Jay Rainville

I'd been playing against or watching Jay Rainville since Little League, always bigger, always stronger, always better than everyone. Even at 12, I could tell he was different. But I have two specific memories from my senior year that show just how good he became.

It was the state playoffs and the day of our senior prom. Jay was pitching and as expected, he made quick work of us. With a little bit of luck, I got one hit on the first pitch I saw and regrettably flashed a short smile across my face as I got to first base.

Jay must have seen it, because my next at-bat he threw a pitch up and in, knocked me down, and then struck me out on 3 straight pitches.

The second memory came a week later.

Jay probably doesn't know about this, but after Hendricken eliminated us, Cumberland faced them in the state championship at McCoy Stadium (RIP). Cumberland's coach, Dale O'Dell, called asking if I'd throw live BP to help his guys prepare for Rainville.

I showed up and I jokingly told Coach O'Dell I should probably pitch from 50 ft. to simulate Jay’s velocity.

But it didn’t matter. Hendricken beat Cumberland 6 - 1.

Scoring one run off Jay might’ve felt like a win. But my batting practice? No comparison. Everyone was playing a different game when he was on the mound.

That's how good Jay Rainville was back then. Not just the best high school pitcher in Rhode Island, he was one of the best in America.

• 2004 ABCA/Rawlings High School All-American

• 2003 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year

• 2003 Aflac High School All-American Game

• Ranked #7 high school player in the country

1st round pick by the Minnesota Twins in 2004. Big league spring training invitation at 20 years old. Jay Rainville was knocking on the door until a shoulder injury changed his path. He fought his way back to Double-A, kept grinding, but he was never the same pitcher. Eventually, he walked away with his head high.

Jay was generous enough to share his story about talent, family, injury, and perspective. It’s something every parent and coach, including myself, needs to hear.

Here's our conversation.

EARLY DEVELOPMENT

You were always bigger and stronger than everyone else. Was baseball always easy for you?

Growing up I was always a lot bigger than the kids I played against so that was a big advantage. I remember in T-Ball I hit a ball so hard that the player on the other team wasn't able to react fast enough and got hit in the face. That was the end of my T-Ball career and I was moved up to minor league. I always threw hard and could hit but it's not something I really worked hard at when I was young.

Baseball was never my first love, hockey was. I usually only played baseball for the short season that it runs in the northeast, but I played hockey year-round. It wasn't until I was in high school that I started to take baseball more serious.

What made you successful, especially early on?

I think the biggest thing for me, that always made me successful, especially at a young age, was I hated to lose. I always wanted to be the best in anything that I did. Growing up with an older brother was probably a big factor in this.

Everything was a competition and I always wanted to beat him. Hard work and determination were a big factor, but hating to lose was what really pushed me. I still have that mentality today.

Your family played a huge role in your development. What did that look like?

My family has always been a huge support system in my life. My parents are absolutely fantastic. For years they put aside what they wanted to do to support my brother and I. Early morning traveling to rinks for hockey, coming up with extra money to buy us what we needed and to pay for different teams.

I couldn't be more blessed, I have the best family. My brother has always been one of my biggest supporters. We were close enough in age to work out together and he always pushed me to be the best. Between my parents and my brother, I had everything I needed to succeed in baseball and life.

THE DECISION TO GO PRO

You were drafted out of high school and had offers from Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee, and Arizona State. How do you look back on the decision to skip college and go pro?

I think I made the right decision due to the injury. I feel if I went to college I may have sustained the injury there and never had the opportunity to go pro. That being said, I think it would've been amazing to play at Tennessee.

My would-have-been freshman year they had a great team and made the College World Series. If I could do it all over again, maybe I would've chosen a northern school and played hockey and baseball…..hindsight is always 20/20.

LEAVING HOME AT 18

You left home at 18 to play pro ball. What was that adjustment like?

I don't think anyone can prepare to leave home and be solo at 18. It was definitely a big shock for me but I feel I adjusted well. I had no idea how to cook and realizing that you need to separate certain colors of clothing for laundry was something I learned the hard way.

I was fortunate enough to be in Fort Myers, FL where my cousin Rick lived. He took me under his wing and made sure I just focused on baseball. He literally took care of everything else for me. I'm extremely thankful for my cousin Rick.

