Author of The Pizza Guy Delivers, Former Brewer Jim Rushford

Jim Rushford's route to the Major Leagues had so many twists, it deserved its own book. So he wrote it.

Unsigned after a rocky college career at San Diego State University, Jim Rushford thought he was done with baseball. After a year off, he got a contract with an independent league team for the 1996 season. He suffered an injury at very beginning of his second independent season, was released, and really thought he was done with baseball.... again.

I wont ruin the book (or podcast) for you, but after many more twists and turns, he finally made his big league debut in in 2002 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He would continue his career in the minor leagues, independent leagues, Mexico, and the rest of Latin America until retiring at the start of the 2010 season. Nothing about Jim Rushford's playing career resembles a straight line.

I highly recommend Mr. Rushford's book, The Pizza Guy Delivers, to any baseball player, insider, or fan, as well as anybody who just loves a good story. It's available on Amazon. I also mention Jim's Facebook page in the show. The Facebook page is an accompaniment to the book, with hundreds of pictures and videos that compliment the story. The book and Facebook page SEPARATELY are two very interesting items. Together, they are one essential encyclopedia of the life of a professional baseball player.

This episode is available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere quality podcasts are found.

In this conversation, Jim Rushford shares his unique journey from being an all-state high school player to making it to the big leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers. He discusses the challenges he faced, including not being drafted after college, working odd jobs, and eventually finding success in independent baseball. Rushford reflects on his experiences in the major leagues, the transition to life after baseball, and the importance of networking and having a plan. He offers valuable advice and shares insights on personal growth and identity after sports.

Chapters

00:00 The Unconventional Journey to the Big Leagues

11:19 Life After the Big Leagues: Challenges and Transitions

15:02 International Experiences and Team USA

19:24 Navigating Career Changes and Life After Baseball

26:09 The Transition from Baseball to Life After Sports

29:08 Finding New Purpose in Unexpected Places

31:43 The Challenges of Reinventing Oneself

34:39 Discovering New Passions and Interests

37:56 Advice for Young Athletes

42:15 The Importance of Skills Beyond Sports

Shorts taken from this full interview are also available at our YouTube channel and all social media pages.

Jim Rushford made his MLB debut in his hometown, Chicago.

What Jim wishes he knew as a young ballplayer.

Jim Rushford drove a huge haul truck for 14 years after his baseball career.

Jim, on life driving those ginormous haul trucks.

Jim Rushford describes watching baseball as a retired player as "watching his own furneral."