AUBURN, Ala. – Weighing 140 pounds when his college baseball career began, Everett Teaford’s name was not found on lists of major league prospects but that didn’t stop him from pitching in the big leagues.
“I’ve been the underdog,” said Teaford, who played parts of four Major League Baseball seasons with Kansas City and Tampa Bay. “I think that plays a big role in who I am. I’ve got a lot to prove and will always have that underdog chip on my shoulder.”
Teaford brings that chip to the Plains as Auburn’s pitching coach after joining Butch Thompson’s staff this summer.
“My career was my career but that gets me nothing,” he said. “It’s about making these young men better players and better people. That’s what I’m here for. Hopefully we can get them all to the big leagues.”
After his MLB playing career Teaford joined the Houston Astros as a scout, then spent the next six years with the Chicago White Sox, including the past four as minor league pitching coordinator before coming to Auburn.
“I knew plenty about it coming here,” said Teaford, who grew up in metro Atlanta and played college baseball at Georgia Southern. “I’m excited to be part of this program and start a new journey.”
Teaford picked up valuable experience in professional baseball, learning scouting, player development and the draft process.
“I feel like I’ve seen pretty much everything,” said Teaford, who hopes to use his knowledge to help Auburn’s pitchers achieve their major league dreams. “I think I can provide them with a unique experience.”
How did a 140-pound pitcher develop into a big leaguer?
“I finally found out where the weight room was,” Teaford joked. “God blessed me with an ability to throw strikes and do a bunch of crafty things.”
An avid bullpen thrower, Teaford eventually added weight training to his regimen when he noticed how his college teammates benefited from added bulk.
“It really inspired me and I had a lot of good mentors who pushed me in that direction,” he said. “I was lucky to gain 20 pounds in one fall.”
The opportunity to join one of college baseball’s elite programs appealed to Teaford.
“The success that Coach Thompson has had, the coaching staff, they’re just unbelievable people,” said Teaford, adding appreciation for Auburn University’s academics and student-athletes. “It was impossible to turn down.”
Transitioning from college baseball to the pros, Teaford will lean on Auburn’s experienced staff to help him develop as a recruiter.
“With recruiting, it’s just relationships,” he said. “It’s treating people right. Be honest and open with them. Hopefully they’ll see that as they interact with me.”
As he grows into his new role, Teaford takes comfort in knowing Thompson served as an SEC pitching coach for 14 seasons before becoming Auburn’s head coach.
“When I don’t know the answer, I’ve got a great resource to go find out the answer from him,” Teaford said. “It’s a great blessing. It makes me feel really good to have that safety net to be able to ask a question when I get jammed up. The continuity with the entire group is really strong. It’s not about us. It’s about wins and losses, and these kids.”
Teaford hopes to employ his analytics expertise to further develop Auburn’s pitchers.
“This is the SEC and everything matters,” said Teaford, repeating Thompson’s message to him. “The little things really do show up. We’re going to try to create a holistic approach. It’s not just the data and the biomechanics. That’s important, but also the mindset, the toughness, the character of these student-athletes.
“Getting strike one is still important on the baseball field, regardless of your spin rate. Trying to be in the middle and bring it all together because everybody’s needs are different. I’ve been fortunate to be exposed to all of this to where I think we can go in a great direction.
“This is a very good program as is, and if we can move the needle a little bit more, really special things can happen.”
From baseball, Teaford learned how to persevere amid struggles, a principle that lasts long after the ninth inning.
“Resiliency,” he said. “What can I do to get better today? Compartmentalize that in a productive way that will help you now on the baseball field and in life so they’re used to rolling with the punches. You’ve got to get up. Life’s not always easy.
“Having that mentality that I’m in control of my attitude and actions versus the situation is controlling me. I think that’s the biggest lesson baseball teaches you.”
A father of three, Everett and his wife, Natalie, look forward to raising their three young children in Auburn.
“This program sells itself,” he said. “The support has been unbelievable in such a small time. I can’t imagine what it’s going to look like as we continue to grow.”
