Crull Me Maybe

What does it take to become one of the most recognizable voices in sports broadcasting? Atlanta Hawks TV play-by-play announcer Bob Rathbun joins Kelly Crull on Crawl Me Maybe to share the incredible story of how a phone call at just 12 years old changed his life forever.

Bob reflects on his journey from a small radio station in Salisbury, North Carolina, to calling games for the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and Atlanta Hawks. Along the way, he shares unforgettable stories about Marty Brennaman, Sparky Anderson, Bo Schembechler, Greg Maddux, Bobby Cox, Dominique Wilkins, and longtime broadcast partner Nick Ressler.

The conversation also dives into the importance of preparation, mentorship, finding your voice as a broadcaster, and why Bob still loves every moment of walking into an arena after decades behind the microphone.

🏀 In this episode:

• How Bob Rathbun got his first broadcasting opportunity at age 12

• The advice that launched his Hall of Fame-worthy career

• Stories from the Braves' dynasty years and the Detroit Tigers

• Working alongside Dominique Wilkins and covering the Hawks

• Why preparation is the key to longevity in broadcasting

• Advice for aspiring sports broadcasters

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like the video, subscribe for more interviews, and let us know your favorite Bob Rathbun story in the comments!

#BobRathbun #AtlantaHawks #NBA #AtlantaBraves #SportsBroadcasting #KellyCrull #Broadcasting #Basketball #MLB #SportsMedia

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This week on Crull Me Maybe, Kelly Crull is joined by longtime friend, acclaimed baseball journalist, and MLB insider Alanna Rizzo for an honest and inspiring conversation about career pivots, chasing dreams, baseball, family, and finding balance.

From covering the Colorado Rockies and MLB Network to becoming a World Series-winning broadcaster with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Alanna shares the winding path that led her to one of the most respected careers in baseball media. She reflects on the risks she took, the lessons she learned, and the advice she'd give her 10-year-old self today.

Kelly and Alanna discuss:

• ⚾ How Alanna went from a business career to sports journalism
• ⚾ Starting from the bottom in local television and working her way to MLB Network
• ⚾ Seven unforgettable seasons covering the Dodgers
• ⚾ Working alongside legends like Vin Scully, Oral Hershiser, and Nomar Garciaparra
• ⚾ The sacrifices and realities of life in sports broadcasting
• ⚾ Why putting family first changed her perspective forever
• ⚾ Her thoughts on the Braves, Dodgers, Phillies, and the NL playoff race
• ⚾ All-Star Week in Philadelphia and the personalities that stood out
• ⚾ The incredible mission behind Guidry's Guardian Foundation and rescuing dogs in need

Alanna also opens up about one of the most difficult decisions of her career: leaving the Dodgers after their 2020 World Series championship and choosing a different path focused on family, happiness, and work-life balance. 

Whether you're a baseball fan, aspiring broadcaster, or someone looking for inspiration to take a chance on yourself, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughter, and heartfelt stories.

🐾 Learn more about Guidry's Guardian Foundation: https://guidrysguardian.org

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Kelly Crull sits down with Dani Wexelman for an inspiring conversation about the winding road to one of the biggest jobs in baseball.

Dani shares how growing up in St. Louis led her to covering the Cardinals, the setbacks and layoffs that shaped her career, and why embracing failure has been the key to her success. The two also discuss the demanding grind of a 162-game MLB season, balancing multiple broadcasting roles, the importance of storytelling, and why there isn't just one path to making it in sports media.

Whether you're a baseball fan, an aspiring broadcaster, or someone chasing a dream, this episode is full of honest advice, career lessons, and behind-the-scenes stories from two of baseball's most respected voices. 

In this episode:

• Dani Wexelman's journey from Mizzou to the St. Louis Cardinals
• Overcoming career setbacks and staying resilient - The realities of working a 162-game MLB season 
• Play-by-play, sideline reporting, and finding your broadcasting voice 
• Women in sports media and creating opportunities 
• Why failure can be your greatest teacher 
• The power of storytelling in baseball 

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with the biggest names in sports on Crull Me Maybe with Kelly Crull.

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Filipe Costa joins Crawl Me Maybe for a deep and entertaining conversation about his journey from international tennis upbringing to college success at the University of Georgia — and now stepping into the professional stage with INTENNSE Tennis League.

Felipe reflects on moving 16 times growing up, the lessons learned from different cultures, battling through injuries and five knee surgeries, and how those experiences shaped both his game and his coaching mindset. He also breaks down his time at Georgia, competing alongside elite teammates, and why returning home helped define his career.

Now entering INTENNSE Tennis as a player after working in broadcasting last season, Felipe explains what drew him to the league’s fast-paced, team-driven format and how it changes the traditional tennis experience. From playing style and team chemistry to crowd energy and mixed-gender competition, he gives insight into what makes INTENNSE so unique.

We also dive into Costa Tennis Academy, his coaching philosophy built around simplifying the game for players at all levels, and how he hopes to help others become their own coaches on court.

Plus: rapid-fire questions, hidden talents (including guitar and songwriting), toughest opponents, and what’s next for him in this new chapter.

🎾 Topics Covered:
- Growing up moving across multiple countries
- Overcoming injuries and setbacks
- University of Georgia tennis experience
- Transition from broadcaster to professional player
- INTENNSE Tennis League preview
- Team Freeze dynamics and chemistry
- Costa Tennis Academy coaching philosophy
- Rapid-fire Q&A + fun insights

A must-watch for tennis fans, Georgia supporters, and anyone interested in the future of the sport.

