Cleveland’s Team. A Baseball History Podcast. · MLB.com

Episode 42: Brook Jacoby

May 24, 2024·42 min·4 clips

Brook Jacoby reveals how a scout's recommendation led to his surprise draft by the Braves.

This episode features an interview with former Cleveland third baseman Brook Jacoby, conducted by Guardians team historian Jeremy Fedor. Fedor guides a retrospective conversation about Jacoby's professional baseball career, with a focus on his time in Cleveland. The discussion begins with Jacoby's entry into professional baseball after being drafted. Jacoby was selected in the seventh round of the 1979 draft by the Atlanta Braves out of Ventura College. He describes a connection to a Southern California scout who recommended him within the Braves organization. His minor league progression included half a season of rookie ball, a full season of A ball, and then a year at the AA level. Jacoby recounts being at home helping his father move when the Braves' front office called him late in the season. He initially avoided the call, suspecting the team wanted him to play winter ball. Upon calling back, he learned the team had been urgently trying to reach him for a different reason. The anecdote reveals Jacoby's unassuming reaction to a potential major league opportunity. His rapid rise through Atlanta's farm system is highlighted, reaching AA by age 21. The story captures a relatable moment of a young player prioritizing family help over an unknown team call. Jacoby's casual demeanor in narrating this career crossroads is a memorable character detail. The tone is conversational and nostalgic, structured as a relaxed career retrospective. The style is interview-based, with Fedor prompting Jacoby to recount specific stories from his early days. Cleveland baseball history enthusiasts and fans of 1980s baseball would enjoy this personal account. Listeners seeking deep statistical analysis or team-wide historical narratives might find the focused, personal scope less engaging.

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