#004 GEORGE LOMBARD Detroit Tigers Bench Coach & World Series Champ shares powerful story of civil rights activist mother & how it shaped his life as an athlete/coach/father; Hoz & Lombard trade hilarious stories from the field; Su’a digs deeper on the Lo

Diggin Deep Podcast

In an emotionally driven episode, Hoz and Su'a welcome George Lombard Sr. for what becomes a deeply personal conversation that transcends the realm of baseball. Lombard Sr. is currently the Detroit Tigers Bench Coach, former first base coach of the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, a former player himself, and a former high school All-American in football.

Lombard opens up about raw moments from his childhood and the indelible impact of his mother’s legacy. Tragically losing his mother in a car accident when he was just ten, Lombard reflects on the purposeful life of Posy Lombard as a freedom fighter on the front lines of the civil rights movement, leaving behind a 300-page dossier compiled by the FBI. Lombard, growing up in a biracial family, with a mother from an affluent white background in the Northeast and a father from a segregated black community in Atlanta, shares the complexity and beauty of his heritage.

Lombard's storytelling takes a heartfelt turn as he shares memories of his mother, whose life was a beacon of change and whose spirit continues to inspire him. This episode not only sheds light on the personal trials and triumphs of a baseball professional, but also honors the extraordinary woman who shaped him. Coach Lombard shares uplifting anecdotes about his family, including the exciting journey of his son, who was recently selected as a 1st round draft pick by the New York Yankees, and imparts his philosophy on parenting athletes, mixed with a dose of humor through a memorable story involving Chase Utley and Yasiel Puig.

This episode is a must-listen not only for baseball enthusiasts but for anyone captivated by stories of resilience, family, and the profound influence of a parent's legacy on their children's lives. Join Hoz and Su’a with George Lombard as he invites us into his world, revealing the depth of character behind the Tigers Bench Coach that will have you seeking out Coach Lombard when the Tigers are on TV.

George Lombard Sr Bio

Name: George Paul Lombard Sr.

Born: September 14, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia

Role: Major League Baseball coach and former pro player

Current Position: Bench Coach for the Detroit Tigers (2023–present)

MLB Debut: September 4, 1998, for the Atlanta Braves

Last MLB Appearance: October 1, 2006 for the Washington Nationals

Teams Played For:

• Atlanta Braves (1998–2000)
• Detroit Tigers (2002)
• Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2003)
• Washington Nationals (2006)

Career Highlights:

• World Series champion (2020, Los Angeles Dodgers 1st Base Coach)
• First baseball player to hit a homer in China during MLB series in 2008
• Draft: 2nd round selection by the Atlanta Braves in the 1994 MLB draft
• All American running back in high school

Personal:

• Mother, Posy Lombard, was a noted white civil rights activist and associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Grandfather taught at Harvard for 41 years and was former senior dean and professor of human relations
• Son, George Jr, was drafted 1st overall by the New York Yankees in the 2023 MLB Draft

Hosts

Eric Hosmer / @hosmer305

Justin Su'a / @justinsua

Guest: Jon Jay / @georgelombardsr

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a MoonBall Media Podcast