Podcast Episode 8 -- News reporter turned minor league broadcaster Mike Capps

Mike Capps enjoyed the type of career that most news journalists could only dream they could attain, winning awards, and covering some of the biggest stories of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. But he gave it all up to become a minor league baseball play-by-play announcer.

In Episode 8 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, we learn how walking out of his tryout with the Montreal Expos in 1969 led Capps to a career in journalism. He was honored with the George F. Peabody Award for the investigation over a three-year period that resulted in the downfall of the SMU football program. He covered 16 Space Shuttle missions, two tours of duty in the first Gulf War, Hurricane Alicia, the Midwest Floods, the overthrow of the Haitian government, and earned a National Emmy Nomination with CNN for a 10-hour-long broadcast for the fiery end of the Branch Dividian Siege in Waco.

But one morning, Mike woke up with a bedpost in his right hand and blood on his forehead. That's when he knew that he needed to leave television journalism and change his life. And it was baseball that saved his life.

Listening options:

* PodBean: click here

* iTunes: click here

* Spotify: click here

* Google Play: click here

* YouTube: click here
 

Podcast Episode 7 -- Pitcher/Comedian Tim Dillard

When you think of somebody who has spent their entire career playing for one organization, you usually think of Tony Gwynn with the Padres, Chipper Jones with the Braves, or Cal Ripken, Jr. with the Orioles. The name Tim Dillard probably does not come to mind. 

Yet in many ways, it's even more remarkable that Dillard has only played for the Milwaukee Brewers organization: 16 years total, parts of four years in the majors (73 appearances), and 12 years in the triple-A Pacific Coast League, eight when the affiliate was in Nashville and four when the affiliate was in Colorado Springs. [Dillard also played very briefly for an independent team.]

In Episode 7 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, we discuss how and why Dillard has stayed with one organization, how at age 34 his value now is just as much as a quasi-coach and therapy dog as it is a relief pitcher, based primarily on the 500-plus videos he's made and posted on social media.

We also discuss growing up around the ballpark when his father was a minor league manager, his initial "callup" to the majors, his conversion to sidearm pitcher, his next "callup" to the majors, and his most recent "social media callup" to Milwaukee.

Listening options: 

* PodBean: click here

* iTunes: click here

* Spotify: click here

* Google Play: click here

* YouTube: click here

Podcast Episode 6 -- Switch Pitcher Pat Vanditte

Pat Venditte is the most unique pitcher in professional baseball. He's ambidexterous. He's not a switcher hitter. He's a switch pitcher. Yes, he throws left-handed *and* right-handed, usually in the same game.

In Episode 6 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, we learn the story of how Pat's father had this idea of making him a switch-pitcher, when Pat realized throwing with both arms was not normal, the confusion it caused to some people, the challenge of learning to pitch with both arms, and the advantages it creates.

We also discuss how few options he had leaving high school, getting a chance to pitch at Creighton University with both arms, his hilarious professional debut that inspired a rule to be named after him, when he nearly quit baseball in the minor league, why he needed to reinvent himself after injuries, and what it was like making a Major League debut that was unlike anything we've seen in decades.

Listening options:

* PodBean: click here

* iTunes: click here

* Spotify: click here

* Google Play: click here

* YouTube: click here

Podcast Episode 5 -- Broadcaster/Author Tim Hagerty

Tim Hagerty is the play-by-play announcer for the El Paso Chihuahuas (Padress AAA affiliate), the author of a book titled, "Root for the Home Team," and a correspondent for The Sporting News specializing in unusual tales from minor league baseball's colorful past.

In Episode 5 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, it's not an interview. It's just two baseball nerds talking baseball history -- unusual stories that you can't believe are true, and stories that you thought you knew but didn't completely know.

We learn about a very dangerous foul ball, the earliest attempts to speed up baseball, how to play a game when the infield is saturated, why the Detroit Tigers didn't want to tag out a baserunner one day, what happens when a ball is split in half, and when did Pete Rose actually break the all-time hits record.

Listening options:

* PodBean: click here

* iTunes: click here

* Spotify: click here

* Google Play: click here

* YouTube: click here

To purchase a copy of Tim's book, click here.

Podcast Episode 4 -- Brian & David Holman

Brian Holman thought he knew heartache on the pitchers mound. He once retired 26 batters in a row, against the defending World Series champion Oakland Athletics, before Ken Phelps spoiled the perfect game with a pinch hit home run. His promising career ended prematurely due to shoulder injury ... and then he experienced real heartbreak.

Brian needed open-heart surgery. His daughter Kassidy was diagnosed with leukemia. His son David fell 30 feet off a ski lift and nearly died, then doctors discovered a tumor in his brain that required surgery. David made a full recovery and he's now pitching for the Colorado Rockies triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque.

In Episode 4 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, we visit with Brian and David about the highs and lows of baseball, injuries, life in the hospital, the strength of their family, and the enduring bond of baseball.

Listening options:

* PodBean: click here

* iTunes: click here

* Spotify: click here

* Google Play: click here

* YouTube video from the night Brian Holman was almost perfect.

Podcast Episode 3 -- Chris and Pat Valaika

Chris and Pat are two of the four Valaika brothers that were the starting shortstop for the Hart High School baseball team for 13 years. All four were drafted by Major League Baseball teams. They experienced a rare on-field reunion from June 5-7, 2018 when the triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes (Pat's current team) played the Iowa Cubs (where Chris is now a coach).

On Episode 3 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, Chris and Pat sat down to discuss baseball, brotherhood, and what it's like when your father is thousands of miles away, and you're unable to speak to him ... because he's been in a coma for over three years.

Listening options:

* PodBean: click here

* iTunes: click here

* Spotify: click here

* Google Music: click here

* YouTube clip of Pat's emotional home run on Father's Day:

Podcast Episode 2 -- Ballhawk Zack Hample

Many people hope they get a ball when they attend a baseball game. A few lucky people have secured multiple baseballs. Zack Hample has obtained over 10,000 baseballs at 53 different stadiums, and incredibly, this is now his job. Yes, getting baseballs at ballparks is how he makes his living.

In Episode 2 of the "Life Around the Seams" podcast, we trace this incredible journey, from his first ball at Shea Stadium, his first summer as a dedicated ballhawk, the strategy involved in getting Alex Rodriguez's 3,000th hit (a home run), the controversy surrounding negotiations for the ball, how this hobby became his job, why people pay him money to attend a game, and how much longer he can continue as the most famous ballhawk in the country.

Listening options:

* PodBean: click here

* iTunes: click here

* Spotify: click here

* Google Play: click here