Last year, while the Alamo Heights Mules played through a historic season to qualify for the State Championship, Jackson Tylman sat out due to a back injury that occurred during football season. Most might take such a harsh injury as a sign to stop playing sports, but Tylman worked all year and all off-season to work his way back for his senior season, where he caught almost every game and hit in the middle of the order.
As the Mules’ season came to an end, Tylman sat down with me to talk about his life in baseball, his injury, and then to answer some fun “rapid-fire” questions.
When did you start playing baseball?
I started playing baseball when I was around eight years old. I never played tee-ball but I started playing machine pitch. Then I started catching, and I didn’t know what it was but I saw someone catching. Then I had my dad go buy me a pair of gear. I started catching maybe a year after I started playing baseball.
When did you make varsity?
I made Varsity my sophomore year, and sometimes I’d go down and play JV games. Then my junior year I was out because of my back.
What has been your favorite memory with Alamo Heights baseball?
It was fun watching them go to State last year even though I wasn’t on the team. It was fun watching, but I liked playing this year with my whole grade just as a final memory.
How did you get hurt to miss the entire season last year?
I got hurt during football season. I was looking forward to a great season in both baseball and football, but then I just hurt my back. I broke it in football, and I tried recovering and coming back last year, but right before the season I ended up fracturing my L-3 vertebrae again, so I was out twice. Kind of a bummer.
How hard was it to watch the team but not play for an entire season?
I was actually really proud of them. It wasn’t something where I was like ‘Oh man, I’m missing out,’ it was ‘Wow, that’s great for them, they’re doing great things.’
What did you have to do to be able to come back this season to play?
I had to do a lot of core, because when I don’t do core workouts and stabilize my back, it starts aching, and when I run I can feel it. It feels like someone is putting a knife in there. Then I had to put on a lot of muscle on my back but at the same time stay flexible.
Did you play football this year?
I did not.
Did you feel a lot of pain this season?
No, I actually didn’t feel any pain at all. Maybe during tournaments when we had series of games, I would sort of feel sore the next day and have to get in the hot tub or something, but other than that it wasn’t really painful.
You had the unique experience of being away from baseball a whole year and then coming back to it. What would you say to other people about how much you missed it?
If I went back and did it again, it’s tough, and certain situations will have different opportunities and mine was unique, and I did what I thought was best for me, but if you have the chance to stay on the team and watch them, support them and be a good teammate then I’d say that’s what’s best.
What is your next step after high school? Do you hope to continue playing baseball?
I’m attending Southwestern University in Georgetown, and I’m going to major in business management or communications, and I’m going to do the premed requisite to classes. No more baseball.
Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
Usually I just stretch a lot, and I have certain stretches I do in order before I catch. Then when I bat, I have a routine that I go through. I put one foot in the box and one foot out, and then I just will look at a certain point on my bat and just breathe, and that’s it.
I hear you put the walk-up songs together. How did that come along?
We talked about it, and we thought about getting Drew Iverson from last year because he’s starting to DJ, so we thought about giving him the songs and getting that all done, but that seemed very time consuming. I had my computer one night, and I was like ‘Okay, maybe I can do this,’ and I just looked it up and it wasn’t as hard as it seems, so I put it all together. Everyone gave me there songs and I just cut them to a certain point where it was clean.
What’s your walk-up song?
It’s “No Church in the Wild,” by Jay-Z and Kanye West.
What’s your go to song before a game?
Something upbeat, probably like what Nathaniel talked about. Sometimes it’s electronic stuff, or maybe upbeat rap.
Who is your favorite sports team?
The Boston Red Sox because I like their whole vibe, and for college sports I’ve always liked the Florida Gators.
Who do you go to if you need a laugh in the dugout or at practice?
I go to Marshall Voorhies. Me and him are pretty close, and if not, Rob Ellwood. I really like him. He’s got some good character.
What are some of your hobbies outside of baseball?
I like to lift, and this year I just got back into it, but I ride motor-cross. That’s been a fun experience for me.
What’s your dream job?
I’m studying business management, and I’d like to do that. I’m learning how to invest, and that’s been fun for me. I’d like to have investment as a hobby and be a doctor.
If you could invent anything to make baseball easier what would it be?
Notifications for what the pitcher is going to throw.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Tom Cruise, I’ve always liked him. He’s a pretty serious guy, and that’s how I am, but also he has his moments.
Name three people you would invite to your dream dinner party.
Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, and Will Ferrell, so it’d be a funny party.
If you were stranded on an island with one person, who would it be and why?
Probably like an engineer to get me off the island, or I liked what Will Greehey said about having Bear Grylls because he knows what to do.
If you had to tell the world one thing about yourself, what would you say?
I’m a standout guy and I have a unique character.