EXCLUSIVE: Mickey Gasper on the challenges of growing up in New England

[upbeat music] So, as you just mentioned, your first time kind of running your own clinic like, like this.

What does it mean for us to, to kind of get back to the kids? And we talked a little bit before this, guys like Bob Caswell, you growing up, having, like, a mentor like that, that guided you throughout and now you see where you are now.

You know, not a lot of kids coming out of New Hampshire making the major leagues, but just what does it mean to, to help these kids any way you can when you had, had a mentor yourself?

Yeah.

It's, um, you know, it's a special feeling.

I, I, I, I really enjoy working with kids.

Um, you know, they're, they're a clean slate.

They, they're, they're looking forward to learning.

Um, great energy and, you know, just to be able to match that energy, be- give them a chance to, you know, be excited today to, uh, you know, meet somebody new, try to learn something new.

Um, you know, that's, that's what this game's all about.

It's about giving back and, you know, if I can help one kid and 1% today, that's, that's what, you know, why, why I do this.

Can you talk, can you expand a little bit on, uh, your experience growing up and the guys like Bob or anyone else? I know your dad was a, a big part of, of your, your coaching growing up.

Just kind of what it takes to, um, to have people in your corner, right?

Yeah.

I mean, it takes a village.

Um, you know, God, God blessed me with a, with a, with a, with a family that, that has been so encouraging on this journey and, uh, you know, have always put me in the right position.

Um, they put me in front of the right people.

Um, you know, I remember the, this story with Bob was I was eight years old hitting in his facility, and my dad just noticed how well he was giving a lesson with another kid.

And he, he asked Bob, uh, "How do, how do I sign up?" And, you know, as [laughs] he said, "You, you talk to, you talk to me." And s- you know, the rest was history until, um, Bob's passing when I was about 22 years old.

So, you know, it, it, it takes a group.

And, you know, just being here and playing for a guy like Steve Lomasney, who's, who's played this game, who's coached this game for a long time and, you know, who's, [clears throat] who's seen both sides of the game.

You know, he, he put me in a great position to go play at the next level, and forever grateful for that.

And then, you know, same thing with Steve Owens.

You know, um, you know, getting to campus and him having an expectation of greatness and, you know, wanting you to be a great baseball player and at the same time being a great student.

Um, you know, it just, it's just been a group of people that have pushed me to, to continue to, to fight to get to that next level.

[upbeat music] So, as you just mentioned, your first time kind of running your own clinic like, like this.

What does it mean for us to, to kind of get back to the kids? And we talked a little bit before this, guys like Bob Caswell, you growing up, having, like, a mentor like that, that guided you throughout and now you see where you are now.

You know, not a lot of kids coming out of New Hampshire making the major leagues, but just what does it mean to, to help these kids any way you can when you had, had a mentor yourself?

Yeah.

It's, um, you know, it's a special feeling.

I, I, I, I really enjoy working with kids.

Um, you know, they're, they're a clean slate.

They, they're, they're looking forward to learning.

Um, great energy and, you know, just to be able to match that energy, be- give them a chance to, you know, be excited today to, uh, you know, meet somebody new, try to learn something new.

Um, you know, that's, that's what this game's all about.

It's about giving back and, you know, if I can help one kid and 1% today, that's, that's what, you know, why, why I do this.

Can you talk, can you expand a little bit on, uh, your experience growing up and the guys like Bob or anyone else? I know your dad was a, a big part of, of your, your coaching growing up.

Just kind of what it takes to, um, to have people in your corner, right?

Yeah.

I mean, it takes a village.

Um, you know, God, God blessed me with a, with a, with a, with a family that, that has been so encouraging on this journey and, uh, you know, have always put me in the right position.

Um, they put me in front of the right people.

Um, you know, I remember the, this story with Bob was I was eight years old hitting in his facility, and my dad just noticed how well he was giving a lesson with another kid.

And he, he asked Bob, uh, "How do, how do I sign up?" And, you know, as [laughs] he said, "You, you talk to, you talk to me." And s- you know, the rest was history until, um, Bob's passing when I was about 22 years old.

So, you know, it, it, it takes a group.

And, you know, just being here and playing for a guy like Steve Lomasney, who's, who's played this game, who's coached this game for a long time and, you know, who's, [clears throat] who's seen both sides of the game.

You know, he, he put me in a great position to go play at the next level, and forever grateful for that.

And then, you know, same thing with Steve Owens.

You know, um, you know, getting to campus and him having an expectation of greatness and, you know, wanting you to be a great baseball player and at the same time being a great student.

Um, you know, it just, it's just been a group of people that have pushed me to, to continue to, to fight to get to that next level.