Yankees Reliever Jake Bird Shares Passion for Science, Pop Culture

Despite midseason struggles, the 30-year-old sidearm pitcher remains an intriguing figure for the Yankees as he works to regain his form.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Jake Bird, a right-handed reliever for the New York Yankees, has drawn attention during spring training not only for his unique sidearm pitching style, but also for his wide-ranging interests beyond baseball. The 30-year-old, who was traded to the Yankees midway through the 2025 season, has been open about his love for science, history, and pop culture, in addition to his athletic pursuits.

Why it matters

Bird's personal interests and hobbies provide a glimpse into the multifaceted lives of professional athletes, challenging the common perception that they are solely focused on their sport. His passion for subjects like science and history also highlights the intellectual curiosity that can exist alongside athletic talent. As the Yankees look to stabilize their bullpen, Bird's unique background and skillset make him an intriguing figure to watch in the coming season.

The details

After a strong start to the 2025 campaign with the Colorado Rockies, Bird struggled with command issues following a midseason trade to the Yankees, leading to a demotion to the minors. However, the Yankees remain confident in Bird's raw ability and are hopeful that he can regain his form by improving his pitching control. Beyond baseball, Bird has shared his love for a variety of pop culture interests, including his teenage celebrity crush on Taylor Swift, as well as his fascination with scientific figures like Nikola Tesla and Ernest Lawrence. He also enjoys activities like playing the piano and exploring his hometown of Los Angeles.

  • In the first half of the 2025 season, Bird had a 2.06 ERA with the Colorado Rockies.
  • On July 31, 2025, Bird was traded from the Rockies to the Yankees.
  • After the trade, Bird had two poor performances in three appearances for the Yankees, leading to a demotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
  • In Triple-A, Bird struggled further with an 8.62 ERA in 15 outings.

The players

Jake Bird

A 30-year-old right-handed reliever for the New York Yankees, known for his unique sidearm pitching style and wide-ranging interests beyond baseball.

New York Yankees

The professional baseball team that acquired Jake Bird in a midseason trade in 2025 and remains confident in his potential despite his recent struggles.

Colorado Rockies

The team that originally employed Jake Bird, who had a strong first half of the 2025 season before being traded to the Yankees.

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What’s next

As spring training progresses, the coming months will be critical for Jake Bird to translate his raw talent into reliable results on the major league stage with the Yankees.

The takeaway

Jake Bird's diverse interests and intellectual curiosity challenge the common perception of professional athletes as single-minded individuals focused solely on their sport. His story highlights the multifaceted nature of modern athletes and the value they can bring to their teams beyond just their athletic abilities.