Taylor Jungmann ⚾

The introduction to Taylor Jungmann is at TAYLOR JUNGMANN INTRODUCTION (squarespace.com)

 TLSN: You’re about to get the rare, rare honor of having your jersey number retired by UT.  Has a date been set, and how do you begin to react to the honor? 

TAYLOR:April 22nd against Oklahoma is the date. It is an unbelievable honor to even be mentioned in the same sentence as the guys who’s numbers are already retired.  It is still hard to believe it is happening. I am looking forward to it! 

TLSN:  Can you nail down a specific moment you consider your favorite one at Texas, or was it something like the overall camaraderie and playing for such good teams? 

TAYLOR: The entire 2009 postseason was such an amazing experience. That team just found ways to win.  Multiple walk-off wins in Omaha is tough to beat.

Bill Little, with some comments for TLSN, tells the story of the 2009 team at the link below.

2009- LAST MAN STANDING BY BILL LITTLE (squarespace.com)

TLSN:  Name a classic thought about Augie Garrido, a special tale about him or maybe a life lesson that still resonates with you.

TAYLOR: I think the way he focused on the mental side of the game is what I enjoyed the most.  He had such a unique perspective on the game. There are too many experiences to pick just one!

TLSN: What’s the best, most indelible memory from your time in the majors?

TAYLOR:  Walking out to the mound for my first start in Pittsburgh is something I will never forget, but my favorite moment was walking off the mound in LA after throwing a complete game against the Dodgers.

TLSN:  You also played for the famed Yomiuri Giants in Japan.  What was the coolest thing about your time there and what was the biggest challenge or adjustment? 

TAYLOR:  I could talk all day about my experience in Japan.  I genuinely enjoyed my time playing in Japan more than any other professional baseball I have played.  My teammates were great, the organization was great, my translator, who I still talk to quite a bit, was great.  The fans are the coolest thing about playing in Japan. I would compare the atmosphere to a college football game here in the States.  You really have to experience it to understand how crazy the atmosphere is.  

I would say the biggest adjustment for me was the type of baseball they play.  The hitters really take pride in not striking out. I really struggled early on, trying to strike guys out, instead of throwing to contact.

TLSN:  What do you think of the new pitch clock?

TAYLOR: As a pitcher in the game my entire career, I hate it! As a fan of the game, I think it is something that is necessary to speed the game up a bit.  I am interested to see how it affects the current players.

TLSN:: Going back to high school ball, you were a Rogers Eagle and then, as a senior, a Georgetown Eagle.  So which town and school has your heart’s allegiance? 

TAYLOR:  When you come from a small town like Rogers, everyone knows everyone.  My parents still live in the area; my sister is a teacher in Rogers. My nephews go to school in Rogers.  I grew up there, so I would have to say, Rogers.  But I love Georgetown, and I still have a lot of friends in Georgetown!

TLSN:  How much do you keep up with UT sports and what do you think about the jump to join the SEC?

TAYLOR:  I have been a diehard longhorn fan since I was little.  I keep up with just about every sport.  Texas football and basketball were always my favorites.  I have football season tickets.  I go to as many events as I possibly can.  Safe to say I will always bleed burnt orange.

As for the SEC, I’m really indifferent about it.  I have never known anything but the Big 12, so it will be a bit of an adjustment for me, but I am excited to see some new teams and develop some new rivalries. I think it will end up being a great move.

TLSN:  What kind of work do you do now and are you living in Austin?

TAYLOR:  I’ve lived in Austin since the day I set foot on campus.  I love the city and don’t ever see us moving away.  I dabble in a little bit of everything.  I love real estate.  I own a commercial and residential business called 360 Painting, plus Raptor Roofing and Exterior Renovations.   

TLSN;  What do you do in your spare time?

TAYLOR:  My hobbies basically consist of watching any and all University of Texas sports, and that’s about it.  My wife and I really enjoy Netflix crime documentaries.

TLSN: What’s something that most people wouldn’t know about Taylor Jungmann? 

I think the 2 things people may find interesting would be:

TLSN:  That tank sounds very cool.  Thanks for the interview and huge congrats on the upcoming jersey retirement.

TAYLOR:  Nice meeting you.  I appreciate you reaching out..