Jameson Taillon first went through the discomfort before finding out that he had testicular cancer, then surgery to solve the problem.
This was 2017. And what Gerrit Cole found amazing was that every time he got to know how one of his best friends was doing or providing comfort, in a way Taillon would change the conversation to pitch. Cole’s. He noticed that he might be helping his teammate and friend Pirates.
“He was giving me his perspective on TV how I handle it,” Cole said by telephone on Sunday, shortly after it was announced that the Yankees had gotten their Pirates friend for four prospects. “He offered his thoughts and it was a probe house as if he were still in the club. Obviously, I check on him for cancer and he keeps holding me to push me and make me better. ”
It was part of the reason why Aaron Boone called a few weeks ago to get information about Taillon, while the Yankees were watching right, Cole could gush so easily. After all, the Yankees had done their homework for Taillon’s pitching things and wanted an inside view if he had the right things to come to New York.
“I told them, if you’re going to bet on someone, if you’re going to fight someone, that Jameson is the guy you want next to you,” Cole said. “He is not surprised. He always makes the people around him better. He is one of the most resilient people I have ever met. “
Taillon was taken with the second general election by the Pirates in 2010, Cole with the first general election in 2011. They became fast friends, going through similar expectations and a similar climb. Cole immediately noticed the accuracy of Taillon’s fast excellence and curve, as he had never seen before. But it was more than that.
Taillon needed Tommy John’s surgery for the first time in minors. He had a hernia. He had testicular cancer. He needed Tommy John’s surgery again in 2019 and missed it all last season. However, with each physical setback, “He comes back from them better than some can even imagine,” Cole said. “It simply came to our notice then. It’s fun to be around when it’s not the easiest thing to do. He always has a positive influence on the culture and other teammates. He’s a special guy. ”
Taillon and Cole played together for under-500 pirate clubs in 2016-17. Now, Taillon joins Cole in New York in a team with championship aspirations.
“He’s struggling to get back,” Cole said. “She will be in a good position [in New York] to adapt to all things because he is a professional. ”