For many student-athletes, Arkansas State is a "home away from home," but for 2024 Hall of Honor inductee Jacob Lee, staying home to play in his hometown is a source of pride.
 
When looking back at his illustrious career, the Jonesboro product relishes not only being able to play in his hometown in front of family and friends, but the honor that came through donning the Scarlet and Black from 2009-12.
 
"Every time I got to play for Arkansas State and wear the Scarlet and Black was a meaningful day and opportunity for me," he said. "It was a really special thing to be able to play where all my family is, too. They got to see me play more games than they probably would have if I would have played elsewhere. Looking back and being a little bit older now, it means a lot. It's something that, as a 20-something year old college kid, I didn't really think much about at the time, but it was really special and beneficial."
 
Remaining in his hometown proved to benefit not only Lee and give his family no shortage of opportunities to see him on the diamond. It also eventually led to him evolving into the program's strikeout king in addition to the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year and Third Team All-American in 2012 before being selected by Cleveland in the ninth round of the 2012 MLB Draft.
 
Lee racked up 280 punchouts in his tenure with the Red Wolves and ate up 328 1/3 innings along the way with 54 starts – also program bests. He also owns the second-most wins (24) in school history and boasts the single-season school record in winning percentage (.900).
 
Despite all those strikeouts, he did not view himself as a "strikeout pitcher." Rather, he felt he was simply doing his job: turn the lineup over, get three outs each inning and get the A-State's offense back on the field. The unique orientation of Tomlinson Stadium – with the wind blowing in from centerfield for much of the year – was, to no surprise, one of the hurler's favorite parts about taking the mound on Friday nights and helped him consistently give the Red Wolves a strong winning chance every time he toed the rubber.
 
"It said 400 feet on the wall, but it played like 450, sometimes 500 feet," he recalled. "I always had a mindset of, 'Let them put it in play. We're not here to give any free passes.' Consistency was the big mindset that I had as I started to pitch on my sophomore year, and junior and senior year. I wanted to consistently go out and throw quality starts and get the ball to a reliever in the seventh inning with a lead."
 
While every play began with him, Lee is quick to note that it was not a one-man show. He relied on his battery mate and the other seven defenders behind him, in addition to a strong bullpen.
 
"I was fortunate to have not only defenses that we could count on to make plays, but also a good bullpen," he said. "It's not a one-man effort. Being able to get that ball to a reliever in the sixth, seventh, eighth inning with a lead was always a big part of my game plan as well."
 
After a standout career at Jonesboro High School, Lee signed with A-State with the possibility of filling a utility role. And while it became apparent early in his rookie year that his future lied on the mound, Lee was willing to fill whatever shoes the Scarlet and Black needed filled.
 
"I came in as a freshman with a mindset of just wanting to contribute," he said. "They could have asked me to be the best manager or to be the loudest cheerleader in the dugout and I would have gladly done that role. I was lucky to have great coaches around me who, you know, were able to see that potential at that time, and what that could ultimately turn into."
 
While he enjoyed playing in the field as well as pitching, he credits Justin Meccage – the pitching coach at the time – with instilling the work ethic he has today and helping build that foundation later built upon by Tighe Dickinson.
 
Lee made his collegiate debut on Feb. 21, 2009, in Arlington, Texas, coming on in relief in the fifth inning against Siena after the Saints jumped out to a 4-1 lead and loaded the bases. Despite the eventual 5-1 loss, his high ceiling and coolness under pressure was on display, setting the stage for bigger opportunities.
 
"In high school, I was mostly a starter, so I wasn't used to coming in the middle of an inning," he said. "It was a different adrenaline rush and pitching experience that I wasn't used to, but it was one that I needed. It would open the doors for later on to be able to know what to expect. That year was a lot of learning and a lot of firsts, and was all about putting the building blocks together for the following season."
 
In that freshman season, Lee drew nine starts across 13 appearances – seven in conference play. He held opponents to a .235 clip, the lowest among A-State starters, and struck out 42 batters with a 5.32 ERA. But, that impressive debut served as the launchpad to a strong sophomore season.
 
Lee went 8-3 in year two, striking out 83 in 92 1/3 innings while holding a 3.80 ERA. As a junior, Lee went 5-4 with a 3.25 ERA and 69 strikeouts, but his senior year would be where he shined brightest.
 
That memorable final campaign saw Lee go 9-1 with a 2.77 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 97 1/3 innings, resulting in SBC Pitcher of the Year and Third-Team All-American honors. He also helped the Red Wolves come within a win of their first NCAA Tournament bid in nearly 20 years, as A-State reached the Sun Belt championship game.
 
Lee then took his talents to the professional ranks for six seasons, reaching Double-A in the Cleveland Indians farm system. When reflecting on how his tenure prepared him for the jump to pro ball, Lee noted how there was always an emphasis on improving at the details.
 
"One of the biggest things I took away was there was always more work to do, whether it was strength and conditioning training or skill training on the field," Lee said. "In professional baseball, it was always amazing to see those other professionals, both big leaguers and minor leaguers, and how they approach the game every day, very consistently, in an effort to get better at the small things."
 
Lee's work ethic, which led him to become one of A-State's all-time greats will now forever be etched in history at 6 p.m. Friday, October 25, as he is enshrined in the Hall of Honor – joining former teammate Todd Baumgartner, a 2021 inductee into the Hall. Coincidentally, it was Baumgartner who delivered the news to Lee.
 
"I was really humbled," Lee recalled about learning the news from Baumgartner. "I got a little emotional talking to Todd about it, because you don't really think it really means that much to you until you start talking about it and realize it's really happening. As someone who grew up in Jonesboro, I knew of Earl Bell and some other guys that are in the Hall. It's an incredible honor, and I'm really humbled and grateful for it."
 
The Hall of Honor induction ceremony and banquet is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased by contacting the Red Wolves Foundation at 870-972-2401 or online here. Those interested in purchasing tickets can also contact Brandon Cunningham at 870-972-3005 or by emailing redwolvesfoundation@astate.edu.