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Former Georgia Tech All-American and current Yellow Jackets assistant coach Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Kevin King joins Crull Me Maybe to talk about his journey from growing up in Peachtree City to competing professionally around the world and now helping coach the next generation of college tennis players. King reflects on his early love for the sport, why Pete Sampras became his inspiration, and the lessons he would share with his 10-year-old self about staying present, trusting the process, and embracing every stage of life.

King also opens up about choosing Georgia Tech, balancing the demands of mechanical engineering with high-level tennis, and what it was like playing under longtime head coach Kenny Thorne before eventually coaching alongside him years later. The conversation dives into the transition from college tennis to the professional tour, including the highs and lows of chasing ranking points, battling injuries, traveling internationally, and the financial realities many pro tennis players face outside the top tier of the sport.

The episode also explores the growing excitement surrounding the Intense League, where King competed during the league’s inaugural season and now returns for Season 2. He discusses the unique team atmosphere, the fan energy, and why the league is helping bring a fresh, entertaining approach to professional tennis. Along the way, King shares stories about competition, coaching, fatherhood, and finding balance while juggling life both on and off the court.

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Kelly Saco, Marlins and Heat reporter, joins Crull Me Maybe for an in-depth conversation about her journey in sports broadcasting, storytelling, and life behind the microphone.

She opens up about balancing multiple roles across MLB and NBA coverage, her love for feature storytelling, and how her background as a former Division I softball player helps her connect with athletes on and off the field. Kelly also reflects on her path from growing up in Miami to attending Syracuse University and discovering a passion for broadcasting after initially considering sports medicine.

The conversation dives into:
- Transitioning from athlete to broadcaster
- Overcoming fear of being on camera and speaking publicly
- The importance of staying present in a fast-moving sports industry
- Life covering professional teams like the Marlins and Heat
- Continuing her work in radio alongside TV responsibilities
- Finding balance through hobbies like reading, cooking, ASL classes, and sketching

Kelly also shares personal reflections on growth, patience, and building a career on her own terms while staying true to her love of sports and storytelling.

A thoughtful, candid conversation about career paths, identity, and breaking barriers in sports media.

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Taylor opens up about her journey from growing up around the Colorado Rockies organization to becoming one of the faces of ESPN and the Chicago Cubs broadcast team. She shares stories from Tokyo, college football, MLB travel chaos, balancing life on the road, and what aspiring broadcasters really need to know about the industry. They also discuss: Covering the Cubs rebuild and rise Working MLB and college football simultaneously Life behind the scenes of live television Women in sports media Burnout, balance, and mental health in broadcasting The importance of relationships in baseball Advice for young broadcasters trying to break into the business

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On this episode of Crull Me Maybe, Kelly Crull sits down with Elise Menaker of the Marquee Sports Network for an honest and inspiring conversation about baseball, broadcasting, and the journey that led her to covering the Chicago Cubs.

Before the Cubs head to Atlanta for a huge series against the Atlanta Braves, Elise breaks down:
⚾ Why the Cubs are one of baseball’s hottest teams
⚾ How injuries haven’t slowed them down
⚾ The impact of Dansby Swanson in Chicago
⚾ The growth of Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs’ young core
⚾ Why defense and clubhouse culture are fueling wins

Then the conversation shifts into Elise’s personal story — from playing softball at Cornell University and professionally in Sweden to discovering her passion for sports broadcasting after thinking she wanted to become a fashion designer.

This episode dives into:
🎙️ Trusting the process in your career
🎙️ The lessons sports teach about pressure and resilience
🎙️ How tennis and softball shaped Elise’s mindset
🎙️ The realities of breaking into sports media
🎙️ Why the journey matters as much as the destination

If you love baseball, broadcasting, or stories about chasing big dreams, this episode is for you.

Like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite part of the conversation!

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CBS Sports host and NFL/WNBA sideline reporter Tiffany Blackmon joins Crawl Me Maybe to break down her incredible journey from grinding in small markets to the national stage. From shooting her own highlights in Louisiana to battling layoffs and breaking through at the NFL Network, Tiffany shares the real story behind making it in sports media — including the setbacks, the grind, and the moment everything changed. We also dive into: Her path from Georgia State University to national TV Lessons from growing up in an NFL family The reality of “offseason” life in sports media Advice for aspiring broadcasters trying to break in

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On this episode of Crull Me Maybe, host Kelly Crull sits down with 16-year-old Dunwoody, Georgia native and rising tennis star Londyn McCord for an inspiring conversation about life on and off the court.

Londyn opens up about her journey from picking up a tennis racket at age four to becoming one of the top junior players in the world, now competing in ITF tournaments across the globe. She shares what it’s like balancing an intense training schedule with online schooling, traveling internationally, and chasing a dream of breaking into the Top 100 in junior rankings.

The two also dive into:
- Growing up as the youngest of five siblings in a highly athletic family
- The decision to shift to a flexible academic and training lifestyle
- A typical day in the life of an elite junior tennis player
- Competing on the international circuit in places like South America
- Her biggest influences in tennis, including Serena Williams, Roger Federer, and Carlos Alcaraz
- Mental toughness, pressure, and learning to compete on the world stage at just 16
- Life off the court, from music and vinyl collecting to downtime with family

This is a must-watch conversation with one of tennis’ most promising young talents as she continues her rise through the junior ranks and sets her sights on the biggest stages in the sport.

Subscribe for more athlete stories on Crull Me Maybe.

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