Send us a text

In this conversation, Trayvon Robinson shares his journey from a challenging upbringing in South Central Los Angeles to his experiences in Major League Baseball. He discusses his debut with the Seattle Mariners, the emotional struggles he faced, and the lessons learned throughout his career. Trayvon reflects on the importance of mentorship, resilience, and the impact of personal challenges on his professional life. Now a hitting coach, he emphasizes the significance of guiding young players and the lasting memories created through the sport.

Trayvon Robinson was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 10th round of the 2005 MLB Draft. He climbed up their prospect ladder for several seasons. By 2011, Robinson seemed poised to leap on to the Dodgers' Major League roster. Instead, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners before making his MLB Debut a week later.

With the Dodgers, he seemed to be THE guy. With the Mariners, he was just another guy.

"Yeah, I couldn't even tell you how much I was just crying on the inside. I was stunned."

After spending parts of seven minor league seasons with the Dodgers, Trayvon Robinson was a very well known commodity with the decision-makers, player development personnel, and the big league staff. However, it became obvious, quickly, to Trayvon that the Mariners just picked him up to have another outfielder on their depth chart.

"I just felt like I was walking on eggshells, man," says Robinson. "I just had this whole feeling to where I just wasn't comfortable, If it would have been different with the Dodgers, you know why? They knew me. They knew exactly who I was. They know where I came from. They know everything."

"I eventually stopped playing up there [the Major League level] at the age of 24, so I wasn't getting everyday at-bats. I just felt like I became another guy very quickly," remember Robinson.

Trayvon began the 2012 season in AAA Tacoma with the Mariners. "I batted .530 with like 30 at bats or 20-something at bats in spring training. The only thing I got was 'You need to go play every day." Really? I'm doing everything and I was in a big trade with you. Like just tell me what I need to work on.'

During that AAA stint, Robinson began to fell his favor with the organization was growing. Despite still not playing everyday. minor tweaks to his swing and approach led to harder contact, a reduced strikeout rate, and an increase in walks.

Even so, Robinson explains, "Bam, I get freaking traded. So they wrote me off at like 24 years old." The Seattle Mariners traded him to the Baltimore Orioles.

Trayvon Robinson spent the 2013-15 seasons between the Orioles, Dodgers, Tigers, and Diamondbacks organizations. In 2016, he landed in the Atlantic League, where he play until the 2019 when he was picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"I ended up flying down there to Bradenton [Pirates' spring training home]. I walked up to [Rick] Eckstein, Pirates' hitting coach at the time, and I was like, 'I want play.' Then he asked, 'Where have you been?'"

Robinson explained that he'd been playing in the Atlantic League. He and Eckstein went over Robinson's stats from the last few seasons. The two would spend sometime in the batting cages together and Robinson would soon be sent an invite to spring training.

"I was expecting to get released. It's a numbers game dude, I just want an opportunity to get spring training," said Robinson. "I just wanted an opportunity."

Trayvon got more than a spring training opportunity, he got sent to AAA Indianapolis. Despite battling through a divorce and losing his house and savings, he was named to the 2019 AAA All-Star Game.

Send us a text

Growing up in a neighborhood plagued by violence and limited opportunities, Trayvon Robinson knew early on that escaping that environment would take more than just dreaming—it would take relentless effort. Trayvon was never tempted to turn the criminal activity that many of his peers chose. Baseball took him to not-so-distant neighborhoods with luxurious gated communities, well-furnished baseball programs, and rosters full of recruited prospects. He utilized commitment and his baseball talents to build a future where safety, stability, and self-worth were everyday realities.

It was a struggle to be seen and respected by scouts and the baseball brass for Trayvon and other prospects in his area. "It's just that it's the stigma of like, 'Oh, he's not playing against anybody.' Or 'He's not in a good league.' Don't get me wrong. It's probably not a good league. But how would you know if he is a good player or not? And that's what I had to make sure that I was put in those situations of playing against Mark Trumbo, Trevor Plouffe,

Justin Sellers, Danny Espinosa. There's a lot of guys I played against that went to prestigious high schools, but my boy Jermaine Williams, he went to Los Angeles High School. So it was just me and Jermaine that went to play against all these prestigious high schools and all these big prospects."

Trayvon was later drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 10th round of the 2005 MLB Draft out of Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles at the age of 17. "They said top 10 to 15 [rounds of the draft] so for me, I was like, I'm fine with that. I just want to go play baseball. Where I grew up, my house situation wasn't great. I just wanted to go and just see how far I can go because I know on the other side there's something better."

By 2009, Robinson was known sprung up the prospect lists. He earned a spot on the California All-Star Team in 2009, the Southern League All-Star team and in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Game in 2010, and the AAA All-Star Game in 2011. Initially Trayvon was more known for his speed, making it remarkable that he was also included in the Home Run Derby of that AAA All-Star Game.

At the July 31st, 2011 trading deadline, Trayvon Robinson was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Seattle Mariners in the three-team deal that sent Erik Bedard to the Boston Red Sox. The move came as a surprise to Robinson. "I couldn't even tell you how much I was just crying on the inside. I was stunned."

Trayvon Robinson made his MLB debut less than a week later with the Seattle Mariners on August 5, 2011.

In this episode, Trayvon "T-Rob" Robinson shares his journey from growing up in South Central LA to becoming a professional baseball player. He discusses the challenges he faced in his youth, the importance of community and mentorship, his experiences during the draft, and the emotional rollercoaster of transitioning to the big leagues. Robinson's story highlights the impact of personal struggles and the support of mentors in achieving success in sports.

Send us a text

In this episode, Jeff Perro interviews Jay "Smiley J" Jackson, celebrating his career in baseball and discussing his transition to coaching. Jay reflects on his journey from being drafted by the Cubs to making his major league debut, his experiences playing in Japan, and his new role as a pitching coach. He shares insights on retirement, the importance of mindset, and his initiatives to help young athletes through the S.M.I.L.E Zone. Jay emphasizes the significance of positivity and personal growth, aiming to inspire others through his upcoming memoir and various projects.

Chapters

00:00 Starting a New Chapter: Coaching Journey Begins
02:11 Reflecting on the Draft Experience
05:15 The Call-Up: Making It to the Big Leagues
08:17 The Changing Landscape of Baseball
11:04 Success in Japan: A New Adventure
13:58 Looking Back: Celebrating a Career
19:49 Finding Time to Reflect and Celebrate
20:45 Finding Purpose and Service
21:28 The Smile Zone: A Positive Mindset for All
23:53 Curriculum Development for All Ages
25:18 The Importance of Early Education
26:29 Promoting Mental and Physical Health
28:24 Launching The Smile Zone
30:19 Personalized Coaching and Accountability
32:56 Target Audience and Future Aspirations
33:42 Transitioning from Player to Mentor
34:23 Podcasting and Sharing Knowledge