In this episode of the Base Path Podcast, hosted by Dan Guttenplan from the New England Baseball Journal, Coach Kevin Graber of Phillips Andover discusses his return to Andover after a two-year stint with the Chicago Cubs. Graber delves into his experiences in professional baseball, his decision to return to the high school level, and his player development philosophy. He reflects on re-establishing team culture at Andover, recounts his managerial journey with the Cubs, and shares insights into baseball's evolving landscape, including player development, the impact of NIL money, and the use of wooden bats. The episode also includes a 'Three Up, Three Down' segment where Graber discusses base-stealing strategies and offers his thoughts on the length of the baseball season.

Topics

• 01:01 Returning to Andover: A Heartfelt Decision

• 02:02 Rebuilding Andover's Baseball Program

• 03:10 Journey with the Chicago Cubs

• 08:59 Base Running Philosophy and Innovations

• 11:24 Coaching New England Talent

• 17:35 Changes in Baseball: NIL Money and Transfer Portal

• 18:22 Navigating the Transfer Portal

• 18:35 Challenges for High School Baseball Players

• 18:56 The Domino Effect in College Baseball

• 19:26 Balancing Baseball and Other Commitments

• 19:34 Coaching Experience and Achievements

• 21:25 Three Up, Three Down: Stealing Bases

• 28:37 Wooden vs. Aluminum Bats

• 30:12 Length of the MLB Season

• 33:45 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation

• 36:19 Conclusion and Wrap-Up