In this episode of Sources Tell Jeff Passan, Jeff Passan sits down with Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero for an honest conversation about his remarkable path to the major leagues—and the challenges facing baseball today. Junior reflects on being traded from the Cleveland organization to the Rays. He also looks back on one of the most unforgettable moments of his career: crushing the game-winning home run in the LIDOM Championship and unleashing a bat flip that many believe is one of the greatest ever seen in baseball. The conversation then shifts to some of the sport's biggest and most important topics. Jeff and Junior discuss the proposed MLB salary cap, what it could mean for players and the future of the game, and the often-overlooked realities facing many Latin American prospects. Junior shares insight into how young players are frequently exploited financially and the pressures that can lead some teenagers—as young as 10 years old—to use performance-enhancing drugs in pursuit of a professional career. Timecodes: 0:00       Welcome to Sources Tell Jeff Passan 2:10       Rays Junior Caminero Joins Sources Tell Jeff Passan 3:21       Developing a fast swing and being signed by MLB at Age 17 6:06       Getting Internet Fame off one swing and growing up in DR 9:28       Baseball is Life and Importance of Education 14:03     Junior Caminero on MLB Scouting 17:31     Thoughts on being traded by Indians 20:10     What the Rays saw in him and playing in Australian Baseball League 33:02     Hitting the ball, “Perfect, Perfect.” 31:30     Making MLB Debut with Rays and playing for Albert Pujols 38:07     Breaking down Homerun that won the LIDOM Championship 44:50     Becoming an everyday player for the Rays 46:54     Free Agency and Salary Cap 52:30     Importance of having Latin player representatives during labor talks 59:31     Love for WBC as a Dominican Player 1:01:44  After baseball wants to become a DJ and golf enthusiast  1:02:52  How the game of baseball talks to you 1:05:32  Why the Rays are always competitive  1:07:57  Wrapping up Sources Tell Jeff Passan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special episode, Jeff Passan is joined by legendary sports and rock 'n' roll photographer Michael Zagaris, along with special guests Jose Canseco, Billy Beane, and Dallas Braden. They share behind-the-scenes stories from some of the sport's most iconic moments, including Canseco's famous beefcake photo shoot for Madonna, how Zagaris helped inspire Brad Pitt's portrayal of Billy Beane in Moneyball, and Braden's unforgettable perfect game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special episode of Sources Tell Jeff Passan, Jeff hands out his inaugural MLB Midseason Awards, The Sourcies. He’s handing out hardware for the accomplishments that actually matter. Joining him are MLB players Jo Adell, Logan Gilbert, Jake Mangum, and Corbin Carroll, who accepted their prestigious award with great pride.  From hilarious clubhouse stories and unforgettable moments to the quirks, celebrations, mishaps, and innovations that defined the first half of the season, this episode celebrates the side of baseball that doesn’t show up in the box score. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 1994 Major League Baseball strike remains one of the most consequential labor disputes in sports history—canceling the World Series, dividing fans, and reshaping the future of the game. More than three decades later, host Jeff Passan sits down with Hall of Fame pitcher and former player representative Tom Glavine to revisit one of baseball's most turbulent chapters. Glavine offers a firsthand account of the events that led to the strike, the tensions between players and owners, the difficult decisions made behind closed doors, and the lasting impact the work stoppage had on the sport. This conversation provides a rare insider perspective on a defining moment in baseball history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Baseball has always been a game of routines, rituals, and maybe a little bit of magic. This week on Sources Tell Jeff Passan, Jeff explores the fascinating world of baseball superstitions. Former MLB pitcher Turk Wendell—one of the most famously superstitious players in baseball history—joins the show to discuss the routines that defined his career and why he never considered them superstitions at all. Then, psychologist and author Dr. Stuart Vyse breaks down the science behind superstition: why athletes cling to rituals, why we believe certain behaviors can influence outcomes, and what those habits reveal about the human mind. From the mound to the mind, this episode examines why superstition has remained such a powerful part of baseball culture for generations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keith Hernandez joins Sources Tell Jeff Passan for a wide-ranging conversation about baseball, broadcasting, and life after the game. First, Keith is joined by his longtime friend and former Mets teammate Ed Lynch to revisit the unforgettable 1980s Mets—sharing stories from the clubhouse, memories of the personalities that defined the era, and what made those teams so special. Then, Gary Cohen joins the show to discuss his decades-long broadcast partnership with Keith, why Keith's authenticity resonates with fans, and how the legendary broadcaster has become one of baseball's most beloved voices. Plus: the rise of Hadji, Keith's social-media-famous cat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Johnson County Community College isn’t just the best junior college baseball team in the country — they’re building one of the greatest seasons the NJCAA has ever seen. Jeff Passan sits down with JCCC Head Coach Eric Horner alongside players Colin Coonradt, Ryan Bradford, Liam Roche, and Victor Christal as the Cavaliers continue their run through the NJCAA World Series. JCCC entered the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed with an astonishing 63-3 record after putting together a program-record 41-game winning streak. At the center of the story is freshman phenom Ryan Bradford, who shattered the NJCAA single-season home run record with 42 homers. From record-breaking performances to championship expectations, this episode dives inside one of the most remarkable teams in the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeff Passan is joined by Jacob Misiorowski for a deep dive into one of MLB’s biggest clubhouse obsessions: Pokémon cards. Trevor May and Jameson Taillon stop by to talk favorite pulls, legendary cards, visiting card shops they’ve found on the road, and how collecting has become a way for players across baseball to connect. Plus, Jeff opens packs with the guys and finds out just how competitive MLB players can get over Pokémon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aaron Boone and legendary umpire Joe West join Jeff Passan to break down one of baseball’s greatest traditions: the ejection. From Boone’s iconic “Savages in the Box” meltdown to Joe West tossing Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, and countless others, this episode dives into the relationship between managers and umpires, the psychology behind arguments, and whether there’s truly an art form to getting tossed.   (0:00) The art of the ejection (2:09) Aaron Boone and Joe West join the show  (2:22) Relationship between Managers and Umpires (3:36) What makes a good umpire? (4:45) Joe West’s first ejection victim Joe Torre (7:40) Umpire’s jobs during the game (9:45) Aaron and Joe’s ejection records (11:15) More on Joe Torre (12:25) Growing up in a big league clubhouse (14:28) Speeding up guys at the plate (15:30) Joe West insulting Big Papi (17:00) Boone ejected in 1st MLB game (20:33) Umpires fining players & equipment violations (22:50) Ejecting Bobby Cox from WS (24:10) Savages in the box ejection (26:25) Calling and arguing balls and strikes (29:35) Is there an art form to the ejection? (31:45) ABS affecting Boone’s ejection rate  (33:03) Have you ever intentionally tried to get ejected (34:34) Everyone’s ejected, see you next time Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeff and Richard Staff dive into the language of baseball. They explore their favorite terms, with help from Hall of Famer George Brett, Pete Fairbanks, and Tim Kurkjian along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices