Break A Bat! where Baseball Meets Broadway

From February 2021.

Darryl Strawberry steps into The Batter’s Box for Episode 69! Beloved by both Mets and Yankee fans during his time on Broadway, the New York baseball legend has just authored a new book Turn Your Season Around: How God Transforms Your Life. In the book, Strawberry uses both his baseball performances and deep faith to share foundational principles that have helped shape who he is today.

Strawberry’s playing career was filled with many highs on the field including 8 All-Star Game selections, 4 World Series Championships, and 335 career Homeruns to his name. He accomplished all of this while battling tremendous inner-demons that he’s since overcome, and speaks candidly about with host Al Malafronte. As 2021 marks the 35th anniversary of the iconic 1986 New York Mets championship team, we also looked back on the wild and crazy ride that Strawberry endured as a key member of one of Broadway’s most beloved casts. Strawberry also performed at one of Broadway’s most famous theatres in Yankee Stadium from 1995-1999, and that tenure was certainly filled with plenty of behind the scenes stories. Whether it was bench-clearing brawls, the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, or dramatic moments in the playoffs, Strawberry bares it all in this intimate conversation that can be enjoyed by baseball and theatre fans alike.

Turn Your Season Around is available for purchase here.

Connect with Darryl Strawberry on Instagram: @darrylstrawberry18

Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Hosted by Al Malafronte

Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network 

Edited by Matthew Hendershot

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From May 2020.

Abby Mueller steps into The Batter’s Box with host Al Malafronte for Episode 33! Mueller discusses some of the parallels she sees in high levels of performance both on stage and at the stadium, having grown up in a family that embraced both sports and the arts. Both of her parents were esteemed actors in Chicago’s theatre scene, and her grandfather, Bill Mueller, played centerfield for the Chicago White Sox in the 1940’s. Mueller even shares a memorable ’scene’ that her grandfather had on the field with the great Joe DiMaggio, while the White Sox hosted the New York Yankees at the historic Comiskey Park.

Mueller has taken The Great White Way by storm in All-Star caliber fashion ever since her Broadway debut in Kinky Boots in 2013, has since gone onto star in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical in which she played Carole King, and is currently set to take the stage in one of Broadway’s most anticipated shows of the upcoming season - Six the Musical, starring as Jane Seymour.

Not unlike quarantined ballplayers gearing up for MLB Opening Day, Mueller is staying atop her game for Six’s eventual opening and offers insight into why she believes the show garnered such a passionate fanbase in its out of town tryout. She also discusses what she’s looking forward to most about its official opening upon Broadway’s return, and just how needed theatre will be to help bring joy back to the city.

Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network 

Edited by Matthew Hendershot

Connect with Abby Mueller on Instagram: @abcmuell and Twitter: @abcmuell

Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

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From March 2022.

Kristen Ledlow joins us to celebrate Women's History Month! Best known for her presence in the basketball world as the host of Handles on NBA TV, and her work through her years as a courtside reporter for TNT, Ledlow's role as a woman in the sports world is marked by incredible integrity when it comes to storytelling, knowledge, and a personality that shines through in every broadcast. This week, she joins us to discuss the responsibility that comes with her position in the game, the barriers she's helped break for women in the sports world, and her love of the arts. Whether it's the NBA playoffs, Glee, or Les Mis, our chat truly goes up and down the court in a really special way.

Connect with Kristen Ledlow on Instagram: @kristenledlow

Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Hosted by Al Malafronte

Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network 

Edited by Matthew Hendershot

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From December 2020.

New York Yankees legend Bobby Richardson steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 65! Over the course of a storied 12-year career spanning 1955-1966, Richardson was selected to more All-Star Games (8) and won more Gold Glove Awards (5) than any 2nd Baseman while performing on Broadway. He also won the 1960 World Series Most Valuable Player Award when he set an all-time Fall Classic record with a remarkable 12 Runs Batted In. That record still stands today, as Richardson would go onto retire as a member of 4 World Championship casts, and the proud owner of a lifetime .305 Batting Average in the World Series.

In our 2020 finale, Richardson talks with host Al Malafronte about some of his fondest memories while dawning the pinstripes. Whether it be performing with some of the most iconic casts and characters in baseball history, leading the American League in hits in 1962 with 209, or catching Willie McCovey's screaming liner to close out the World Series, his countless stories were nothing short of a joy to listen to. He also touched on the special relationship he had with his teammate Mickey Mantle, especially during the final years of Mantle's life. It was Richardson that had Mantle's funeral, and delivered a passage that's since become key scripture in the baseball community in "God's Hall of Fame." We were fortunate enough to hear Mr. Richardson recite those words in this conversation that was as uplifting as anything we've ever experienced on this podcast.

Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Hosted by Al Malafronte

Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network 

Edited by Matthew Hendershot

(Photo by Photo File/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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From October 2019. Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Al Jardine steps into the Batter's Box for Episode 6! A founding member of The Beach Boys, Jardine is also a lifelong fan of America’s Pastime. Fresh off a triumphant performance at the Beacon Theatre alongside Brian Wilson, Jardine chats with host Al Malafronte for an intimate conversation about his fond memories of California baseball’s early days. Jardine presents pointed ideas about what would make a successful Broadway musical featuring the band’s iconic song catalog and even breaks some news on that front. He also discusses the creative peaks, as well as the turmoil surrounding very specific periods of The Beach Boys’ history. This was a special interview for your host, Al Malafronte, who grew up with the band’s music as part of his life soundtrack.

Connect with Al Jardine on Instagram: @aljardine409 and online at: www.aljardine.com

Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

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From September 2020.

Orfeh steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 50! From pop stardom to Tony and Drama Desk nominations, Orfeh's accomplishments in show business now span more than three decades. She got her start in the performing world as one half of the pop group Or-N-More in the early ’90s, before making her Broadway debut in Footloose in 1999. She’s since gone onto establish herself as a household name in the Broadway community through her powerful voice and memorable performances in Saturday Night Fever, Legally Blonde, and most recently, Pretty Woman.

This raw and candid chat covers everything from the highs and lows of baseball and show business, her success in the recording studio and on Broadway, the Double Play combo she's formed on stage with her husband Andy Karl, and even the subject of Jeter & A-Rod!

Connect with Orfeh on Instagram: @orfeh and Twitter: @official_orfeh

Subscribe to Orfeh and Andy Karl's YouTube Channel here.

Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Hosted by Al Malafronte

Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network 

Edited by Matthew Hendershot

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With spring training right around the corner, here's an archive release from June 2020!

Johnny Damon steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 37! Damon's big league career spanned 18 seasons, in which he cemented a legacy as one of the top outfielders of his generation, and one of the greatest leadoff hitters of all-time. More than 15,000 players have dawned a Major League Baseball uniform throughout history, and Damon ranks 32nd all-time in Runs Scored (1,668), 49th in Doubles (522), 55th in Hits (2,769), and 68th in Stolen Bases (408) - feats which remain gold standards for any performer.

However, as Damon touches on in this episode, his ultimate measure of success was winning championships, and he holds the distinction of being one of only four players to win World Series Championships as both a member of the Boston Red Sox (2004) and New York Yankees (2009). There was no bigger contributor to either team, and our conversation covered so many of the stories behind his success.

Damon's career mirrors those of many Broadway greats, whether it be proving himself as a performer under the brightest of Broadway lights, handling career crossroads, and thriving in different types of roles on a team or cast. We even played some Baseball meets Broadway trivia in this week's 7th Inning Stretch!

Off the field, Damon continues to do some tremendous work with his own foundation. The Johnny Damon Foundation aims to raise and donate funds to charitable organizations and assists local and national programs that provide leadership and growth opportunities for disadvantaged children at risk. You can find more information about the foundation on its Website.

