(This story originally appeared in the Spring 2019 edition of Yankees Magazine)
“People think we live in igloos,” new Yankees pitcher James Paxton jokes in the story I wrote after visiting him in his offseason home of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in early January. We probably deserved that after suggesting that we introduce the Canadian left-hander to his new fans in New York by heading out ice fishing. As Paxton reminded us, the weather where he’s from — just south of Vancouver, about 100 miles from Seattle — is actually perfectly mild.
But hanging out on a frozen lake (a first for me — and for James) seemed an excellent way to get a sense of his personality, to “break the ice,” if you’ll forgive the strained metaphor. And Paxton couldn’t have been more game. In fact, after about 45 minutes of photos and intermittent fishing, we (me, the photographer, the two videographers from Yankees on Demand and the YES Network producer) told him that he could leave whenever he wanted, that we had everything we needed. But he wanted to keep fishing for as long as we would let him, so it was nice to know that we weren’t bothering him all that much.
Paxton’s one of those guys that proves the media’s East Coast bias. He really should be more famous than he is, and Brian Cashman probably deserves more credit than he has received for plucking him out of Seattle. His stuff is filthy, with a great four-seam fastball (he is very clear about the fact that his philosophy on the mound is just to go right after the hitters). He also has a terrific, somewhat unfair knuckle-curve, as well as a solid two-seamer, cutter and change. It’s an excellent arsenal, matched with fluid and easy mechanics that keeps his arm in good shape (knock on wood).
He’s also just a good guy. He couldn’t have been more pleasant and helpful over the few days we spent together (guess those Canadian stereotypes are true). Watching him work with kids during a clinic at the facility his brother-in-law Steven Hensley, owns, he made sure to give personal attention to everyone there. Hensley thinks the kids have no idea just how good Paxton is when he’s teaching them. He wishes that the pitcher got the attention he deserves. But if Paxton keeps pitching like he did in May of 2018 — when he threw a 16-K game, then followed it up with a no-hitter — the attention will definitely come his way. You can’t go under the radar in the Bronx.
This was a fun one — I got to ice fish! I even caught some! That was extremely cool. And I like the story, too. Hope you’ll read.