Grain Valley’s Own Jacob Misiorowski Makes Historic MLB Debut with Heart and Heat

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


There is a buzz spreading through Grain Valley like wildfire. 

Jacob Misiorowski, a young man who graduated from Grain Valley High School with a flame thrower for a right arm and a head full of dreams, is now the most talked about pitcher in the big leagues.

Misiorowski, Class of 2020, did not allow a hit in the first 11 innings of his professional career with the Milwaukee Brewers. He is the first modern day player to achieve that record in the past 125 years.

And while his head may in the clouds, his feet are firmly planted on the mound, as he enjoys sharing his success with his mom Crystal, dad Tom, his girlfriend Elle and many friends he once called teammates who played for the Eagles baseball team. 

He has allowed just three total hits and is 3-0. He has a 1.13 ERA and recently outdueled Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes in a 4-2 Wednesday afternoon win before a sold-out crowd of 42,774 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Misiorowski anticipated a sold-out stadium and national media attention, so he broke out the first pair of his cleats that were specially designed to honor his father, Tom.

On one side of the cleats are his father's initials, TM, and on the other is a red tulip, the flower associated with Parkinson's Disease.

"I hope to get people to donate to Parkinson's research, and I wanted to honor my dad," the 6-foot-7 right-hander told a group of reporters after the game. "I thought today would be a good day to do that.

"Parkinson's has taken away a lot from my dad, but we still enjoy the time we get to spend together."

His mom Crystal said she and her husband knew about the cleats, but had no idea when their son would wear them.

"So, I'm watching the Pittsburgh game on TV and he's wearing his New Balance cleats, then I notice a tulip on the shoe, and they begin talking about his cleats, which honor Tom," Crystal said. "Talk about a special moment. But that's the type of young man Jacob is. He's very special."

That's another reason why Tom and, and 30 of their friends and family members were at Busch Stadium in St. Louis when their son made his major league debut.

He threw five shutout innings, striking out six, without allowing a base hit.

"That was a moment we'll always remember," Crystal said. "He's dreamed about being a professional baseball player since we was little, and those dreams are coming true."

When asked about his son's one-of-a-kind cleats, his father said in a soft voice, "That is special."

Special - that's an adjective you can find in any feature or game story featuring Misiorowski.

His facing a new world of requests, where he could spend 24 hours a day talking about his dominance in majors.

"Things have changed a lot over the past couple of weeks," Misiorowski said, chuckling. "There are always a lot of reporters around my locker after a game. And, I've never had this happen, but I was shopping a Target Store, and was recognized by some fans. They were very nice and just wanted to congratulate me.

"I'll be honest with you. A lot of times I turn off all social media and my phone. It just becomes too much.

There are countless reasons why Misiorowski is attracting so much attention - a 100+ mph fastball, his confidence in all his razor sharp pitches, his easy-going approach to life and that 11-no-hit innings to start his career. 

​He followed up his five no-hit innings against St. Louis with six no-hit innings against the Minnesota Twins.

"Yeah, that's a big thing," Misiorowski said, chuckling. "A lot of great things have happened in my first three starts. I have no idea how long it will last. And I know I have a girlfriend, parents and family members and friends who will always be there for me.

"I'm a lucky guy."

​Jacob Misiorowski, a 2020 graduate of Grain Valley High School, poses with his mother and father after his first major league start, a 6-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. He did not allow a hit in five innings. Photo courtesy of Misiorowski family.

Jacob Misiorowski is joined by his mom and dad and 30 friends and family members after his first major league start. He is 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA and is the first pitcher in the modern era to start his career with 11 no-hit innings. Photo courtesy Misiorowski family.

Jacob Misiorowski, a Grain Valley High School graduate his is 3-0 after three major league starts, has designed a special pair of cleats to honor his father, Tom, who has Parkinson's Disease. The cleats feature his father's initials, TM, on one side and a red tulip on the other. The tulip represents research into Parkinson's. 
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