Former major leaguer Coco Crisp happy to be with family, head coach at Shadow Hills
Sports Director Blake Arthur was invited to the Crisp household on Thursday afternoon for an exclusive on-camera interview with the former major leaguer and new head coach at Shadow Hills.
With a name that’s as unique as his game, Coco Crisp — the switch hitting speedster — played 15 seasons of major league baseball.
But now retired at the age of 37 — it’s on time for something new, something crisp.
“15 years in the league is a long time. Anybody can be proud of that, and I am. It’s not my time anymore. It’s my kids turn and other kids to get them to the best they can be on the field, off the field, and in the classrooms. And just be a mentor to I can to anyone and help them develop as a person and as a player.”
He’ll have that opportunity at Shadow Hills high school — a program he reached out to first to be their new head baseball coach.
Read: Former MLB player Coco Crisp named new head baseball coach at Shadow Hills
“Taking this job, by itself is a challenge. This is something new for me, talking about fundraising and some things I was involved in as a pro but now I’m on the other side of it and just as far as making sure the jerseys and the learning the facilities and taking care of the equipment and the field. All of these things are new to me but I’m excited to take on this challenge and new opportunity that I have.”
What’s also new is being around his four kids full-time – something Crisp is understandably happy about.
“Anybody that’s been away from their kids for a couple weeks, they start to miss them and in this game you’re away from your children, your family, your wife for extended period of time and there comes a point in time when they start to get a little older that you want to be there for them and put yourself on a backburner and help further their careers.”
Always a team player and a leader, if Crisp teaches the way he loves and coaches the way he played — our valley kids are home runs waiting to happen.
