, “Well, I’m gonna be okay” and, “you know, it’s okay.” You know, “Forget about today and go to tomorrow.” You have to find something to really focus on and really accomplish to get through that and what I’m getting at is that, I preach a lot [that] it’s about the process and not results. Because what happens is when we’re struggling, then I need to go get three hits today, or if I could just get a big home run, and we start thinking about the results. And the only thing that you can be in charge of is, if you’re talking about hitting is, one thing that I can be in charge of is getting a good pitch and hitting it hard. Even getting a good pitch and even hitting it hard, you know, there’s nine fielders out there, they make a diving play, or you know, it just doesn’t quite get over their glove, but if I can go back to those basic things, or at least this at bat, focus on getting a good pitch and hitting it hard, then I go back and then I start focusing on the process and then the results come. And sometimes we jump over the process and want to go to results, and the more we try to produce results, it’s impossible. Let’s face it, even if you hit seven out of ten times, you know to say that I’m going to go get three hits tonight so I can make up for the last week. It puts us in a rough spot. So, I think that’s what I try to work with guys on to get them out of that. I don’t try to say, “oh man, take a deep breath.” I mean, those are all important things, those are part of the process, “visualize” and “you’re a good player.” I mean, those are all really good things, but what can I physically do? And the only thing you can physically do is get a good pitch and hit it hard.
Ted:
Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
Jack:
Sure.
Shane:
Do you go get in some deep slumps in your softball team?
Ted:
Well, you know, we have like over 500 people play in the league and it’s co-ed, over 80 people or even over 80 years old playing. It’s great. It really is.
Jack:
Well, Ted, I don’t know if this will make you feel any better, but for years as a big league player I don’t know how many church softball teams asked me to come play in playoffs, I don’t know how many men’s leagues asked me to come play because they’re like, “oh, man, we’ll get a major leaguer and we’ll win this thing.” I’m horrible when it comes to softball. I can’t wait long enough for that thing to come down and I’m horrible. So my hat’s off to you and softball because I know I’m not patient enough.
Ted:
I’ve been playing it 15 years and I play short field and shortstop. I love it. And I’m still running fast, Jack, at 74 years old.
Jack:
Good job. Keep it going.
Ted:
Okay, thanks.
Shane:
Thanks, Ted. Alright Danny, I’m going to you.
Danny
Hey, how are you doing Shane? I just don’t have so much a question I just wanted to share, I was in Japan just from ‘92 to ‘93, so that time you were there. And I was living in Yamagata up in the countryside, so I have to say before going to Japan, I hadn’t heard of you living in Colorado. I think it was right around the same time the Rockies came, so I was more a Braves fan or a Cubs fan or any games I could get in Colorado, but the only games that I was able to watch on TV back then were the Tokyo Giants games. So I just remember whenever you guys would play against the Giants, I didn’t know who you were, but I was just like, “man this guy tears it up every time I watch him, who is it?” I kept remembering seeing “Howell” on the back of your jersey and then just being, like I said, I was just like, “I’ve never heard of this guy, but in Japan this guy is legendary.” So I just thought I would share that with you and I kind of became a Hanshin Tigers fan that year just because I was trying to be anti-Giants. So was Tom O’Malley their first baseman back then?
Jack:
Yes, he was, he had a wonderful career there. He’s a wonderful player. And a lot of people don’t know this, but we were playing them that ‘92 season, we were playing them and I get two hits, I believe the day before, which mathematically, I think Nomura-san told me, mathematically if I get one more hit or whatever, he took me out of the game, and who I was fighting against was Tom O’Malley for the batting title, and we’re playing against them. So once I got that hit, he took me out. And that was it, I won the batting title and so it kind of went down. That was a really cool season that year, fighting against Tom O’Malley for the batting title.
Danny:
Oh, cool. Yeah. So I imagine you guys did the same thing as I saw the Tigers play up in Yamagata, but I don’t remember who they were playing. So I remember O’Malley playing first base then, and I kind of adopted him as my favorite player just because I was following the Tigers, but definitely you and him were the two guys that left a strong impression on me that year. So I just want to share it.
