RizzoCast

Today’s guest is former San Francisco Giants pitcher Caleb Baragar, who joins the podcast for the second time—and a lot has happened since his last appearance. Since then, Caleb’s baseball journey has taken him across just about every level and corner of the professional game: independent ball with the Lancaster Stormers, back to affiliated baseball with the Minnesota Twins organization in Triple-...

In Episode 185 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former KTVU News anchor Frank Somerville to discuss his journey to sobriety, thoughts on modern news media, delivering news as an anchor, the art of storytelling, Bay Area sports scene, facing reality as an alcoholic, getting clean, what’s next and more! Here's the article I wrote about Frank while a student at SFSU: https://goldengatexpress.org/10...

In episode 184 of RizzoCast, we are joined by longtime big-league right-hander Dominic Leone, who pitched parts of 11 seasons with nine different MLB teams and played a key role in the San Francisco Giants’ 2021 postseason run! We discuss his early years breaking in with Seattle, bouncing around the league as a high-leverage reliever, navigating the challenges of being a journeyman, and what it wa...

In episode 183 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies left-hander Ty Blach! We discuss his time in San Francisco, debuting against his hometown Rockies, outdueling Clayton Kershaw, hitting his first big-league homer, and what it was like pitching for Bruce Bochy and alongside Giants legends like Madison Bumgarner and Buster Posey. Ty also talks about his ro...

In episode 182 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former MLB right-handed reliever Matt Wisler! We talk about the MLB postseason, new endeavor in the business world, discovering the medical device industry, advising college athletes, assisting former players, the development of his slider and more! Check out Elite Performance Medical: https://teamepm.com/Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episod...

We're BACK! In episode 181 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former left-handed reliever Randy Choate (the episode was previously recorded in January). We discuss his big league career, if there was a LOOGY group chat, what happens in the bullpen, his infamous errant throw in the 2014 playoffs and so much more. Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCastFollow R...

In episode 180 of RizzoCast, we are joined by Delaware County Community College baseball player Aaron Rouselle. We discuss Aaron's journey as a 40-year-old JUCO product, surviving cancer and two liver translants, what he’s about to embark on, what he’s looking forward to most, being a mentor, silencing the haters, his health journey, beating cancer, finding healing and more! Follow Aaron on X:...

In episode 179 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former MLB infielder Ryan Theriot to discuss the current MLB scene, Paul Skenes interning for him, winning a title at LSU, playing in the big leagues, getting his uniform dirty, playing for La Russa and Bochy, scoring the winning run in the 2012 World Series, opening up a gym in Baton Rouge and so much more. Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full epi...

In episode 178 of RizzoCast, we are joined by Sacred Heart Prep head baseball coach Sean McMillan to discuss his career in coaching, getting ready for the upcoming season, mentoring players, running a high school program, trends in baseball strategy, this generation of players and more! Check out All in Baseball: https://www.allinbaseball.org/ Follow Sean on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/co...

In episode 177 of RizzoCast, we are joined by Caught Looking Podcast host Max Greenfield! We discuss the 2025 Hall of Fame ballot, every candidate in detail from Bobby Abreu to Billy Wagner, arguments surrounding Brian McCann and Russell Martin, CC Sabathia vs Andy Pettitte, Dustin Pedroia’s debut, Manny and A-Rod’s chances and more! Follow Max on X: https://x.com/greenfieldmax18?s=21&t=WlnLpf...

In episode 176 of RizzoCast, we are joined by Bay Area sports writing legend and current Defector staff writer Ray Ratto! We discuss what to expect from Buster Posey as San Francisco Giants' president of baseball operations, the Giants' offseason free agent plans, the golden batter rule, MLB attracting their younger audience, the art of sports column writing, status of opinions and hot take and mo...

In episode 175 of RizzoCast, we are joined by SFBay founder and San Francisco State journalism chair Jesse Garnier to discuss his career in journalism, news scene in San Francisco, the changing industry, covering 9/11 in New York, origin story of SFBay, covering sports, working with student reporters and more! Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoC...

