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In this episode of We Love Our Team, United States Senator Sherrod Brown joins the hosts to discuss his love for baseball and his efforts to get Reds Hall of Famer William "Dummy" Hoy into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Senator Brown shares his memories of watching the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds, his favorite players, and his thoughts on the current state of baseball. He also talks about his involvement in mentoring programs for young men and the Cincinnati Reds' community initiatives. 

The conversation touches on topics such as the All-Star game, being in attendance at Pete Rose's hit number 4192, and the ups and downs of being a fan. "And did I mention the Frank Robinson trade?"

Takeaways

• Senator Sherrod Brown is a passionate baseball fan and loves watching games and learning about baseball history.
• He is an advocate for getting William Hoy into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and has called on baseball to consider his induction.
• Senator Brown appreciates the character and history of old baseball stadiums and has fond memories of watching players like Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson, and Pete Rose.
• He is involved in mentoring programs for young men and praises the Cincinnati Reds for their community initiatives.
• Senator Brown believes that baseball is still a great game and enjoys watching it, despite the ups and downs of being a fan.

Sound Bites

• "He played under this incredible handicap when nobody else that I know of did."
• "He probably did change the game."
• "I love those old stadiums that had character."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background of Senator Sherrod Brown

01:30
Advocating for William Hoy's Induction into the Hall of Fame

04:11
Memories of Watching the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds

10:17
The Importance of Mentoring Programs and Community Engagement

14:43
The Love for Baseball: A Fan's Perspective

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In this episode of We Love Our Team, Randy and Jack interview John Morris Russell, conductor of the Cincinnati Pops. They discuss John's musical background, his recovery from rotator cuff surgery, and upcoming concerts. They also talk about the Cleveland Guardians (fka the Indians) and Cincinnati Reds baseball teams, including the Rocky Colavito curse and the history of the Reds.

The conversation touches on the importance of music education and the connection between music and sports. Randy, Jack, and John share their favorite ballpark foods and discuss the musical themes associated with baseball teams, and the intersection of music and baseball. They explore the role of music in creating a memorable game experience, including walk-up songs for players and theme songs for teams. 

The trio also discuss the importance of teamwork and collaboration in both music and sports. The conversation highlights the similarities between the audition process for symphony musicians and the scouting process in baseball. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the power of music to enhance the fan experience and create a sense of unity and excitement.

Takeaways

• John Morris Russell is the conductor of the Cincinnati Pops and has conducted orchestras around the world.
• The Cincinnati Pops has collaborated with the Cincinnati Reds on various projects, including Friday concerts and fireworks shows.
• The conversation highlights the importance of music education and the connection between music and sports.
• The hosts and John share their favorite ballpark foods and discuss the musical themes associated with baseball teams. Music plays a crucial role in creating a memorable game experience in baseball, from walk-up songs for players to theme songs for teams.
• The audition process for symphony musicians is similar to the scouting process in baseball, with both requiring talent, skill, and the ability to work well with others.
• Music and sports both teach important life skills, such as teamwork, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence.
• The power of music lies in its ability to bring people together, create a sense of unity, and enhance the overall fan experience.
• The intersection of music and baseball provides endless opportunities for creativity and innovation, from unique walk-up songs to orchestral performances at games.
• Sound Bites
  • "Let's strike it up. Let's strike it"
  • "The Reds, the Eric Kunzel song."
  • "Well, they're trying, I think for the last several seasons, they've been trying to sort of force feed that country song. One more hour and I'll be home, you know."
  • "Can you imagine there at seventh inning or wherever it is and you're playing I Feel Good and everyone in the stands starts dancing along with it?"
  • "He surrounded himself with really good people and he had extraordinarily high standards and every night they would kill it."
  • "I'm just envisioning the symphony. I don't know if it would be a bass drum. What would you, what duh, duh, duh, I mean, is that, you"

Keywords

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Keith O'Brien, a New York Times bestselling author, joins Randy and Jack to discuss his latest book on Pete Rose and the glory days of baseball. Keith shares his memories as a Reds fan and his fascination with Pete Rose's story. He talks about the challenges of writing a biography and the importance of looking at Rose's story through the prism of humanity. The conversation also touches on Rose's gambling addiction and the early signs of trouble that were hidden in plain sight. The conversation explores the themes of Pete Rose's relationships, his charisma, his lack of remorse, the impact of Bart Giamatti's death, the changing landscape of baseball, and the unconditional love of Cincinnati fans. The main takeaways include the complexity of Pete Rose's character, the lasting effects of his banishment, and the need for perspective when it comes to athletes and their off-field actions. Free Pete! 

Takeaways

• Keith O'Brien's book on Pete Rose offers a fresh perspective by looking at Rose's story through the prism of humanity.
• Rose's gambling addiction was evident early on, but it was often overlooked or dismissed by the media and fans.
• The book explores the glory days of the Cincinnati Reds and the 1990 World Series win.
• Writing a biography requires pushing the subject to discuss things they haven't before and uncovering new insights. Pete Rose's relationships with friends, family, and ex-wives play a significant role in understanding his character.
• Despite his flaws, Pete Rose possesses a natural charisma that makes him charming and likable to many people.
• Pete Rose lacks genuine remorse for his actions and struggles to apologize in a way that feels genuine.
• Bart Giamatti's death had a profound impact on the Pete Rose saga, but it is unlikely that it directly influenced the Hall of Fame decision.
• The landscape of baseball has changed significantly since Pete Rose's banishment, with the sport losing some of its cultural significance.
• Cincinnati fans have a unique and unconditional love for their sports heroes, including Pete Rose.

