In a League of His Own: Connor Jones Writes His Own Story
By Gabriella Trevisani
We all remember career day at school: nervously biting our fingernails as our parents filed into the room clueless that their 9-to-5’s would become the main course of cafeteria gossip. But Connor Jones wasn’t sweating it. And neither was his father, an alumnus of the six-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. But growing up with a famous athlete for a father and the label “D1” practically imprinted on the family name, gave him more than bragging rights, but a blueprint for how to chase greatness, no matter how different his path might look.
Connor Jones is an eighteen-year old from Greenwich, Connecticut, but currently finishing up his senior year of high school in Massachusetts. But, unlike his father, brothers, uncle and cousin—who all played Division I football, Connor hung up his cleats to pick up a bat, charting his own course in baseball. An outfielder by trade, he has worked his way from the youngest player on the field to a high-achieving commit, heading to George Washington University in the fall. He tells me that he plans to study human services and social justice, and from idolizing Ken Griffey Jr. as a kid to making him laugh at the prestigious Hank Aaron invitational, it’s clear his story is just getting started.
As he prepares to tackle a new beast—freshman year—it’s clear that Connor is more than just a product of his family’s legacy. He’s someone who brings his own energy and flair into everything he does, much like his favorite Yankee, Jazz Chisholm Jr. With that same blend of style, confidence, and passion for the game, Connor is paving his own path—and I strongly believe that it’s one worth watching.
Gabriella: “So we’re going to start off with an introduction for the Blue Sox fans out there. Tell me where you’re from, what position you play and how your baseball journey began?”
Connor: “My name is Connor Jones. I am from Greenwich, Connecticut and my baseball journey started when I was about two years old. My dad had this big wiffle ball and I had this small little bat, and we had a big family gathering going on. He was just tossing me the ball and I was hitting it really, really, hard. And they were all surprised how hard I hit it. And from that point on— I started playing baseball when I was six years old and just never looked back.”
Gabriella: “Yeah, that’s such a sweet moment. Now, some fans might not know this, but you come from a pretty unique athletic background. Your dad, Cedric Jones, was a wide receiver for nine seasons with the New England Patriots, which, by the way, was my childhood team. Even though his playing days were before you were born, what kind of influence did that legacy have on you growing up?”
Connor: “Yeah, so not only was my dad really good at football, all of my brothers Cameron, Colin, and Tyler played football at Duke, where he played. And Tyler was the captain. Then, my uncle also played football at Duke, and went on to play for the Chicago Bears. But yeah, it’s definitely been very important for me. Coming from such a competitive background, I always say, you know, I hate losing more than I like winning. So, I feel like that was kind of enforced on me from a young age and it forced me to grow up with a tough mindset and mentality ’cause we were all so competitive.”
Gabriella: “Yes, definitely. I mean, that competitive mindset is perfect for baseball– a game of wins and losses.”
Connor: “Absolutely.”
Gabriella: “And– unless I stand corrected– you played a little football in middle and high school. So what prompted the decision to choose baseball, given your background?”
Connor: “Yeah, football was a lot of fun. And growing up, ’cause everybody in my family played football, I thought that was gonna be the sport I played. But then baseball really started to click a little bit more. I remember going to the store and buying a new bat with my dad. And he told me the day before my first game of the season I was gonna hit a home run and it was my first ever home run over the fence. Grand slam. And I just remember him jumping up and down [laughs]. So proud of me. And that moment really made me fall in love with baseball.
And then I just never looked back and football took a back seat.”
Gabriella: “That’s such a great story. And that’s great that you have a role model that’s willing to push you in a different direction, and not just, playing football.”
“So you currently attend Winchendon School in Massachusetts, but before you attended Brunswick School in Connecticut, your home state. These schools are both known for rigorous academics and elite sports programs. How have these environments shaped your mindset as a student athlete?”
Connor: “Brunswick was more of a day school and I only lived like 10 minutes from it, so it was different from Winchendon, which is a boarding school. I live three and a half hours from home. So it’s kind of taught me to be more independent. Nobody’s really gonna hold your hand through this. You gotta get yourself up for class, you gotta get yourself up for practices and games and I think that’s really good to simulate that right before you go into your freshman year of college.”
Gabriella: “Can I ask– how’s the current season been treating you so far, with this new transition?”
Connor: “It’s been great. We had our Florida trip, for spring training where I batted around .450 and then we started the season here and currently at through 10 games. I’m batting .392 with 10 RBI’s and seven stolen bases.”
Gabriella: “That’s great. So you signed to play Division 1 baseball last summer. First of all, congratulations.
Connor: “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Gabriella: “And you had some great options. You were considering Georgetown, Princeton, and Dayton, but ultimately chose George Washington University. So what stood out to you about George Washington’s program that made it the right fit?”
Connor: “First of all, D.C is an amazing and very powerful city. I have a lot of family around there, so them getting to see me play is definitely something I truly value. And the coaching staff was unbelievable when I visited in July. Immediately, my parents and I felt like they genuinely cared about me as both a person and a player. It just felt like home. Coach Jennings, who actually recommended me for the Utica Blue Sox, and played for the Blue Sox–we were talking about the experience—it was awesome. And I truly feel like George Washington is a great home for me.”
