In this episode of Extra Innings on the Baseball Bucket List Podcast, we reconnect with Gabe Lerman, a Blue Jays fan and Japanese baseball aficionado from Toronto. Gabe recently authored The JapanBall Travel Guide to Japanese Baseball, a comprehensive resource for planning your own baseball adventures in Japan. We dive into his motivation for creating the guide, his 2019 trip that sparked the idea, and how it bridges the gap between full-service tours and independent travel.

Gabe shares an in-depth look at Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), breaking down its history, league structure, postseason format, and the rich traditions that make Japanese baseball unique. He also highlights key storylines, such as the rise of players like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki, and what makes Japan’s baseball culture so captivating.

Whether you’re dreaming of a trip to Japan, curious about NPB, or simply love hearing baseball stories from around the world, this episode is packed with fascinating insights and practical advice for every fan.

Purchase The JapanBall Travel Guide to Japanese Baseball on the JapanBall website or Amazon.

Find the full transcript and show notes here: https://baseballbucketlist.com/podcast/extra-innings-gabe-lerman/

Find Gabe Online:
Link Tree: Gabe Lerman

Find Baseball Bucket List Online:
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Instagram: @Baseball.Bucket.List
Website: baseballbucketlist.com

This podcast is part of the Curved Brim Media Network:
Twitter: @CurvedBrim
Website: curvedbrimmedia.com

Join us in June of 2025 for the Alaska Midnight Sun Game! Learn more at https://baseballbucketlist.com/alaska

In this episode of Extra Innings, we catch up with Kelly and Christina Robinson, a husband-and-wife duo whose passion for baseball has taken them on countless road trips and adventures over the years. Together, they’ve visited over 182 ballparks, collected unique memorabilia like plush mascots and team caps, and shared their love for the game through the creation of CBM's newest platform—the Minor League Nerd YouTube channel and podcast.

We dive into their most recent summer road trip, featuring stops at Northwoods League games, a visit to Winnipeg’s incredible ballpark food scene, and even a Fargo woodchipper photo op. Kelly and Christina also reflect on their journey as die-hard White Sox fans, their growing interest in independent baseball, and how they continue to find joy in traveling and exploring the history and culture of the game.

Find Kelly Online:
Twitter: @MinorLeagueNerd | @kelabration | @kelstinavisits  
Instagram: @theminorleaguenerd
Youtube: @minorleaguenerd
 Website: curvedbrimmedia.com/minor-league-nerd

Find Baseball Bucket List Online:
Twitter: @BaseballBucket
Facebook: @BaseballBucketList
Instagram: @Baseball.Bucket.List
Website: baseballbucketlist.com

This podcast is part of the Curved Brim Media Network:
Twitter: @CurvedBrim
Website: curvedbrimmedia.com

Join us in June of 2025 for the Alaska Midnight Sun Game! Learn more at https://baseballbucketlist.com/alaska

Marc and Nate Wolpoff are a father-son duo from San Diego. Together, they’ve visited all 30 MLB ballparks, attended multiple All-Star Games, and created lifelong memories centered around the sport.

Marc and Nate share stories of their favorite baseball experiences, including catching an autographed ball during a Home Run Derby and watching future stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Pete Alonso in Fall League ball. We also dive into their passion for minor league and collegiate games, and their memorabilia collection.

Find the full transcript and show notes here: https://baseballbucketlist.com/podcast/episode-171-marc-nate-wolpoff/

Find Baseball Bucket List Online:
Twitter: @BaseballBucket
Facebook: @BaseballBucketList
Instagram: @Baseball.Bucket.List
Website: baseballbucketlist.com

This podcast is part of the Curved Brim Media Network:
Twitter: @CurvedBrim
Website: curvedbrimmedia.com

Join us in June of 2025 for the Alaska Midnight Sun Game! Learn more at https://baseballbucketlist.com/alaska

Jason Massopust is a life-long Brewers fan from Wisconsin who spent over two decades in a sales role for the team. We chat about his favorite memories from his 23 years with the Brewers, including the excitement of the 2008 playoff clinch, the wild final days of County Stadium (think Office Space), and what it’s like to run into local legends. We also dive into his love for baseball road trips and hear some hilarious tales from his sports travels with his friend Rob, including an epic baked potato mishap.

