A's legend Braden gets taste of coaching

This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The idea of giving back to the game in a coaching capacity has always intrigued Dallas Braden. This spring, the former A’s pitcher finally got his feet wet.

For two weeks in March during Spring Training, Braden dusted off his old No. 51 white Athletics uniform and went to work with a large group of pitchers as a guest instructor in A’s Minor League camp.

Given his journey, Braden certainly has some wisdom to impart to young arms. The Stockton, California native beat the odds as a 24th-round draft pick by the A’s in 2004. Reaching the Majors by 2007 as a left-hander with a fastball that seldom hit 90 mph, Braden maximized his talent with perseverance and hard work, carving out a solid five-year big league career that was highlighted by his emotional perfect game on Mother’s Day in 2010.

In a sitdown interview with MLB.com, Braden, who now works as the lead color analyst for A's television broadcasts on NBC Sports California, discussed his experience in Minor League camp and just how far he might want to venture into the coaching world:

MLB.com: How did the opportunity to become an instructor at Minor League camp come about?

Braden: It had been something that I had been interested in doing and wanting to do for a very long time. I was fortunate enough to be around some guys and have conversations with guys who spent a lot of time in this game. I’ve learned a lot of things, and I know how important it was for me to hear things from a different perspective at an early point in my career. That really resonated with me. I know it’s cliché, but if you can have that one conversation with somebody that unlocks something for them, that’s where the payoff is. This game has given me so much that I just want to give back. When the opportunity arose, I jumped all over it.

MLB.com: There isn’t necessarily a certain set of qualifications to become an instructor or coach, but just given the life you had growing up and the career path you took to get to the Major Leagues, do you feel like you’re an ideal candidate to do something like this?

Braden: I think we would all fancy ourselves as an ‘ideal’ candidate for anything we want to do in life, but that’s not always the case. From my perspective, having been a 47th-round draft pick and then a 24th-round draft pick. Having been an Opening Day starter. Having been a mop up guy. Done everything in between. I’ve traveled a long path in a short amount of time. Then having the opportunity to be on the media side of things and look at the game from so many different angles and perspectives, that, for me, does provide a unique viewpoint and ability to communicate with these guys. I love the analytical side of the game and understand the value there. I know what they’re looking at as players, and what they value and how they’re trying to get better. So, I think being able to have real conversations with guys and blend the experience with today’s resources makes guys comfortable. If they know that you’re pulling for them and willing to roll up the sleeves and go to work with them, they appreciate that.

MLB.com: What was your overall takeaway of the whole experience and impression of the young pitchers in the organization that you saw and worked with down there?

Braden: The opportunity to see guys early and develop relationships is really important. They know what you’re all about and where you’re coming from. Then when you see them down the road, it’s not the first time that you’re introducing yourself. I’ll say that we’ve got a lot of arms down there that are going to be able to impact the big leagues sooner rather than later.

MLB.com: Lastly, do you see yourself getting into coaching at some point? I know you’ve got a great job right now with the broadcasting stuff, but is coaching something you see as a possibility in the future?

Braden: I do. I’ve always kind of joked that I’m supposed to be on a back field somewhere fighting off the summer sun and trying to get a kid to the big leagues. I think that’s where the payoff is. I enjoy what I’m doing right now. I love being able to connect with the fans in the way that I do. Look, who knows, if there’s a role or situation that allows me to do both, that’s a perfect world. That’s what you call a sweet spot. Having the opportunity to continue to connect with fans and call the games, that’s a dream job. But it’s not to say that having the opportunity to help someone get to the big leagues isn’t a dream job, either.