The Top Step with Ryan Rowland-Smith

3 time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer kicks off Season 2 of The Top Step. 'Mad Max' is one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation. Hall of Fame bound we talk about it all. The 2020 season, his role with the players union and the conversations that went down in the middle of a pandemic, how he feels about the game today. Going from game 7 of the world Series to pitching with no fans an...

Peter has one of the most fascinating stories in baseball, he was arrested after a year in rookie ball, released and returned to Australia to get on with a life away from professional baseball. 10 years later he reemerges to go onto a 10 PLUS year career in the Major Leagues becoming one of the most reliable relievers in the game.  Enjoy some epic stories and how he feels about the game now.  Be s...

Seattle Mariners Dave Sims has been the play by play voice of the Mariners since 2007 but came to Seattle with a huge resume doing everything from play by play National game of the week on ESPN to hosting on Radio in the #1 Market in the country. We cover his career. covering baseball during the covid-19 2020 60 game sprint season to the Black lives matter movement and African American players mak...

Former NFL line backer and current Seattle Seahawks color analyst Dave Wyman joins me as we cover everything from COVID 19, kids returning to school, how he met his former cheerleader wife and what it's like to be a 'Bogan' (google it).  Make sure you click subscribe wherever your laughing along on your workout, drive to work or monster truck rally and enjoy this episode as Dave Wyman joins me on...

Charlie Furbush was one fo the most colorful characters on the field before constant shoulder issues cut his career short. We discuss everything from making that post career transition, how it's ok to be yourself inside a clubhouse, what really goes on when you have to deal with constant injuries, how he met his fiancée oh and  how COVID shut down their big wedding day and everything else you want...

Seattle Mariners outfielder Braden Bishop is big part of the M's rebuild. He is also the driving force behind some ground work battling ALzeimers diseases.  The diagnosis of Suzy Bishop (his mom) with Early Onset Alzheimer's prompted Braden  to start the 4MOM Charity.  We discuss his charity, how to break into the big leagues and how todays player is becoming a voice across social media on social...

Tyler Maun has worked literally every international baseball competition there has been the last 3-5 years. If you want to get into broadcasting you need to tune in. Extremely talented and will be calling MLB games in the near future We me in Japan at the Olympic Qualifiers back in November and straight away hit it off. One of my favorite times to be in a broadcast booth was sitting next to him la...

Part 2 of the Matt Boyd conversation. We talk about his amazing charity protecting kids in Uganda against sex trafficking as well as what the Detroit Tigers have to look forward to, what it means to be on a rebuilding team and more!  Enjoy! 

Seattle born and raised Matthew Boyd is the ace of the Detroit Tigers and also has one of the nastiest breaking balls on the planet.  We discuss how the players are feeling about this current negotiation to get back onto the field as well as my favorite, the mental side of pitching and what he has overcome on his way to becoming n established front of the rotation guy! He even shares a story of th...

Former MLB Outfielder and current broadcaster for the Colorado Rockies Ryan Spilborghs is one of the most charismatic likable guys in the game and honestly someone I look up to as a fellow broadcaster.  After an up an down career in the Major Leagues that included a National League Championship with the Rockies he transitioned into his new role as a baseball analyst and is absolutely killing it. I...

Jon Ryan punted 11 years in the NFL mostly known for his time with the Seattle Seahawks becoming a Super Bowl Champion. But it wasn't all glory days for Jon, coming from the CFL and living in a motel 6 in Phoenix to get a crack with an NFL team.  From there he has literally done it all, 11 years in the NFL as a fan favorite, American Ninja warrior, married a celebrity comedian and even owns a base...

Grant Balfour is an MLB All Star, 10+ years in the big leagues as one of the most dominant closers but more importantly, one of my best mates! He has been through a ton n his career and has meant a ton to me as a friend and a mentor. On this episode we talk about what separates him, we also relive some of those battle with him and and Orlando Cabrera and Victor Martinez when 'Balf Rage' takes cent...