Find the full show notes and transcript here: https://baseballbucketlist.com/podcast/episode-170-jason-massopust

Find Baseball Bucket List Online:
Twitter: @BaseballBucket
Facebook: @BaseballBucketList
Instagram: @Baseball.Bucket.List
Website: baseballbucketlist.com

This podcast is part of the Curved Brim Media Network:
Twitter: @CurvedBrim
Website: curvedbrimmedia.com

Join us in June of 2025 for the Alaska Midnight Sun Game! Learn more at https://baseballbucketlist.com/alaska

Eddie Browning is a life-long baseball fan who has turned his passion into an extraordinary collection of memorabilia housed in his very own private museum. Eddie’s love for the game started as a kid watching Yankees games on black-and-white TV with his mom, and it has taken him on incredible journeys, from visiting all 30 MLB ballparks to collecting unique pieces like 832 autographed baseballs and stadium dirt from parks around the country.

Eddie shares stories of living next door to Lou Piniella, his adventures in the Dominican Republic meeting Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr., and the joys of building his baseball collection.

Find the full show notes, transcript, and museum photos here: https://baseballbucketlist.com/podcast/episode-169-eddie-browning/

Find Baseball Bucket List Online:
Twitter: @BaseballBucket
Facebook: @BaseballBucketList
Instagram: @Baseball.Bucket.List
Website: baseballbucketlist.com

This podcast is part of the Curved Brim Media Network:
Twitter: @CurvedBrim
Website: curvedbrimmedia.com

Join us in June of 2025 for the Alaska Midnight Sun Game! Learn more at https://baseballbucketlist.com/alaska

Neil Solondz is one half of the radio play-by-play team for the Tampa Bay Rays. He shares his journey from growing up as a sports-loving kid in New Jersey to calling games for one of the most exciting teams in baseball. We dive into his unique approach to broadcasting, some of his favorite Rays memories, and the importance of creating memorable moments on the air. Neil also reflects on his experiences working in all 30 MLB ballparks, and the excitement surrounding the Rays’ new park set to open in 2028.

Find Neil Online:
Twitter: @neilsolondz
Instagram: @neilsolondz

Find Baseball Bucket List Online:
Twitter: @BaseballBucket
Facebook: @BaseballBucketList
Instagram: @Baseball.Bucket.List
Website: baseballbucketlist.com

This podcast is part of the Curved Brim Media Network:
Twitter: @CurvedBrim
Website: curvedbrimmedia.com

Join us in June of 2025 for the Alaska Midnight Sun Game! Learn more at https://baseballbucketlist.com/alaska

Solario is a life-long Giants fan originally from the San Francisco area, who now calls Honolulu, Hawaii home. He shares stories of growing up attending games at Candlestick Park, where freezing summer winds couldn’t keep him away from his beloved Giants. Now, a professional illustrator, Solario talks about how his love for baseball logos and uniforms played a big part in shaping his passion for design.

We also dive into his experiences with international baseball. He's never missed a World Baseball Classic and is a huge fan of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), having visited almost every stadium in Japan. We chat about what makes international baseball so special, from the energetic fan culture to the unique atmosphere in the stands.

Solario also shares his involvement in vintage baseball leagues while living in San Francisco, playing by 1800s rules in full vintage gear, and how he’s working on starting a similar league in Hawaii.

