Rick Peterson

About Rick Peterson

Eric Harding "Rick" Peterson (born October 30, 1954) is a former pitcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball. He was a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, but is most notable as the pitching coach for the Oakland Athletics and New York Mets. He is known for his unique use of biomechanical research and psychological principles to help pitchers improve their pitching motions. His nicknames include "The Jacket" and "The Professor."

Peterson was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The Baltimore Orioles drafted him out of high school, but instead of signing with the Orioles, he chose to go to Gulf Coast Junior College in Panama City, Florida. He then attended Jacksonville University and graduated with a combined degree in psychology and art.

Peterson was drafted for the second time in the 21st round of the June 1976 free agent draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. His father, Pete Peterson, was Pittsburgh's farm system director and future general manager. Rick Peterson played in class-A the Pirates organization for four years, from 1976-1979.