Jeff Schaefer
Jeff Schaefer’s Second Act: Developing the Future of Baseball
by Tucker Terranova Jeff Schaefer is simply a baseball guy. It was a realization that came to the five-year major leaguer after his retirement in 1994, when he hung up his cleats and joined a denim company started by friends. But it didn’t take long for Schaefer to realize where his heart truly lied. Schaefer, who hails from Patchogue, achieved what just an estimated 0.05% of all baseball players have done in making it to the major leagues. He had the opportunity to share a dugout with the likes of Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson and Mark McGwire during his time in the show, but his real calling appears to be finding and developing the next household names. Schaefer is the founder of the Pro Stock Royals, a year-round baseball academy in Charlotte, North Carolina. Alongside former major lea...
Where Are They Now: Jeff Schaefer
(Photo Credit: Jeff Siner/ Charlotte Observer) Knowing a strike was looming, Jeff Schaefer walked into manager Tony LaRussa’s office in 1994. “I need you to send me to the minors,” said Schaefer. “What do you mean?” LaRussa replied. “Well, I have a nice minor league split on my contract.” “Okay, Iet me see what I can do,” said LaRossa. Shortly after, Schaefer was granted his request to be sent to Triple-A Tacoma, which would not be shut down despite the strike at the Major League Level. “I’m forever grateful to Tony LaRussa for that,” said Schaefer. Schaefer went to Triple-A assuming that the strike would be resolved in short order. But that was not the case – in fact it leaked into Spring Training and at 34-year...
