The Yankees' Jake Cousins ​​will be the first Penn alum to play in a World Series since 1912

On the walls of Penn baseball coach John Yurkow's office are 14 framed photos of his former players who later signed contracts with Major League Baseball. During recruiting visits, Yurkow points them out to show young players where Penn's program can take them.

The next time a recruit comes to campus, Yurkow can point to a Penn alum who played in the World Series.

Jake Cousins, a 2017 Penn University graduate who ranks third in career wins, has become an important part of the New York Yankees' bullpen. The 30-year-old right-hander is expected to become the first Penn alum in 112 years to play in a World Series when the Yankees face the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 on Friday.

” READ MORE: As of 2022: Former Penn pitcher Jake Cousins ​​returns to Philadelphia as a key part of the Brewers' bullpen

The last Quaker to play in the World Series was Stephen Yerkes, a Red Sox infielder who hit the winning run in Game 8 (a darkness-induced play forced an extra game in the Series) to Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson and defeating the New York Giants in the 1912 Series.

“[Cousins] “He was very, very successful at Penn while he was here,” Yurkow said. “He won a lot of games for us. He was a great competitor and was a big part of where we are today.”

Cousins ​​posted a 2.37 ERA in 37 games and struck out 53 in 38 innings this season. He struck out four of the five batters he faced in Game 5 of the ALCS, helping the Yankees to a 5-2 win over the Guardians on Saturday.

“We’re definitely excited,” Penn senior pitcher Marshall Mott said. “It’s also very inspiring to know that a man from Penn who played on our team is in this situation.”

Cousins, whose cousin is Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, was selected in the 20th round of the 2017 draft by the Washington Nationals, but his time with the Nats was plagued by injuries. He was released by the Nationals during spring training in 2019.

Cousins ​​signed with the Schaumburg Boomers of the independent Frontier League. Cousins ​​found life with the Illinois-based team, posting a 0.47 ERA over 19⅔ innings — which caught the attention of the Milwaukee Brewers, who signed him in July 2019.

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The Brewers called up Cousins ​​from Triple-A Nashville in June 2021, and he did not allow a run in his first 17 appearances. After being placed on waivers by the Brewers in July 2023, Cousins ​​was traded from the Astros to the White Sox before Chicago traded him to the Yankees for cash in March.

It appears that Cousins ​​has finally found a home in New York.

Yurkow attributes Cousins' resilience in the professional ranks to the strong will he showed with the Quakers.

“The thing about Jake is that he’s extremely stubborn,” Yurkow said. “One of the things I've found is that stubborn kids are usually the tougher kids. The problem is balancing some of that persistence to get them points. I think Jake would tell you that early in his career, like a lot of kids, he had to learn some things.”

Yurkov's wall of former players grew by four frames this offseason, with Cole Zaffiro, Eli Tropp, Jackson Appel and Ryan Dromboski signing professional contracts.

Dromboski, the 2023 Ivy League Pitcher of the Year, is forgoing his final year at Penn to train in Clearwater, Florida, after signing with the Phillies as an undrafted free agent.

Dromboski has followed Cousins' career to emulate his success in the major leagues.

“I feel and [Cousins] have a similar one two combo mix. I’m also a slider and fast sinker guy,” Dromboski said. “He’s a Penn guy. How could you not root for yourself, a former guy who played for your college? Just seeing his story and how he was able to move from team to team but eventually made the World Series roster and actually performed.

“He's doing well, throwing that great slider… It's heartwarming to see all his hard work pay off and make it to the World Series.”