Jack:
I appreciate it. I know it wasn’t a question, but it was a wonderful comment. It leads me to say that it’s important that we share that, that was a big turning point in my career. Because I had had the years in the US my talents were dwindling a little bit, I really didn’t have a job. It was a really big turning point for me. And I was not really a very good offspeed hitter; I could hit a fastball with the best of him, but I struggled with offspeed, and I struggled against left handers and so what I’m getting at is that getting through that ‘92 season and then playing in Japan allowed me to be better at offspeed, you know, kind of trick pitching allowed me to be much more patient. And then really is for me the reason why I was able to come back and play four more seasons. I wasn’t a regular player once I came back, I was more of a bench player and utility player, but I ended up being a great pinch hitter through those four years and it got me four more years. So I think you saw me at a big turning point in my career, man. It could have went south, you know, like in ‘92, I don’t come back and do so well, I’m done and my career’s probably over. So that was a big turning point that you saw in my career and in my life.
Danny:
Awesome. Were you playing mostly outfield then or first base?
Danny:
In Japan I was third base all the time. And most of my career in Japan as third base, then I came back for those four years as a pinch hitter, first baseman and occasionally third base. I did play some outfield in the Angels in the early years, but mainly third.
Danny:
And how tall and what was your weight either when you were playing, I remember O’Malley being a big guy, were you built similar to him?
Jack:
He was, you know, no disrespect to him, but part of my story going back to the Angels was that I was a late maturer and matured really late. Shane mentioned earlier I was non-drafted, but in those years, I was really starting to lift weights. And then when I go to my rookie season in ‘86 with the Angels, I met Brian Downing, who, you know, was the epitome of weight training and, and I really caught on to that. So to answer your question, I was a big lifter, I’m not bragging but we were probably about the same size around 195. And then I want to say that I was definitely a pretty strong guy. So I was really into weight training. Still am.
Danny:
Great. Well, it was a pleasure talking with you.
Jack:
Thank you, man. Appreciate the call.
Shane:
Greg Thompson, our resident encyclopedia, points out that Tom O’Malley was kind of your replacement of sorts with the Swallows in ‘95 and helped lead him to another title. So that is further a connection between the two there. And another one from the chat, Rob Fitts, the aforementioned author says, “Hi, Jack, nice to see you again. My question is, can you talk about Hiromitsu Ochiai, could he have played in MLB? And what was he like as a person?”
Jack:
Yeah, definitely. I mean, really quiet type, but uh, definitely a legend when I got there, you know, a very well respected player of what he had done in the past. I think at that point, when I was playing against him, I think his talents were starting to dwindle a little bit, but he was still a big time clutch player. I think earlier in those years that I saw him he probably could have, I don’t know how many more years he played after I was there. I’m not saying that he was old. But I think I definitely think he could have been a big league player. But he was definitely a clutch player and a very well-respected player, and he’s one of those guys that when you come in, very quiet when you got to first base, you know, to talk to, but very respectful guy. But he was definitely a guy that we all looked up to and, and when the game was on the line, you definitely definitely didn’t want him up there. That’s for sure.
Shane:
Well, thanks for that. I’m curious about Jingu Stadium. So I really liked that park. And it’s sad to be torn down this year and I’m curious about your favorite and least favorite things about that park?
Jack:
Yeah, that’s a shame they’re tearing it down, that’s sad to hear. I cannot honestly think of anything bad about it, I love the ballpark. Obviously, it was a shorter porch, but a great park to play in. there’s some great memories there. Wonderful park, Obviously, it’s been a lot of years since I’ve been there, So I’m sure it’s getting older and not one of the nicer parks now, but it was great for me for those two years. Rex and I, when Rex [Hudler] was my teammate, we just lived down the street, so we’d ride our bikes down the hill from our apartment and we’d come riding in the side with all the fans, ringing our little bells with our little bikes with our basket and sign autographs, and it was just a great experience. I love the place, the fans were amazing, loud. But where are they going? Do you know? Are they going to build another stadium?
Shane:
It’s going to be in the same complex. They’re going to build it. They’re going to build one. So yeah, I don’t think there’s really been too [many] concrete plans, but it should be a quick transition. And yeah, they’re gonna build a new one right there. So yeah, I’ll be sad to see it go, but hopefully, they’ll have something interesting at least to replace it.
Jack:
Definitely.
Shane:
You mentioned Rex Hudler, can you talk a little bit about the community of the American ballplayers over there, and how you helped each other and who some of the guys you were tight with were?
