World Series: JT Realmuto Learned Success From his Wrestling Family

Rob Thomson, the Phillies’ manager, mentioned several high-profile catchers from his time as a Yankees coach: Jorge Posada, Russell Martin, Ivan Rodriguez. Realmuto, he said, was probably more athletic than any of them, and just as physically talented. He moves his feet well, Thomson said, and gets a quick release from a strong, accurate arm.

Realmuto was a three-sport star at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Okla., winning two state titles in football (he was the quarterback) and baseball. In the winters, he played basketball but wrestled from age 4 through eighth grade — plus countless informal matches with his many cousins.

“There’s certain skills that you develop when you’re young, and you still have it, whether it’s strength in your legs and your hips,” said Smith, who has coached for decades at Oklahoma State. “Wrestling has a tendency of strengthening those hips and your legs and your torso, and I think, more importantly, you also develop a level of competitiveness that’s more important than all of it.”

Realmuto gave up wrestling because his friends played basketball, he said, and also so he could maintain his weight for football and baseball. But he said that his earlier wrestling experiences prepared him well for other sports.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/28/sports/baseball/jt-realmuto-phillies-world-series.html