Jim Campanis Jr.: Born into Baseball

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The Campanis family has built a remarkable legacy in baseball, spanning three generations and nearly 85 years. In this conversation, we take a closer look at the life and baseball career of Jim Campanis Jr, son of Jim Sr. and grandson of Al.

Al Campanis started his baseball career in 1940 as a shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Although his playing career was brief, it was his management roles that truly defined his legacy. He became a key player in the Dodgers organization, serving as the director of player development and later as general manager. Al was known for spotting talent, he was integral in the signing and development of Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, and Fernando Valenzuela. However, a controversial statement during a television interview led to backlash and his resignation in 1987.

Following in his father's footsteps, Jim Campanis has lived a life baseball. He played professionally for twelve seasons, reaching the Majors in seven, and later became a respected member of the Dodgers' front office and the Los Angeles baseball community.

Born into baseball, Jim Campanis Jr. stands as the most recent torchbearer of the Campanis legacy in baseball. Drawing on the strong foundation established by his father and grandfather, he forged his own path in the sport. Jim was a star at the University of Southern California. He's second to Mark McGwire on USC's single-season home run list and still holds the school record for RBI in a season. Following his junior season in 1988, Jim was selected to represent his country on Team USA, but was also selected by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the MLB draft.

The Mariners talked Jim Jr. out of representing his country at the Olympics in favor of beginning his pro career. He would play five-injury plagued seasons in the Mariners' minor league system before finishing off his career in 1994 with one season in the Angels' organization. Jim would later post stories of his childhood emersed in the game of baseball, as well as stories from his own playing days, on his social media accounts. For years, commenters told him he should write a book. In 2016, he would finally publish Born into Baseball.

Born into Baseball is available here: https://amzn.to/4kfJNU8

This episode is available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else you find your podcasts.


Summary:
In this engaging conversation, Jim Campanis Jr. shares his unique journey through the world of baseball, growing up in a family deeply rooted in the sport. From his early experiences at his father's and grandfather's games to his own professional career, Jim reflects on the challenges and triumphs he faced, including the pressures of rebuilding his family's legacy. He discusses his time at USC, the struggles of professional baseball, and the importance of mental performance techniques like visualization and managing anxiety.