1186 | The Pod - Official Podcast of the University of Virginia Baseball Program

Associate head coach Kevin McMullan is back to discuss the start of fall ball this weekend and his days competing in Fun Fridays.

The head coach joins the 1186 crew to take a look back at a historic 2024 season. Coach O'Connor talks about what the offseason entails for the Cavaliers and talks about the USA Baseball experience he went through as a coach in 2018 and what it will be like for rising sophomores Henry Ford and Eric Becker.

Coach O'Connor's takeaways from 2024 season (0:00-3:18). THREE out of four years, the Hoos have been Omaha. Coach talks about the resiliency of the program after a few down years and CoVID (3:18-5:05). In Omaha, junior pitcher Jay Woolfolk had some powerful words on the podium after the final game. Coach O'Connor reflects on his storybook season and others through his coaching career (5:05-11:25). Success on the field brings on opportunities, Coach talks about the offseason rumor mill (11:26-15:55). The offseason processes begin quickly after getting back from Omaha, Coach O'Connor gives some insight on what the summer schedule looks like (15:56-19:52). The Cavaliers get a critical piece back for 2025, Jacob Ference. Coach O'Connor talks about the first piece of good offseason news for the roster (19:53-22:00). How do the Cavalier coach keep tabs on the guys playing summer ball (22:01-23:10). Coach talks about his Team USA experience back in 2018 and his role in putting together the roster (23:11-31:55).

The story of the 2024 Charlottesville Regional was the performances on the mound by Cavalier pitchers. On this week's episode the 1186 crew chats with pitching coach Drew Dickinson to get his thoughts as UVA sits two wins away from the College World Series.

Kenny Towns aka "Mr. June" joined the podcast. As the 2024 Cavaliers embark on their NCAA Tournament journey its only fitting to have UVA's all-time leader in NCAA Tournament games played, hits, and RBI weigh in on his experiences. And of course we discussed "The Play".

Head Coach Brian O'Connor drops by to chat with the 1186 crew about the upcoming ACC Tournament in Charlotte.

Assistant Coach Matt Kirby has done it all for the Hoos in 13 years on staff and joins the 1186 crew for this week's episode. He dives into the his new role, looks back at past experiences and his journey to UVA.

Episode Details

Coach Kirby is now a full-time staff member and serves as the program's recruiting coordinator. He discusses his new role and how the staff is approaching the evolving recruiting process (0:00-9:55). As the program's camp director, Coach Kirby saw some future Hoos including Henry Ford and discusses his commitment to learning campers names (9:56-16:48). The connection with Coach Mac and his path to UVA (16:49-22:30). The story of crossing paths with future UVA Baseball Hall of Famer, Brandon Waddell, before both were at UVA (22:31-30:38). His first impressions of UVA the UVA coaching staff when he first started (30:39-33:39). Coach Kirby as everyone's favorite "player" (33:40-35:36).

Fresh off final exams, third years Griff O'Ferrall and Anthony Stephan become the first active player players to join the 1186 crew. 

Episode Details: 

Final exams are over and its time to be just baseball players. Griff and Anthony talk about their last final exams and what its like as a baseball player moving forward (0:00-3:12). With an Omaha experience under their belts, the duo discuss what is like preparing for a possible return (3:13-4:38). The game after finals break is always an odd one because of the week off for finals (4:39-6:43). The team home run record fell for the third straight week. Were the guys aware of how close they were (6:44-8:00). Let's talk about home run celebrations. How do they come about? (8:01-11:40). Virginia baseball's reputation prior to getting to UVA and how Anthony and Griff got to UVA (11:41-16:20). The impact of transfers to UVA and how they get acclimated (16:21-20:43). Griff and Anthony dive into the topic of being a multi-sport athlete when you're young (20:44-24:45). The Fenway Park experience (24:46-28:05). Lessons learned on the 2023 road to Omaha (28:06-31:00)

Former UVA All-American and current student assistant coach John Hicks joined the 1186 crew. Hicks was a fourth round MLB draft pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2011 and spent over a decade playing professional baseball including six years in the big leagues with the Mariners, Tigers and Rangers. Hicks is expected to graduate with his degree from UVA this spring and has been serving on the Cavaliers coaching staff this season. 

Episode Details: 

John explains his path back to UVA, the changes in the program since he wore the orange & blue and his role with the current team (0:00-4:45). John is a semester away from graduating and goes into his new prespective on his educational experience at UVA (4:46-7:45). There has been a long line of student assistants at UVA and John talks about joining the exclusive club (7:46-10:47). John is now on the other side, joining the coaching staff so he compares his time as a player and his current experience as a coach (10:48-14:45). John is part of a long line of versatile players to come through UVA and talks about how it helped him in college and eventually pro ball (14:46-18:55). John chats about the changes in the game, specifically on the offensive side of the ball (18:56-22:10). A trip down to memory lane to a few of the most iconic moments in UVA history that John was a part of (22:11-32:48). The show wraps up with John's plans after graduation and weekly  trivia from the 2011 (32:49-36:41)

Head coach Brian O'Connor returns to show to give a state of the union for the program as the team nears the midway point of the 2024 season. Virginia has won 21 of its 25 games this season and travels to No. 11 Duke this weekend for a three-game ACC series.

Coach O'Connor (The Godfather) gives his assessment of the 2024 Cavaliers through its first 25 games of the season  (0:00-3:45). The way UVA has been winning after trailing has been nothing short of remarkable, Coach touches on the numerous comeback wins (3:46-9:36). The storylines and surprises of the 2024 season, along with the impact of the newcomers (9:36-17:13). Runs are up around college baseball, Coach O'Connor talks about the technology and how it impacts all facets of the game - preparation, strike zone, development of hitters and more (17:14-27:57). Revisit how big the game three win at Miami was in early March (27:58-30:17). Injuries this season has created more opportunities for guys that might not have got them otherwise (30:18-32:38). Show and tell time from Coach O'Connor's office (32:39-34:18). This week's trivia question revisits Coach O'Connor's first ACC win of his tenure and the lasting impact it has made on the program (34:19-39:51).

Former Virginia Cavalier and current Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott joins the show. He pitched for the Hoos from 2018 to 2021 and was integral in UVA's run to the 2021 College World Series. Abbott struck out 327 batters in his four years in Charlottesville, the second most ever by a UVA pitcher.

Episode Details

The 1186 crew touches on the weekend in Miami and looks to the week ahead that includes five home games and a Hawaiian shirt giveaway (0:00-3:30). Andrew recounts his fond memories of playing Wake Forest that included a 16-K, no-hit performance (3:31-5:08). His decision to come back to UVA after COVID shortened draft and the impact it had on the rest of his career (5:09-9:30). Andrew describes his recruitment path to UVA (9:31-14:35). Continuing the postseason tradition in 2021 and his experience in the College World Series (14:36-17:00). His prespective on Coach O'Connor's leadership and how the 2021 CWS run transpired (17:01-22:10). Life so far as a professional baseball player for the Reds and the story of his MLB debut (22:11-25:40). UVA's role in his preparation for the big leagues (25:41-26:58). Run ins with fellow Pro Hoos (26:59-29:30). Abbott talks about his recent impact on the current team and his gift to the program (29:31-31:03). Andrew's storied high school swimming career (31:04-31:50). Some Cincinnati Reds trivia (31:51-33:35). His free time playing golf and his brief UVA hitting career (33:36-35:53)