COACHES & MENTORS

Who were the coaches or mentors who had the biggest impact on you?

I've had many coaches that have made an impact on me, both in hockey and baseball. I had a hockey coach at a young age, Tom McCarthy, who pushed me harder than I've ever been pushed. I truly feel he made me an amazing player, never allowing me to quit or give up and always strive to be better.

For baseball I'd say Rick Delvecchio made a great impact on me. He was the coach of the South Shore Seadogs, the team I played for that gave me national recognition.

The biggest impact came from my father, Ed.

From day one my father taught me my mechanics for pitching. I never changed them throughout my entire career. My father was always in my corner, pushing me to be the best. He still does this to this day. He has always been my biggest fan and he's the same way with my daughter. He's always taught me to be the best at everything I do.

WHAT IT TAKES

What separates "great" from "elite"?

At the professional level there are many great players. Everyone has talent but the elite players, they own the field. Elite players separate themselves by setting the tone early. Elite players are prepared well before the game starts. Elite players don't always need to talk, they lead by example. Talent can make you great but you need more than talent to be elite.

BIG LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING & THE INJURY

What was big league spring training like?

Big leaguers are amazing. The sound of the ball off the bat, the clap of the ball hitting the mitt, they are so talented and professional. I still remember giving up a home run to Curtis Granderson. 93 MPH down the middle didn't play.

To be honest, at that time I was battling a shoulder injury and didn't feel like I belonged. My velocity was way down and my off-speed stuff wasn't as sharp. I'd like to think if I was healthy things would've been different but we will never know.

When did you know something was wrong?

Coming out of high school I was consistently mid-90's and topping out high-90's. I could maintain velocity throughout the game and didn't get tired. I could pitch a game and felt fine the following day. When my velocity dropped to the mid to high 80's, maybe touching 90, and I'd be sore for a week, I knew something was wrong. After several opinions from top surgeons in the country, it was determined that surgery was the only option.

How did you make the decision to walk away?

I can say I walked away from baseball with my head held high. I wasn't the same pitcher I was when I was drafted by the Twins. They gave me so many opportunities and even were willing to provide another surgery to try and figure out what was going on.

I didn't feel that anything was going to change, I was getting older and it wasn't fair to the organization to keep trying. I made the difficult decision to walk away and I can say I've never regretted it. Unfortunately things didn't work out and I'm at peace with that.

LIFE AFTER BASEBALL

What did you do after baseball?

After retiring I didn't know what I wanted to do. I had a few friends who were in law enforcement and I decided to test for it. I was hired and the rest is history. I've been a police officer for the last 15 years and I love my job.

Looking back now, would you do anything differently?

I think the only change I'd make is I'd give hockey a little more of a look. As far as everything that I've done, the decisions I made with baseball, I wouldn't change a thing. I'm not someone that has many regrets in life. Hockey was always my first love and I think I could've done pretty well if I went that route.

ADVICE FOR COACHES

What do you wish every youth coach understood?

I have nothing but respect for every youth coach. Donating the time and effort for kids is truly amazing. It's not easy coaching kids so I give them all credit.

Every kid learns different. Every kid has different strengths and weaknesses. Not everyone is going to play high school, college or beyond. Make it fun, it's not that serious. They are kids.

My Takeaway

Ed Rainville taught his son to pitch. Taught him to compete. Taught him to be the best at everything he does.

Those are life lessons Jay carries with him to this day.

And when his shoulder gave out? Those same lessons got him through retirement, helped him walk away with dignity, and showed him how to build a new life.

Now Jay's teaching his daughter. Ed's supporting and guiding his granddaughter.

Same foundation. Same disciplines.

And Jay's message to coaches? “Make it fun. It's not that serious. They're kids.”

The fastball is gone. The career ended. The uniform gets packed away.

But what your father teaches you and what you teach your kids, that's what lasts.

— Steve

Help me keep more kids in the game. If you found this helpful, please forward it to another parent or coach.

Thanks for being here. See you next week Inside the Dugout.

Steve Holmes
Founder, Inside the Dugout
2006 MLB Draft | All-American | Youth Coach | Dad