The Big Maple and New York Yankee's starting pitcher James Paxton is one of the most dominating pitchers in the Major Leagues, the canadian rushes it up there in the upper 90's but before the Pin Stripes and the domination, there was some serious adjustments Pax had to make! We dive into everything from his mental skills training, adjusting to life as a Yankee and of course facial hair! This episo...

Justin Dunn is a big part of the Seattle Mariners rebuild and after this conversation it's easy to see why the organization is so high on Justin. We discuss everything from his sneaker obsession to where that chip on his shoulder came from!  For past episodes with MLB players, comedians and MMA fighters and to be inspired by their journey and enjoy their stories go to www.thetopstep.com/podcast OR...

A little include from the usual Monday morning guest on the Top Step, my good mate Jessamyn Mcintyre and I exchange all the wonders of quarantine from ZOOM mishaps to the 3 images that you'll always remember when thinking back to this isolation! We all need some laughs so slip in those headphones, relax and enjoy this episode as Jess joins me on the Top Step  You can also watch this episode on You...

Jon Morosi is an MLB insider who I guaranteed has popped up on your TV multiple times either on MLB Network or Fox Sports. On this episode we discuss possible plans for MLB to return in 2020 as well as the international game and the culture inside the clubhouse in today's game.  If you're enjoying this podcast please subscribe and PLEASE leave a review!  thank you so much for tuning in!  You can a...

Comedian Adam Ray joins me on the Top Step    My mate Adam was born and raised in Seattle, is a huge Mariners fan and now becoming a household name in Hollywood and in Stand up comedy. You can check out his podcast, video’s, tour dates  and more at adamraycomedy.com   Please visit thetopstep.com to view this episode and check out more episodes with MLB players to MMA fighters!    Sit back relax, g...

6 x UFC Champion and MMA Legend Randy Couture has had arguably the most successful MMA career of all time. From his days as a college drop out with no idea what was next and his first son on the way to his meteoric rise to the 6 UFC world titles and onto Hollywood Action roles. We take a dive into his journey as well as find out his mind set before stepping into the octagon as well as what it's li...

Seattle Mariners pitcher Justus Sheffield is a huge part of the organizations 'rebuilding' project and this exciting young core of players they hope will change the trajectory of the organization.  The first rounder ou of high school has already been a part of two high profile trades, a demotion to AA before finally finding some success! We also talk about his arrest for under age drinking and tre...

James Clifford has been with the Seattle Mariners  for over 25 years and is an integral part of the performance of every player who steps on the field. A two sport athlete at the University of Washington and a year away from the NFL draft a knee injury changed his life forever. We discuss mental toughness, how the game has changed, how he has influenced the current Mariners roster, exchange a few...

Jessamyn and I discuss everything from sitting inside, MLB robo umps to big cat royalty on Netflix!  We all need some laughs while we're stuck inside so hope you enjoy this episode of 'The Top Step'.    

Former MLB outfielder Eric Byrnes is one of the most polarizing figures to cover Baseball on MLB Network. His energy and drive to challenge himself is next to impossible to keep up with. Most athletes struggle to find their identity once they retire from professional sport, Byrnsey was just getting started. He has completed ultra marathons broken an endurance golf world record and continues to run...

The Australian native went from being a guy who could not stay on a roster to becoming one of the best closers in the game in 2019. This is a fun episode for me as my fellow Aussie and I go back and forth on our journey to the US as young players, the Australianisms and dive into what it was that turned him into an establish Major League closer! 

Due to this historic time in all of our lives and the need for a few laughs, I have added, along with the interviews the all new isolation session of the Top Step.  Jessamyn McIntyre is the executive producer of the Danny and Gallant morning show on 710ESPN Seattle. She is also a sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Seawolves and Washington State football!   We talk everything but s...

Dan Altavilla is a pitcher for the Seattle Mariners with some of the nastiest stuff in the big leagues. He made his debut back in 2016 only taking him 2 years to reach the highest level. The roller coaster sped up from that point on dealing with injures, doubt and everything in between. Join Dan and I on the Top Step as we discuss his rise from barely getting recruited as a high school kid, to wha...