Jack:
Yeah, I mean, the schedules were so much, with so much practice and batting practice and obviously the travel and stuff that, you know, occasionally you get to chat with the other Americans on the other teams, but for the most part, you had to get ready for the game, and so you couldn’t do a lot. So it was really key that the other American players that you had with you. I had some great players, I had Johnny Ray, who I played with with the Angels a few years prior, he was let go at the halfway point. We talked about the ‘93 season, it’s amazing that you talk about all the things that led to that type of season, but Rex Hudler, having him as a teammate, always the big smile on his face so uplifting. And you know, you talk about friends, you know, a real true friend is a friend that you can tell your problems to, and they don’t necessarily try to make you feel better. They just kind of give you their advice, as well as when you tell them the wonderful things that are happening in your life. You can truly hear them say, “Man, I’m so proud of you, man. And I’m so happy for you.” They’re with you in the tough times, they’re with you in the good times as well. And he was that type of player, you know, especially with the crowd that was around me and all the hype with being the MVP that year, he could have very easily been “jealous” or whatever the word is, but man, he played right into it. I don’t know how many times he carried my bags to the bus when I was doing interviews, and a lot of times he would tease and say “You don’t want my autograph, you don’t want my interview, you want that guy!” You know, he was just, oh my gosh, he made me feel like a king all the time, and he’s still that way today. I mean, we call him on the phone, you ask two questions about himself, and he asks you four about yourself. He’s just so giving and caring, so yeah, he was a big part. He’s a wonderful teammate, and kind of going back to your question, is that I think that’s really key man, we need to lean on each other. It’s hard. We have interpreters that help us communicate and things like that. But let’s face it, it’s Japan and and in the Japanese guys are a community and stuff and it’s it there’s a little bit of obviously a language barrier there and it’s hard to really connect, but boy, to have that American guy that you can really sit down and share things with, and bounce things off, that’s a key man, a real big key.
Shane:
That’s great. That’s good to hear. And if there’s any Royals fans on the call, I know that they all love him there, he does a good job with their broadcast. I’m curious a little bit about your coaching career, and if you could just describe your approach as a manager, and obviously being undrafted being a utility player, how that plays in, and also how your experience in Japan plays and if that has experienced it, or influenced your coaching style at all.
Jack:
Yeah, I mean, that’s a great question. I definitely feel the reason I’ve stuck around this long in player development is because of that extra intangible that maybe I give, that non-drafted player that just found a way. If you kind of think about the course of my seasons, it’s non drafted, and then in a year and a half, I make it to the big leagues, and then, eight big league seasons and then all of a sudden I’m in Japan, and then struggling Japan, but find a way to get through and then leave Japan and come back in a tryout with the Angels, made that team and then even after that year, they didn’t give me a guaranteed deal. They just said, “Yeah, you can come back and go to spring training as a tryout and I made it and then I get the two year deal with Houston. And so, you know, every year has been kind of one of those “just kind of find a way to figure it out,” you know, no guaranteed deals, just figure it out. And I think that’s the thing that I can share with players and player development is that once you become a pro, whether you’re a number one pick or a non-drafted player, it’s time to get to work and figure this thing out. You got a short period of time to really put things together and get to the big leagues, which should be your ultimate goal. So I tried to let them focus, that it’s not where you start, it’s where you end up, your ultimate goal. You have to have some name for and to shoot for or else you just shoot at anything, so I try to get them to focus on their overall goal but then really find out their “why” and why they’re here and why they’re playing. And then going back to what I think I said to Ted earlier, that then really getting them focused on the process. There’s been many guys that have hit .340 and never moved up, and there’s guys that have hit .200 moved up through the system so you know, we even as player development folks see deeper into just the stats all the time. It’s more the process and the way you play your game and in the way you use your mental approach, and are you a team player, there’s a lot of intangibles that go to grading out a player as we move them up through the system. And again, going back to Ted, you know, that’s why we tell them that; if you focus on getting good pitches, if you focus on controlling things you can control, and understand the process and the things that we expect from you, the results will show up. That’s the way we kind of do it as in player development, we realize those guys that understand the process and can focus on it, that eventually as they move up in the system, the results will show up.
Shane:
Very cool. Very cool. You coach in the big leagues and various levels, is there a level you like the most? What level would you like coaching baseball players at the most?
