We’re excited to welcome San Francisco Giants First Base Coach and retired MLB outfielder Antoan Richardson to this week’s podcast. Antoan speaks about his path from the Bahamas to Vanderbilt to the Big Leagues – and also shares some insights on how we can best prepare baserunners and outfielders.

A special thanks to this show’s sponsor, Athletic Greens. Head to https://www.athleticgreens.com/cressey and you’ll receive a free 10-pack of Athletic Greens travel packets with your first order.

Show Outline

• How Antoan became the 6th Bahamian to play in the big leagues and what the process is for young ballplayers in the Bahamas looking to progress their baseball career
• What the baseball culture of the Bahamas is like, and how the game is growing on this island from the roots of softball
• Why Antoan is heartbroken when foreign players are married to the idea of signing contracts as the only means to make their baseball dreams a reality and how he is working to educate the youth of the power baseball can have for their future
• How Antoan became an all-state caliber baseball player in Florida after being cut from his 7th grade softball team in the Bahamas just years earlier
• How Antoan has used his passion for baseball to be an ambassador for the Bahamas and pave the way for future generations of Bahamians to grow through the sport
• Why Antoan chose to attend junior college out of high instead of accepting scholarships to play collegiate sports or pursuing early professional baseball pursuits
• How Antoan earned the opportunity to play at Vanderbilt out of junior college in 2003 and what role he played in laying the foundation for Vanderbilt to develop into the powerhouse it is today
• What differentiates Vanderbilt baseball and Tim Corbin from other universities in the country and how has the tradition of the baseball program progressed to and sustained greatness over the recent decades
• How Antoan was able to defy traditional wisdom and reduce the number of times he was caught stealing as he progressed through the ranks of pro ball
• What lessons Antoan has for young base stealers looking to sharpen their baserunning skills
• What it was like scoring the game winning run on Derek Jeter’s walkoff hit in his final game as a New York Yankee
• Why Antoan has learned to value the empathy, adaptability, and individualization needed to find success with each player with whom he works
• What core competencies Antoan works to establish in the baserunners with whom he works
• What skills Antoan emphasizes as important for outfielders, and why he stresses owning the first steps and remaining athletic
• What struggles minorities face in baseball and how coaches can better serve the needs of all their athletes
• What Project Limestone is, and how individuals can help the next generation of kids in the Bahamas

You can follow Antoan on Twitter at @ARichardson242 and on Instagram at @AntoanRichardson242. You can also learn more about the great work he’s doing with Project Limestone at www.ProjectLimestone.org.

Sponsor Reminder

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