Life Around The Seams

Episode 24 -- Melanie Newman

Over the last year, Melanie Newman went viral for getting a new job, get her first national contract to broadcast axe throwing, made history with Suzie Kewl for the first all-female baseball broadcast in April, her most famous call on the baseball field was when a skunk got on the field, had her equipment get stolen mid-summer, interviewed a football coach who was coaching from a hospital bed, and continues to shatter barriers for her work in broadcasting.

On Episode 24 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, we trace Newman's remarkable story, from how getting judged as a beauty pageant contestant as a teen-ager thickened her skin when strangers criticized her as an adult, being a substitute teacher, a bartender, and taking every job possible that's paved the way to her current positions.

We discuss why she used Mel when applying for jobs, dealing with internet trolls, recapping her first year as the lead broadcaster for the Single-A Salem Red Sox, and the impact she's had on little girls who are inspired by her.

Episode 23 -- Tony Gwynn, Jr.

Tony Gwynn, Jr. never knew anything other than growing up in the spotlight of sharing the same name as a Hall of Fame baseball player that was beloved by San Diego. Junior never shied away from the responsibility and carved out his own career in baseball, playing for 15 years, including parts of eight years in the major leagues.

On Episode 23 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, Gwynn shares with us when he realized his father's job was different, growing up at the ballpark, attending San Diego State just like his father and uncle, playing for his dad on the Aztecs, and his professional baseball career.

We learn about the most awkward plane ride of his life after the son of Mr. Padre dashed the Padres playoff hopes, the trade that brought Junior home to San Diego to play ball, the bitter divorce with the Padres, the greatest response to a heckler ever, his father's cancer diagnosis, the emotions involved when the Hall of Famer passed away, and keeping his memory alive to this day.

Episode 22 -- Ron Flores

Ron Flores spent 10 years in professional baseball, overcoming the long odds as a 29th round draft pick who still reached the major leagues. He's a rarity in that he held out for extra money to finish his degree at USC and followed through by finishing his classwork while in the minor leagues. Flores rose through the Oakland Athletics farm system at a time when the A's were at the ground floor of what was famously profiled in the best-selling book "Moneyball."

On Episode 22 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, Flores tells the heartwarming story about the first time he was called up to the major leagues, along with hilarious stories about an inspirational speech from a teammate that he didn't understand before his debut, and why his father caused him to be completely sleep deprived when he won his only game in the major leagues.

We learn about Ron following the lead of his older brother Randy (a former major league pitcher who is now the Asst. General Manager for the St. Louis Cardinals) and the month they spent together as teammates and roommates. We also learn how the pitcher became a preacher. Yes, Flores has gone from delivering the pitch to batters to delivering a sermon as a pastor at Meadows Fellowship in Las Vegas. 

Episode 21 -- Cody Decker, 2.0

Cody Decker, the inaugural guest on the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, makes his return for a hilarious update on what's happened with his playing career in the last 13 months, starting with the question of whether he's hit more home runs, or recorded more outs as a pitcher. 

Since he's made multiple short films involving baseball, we took a deep dive into what makes a baseball movie work, and why most baseball movies don't work. In the process, we're starting a campaign to get the 1987 movie "Long Gone" onto HBO Go. We also debated what happened to some of our favorite fictional characters from baseball movies "after the credits" ended.

We also spent a lot of time talking about a mutual friend, the late Brody Stevens, what made him so funny, and why we miss him so much. 

Episode 20 -- Chris Cron

Chris Cron is one of just 17 people who have played Major League Baseball and been the father of not just one, but two sons who have also reached the major leagues. 

In Episode 23 of the “Life Around the Seams” podcast, we explore the career of Chris from minor league towns in the 1980s to his MLB debut for his hometown California Angels, what led to him playing golf with basketball legend Michael Jordan, and why the third time was the charm with his immediate transition to coaching baseball.

Then we delve into how sons C.J. and Kevin grew up around the ballpark in the minor league towns where Chris managed, the year both were drafted within the initial three rounds, Chris’ dramatic trip from another country to see C.J’s MLB debut, and how taking the job as Reno Aces manager in 2019 allowed Chris to manage his own son and deliver the news that brought two large humans to tears.

Episode 19 — Johnny Doskow

Johnny Doskow is the “RG” of the Sacramento River Cats, a very funny human who makes a series against his team something you always look forward to. You never know what he’s going to say, and you rarely know if he’s being serious or sarcastic. You know you’ll laugh a lot, share some deep thoughts about life, and that’s what we did in Episode 19 of the “Life Around the Seams" podcast.

