 2:28 - How Andy got his start as a sportswriter.4:46 - How he was able to get his articles published when he was blogger and didn’t have a journalism degree.6:42 - How he got his first article published on ESPN.com Page 2 covering “Fistball”.9:13 - Whether he had any insecurities in pitching his next stories to sports digital publications and how relationships can help him get interviews.11:54 - How Andy finds interesting people to interview.16:00 - How Andy looks at doing interviews to find interesting things to talk about.19:27 - What his methods are to help open up the interviewee to talk.23:10 - What his interview with boxing trainer Teddy Atlas was like and some of what he talked about in their conversation.26:21 - How he got a surprise response from Teddy him when talking about Mike Tyson.28:28 - His conversation and thoughts on soccer broadcaster Andres Cantor, known for his "Goooooooool" call.29:48 - His conversation and thoughts on professional basketball legend Julius "Dr. J" Irving.32:07 - His conversation and thoughts on professional golfer Annika Sorenstam.35:53 - His conversation and thoughts on former Oakland Raiders great quarterback Jim Plunkett.38:01 - How Andy comes up with his stories, interviews and what his angle is when writing.41:32 - How he prepares for an interview and how much time he has to spend with those he's interviewing.43:51 - Who some of his sports writing influences have been.46:12 - What advice he has for someone who wants to be a sportswriter.50:05 - An introduction to Andy's new podcast "28 Minutes of Sport"51:27 - Where people can find out more about Andy's articles.Twitter: @sportyfryeInstagram: @sportyfryeGoogle: Andy Frye ForbesLinkedIn: Andy FryeWebsite: andyfrye.com    

Sports In The Making

Andy Frye - Sportswriter and Contributor, Forbes

2:56 - What Abe’s been doing during Covid.4:35 - How Abe started his Chocolate Chip Cookie business.5:39 - How his cookies have become very popular at rodeos.6:46 - What the secret recipe for his cookies are.8:03 - How Abe started bull riding as a young kid in New Jersey.9:45 - When did he realize he wanted to ride bulls as a career.10:35 - How he was perceived in rodeo as a black bull rider and how some of the football players reacted to him being in rodeo.13:31 - How the football team reacted when they came to watch him.15:32 - When a student wrote an article on Abe, how he handled it.17:52 - The night after the newspaper article came out Abe had a rodeo and he had to walk through a cheering group.20:05 - What Abe’s experience was like in the rodeo culture being the only black man on the professional circuit.22:48 - How Abe felt that the judges may have had some prejudice when judging his rides.25:54 - How some of the best African American bull riders may have helped influence how he rode bulls.27:34 - How in an individual sport Abe and other cowboys travel from rodeo to rodeo.30:14 - What does wearing a buckle mean to a bull rider?33:09 - What the future is for black cowboys in the sport.34:22 - On whether there was any interest in bull riding by black cowboys.36:51 - How Abe got his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Announcers Card to announce rodeos and how he began working for Prime Sports Network and Fox Sports38:31 - How he called rodeo events as an announcer.How he worked with some of the great bull riders of all time (Tuff Hedeman, Ty Murray, Gary Leffew, Cody Custer) including Lane Frost who the movie “8-seconds” was made after.40:19 - Abe was one of the last people to interview Lane Frost before he was killed by a bull.42:12 - He explains what happened before and after.45:17 - How Abe feels like he contributed to educating fans about rodeo.46:48 - What should fans pay attention to when they attend a rodeo or on television and how technique is a key factor for riding a bull effectively.49:14 - Abe lists some of the great current bull riders in the PBR and the PRCA.50:18 - What Abe’s book, “My Cowboy Hat Still Fits” is about.52:09 - What went into writing Abe’s book.54:57 - How he’s planning on another autobiography and how he’s focusing on his cookie business.57:22 - How his cookie sell out quickly at rodeo events.58:52 - Best advice Abe’s been given as a bull rider and an author.1:01:54 - Best advice he can give on managing multiple projects.www.abemorris.comwww.cowboychuteoutcookies.com

