He's caught the likes of Verlander, Scherzer, Sale, Greinke, Price and Lester.  His nickname is the "Titanium Catcher" because he's so tough.  Alex Avila is one of the most respected players in the game.  In his 13 year career, it's safe to say he's forgotten more baseball than we will ever know.  In this conversation, we discuss what it's like catching a No Hitter from Justin Verlander.  What's Max Scherzer like?  What's Zack Greinke like?  Who's the toughest pitcher he's ever caught?  If he were a scout, what would he look for in a young player? This was a REALLY cool conversation with one of the smartest cats in the bigs.  Enjoy!

In this second half of the conversation with Blake, we discuss bullying.  How did he treat his bullies?  What did he learn from them?  How did his faith propel him forward?  Now look at him.  Throwing 98 MPH whiffle balls in the Show.  Coach Ballgame also implements a new segment in the podcast called "Playing Pepper."  It was an incredibly insightful and honest conversation with a man that has lived through much struggle, and come out the other side stronger for it.  Enjoy!

He was the fat kid growing up.  He was diagnosed as a Pre-Diabetic.  He was bullied.  He was told he couldn't play baseball many times over.  Meet World Series Champion, and one of the best Relief Pitchers in the MLB...Blake Treinen.  How did he overcome all the obstacles?  Find out here, in Part 1 of 2.  We discuss his journey, and the steps taken to get to where he is today.  He's a man of strong faith.  He's incredibly handsome.  His pitches are straight filthy.  Enjoy!

"You're Killing Me Smalls!"  He's the brainchild and the narrator of a film that has been called "The Most Quoted Movie Of All Time."  Meet David Mickey Evans, The Writer and Director of a timeless classic called THE SANDLOT.  We take a deep dive with DME to get to the origin of it all.  Why did he write it?  Where did the idea come from?  What's his favorite line in the movie?  What was it like working with the cast?  Did Squints land the perfect kiss on Wendy Peppercorn on the first take?  All these answers and much more are right here.  There may also be the most epic Tommy Lasorda story of all time mixed in there as well.  Enjoy!

He's a 2 time World Series Champ, 4 time Gold Glover, 3 time All Star, and Full Time Clubhouse DJ.  He's also a father of 4, and he's REALLY good looking.  We discuss his favorite music genres, which is as eclectic as the Giants Clubhouse.  In Kindergarten, he told his dad he was gonna be a Major Leaguer.  He turned that love into a crazy hard work ethic.  From Friday Night batting cage sessions, to taking extra ground balls at UCLA, he had a drive.  Coach Chop and I close out the episode with an Epic Baseball Trivia Contest.  Enjoy my friends.  Subscribe and tell your friends about this little thing we call Talkin Shop!

Angels fans will never forget...He hit 3 bombs in Game 5 of the 2002 ALCS, en route to the only World Series the Halos have ever won.  Adam Kennedy also led the nation in hits his sophomore and junior years of college.  He's a grinder.  He's a gamer.  He's a great conversation.  We discuss the mental side of the game, as a player and as a coach.  How do we find that balance of playing and coaching to win while keeping our priorities in order?  How do we manage failure?  He also gives insight into the climb to the top of the big leagues, then the grind on the way down towards retirement.  To close, Ballgame and Chop chat on the topic of the relationship of a Coach and the Parents on a team.  How do we navigate the different personalities?  It's all in the Shop.  Enjoy!

Merry Christmas to everyone!  Since it's Christmas, and since we are jolly, we put out an extra podcast this week in hopes of finding the BEST Christmas Movie of all time.  This category has juggernauts, sleeper picks, and confusion.  Is "Trading Places" a Christmas movie?  What about "Diehard?"  It's a dynamite showdown between Coach Ballgame and Coach Chop.  Enjoy these holidays my friends.  Looking forward to many more Tuesday conversations in 2022!  

Tombstone, Roller Coasters, and Trix Cereal are just some of Brandon Belt's favorite things.  This 2 time World Series Champ has been a bonafide MLB stud for the better part of the last decade, and he had an incredible season in 2021.  What you may not realize is "The Baby Giraffe" is one of the funniest people in the game.  He owns Kangaroos.  He's obsessed with Sea Otters.  His favorite thing about the Major Leagues is the unlimited Red Bull.  He's also incredibly kind, to the tune of $90,000.  Sit back and enjoy the hilarious ride of the "Daddy."

Mookie Betts is one of the biggest names in professional sports.  From his Mom being his first Little League Coach, to his daughter teaching him to use his imagination, we unpack how a kid from Tennessee who thought he'd be a basketball player and bowler became a 2 time World Series Champ and MVP.  Above all, he's a man of character and it shines through big time in this interview.  Enjoy!

Win The Heart | Los Angeles Dodgers Manager, Dave "Doc" Roberts joins the program this week.  His resume speaks for itself, but we unpack the man behind it all.  You can't find a more enthusiastic, kind manager in Major League Baseball.  From the janitor, all the way up, he's got a PHD in how to treat people.  Doc shares with us where he learned that, and why serving others is WINNING.  He also taps into the life lessons that can be learned from playing multiple and keeping sports FUN.  Enjoy!