Jack:
Yeah, I mean, another good question. For a lot of years in player development, I was the Field Coordinator, which means I was the guy below the Farm Director, which means really I’m overseeing all the player development as far as on the field and their advancement. And then more importantly, spending a lot of time working with our coordinators, and our coaches and kind of just putting everything together, and overall game plan and philosophy. And it’s real important to kind of understand your role. No, so being that overall leader was great, it’s great to be in charge. It’s great to lead coaches and help them to be the best they can be. But it’s amazing that three years ago, when I came down out of that position and became an A-Ball manager, I realized really how much impact our managers really have because they’re with them day-to-day. And so what I’m getting to is I love the spot I’m in now, it’s that first full season, it’s low A, they’ve drafted, they’ve probably played in a rookie season, maybe spend a year or two in the rookie season, if they’re in the Dominican or something, they’ve probably been at the academy a couple years now; They’re only 19-20 years old, maybe 21, maybe some 22-year-old college players. And now they’re getting to go out and play in a league. You know, we’re on buses, bus trips, we’re playing under the lights, we’re playing night games, it’s a 130 game schedule, it’s their first chance to have a full season and really do something. And to me, at least for myself, that’s where I think I have the most impact. I was a big league hitting coach, enjoyed that. I was a triple A hitting coach, I’ve been hitting coordinator, but boy that grassroots level of them getting a chance to play a first full season, to me, is pivotal. There’s a lot of players as we know whether they were drafted first or 101, don’t make it out of that first A-ball level, so I think it’s huge. And then ultimately, it’s good to see was great to see. Jo Adell, I had him two years ago, it’s great to see him make it to the big leagues this year and just kind of text them and say “I’m proud of you” and and then they say “thank you,” it’s really rewarding them to see them achieve their goals and make it to the big leagues.
Shane:
I bet. He’s fun to watch. So I guess this begs the question now, Leon is asking in the chat to me. He wants your thoughts on bringing the minor leagues under the major league umbrella, about bringing into the commissioner’s office, but I guess you might as well just get your thoughts on the whole situation in general as well.
Jack:
Yeah, I mean, it would sound like I’m eluding the question, but it’s really in all honesty, since the minor leagues have been shut down and I’ve been furloughed with the Angels and still an employee, but we’re on a furlough basis with our farm directors. [We get] monthly and occasionally weekly tries to send us an update, and there just isn’t much right now, so I don’t really know. I can tell you because I’ve known this for a year now that my team and Burlington was one of the 20 or 30 teams that they were considering cutting back. So, do I think I’m going back to Burlington at some point next year? I doubt that. But there really hasn’t been a lot of information. If you’re asking just what I think of it, obviously it’s a shame. I love Burlington, Iowa. It’s the smallest market in all of baseball, so I get that it’s hard to draw fans because it’s a small market, but what a wonderful ballpark, what wonderful heritage and history they have there. I love my office. I love the stadium. I love the fans. And for that, I say that gosh, I just feel for those teams like that in those communities, and that history that some of those teams are going to have that are going to be lost. But you know, I understand that it’s also a business, I understand that they’re to contract here, and they have things that they want to change and put in place. And let’s face it, this world is ever changing, and sometimes we have to embrace and understand that. So am I excited about it, and am I sad for what could happen? Yes. But then I’m also very optimistic into putting my faith in the major leagues and know that they will hopefully come up with a better system, and we can get back to work and get back to what we love to do. And that is giving our all to these players and giving them a chance to make it to the big leagues and achieve their goals.
Shane:
Yeah, well said. Yeah, that’s good perspective, thanks. All right Duff, I’m going to you.
Duff:
Welcome aboard. Speaking from a Midwest League perspective, what do you think of the Quad Cities River Bandits team, with the Ferris Wheel and all there?
Jack:
I love it, man, they do a great job, great fans. Definitely when the lights go down and you see the lights on the bridge and like you said, the Ferris Wheel, I mean, it is a great atmosphere. I will tell you though, they’ve been pretty tough on us the last couple years, so it’s a tough place to go cause we were normally getting our butts kicked. I think it was my first year. They wanted all they won the first half on us, and the place went nuts and all that so that was a tough place to play. The only complaint I will say is they need to get their alarm system fixed, because twice for whatever reason, when we are there, the fire alarm goes off and they had to exit the stadium and here we are in uniforms out in the parking lot. I don’t know if you were ever there when that happened, but oddly enough, that happened twice while we were playing there in the last two years. So they definitely need to get that system fixed.
Duff:
Yeah, especially over the weekend to be on the third base side, to have the river and the Centennial Bridge as a background. They used to have the gambling boats, used to go up and down the river, and they were you know, of course the paddle wheelers, and they played the Calliope once again under the Centennial Bridge heading, you know, back toward the river dock. It’s just a great experience.