Hosted by Al Malafronte

Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network 

Edited by Matthew Hendershot

Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images

Connect with Johnny Damon on Instagram: @johnnydamon and Twitter: @JohnnyDamon

Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

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From September 2021.

LOOKOUT! New York's own Victoria Konefal steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 102! Konefal is best known for bringing Ciara Brady to life in NBC's Days of Our Lives and has enjoyed rousing success ever since the launch of the show's miniseries Beyond Salem which is now available on Peacock. This summer, she earned her first Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series for her work on "DOOL," and has some epic stories to go along with her impressive back of the baseball card.

Konefal embodies what it means to be a New Yorker with her undying spirit, realness, and personality that was such a pleasure to have on the show. This week she takes us through her eventful summer and start to the fall, the roots of her passion for both performing and the New York Yankees growing up in Brooklyn, and even her longstanding Friends fandom that would make Dr. Drake Ramoray proud. Fastball Derby was also in full swing, as Konefal brought the perfect blend of laughs and insight to this free-flowing chat that's a true grand slam.

Connect with Victoria Konefal on Instagram: @victoriakonefal

Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Hosted by Al Malafronte

Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network 

Edited by Matthew Hendershot

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From August 2021.

You know it’s a great day in The Batter’s Box when you're talking about The Muppets, the New York Yankees, and Broadway all within the same hour. However, one might venture that’s par for the course when the legendary Fran Brill steps up to the plate! Brill’s career as an actress on stage and screen spanned more than 40 years. As one of the original Muppet performers, her body of work is marked by a phenomenal ability to create characters, brilliant comedic wit, and ultimately, as a pioneer. She was the very first female performer hired by Jim Henson and she helped pave the way for women puppeteers everywhere. Her many credits with The Muppets include The Muppet Show, The Jim Henson Hour, and of course, Sesame Street, where she brought Prairie Dawn and Zoe to life and into the hearts of children all across the globe.

This week, Brill dives deep with host Al Malafronte to look back on the legacy she’s authored and how it still remains as prominent as ever. It's with good reason that her work has endured through the years, as the way she brought such a huge part of herself to Prairie Dawn ranks up there with any example of character development in Muppet history. There are also many never-been-told stories in this conversation, spanning anything from her first Muppet project (The Great Santa Claus Switch) to nearly losing Zoe on a train to the pre-game ritual she shared with Steve Whitmire before each Sesame Street shooting day. Brill also candidly discusses her decision to retire in 2014, which parallels Mickey Mantle’s choice to step away from baseball amid a changing game and guard of teammates. A big sports fan in her own right, she also offers her takes on Alex Rodriguez’s behavior off the field, and discusses some of her favorite moments at the ballpark.

Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Hosted by Al Malafronte

Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network 

Edited by Matthew Hendershot

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From August 2021.

Adam Pascal steps into The Batter’s Box for Episode 97! Pascal is widely considered to be one of the most respected players in the game here on Broadway, having played for multiple championship casts that have helped shape the fabric of theatre over the past two and a half decades. Whether it’s the stage or screen adaptation of RENT, the Broadway productions of Aida, Memphis, Something Rotten, Chicago, or Disaster!, the back of Pascal’s baseball card is a sight to behold. He’s played on multiple Tony Award-winning teams that have taken home the Best Musical trophy and his individual accolades are highlighted by a Tony nomination and Theatre World Award.

Pascal is currently in the midst of an exciting career retrospective that’s available to stream exclusively on Stellar titled Adam Pascal… So Far. This week he joins host Al Malafronte to not only discuss some of the songs and stories that help shape the retrospective but so much more. Be it giving up his rockstar dreams he had as a kid growing up on Long Island, the best bagels in Huntington, or a "memorable trip" to the old Yankee Stadium, Pascal does not hold back in an incredibly candid (and hilarious) chat.

Connect with Adam Pascal on Instagram: @adampascal

Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Hosted by Al Malafronte

Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network 

Edited by Matthew Hendershot

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices