Today we are joined by a former professional baseball player,  Independent film producer and Head of Content for Diamante Media Group, Zack Parker. Zack grew up near Austin, Texas and started his baseball career at a community college near there. He was draft-and-followed by the Rockies (which we explain on the episode), and he spent many years in the minors trying to make it to the big leagues. He was dominant in his early career and we discuss the game that really took him to the next level.

Today on the Too Tall Sports Podcast, we discuss the new book called "Mentally Strong - 7 Steps to Becoming the Best Version of Yourself". Freddy Sandoval is a former major league player for the LA aka Anaheim Angels. He played college baseball at USD, University of San Diego and was drafted in the 8th round by the Angels back in 2004. Freddy grew up in Tijuana, MX and his childhood friend and Team Mexico teammate, was Adrian Gonzalez (long time big leaguer). A conversation later in life with him changed Freddy's life after they reconnected and it started to pave the way for him to take his physical game and mental game to the next level. 

You could pick most years in sports over the last century and find the interesting moments of the year. My guest today, David Ostrowsky, decided to write a book about all of the famous sporting events that happened in 1993. He also wrote for the Associated Press in the mid 2000's covering Boston sports

One of my favorite people in baseball that I've met over the years is today's guest, David Kopp. He is the current pitching coach at FAU, Florida Atlantic University. David was drafted in the 2nd round back in 2007 by the St. Louis Cardinals out of Clemson. We discuss his journey in college and what's like to go to school at an ACC powerhouse.

Arguably one of my biggest and most detailed episodes yet with a 9-Time, yes 9-Time New York Times Best Selling Author, Jeff Pearlman. Jeff is a true New Yorker worshipping the NY sports teams and ended up writing his first big book about the World Series Champion New York Mets team from 1986. Jeff was one of the top baseball writers for Sports Illustrated and he covered and wrote many stories and books surrounding the game of baseball. 

Not many people can be in the same job for 40 years and enjoy every second of it... My guest today definitely has enjoyed the ups and the downs of public relations for the New York Mets. Jay Horwitz shares wonderful story of how he became the man that saw it all over his 4 decades in Major League Baseball. Jay talks about his childhood and struggles with eye issues at an early age that really shaped his future in life. He discusses his days at NYU, and becoming the Sports Information Director there as well as spending 8 years as the S.I.D. at Farleigh Dickinson. Jay tells us about his unlikely first interview with the GM of the Mets and how he thought he'd never get that job and here he is 40 years later... Jay had lots of great players and managers come through the organization like; Joe Torre, Davey Johnson, Bobby Valentine, Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, David Wright, and Jacob Degrom just to name a few. He's seen it all. We discuss the famous "Subway Series" where the 2000 World Series featured the Mets and the World Champion Yankees in a crosstown rivalry. We also touch on the work the Mets players and coaches did after 9/11 as well that was huge for the community.

I am lucky enough to have not 1 but 2 guests on today, Bennett Parry and David Washington. They are the hosts of the Riding The Bus Podcast. Both professional baseball players in the minors leagues still pursuing the dream and continuing their careers at this stage in their lives.We discuss the journey of their separate careers both starting in the San Diego area. David a high school draft pick with the St. Louis Cardinals and Bennett a draft pick few years later out of Cal State Northridge. David had a long minor league career before ultimately getting to "the show" for a few days which we discuss during the episode.Bennett played in the minors with the Orioles organization and also was able to play professionally in Taiwan for a season as well.The three of us are all over 6'5 in height and all have played at one point for the Long Island Ducks independent team.A few funny segments to close the show regarding a great prison story from David, what it means to truly return your shopping cart to the stall, and what is was like for Bennett to pitch to David recently during a practice session.Had a great time with these guys and look forward to jumping on their show soon!

t's not often you get to talk to a journalist of 33 years at one newspaper or publication. And even more rare to talk to a Baseball Hall of Fame voter. We get both of those things today with my guest, Steve Krasner. The Rhode Island native played college baseball at Columbia and also wrote for the school paper. He eventually got a job with the Providence Journal where he covered all sports, primarily the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.He's written 2 books titled: "Play Ball Like the Hall of Famers" and "Play Ball Like the Pros" The latter won the Parents' Choice Silver Award in 2002.[2]We discuss what it's like to receive letters to the editor, getting stories in before deadlines, and the crazy sporting events that he covered over the years. Also, why he votes the way he does for the Hall of Fame, what it was like in 1986 World Series in Boston, the 1989 Bay Area earthquake series, and the 2004 Red Sox improbable run to a World Series.Steve does writing workshops with the next generation called Nudging The Imagination

Today's episode is with the CEO of Baseballism, Travis Chock. He has been running his lifestyle brand with his business partners since 2013 and have built it into a national baseball apparel company. Travis was originally from Hawaii and came to the mainland to go to college at the University of Oregon. While there he and his baseball buddies started coaching in camps during the summer months. They created a brand name, and a long story short, it took off in the following years!Baseballism is the brand that keeps baseball alive for all generations including the great story Travis tells in the episode about how using an American Flag and Babe Ruth came to be as their signature logo. They have brick and mortar stores all over the country and are continuing to grow every year.

If you can't root for this guy, you need to reassess your priorities! Tyler Matzek is my guest today on the Too Tall Sports Podcast. He was a first round pick of the Colorado Rockies back in 2009. Tyler's high school team won the CIF championship here in Southern California and he was CIF Player of the Year which is extremely impressive to say the least. He and I went to rival high schools but he is 4 years younger than me just for reference. Tons of talent out here in Orange County, CA...Tyler played with the Rockies organization for a few years in the minor leagues before getting called up to the big leagues in 2014. All was going well until he got the yips, which mentally didn't allow him to throw the ball like he used to anymore. It kind of derailed his career and he ended up in Texas playing for an independent ball league. He worked on himself and made it all the way back with a true comeback story for the Atlanta Braves. He pitched a lot for them this past year and did very well in playoffs, including the NLCS where his Braves almost earned a trip to the World Series. He is still young and has a bright future, this is the guy you want to root for.