Jack:
Wonderful. Once the sun goes down and those lights light up, man, it’s a, it’s a incredible atmosphere and no doubt. Great ballpark.
Duff:
Well, thanks a lot.
Shane:
Sounds fun, I’ll have to check that one out. Richard, I’m going to you next.
Richard:
Jack, I have a MLB question for you since you’re in player development. It seems like the bottom third in Major League Baseball always struggles. I’m here in Baltimore, the area of Kansas City. You know, you get lucky if you get four or five good players, you have a playoff run, two years later, they’re all gone. Is this going to be a permanent thing? Do you think in MLB, that the bottom third’s just always going to be like a tier two quality franchise?
Jack:
So I think if we could ever come up with the question of how to bring some of those lower clubs out, you know, what is that key formula, I think we’d be millionaires, that’s for sure. I’ve been with the D-Backs for 10 years, was with the Mariners for four, and now back with the Angels for five years, so I’ve been in organizations and been in a lot of offices with General Managers and ownership and stuff, and really trying to figure out those questions of “how do we make changes, whether that be through minor leagues, through our draft system?” You know, “where do we spend our money? Do we get more into analytics?” I mean, so many questions go into how can we in a year or two change things around and get back into the playoffs and get better? And it’s a tough, tough balance and a tough question. My opinion is, and I don’t have any proof on this, and I don’t want to say that I like that there is contraction, because I definitely don’t like the way they’re getting rid of some clubs, but the part that I did hear about that is that they are talking cleaning up the travel a little bit and make it a little more economical and a little bit easier to travel for minor league players, I think that’s going to have a big impact. I think obviously conserving money and being a little more frugal so we can put our money to things that really count, I think that’s going to be key. But the point that I’m leading to from what I think I’m getting from it, is there’s a chance that it would be mandatory that each big league team only have six minor leagues. And so to me, that should seem like it would clean up the playing field a little bit, because you think about with the Angels, I think we have six, when I was with Seattle, we had seven, but I hear the Yankees have nine or 10 clubs. And let’s face it, the more talent you have, you got nine clubs, that means you have that many more players, the more players you have, the better chance you’re gonna have a few players making it to the big leagues and having an impact. So maybe it’s going to level the playing field a little bit, putting some more restrictions on clubs, with a triple A, double A, single A balls, that’s four, and then some kind of Latin club and a team down at your spring training facility, rookie ball, that’s all you can have. Maybe that’ll level it up a little bit, and maybe what you’ll see is teams can then feel like they’re on more of a level playing field. And maybe each year you’ll see teams fluctuating and bouncing around, and maybe being more competitive. That would be my educated guess.
Shane:
Yeah, thanks for that. That’s an interesting perspective. And Michael Westbay points out that’s why the [Yomiuri] Giants and the [SoftBank] Hawks are so strong in Japan, they have more minor league teams than anyone else So we have a couple people from Tucson. James has a question. He’s also in Tucson.
James:
Hi Jack. I enjoyed watching you back in the 90s. My dad actually was a teacher at Palo Verde when you were there, if you can believe that. Did you ever meet with Mr. McKnight?
Jack:
Oh that’s your dad? Oh yeah! I was not very good at it. But he passed me anyway.
James:
I told him about you a long time ago, but so many students went by but glad to see you’re doing well. I’m a Hanshin Tigers fan, I was just curious. Any road games that were particularly hard for you with Tigers fans? [Were they] intimidating or were Tokyo Giants fans more intimidating? Just curious.
Jack:
Yeah, no, you hit it right. I mean, Hanshin was a tough place to play. Obviously, that big stadium was packed and filled and they were tough. Plus when we played the Tigers, they were tough. That was a tough ballpark to go to. Trying to think here, tough places. I really enjoyed the country towns, that was different. They weren’t the greatest ballparks, but man the fans seemed like they came out of the woodwork, and that was really cool to just be driving through these trees on a little bus coming from the train and you’re like, “where in the heck are we going,” you pop over and here’s this massive stadium and just thousands of people around the stadium and so that was pretty cool. I’m trying to think of a tough ballpark. I don’t think they were that tough. I mean, definitely you hit on the Tigers. ‘ll tell you what, Hiroshima was not easy to play in, because it was a smaller park and the fans were right on you. And they were a pretty good club too. I based it more really on the teams we were playing in the Tigers were always tough, that was always a big battle. Yeah, there was always the big battle in the Tokyo Dome. And you know, we talked earlier about the two managers, the battle that they had against each other and that was kind of a rivalry but definitely.
