Hold My Cutter

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to become a legendary sports broadcaster? Lanny Frattare  joins us for an intimate conversation at Burn by Rocky Patel, sharing the highs and lows of his illustrious career. From his early days bonding over cigars with colleagues to his candid stories about battling alcoholism and his emotional departure from broadcasting, Lanny's journey is filled...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when Pittsburgh icon Mike Fetchko relocates the famed Pittsburgh Regatta to sunny Bradenton, Florida? Join us on "Hold My Cutter" as we light up some fine cigars at Lee Com Park and embark on a journey through Mike's fascinating story. From the complexities of closing a state bridge to drawing 100,000 attendees, Mike shares the intricate tapestry of per...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a talented pitcher balances his love for baseball and music? Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of Steven Brault, a former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher and current Sportsnet Pittsburgh analyst, at Burn by Rocky Patel near PNC Park. With co-host Michael McKenry, we explore Steven’s unique personality, his gratitude for Michael's mentorship, and the c...

Send us Fan Mail What could be more captivating than intertwining the worlds of baseball and cigars? On this episode of "Hold My Cutter," recorded live at Burn by Rocky Patel, we welcome Tim Murtaugh, the grandson of the legendary Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh. Tim regales us with intimate stories of his grandfather's illustrious career, from his induction into the Irish American B...

Send us Fan Mail Every wanderer has a tale, and Joe Block's is a testament to the unpredictable beauty of chasing a dream. From humble beginnings in minor league baseball to the lively commentary box of the Pittsburgh Pirates, our latest episode offers an intimate glimpse of Joe's incredible journey through the world of sports broadcasting. As we light up a conversation matched only by J...

Send us Fan Mail Just when you thought the airwaves were only for play-by-plays, Joe Block, one of the esteemed voices of the Pittsburgh Pirates, pulls up a chair and brings with him an aroma of stories as rich as his preferred Andorran-wrapped cigar. As we share a 'Smoke of the Week,' Joe serves up a banquet of broadcasting tales, from the kinship he's found within the booth to the...

Send us Fan Mail When Pittsburgh's own Rob King drops by for a chat, you can bet the conversation will be as riveting as a game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth. Sit back and absorb the wisdom of this sports broadcasting maestro, as he dissects the meticulous preparation that goes into each broadcast and the art of creating seamless on-air chemistry with co-hosts. As Rob peels back...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine settling into the embracing warmth of Pittsburgh culture, its Northeastern charm interwoven with Midwestern heart. That's precisely where we found ourselves at Burn by Rocky Patel, joined by sports broadcasting icon Rob King, Greg Brown, and former MLB player Michael McKenry. As we lit up our Decade Cameroon cigars, we traversed the distinctive manners of this storied...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself reminiscing about the local legends that shaped your own journey? Join us for a heartwarming and insightful conversation with Pittsburgh's own Guy Junker, a broadcasting giant who's shared the airwaves with the city's most iconic figures. We're cracking open the treasure chest of memories, digging into the times Guy set pins in a bowling all...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever witnessed a phoenix rise from the ashes? Allegheny County Council Member Bethany Hallam's life story is the embodiment of that very transformation. From the grip of heroin addiction and the shadows of homelessness, she emerged to stand in the light of public service and advocacy. Our conversation peels back the layers of her journey, revealing the critical inter...

Send us Fan Mail Settle into your seat as you're about to be whisked away through the intense, yet hopeful world of Allegheny County Council Member Bethany Hallam. In a cozy corner of Bern by Rocky Patel, we unwrap the complex layers of addiction and triumph. Bethany, a figure of resilience with deep Pittsburgh roots, shares her life's stark realities—from an injury that shuttered her la...

Send us Fan Mail We sat down with Jack Wilson, the former Pittsburgh Pirates all-star, and what unfolded was more than just a trip down memory lane; it was an examination of the heart and soul of America's pastime. Jack regaled us with tales of the electric partnership he shared with Pokey Reese, a duo that epitomized infield magic. As we cozied up to the tales of turning two, Jack also peele...

