This episode of Bleav in San Diego Baseball features Alex Miniak holding down the mic while Heath Bell checks in from Padres Fantasy Camp in Peoria, Arizona. Alex opens with a quick breakdown of the Padres’ newly finalized arbitration deals and what they reveal about payroll flexibility and remaining roster needs. From there, the show shifts to the lighter, family-driven side of the game, spotlighting the generational magic of Fantasy Camp through camper stories and classic clubhouse humor — think fried chicken, frosty beers, and glazed donuts.

The highlight of the episode is the arrival of the show’s biggest guest yet: Padres Hall of Famer and Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy. Heath and Jake reflect on their shared history, the pressure of Game 163 in Colorado, and how pitching has evolved from feel and grit to today’s analytics-heavy approach — and what that shift means for the modern game. The conversation reinforces what still matters most in baseball: team chemistry, experience, and above all — belief.

Bring your six-string — it’s time to strum some songs, talk some baseball, and create some memories.

Chapters:

00:00 - Padres Arbitration Updates: Adam, Morejon, Sheets, Miller, Fermin Locked Down;

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The bags are packed for Arizona! Alex Miniak catches up with co-host Heath Bell as the 3x MLB All-Star heads off to Padres Fantasy Camp, breaking down what makes the annual trek so special. Beyond the love of baseball, it’s about reconnecting with familiar faces, welcoming new campers, and building genuine friendships that last long after the week in Peoria wraps up.

Alex then shifts gears to life on the road behind the mic with Monster Jam, explaining why motorsports delivers a level of fan and driver access different from baseball. The two bond over the simple joy of watching kids of all ages meet their heroes — whether that hero is pumping 100 mph fastballs or climbing into a 12,000-pound monster truck.

The episode closes by circling back to baseball, with a look ahead at Padres FanFest, the calm-before-the-storm of the offseason, and spring training inching closer by the day. And of course, it wouldn’t be Bleav in San Diego Baseball without Padres Junk Wax Gems—highlighted by a 25-cent Darrin Jackson special. Cha… ching.

Chapters:

00:00 - Heath Bell: Packin' for Padres Fantasy Camp;

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In this New Year’s edition of Bleav in San Diego Baseball, Alex Miniak and three-time All-Star Heath Bell ease in between the holidays with plenty of humor and perspective. Alex recaps his recent work at the NBA G League Winter Showcase in Orlando, drawing parallels between basketball lifers grinding for opportunity and baseball players who persevere through long minor-league journeys in hopes of sticking at the highest level.

The conversation then shifts to Padres news, highlighted by the re-signing of Michael King. Alex and Heath break down why the deal feels like a win-win: added stability for a rotation that needs it, flexibility for the club, and a chance for King to reestablish value after injury. They also discuss the addition of KBO infielder Sung-mun Song as a low-risk, high-upside depth move, emphasizing the Padres’ recent focus on smart value signings and building roster depth heading into Spring Training.

The episode wraps with the latest Padres Junk Wax Gem, spotlighting a 1991 Upper Deck Mark Parent card and using it as a springboard to discuss the unseen careers and lifers who help sustain the game. Alex and Heath close by sharing personal goals for the new year before sending listeners into 2026 with stories, laughs, and plenty more Padres baseball to come.

Chapters:

00:00 - Holiday Cheers and Happy New Years!;

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The Voice of Petco Park, Alex Miniak, and three-time All-Star Heath Bell kick off the episode with holiday chaos, spotlighting Heath’s impressive gingerbread houses before shifting to baseball and unpacking fallout from the Winter Meetings.

Padres trade rumors are in full swing, with names like Ramón Laureano and Mason Miller circulating as San Diego looks to balance starting pitching needs, rebuild the farm system, and stay firmly in World Series contention. Alex and Heath discuss the realities of dealing from positions of strength, why blockbuster moves take time, and how A.J. Preller may once again reshape the roster through creative trades.

The episode wraps with another edition of Padres Junk Wax Gems, featuring what may be the ugliest baseball card pulled yet — a 1991 Bowman Jim Presley — adding a grand total of $1.59 to the growing piggy bank. Equal parts Padres insight, offseason outlook, and holiday humor, it’s a reminder that sometimes — like gingerbread (and roster building) — the best results come when you’re willing to wait.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to Bleav in San Diego Baseball;

Stay in the lineup — follow Bleav in San Diego Baseball on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content and follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok for more Friar Faithful fun!

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It’s off to Orlando as Alex Miniak and three-time All-Star Heath Bell welcome Padres Radio Network pre- and postgame host Sam Levitt from Baseball’s Winter Meetings. Sam breaks down the early free-agent action — including big deals for Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, and Edwin Díaz — and explains what Díaz’s move means in the ever-escalating Dodgers arms race. He dives into what’s realistic for the Padres this offseason, what “blockbuster” really means when A.J. Preller is involved, and why Padres fans shouldn’t obsess over what L.A. is doing.

Back in the studio, Alex and Heath roll into a full holiday-themed warmup — complete with movie debates, a Clark Griswold jersey, and a peek inside Heath’s annual gingerbread house project. Heath reveals the surprisingly elaborate engineering behind his builds: trees, tiny people, homemade icing mortar, and yes… even a chimney that smokes.

To close it out, the guys unwrap this week’s Padres Junk Wax Gem: a 1988 Score Tim Flannery card. They reminisce about Flannery’s playing days, his coaching legacy, his three World Series rings, and his second life as a musician who’s shared the spotlight with members of the Grateful Dead.

Chapters:

00:00 - 'Tis the Season for Holiday Movie Classics!;

Stay in the lineup — follow Bleav in San Diego Baseball on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content and follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok for more Friar Faithful fun!

