Yankees' reliever leans on NFL QB cousin

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

NEW YORK -- Jake Cousins saw his career at a crossroads in the spring of 2019, having been released by the Nationals after a series of injuries hampered his effectiveness.

Weighing his options, Cousins leaned upon many family members, including one with experience performing at high levels of athletic competition: NFL star Kirk Cousins, then of the Minnesota Vikings, who happens to be one of the pitcher’s (ahem) cousins.

“In 20 years, when you look back at your life,” the quarterback told the pitcher, “Are you going to wish that you quit baseball sooner?”

At that point, Cousins was watching many of his college friends progress in their respective careers, noting, “They were finding their niche, and I hadn’t really found it yet, so I leaned on my immediate family a lot. Kirk is a great guy to lean on when asking for advice.”

That perspective was helpful for Cousins, who recognized that he hungered to continue pitching. Following stints in independent leagues, Cousins reached the Majors in 2021 with the Brewers, for whom he pitched parts of three seasons.

Purchased from the White Sox late this spring, the 30-year-old Cousins has proven to be a nice find for the Yanks bullpen, pitching to a 1.95 ERA in 24 appearances through Wednesday. In 27 2/3 innings, Cousins has permitted 16 hits and 11 walks, striking out 38.

“He’s carved out a good role for himself with us,” manager Aaron Boone said recently. “I know how excited our front office was when we were able to get him. [Cousins has] a special slider; you really see some rough swings from some good hitters.”

As Cousins’ most famous relative goes through his first training camp as a member of the Atlanta Falcons, the pitcher said his allegiances have shifted to a new club.

“I just bought a Falcons jersey,” Cousins said. “Growing up, I was a Bears fan. Luckily, during Kirk’s professional career, the Bears weren’t having a great run. I’ve skipped those years following Kirk around, and then once Kirk is done, I’ll go back to being a Bears fan. I could sit on the couch all day on Sunday.”

Earlier this season, the quarterback visited Yankee Stadium, taking in the sight of his family member in pinstripes. The hurler hopes to return the favor at some point this fall -- though, given the Yankees’ playoff aspirations, he’s hoping that doesn’t happen before November.

“He’s had an incredible career,” Jake said. “Every year he puts up great numbers and is a leader in the clubhouse, which speaks to the person he is. Everywhere he goes, everyone has great things to say about him.”

Asked which he believes is a tougher challenge -- retiring a Major League lineup or handling an NFL pass rush -- the reliever laughed.

“We always joke around, seeing if we could complete those passes,” he said. “We’ll throw a football around before stretch, and it’s like, ‘Oh, I made a great pass to that guy.’

“Then you have to think about the 6-foot-7, 350-pound lineman that’s rushing you. It’s crazy. I think they’re both hard in their own aspects, but he’s done a great job.”