Pittsburgh Pirates’ Tyler Glasnow finds link between baseball and music
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Tyler Glasnow views the connection between baseball and music as significant and ‘nostalgic.’
Since the muses of Ancient Greece, music has filled ears around the world. Whether a song holds great harmony, like that sung by a barbershop quartet, or a captivating rhythm, such as techno, music has had its impact on humanity.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow is no exception.
Growing up in Southern California, Glasnow has experienced his own journey through music, both physically and mentally. As a professional baseball player, rhyme schemes and song lyrics follow him to the clubhouse, the dugout and even the mound.
Yet, for the 6’8″ right-hander, music is more than background noise; rather, it’s a hobby that sits among his favorites of working out and surfing the California waves.
“I’ve always loved rap music. Music is another huge hobby I have,” said Glasnow, who is 8-2 with a 2.06 ERA pitching for Triple-A Indianapolis. “Most of my day revolves around some kind of music for an hour or two.
“I love old Nas and AZ. … I like a lot of stuff. I also like rock and classical — Led Zeppelin. My dad turned me onto that. I’ll go through phases.”
As chronicled by ESPN’s Buster Olney in May, the 24-year old’s passion for music is “more than skin-deep.” Glasnow’s first roommate was Rodarrick Jones, an outfielder in the Pirates’ organization from 2011 until 2012. Jones piqued the then teenager’s interest in rap from his home state of Louisiana — not to mention his love for Lil Boosie.
It was Jones’ attachment to the rapper that led to a two-word ‘joke’ which will stay with Glasnow forever.
“I was in New York one day with my girlfriend. We went, and I got the tattoo and showed him,” he recalled. “He thought it was hilarious. That was more of a joke because I’d be the last person to have ‘No Juice’ on their lip.
“It was just cool talking to him again and telling him about it. When the interview came out, we talked about it for a while.”
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On the inside of Glasnow’s lower lip, ‘No Juice’ — the title of a Lil Boosie song — is inked. The tattoo combined baseball and music, though the seven characters are not the only instance in which the flame-thrower’s two worlds collide.
“I think music is a huge part [of baseball life],” said Glasnow. “Especially like in the lower levels, where you’re learning how to deal with failure and deal with all that stuff. I think music is a big help for a lot of guys. It kind of gives you that confidence. It has been a huge part of my minor league success.”
In four of his five full MiLB seasons, Pittsburgh’s former top prospect has recorded eight or more wins with an ERA under 2.20. Moreover, Glasnow’s strikeouts per nine innings was 10.8 or higher in each campaign.
Now on the cusp of returning to the Pirates, Glasnow’s minor league memories only live in past accolades and music.
“I can listen to certain stuff throughout these past few years and look back at Low-A, High-A,” he said. “A lot of guys I knew back then aren’t playing baseball anymore, so it takes you back to, ‘It was great when we were all together in Low-A or Short Season or at the dorms and missing curfew.’
“I didn’t have a college experience, so those years of my life are very nostalgic.”
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While the fields of Pirate City substituted for a classroom and music served as the dorm’s resident assistant, Glasnow does not regret how he spent his college years. Instead, he cherishes the memories made and games played.
“It was the opposite of what a college experience is,” Glasnow stated with a laugh. “You have your fun. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I really like the path I took.