PollockonPoint

Parra pitched for the Brewers and Reds from 2007-15 as both a starter and reliever and compiled 29 wins over 322 games. He tossed only the third-ever 9 inning perfect game in Pacific Coast League history in 2007 (ironically, as we were recording on May 5, Baltimore's John Means came close to tossing a perfect game and settled for a no-hitter) in just his second Triple-A start shortly before earning his promotion to the big leagues. The left-hander battled injuries throughout his career but is still contemplating giving it one more go in Mexico this season. A really insightful look at pitching, the influence of pitching coaches and family on the life of a pro ball player. 

Doug toed the rubber for 11 years in the big leagues between 1991-2001 with the Brewers, Mets, Giants, Astros and Royals before becoming a coach in the Braves and Kansas City organizations. He and I crossed paths in Triple-A Omaha in 2011-12 before he became the Royals bullpen coach and was a part of their World Series championship team in 2015. He played with Barry Bonds in college and in the big leagues and is a staunch defender of the controversial outfielder. Tune in, I think you'll enjoy our retrospective of his career and some of the other guys he played for and with.  

Friends since we worked together in El Paso in 1999, Coolbaugh and I discuss his new position and team and past roles with the Rangers, Orioles and White Sox as well as his playing career in the big leagues and overseas. He is a baseball lifer who has been coaching for 20+ years and has been able to adapt well to the use of data and analytics in his approach to teaching hitting. We left our after the game stories for when we see each other in person..hope you enjoy!!

We discuss a range of topics including the recent Hall of Fame voting, Mike Trout, the Yankees, the Phillies (our hometown team) signing of JT Realmuto and hiring of Dave Dombrowksi, where Trevor Bauer might land and the passing of the legendary Hank Aaron. A lot covered in about a half hour of baseball conversation. 

We discuss Tommy's tenure as the hitting coach at Triple-A Omaha, where we worked together from 2011-15, his hitting & teaching philosophy, his career in the big leagues with the Pirates and Braves, including the 1991 World Series team, as well as his stellar football career at Wake Forest. 

A fellow suburban Philadelphian who perservered and persisted to live out his dream by pitching in the big leagues. He was on his way back from injury and independent ball in 2007 when we worked together with the Huntsville Stars, Milwaukee's AA affiliate at the time, a year before he finally made it to The Show. We'll go on his 10 year journey to get there, what it was like when he finally made it and how he also pitched in the World Baseball Classic for Italy. 

A conversation with my former broadcast partner with the El Paso Diablos in which we discuss his nearly 24 years in the minor leagues before getting his shot in the big leagues, his favorite cities to dine and a few funny recollections from our time together in the booth.