James:
Okay, well, thanks a lot. I lived in Japan 12 years, so I like going to Jingu. That was my closest stadium but Tigers were number one, Yakult number two. So thanks.
Toshiki:
Hi, Jack. truly an honor to talk to you. So I have a couple of questions for you. What were some of the toughest adjustments you had to make when you went to Japan, both culture and baseball wise? And next one is, what was your reaction when you first saw the umbrellas going up and down at Jingu Stadium?
Jack:
Yeah, the big thing that we hit on a little bit earlier was just getting away from family, that was really tough, being split up from family. And then, you know, kind of my personality, I’m an introverted guy, but definitely was always a team player and really enjoyed getting to know the players. So that was really tough early, that connection, it’s hard to interpret, through an interpreter was really hard. There just wasn’t that connection. You know, he didn’t have that closeness. But [they] were great teammates that really wanted to try to speak English and really try to get to know each other, so that was really, really tough was just not really having that team unity, it was just so hard, and speaking through an interpreter. You kind of find ways to get through that, but that was really tough. But then again, obviously being away from family, but I enjoyed my time in Japan. I love the culture there. I love rice. I was brought up on rice and stuff. I’m a real picky eater, it’s amazing. I don’t eat fish. So the fish threw me off a little bit, but I always grew up on fried rice and things so I found a nice little place down by our apartment where they would make me a special beef fried rice. They put some beef in there and some veggies and fry up the rice and I would go there all the time. So I really handled the food well. Of course, Kobe beef, I love steak being from Arizona. So the food wasn’t a problem, I just didn’t eat the fish. And then the umbrella, yeah. I think that was the most amazing thing. Not that the fans in America aren’t that way, I’m not trying to diss that, but you know, you think about it. Maybe it’s changed a little bit now, but you think about going to a game in the US, it’s more of a more of a kind of going as a group and you sit around and talk, or there’s businesses that have sweets, and they’re bringing in clients and it’s more of a gathering, and “oh, by the way, there’s the game” but you know, it’s a social event. And so I think that was the cool thing that really brought me back to what I remember growing up as the roots of baseball, and that is just fans cheering. I think about in the olden days, my dad used to always sit down and keep score and he’d always have a glove ready to catch a ball, and just that type of experience. That’s what Japan reminds me of, but more than the umbrellas was the thing that’s amazing, I can almost still sing it now, is that every player had their own fight song. I mean, just amazing that every player comes up and everyone knows the fight song and they’re singing his own private fight song, that’s just incredible stuff. So yeah, the fans were wonderful, man. It was great. And you know, probably the other thing, I’m not gonna say they don’t boo, but it was nice that on either team, regardless if there was good play, there was always cheering, really wasn’t a lot of booing. They just enjoyed good baseball man, and it was very refreshing for me.
Shane:
I think a lot of people here have been to Japan to watch games and I think we all agree that it’s really an awesome experience, especially for the purists. So yeah, totally agree. So everyone, if you have a question, raise your hand. Danny I’m going to go to you.
Danny:
Hey Jack again. I was just curious that year you were in Japan, I always thought it’d be like a cool job and I just want to get your take, do you think having an American maybe that was working for a Japanese club but helped the American players that went to Japan, kind of be the liaison between American players and the Japanese club, I always thought for me personally, and probably a lot of us on this call, that would be a position that we’d all [like]. And one, my Japanese was terrible at the time and two, I was far away from Tokyo, so it wasn’t going to happen. But in my mind, that would be an ideal job for me. And I just want to get your take if you think there would be a need for that kind of position, I guess, from the American perspective, rather than a Japanese interpreter.
Jack:
Yeah. So it’s amazing that you asked that because once I came back from Japan and then finished playing and was in pro baseball and player development, started in 2002. In 2003, I got a call from my interpreter and the Swallows that asked me about a couple players and I gave them some players. I ended up those first three years helping them sign three of our players that went there, and I would do that through the interpreter. And it’s amazing that I would always do exactly what you’re talking about, but not do it as being paid or being an employee of the Swallows. I did it, because once they signed, they would call and say, “Jack, thank you so much. They offered me a contract, I’m going to Japan, here’s what happened.” And I would end up sharing my advice, “Man, go there, humble yourself, do what you’re told early, and then as things go, then you can kind of set your own ways,” and I give them tons of advice like that. And then, about halfway through my coaching career, I talked to a few guys and and asked the same questions, like I was really trying to get back to Japan in whatever capacity and it never really kind of panned out, but it was almost like what you were talking about is just to kind of be there. I think maybe had I been better [at] Japanese, maybe that would have been better so that I could communicate both ways. But what I’m leading to is, I believe I was on a zoom call not too long ago, maybe when the COVID thing hit, and I’m pretty sure Tom O’Malley does that now, I think he works with a club. His job is to help go scout some players, and then I think when he signs him, I think he does a really good job of helping them migrate into what it is to be a Japanese player. So I think I think they’re doing exactly what you’re thinking about. And you hit on a great point. I wish I could have done that, I’d still do it today if that opportunity was there, but I think just like what you’re saying, just share those insights and kind of help them get through that transition, it’s not easy. We’ve had some Japanese players come to our American teams over the years and I always kind of endear myself to them a little bit, and I’ve told our players that a lot of times that coming from Japan and coming over here, it’s not easy, man. And I talked about that with our Venezuelan players too, man. They’re in a whole different country, a whole different lifestyle, and it’s not easy, man. That’s tough being away from home and being in another country. So yeah, who knows, maybe someday I’ll get to go do that. Maybe that’ll be towards the end of my career or something.
Shane:
Sounds like a dream job. All right, Ian has another question, then then we’ll wrap it up. Ian.
Ian:
You alluded to this earlier, about the differences between Japanese and American spring training. So were you with any American? Do you ever talk to any American players that just absolutely hated it and refused to do it? Like I remember reading about Reggie Smith, and like Warren Cromartie, how like other players who are just shocked by this and finally refused and others who embraced it.
Jack:
I don’t have the history or the stats on this, but I would venture to say that a large percentage of the ones that couldn’t stand it, and hated it and thought it was useless, they didn’t last very long. That’s the way I kind of look at it is that, yes, it was longer showing up in February in Yuma, Arizona, just for spring training, knowing the season was starting April, that’s a tough pill to swallow. But you know what, you do it. It’s what they expect, and you just go do it. And it’s just a different culture, it’s just the way it was. But you’re right, some of the stories of the guys that didn’t last half a season or maybe made it through one season and then either bolted, or got kicked out of there, always kind of tell that type of story like, “oh, the practices were too long, or they were too tough, or it was a different style.” You know, they just complained about it, instead of understanding that it’s Japanese baseball. I mean, it’s another country, it’s another lifestyle. You should have thought about that before you went there. It’s not that I knew all those insights before I went there, but I’m also smart enough to know that you’re not going to have all the different customs and things that you’re used to in the US, it’s going to be different. You have to adapt. And I think if you think about that in life, I mean, I’m not a psychologist, but I think it’s that way you could apply that to anything in life; a new job, taking on a new family, having kids, I mean, those adjustments and changes, you better be able to embrace and adapt to. I think the answer to what I’m saying to you is, I think a large percentage of those guys that just said that’s ridiculous, or they thought it was that it wasn’t worth the effort. They didn’t last very long in my opinion.
Ian:
Thank you so much for answering. It’s great to talk to the MVP. Will you be at Angels Spring Training next year?
Jack:
I hope so, man. We’re all kind of on pins and needles wondering what 2021 is going to look like. We’ve not been given a lot of information, just for the fact that I think they’re trying to get through this shortened season in the big leagues, and then hope that COVID gets over. End of October is when all contracts come up, so I should know more by the end of October but I’m a pretty positive guy, and I think I add some value to the Angels and what I do and with my experience, and I’m expecting that I’ll be asked back. In what capacity I don’t know. And will spring training be in February and March like normal? Who knows man, I sure hope so. Let’s hope that after the New Year, we get through this election and get through the New Year. Let’s hope things get back to “normal” in January and in 2021 is another baseball season and we’re all happily working doing what we do. That’s my goal and my hope.
Ian:
Well, if fans are able to go and you’re back, I’ll definitely love to say hello and get your autograph.
Jack:
Well, I appreciate it, man. definitely reach out.
Shane:
Yeah, I think we’re all with you with that hope of having somewhat of a normal season next year. Before we say bye, Jack, I just want to give you the opportunity if you’d like to talk a little bit about what you’re doing off the field and let people know where they can find you as well if they’re interested in following up.
Jack:
Sure. I appreciate that. Well, I’m back in Tucson and really taking care of my mom, you mentioned that earlier. She’s going to be 90 on Monday, so my brother’s coming in and we’re going to have a nice 90th party for her, and so it’s been a blessing coming back to really help her through this COVID and help her get back to better health. I do have a son here and a brother, so I got family obviously, my grandkids are back in Kansas so I try to go back there occasionally to check on them. But from a personal standpoint, you know, I’m still employed by the Angels but in furloughed so I can’t really work. But I have been able to, you guys will get a kick out of this, I’ve been able to give a few hitting lessons to some friends. And I think back, you know, eight, nine, 10 years ago or even as a player most of the time when I would give a hitting lesson or spend some time doing things with players, it was with my friend’s son’s. So now I talk about being 59, it’s amazing, the kids I’m working with are my friends’ grandkids. So that’s taken on a different perspective, but like I said, I know enough people here where I’ve been able to go give some lessons, I’m not making money on it, but just doing it to stay in the game and share my knowledge and get out and do stuff. One thing that I have done that I’ve really enjoyed, I alluded earlier that I’ve always been in weight training, I still keep myself in pretty good shape and love training, is my old friend lives just about two miles from me, and he’s my same age. And so when I came back to town, he said, “Man, I got to get back in shape.” So I literally for two months now, I’ve been going Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from seven to eight in the morning, I train his wife in their home gym, and then I train him from eight to nine, and then I get the lift from nine to ten. And it’s been a great experience because I’m not a certified trainer, but I’ve done it enough and it’s just great to see them getting back in shape, being able to move around, do the things they want to do, they’re starting to lose weight, they’re starting to eat better and it’s been it’s been a real blessing. So I think you know, in this COVID time, we’ve got to find the positives, and it’s allowed me to do some things that I probably would have never done before, and to take a step back and take care of my mom and really kind of enjoy life. But definitely missing baseball, but how they can reach me, I do a podcast on Wednesday at four o’clock Mountain Standard Time, called “Control the Zone” and I try to have guests on and just try to come up with insights of ways we can gain some control of whatever zone in our life that appears out of control. So it’s only 30 minutes, so it goes quick. I have a website that I’ve been messing around with for a couple years with a lot about me, and then I have a control zone video series on there, and then I do archive my podcasts on there so you can see some past podcasts. And that’s www.jrhowell.me, and if they would go on there, I’m not on there selling anything, but there is a place where they can register and all it does is give me your email so that when I add anything to the site, it just sends you a little update just saying that “Jack updated some things on his site.” That’s it, it’s not going to send you a bunch of mailouts and things like that. And then over the years I’ve been with a wonderful man out of out of New York that I met four or five years ago, and I’ve kind of been helping him design a robotic batting tee. And we’re about ready to go to funding. So if there’s anyone on this site here that would like to send us a million dollars, just grab my email, but no, we’re looking for some funding now, but I think it’d really be cool. It’s just about a $250 robotic batting tee. We have a couple other patents. And so I’m looking forward to kind of hoping that that takes off and that I can lend some more insight. I would be more helping him with the training portion of it, not necessarily the selling or anything, but it would be more the training, and just not to bore you but so you understand what we mean robotic betting tee; we’ve had many people say “why don’t I just buy a $75 Tanner tee and move it up and down?” And the answer is because you won’t. And the point about moving up and down as we’re finding out the way the brain works is randomization, you know, instead of hitting the ball in the same spot at the same time, there is no muscle memory, so it really doesn’t help facilitate in a swing, we know pitchers are trying to throw it all over the zone. So when we’re working, we need to have that ball randomly moving, and so that first tee would just move up and down on one axis, we do have a patent for another tee that would move up and down, in and out. And it’s battery operated, and just a better way and a smarter way for guys to train. So those are kind of the things that I’m doing. And looking forward to the baseball coming back.
Shane:
Yeah. Cool. Thanks for sharing that, and the tee sounds really interesting, I’d be happy to help promote that. Thanks so much for joining us. I’ll give you the green light to help take care of your mom, but I really appreciate hearing from your wisdom and your experience, with some really cool takeaways there. And I knew you’d have some interesting things, but you really surpassed expectations. I think I speak for everyone when I say that thanks again for joining us.
Jack:
Thank you, man. I appreciate it. I’ve been on a lot of Zoom in the last two to three months, and I love the way you set it up and you did a great job and it was a pleasure. So thank you, keep up the good work.
Shane:
Appreciate it. Appreciate it. Have a good night Jack!
Jack:
Thank you guys!
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By
Coop Daley