Experiences from an MLB pro
Last month, Monsignor Farrell welcomed back Tom Cosgrove, '14, who currently pitches in the San Diego Padres organization, and the chairman of the Monsignor Farrell Field of Dreams Advisory Committee.
Tom Cosgrove, '14, shares insights from his rise from high school to the big leagues
For the second year, Major League Baseball pitcher, Tom Cosgrove ’14, returned to Monsignor Farrell to discuss his experiences in the big leagues.
In Cosgrove's rookie season, he played 54 games as a relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres. In 51 innings pitched, he recorded an impressive 1.75 ERA with a 1–2 win-loss record. In two seasons in the major leagues, Cosgrove has recorded a 3.43 ERA, with 59 strikeouts.
Cosgrove, who spent four years as part of the Monsignor Farrell baseball team, and playing college ball at Manhattan College, touched upon the adjustments he needed to make to prepare him for the major leagues.
With plenty of Farrell students in attendance in the Learning Commons, Tom Cosgrove, who made his MLB debut in 2023, discussed his days of playing baseball during his time at Farrell, as well as what he's taken in so far going through the minor leagues and the MLB.
"You go from playing in collage, and you know, you have three weekend games and a quarter in-conference games, you know that’s what you focus on, and you may play like 50 games," Cosgrove said. "And then you go to pro ball, and you’re playing every single day."
Cosgrove also discussed the importance of team dynamics talking about the importance of making an impact on your teammates. He told a story about Major League Baseball third baseman, and teammate of Cosgrove's, Manny Machado.
“I remember at the end of 2023, we were kind of making a playoff push, and he was hurt, and we were kind of out of it," Cosgrove said. "You know he was like, 'I need to get the surgery. Should I wait till the end of the year, or should we make this playoff push?' And I saw him make it a team decision."
When asked about dealing with the media and personal performance, Cosgrove discussed the presence of the media and he dealt with it.
Tom Cosgrove took time out following the discussion to take photos with several Farrell students.
"Coming off a really good year, where I'm supposed to be like this young, new thing, you help the padres win out of the bullpen, [but then] I [can] have a horrible year, and people are asking why and what's different," Cosgrove said. "You don't let it impact you too much; so I don't really follow so much of [the baseball media], especially during the year."
Along with being a major league pitcher, Cosgrove has also agreed to be the chairman of Monsignor Farrell's Field of Dreams Advisory Committee to help the installment of a baseball field on campus.
Monsignor Farrell wishes Tom Cosgrove a successful upcoming season and thank him for his time and words of encouragement.
The Lion is Monsignor Farrell's student digital newspaper. To read more articles from The Lion, click here.