Summary

Today's episode is all about the world of minor league baseball. George Foster, the Reds Hall of Famer, shares his journey through the minors, giving us a peek into the experiences, the quirks, and the unexpected challenges that come with climbing the baseball ladder. George’s tales will make you appreciate every little moment of the game. We wrap up this week with a hilarious round of "mascot or make believe," where we’ll test the fellas on their knowledge of minor league mascots. Trust me, you won't want to miss this—it's gonna be a blast!

Podcast Partner Bios

Ethan Dungan - Owner of Glovehound Baseball Glove Repair Shop. Ethan played for several teams during his career including Midland and Fairfield High School. He now operates Glovehound from his shop in Fairfield, OH.

Rick Finley - Founder of MD&I Academy Baseball Training Facility in Fairfield, OH. Rick has successfully coached and trained hundreds of players at the Select, Travel, and College levels in both baseball and softball.

George Foster - Major League Player with the Giants, Reds, & Mets. NL MVP 1977, 5-Time All-Star, Silver Slugger and member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. Founder of George Foster Baseball where he offers private baseball instruction.

Timestamps:

• 00:02 - Introduction to the Game
• 01:12 - George's Journey in the Minor Leagues
• 11:41 - Transition to the Big Leagues
• 14:33 - Transition to Professional Baseball
• 23:16 - Transition to 1971: A New Beginning
• 28:18 - Welcome to the Big Leagues
• 36:10 - The Dynamics of Team Relationships
• 44:42 - The Journey of Development in Baseball
• 51:40 - Life Skills and Experiences in Minor League Baseball
• 56:55 - Exploring the Joy of Minor League Baseball
• 01:03:25 - Mascots and Make Believe
• 01:06:01 - New Mascots in Minor League Baseball
• 01:09:41 - The Importance of Mascots in Minor League Baseball
• 01:15:00 - The Conclusion of a Great Episode

Key Takeaways:

• In this episode of the Complete Game Podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating world of minor league baseball, exploring its quirks and the unique experiences it offers to players and fans alike.
• George Foster shares some stories from his time in the minors, including the challenges, triumphs, and the friendships that formed along the way.
• The guys play a fun game called 'Mascot or Make Believe,' which reveals some of the wildest and most creative minor league team names out there, which are often just as entertaining as the games themselves.
• We discuss the importance of the minor leagues in player development and how players like George Foster learned invaluable lessons that prepared them for the big leagues.
• The episode highlights the affordability and accessibility of minor league games, making it a great family outing compared to the often steep prices of major league tickets.
• Listeners get to hear about George's journey from humble beginnings to becoming an MVP, emphasizing the role of perseverance and hard work in achieving one's dreams.

Links:

• glovehound.com
• mdaiacademy.com
• georgefosterbaseball.com
• twocreativedigital.com

Teaser:

Next week we talk about all kinds of equipment from George's famous black bat to everyone's favorite glove, shoes, and more. Don't miss it.

Companies mentioned:

• Glovehound
• MDI Baseball Academy
• George Foster Baseball