Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In welcomes Michelle Barney for Episode 29.  Michelle is a Diamond Dreams volunteer head coach, mom to two awesome kids, and one heck of an athlete.  We talk about how she approaches coaching tee ball, her years playing softball, and about the much needed growth for softball in South Florida.  We also touch on some national topics like the Angel Reese / Caitlin Clark cont...

MLB Agent Michael Maulini joins us on Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In for Episode 28.  He tells us about falling in love with the game of baseball, when he realized he wanted to be an MLB Agent, how he got his big break, his ideal client, and some cool stories from his years in the business.  We talk new baseball rules and how that's going to impact the game.  Also, the MLB Season is starting, and we...

Mike and Armando recap what was an amazing and memorable World Baseball Classic.  We talk about the Hollywood style ending to the game, and what Shohei Ohtani could command in free agency.  We go over the best and worst from the WBC including what went on during the USA vs. Cuba game, and why we'd like to see a big change for the next Classic.  Everyone got to see baseball without a pitch clock ag...

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In turns 26 and we talk about the best moments of the World Baseball Classic.  From perfect games to electricians striking out one of the best players in the bigs.  We touch on the passion we're seeing from fans, and the players.  Do we like the 10-run mercy rule?  What do we think of the Venezuelan players with their uniform shirts wide open? Check us out to find out.  W...

Carlos and Alex Pascual join Armando and Mike for Episode 25 of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In.  Carlos, helped his dad "Patato" run Academia Carlos Pascual for over 25-years, and talks about his days at the Academy, memorable players, and memorable games.  He also goes into the differences between coaching baseball now versus the past.  Alex stresses the importance of playing academy baseball, and...

Episode 24 of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In is here.  Mike and Armando expand on episode 23's discussion on youth baseball and some of the issues that exist.  They also talk team building in little league, uniformity, and the importance of practice.  A discussion on the new MLB rules, including the pitch clock.  Will this actually bring new fans, or just turn off lifelong big league aficionados? 

Alex Delgado, commissioner for MYBA (Miami Youth Baseball Association) joins Mike and Armando for Episode 23 of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In.  We talk with Alex about the Academia Pascual days, and about MYBA and the complexities of running this association that encompasses over 140 teams, over 1500 players, plus umpires, field condition, complaints, all-star games, etc.  He also goes over the sca...

Mike Quintana and Armando Alvarez talk about College Baseball Opening Day.  Everything kicks off this Friday with the University of Miami Hurricanes taking on Penn State, and FIU welcoming George Mason.  We go over both teams, and how far they could make it this season.  Mike reminisces about his Opening Days as a player at FIU, and in the minor leagues.  We choose our World Series favorites, addr...

We welcome to the show our special guest Jason Auricchio, who’s a Certified financial planner, NFLPA registered player financial advisor, and founder of FAME Financial group, a wealth management firm dedicated to serving professional athletes and entertainers. Jason talks to us about how he prepares young athletes for life as a professional, his advice on how to take care of their money, educating...

Miami Hurricanes second baseman Dorian Gonzalez Jr. is our special guest on Episode 20 of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In.  The 20-year old, who attended Belen Jesuit, talks to us about his beginnings in baseball, how his dad has influenced him on the field, his expectations for this year's Canes Baseball team, how he thinks he can improve in 2023, and he explains why the Red Sox are his favorite MLB...

Mike Quintana and Armando Alvarez welcome back baseball writer Santos Perez to talk about Jazz Chisholm making the cover of MLB The Show 23.  Did he deserve to be the face of Major League Baseball's video game?  Also, what's the deal with the Baseball Hall of Fame voters?  Are they being too welcoming?  Do they need to finally welcome in some key names that are missing?  And we talk Super Bowl, an...

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In welcomes New York Mets Minor Leagues Assistant Infield Coordinator, former Brooklyn Cyclones Manager, MLB Draft pick, and FIU standout Luis Rivera to talk about coaching pro baseball, how analytics has affected the game, how he approaches the relationship with players, and his ultimate goal as a coach.  He also offers advice to parents, and a pretty big one to high sch...

Mike Quintana and Armando Alvarez welcome Carlos Casanueva, state champion in 2000 with the South Miami Cobras.  Carlos talks to us about that improbable title run, his beginnings in baseball and when he fell in love with the sport, the difference between baseball now and then with kids, and much more.  Very fun episode with Carlos.  We also talk Dolphins football, and Mike gives us his reasons on...