Abe Morris - Professional Bull Rider, Rodeo Announcer & Baker

Twitter: @sporinoSteve Porino in a Tree (NBC Olympics): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96tXdONcGAE&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1v7j0VXXzTxO74NpLrbeIlS_FYa_jMJLArPMh6YW0HreieyDb3t7c5tVA"The D Route": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFW4aKYnaPI1:43 - What Steve has been doing during Covid-194:26 - How he made the US Ski Team as a downhill skier7:02 - What the difference in talent is between an amateur and someone who is on the US Ski Team and how hundredths of seconds can make the difference between winning and being way off the podium.9:23 - What the different ski disciplines are: Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom (GS) and Slalom and how US Ski Great Bill Johnson described some of them.13:58 - What makes Bill Johnson, Bode Miller, Ted Ligety, Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin stand out differently than other skiers Steve has covered.15:04 - Steve talks about Bode Miller’s talents, being an innovator and covering him during the Olympics.19:15 - He talks about what made Lindsey Vonn special as a downhill racer.23:23 - How Mikaela Shiffrin may have an opportunity to elevate alpine skiing in the US.26:06 - How “burger school” helped Steve make the transition into broadcasting.30:44 - How broadcasting can be challenging to make viewers understand something that’s complex and how he’s worked to simplify his announcing.33:27 - What Steve things about when he’s covering the Olympics versus a World Cup race.36:50 - How Steve became the motorcycle reporter on NBC’s coverage of The Tour de France.42:28 - What his responsibilities are each day during Le Tour.49:04 - How Steve describes what it’s like riding behind the peloton and a brief description on the anatomy of a peloton.53:12 - How the caravan that follows the peloton is like a competition within a competition.54:46 - What Steve’s responsibility is when there is a crash in the race and how he adjusts his coverage.57:28 - What it’s like working with one of the most iconic cycling announcers in history, Phil Liggett1:00:08 - How losing cycling announcer Paul Sherwin, another cycling great, was a big loss on the tv production and how he had a great sense of humor.1:03:06 - Phil and Paul were one of the best broadcasting announcer combinations known throughout the world. 1:04:57 - What makes NBC’s coverage of the Tour de France special with the production and broadcast team.1:10:56 - What some of the most memorable cycling moments Steve has had in his broadcasting experience that involved Chris Froome.1:16:04 - What the best advice Steve has gotten working in the sports industry.1:20:27 - When we will see Steve Porino again in the Covid era.    

Steve Porino - Announcer, NBC Sports covering Alpine Skiing & The Tour de France

2:29 - What the responsibilities of a thoroughbred horse trainer are.3:57 - How much he was around his dad, Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg, when he was young.5:08 - Why Tom wanted to study aerospace engineering instead of following his father into the thoroughbred world and his post college experiences.9:07 - How Tom likes to bring people into the horse racing world to show them what it’s like rather than tell them.11:33 - How Jack Van Berg got his work ethic and how he would make anyone feel comfortable.13:53 - How Tom describes his dad as a “dad.”Chris Kotulak authored a book called “Jack, From Grit To Glory, The True Story of Jack Van Berg, an American Horse Racing Legend.”  Tom talks about how the book affected him in painting a better picture of his dad.17:22 - What Tom learned most about training horses from his dad.20:35 - How Tom applies his dad’s philosophy in how he trains horses today and the differences than when Jack was at the peak of his career.22:17 - What a typical day/week is for a horse trainer.24:29 - What a horse trainer’s team looks like in helping to make a thoroughbred successful.27:15 - How the horse racing industry is mostly made up of people who have grown up in the business.29:49 - How a horse trainer works the business and ownership groups. GOOD FOR PROMO (30:ISH)33:26 - What the Covid-19 situation is for horse owners & trainers39:08 - How Tom’s been able to work within Covid-19 limitations.43:43 - What Tom’s biggest win was in his training career. 48:22 - How Jack Van Berg still makes his presence known with Tom and the horse racing community.53:00 - On whether Tom is brave enough to make a prediction on if any of his horses will win the Kentucky Derby.55:00 - The difficulty on training a horse to be a Kentucky Derby contender.59:49 - How Tom loves to get people involved in horse racing.1:02:42 - How much care goes into training the horses.1:05:12 - Best advice Tom has been giving working in this industry.1:06:17 - How a fan should watch horse racing either at the track or on television.1:09:32 - The color of Van Berg Stables silk colors.

Tom Van Berg - Thoroughbred Horse Trainer, Son of Hall of Fame Trainer Jack Van Berg