Send us Fan Mail Every crack of the bat tells a story, and few can weave those tales like Jack Wilson, the revered Pirates' shortstop who slides into our latest episode. We're camped out at LeCom Park, the site of countless memories for Jack, and now the stage for a fascinating trip down the basepaths of baseball history. From the familial bonds entrenched in Pennsylvania soil to the ech...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a sensory exploration and heartfelt nostalgia trip with Dan Zangrilli, the sartorially savvy guest who guides us through the rich flavors of the Rocky Patel 60 cigar and the riveting tales of his broadcasting ascent. From the earthy undertones of a San Andreas wrapper to the vibrant spice of red pepper, this episode is a fusion of taste and storytelling. Dan unveils his...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it feels like to hurl a fastball through elbow pain, or the split-second decisions that define the outcome of a baseball game? Bob Walk, the Whirly Bird himself, joins us with a trove of stories from his days on the mound, including one harrowing start against the Dodgers just five days post-injury. Laugh and wince with us as Bob takes us behind the scenes of th...

Send us Fan Mail Stepping up to the plate, Bob Walk, the former Pirates pitcher with a tale that's more twist-filled than a knuckleball,  joins us for a  great episode of Hold My Cutter. We're not just talking curves and sliders; this is about Bob's incredible leap from local Little League to World Series starter. Sit back and soak in the stories as we cover Bob’s unexpected rise, t...

Send us Fan Mail When Rick Cerrone, the revered editor-in-chief of Baseball Digest, joins us for another Episode, he brings more than just stats and stories; he brings the heartbeat of baseball history to our show. As we light our Rocky Patel cigars and settle into our chairs, Rick transports us from the Pittsburgh Pirates' PR office to the inner sanctum of the New York Yankees under George S...

Send us Fan Mail When Rick Cerrone, the esteemed editor-in-chief of Baseball Digest, opens up about his journey, even the air in Burn by Rocky Patel seems to hang on every word. Graced with the scent of fine cigars and the spirit of America's pastime, Rick weaves tales of his New York Yankees days and the path that led him back to the heart of Pittsburgh. This episode is a love letter to the...

Send us Fan Mail The Rock is back for another great conversation. From the roar of the crowd at Three Rivers Stadium to the echoing crack of the bat, the memories still linger like the scent of fresh ballpark peanuts. Imagine stepping into the box to face down Major League pitching, or rounding the bases to the cheers of thousands after a clutch home run. We capture these electrifying moments in J...

Send us Fan Mail When the odds seemed stacked against him, John Rock Wehner emerged from Carrick with little more than a Greyhound Bus pass and the support of his grandmother, stepping into the limelight of professional baseball with stories that resonate with the heart of Americana. His voyage is a testament to the power of perseverance, and we're thrilled to share his candid recollections w...

Send us Fan Mail I still remember the buzz in the stands when David Bednar, now a two-time All-Star closer with the Pittsburgh Pirates, was once just a hopeful name awaiting the draft call. That same electrifying sense of anticipation fills our latest episode as Bednar himself recounts the very moment his Major League dreams began to come to life, all while keeping a stealthy eye on the draft behi...

Send us Fan Mail Pitching isn't just about speed; it's a dance of strategy, precision, and mental agility. Pull up a chair and join us as we unpack the nuances of baseball with Pittsburgh's own David Bednar, the two-time All-Star closer with a splitter that's as sharp as his wit. This episode is a treasure trove for fans and an intimate portrait of an athlete whose heart beats...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to have your baseball horizons expanded as "Hold my Cutter" sets the stage for the Pittsburgh Pirates' season. This isn't just any season preview; we're bringing the heat with Greg Brown and Michael McKenry straight from Lecom Park, where resilience isn't just a mindset but a necessity against the caprices of spring training weather. Our epi...