What it's Like to Face Mariano Rivera
“The nastiest pitch I have ever seen.” A catcher explains the magic behind Rivera’s cutter — and what hitters saw too late.
The Greatest Closer of All Time
Mariano Rivera — “The Sandman” — posted an incredible 0.99 ERA, 32 strikeouts, and 11 saves across 24 World Series appearances.
Pete Laforest, former MLB catcher and current Head Coach at Trosky Academy East (Kalamazoo, MI), shared what it’s actually like to face him:
“I’ve never seen a cutter move about a foot, on the same plane, with zero dot. It’s a straight 4-seam that cuts across.”
For a smile (and a nightmare for hitters), watch Laforest describe it in the video below.
Rivera was also known as one of the kindest players in MLB history. Later in his career, he often sought out the opposing team’s closer before first pitch to talk about the craft of finishing games. He saw it as his responsibility to pass knowledge to the next generation.
“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” — Mariano Rivera
Get in the Game Like a “HOF Defender”
In last week’s newsletter, we talked about using a stopwatch to catch run, leg, and pop times during the World Series.
This week: use the center-field camera angle to track balls off the bat — like Denzel Clarke.
When Clarke was 16, a scout in Canada said, “Clarke will be an 80 defender.” Translated: a future Hall-of-Fame caliber outfielder.
That scout was right. This year, the Oakland A’s rookie center fielder made a catch that set social media on fire — many called it the greatest catch ever.
So how did Denzel develop elite defensive instincts while growing up in weather-challenged Toronto?
He got creative. Indoor space was limited, so he stood 15 feet from his TV, used the center-field camera angle, read contact and ball flight on every pitch, and took two or three “break” steps as if he were actually in center field.
Clear the coffee table and track ’em.
Coach Trosky’s Message
Manny Ramirez — one of the most dominant (and most eccentric) hitters of all time — once told me this story on a flight from the Dominican Republic to Miami:
“Nate, the reason I wore big baggy pants throughout my career was to get my mind right! The purpose was to take my focus off of what I looked like and what other people thought of me. Those baggy pants allowed me to focus solely on winning the game, one pitch at a time! I wasn’t a slob — I was locked in. The best player on the field!”
BetterEveryday
6TN🌎GYMR
—Nate Trosky
A Blueprint for the Baseball Adventure
For families, we’ve created a free eBook: Coaching Coaches and Parents — a 10-minute read that reinforces the approach we want for our kids (and the kids down the street).
“The Class” — 5 p.m. PT Tonight
Baseball is a game that guarantees failure, so building on success takes practice.
Creating a mental highlight reel starts with an actual one. Don’t just watch video to correct flaws — capture your best clips, add music, and even a great speech. Engrain your wins in your mind every day.
This week is all about building success to increase consistency.
📅 Tuesday at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET
🗒️ Bring your performance notebook, set a reminder, and show up ready.
Or join directly:
See you tonight!
On the adventure,
—Greg Moore
greg@troskyedtech.com
TroskyBaseball.com
He’s Stacking Daily Wins
See how this high schooler is using the Trosky 365 App for complete player development.
Last Week’s Class: Communication (50 minutes)
Sharpen body language, eye contact, and verbal skills
Public v. private language
The “Grandpa Rule” from the dugout
The “Grandma Rule” for social media posts
Our Team
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At Trosky EdTech Inc., our mission is to fulfill Nate Trosky’s vision of impacting a generation. Our team — a blend of top talent from baseball and business — is united to change academics and sports forever.
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