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Jesse Litsch’s Rise through the Ranks
It’s not uncommon for someone in Hollywood to climb from the mailroom to the executive suites. Administrative assistants have become corporate CEOs. Then there’s Jesse Litsch. As recently as 2002, he was a 17-year-old batboy and clubhouse attendant for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. His duties included picking up soiled uniforms and jock straps when players tossed them on the floor.
Back then, Rays’ players couldn’t hit the laundry bin, let alone the strike zone or cutoff man. So team officials should have taken notice of a rising high school talent working in their midst. Instead, the Toronto Blue Jays drafted Litsch in the 24th round of the 2004 draft. He made his big-league debut in 2007 and now is a key part of the Jays’ rotation. These days, clubhouse attendants pick up after him, were Litsch inclined to be messy. Having been on the other side, he knows how tough the gig can be.
Litsch, 24, shared with CorePerformance.com some tips on keeping dreams alive and pursuing goals, no matter how outlandish they might seem.
1. Be an understudy.
With any profession, the best way to get experience is to serve an internship or do entry-level work at a young age, even as a teenager. Litsch served as an intern in the Rays’ community relations department at the age of 15 and spent two seasons as a clubhouse attendant. “You learn so much just being around,” Litsch says. “Then once you get there, you know what to expect and you can get comfortable with your role that much faster.”
2. Don't lose sight of the goal.
As a bat boy, Litsch told Carl Crawford of the Rays that he’d one day be pitching against him. That seemed unlikely. Litsch was a standout high school player, but few players drafted in the 24th round reach the majors, especially pitchers with fastballs that top out in the mid-80s. Instead, he’s thrived with an assortment of off-speed pitches and impeccable command of the strike zone. “When I was 15 or 16 years old, it was just a dream, but I had the confidence that I could get guys out even back then,” he said. “It was all talk at the time, of course, but that’s the mindset you have to have. There can’t be any doubt.”
3. Give back.
Not only does Litsch treat (and tip) clubhouse attendants well, he embraces every opportunity to talk to schoolchildren and youth baseball groups. Recently he spoke at a camp held by former big-league slugger Fred McGriff, who played for the Rays during Litsch’s batboy tenure. “I’m always happy to offer any advice and answer questions,” Litsch says. I just tell them that you don’t have to be a huge guy who throws 95 miles per hour and is drafted in the first round. Just work hard and follow your dreams.”
About The Author
Pete Williams – Pete Williams is a contributing writer for CorePerformance.com and the co-author of the Core Performance book series.
