George Lombard of the Atlanta Braves… Ever heard of him? Me either. Matter of fact many people who consider themselves knowledgeable about baseball don’t know who this guy is. Well, currently he’s the bench coach of the Detroit Tigers. He even has a ring as the First Base coach of the Dodgers back in 2020. He was drafted in 1994 and played with little fanfare until 2009.
However, one of his boys, George Jr, was drafted by the Yankees in 2023 and made a splash with the big team earlier this month. His gold glove caliber defense and clutch hitting has fans in The Bronx ready to anoint this shortstop a hero.
In a recent interview with MLBbro.com, George Jr. discussed a wide range of topics, from his defensive wizardry to his new life in The Bronx.
MLBbro.com: What’s the biggest thing you have learned in the big leagues?
George Lombard Jr.: I don’t know if it’s anything specific yet. It’s about getting your preparation and mindset right to be able to go out there and play, compete and win every single day. Travel is different. Everything surrounding us is different. I block out all the noise, find a way to post and win games every day.
MLBbro: You grew up in a baseball family. What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from being in that environment that you take to the game today?
Lombard: It has to do with failure. [My father] had a long [professional career]. He had a lot of ups and downs throughout that period. It’s just an understanding that baseball is a game of failure. There are going to be a lot of times when things don’t go your way. It’s about being able to bounce back up and be resilient.
MLBbro: A couple of years ago, Major League scouts said your glove was big-league ready. Who do you credit for your glove work?
Lombard: A lot of people. I had really good infield coaches my entire life.There are too many to name. I know I would forget for sure. My dad played a role. He was always going out there hitting ground balls to me and my brother our entire lives. I spent a lot of hours with this organization from the Minor Leagues to the big leagues. I learned a ton there, too.
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MLBbro: What made people realize that your defense was ready to come to The Show?
Lombard: I think it’s being an athlete on defense and being on attack mode – go out and find ways to make plays. It’s also anticipating… being one step ahead mentally. You already know what you are going to do with the ball before you get it.
MLBbro: Your bat caught up to your glove this year. What changed at the plate?
Lombard: I think it’s the experience. I made a couple of adjustments, a couple of tweaks here and there. You are always trying to get a little better. I’m learning to control at-bats. As I came up through the Minor League system and had more time under my belt, it just helped me to have more competitive at-bats. I understand what pitchers are trying to do.
MLBbro: The one thing I noticed from afar is that you are not nervous at all. Why is that?
Lombard: I wouldn’t say I’m not nervous. I think every real competitor feels a little nervous about anything… I take what you call nervous as excitement. I put in a lot of work to be in that position. I’m grateful to be in that position where I can feel pressure. It excites me and it brings me to life. Those are the moments I love to be in. So I just go out there and know that I’m prepared, ready to go and just have fun.
MLBbro: Who on the Yankees have helped you get adjusted?
Lombard: I don’t know if I could say one person. It’s everybody. The entire coaching staff. Everybody from [Paul Goldschmidt] with 16 years in the big leagues to Spencer Jones, who has the least time other than me. Everybody has helped me and it has been big for me.
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MLBbro: What do you enjoy the most about Major League Baseball?
Lombard: Getting to compete in front of a bunch of fans – a big crowd in the stadium. You are getting to play baseball for something bigger; you are playing to bring a championship back to your team and for your family and everyone that has helped you along the way. I’m playing for something bigger than myself.
MLBbro: What’s the best thing you like about playing in New York?
Lombard: The passion, the hunger, the fire. I’m from Miami, so it’s a little different but it has similar energy. [In New York], everyone is going to demand the best from you every single day. That’s what I love.
