University of Georgia Athletics
Around The Diamond: Catching Up With Jason Jacobs
September 22, 2010 | Baseball
Sept. 22, 2010
Fall practice continues at Foley Field, and one of the familiar faces around the diamond once again is former Bulldog Jason Jacobs (2003-06). During his Georgia playing career, Jacobs helped the Bulldogs advance to the 2004 and 2006 College World Series, and the 2004 club claimed the SEC title. After his senior season in 2006, the New York Mets drafted Jacobs in the 20th round. Jacobs led the New York Penn League in home runs in 2007 while playing for the Brooklyn Cyclones and was a two-time NY-Penn League All-Star. Splitting time between low and high-A ball, Jacobs played four seasons in the minors before returning to UGA last year to finish his degree. Now a volunteer coach for the Bulldogs, Jacobs will share his expertise with the Georgia catchers and assist the rest of the staff as they prepare for the 2011 season.
How does it feel to be back in Athens?
Great! I love this town. My wife and I decided to move back, because we met here and we wanted to live here as long as possible. I'm really happy to be a part of the University and be able to contribute to the baseball team in another realm, as a coach. Heck, I'd have played here for the rest of my life if I could have. I loved it. It was the most fun I've ever had playing baseball. Well, I can't do that anymore so I can be a part of it through coaching and helping these guys become better players.
What do you like to do in your free time?
My wife has a clothing boutique downtown, so a lot of times we'll eat around there. It's always nice to sit outside and watch the students and the people. I like to go to the park with my dogs or eating somewhere downtown, just hanging out in the Classic City.
What are you pursuing your graduate degree in?
Sports management. I recently finished my undergrad degree which was in mathematics. I was always good at math. In retrospect, I'm really happy that I did it, but it was really hard. It was a lot harder than I had anticipated.
What was your favorite memory during your playing career at Georgia?
Obviously, both College World Series (in 2004 and 2006). It might be selfish, but I would say that my fondest memory was the Clemson game in the 2004 Regionals, when I hit the game tying home run. Bobby Felmy and I hit back to back home runs. It had to be one of the greatest days in baseball that I had ever been a part of because they had to beat us twice and we were ahead 9-2 in the first game and they came back to beat us 10-9. I was stunned. I had a feeling in the dugout that we were going to a Super Regional and all of the sudden they beat us. Forty-five minutes later, we turn around and we're out of pitchers and we're out of energy. It was a summer day in Athens and it was pretty hot. They jumped out to an early lead and got a little momentum. I remember watching replays of the game and the announcers are counting us out. We were down 4-2 going into the ninth and we were the visitors. Felmy's leading off and I was on deck. I mean, we hadn't gotten a hit off of their [reliever] and then Felmy, first pitch, home run. I got up there with a 2-2 count, closed my eyes and swung and the ball went out. I was like, I just tied the game. We went on to win and we rode Will Startup arm for three innings and Clint Sammons hit the best ball that he had probably ever hit for us to give us the lead. It was really dramatic and I would have to say that is my fondest memory here. The entire 2006 season was memorable; that was probably one of the best teams that I've ever played on.
Did you have one major highlight during your minor league career?
I would say that the 2007 season was a big highlight. I led the league in home runs and really had a great year. There was one game that I can recall that lasted 26 innings, 18 of which I caught. I led off the 18th inning with a walk and they pinch ran for me, so I went down to the bullpen after that. It was actually kind of a quick game. We scored in the bottom of the first and they scored in the top of the 2nd and no other run was scored until the 26th inning. I mean, it was a six hour game, which isn't bad at all for 26 innings. There was a big strike zone that day. We had guys go 0-for-11 at the plate. Bye, bye 50 points on your batting average in only one day.
What is the biggest difference you've noticed between being a player and a coach?
I never realized how much, as a coach, you really think about the players. When I was a player, I never really thought about how much the coaches were analyzing, critiquing, and seeing how they could make each guy better. Obviously, a lot of the administrative stuff is very different. Half of your day is doing administrative things, while half is the actual baseball part. The biggest difference is that I'm not a player anymore. I have to consider myself somewhat of a teacher. It's the same in that, when I had the opportunity to be a leader in 2006, I had to be a leader and try to get the best out of our guys. But that was in a different capacity, as a peer. Now we have to get them to get the most out of each other. You have to be more of a teacher and inspire them to get the most out of each other.
What are some of your duties with the team this season?
I'm going to be working with the catchers. Also, I'll just be an extra pair of eyes and ears on the field. I'll work with the infielders as well, and I'll keep an eye on the pitchers and collaborate with the catchers and the pitchers, getting them on the same page. Obviously, Oz (Allen Osborne) will work with the hitters. He's implemented his philosophy, which I think is great by the way, and from that aspect of it, I'll watch our guys and let Oz know when they're starting to click with his system or if a guy needs help in an additional area. I'm really going to try to help out in any possible capacity that I can.
What's your excitement level entering the start of fall practices?
I think the excitement for me is just the game of baseball. I love playing it, I love watching it and I love being a part of it. The excitement is having a great opportunity to rebound from last year. I think we've got the right group of guys who can really do it themselves. They're going to say hey, we really don't want what happened last year to happen again and we can really have a special season. I think that's the most exciting thing for me, seeing a guy who you've taught, implement what you have worked with him on and see them mature as a person, as a player, and as a team as a whole and achieve really outstanding things. I think that's the thing every year in baseball that provides excitement, the fact that everyone starts fresh at 0-0 and everyone has a chance to achieve something great.