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In today's episode of Bleav in San Diego Baseball, Alex Miniak checks in on preparations at the “Heath Bell Gingerbread House Factory,” where the 3x All-Star is gearing up to bake and build as many as 20 homes for friends, family, and a New Year’s celebration. It’s peak festive chaos in the Bell household!

From there, the discussion turns to meaningful baseball moves. Former Padres manager Mike Shildt is heading “home” to the Baltimore Orioles organization, taking on a player-development role that reconnects him with the franchise he grew up with. The conversation then shifts to Toronto’s massive commitment to Dylan Cease — seven years and $210 million — and what that says about durability, value, and the evolving expectations for starting pitchers in today’s MLB landscape.

Finally, the guys have some fun with Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day, debating which era of baseball they’d most want to play in — from the Golden Age to the pitcher-dominated ’60s to the wild expansion era of the ’70s and ’80s. It’s a nostalgic, imaginative finish that brings baseball history to life.

Chapters:

00:00 - Holiday Cheer and Gingerbread Houses at Casa de Heath;

Stay in the lineup — follow Bleav in San Diego Baseball on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content and follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok for more Friar Faithful fun!

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Fresh off Thanksgiving, Alex Miniak and Heath “The Wreath” Bell kick off a post-turkey edition of Bleav in San Diego Baseball. The guys share their family weekend highlights — from Alex’s annual hosting gig at the Christmas Brass & Organ Concert to Heath’s holiday adventure with Hulu tech support.

They’re joined by a special guest: Andy Geib, longtime trombonist for San Diego’s own reggae stars Slightly Stoopid and a die-hard Padres fan. Andy takes listeners inside his musical journey — from picking up the trombone in third grade to touring the world and playing iconic venues like Red Rocks. He also shares what it’s like performing the national anthem at Petco Park and relives the electric 2022 NLDS win over the Dodgers.

Then it’s time for a round of Junk Wax Gems as the trio breaks down a 1988 Fleer Mark Davis card, tests each other’s knowledge of Padres Cy Young winners, and tells stories only true fans can appreciate.

Chapters:

00:00 - Thanksgiving Reflections: Turkey, Theaters, and a Testy Hulu;

Stay in the lineup — follow Bleav in San Diego Baseball on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content and follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok for more Friar Faithful fun!

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In this holiday edition of Bleav in San Diego Baseball, Alex Miniak and Heath Bell reunite after their Florida trips, with Heath recapping his Mets Fantasy Camp experience and a near-miss championship run ultimately undone by “father time.” The mood then shifts as they pay tribute to Padres legend Randy Jones, honoring not only his Cy Young career and status as the franchise’s first true homegrown star, but his lasting impact as a warm, humble community figure whose legacy extended far beyond the mound.

The duo also breaks down the Padres’ reported coaching changes, including the additions of bench coach Randy Knorr and hitting coach Steven Souza Jr., emphasizing how familiarity, trust, and relatability will be vital for first-year manager Craig Stammen as he builds his staff and clubhouse culture.

To close, Alex introduces a Black Friday-themed fan poll inviting listeners to choose one hypothetical free-agent pickup. Heath leans toward Kyle Schwarber’s power, while Alex makes the case for Pete Alonso’s steady production at first base, blending offseason speculation with the show’s signature mix of insight and personality.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome Home from Mets Fantasy Camp Heath!;

Stay in the lineup — follow Bleav in San Diego Baseball on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content and follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok for more Friar Faithful fun!

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This episode of Bleav in San Diego Baseball brings Alex Miniak and Heath Bell to Mets Fantasy Camp for a special conversation with Mets legend Howard Johnson — two-time World Series champion, Mets Hall of Famer, and one of the most dynamic third basemen of the 1980s. HoJo reflects on his unlikely journey from facing the Padres in the 1984 World Series to becoming a cornerstone of the swagger-soaked Mets teams that defined an era in New York.

Johnson opens up about his evolution from a speed-first player into a power-hitting 30–30 trailblazer, redefining what was possible for a switch-hitting infielder. He shares how trusting his natural game — instead of chasing home runs — unlocked his most productive and consistent years. The conversation also explores the joy of his transition into coaching, where he helped shape the careers of Mets stars like David Wright and José Reyes.

It’s a love letter to baseball’s past, told through the voice of a player who lived it — and a fan-turned-broadcaster who never stopped believing.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome Mets Hall of Famer Howard Johnson!;

Stay in the lineup — follow Bleav in San Diego Baseball on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content and follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok for more Friar Faithful fun!

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On this episode of Bleav in San Diego Baseball, Alex Miniak checks in with Heath Bell as he reports from Mets (...really?) Fantasy Camp in Florida. The hosts break down the Padres’ unexpected decision to hire former reliever Craig Stammen as their next manager and explore how his long-standing organizational ties and respected clubhouse presence could shape the team heading into 2026.

Alex and Heath also dive into key roster developments: Dylan Cease and Michael King receive qualifying offers, Yu Darvish is officially ruled out for the season, and the Padres lock in outfield stability by exercising Ramón Laureano’s team option. Awards season brings more good news to San Diego as Manny Machado claims another Silver Slugger and Fernando Tatis Jr. secures his second Platinum Glove. The episode also spotlights a meaningful civic tribute — the renaming of a block near Petco Park as Peter Seidler Way.

The show wraps with a reflective conversation on the Netflix documentary "Who Killed the Montreal Expos?," sparking memories from both hosts about Montreal’s storied baseball past and the franchise’s lasting imprint on the game.

Chapters:

00:00 - Heath Bell... Live from Florida?;

Stay in the lineup — follow Bleav in San Diego Baseball on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content and follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok for more Friar Faithful fun!

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