Starkville Pride: Home means everything to Jake Mangum
While Jumbo Shrimp outfielder Jake Mangum may be playing professional baseball around the nation during the season, his roots in his home state of Mississippi have always run deep. After developing a remarkably notable resume in high school, receiving offers from multiple Division I universities, and even committing to Alabama
While Jumbo Shrimp outfielder Jake Mangum may be playing professional baseball around the nation during the season, his roots in his home state of Mississippi have always run deep.
After developing a remarkably notable resume in high school, receiving offers from multiple Division I universities, and even committing to Alabama early on in his career, Mangum remained true to Mississippi by ultimately committing to play baseball in Starkville at Mississippi State.
“I committed to Alabama my freshman year of high school because my dad played football there, I grew up an Alabama football fan,” Mangum said. “But at the end of the day, I wanted to stay in my home state of Mississippi and play baseball there because it means a lot to the state of Mississippi, we don’t have a professional team, so we are very diehard with our colleges and with the love and support that those programs get, it was really hard not to go there.
“Being able to stay home and play for people you care about, you know, when your best friends growing up, your family friends, everyone you know is a Mississippi State fan, Ole Miss fan, Southern Miss fan, when you get to go play for them and have that bond, it’s really really cool.”
One person in particular who played a crucial role throughout Mangum’s life, including his collegiate career, and now professional baseball experience, is his father.
“My dad has always been my guy when it comes to basically anything in life,” Mangum said. “I wouldn’t have made it to college baseball if it wasn’t for my dad.”
The culture of gamedays in Mississippi, Mangum says, “is unbelievable. It’s like an event. It’s a party surrounded by a baseball game.” He added, “I tell everyone that’s a baseball fan, you gotta go check out a big Saturday night game in Starkville, definitely a bucket list thing for any big baseball fans.”
Mississippi State has set the current NCAA record for the largest single-game on-campus baseball attendance at 15,586 and averages over 10,000 fans at any given game. The Bulldog fans’ commitment to their school, and its athletic teams, are Mangum’s favorite aspect of his collegiate experience.
“You aren’t going to experience that anywhere,” said Mangum. “The love and support that the school and program gets, that was the best part. Without question.”
Mangum was selected by the New York Mets during the 2019 MLB Draft after finishing up his senior year at Mississippi State. He was traded to the Miami Marlins’ organization in December of 2022. After reflecting on his professional baseball experience thus far, Mangum stated, “Being my third full season of professional baseball in Triple-A, I can’t ask for much more, and I’m happy where I’m at. I wouldn’t change the experience I got from my senior year. I’m happy I experienced it, it was a great time and now I’m getting a shot at pro ball.”
One of the main components that aided Mangum during his transition to professional baseball was the skill level of athletes and teams around Mississippi State and within the Southeastern Conference.
“We saw great pitching every day,” said Mangum. “The pitching I saw in college really got me ready to hit professional pitching, so I’m thankful for that.”
Another factor that aided Mangum during his transition was his teammates. Known affectionally to the Mississippi State fanbase as “The Mayor,” he is truly a man of the people.
“Being around so many great teammates that really are going to have long baseball careers helped a lot, just being around people that are all striving for the same goal,” Mangum said. “Since I got into pro ball, I’ve learned a lot that I had never learned in college, and vice-versa. Every day is an experience and the people around you can mold you into who you are.”
The city of Starkville is over 550 miles away from Jacksonville, but there have been numerous fans who have made the trip to watch Mangum at 121 Financial Ballpark.
“It’s awesome,” said Mangum. “Anytime you see a place that you care so deeply about, the fans of that place come and support you afterwards, it’s a reminder that those four years that I got, I couldn’t have experienced that anywhere else. It’s just so unique to have a fan base that follows you throughout your career as well as Mississippi State fans do.”
During the offseason each year, Mangum returns to his home in Mississippi surrounded by family and friends.
“Home is everything,” he said. “Mississippi is very proud of being from Mississippi. They love calling it home, and everyone is just so nice and hospitable. You can be a complete stranger and walk around at a Mississippi State baseball game and you will not pay for a drink or food. They’ll feed you, they’ll take care of you, show you a great time, make sure you’re taken care of,
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity at Mississippi State, it was an amazing four years.”