Rick Peterson
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Eric Harding "Rick" Peterson (born October 30, 1954) is a pitching coach for the New York Mets in Major League Baseball. He himself was a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Peterson has held his position with the Mets since November 5, 2003 and is signed with the club through the 2009 season. He is known for his unique use of biomechanical research and psychological principles to help pitchers improve their pitching motions.[1] His nicknames include "The Jacket" and "The Professor."
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[edit] Early life
Peterson was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Originally drafted out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles, Peterson chose to go to Gulf Coast Junior College in Panama City, Florida instead of signing. He then attended Jacksonville University and graduated with a combined degree in psychology and art.[1]
[edit] Playing career
Peterson was drafted in the 21st round of the June 1976 free agent draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. His father, Harding "Pete" Peterson, was Pittsburgh's farm system director and future general manager.[1] Rick Peterson played within the Pirates organization for four years, from 1976-1979. During those four years, Peterson never got out of Class A.
[edit] Coaching career
Peterson began his professional baseball coaching career in Minor League Baseball when he coached with Salem (A) of the Carolina League from 1979-1980. In 1980 he was part of the coaching staff with Bradenton (R) of the Gulf Coast League. From 1981 to 1982, Peterson was with Buffalo (AA) of the Eastern League. After his stay in Buffalo, he got a coaching position with Lynn (AA) of the Eastern League in 1983.
In 1984, Peterson became the bullpen coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Peterson held this coaching job with the Pirates from 1984-1985.
Peterson joined the Cleveland organization in 1986 and was a part of the coaching staff of Waterbury (AA) of the Eastern League in 1986, Buffalo (AAA) of the American Association in 1987 and Colorado Springs (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League in 1988.
After departing the Cleveland organization, Peterson joined the Chicago White Sox farm system and spent six seasons there as a pitching coach. Peterson was with Birmingham (AA) of the Southern League from 1989-1991, Vancouver (AAA) of the American Association in 1992, and Nashville (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League from 1993-1994. After spending many years in the minor leagues, Peterson was promoted to the White Sox on June 21, 1994.
From 1994 to 1995, Peterson stayed with the White Sox as a Co-director of the sports psychology program as it related to performance behavior.
In 1996, Peterson became Toronto's minor league pitching coordinator. The following season, he was the pitching coach of the Trenton Thunder, then the AA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
Peterson joined the Oakland organization as a roving minor league pitching instructor for the 1998 season. He was named the major league pitching coach for the A's on March 26, 1998. He is well-known for helping the A’s develop the ‘Big Three’ of Barry Zito, Mark Mulder, and Tim Hudson.[1] All three pitchers became 20-game winners under Rick Peterson and Zito won the 2002 American League Cy Young Award. After he arrived in 1998, Peterson helped his pitching staff obtain an American League best ERA for two years, 3.63 in 2003 and 3.58 in 2002.
Peterson joined the New York Mets in November 2003 as their pitching coach, replacing Rick Waits. Peterson gained the ire of many Mets fans when in July 2004 he allegedly said he could fix Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Victor Zambrano in "10 minutes" and allegedly said that Mets’ top prospect Scott Kazmir was at least 3 years away from being a Major League pitcher. Many believe that these statements led to the infamous Kazmir trade, where the Mets traded Kazmir for Zambrano. Zambrano was decidedly horrific after the trade, while Kazmir was immediately promoted to the majors by the Devil Rays and immediately became one of the most promising young pitchers in baseball. Early in the 2006 season, Zambrano suffered a season ending injury to his elbow, further contrasting his performance with Kazmir's. Others say that Peterson was merely giving his opinion as pitching coach, and that any blame for the trade should fall on GM Jim Duquette, owner Fred Wilpon, and COO Jeff Wilpon. Victor Zambrano was not resigned after the 2006 season.
On February 2, 2007, Peterson's contract with the Mets was extended through the 2009 season.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Macht, Norman. "A's pitching coach Rick Peterson using a philosophical approach to teaching", Baseball Digest, 2003-01-01. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
- ^ Noble, Marty. "Mets coaches receive new contracts, Peterson signed through 2009; rest of staff also ink deals", mlb.com, 2007-02-02. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
- A's pitching coach Rick Peterson using a philosophical approach to teaching
- Prospectus Q&A: Rick Peterson
- Mets coaches receive new contracts
| Preceded by Rick Waits |
New York Mets Pitching Coach 2004-Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