Gabriella: “Yeah. That’s awesome. That’s such a genuine experience. Is there anything you’re really excited about heading into your freshman year?”
Connor: “I’m really excited to just meet a lot of new people, in a different part of the country.
I’m so excited to get down there and play baseball. I’m just itching to go down to Foggy Bottom.”
Gabriella: “Of course. Well, it’ll be here before you know it. What do you plan on studying?”
Connor: “I am thinking about studying human services and social justice. It’s a really cool topic for me–talking about the Civil Rights Era– and I would love to pursue that in college if I could.”
Gabriella: “That’s awesome. And there’s such great careers in that field too.”
“So you’ve played in some of the top national showcases too, like the Hank Aaron Invitational and the PBR Futures Game, one of the biggest college scouting events in the country. So what did these experiences mean to you and how do you stay calm during high stakes moments like these?”
Connor: “I think that Hank Aaron was one of the best showcases that I think a kid can never go to. It is unbelievable to have legends who played the game before you coach you every day– It’s so heavily populated with the top players in the country that it really shows you where you measure up to them. I was like, okay, if I can hang in with this guy, I know I can play at his level. It really opens your eyes there and same with the PBR Futures games. Those are the top kids that are being selected from the state to represent that state. I think it really shows you how you’re measuring up at that moment and what you need to build on–keeping that competitive edge.”
Gabriella: “I heard Ken Griffey Jr. was also a spokesperson there. Did you get to meet him?”
Connor: “I did. I asked him a really funny question. He did a little speech and then a Q&A afterwards, and there’s this famous story about Ken Griffey Jr. calling off his dad in the outfield and stealing a catch from him. And at that time, Ken Griffey Jr. was living with his father while they were playing together. Ken Griffey Sr. supposedly came into the dugout and said, “You’re grounded” [laughs].
Gabriella: “That’s so funny.”
Connor: “And I just asked him, “Is it really true that your dad came in the dugout and said, “You’re grounded?” And it was hilarious just having that interaction with him. He played such a pivotal role in me choosing to play center field and outfield.”
Gabriella: “That’s such a great story. So speaking of high stakes moments like that–you clinched the leadoff spot in the batting order last season. What qualities do you think make a good leadoff hitter and how do you approach the role?”
Connor: “When it comes to high stakes, I think you have to remind yourself that this is the moment you want to be in. Like, you don’t ever want to be in the bottom of the ninth saying, “God, I hope the ball doesn’t get hit to me”. This is the moment you want, you want the ball to get to you, so you can make the play. So, just telling yourself that, over and over, is really important in restoring that self confidence. And being a good leadoff hitter is something that is really underappreciated right now in today’s game where it becomes home runs and launch angle and everything. You’ve got to be really good with plate discipline, pick up the pitcher’s tendencies, movement of the ball- because you’ve got to figure out a way to get on. So I think that’s truly something that a leadoff hitter needs to have.”
Gabriella: “Yeah, self-compassion and being hyper aware. Those are good qualities.”
“So are you the starting center fielder for your high school team?”
Connor: “Right now, I’m in left field, but as a junior, I was.”
Gabriella: “So, what kind of drew you to the outfield? What do you enjoy most about playing it?”
Connor: “Personally, I think the outfield is so much fun. I love running for fly balls. I think it stems from my football background, being a receiver and running to catch a go-around. I absolutely love that stuff. I try to pride myself in my defense and my lack of errors through the years, but I truly do love just tracking the ball under the glove.”
Gabriella: “That’s super awesome. And going to boarding school, I can only assume that you have to be pretty close with not only your classmates, but your teammates. So what do you value most about these relationships that you formed over the years?”
Connor: “Oh man, these guys up here are some of the most important people I’ve met in my life. They took me in with open arms, you know, and I can’t thank them enough. It’s really hard when you transfer your senior year. But I love all these guys on the team. They’ve truly treated me like a brother. I can’t thank them enough.”
Gabriella: “Of course. Do you still keep in contact with some of the guys from your old school?”
Connor: “Of course, I love ’em. I love ’em all [laughs]. I talk to them all the time. I check in on how they’re doing and I try to see them whenever I can.”
Gabriella: “And speaking of those guys, you were voted MVP by them last year, which definitely speaks volumes about your leadership. So what does that kind of respect mean to you?”
Connor: “I really like the saying, ‘You can’t ever be too high. You can’t ever be too low’.
I try to live by that and stay composed, especially in a game like baseball where failure is part of it. I mean, if you’re really good, you’re still failing 70% of the time. So it takes a lot of mental toughness to keep going. I think that, along with having a strong work ethic, is what separates a good player from a great one.”
Gabriella: “Of course, that’s a very emotionally mature answer. So we’re gonna get into mentorship and influences, which you kind of dug into this with Ken Griffey, but I was gonna ask, who is a professional MLB outfielder that you look up to?”
Connor: “I think that, obviously, Ken Griffey was elite. I have a shirt that says: Ken Griffey Jr. is your favorite player’s, favorite player.”
