Talkin Shop with Coach Ballgame, Chop, and Flikke

Meet one of the most dynamic infielders to ever play the game.  He's one of only 12 players to have multiple 30 x 30 seasons.  That's 30 Home Runs and 30 Stolen Bases in the same season.  He's 4th all time in leadoff home runs.  Ian Kinsler is a 4 time All Star, 2 time Gold Glover, and a World Series Champ.  He's also participated in the Olympics and the World Baseball Cla...

"Longo" is an absolute Pro.  This 3 time All Star has a Rookie of the Year Award and 3 Gold Gloves in the trophy case, but it's his humble start that makes this conversation so interesting.  How did he deal with getting zero college scholarships out of high school?  How did he make the jump to one of the elite third baseman in the game?  And how were the Giants SO GOOD last yea...

If you grew up in the 80's, he was definitely one of your favorite shortstops.  Shawon "Pops" Dunston drops in to chat about his 18 year Major League Career, and the coaching career that followed.  Why did his dad have to stop playing catch with him when he was a kid?  What was Chicago like back in the day?  What's Andre Dawson like?  What does 3 World Series rings feel li...

They call him "The Reverend." This 2 time World Series Champion and 4 time All Star is a born leader.  He's unique, full of energy, and as authentic as they come.  We dive into the dynasty that was the San Francisco Giants.  What made those teams so great?  Why did he hustle every ground ball out?  What's his advice to the young player today?  Buckle up, because this...

He's energy.  He's electric.  He's just straight up FUN.  He's also one of the best utility players in the game.  Kiké is a joyful bright light, and he's coming off his best year yet with the Boston Red Sox.  How did he get to where he is today?  Where did he learn to dance?  Who's his favorite teammates?  What's his wife's love language?  It's all here...

He needs no introduction because he's the Hall of Famer Joe Buck!  He's called 24 World Series and 6 Super Bowls.  He's the top broadcaster at Fox Sports, where he's won 8 Emmy's.  He's the father of 4 beautiful kids and he's one of Coach Ballgame's best pals.  He's hilarious.  He's awesome.  He's Joe Buck.  This is a good one!  Tune in and enjoy!

He's caught the likes of Verlander, Scherzer, Sale, Greinke, Price and Lester.  His nickname is the "Titanium Catcher" because he's so tough.  Alex Avila is one of the most respected players in the game.  In his 13 year career, it's safe to say he's forgotten more baseball than we will ever know.  In this conversation, we discuss what it's like catching a No Hitter from Justin...

In this second half of the conversation with Blake, we discuss bullying.  How did he treat his bullies?  What did he learn from them?  How did his faith propel him forward?  Now look at him.  Throwing 98 MPH whiffle balls in the Show.  Coach Ballgame also implements a new segment in the podcast called "Playing Pepper."  It was an incredibly insightful and honest...

He was the fat kid growing up.  He was diagnosed as a Pre-Diabetic.  He was bullied.  He was told he couldn't play baseball many times over.  Meet World Series Champion, and one of the best Relief Pitchers in the MLB...Blake Treinen.  How did he overcome all the obstacles?  Find out here, in Part 1 of 2.  We discuss his journey, and the steps taken to get to wher...

"You're Killing Me Smalls!"  He's the brainchild and the narrator of a film that has been called "The Most Quoted Movie Of All Time."  Meet David Mickey Evans, The Writer and Director of a timeless classic called THE SANDLOT.  We take a deep dive with DME to get to the origin of it all.  Why did he write it?  Where did the idea come from?  What's his favorite line in...

He's a 2 time World Series Champ, 4 time Gold Glover, 3 time All Star, and Full Time Clubhouse DJ.  He's also a father of 4, and he's REALLY good looking.  We discuss his favorite music genres, which is as eclectic as the Giants Clubhouse.  In Kindergarten, he told his dad he was gonna be a Major Leaguer.  He turned that love into a crazy hard work ethic.  From Friday Nigh...

Angels fans will never forget...He hit 3 bombs in Game 5 of the 2002 ALCS, en route to the only World Series the Halos have ever won.  Adam Kennedy also led the nation in hits his sophomore and junior years of college.  He's a grinder.  He's a gamer.  He's a great conversation.  We discuss the mental side of the game, as a player and as a coach.  How do we find that b...

Merry Christmas to everyone!  Since it's Christmas, and since we are jolly, we put out an extra podcast this week in hopes of finding the BEST Christmas Movie of all time.  This category has juggernauts, sleeper picks, and confusion.  Is "Trading Places" a Christmas movie?  What about "Diehard?"  It's a dynamite showdown between Coach Ballgame and Coach Chop.  Enjoy t...

Tombstone, Roller Coasters, and Trix Cereal are just some of Brandon Belt's favorite things.  This 2 time World Series Champ has been a bonafide MLB stud for the better part of the last decade, and he had an incredible season in 2021.  What you may not realize is "The Baby Giraffe" is one of the funniest people in the game.  He owns Kangaroos.  He's obsessed with Sea Otters. &n...

Mookie Betts is one of the biggest names in professional sports.  From his Mom being his first Little League Coach, to his daughter teaching him to use his imagination, we unpack how a kid from Tennessee who thought he'd be a basketball player and bowler became a 2 time World Series Champ and MVP.  Above all, he's a man of character and it shines through big time in this interview. &nbsp...

Win The Heart | Los Angeles Dodgers Manager, Dave "Doc" Roberts joins the program this week.  His resume speaks for itself, but we unpack the man behind it all.  You can't find a more enthusiastic, kind manager in Major League Baseball.  From the janitor, all the way up, he's got a PHD in how to treat people.  Doc shares with us where he learned that, and why serving others is...

The Wolf | Former Major League Pitcher and 4 time World Series Champion Javier Lopez talks shop.  We discuss the life of a relief pitcher.  What really goes on out there in the bullpen?  How did you keep your heart rate down in a high leverage situation in a World Series?  He also shares the joys and challenges of coaching his own son now.  Prior to Javier's interview, Bal...

Dad Advice | We have our first guest!  Former Major League Catcher Nick Hundley joins the program.  He shares his best Dad Advice, his favorite teammates, and the coolest Buck Showalter Story of all time.  Enjoy!

Ballgame and Chop discuss their favorite college teammates.  They also tap into failures they've made as coaches, and the different methods they've learned along the way to create a stern, but loving tone.  Keep your head on the swivel for tips on commanding the attention of kids, while still being the most fun coach ever.  

These 2 Baseball Lifers have compiled almost 40 years of youth coaching experience.  Their mission is to change the culture of youth sports from a win at all cost mentality to one of nurturing life skills.  In this pilot episode, we learn the WHY?  Why do these 2 men spend countless hours on baseball fields enlightening our youth on the importance of character and joy?  There's...