Big League Dreaming The Podcast

Big League Dreaming The Podcast - A show about baseball, dreams and family.This week, John Gonzalez, the dad, is being joined by two of his three sons, Ty and Zak, as they catch up on the MLB playoffs, react to the Brewers’ surprising run against the Dodgers, and debate whether Los Angeles can fight its way back into the series. They also discuss the Guardians–Rays matchup, José Ramírez’s heads-up baserunning, Shohei Ohtani’s struggles, and their ideal World Series matchups.Before getting into postseason baseball, John shares his dilemma over giving up his Tigers season tickets—and passing on a chance to take batting practice at Comerica Park.In this episode:John explains why he decided not to renew his Tigers season ticketsThe family debates whether skipping the batting-practice invitation was a good moveZak shares why he would fully embrace being a Mariners season-ticket holder if he lived closer to Seattle.Reactions to the Brewers taking a commanding lead over the DodgersJosé Ramírez’s smart steal that helped create a key Guardians rally. And how one defensive lapse can change a playoff game.Why Ohtani may be struggling—and whether injuries are affecting his swing.Ty makes the case for a Dodgers comeback at home.They all share their preferred World Series matchups.Chapters00:01 Welcome to the show and playoff check-in01:33 John’s Tigers season-ticket decision04:08 Why being a season-ticket holder is about more than the games06:18 Playoff surprises: Brewers, Dodgers, Guardians, and Rays07:35 José Ramírez’s playoff instincts and a costly error09:15 Brewers–Guardians World Series talk09:49 Shohei Ohtani’s postseason struggles12:32 Why a fresh World Series matchup matters14:14 Can the Dodgers come back from three games down?16:20 Home-field energy and final playoff predictions18:30 Where to find Big League Dreaming the PodcastListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Where to follow us atX: @BLDPODTikTok: @bigleaguedreaming

MLB 2026: Our picks for the postseason.

John Gonzalez is joined by his sons Zak and Ty for Season 6 of Big League Dreaming the Podcast. With Zane unable to join this episode, the family talks baseball, dreams, and what makes the game special—from October hopes and underdog stories to the memories made along the way. John is a Tigers fan. Zak a Mariners fan. Ty a Mets fan. And Zane a Red Sox fan.

John Gonzalez is joined by his sons Zak Ty for a baseball-family conversation centered on Justin Verlander’s final start and whether he belongs in Cooperstown as a Tiger or an Astro. They also look at how starting pitching has changed, why Verlander’s longevity is rare, and what the atmosphere should feel like at Comerica Park for his farewell

Big League Dreaming the Podcast is a show about baseball, dreams and family. It is hosted by a dad (John Gonzalez) and his three sons (Zak, Ty and Zane). Each week they interview those with big league dreams growing up and how they are living those dreams today.

In this episode, they explore the nuances of Division III baseball, coaching philosophies, and the importance of mental performance in the game, featuring head coach Clint Helton from Maryville College in Tennessee.

Coach Helton grew up about 40 minutes from the college, played for Maryville College (Scots) and eventually made his way back as an assistant coach and then head baseball coach in 2020.

Key  topics:

• Division III baseball's unique qualities
• Clint Helton's coaching journey and philosophy
• The role of mental performance in baseball
• Recruiting strategies for college baseball
• Impact of COVID on college sports and team building
  

Takeaways:

• Division III baseball emphasizes passion and love for the game over scholarships.

• Effective coaching involves continuous learning and adaptation.
• Mental performance is crucial and can be coached with the right tools.
• Recruiting focuses on finding the best fit and character, not just talent.
• Success often comes from humility, resilience, and strategic growth.

Big League Dreaming is a podcast with a dad and his three sons, talking about the game they love.

On this episode: MLB expansion is suddenly more than a future dream - it could be the next big shakeup for baseball, with new teams on the field as soon as the early 2030s. If you care about realignment, rivalries, and where the next baseball hotbed should be, this conversation breaks down the cities, the timeline, and the dominoes that have to fall first.

John Gonzalez, the dad (and the Tigers fan), is joined by his three his sons - Zak (Mariners), Ty (Mets) and Zane (Red Sox) - for a lively family debate on what expansion could actually look like once the A's and Rays situations are settled and the next CBA is in place. The crew reacts to the latest reporting, weighs the frontrunners, and gets into the ripple effects that could reshape the league.