In episode 174 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former Oakland A's athletic trainer Joe Trujillo. We discuss getting introduced to sports medicine, coaching HS baseball, becoming an athletic trainer with the A’s, spending a year in the Dominican Republic, working for a Professional organization, learning spanish, communication with players, playing bad cop, identifying injuries and more! Watch and l...

In episode 173 of RizzoCast, we are joined by TrevsChirps star and professional heckler Trevor Gilmore! We discuss his Giants fandom, the origins of his brand, getting kicked out of stadiums, hilarious NASCAR experience, developing chirps for players, social media strategy, process of filming and editing, becoming a noticeable figure at ballparks and much more! Follow Trevor on Instagram: https://...

In episode 172 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former MLB right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson! We discuss keeping up with baseball today, his favorite teammates, hotel aliases, being born in Jamacia, religon in baseball, playing for Tony Gwynn at SDSU, playing in Cleveland, pitching deep into games and more! Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCa...

In episode 171 of RizzoCast, we are joined by new Avila University commit Jordan Renteria! We discuss his commitment to Avila, what made the program appealing, expectations of the midwest, developing a strong work ethic, coming in as a two-way player, choosing the JUCO route, playing at Canada College and City College of San Francisco learning from Bay Area sports legends and more! Watch and liste...

In episode 170 of RizzoCast, we're turning the tables a little bit. RizzoCast host Steven Rissotto is the guest and the one answering the questions. Thanks to Tylor Hall for hosting! They discuss Steven's intro to baseball, playing career, starting RizzoCast, graduating college, covering the Giants for SFBay, learning from Industry professionals, what's next and more! Watch and listen...

In episode 169 of RizzoCast, we are joined by Ikes Love & Sandwiches founder Ike Shehadeh! We discuss the early origins of Ikes, the story behind putting his face on the brand, shutting out the haters, blending sports and food, favorite celebrity friends, the famous Ohtani offer, fighting through food insecurity, venturing into donuts and more! Check out Ike on Instagram: https://www.instagram...

In episode 168 of RizzoCast, we are joined by new Archbishop Riordan head baseball coach Craig Sargent. We discuss his recent hiring, the plan to transform Riordan’s baseball program, coaching with his dad, hiring Bill Laskey as pitching coach, Bay Area sports fandom, mentor, develop and win, bringing leadership, blending old school and new school and more! Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full...

In episode 167 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former San Francisco Giants outfielder Darren Ford! We discuss his new venture into managing, communicating with young players, the importance of speed to a team, a wild MLB debut, his tenure with the Giants, winning a World Series ring in 2010, playing with Buster Posey and more! Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/Riz...

In episode 166 of RizzoCast, we are joined by San Francisco State University left-handed pitcher Nathan Shinn in the first ever in-person episode! We discuss the his junior season at SFSU, growing as a leader, attending the same high school as Brandon Crawford, the art of pitching, working deep into games, colligate summer leagues, thoughts on arm injuries for pitchers and baseball movie character...

In Episode 7 of Why I Love the Game, we are joined by two baseball fans — Nick Vides and Nathan Swords — as they share their story about how they fell in love with the game, a few of their favorite all-time moments and more! Follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/vnick198 Follow Nathan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nathanswords_ Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://lin...

In episode 165 of RizzoCast, we are are joined by Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Patrick Wicklander! We discuss the beginning of spring training, his offseason workouts, the Rays' pitching philosophy, tossing a no-hitter in high school, growing up in the Bay Area, pitching at Arkansas, playing with type 1 diabetes, life in the minor leagues, the WCAL and more! Follow Patrick on Twitter: https://twitte...

In episode 164 of RizzoCast, Steven Rissotto and Sean Young are joined by New York Times bestselling author Jeff Pearlman! They discuss the fall of Sports Illustrated, advice to young journalists, humanizing athletes, becoming an author, Tupac book reporting, Barry Bonds, Lenny Dykstra, Deion Sanders and more! Follow Jeff's Substack: https://pearlman.substack.com Follow Jeff on Twitter: https:...

In episode 163 of RizzoCast, we are joined by University of Nevada, Reno infielder Jesse Pierce! We discuss the beginning of the college season, improvements this offseason, taking on a leadership position, going from D1 to JUCO, participating in showcases, almost quitting the game, re-growing his passion, playing for Jake McKinley and more! Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https...