Quick hits
RESIDENCE Lisle
PLAYING CAREER The seven-year major league veteran was a .270 career hitter in 1,441 major league at-bats for the Dodgers, Indians, Mariners and White Sox.
BEST SEASON 1984 with the Mariners, when he hit .294 with 29 stolen bases as the team’s starting second baseman. He also earned a World Series ring with the Dodgers’ 1981 championship squad.
FAMILY Wife Linda and three children. His son Mike followed in Perconte’s footsteps by playing college baseball at Murray State, and just signed a free agent contract with the Cubs. Pitching for the team’s Class A affiliate in Boise, Idaho, Mike earned his first pro win June 26 with four innings of shutout relief.

Jack Perconte’s emphasis on fundamentals made him an excellent bunter and defensive second baseman in the major leagues, and continued to serve him well long after his last major league game with the White Sox in 1986.

The Lisle resident ran the Jack Perconte Sports Academy in Naperville for 19 years after he retired, where his students included future Minnesota Twins’ outfielder Rich Becker (who began working with Perconte as a high school sophomore) and the current major leaguer brother tandem of Scott and Jerry Hairston, Jr.

Perconte has now published a book outlining his successful and extensive (as noted in the title) methods of baseball instruction called “60,000 Hitting Lessons: A Hands on Baseball Guide for Parents, Coaches and Players.”

Q What memories stand out from your major league career?
A As a team being with the Dodgers. They really took care of us — I was only up with them for a month (in 1981) and they still gave us World Series rings. Everything was first class there. And individually it was getting my 180th hit of the season in 1984. At the time it tied a Mariner record, and for it to come off (Hall of Fame pitcher) Tom Seaver made it even more special. Ichiro has obliterated that record now, but for an average player that was pretty exciting for me.

Q How do you describe your book?
A It’s more coming from a teacher’s point of view: the methods, the drills and all the things that I saw work (as a player and instructor). I just accumulated all the things that worked to help kids become better hitters, and how to help parents and coaches teach the kids.

Q Being such a strong fundamental player during your career, how do you view the current dropoff in that area?
A They just rush guys now. Back in the day you stayed in the minor leagues and learned the game, and now if you’re talented and 21 years old you’re in the big leagues. So I can’t blame the players as much as the way baseball is. It probably all gets back to the money. They put so much into these guys and often get them up there (to the majors) way before they’ve really learned the game.

Q How did you decide to start your baseball school?
A It was kind of fate. I was back in the Dodgers’ system in 1987 and one of our coaches was an owner of the San Diego School of Baseball. He told me about their operation, and I went there, checked it out and thought ‘this would work back home, and maybe even more because kids have to go inside somewhere (in the winter).’ One thing led to another and I went for it. I retired in September of ’87 and opened the Academy in January of ’88.

Q Who was your favorite manager to play for?
A Del Crandall (Perconte’s manager with the Dodgers’ Triple A affiliate and later with the Seattle Mariners). He actually saved my career after I got traded to Cleveland from the Dodgers. I had a terrible year (in Cleveland), got sent back to Triple A and could have been there forever. But when he got the managing job in Seattle they traded for me and kind of saved the day.

Q What about your son’s success?
A You work with him so much (growing up) and you know how much passion he has for the game, which is really similar to me. To see him reach pro ball is really exciting, a happy day for everybody.