🔥 The Education of a Pitcher

David Cone’s biography “The Evolution of a Pitcher” is a book many of our pitchers read this last year

Cone pitched for 17 MLB seasons, won 5 World Series titles, won 20 games twice, led the league in K’s for 3 straight seasons, and was a 5x All Star.

His book has good insights into pitching, as well as several interesting stories in his journey to success in MLB

One of the stories that stands out in particular is the clashes he had in his early years with his Royals pitching coach

Cone had a “my way or the highway” guy as his coach, who didn’t like that Cone would bounce his hands in his delivery, or occasionally drop down to throw his slider sidearm, or cock his wrist in his delivery.

Cone however would push back, saying pitchers aren’t clones, and those were some of the things he felt made him unique and gave him an edge over big league hitters

Their bullpen sessions would often turn into screaming matches, with the coach telling Cone over and over that if he didn’t do it his way, “you’re going to get hurt!”

Cone however didn’t back down; and the irony of course is that Cone ended up being one of the most durable pitchers of his generation

Cone was smart enough to realize there was no real logic or facts behind the coaches intimidating him that he’d get hurt: it was just trying to use fear to get his way

The lesson is sometimes you need to stick to your guns. Even as a young big leaguer Cone knew it was his creativity and uniqueness in his delivery and his pitch execution that would power him to a successful career, and it did.

Athletes have to become knowledgeable enough in THEIR sport, and THEIR journey, to know when they’re right and need to stand their ground

As an athlete it’s not your job to manage other people’s feelings and emotions

It’s your job to move to the next level

-Fenske