This week, we’re joined by former Red Sox and Cubs executive Theo Epstein to discuss the work he’s doing in the MLB office to evolve baseball. We discuss pace of play, offense and defense balance, sticky stuff, shifts, and more.

Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Guest: Theo Epstein

Producers: Bobby Wagner and Sadye Zillo

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Theo Epstein Is Ready for Baseball to Change

CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco guide listeners through the biggest stories in sports, culture, and lifestyle. They talk to friends, athletes, and celebrities about the world of sports - MLB, NBA, NFL - and much more.

Sports

After six years, it's the end of an era for R2C2. The final episode of the season as CC and Ryan have decided to take a break from the podcast and leave the door open in the future to evaluate what comes next. This is an opportunity to reflect on the incredible journey it has been - with countless memories, incredible guests, fan moments, Q&A, and unwavering support from our audience. We can't thank you enough for your passion, loyalty, and commitment to rocking with us every Thursday all these years. So we dedicate this one to you and hope you've enjoyed the ride as much as we have producing this show. Thank you!
Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco
Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Season Finale | Thank You To All Our Fans

Joining the pod in his R2C2 debut is someone who is widely recognized as the best third baseman in baseball and arguably the top defensive player in the game, Nolan Arenado. An 8x All-Star, 10x Gold Glover, 6x Platinum Glover, 5x Silver Slugger, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, with plenty of statistical accomplishments to go with it. After spending the first half of his career with the Colorado Rockies, Nolan reflects on being one of the leaders of the St. Louis Cardinals, connecting with the younger guys, the methods behind his consistency, playing with legends like Pujols and Molina, and facing CC in his career. Nolan is the gold standard of a professional on and off the field and provides a unique perspective into his career and navigating the Cardinals into a new era moving forward.
Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco
Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nolan Arenado is Mr. Consistency

This guest needs no introduction. A rare interviewee and one of the, if not, the greatest baseball player of all time joins R2C2, Barry Bonds. A 14x All-Star, 7x NL MVP, 8x Gold Glover, 12x Silver Slugger, 3x Hank Aaron award winner, 2x NL batting champion, all-time home run record holder (762), single season home run record holder (73), and so much more. Barry breaks down the evolution of his hitting technique, game day routine, his era vs. today's generation, living out his baseball dream, and the role of analytics in the sport. He also details the business of the clubhouse, facing CC at the 2004 All-Star game, and the toughest pitchers he ever faced. A true historian of the game, Barry shares his rare perspective with CC and Ryan in the latest episode.
Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco
Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One and Only Barry Bonds

Joining CC and Ryan this week are two brothers who enjoyed great careers in the NFL following the legacy built by their father Howie and continue to be successful in everything they do, Chris and Kyle Long. The two reflect on how they seamlessly transitioned into the media space covering football analysis, launching the Green Light podcast, and how their contrasting personalities allow them to play off each other. The crew also dives into their passion for golf, reflect on the NBA playoffs, how the modern athlete has evolved, and the journey behind cultivating their love for football into fulfilling a dream. Chris and Kyle's inside perspective on their father Howie's influence details how the Long family has been able to have such an incredible impact on the game and why they remain connected to it all these years.
Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco
Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Kyle Long: A Football Family

Forming one half of the most endearing and fearsome brotherly duos in the NFL, tackling machine Quincy Williams of the New York Jets joins the pod to preview the upcoming season and reflect on his incredible journey to this point. Since the early days of being a Junior Olympic swimmer, Track Champion, and Football star, Quincy was always destined to translate his athleticism to the highest level. Coming off his new contract with the New York Jets, along with C.J. Mosley, Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner, and his brother Quinnen, the team's dominant defense is now matched by the arrival of Aaron Rodgers leading the offense. Tune in as Quincy breaks down the story behind his new deal, transitioning from safety to linebacker, overcoming being waived early in his career, starstruck by Rodger's arrival, adjusting to championship expectations, and so much more.
Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco
Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Theo Epstein Is Ready for Baseball to Change

Download our free app to listen on your phone