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In Episode 16 features special guest David Espinosa, first round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2000, and standout at Gulliver. He talks to us about his start in baseball, when he realized that he could get drafted right out of high school, his start in pro ball, and great stories of some players he scouted through the years.  We also talk about Swing Kings Miami, and the...

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In turns 15, and this episode is sponsored by Magic City Pizza.  Pepe Marina joins us to talk about the beginnings of the business, and to talk baseball.  Mike and Armando dive in and expand on what Omar Falcon left us in episode 14.  Mike talks about some eye opening moments in spring training, and how young pitchers are being used these days.  Is Babe Ruth the GOAT?  Sh...

Mike Quintana and Armando Alvarez welcome Omar Falcon, a 2000 MLB Draft third round pick by the San Diego Padres.  Omar played high school ball in Miami, and shares some great stories about what he learned playing as a teen, how he found out he got drafted, and some unforgettable moments playing pro ball.  We also dive deep into what's going on now with youth baseball, and gives some valuable advi...

Mike Quintana and Armando Alvarez are back for 2023 with Episode 13 of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In.  We talk about the Dos and Don'ts of Little League tryouts.  The Marlins and Red Sox are working on a possible big trade.  Who wins the trade?  Find out what we think.  What's new with Carlos Correa?  We breakdown what's going on with the Miami Dolphins, and we talk about the Damar Hamlin situation...

Armando Alvarez and Mike Quintana discuss the Carlos Correa situation, the Giants disappointing off season, Aaron Judge officially signing, the Yankees rotation, and some cool stories about meeting your idols.  Armando talks about meeting Eddie Murray, Don Mattingly, and Charles Barkley.  That and much more on episode 12.

Mike and Armando recap the Diamond Dreams Miami Instructional League draft with a couple of coaches, David Vela and Chris Chinea.  We talk about the importance of playing in this league, and the value in brings to the kids.  Baseball free agency is still hot.  Is the Yankees pitching rotation the best in baseball?  We share our opinions.  Are they done with the signings?  Also, what are the Marlin...

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In welcomes special guest Santos Perez, a longtime sports writer who covers the Miami Marlins for the Associated Press. Santos provides a lot of insight into free agency, and what the Marlins may do before the start of the 2023 season. We also discuss the rumors swirling around Fernando Tatis Jr. and the New York Yankees. Also, if the Bronx Bombers will sign Carlos Rodon....

Armando Alvarez and Mike Quintana break down the soap opera that was the Aaron Judge free agency pursuit.  A lot of money, but #99 stays a Yankee.  We break down everything that happened in the last 24 hours.  The guys go over the big free agent signings including Justin Verlander, Jacob deGrom, and Trea Turner.  The Marlins aren't doing much, and our displeasure is definitely voiced.  Also, huge...

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In Episode 8 has Mike Quintana and Armando Alvarez talking about Miguel Cabrera's retirement announcement.  Miggy will walk away from the game after the 2023 season.  We talk about his amazing career.  Also, what's new in MLB free agency, including the Aaron Judge waiting game.  The guys also touch on Cuban MLB players representing Cuba in the World Baseball Classic.  Mia...

Mike Quintana and Armando Alvarez welcome special guest Steven Suarez to Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In.  Suarez, the Head Baseball Coach at Archbishop Coleman Carroll in Miami, Florida, talks to us about his trajectory as a player and coach in the sport, and about the adversity he has faced along the way.  He also speaks on the difference between kids now versus 20-30 years ago, and the challenges...

Armando Alvarez and Mike Quintana welcome guests Coach Erik Cabrera and David Vela to help us debate who deserved the AL MVP award, Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani?  The argument continued as the award was handed out.  We also go over the big winners of the regular season awards like Rookie of the Year and Cy Young.  We try our best to solve the issues that the Miami Marlins face.  Also, big wins for...

Mike Quintana and Armando Alvarez welcome Pedro "Bibi" Perez-Roura to Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In to talk about the Diamond Dreams Instructional League Championship game, MLB Free Agency, the Miami Dolphins, and the Miami Hurricanes.  Armando also passionately talks about the MLB Hall of Fame voting, and the upcoming Contemporary Era Ballot.