Dear Baseball Gods

It took me a long time, but doing things the right way, over time, eventually made me into a respected athlete who led by example. A handful of stories illustrate how I grew into my sport, and developed an improved ability to lead. Developing leadership qualities took time, and it took me rising to challenges, sometimes getting into heated arguments, and occasionally almost coming to blows with teammates. Taking a stand for your beliefs and for proper conduct isn’t easy.

It took me a long time, but doing things the right way, over time, eventually made me into a respected athlete who led by example. A handful of stories illustrate how I grew into my sport, and developed an improved ability to lead. Developing leadership qualities took time, and it took me rising to challenges, sometimes getting into heated arguments, and occasionally almost coming to blows with teammates. Taking a stand for your beliefs and for proper conduct isn’t easy.

In this episode, we are joined by current University of Rhode Island pitching coach, and former minor league pitcher, Kevin Vance. Listen in as we discuss the deeper side of baseball: transitioning into coaching following retirement, dealing with failure and slumps, what it’s like to be “filler” within an MLB organization, how draft round and signing bonuses affect promotions, why life isn’t fair and our shared love of the slogan, if you don’t like it, play better. 

In this episode, we are joined by current University of Rhode Island pitching coach, and former minor league pitcher, Kevin Vance. Listen in as we discuss the deeper side of baseball: transitioning into coaching following retirement, dealing with failure and slumps, what it’s like to be “filler” within an MLB organization, how draft round and signing bonuses affect promotions, why life isn’t fair and our shared love of the slogan, if you don’t like it, play better. 

In this episode, Dan tells the story of how he broke into professional baseball. After finishing his college career undrafted and recovering from Tommy John surgery, finding a team to take a chance on him was difficult. Listen in as he reveals how networking, professionalism and seized opportunities helped him get his foot in the door and launch what became a long, successful career.

In this episode, Dan tells the story of how he broke into professional baseball. After finishing his college career undrafted and recovering from Tommy John surgery, finding a team to take a chance on him was difficult. Listen in as he reveals how networking, professionalism and seized opportunities helped him get his foot in the door and launch what became a long, successful career.

This story starts on the day of a major crossroads in my career: Undergo a second Tommy John surgery, or hang up my cleats.

This story starts on the day of a major crossroads in my career: Undergo a second Tommy John surgery, or hang up my cleats.

In this introduction, I discuss who the “Baseball Gods” are, and why they’re a theme of this show. Dear Baseball Gods is show that will tell the stories of no-name players (myself included) who did big things in sports, but never quite made it into household names. There’s a lot of hard work, talent, resolve and luck that goes into becoming a celebrated, famous athlete, and any deficiency in the three can derail a promising player. Listen in as we unearth some amazing stories of players who lost their grip on the mountain as they closed in on the summit.

In this introduction, I discuss who the “Baseball Gods” are, and why they’re a theme of this show. Dear Baseball Gods is show that will tell the stories of no-name players (myself included) who did big things in sports, but never quite made it into household names. There’s a lot of hard work, talent, resolve and luck that goes into becoming a celebrated, famous athlete, and any deficiency in the three can derail a promising player. Listen in as we unearth some amazing stories of players who lost their grip on the mountain as they closed in on the summit.