Column posted in The Madison County Journal May 9th, issue
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| Jake Westbrook is pictured with Grayson Hix following a team practice. |
By Dallas Bordon
Somewhere in the yard of Cauthen and Joan Westbrook, you might be
able to find some sort of diamond. Not the kind that you see in a jewelry store
and not even one of value — except to the Westbrook family.
On this homemade diamond some 26 years ago, a young fellow by the name of “Jake” was being taught different pitches as well as the fundamentals of the great American game of baseball. Whatever teaching tools the elder Westbrook used seemed to be successful in setting a foundation for the once Little League all-star player, Red Raider, and now a Major Leaguer Jake Westbrook.
At the age of 35, Jake Westbrook has reached his 100th career major league win. After 259 starts, 1,664.2 innings pitched, Westbrook reached the mark he has always wanted to reach.
“A hundred wins for me is a sign of longevity and kind of grinding it out year after year,” Westbrook said. “It’s definitely not 300, but for me it was a goal of mine. It’s something I’ll always have with me.” After two previous attempts this season at reaching win number 100, Westbrook got what he wanted. St. Louis jumped out to a 6-0 lead and held on to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers last week, giving Jake his 100th professional career win.
Jake is in his 17th year of professional baseball, four of which he played in the minors. He received the call to the show in 2000, sporting the pinstripes of the New York Yankees. His first stint in the majors was a bumpy visit with a 0-2 record and an earned run average of 13.50.
Four years later with the Cleveland Indians, Westbrook turned the tables and posted a 14-9 record with a 3.38 earned run average, earning him a spot on the American League all-star roster. His earned run average that season of 2004 poised him at number three in the American League with the lowest ERA. He ranked eighth in 2004 and 2005 in the American League with 14 wins in ’04 and 15 wins in ’05.
Perhaps his most memorable moment came in 2011 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals where he was the winning pitcher of game six in what is said to be one of the best World Series games ever. Needless to say, he now owns a World Series ring, quite an accomplishment for a kid who went from pitching in his parents’ yard with dad/coach Cauthen to a major leaguer and hometown star.
Westbrook’s time in the majors hasn’t been without rough times. Drafted with the 21st pick in the first round of the 1996 amateur draft by the Colorado Rockies organization, Westbrook made his Major League debut with a short stint for the Yankees in 2000. He made only five starts in 2008 and 2009 following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow but returned from the injury that is known for some as a career ending injury. In two different seasons, he has been on the disabled list, with the most recent stint caused by a strained oblique muscle that ended his season early last year. He has battled the ups and downs of a major league baseball career and is on path to have what might be his best season to date. “One of the luxuries I have is that my ball still moves,” Westbrook said. “Lots of times, whether it goes where I want it to or not, it still runs down in the zone. It still can be good, and I can have some success.”
As for the youth recreation and Little League ball players in Madison County, he’s pretty much a hero. He never forgets the path that was paved for him to where he is today. He’s a humble person and enjoys working with the kids who are playing recreation department sports and little league ball players teaching them the things he once learned with his dad in the yard. Taylor Garrison Hix, whose son Grayson plays baseball in the Recreation Department’s program, appreciates Westbrook’s efforts with the kids.
“I love how Jake takes time out with all the kids at the recreation department, such a great guy,” said Hix.
Westbrook fondly remembers his days playing in Madison County.
“I just remember how fun it used to be playing sports growing up,” said Westbrook. “Whether it was football, baseball, or basketball, it just seemed like there was always something to play year round. And as a little boy what else would I rather be doing? Playing with and against my friends and cousins was a lot of fun.”
On March 28, 2008 Raider baseball coach Charlie Griffeth and Madison County High School retired Jake’s number 12 as a reward for the records he set as a Red Raider. A little leaguer turned professional, Westbrook has reached yet another goal: a 100th career win.
“It’s always been a goal of mine to get to 100, and it’s good to get it done,” Westbrook said.
As for the elder Westbrook, Cauthen, you can find him spending time in his yard with his grandchildren — probably teaching them those same fundamentals of baseball.