We “flapped” about some of the greatest hits from his career. The pranks he pulled. The pranks pulled on him. We learn when John became Johnny and why, what it’s like for a SoCal kid to do play-by-play of crab races and hog-market reports, and climbing through the minors leagues in his 27-year broadcasting career in baseball.

Johnny D tells the story of a brush with death on a plane, memories of former minor league cities, why the River Cats held a bobblenose giveaway (yes, nose) in his honor, why he wears a bright orange suit once a year from Dumb and Dumber, and why his daughter will one day owe money to the River Cats PR director. Bro, it was not grindy. And we only had to “graveyard kiffle” one story.

Episode 18 -- Aaron Sele

Aaron Sele pitched for 14+ years in the major leagues, made 352 starts, won 148 games, finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in 1993, went to the All-Star Game in 1998 and 2000, and placed fifth in Cy Young voting in 1999. He enjoyed a very good career that's perhaps even more notable for the all fascinating parts of baseball history that he was involved.

On Episode 18 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, we have nine themes as we break down Sele's compelling career. We ask if Sele ever found out which baseball writer vote for him for the Hall of Fame. We break down growing up in Seattle, playing for the Mariners in the franchise's two best seasons, including the playoff runs, early impressions of Ichiro, and how Sele was the scheduled starting pitcher on 9/11.

Sele tells Rickey Henderson stories, tales from the minor leagues, his introduction to Fenway Park, winning a World Series when he was hurt, and the famous "4+1" game at Dodger Stadium. 

Episode 17 -- Tim Hagerty, 2.0

Back my popular demand, Tim Hagerty returns to the "Life Around the Seams" podcast as the first return guest. Just like in our first podcast, we take turns telling unique stories from baseball's colorful past.

Hagerty tells us about the 39 former Major Leaguers whose first name is unknown, why we should root for a certain player in triple-A to reach the majors, the only "shot-off" home run in baseball history, the origins of overcoming poor weather to play a game, and the infant who only knows perfection at baseball games. 

I'll tell stories about theories on the "way out of left field" expression, the outfielder who refused to give up on a home run, why home plate is its shape, how World War II impacted attendance in the Pacific Coast League, and why a future Hall of Famer almost gave up on baseball early in his career. 

Come for the unique stories and postscript stories that are entertaining. Stay for all the times that one of says "wow" ... followed by uncomfortable silence for a few seconds.

 

Episode 16 -- Stephen Fife

Stephen Fife never wanted to pitch and was never good enough to pitch regularly as a kid. He was a second baseman on the first team from Idaho to reach the Little League World Series. But an injury in high school led him to the mound, and he ended up pitching 10 years as a professional. 

On Episode 16 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, we trace some of the fascinating moments from Fife's career. Projected to be about a 10th round pick, one fateful collegiate start against future first overall pick Stephen Strasburg launched him into the third round. Fife was usually "the dad" to his minor league teammates, outdueled Roy Halladay in his major-league debut, and made 18 appearances in the major leagues around 809 innings in the minor leagues.

Fife missed one season recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery and slung drinks at a Melting Pot to help pay bills. He tells us the story of talking curveballs with Sandy Koufax, life lessons with Don Newcombe, the injury that cost him a chance at going to Japan, later going to Japan, and when he knew it was time to retire. 

 

Episode 15 -- Alonzo Carter

Alonzo Carter spent five years as a backup dancer and lead choreographer for legendary rapper MC Hammer. Now he's the running backs coach and lead recruiting coordinator for the San Jose State football team. In between, he coached track and football at McClymonds High in West Oakland, three years as the head coach for Berkeley High football, and was the head coach at Contra Costa Junior College.

"Coach Zo" has changed the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, but few people knew about his dancing past. In fact, even though I spent 3.5 years covering high school sports for The Oakland Tribune, I never knew about his connection to MC Hammer. That all changed after practice one day in 2018, when San Jose State head football coach Brent Brennan asked the DJ to play "U Can't Touch This" and motioned for Carter to show their players a few dance moves. A staffer filmed the scene, posted it on the internet, and the video went viral.

In Episode 15 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, we learn what baseball player gave Stanley Burrell the "Hammer" nickname, and which players provided a loan that launched his musical career. But since this is primarily a story about a football coach, we're calling it "Life Around the Laces," as we learn how Alonzo Carter went from student at (then) Cal State Hayward to touring with Hammer, why he left the music industry, and how the showmanship of being around Hammer has influenced his successful coaching career.