You'll discover:

• Why Salt Lake City is emerging as a serious contender
• How Raleigh, Nashville, Portland, and Montreal fit into the conversation
• The three requirements every expansion city needs: ownership, stadium funding, and a stadium site
• What a 32-team MLB might mean for divisions, scheduling, and playoff seeding
• Which historic rivalries MLB would try to preserve, and which teams could end up in surprising new homes

The discussion also gets into unlikely possibilities, including a potential return of the Montreal Expos, and what expansion could mean for minor league baseball, from new farm system alignments to towns that might get a second shot at affiliated ball. Along the way, the family debates whether MLB would move toward four-team regional divisions, how interleague play could change, and why the CBA may be the key that unlocks everything.If you've been wondering whether baseball is headed for a bigger map and a totally different structure, this episode gives you the clearest, most entertaining look at what's coming next. Big League Dreaming comes out with new episodes every Saturday morning.

Tarik Skubal returned to Comerica Park on Friday, Aug. 28, just weeks after being traded from his former team, the Detroit Tigers, to World Series back-to-back Champions, the Los Angels Dodgers.

On this podcast, John Gonzalez, and his sons Zak and Ty, welcome guest Earl Bovia, a longtime Detroit sports fan, who later in the podcast travels to Comerica Park with John to see the game.

We speculate the reaction of fans early in this podcast, then Earl and John recap Tarik's outing as they watch the game slip away from the Tigers in a 2-1 loss.

Thanks for tuning in. We will be back next week with a new episode.

The Chicago White Sox turnaround is no longer a fluke and Jeff Cohen of FutureSox breaks down exactly why they might be built to last. If you’ve been waiting for the September stretch run to reveal who the real contenders are, this is the conversation that connects the dots.

John Gonzalez is joined by sons Zak and Zane, two of his three sons on the Big League Dreaming podcast, plus Jeff Cohen, who covers White Sox prospects across Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Kannapolis.

Together they unpack the trades, call-ups, and development decisions that have transformed one of baseball’s most surprising teams into a legitimate force.

You’ll discover:

• Why the Crochet trade is paying off for both the White Sox and Red Sox
• How Chris Getz reshaped the organization by surrounding himself with the right development voices
• What Murakami, Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery, and Sam Antonacci are each bringing to the lineup
• Why Hagen Smith may be the bullpen weapon that changes the team’s ceiling
• Which September call-ups could help the White Sox hold the lead down the stretch

The episode also zooms out to the bigger AL Central picture, where the White Sox, Tigers, Twins, and Guardians all have flaws, and every series matters. John, Zak, and Zane debate what separates a team that merely hangs around from one that can actually win when the pressure spikes.

Jeff brings insider perspective from the minor league pipeline and explains why this year feels different, not just exciting. If you want a real look at how a rebuild becomes a contender, and why confidence, coaching, and player development matter more than hype, this one is essential listening.

This episode of the BLD Pod is perfect for White Sox fans, prospect watchers, and anyone who loves baseball conversations with family, insight, and a little September optimism.

Big League Dreaming - the Podcast is a show about baseball, dreams and family. It's a dad and his three sons talking about the game they love.

On today's show, John Gonzalez, the dad, and his oldest son, Zak, talk to Owen Austin from South Carolina, who shares his journey through college baseball, the MLB draft league experience, and insights into the mental and technical aspects of pitching. This episode is perfect for aspiring players and baseball fans interested in the behind-the-scenes of professional development.

Owen played at Spartanburg Methodist College and Western Carolina. In the podcast he says he is trying to determine what's next after not getting drafted or signed after the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft.

In the show he says:

"The mental side of the game is something I've learned a lot about... Trust in your physical ability boosts your mental game."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Owen Austin's background
02:36 Experience in the MLB Draft League and Appalachian League
07:11 Guidance from coaches and off-field support
11:27 Mental approach to pitching and handling disappointment
15:07 Pitching style and arsenal explained
18:58 Self-coaching and learning from YouTube
23:12 Mental focus and grounding techniques in high-pressure situations
27:23 Memorable game experiences and big environment moments
31:53 Early baseball influences and love for the game
34:14 Life as a triplet and family background
37:37 Walkout songs and personal touches in baseball
38:09 Closing remarks and future outlook

After Months Away, We're Back!

DAD SETTLES HIS 3 SONS DEBATE: WHO IS THE BEST BASEBALL PLAYER?A show about fulfilling your dreams and taking it to the next level. Life is built on dreams.A family podcast about pursuing your Big League Dreams.Where to listen to the podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51WmGrQyjEgrZ0cP9uV9B5Anchor: https://anchor.fm/big-league-dreaming-the-podcastGoogle Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy81OWU0M2ExNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/big-league-dreaming-the-podcastPocket Casts: https://pca.st/h3v0lgceRadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/big-league-dreaming-the-podcast-853orxWhere to follow us atTwitter: @BLDPODTikTok: @bigleaguedreamingTimecodes00:00 Welcome to Big League Dreaming3:37 The Best Baseball Player Debate12:20 Who Is The Best Player In PRIME?19:37 ZANE'S CHOICE23:40 BESR VS BBCOR DEBATE25:24 Looking Ahead to the MLB Season