1:43 - What Dan Lyle does as Director of Rugby for Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)3:22 - What the differences are between Rugby and American Football and the history of how rugby started.7:11 - What each position does in Rugby Sevens.8:32 - What positions do in Rugby Union.9:43 - Why Dan decided to pursue professional rugby outside of the United States instead of American football with the Minnesota Vikings.14:15 - Was it a culture shock to play rugby overseas.16:25 - What the history of rugby is for the United States and how it fits in with rugby’s origin.20:14 - How women are embracing rugby and why they are passionate about it.22:02 - What the differences of tackling in rugby and American sports and how rugby tackling has been successful for NFL and Collegiate coaches.25:19 - What some of the cultures are in rugby, including the “Haka”25:59 - How there is a culture within the game of rugby.28:44 - How Dan is able to grow help rugby in the U.S. 32:28 - Finding the face of rugby in the US with current cross over players.35:28 - What the future of rugby is like in the US.37:57 - What the challenges are to get new fans excited about rugby.41:04 - How AEG is in the business of creating sports properties42:14 - How Dan became the rugby analyst for NBC Sports.44:35 - What Dan’s recommendation is for someone new to rugby who wants to learn the game.46:59 - Who were some of the best rugby players Dan has seen in his lifetime.50:25 - What Dan’s perspective is on the movie “Invictus,” starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman.51:56 - How the movie and real-life events affected Dan and his view on how it affected society.54:03 - What Dan would like people to know about rugby that they might not otherwise know.55:54 - What the best advice Dan has been given working in sports.58:33 - How people can find out more about rugby in the United States.

Dan Lyle - Director of AEG Rugby & Former USA Rugby Player

2:00 - Welcome to Nick Gismondi2:45 - What Nick has been doing since Covid-19 disrupted sports.4:23 - What it’s like working as an announcer for the Chicago Blackhawks, one of the Original Six NHL teams.7:15 - What it’s like as the rink side reporter for the Blackhawks. 7:51 > 8:4511:17 - How he came to love hockey & the NHL and how he got into sports broadcasting.15:25 - How a chance meeting at Los Angeles International Airport changed his broadcasting career.19:43 - How it takes tenacity to work in sports broadcasting as an on-air personality.23:08 - Nick talks about his formula for building relationships.26:33 - How Nick has developed relationships with celebrities, athletes and people in sports.28:18 - What Nick does for World Team Tennis on CBS31:06 - How the WTT show “Up Next with Nick Gismondi” began.33:02 - Future guests on “Up Next with Nick Gismondi.”34:45 - How Nick is able to connect with fans.38:27 - Nick shares an anecdote working with Olympic Gold Medalist Dan Jansen while covering speed skating.40:54 - What Nick’s future is for announcing.41:56 - How Nick prepare to call a sport or event he’s never covered.43:52 - What makes a good sports tv producer.47:49 - Nick is in a military family and he talks about the relationship with sports and the military.50:20 - What Nick would like people to know about what he does that they might not otherwise know.51:43 - What the best advice he’s been given in the sports broadcasting industry.53:20 - What rewards there are working in sports broadcasting.

Nick Gismondi - Announcer & Reporter, Chicago Blackhawks, NBC Sports Chicago & World Team Tennis

01:41 - What makes social media so powerful.03:47 - How social media has changed with sports networks in the last 5-7 years.07:24 - How Aaron started in sports social media.10:58 - How NBA on TNT, NBA TV, Bleacher Report and NFL Network handle their social media efforts.15:08 - How getting social media correct is extremely important when publishing.18:46 - How he uses his journalism skills to make social media posts effective.21:38 - What the difference is working for a sports organization and running his own company.23:41 - How important strategy is for brands in growing followers, getting out content and crisis management.  25:57 - Who he works with and how he helps them with social media.29:49 - How to create a strategy in promoting content such as the Sports In The Making podcast.33:15 - What some of the most common mistakes people make when using social media.35:10 - What some of the best social media campaigns Aaron has seen.39:02 - How many professional athletes run their own social media accounts and how lesser known athletes manage theirs.44:27 - What the future possibilities are for social media and how influencers have impacted some platforms.48:10 - What the most important thing anyone using social media should know.50:12 - For more information about Aaron and Eisman Digital, contact @eismandigital

Aaron Eisman - Social Media Expert, Eisman Digital

2:30 - How Covid-19 has affected the eSports industry.3:22 - Kris Dahl is Principal at Atomic - What Atomic does and how it affects eSports.4:41 - What Patrick Barthe’s responsibilities are with Atomic5:13 - How Atomic started.6:18 - What eSports is, how it’s grown and the importance of it now.8:13 - How eSports has affected broadcast networks since the pandemic. 10:08 - What some of the challenges are in covering eSports events. 12:44 - How Atomic finds clients and how Atomic puts the productions together.15:49 - How technology for eSports affects the productions.17:35 - What some of the gaming titles are.18:58 - What the viewing numbers tell us on the potential for eSports. 21:04 - How much gamers can earn in competitions.22:43 - How eSports can affect culture.24:53 - What some of the drawbacks eSports can have.26:42 - If eSports could have a future in the Olympics.29:36 - How anti-doping is evident in eSports32:19 - What kinds of innovations Atomic has been a part of and how they work with game developers to cover the events using technology.34:13 - How Atomic makes creative innovations happen.36:23 - What the future for youth is with gaming.39:30 - What the most successful or notable event Atomic has been a part of.42:14 - What they would like sports fans to know about eSports that they may not know.44:45 - How people can find out more about Atomic.

Atomic - eSports & Broadcast Productions

2:15 - Reflecting on the International Olympic Committee’s decision to delay the Games to 20212:48 - How the postponed Games will affect Olympic athletes.4:32 - What challenges Olympic athletes have keeping their mental focus.5:37 -  If he were coaching these athletes, how he would help keep their mental states intact for an additional year.8:17 - Could the Olympics fall back to every four years as it had in the past for both Summer and Winter.9:09 - Ato Boldon’s career accomplishments10:12 - How Ato started as a sprinter.11:45 - If Ato ever thought he would have as many accomplishments as he’s had.13:23 - Other than athletic ability, determination and work ethic, what additional ingredient an Olympic Athlete needs to have.15:15 - How “swagger” or confidence played into Ato’s athletic career.18:48 - What the most memorable Olympic event he ever competed in.19:57 - If he was intimidated running against Michael Johnson in the 200m at the 1996 Atlanta Games.23:08 - The medal Ato is most proud of.24:16 - How Ato shares the story of not giving up to his athletes.25:57 - How he became an aviation pilot, how he still flies and what kinds of planes he flies.29:11 - How Ato got his start in sports broadcasting as a track & field analyst.31:59 - How he was pushed to attend the IAAF World Championships when he was injured and how the BBC gave him a taste of broadcasting.33:45 - How he developed and progressed as an announcer.36:43 - How as an analyst he criticizes or praises athletes while on the air.39:41 - How criticizing athletes when it’s warranted helps with his credibility and how he prides himself on being straight forward with his commentary.41:18 - What methods Ato has when preparing for a broadcast.45:50 - How he became part of the NBC NASCAR production team.46:53 - What the best part of being a broadcast analyst and the worst part.48:44 - How Ato got into coaching with Khalifa St. Fort of Trinidad & Tobago.50:53 - On coaching Olympic hopeful and IAAF Junior World Champion Brianna Williams of Jamaica.52:35 - What Ato’s criteria is for coaching athletes.54:48 - What his approach to coaching is.56:43 - How coaching helps his broadcasting and how broadcasting helps his coaching. 59:58 - How football players aren’t fundamentally sound when they are running.1:02:01 - How he has to find the balance of criticizing an athlete as a broadcaster when he is on-air as an analyst.1:04:28 - What the difference is being an athlete and being a coach when earning accomplishments or having success.1:07:11 - What Ato learned from civil rights activist and 1968 Olympic Bronze Medalist John Carlos when he interviewed him for NBC’s “Bring The Fire” feature story.1:09:55 - How NBC producer Jack Felling utilizes former athletes/broadcasters to interview athletes and why.1:11:13 - What Ato would like sports fans to know about what he does. 

Ato Boldon NBC Sports Analyst & Sprint Coach

2:34 - What Mary Kate Shea does in her role as Senior Director with John Hancock.3:27 - How she got to John Hancock and what the company’s role is with the Boston Marathon.5:09 - How she was able to make this career and her background on marathons.09:36 - 2013 was the first year she took the reigns of the Boston Marathon’s elite athletes and a treetops view of what her job entails including checking the athletes on race day.10:55 - Meg Keflezhigi checking in and on his bib he honored those that died in the bombing tragedy.13:00 - What the energy was like in 2014, the year after the bombing.15:04 - What makes an event like the Boston Marathon special from other sports and other races.16:27 - How much the Boston Marathon and John Hancock has raised for charity.17:58 - What her process for selecting elite athletes is like leading up to this year’s (2020) Boston Marathon.21:26 - Some elite athletes have amazing stories about what they’ve done with their victories.22:23 - How well she is able to know the elite athletes and how she’s developed relationships.24:16 - How winning the Boston Marathon is a life changing event and one of the memorable gifts she’s received from an elite athlete.25:44 - What the 48 hours before a race is like.28:14 - A question she always asks the elite athletes when checking in on Marathon Monday.28:44 - What happens on the journey to Hopkington, the start of the Boston Marathon.30:39 - After the elite athletes start, what she does to get back to the finish line.32:18 - John Hancock’s training program.33:11 - Her most memorable moments in Boston Marathon history.  Meb’s win, the weather in 2018 and the surprise in the women’s field.35:34 - How she recruited eventual Boston Marathon Champion, Yuki Kawauchi.38:57 - What it meant for her that Meb and Des ended the drought for American runners in the Boston Marathon.41:19 - How she views Push Rim Athlete Tatyana McFadden.42:00 - Tatyana McFadden’s rival, