This season, I’ve described conversations I’ve had with MLB players when they were visiting Coors Field. In writing this series, I had a few goals in mind.
First, I tried to convey what it’s like in an MLB clubhouse — with all the variety in personalities and music. I hoped readers would get a sense of being there.
Second, most beat writers are working with strict deadlines and word counts. They’ve come up with a story, and they’re looking for statements from players to illustrate the points they’re making. They just don’t have much flexibility. To be clear, that’s no criticism of what those writers do because it is essential work in telling the stories of sports.
But I wanted something different, something more leisurely that allowed players to speak for themselves and at greater length. A blessing of writing for Pitcher List is the freedom to do that.
Third, I tried to focus on different types of players. In any MLB clubhouse, myriad stories are always unfolding, and I wanted to share the ones that interested me.
A few of the interviews I conducted did not lend themselves to an extended conversation for any number of reasons. However, I did pick up some pieces that seem worth sharing as a kind of coda to this series.
Some comments were lightly edited for clarity.
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What has this year been like for you because you’ve covered a lot of ground? What have you learned?
It’s been pretty chaotic. Definitely, no shortage of stuff going on, being able to get called up and then sent down and then have a little bit of an injury, and it’s been wild. But we’re here now and definitely glad to be here.
Yeah, I’ve learned quite a bit. Just a trust process, and trust the Lord, and whatever happens happens, and it’s just all part of a plan, just trying to go out there and compete, and everything will take care of itself — Jackson Holliday (Aug. 30, 2024)
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You’ve been successful in a lot of different organizations over a long period of time. What have you taken from that process?
I never really envisioned myself playing for a bunch of different teams, coming up with and spending six, seven years with the Cardinals. But signing these one-year contracts, I’ve been fortunate enough to play with some other teams and be teammates with a lot of really good players and working with a lot of really good staffs, coaching staffs as well. Getting to pick people’s brains from the best organizations around the league, and, kind of, “Hey, that works for me. That doesn’t work for me” type stuff, and kind of taking bits and pieces from a lot of different guys around the league. It’s kind of been a little blessing in disguise there for sure. — Michael Wacha (July 5, 2024)
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What’s the best play you’ve made this year on offense or defense?
I don’t know. Probably there’s some defensively, some offensively. I can’t pick one.
Hunter Renfroe: Pick the play in LA, Bob, the double play.
Yeah, it was a ball over my head, a double play. Nick Loftin made a good throw and so, yeah, it was good. — Bobby Witt Jr. (July 5, 2024)
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You’ve made a big jump going from Double-A to the Rockies. What are some of the biggest changes that you’ve noticed between your game in the minors and what you’re seeing up here?
I mean, other than, you know, more veterans, more older players, I think the biggest difference is when guys execute their pitches, there’s no big misses. And the very few misses that they do make, it’s very rare, so take advantage of those. — Top prospect Adael Amador via Aaron Muñoz (June 14, 2024)
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What has been your favorite play so far of the season?
I guess my 100th homer, probably. It was cool. I was waiting on it for a little bit and finally got it. It was right-handed, which is rare, so it was a good one. — Bryan Reynolds (June 15, 2024)
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You and Brenton Doyle have been on very different trajectories this year. You’ve struggled a bit, and Brenton seems to be pushing forward. How do you use that to help you get better, too?
Obviously, last year, Doyle struggled a little bit offensively, and I had some success, and I’m still learning the outfield, and Doyle’s a Platinum Glover, so I think that getting to see him go into the offseason and talk to him on things he did in the offseason and learned from and got better at and watch what he did, it’s really encouraging for me.
I mean, it’s not easy to struggle in this league, and he did a lot of it last year, and came back, and put his nose down, and had an unbelievable year. I’m not sure what the knee looks like for him, but he had an unbelievable year. So I think it’s very exciting for me to be around guys like him and Ezequiel Tovar because you see how bright the future is here, and I want to be a part of that. — Nolan Jones (Sept. 28, 2024)
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You’ve incorporated a cutter in your repertoire. How did you find that that affected your other pitches?
I felt like I needed to incorporate that. In 2021 I started throwing a little bit. Obviously, each year, I’ve thrown it a little bit more, just to kind of get them off my some of my pitches, especially my fastball, and trying to throw it in to lefties and away to righties. Just because I’ve had the same repertoire since I came up, I just try to add just one little pitch, nothing too big. — Aaron Nola (May 26, 2024)
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I read that you’re a Pilates person. What do you what do you get from doing Pilates?
I have an incredible instructor that I worked with in Las Vegas for the last six years now. It’s changed my career big time. I don’t really enjoy weights or anything that much anymore. I’ll do weights during the season, but my Pilates training is three times a week. I absolutely love it for my core stability, hips, unlocking, stuff like that. It’s just been it’s been really good for me.
Reporter: What was your entry point?
Just in a class one day, I saw one of the trainers that was doing the class as well at the time, and I asked her if she did privates. Me and my wife started doing it and really enjoyed it.” — Bryce Harper (May 25, 2024)
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What’s your favorite hit you’ve gotten this season?
I don’t really know. We’ll just say the next one. How about that? — Gunnar Henderson (Sept. 1, 2024)
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Closing Thoughts
A few notes of gratitude are in order.
First, thank you to the players who answered my questions and allowed me to take photos of pitch grips. I am grateful for your time and your patience.
To the public relations staff who helped facilitate these interviews, always know your work is appreciated.
To Nick Pollack, who trusted me to take on this project and let me take it where it wanted to go, thank you. And to Kurt Wasemiller, your stunning graphic designs were key to giving this series a visual unity. I was always eager to see what you had created to elevate the conversation.
And finally, to the Pittsburgh Pirate who walked by when I was introducing myself to Bryan Reynolds and said, “Pitcher List, hell yeah!” I’m sorry I missed who you are, but I would still really like to talk with you.