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Jake Mangum: The Mayor Reflects on His Term in Starkville
Photo courtesy of MSU Athletics
Jake Mangum: The Mayor Reflects on His Term in Starkville
By Alexandra Brasher
“He’ll have a statue at Dudy Noble one day,” said a friend of mine during our beloved Diamond Dawgs’ latest run in the 2019 NCAA Baseball College World Series.
“Who will?” I responded.
My question was understandably met with a look of incredulity. Where in the world had I, an MSU ’17 graduate, been for the last four years?
The truth is, despite my having moved away from Starkville two years earlier, I knew my friend was talking about Jake Mangum.
A quick Google search will lead you to this center fielder’s mountain of accomplishments over his four years at Mississippi State: SEC Freshman of the Year; first freshman to receive the CSpire Ferriss Trophy, awarded to Mississippi’s top collegiate baseball player; first to receive the Ferriss Trophy twice; all-time SEC hits leader and a long list of all-star teams and school records. Mangum was selected by the New York Yankees and then the New York Mets in the 2017 and 2018 MLB drafts but returned to MSU to finish out his college career. This past June, the College of Business alum signed with the Mets and began his professional career with their Brooklyn Cyclones minor league team.
We know what Mangum’s accolades say about his abilities – but what does Mangum make of his own success during his time in Starkville? He talked with me about that late this past summer.
You were committed to The University of Alabama before Mississippi State. Could you imagine any other path for yourself?
I was committed to Alabama before Mississippi State for a year.... My dad played football [at Alabama]. But then I fell in love with Mississippi State and chose to play here. You can’t beat it; it’s family. The program is second to none, and it was the best four years of my life.
In 2016, you were named SEC Freshman of the Year. How did you manage the notoriety that developed that year?
When that season started, I was just fighting to get on the roster. I got off to a rocky start with my hits, but I just took it one hit at a time and focused on that. With winning that award, it was always about the team. I just used that win to pump up my teammates, encourage everybody and build up the team.
You played with a broken hand your sophomore year, and only one person on the team had more hits than you. How did you re-train your swing and maintain that?
There was no planning; there was no training. I just tried to put the bat to the ball and get hits and keep playing to the best of my ability.
Photo courtesy of MSU Athletics
Where did the inspiration for your walkout song — “Your Love” by The Outfield — come from?
I was trying to pick a [walk out] song, and my friend from high school said I should try his because people love it and enjoy singing along. So I used that one my freshman year, and there was no changing it after that, it just kind of stuck.
In a freshman year article, you said, “I am not worried about this spring. I am worried about the next practice. I am worried about today.” Is that still your practice today?
Yes, I still worry about where my feet are…. The present is the only thing you can control. The past is the past. The future will be here soon enough.
You came to MSU right in the middle of the integration of the Old Dude [Dudy Noble Field] to the new one. What was that like? Were there differences between them?
There was a lot of change while I was here, two stadiums and four head coaches in four years — it was a lot. It was a lot to take in. But it kind of goes back to being where your feet are.
You have made a passionate plea for the NCAA to allow programs to pay a third assistant coach and for an increase in athletic scholarships, even giving up your scholarship and playing as a walk-on for two seasons. Is this a battle you plan to continue?
Yes, there is a third coach who does not get paid. I want to help in any way I can because there were a lot of people who were third unpaid assistant coaches who really helped me a lot in my four years. If there is any way I can help, I’ll try to. One day I do plan on being a coach, and I think it is only fair for that position to be paid.
Out of all the awards you’ve received, what has meant the most to you?
The happiest I’ve ever been was winning the SEC Championship freshman year, and then of course the two trips to [the College World Series in] Omaha my junior and senior years.
Of all your former teammates at MSU, which one do you have the strongest connection with?
Oh, there’s way too many! That’s just because we all grew really, really close over those years. There’s a huge group of us who still talk every day — in group messages, one-on-one, in small group messages…. Everybody still communicates.
What do your teammates mean to you?
Everything. I still lean on them today to keep me straight and to keep me playing the game how I need to be playing it. It goes past baseball — they are great guys, and I wouldn’t have gotten very far without them. You’re with them all day every day and grow a strong relationship with them, that’s for sure.
In 2017, the Yankees drafted you. In 2018, the Mets, and in 2019 the Mets. How was the draft experience for you?
I thought it went awesome this year. I love where I went, and it does seem that New York was where I was supposed to go. I am thankful for the opportunity that I have, and now I just kind of have to go with it.
You’ve always said that you play with a lot of emotion. What exactly does that mean?
Everybody plays a little different than the other person, but for me it’s just kind of what I’ve always done. I don’t know any other way to do it, and I love doing it that way. Baseball means a lot to me, and I have a hard time not showing my emotion.
Statistically, you haven’t had many bad nights in your career, but when you do, how do you talk to yourself mentally?
I just stay positive. You shouldn’t be able to tell the difference between someone who went zero for five or five for five. I always did my best not to try to act any different. New day, new opportunity is how I look at it. It’s something really hard to deal with when people are depending on you, but it’s better for the team if you handle it the right way.
At some point, you picked up the nickname “The Mayor” around Starkville. What do you make of that?
I like it! Really, I do. It stuck, and I have no complaints about it! My freshman year, Jacob Robson called me that as a joke, and then the fans and reporters picked up on it, and it developed into what it is now.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Control what you can control.
How do you plan to use your College of Business degree?
My future goal is to play baseball as long as I can and then figure out what God wants me to pursue in life. Whatever that is, I want to be the best I can be at it. I’m not sure how I plan to use my degree in the future, but for now, I want to continue being a professional baseball player. One day we will see where it takes me.
You obviously have a lot of school pride. What does Mississippi State mean to you?
This may sound cliché, but it’s home to me. As soon as this season is over, I’ll be living in Starkville in the offseason. We can live wherever we want, and I want to go back to Starkville.
What is your favorite place in Starkville?
That’s a tough question, but starting my mornings at Starkville Cafe is tough to beat!
What is something that you would like for Mississippi State fans to know?
They’re the reason why people go to Mississippi State. The fan base is incredible, and people fall in love with the place when they get there. They were one of the biggest reasons my time there was so special.
What do you wish for your legacy now that you’ve left MSU?
Just to be known as someone who gave it all he had and really does love the University with everything he has.
