Shawn Chacón on Leadership, Family, and Never Being Afraid to Try

Jenny had the opportunity to interview Shawn Chacón, former Major League Baseball pitcher and current manager of the Trenton Thunder, during our visit to the ballpark for an inspiring conversation about leadership, family, and the lessons baseball can teach both on and off the field. Shawn shared that his father was his greatest inspiration growing up and reflected on how that relationship shaped both his baseball career and his approach to leading others. He also talked about why he enjoys the atmosphere of night games and what continues to fuel his passion for the game after many years in professional baseball.

One of the most memorable moments of the interview came when Shawn encouraged young people not to be afraid of trying something new. Rather than focusing on what could go wrong, he challenged viewers to think about the opportunities they might miss by never taking the chance. Shawn also shared his unique pregame tradition of giving every player, coach, bat boy, and member of the grounds crew a hug before first pitch, reinforcing his belief that great teams are built on trust, respect, and genuine care for one another. We are grateful to Shawn and the entire Trenton Thunder organization for welcoming Jenny and supporting our mission of creating a more inclusive world through storytelling and meaningful conversations.