Sound Bites

• "Looking at Pete Rose's story through the prism of humanity"
• "Pete Rose's gambling addiction was in plain sight"
• "Favorite player from my era was Eric Davis"
• "He is just sort of charming, you know, whether you like him or not."
• "He struggles to do what we want him to do or to do what we need him to do to feel like he has reckoned with it."
• "If Giamatti lives, Giamatti finds a way in the early 90s to coax Rose out of the corner that he has painted himself into."

Titles

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Annie Sabo, a sports journalist and host of the Reds pre and post game shows, shares her experiences growing up in a baseball family -watching games from each team's "Kids Room" and the family moves through the years - and her journey in the world of sports journalism. 

Annie talks about her father, Chris Sabo - aka "Spuds McKenzie - and his famous goggles she once wore on-air. Chris played for the Cincinnati Reds and Annie became aware as a young girl the impact Chris had on the fans. 

Annie also discusses her career path, following her dad's advice of "why not be a broadcaster like Erin Andrews , including her time covering the Winter Olympics in 2018 and her current role with the Reds. She highlights the challenges faced by women in the industry  balancing her role as a mother and broadcaster, the importance of preparation in her work, and working with the always funny Jim Day. 

Annie would welcome the challenge of hosting "Dancing With The Stars."

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Veteran TV and Radio critic John Kiesewetter, author of a Joe Nuxhall biography, joins the show. John talks about Joe's career as a pitcher and broadcaster- over 60 years - and how many people forget about Joe's outstanding playing career after persevering for eight years in the minors after his debut as a 15 year old. 

John brings an interesting perspective about baseball, ballparks around the country and Reds fandom.

The conversation revolves around the guest, John Kiesewetter, who is a lifelong Reds fan and has covered Cincinnati's media scene for over 35 years. They discuss John's love for the Reds, his favorite players, and his book about Joe Nuxhall. They also touch on the history of Reds announcers and the changes in broadcasting over the years. The trio discusses the bond between broadcasters and fans, the changing landscape of baseball broadcasting, and the legacy of Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall. The guests discuss the possibility of developing a similar bond with current broadcasters, the impact of radio broadcasting on fan connection, and the changing dynamics of television broadcasting. 

They also touch on the importance of honesty and analysis in broadcasting, the experience of watching the Reds in different cities, and the author's book.. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the current state of the Reds and the value of trades made by the team.

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Cincinnati's own famous guitarist, Walk The Moon's Eli Maiman, joins the show. In this episode, Eli talks about his love for the Cincinnati Reds and his experiences as a fan. He shares memories of playing baseball as a kid and his position as a first baseman. 

Eli also discusses his transition from sports to music and the role of imagination in both. He recalls attending Reds games and the unique experience of playing music at the ballpark. Eli shares his favorite moments as a fan and reflects on the impact of music in his life. 

Eli discusses his early musical journey, joining the band, and his experiences performing at stadiums and with other artists like Taylor Swift. He also talks about the face painting tradition of Walk the Moon, his extensive guitar collection, and his love for the Cincinnati Reds.

The conversation concludes with a discussion about the challenges of playing in large venues and the possibility of having Eli's version of 'Smoke on the Water' played after every home run at Reds games. 

Shut Up and Dance!

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Reds fan and Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine discusses his lifelong love for the Cincinnati Reds and his early memories of the team. He recalls the 1956 Reds team and players like Ted Kluszewski, Johnny Temple, and Roy McMillan. Governor DeWine shares a story about his father attending the 1939 World Series and throwing a silver dollar to his friend to get into the game.

He also talks about his favorite Reds player, Johnny Temple, and his own experience playing baseball as a child. The conversation touches on Waite Hoyt's broadcasting, attending games at Crosley Field, and the excitement of Opening Day. Governor  DeWine shares his experiences as a Cincinnati Reds fan and discusses trades in Reds history, highlighting the trade that brought Joe Morgan to the Reds as an extremely good one and the trade of Frank Robinson as the most infamous trade. 

The governor also talks about his love for baseball and how many politicians are avid sports fans. He shares his thoughts on the changes in Major League Baseball, including the designated hitter rule and the pitch clock. Governor DeWine also discusses his family's ownership of a minor league baseball team,

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Dennis Janson, a revered television sports reporter, shares his journey into sports broadcasting and his early experiences with the Cincinnati Reds. He discusses the evolution of TV sports coverage and the impact of technological advancements. The conversation also delves into personal anecdotes and connections with notable sports figures. 'DJ" shares insights from his career as a sports reporter, including breaking stories, the importance of newspapers, and his experiences with notable sports figures. He also discusses his views on the Reds and the Hall of Fame, as well as his personal experiences in the industry.

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In this conversation, Greg Rhodes, a lifelong Reds fan and author, joins the We Love Our Team podcast. They discuss Greg's love for the Reds, his experience as the executive director of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, and his role as the official Reds historian. They also reminisce about their favorite players and memories from Crosley Field and the Big Red Machine era. The conversation covers various topics related to the Cincinnati Reds and their history. Some of the highlights include stories about Jim Maloney and his pranks, the construction of the Reds Hall of Fame, and the team's success in the 1970s. The conversation also touches on the debate between Tony Perez and Joey Votto, as well as the Reds' chances in the upcoming season.

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Nick Clooney - famous Cincinnati broadcaster and local icon, joins Jack and Randy to share his Reds fandom from the late 1930s to the present day. A captivating discussion touching on long forgotten names from the 1940s, Grady Hatton, the integration of baseball, how fans "watched the radio" before TV broadcasts of the Reds, Waite Hoyt describing the action after receiving teletype of the game action on the road, and meeting members of the Big Red Machine when he was working in Cincinnati beginning in the 1970s. Nick explains why "The Natural" is his favorite baseball movie and how he helped to mentor children in Cincinnati by explaining his story. And, of course, memories of his son George Clooney.

Jack thanks the listeners