Career Stats on Westbrook (as of May 4)
Wins: 100 Losses: 96
ERA: 4.23 Games played: 299 Games started: 259 Complete Games 15 Shutouts: 4
Innings pitched; 1,664.2 Hits: 858 Earned runs: 783 Home runs allowed: 141 Hit batters: 59
Walks 538 Stirkeouts 939 2013 Stats Wins: 2
Losses: 1
ERA: 1.07 Games: 5
Games started: 5
Innings pitched: 33.2 Hits allowed: 30 Runs: 5
Earned: 4
Home runs allowed: 0
Walks: 17
Strikeouts: 18
On this homemade diamond some 26 years ago, a young fellow by the name of “Jake” was being taught different pitches as well as the fundamentals of the great American game of baseball. Whatever teaching tools the elder Westbrook used seemed to be successful in setting a foundation for the once Little League all-star player, Red Raider, and now a Major Leaguer Jake Westbrook.
At the age of 35, Jake Westbrook has reached his 100th career major league win. After 259 starts, 1,664.2 innings pitched, Westbrook reached the mark he has always wanted to reach.
“A hundred wins for me is a sign of longevity and kind of grinding it out year after year,” Westbrook said. “It’s definitely not 300, but for me it was a goal of mine. It’s something I’ll always have with me.” After two previous attempts this season at reaching win number 100, Westbrook got what he wanted. St. Louis jumped out to a 6-0 lead and held on to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers last week, giving Jake his 100th professional career win.
Jake is in his 17th year of professional baseball, four of which he played in the minors. He received the call to the show in 2000, sporting the pinstripes of the New York Yankees. His first stint in the majors was a bumpy visit with a 0-2 record and an earned run average of 13.50.
Four years later with the Cleveland Indians, Westbrook turned the tables and posted a 14-9 record with a 3.38 earned run average, earning him a spot on the American League all-star roster. His earned run average that season of 2004 poised him at number three in the American League with the lowest ERA. He ranked eighth in 2004 and 2005 in the American League with 14 wins in ’04 and 15 wins in ’05.
Perhaps his most memorable moment came in 2011 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals where he was the winning pitcher of game six in what is said to be one of the best World Series games ever. Needless to say, he now owns a World Series ring, quite an accomplishment for a kid who went from pitching in his parents’ yard with dad/coach Cauthen to a major leaguer and hometown star.
Westbrook’s time in the majors hasn’t been without rough times. Drafted with the 21st pick in the first round of the 1996 amateur draft by the Colorado Rockies organization, Westbrook made his Major League debut with a short stint for the Yankees in 2000. He made only five starts in 2008 and 2009 following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow but returned from the injury that is known for some as a career ending injury. In two different seasons, he has been on the disabled list, with the most recent stint caused by a strained oblique muscle that ended his season early last year. He has battled the ups and downs of a major league baseball career and is on path to have what might be his best season to date. “One of the luxuries I have is that my ball still moves,” Westbrook said. “Lots of times, whether it goes where I want it to or not, it still runs down in the zone. It still can be good, and I can have some success.”
As for the youth recreation and Little League ball players in Madison County, he’s pretty much a hero. He never forgets the path that was paved for him to where he is today. He’s a humble person and enjoys working with the kids who are playing recreation department sports and little league ball players teaching them the things he once learned with his dad in the yard. Taylor Garrison Hix, whose son Grayson plays baseball in the Recreation Department’s program, appreciates Westbrook’s efforts with the kids.
“I love how Jake takes time out with all the kids at the recreation department, such a great guy,” said Hix.
Westbrook fondly remembers his days playing in Madison County.
“I just remember how fun it used to be playing sports growing up,” said Westbrook. “Whether it was football, baseball, or basketball, it just seemed like there was always something to play year round. And as a little boy what else would I rather be doing? Playing with and against my friends and cousins was a lot of fun.”
On March 28, 2008 Raider baseball coach Charlie Griffeth and Madison County High School retired Jake’s number 12 as a reward for the records he set as a Red Raider. A little leaguer turned professional, Westbrook has reached yet another goal: a 100th career win.
“It’s always been a goal of mine to get to 100, and it’s good to get it done,” Westbrook said.
As for the elder Westbrook, Cauthen, you can find him spending time in his yard with his grandchildren — probably teaching them those same fundamentals of baseball.
Career Stats on Westbrook (as of May 4)
Wins: 100 Losses: 96
ERA: 4.23 Games played: 299 Games started: 259 Complete Games 15 Shutouts: 4
Innings pitched; 1,664.2 Hits: 858 Earned runs: 783 Home runs allowed: 141 Hit batters: 59
Walks 538 Stirkeouts 939 2013 Stats Wins: 2
Losses: 1
ERA: 1.07 Games: 5
Games started: 5
Innings pitched: 33.2 Hits allowed: 30 Runs: 5
Earned: 4
Home runs allowed: 0
Walks: 17
Strikeouts: 18
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