Gabriella: “Oh my God, that’s so good.” [laughs]
Connor: “But I’d say in today’s game, my favorite outfielder has to be Ronald Acuña Jr.”
He’s just unbelievable. He’s so fast, so twitchy and his swing is just beautiful. He’s an unbelievably great athlete, you know.”
Gabriella: “Is there a specific skill or like moment that you admire from his career?”
Connor: “I think that it’s his at-bat versus the Dodgers in the 2021 NLDS. The bases were loaded. The crowd was going crazy. I think Walker Bueller was on the mountain and he threw him like two balls and then a strike and threw one at his head and he ducked down. And then the next pitch, he had a home run on and it was insane.”
Gabriella: “That is insane. I hope he gets off the IL soon.”
Connor: “Honestly. He’s a great talent.”
Gabriella: “Exactly. And, of course, there’s kind of a competitive edge you get from growing up in an athletic family, but there’s also inspiration too. So whether it be your dad or another athlete in your family, has there been any piece of advice that has kind of stuck with you in going through your baseball career?”
Connor: “Some life advice from my dad and brothers is that family is always number one. I’ve gained so much experience and wisdom from them because they’ve been through a lot of what I’m going through. Leaning on them, talking to them, and having them guide me through this crazy time in my life is something I truly value and appreciate. It’s really important to me.”
Gabriella: “It’s great having a support system like that.”
Connor: “I totally agree.”
Gabriella: “So now we’re gonna look ahead to your upcoming season with the Blue Sox. What brings you to Utica and what excites you most about playing summer ball?”
Connor: “Summer ball is just amazing. The vibes are unbelievable. You have all these guys and it’s just stress-free playing the sport you love.”
“I think that Utica has an amazing history with producing a lot of great pro players such as Cedric Mullins, who’s another inspirational outfielder that I look up to. But my coach, who I look up to, Coach Jennings, actually recommended this team, and I think that Utica is gonna put me on the right track just to see GW and beyond, hopefully.”
Gabriella: “That’s great. I hope you love it here.”
“So now that we’ve covered the big stuff, I kind of wanna switch gears a little bit and get to know you a little bit more off the field. So we’re gonna do some rapid fire personal questions. Just give me the first thing that comes to mind. Are you ready?”
Connor: “Let’s do it.”
Gabriella: “All right. What’s your walk-up song?”
Connor: “‘La Romana” by Bad Bunny and El Alfa.”
Gabriella: “So good. Favorite personal highlight?”
Connor: “Ooh. Probably when I hit a walk-off three run double to win the game when we were down six to four in the bottom of the 7th in our first game last year.”
Gabriella: “Wow. That’s awesome. Favorite MLB team?”
Connor: “Yankees, all day.”
Gabriella: “Same! Favorite player on the Yankees?”
Connor: “It’s gotta be Jazz (Chisholm Jr.). I love Jazz.”
Gabriella: “Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?”
Connor: “I always write, on my wrist, a message to myself. It’s a family message that I have. It’s C3 and then I put a heart on the bottom, and that’s kind of my message to myself.”
Gabriella: “That’s sweet.”
“Go-to pre-game meal?”
Connor: “I’d have to say some apple slices. I love apple slices.”
Gabriella: “That’s a good, healthy one. Do you have a secret talent or hobby?”
Connor: “I love to sing and dance– that’s something my whole family really does. We dance every year. We have a big Thanksgiving meeting. And we come together in North Carolina and just sing, dance and have a great time.”
Gabriella: That’s awesome.
Alright. Follow up question. What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Connor: “I would have to say, “Can You Stand the Rain” by New Edition.”
Gabriella: “Classic. If you weren’t playing baseball, what do you think you’d be doing?”
Connor: “If I wasn’t playing baseball. I’d probably be studying politics or law or something like that–maybe be an attorney.”
Gabriella: “I can see that. Give me one movie you’ll never get tired of.”
Connor: “Oh, there’s so many. Remember The Titans.”
“That’s a good one. Night or day game?”
Connor: “I love night games.”
Gabriella: “And finally, what’s the dream?”
Connor: “The dream is to play center field for the New York Yankees and win a World Series.”
Gabriella: “Who knows? You could replace Aaron Judge.”
Connor: “Hopefully [laughs].”
Gabriella: “Alright, so to wrap up, we ask this closing question of all of our players. A lot of our viewers and fans are young players who dream of making it to the next level and pursuing baseball as a career. So what advice would you give to a younger player who dreams of following in your footsteps?”
Connor: “Ultimately, just making sure that you’re really, truly dedicating yourself to the goal you’re setting, and when you set it, making sure that you want to do the work to make that dream come true.”
“Obviously, you can dream all you want, but none of it’s gonna happen if you don’t actually put the work in it, pursue it. I think that’s really, really important and sometimes gets lost. That hard work will take you to a different level.”
Gabriella: “Definitely. That’s great advice.”
“Alright, well that’s all I have for you today. Thank you so much for meeting with me and have a great rest of your season.”
Connor: “Thank you so much. I appreciate you having the time.”
Gabriella: “No problem. Take care!”