Big League Dreaming The Podcast

In this episode of Big League Dreaming, John Gonzalez and his three sons recap the highlights of the 2025 baseball season, share their excitement for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, and discuss their predictions for the 2026 MLB season. They delve into the impact of international players, the importance of college baseball, and the evolving landscape of Major League Baseball. The episode concludes with a fun segment where each family member shares their bold predictions for the upcoming season.

Timecodes00:00 Introduction and Technical Glitches00:09 Setting the Stage for the Conversation00:13 Welcome to Bigly Dreaming Podcast01:18 Recapping 2025 Season Highlights04:20 Family Baseball Memories09:03 Looking Ahead to 202612:00 International Players in Baseball16:00 The Curveball Dilemma17:56 The Art of the First Pitch19:29 Looking Ahead to 2026: Prospects and Predictions21:18 Team Dynamics: The Mets and Their Future22:33 The Excitement of Opening Day24:06 Free Agency and Team Strategies25:42 Cinderella Stories: Teams to Watch27:59 The Impact of College Baseball on Major Leagues31:54 Predictions for 2026: Surprises and Expectations

In this episode of Big League Dreaming, host John Gonzalez and his sons engage in a lively discussion with Gavin Booker, a broadcaster for the Rome Emperors, a minor league baseball team. They explore the intricacies of minor league baseball, the challenges of broadcasting, and the excitement of player development. Gavin shares his journey from playing to broadcasting, the rebranding of the Rome Emperors, and insights on promising prospects in the Braves system. The conversation is filled with personal anecdotes, humor, and a deep passion for the game of baseball.

In this episode of Big League Dreaming, John Gonzalez and his sons discuss the latest happenings in baseball, focusing on the winter meetings, offseason trades, and the future of key players like Tarik Skubal and Kyle Tucker. The conversation highlights the uncertainty surrounding the Mets, the rebuilding efforts of the Braves, and the potential moves for the Mariners. The family dynamic adds a personal touch as they share their thoughts and hopes for their favorite teams.

In this episode of Big League Dreaming, host John Gonzalez and his three sons discuss the Major League Baseball offseason, focusing on the upcoming winter meetings. They explore the significance of these meetings in shaping team rosters, the excitement surrounding trade rumors, and the implications of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the future of baseball. The conversation also touches on career opportunities within the sport and concludes with reflections on the importance of family and shared passions.

In this episode of Big League Dreaming, John Gonzalez and his sons, Zak and Ty, welcome special guest Sam Dykstra from MLB Pipeline. They discuss the top prospects for 2026, focusing on Nolan McLean, a promising pitcher for the Mets, and Kevin McGonigal, a standout hitter in the minor leagues. Sam shares insights into the challenges and strategies of ranking prospects, the impact of new MLB rules, and his personal journey in baseball journalism.

The guys discuss all the drama in the postseason, as well as who will win all the MAJOR awards! The conversation takes a turn as it always does into the future of the Detroit Tigers, focusing on the pivotal role of Tarik Skubal in their potential success. The discussion highlights the tough decisions the team faces regarding whether to retain Skubal for another season or trade him for valuable prospects, weighing the risks and rewards of each option.

On this special podcast, John, Zak and Ty Gonzalez of Big League Dreaming recap the Seattle Mariners 8-4 win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park (Oct. 7, 2025).

John and Zak recap their experience at the recent Tigers vs. Mariners game, discussing the excitement of game day, the impact of a rain delay, and their predictions for the upcoming games. They share personal anecdotes about fan interactions, the atmosphere at the stadium, and insights into the pitching matchups. The conversation highlights the emotional rollercoaster of being a baseball fan and the importance of family and community in the experience.

John and Ty will be going to today's elimination game at 3:08 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. The Mariners lead the best of 5 series, 2-1. If the Tigers win, they will travel back to Seattle for a winner take all Game 5. We will have a recap later tonight or Thursday morning.

Chapters

00:00 Post-Game Reflections: Tigers vs. Mariners Game 3

11:09 Game Day Predictions and Analysis

22:10 Looking Ahead: Elimination Game Dynamics

Game 3 Predictions - 2025 ALDS Detroit Tigers vs. Seattle Mariners

In this episode of Big League Dreaming the Podcast, John and Zak Gonzalez discuss the excitement surrounding the playoff games between the Tigers and Mariners. They reflect on past playoff experiences, analyze team performances, and make predictions for the upcoming games. The conversation highlights the unpredictability of playoff baseball and the significance of player matchups.

John and Zak recorded this episode before Game 3 in Detroit at Comerica Park.

Takeaways

The excitement of attending a playoff game together for the first time.

The unpredictability of playoff baseball keeps fans engaged.

Team dynamics can change significantly from previous seasons.

Pitching matchups are crucial in determining game outcomes.

The importance of a strong bullpen in playoff series.

Player performances can swing the momentum of a game.

Fan support and atmosphere play a role in playoff games.

Predictions can vary widely based on team form and injuries.

The significance of individual player contributions in critical moments.

The bond between father and son is strengthened through shared sports experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Playoff Excitement

02:34 Analyzing the Teams and Game Predictions

05:26 Player Performances and Key Matchups

08:08 Final Thoughts and Predictions for the Series

The guys discuss the final game of MLB regular season making predictions on who gets in!

In this episode of Big League Dreaming, host John Gonzalez and his sons discuss the upcoming implementation of the Automated Ball Strike (ABS) system in Major League Baseball (MLB) set for 2026. They are joined by Sam Perry, who provides insights into the technology behind ABS, its impact on the game, and how it will change the dynamics between players and umpires. The conversation also touches on fan engagement and the potential strategies teams might employ with the new challenge system.