Diggin' Deep Shows

In an emotionally driven episode, Hoz and Su'a welcome George Lombard Sr. for what becomes a deeply personal conversation that transcends the realm of baseball. Lombard Sr. is currently the Detroit Tigers Bench Coach, former first base coach of the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, a former player himself, and a former high school All-American in football.

Lombard opens up about raw moments from his childhood and the indelible impact of his mother’s legacy. Tragically losing his mother in a car accident when he was just ten, Lombard reflects on the purposeful life of Posy Lombard as a freedom fighter on the front lines of the civil rights movement, leaving behind a 300-page dossier compiled by the FBI. Lombard, growing up in a biracial family, with a mother from an affluent white background in the Northeast and a father from a segregated black community in Atlanta, shares the complexity and beauty of his heritage.

Lombard's storytelling takes a heartfelt turn as he shares memories of his mother, whose life was a beacon of change and whose spirit continues to inspire him. This episode not only sheds light on the personal trials and triumphs of a baseball professional, but also honors the extraordinary woman who shaped him. Coach Lombard shares uplifting anecdotes about his family, including the exciting journey of his son, who was recently selected as a 1st round draft pick by the New York Yankees, and imparts his philosophy on parenting athletes, mixed with a dose of humor through a memorable story involving Chase Utley and Yasiel Puig.

This episode is a must-listen not only for baseball enthusiasts but for anyone captivated by stories of resilience, family, and the profound influence of a parent's legacy on their children's lives. Join Hoz and Su’a  with George Lombard as he invites us into his world, revealing the depth of character behind the Tigers Bench Coach that will have you seeking out Coach Lombard when the Tigers are on TV.

Name: George Paul Lombard Sr.

Born: September 14, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia

Role: Major League Baseball coach and former pro player

Current Position: Bench Coach for the Detroit Tigers (2023–present)

MLB Debut: September 4, 1998, for the Atlanta Braves

Last MLB Appearance: October 1, 2006 for the Washington Nationals

Teams Played For:

• Atlanta Braves (1998–2000)
• Detroit Tigers (2002)
• Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2003)
• Washington Nationals (2006)

Career Highlights:

• World Series champion (2020, Los Angeles Dodgers 1st Base Coach)
• First baseball player to hit a homer in China during MLB series in 2008
• Draft: 2nd round selection by the Atlanta Braves in the 1994 MLB draft
• All American running back in high school

Personal:

• Mother, Posy Lombard, was a noted white civil rights activist and associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Grandfather taught at Harvard for 41 years and was former senior dean and professor of human relations
• Son, George Jr, was drafted 1st overall by the New York Yankees in the 2023 MLB Draft

Eric Hosmer / @hosmer305

Justin Su'a / @justinsua

Guest: Jon Jay / @georgelombardsr

Follow Diggin' Deep on Instagram

inquiries: [email protected]

a MoonBall Media Podcast

Baseball's Mr. 305, Miami native Jon Jay, joins Eric Hosmer & Justin Su'a to talk Jay's baseball career, his welcoming attitude toward South Florida MLB players, his family's impact on his work ethic, his transition from player to coach, and diving head first into business endeavors including investing in a tequila company.

Hoz details how Jay lead by example to be one of the most respected players and opponents, especially ones grown in Miami. Expect a funny animated short created from one of Hoz's stories from this episode. Can you guess which one?

Su'a digs deeper to find correlations between Jay's baseball career and his business endeavors.

Name: Jonathan Henry Jay

Born: March 15, 1985, in Miami, Florida

Role: Professional baseball coach and former outfielder

Current Position: First base coach for the Miami Marlins (2023–present)

MLB Debut: April 26, 2010, for the St. Louis Cardinals

Last MLB Appearance: May 12, 2021, for the Los Angeles Angels

Teams Played For:

Career Highlights:

Personal:

Eric Hosmer / @hosmer305

Justin Su'a / @justinsua

Guest: Jon Jay / @jonjayu

Follow Diggin' Deep on Instagram

inquiries: [email protected]

a MoonBall Media Podcast

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In Episode 2, Hosmer and Su'a welcome Rachel Balkovec, one of the female faces of MLB that's paving the way for women in the game; Balkovec, the first female manager in minor league baseball as a Head Coach for the Yankees minor league affiliate Tampa Tarpons, and current Director of Player Development for the Miami Marlins, shares her grit-filled professional journey, from sending in her first resume (disguising her real name), her awkward first day on the job, and how she developed the technical tools to be effective in the analytical side of being a hitting coach in modern day baseball; all having a truly unique and inspiring story that comes with it.  

Hoz shares how Rachel's impact on the game directly impacts his own family, as Su'a digs deep into the Balkovec mindset that finds Rachel rising through the ranks of America's Favorite Pastime.  The trio poke fun at each other with usual baseball banter and share laughs around topics like the newly added "pitch clock" rule and potential rule additions like the auto zone.  The episode ends with powerful messages from both Balkovec and Hosmer.  

To Balkovec, respect is earned, not given. And if you're not sea in this episode she'll show you why the Diggin' Deep crew is rooting for Rachel on her journey to being a GM.

Eric Hosmer / @hosmer305

Justin Su'a / @justinsua

Guest: Rachel Balkovec / @rachel.balkovec

inquiries: [email protected]

a MoonBall Media Podcast

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In DDP's premiere episode, World Series champion Eric Hosmer announces his retirement after 13 seasons in Major League Baseball.  Hosmer also holds 4 Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, and a World Baseball Classic championship with team USA.  Additionally, Hosmer reveals his next chapter, as he teams up with his former minor league Kansas City Royals teammate, Anthony Seratelli, to launch an MLB player-owned media company focused on authentic sports storytelling; from podcasts to original unscripted documentaries, MoonBall Media is ready to hit the ground running. 

The duo are joined by Justin Su'a, a renowned Process & Development Coach familiar with big league clubhouses and NFL sidelines, as a former mental skills sharpener for organizations like the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Browns, and WWE.  Su'a will be a mainstay on the show alongside Hosmer.

This first episode of Diggin' Deep delves into the the decision behind Hosmer's farewell to baseball, how he linked up with Su'a, and some stories from Hosmer and Seratelli's playing days.

The first episode discusses some big names in MLB, like Salvador Perez, and NFL, like Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants...plus, the mental aspect of journeying through the MLB system, and Justin Su'a's approach to working with elite athletes across the sports spectrum.

Eric Hosmer / @hosmer305

Justin Su'a / @justinsua

Anthony Seratelli / @anthony_seratelli

inquiries: [email protected]

a MoonBall Media Podcast

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