Rosters to Rings Podcast

What makes a front office job attractive, even when the team is struggling? Hosts Thad Levine and Chet West use the Angels' GM opening to explain how baseball executives evaluate ownership, payroll, player development, and long-term opportunity. It's a rare inside look at how front offices really think, followed by listener questions on the NBA offseason and MLB All-Star selections. See omnystudio...

Thad Levine and Chet West break down the early MLB managerial shakeups, including why the Mets moved on from Carlos Mendoza, how the Phillies have responded under Don Mattingly, and the difficult balance between front office decisions, injuries, and on-field performance. Thad offers an inside look at how organizations evaluate managers and when a change becomes necessary. Then, longtime Dallas spo...

Thad Levine and Chet West dig into the Brendan Sorsby story, including the gambling angle and what it says about the growing pressure around college athletes in the NIL and betting era. They also break down Team USA’s World Cup outlook and debate whether promotion and relegation could ever work in Major League Baseball. From transfers and sportsbooks to national teams and baseball’s co...

Rosters to Rings welcomes new co-host and longtime friend of the program Chet West to the show. Chet and Thad break down everything fans need to know about the current MLB labor negotiations, including the key issues being discussed, the role of a salary floor and cap, how television revenue impacts the process, and what both owners and players are really trying to accomplish behind the scenes. Th...

Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall joins the show to discuss his journey from living in a camper while working in Minor League Baseball to leading one of baseball’s most fascinating front offices. Nick reflects on his early days around the Moneyball-era Athletics, the mentors who shaped him, and what it takes to build and sustain a small market franchise in today&rsq...

Coach James Rowson joins  Rosters to Rings to break down the art and science of building a championship offense in the Bronx. Rowson sits down with Thad Levine to discuss the pressure that comes with coaching under the lights of New York Yankees. From clubhouse communication to helping elite hitters make adjustments at the highest level, and the added pressure of working with the players own...

Ron Washington returns for Part 2 to relive the highs, heartbreak and brotherhood of the iconic Texas Rangers teams he managed alongside Jon Daniels and Thad Levine. Wash opens up about the 2009 season, the support he received from his clubhouse, the fearless mentality those Rangers teams carried, the pain of losing the 2011 World Series, and the relationships that defined his managerial career. P...

In Part 1 of a two episode special, Ron Washington returns to familiar company, reuniting with his former Texas front office of Thad Levine and Jon Daniels. From his early days in the game to a 50-year career in the majors, Wash shares the stories, lessons, and edge that defined his path, while Thad and JD take you inside the hiring process that made him a cornerstone in Texas. See omnystudio.com/...

Thad is joined by longtime MLB reporter and insider Ken Rosenthal for a wide-ranging conversation on his journey covering Major League Baseball, how he approaches Hall of Fame voting, and what it takes to land scoops in today’s fast-moving media landscape. They also break down the recent managerial firings in Boston and Philadelphia, revisit how Ken helped uncover the Houston Astros sign ste...

In Part 2 with Jerry Dipoto, Thad and Jerry discuss his rise from interim GM to leading the Los Angeles Angels, the difficult decision to step away, and how that path led him to the Seattle Mariners. Jerry shares what it takes to take over a franchise, the early days of building in Seattle, the trades you make and the many you don't, and the bold deal for Luis Castillo in 2022 that helped shape on...

Former NBA GM Tommy Sheppard joins the show to break down the evolving situation with the Milwaukee Bucks, the realities of tanking and the pressure facing contenders this postseason. Plus, a full NBA Playoff preview including upset watch teams, breakout candidates, and the matchups that could define this year’s run.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thad sits down with longtime colleague and Seattle Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto for Part 1 of a wide-ranging conversation on his journey through the game. Before becoming one of baseball’s most active front office leaders, Dipoto was a big leaguer with a deep understanding of the game from the clubhouse. He shares his sports origin story, experiences as both a pitcher and switch hitter, and what...