Find Solario Online:
Instagram: @solario.art.waikiki

Find Baseball Bucket List Online:
Twitter: @BaseballBucket
Facebook: @BaseballBucketList
Instagram: @Baseball.Bucket.List
Website: baseballbucketlist.com

This podcast is part of the Curved Brim Media Network:
Twitter: @CurvedBrim
Website: curvedbrimmedia.com

Join us in June of 2025 for the Alaska Midnight Sun Game! Learn more at https://baseballbucketlist.com/alaska

Crystal McKenzie is a life-long Cardinals fan from St. Louis. Even though she grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, she remained loyal to St. Louis thanks to her family’s roots. Crystal shares how watching Nolan Ryan pitch in person ignited her passion for baseball and how the 1998 home run chase pulled her deeper into the game.

Now, as a mom, Crystal is on a mission to visit all 30 MLB ballparks with her family, sharing the magic of the game and teaching her daughters to love it just as much as she does. We dive into her favorite baseball memories, the joy of scoring games with her kids, and how baseball has become an incredible family tradition.

Find the full show notes and episode transcript here: https://baseballbucketlist.com/podcast/episode-166-crystal-mckenzie/

Find Baseball Bucket List Online:
Twitter: @BaseballBucket
Facebook: @BaseballBucketList
Instagram: @Baseball.Bucket.List
Website: baseballbucketlist.com

This podcast is part of the Curved Brim Media Network:
Twitter: @CurvedBrim
Website: curvedbrimmedia.com

Join us in June of 2025 for the Alaska Midnight Sun Game! Learn more at https://baseballbucketlist.com/alaska

George Falkowski is a Yankee fan from New Jersey who spent a big part of his life in sports broadcasting, including ten years with NESN covering Boston sports. Despite growing up in a household that didn’t root for the Yankees, George found his way to baseball and never looked back.

In this episode, we discuss what George calls “Ballpark Therapy” and why going to a ballpark feels like a much-needed escape from the stresses of life. We also dive into his most powerful baseball memory—the night after Thurman Munson’s tragic death—and how that moment still hits home.

We also hear stories from George's time in the media, his love for minor league ballparks, and what's left on the baseball bucket list.

Find the full show notes and transcript here: https://baseballbucketlist.com/podcast/episode-165-george-falkowski/

Find George Online:
Twitter: @GeorgeFalkowski

Find Baseball Bucket List Online:
Twitter: @BaseballBucket
Facebook: @BaseballBucketList
Instagram: @Baseball.Bucket.List
Website: baseballbucketlist.com

This podcast is part of the Curved Brim Media Network:
Twitter: @CurvedBrim
Website: curvedbrimmedia.com

Join us in June of 2025 for the Alaska Midnight Sun Game! Learn more at https://baseballbucketlist.com/alaska

Spencer Schwartz joins the show for his third appearance. Spencer, who has been a life-long Yankees fan and season ticket holder, shares his recent battle with a rare autoimmune disorder that led to the sudden loss of his eyesight.

In this episode, Spencer recounts his journey and shares how his life and love for baseball have been profoundly affected. From the initial diagnosis to the overwhelming support from the Twitter baseball community, he shares how his enduring passion for the game has helped him through this tough time.

We also discuss some touching experiences that followed, including how the Yankees fanbase rallied to ensure Spencer could attend Opening Day at Yankee Stadium despite his new challenges. You’ll also hear about how he continues to engage with the game he loves, adjusting to the realities of blindness, and how social media has been a surprising lifeline in his journey.

Find the full show notes and transcript here: https://baseballbucketlist.com/podcast/extra-innings-spencer-schwartz/


Find Spencer Online:
Twitter: @muzixndmd
Twitter Hashtags:  #UnitedByCaps #CapOfTheDay #HatTwitter

Find Baseball Bucket List Online:
Twitter: @BaseballBucket
Facebook: @BaseballBucketList
Instagram: @Baseball.Bucket.List
Website: baseballbucketlist.com

This podcast is part of the Curved Brim Media Network:
Twitter: @CurvedBrim
Website: curvedbrimmedia.com

Join us in June of 2025 for the Alaska Midnight Sun Game! Learn more at https://baseballbucketlist.com/alaska