Erick Harding "Rick" Peterson (born October 30, 1954) is an American former pitcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball. He was most recently the director of pitching development for the Baltimore Orioles. He was a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, but is most notable as the pitching coach for the Moneyball era Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Peterson is renowned for his unique and pioneering use of biomechanical analysis and research and mental game principles to help pitchers improve their pitching delivery and avoid injuries. His nicknames include "The Jacket" because he always wears a jacket during games, and "The Professor." He is also known for placing his hand on the shoulder of the pitchers to help them remain calm during mound visits.

Early life and education

Peterson was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in the Pittsburgh suburb of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The Baltimore Orioles drafted him out of high school, but instead of signing with the Orioles, he chose to be red shirted and went to Gulf Coast Junior College in Panama City, Florida. He then attended Jacksonville University and graduated with a combined degree in sports psychology and art.

On June 17, 2008, Rick Peterson, along with Manager Willie Randolph and first base coach Tom Nieto, was fired from his position with the New York Mets.

Milwaukee Brewers

On October 19, 2009, Peterson agreed to become the Milwaukee Brewers new pitching coach. However, when new manager Ron Roenicke's staff was announced on November 15, 2010, it was revealed that Peterson had been replaced by Rick Kranitz with a year remaining on his contract.

Baltimore Orioles

In January 2012, Peterson was hired as the Director of Pitching Development for the Baltimore Orioles, a position he held through the 2016 season.

Business

In 2014. Peterson wrote an award winning book Crunch Time, How to be Your Best When it Matters Most along with Judd Hoekstra. The book focuses on reframing pressure, performing your best and the mental game of champions and elite athletes. In 2016 he co-founded a consulting/coaching company where he does motivational speaking, elite business coaching and helps business leaders implement the attitudes and habits of champion athletes. Petersons program " The Mind of a Champion" has been a successful program implemented at many Fortune 500 companies and universities.

Peterson is known for combining pitching drills and sports psychology with biomechanical analysis data using the work done by Dr. James Andrews’ American Sports Medicine Institute ASMI as the benchmark.

References

  • Prospectus Q&A: Rick Peterson