Thad is joined by Duke football GM Binuk Kodituwakku for an insightful conversation on today's college sports landscape. From building Australian football teams to now building a roster in the NIL era, Binuk breaks down how Duke evaluates talent, uses analytics, navigates the transfer portal, and balances elite academics with winning football. A real look at what it takes to build a Blue Devil tod...

Thad sits down with longtime MLB journalist and author Ken Davidoff to dive into the evolution of baseball on and off the field. From covering the New York baseball market to stepping away from the game due to burnout, Ken shares how the media landscape has changed and some of the moments that defined his career. They also get into some of baseball’s biggest debates today, including how Aaro...

NFL insider Adam Caplan joins the show to share his journey from sales to becoming one of the most trusted voices in football, now covering the Philadelphia Eagles and running Inside The Birds. Adam and Thad dive into the current NFL landscape, from coaching turnover and QB development to what teams get wrong. Plus, Caplan shares his experience on NFL Insiders, what goes into breaking news respons...

'Let Her Shoot' and 'Heat Check' host, media personality, and trailblazer Trysta Krick joins Thad Levine to talk about her journey through the sports media world, including her time at Barstool Sports and what it takes to build a voice in a male-dominated industry. They also dive into the buzz around Bam Adebayo’s historic 83-point performance, Trysta gives a preview of the Women's NCAA Tour...

In Part 2 of this conversation on Rosters to Rings , host Thad Levine continues his in-depth discussion with legendary sports journalist Andrea Kremer. One of the most respected interviewers in sports history, Kremer reflects on the conversations that helped shape her remarkable career covering the NFL and the biggest stories in sports, including the moments when preparation, trust, and timin...

In Part 1 of this special two-episode conversation, Thad Levine sits down with Hall of Fame journalist and broadcaster Andrea Kremer, to trace the roots of one of the most respected voices in sports media. Before the Emmys. Before the NFL sidelines. Before breaking barriers for women in sports broadcasting there was a young sports fan who simply loved the game. Andrea shares what it was...

In this mailbag episode of Rosters to Rings , Thad dives into some of the biggest storylines around Major League Baseball: The recent spike in hamate bone injuries — why they’re happening and how they impact hitters long-term What it could mean for the league if MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark steps down Why Lucas Giolito remains the last major free agent on the market and what tha...

Part 2 of this Rosters to Rings conversation, Adrian Beltré reflects on the moments that defined his legacy—from the joy of reaching the 2011 World Series to the heartbreak of Game 6 slipping away. Beltré opens up about the call that changed his life when he learned he was headed to Cooperstown, what it meant to finally hear his name alongside the game’s greats, and how h...

Part 1 of this two-part Rosters to Rings conversation, future Hall of Famer Adrian Beltré sits down with MLB executives Thad Levine and Jon Daniels to tell the story behind the player fans came to admire—and opponents came to fear. Beltré walks through his origin story, from growing up in the Dominican Republic to signing as a teenager and navigating the brutal learning curve o...

Thad Levine continues his conversation with longtime NBA executive Tommy Sheppard, diving deeper into leadership, front-office life, and what it really takes to work in sports. Tommy shares a memorable story involving legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian, reflects on handling adversity, and breaks down the principles that guide successful leaders behind the scenes. A must-listen for anyone curious abou...

In this episode of Rosters to Rings, former NBA executive Tommy Sheppard shares his origin story and the lessons learned from years inside NBA front offices. Joined by Thad Levine, the conversation explores what truly defines leadership in players—beyond talent, stats, and contracts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GMs Thad Levine and Jon Daniels are joined by Eagles VP of football administration and The Athlete Group founder Jake Rosenberg to talk all things team building in today's sports landscape.  Jake sits down to talk through his work with The Athlete Group and how college teams are dealing with this chaotic NIL world, what separates Eagles GM Howie Roseman from the rest, and look at how teams sh...

Thad is joined by NFL GM Tom Telesco to talk through the ins and outs of firing season in the NFL, as coaches and front offices have started to get let go from their teams this week.  First, Thad and Tom break down the College Football Playoff as we are down to four teams. They look at Indiana's remarkable turnaround and the paths Ole Miss, Oregon and Miami took to get here. Then, the GMs loo...