Trevor Bauer | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #481

Trevor Bauer, a prominent professional pitcher with over a decade of experience in Major League Baseball (MLB), has marked his place in the sport with significant achievements including a Cy Young Award and an All-Star recognition.

Bauer's Cy Young award win and being at the top of MLB pitching

Bauer won the Cy Young Award in 2020, a testament to his standing as one of the elite pitchers in MLB. This prestigious award, which he had been chasing for 10 years, is now a part of his personal history, residing in his childhood room where he believes it rightfully belongs because that's where his baseball journey started. Bauer expresses his disbelief at joining the ranks of the best in the game, remembering a time when playing in the major leagues seemed beyond reach.

The award ceremony was quite poetic, taking place during a game where he played for the Dodgers against the Reds, the team with which he achieved the award.

Bauer's pitching abilities, achievements, and goals in MLB

Bauer's career goals have always been clear and ambitious. In college, his aim was the Golden Spikes Award, which he procured in his junior year. Post-college, inspired by Tim Lincecum, a two-time Cy Young winner, his sights were set on the Cy Young Award. To achieve this, Bauer committed himself to meticulous analysis of top pitchers, focusing on honing aspects of his pitching that they executed better.

After securing his Cy Young ...

With a clear intention to return to Major League Baseball (MLB), Bauer eagerly awaits another chance to step onto the pitcher's mound.

Bauer wanting another opportunity in MLB

Bauer openly shares his frustration at not being able to play the game he loves. He finds it difficult to watch baseball from the sidelines, feeling confident in his abilities and eager to join the competition once again.

Bauer willing to sign incentive-based contract and prove himself

Determined to prove his worth, Bauer proposes a performance-driven approach to his compensation. He expresses his readiness to align his earnings with his performance, stating that if he performs as the best pitcher in the league, that is how he expects to be compensated.

Focusing on minimizing the financial risk for any team that might sign him, Bauer has suggested an inventive contract structure. He is prepared to play for the league minimum salary, complemented by performance incentives. This would allow a team to part ways with him, if needed, without enduri ...

Baseball player Bauer shares his unique experiences while playing baseball in Japan, discussing the enjoyment derived from his stint, the cultural practices he encountered, and the vibrant fan culture.

Bauer's enjoyment of playing in Japan

Bauer talks about the challenges and satisfaction he gets from playing baseball in Japan. He finds enjoyment in overcoming the language barrier by relying on non-verbal communication such as body language and facial expressions. Despite his team's early elimination from the playoffs, he praises his Japanese teammates for their talent and the warm welcome they extended to him.

Cultural differences between Japan and MLB

One of the cultural differences Bauer highlights is the cleanliness and politeness that permeate Japanese society. He contrasts these aspects with what he's used to in the United States. Additionally, he appreciates the meticulous attention organizations pay to the needs of foreign players, including the availability of translators and the efforts made to accommodate food preferences. Bauer also mentions the renowned beef in Osaka and the designated hotel where all NPB (Nippon Profes ...

Trevor Bauer discusses his personal evolution within baseball, reflecting on his intense drive, constant skill development, scientific approach, and early social struggles, which have all shaped his unique approach to the game.

Bauer's intense competitiveness and drive

Bauer's foundational approach to baseball is intensely competitive, staying true to his base operating level. He mentions that after winning the Cy Young Award, his immediate thought was to set new goals, aiming for a second or third award, underlining his relentless drive and competitive nature.

Bauer constantly working to improve his pitching and skills

From an early age, Bauer devoted himself tirelessly to improving his baseball skills, riding his bike to the park with a bucket of baseballs to practice as a child. His routine included early morning pool workouts and extra after-school hours at the park working out, throwing, or analyzing his performance on video. Even now, his willingness to sign incentive-based contracts implies a continuing commitment to excel and elevate his skills.

Bauer's scientific approach to pitching development

Bauer has always had a love for math and physics, stretching back to a ninth-grade physics class that informed his baseball practice. Applying concepts like leverage, velocity, energy transfer, and momentum to baseball, he embraced a scientific method to enhance his pitching. Although explicit details of his scientific approaches were not mentioned, it is clear his pitching development is deeply influenced by these principles.

Bauer's early struggles fitting in and finding his place

Bauer candidly describes how his natural inclination towards baseball and distinct persona led to social challenges during junior high and high school. He recalls feeling like an outcast and struggled to find his group as he balanced being an athlete with nerdy interests. Facing bullying and a lack of friends forced Bauer into self-re ...