APPLETON, Wis. — A first-year police captain from Appleton used to play Major League Baseball. Now, his focus is on helping the community and supporting his family.
Jack Taschner was a left-handed pitcher when he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1999.
During his career, he played for the Giants, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Taschner said there is one thing he misses most about playing the game of baseball.
“For years, it was the competition. It was the…every day was a competition,” said Taschner. “Every day you’re competing against someone who was as athletic or more athletic or whatever else.”
Taschner said he has learned some valuable lessons over the years. He said that’s why today, he’s more patient, a better listener and a better teammate.
“I wish I would have had a better point of view on processing failure at a younger age and not feeling like everything hinged on the next pitch or the next outing or thinking that I can control any of the uncontrollable,” said Taschner.
Taschner is a father of four. His oldest son, Gradin, is a pitcher in college. Taschner said he tries to instill in his son what he wishes he knew when he was a young athlete.
“Do it for the enjoyment, do it for the love of what you’re doing,” said Taschner.
“The world does not hinge on your athletic career, quite honestly, doesn’t hinge on any career. In the end, the biggest thing that my wife and I, both, we just try and relay is you will be known more for being a good person than anything else,” Taschner said.
After serving with the Appleton Police Department for nearly 10 years, Taschner was promoted to Appleton Police Captain at the beginning of the year.
He said he can’t see himself doing anything else. He said his favorite part of the job is teaching other officers that everything and everyone has a purpose.
“It’s been a great career choice, especially because I think I come with the right mindset of, you help where you can,” said Taschner. “Bad people do bad things and there’s nothing you can do to change that. You can just hope to make it better for those that are victimized.”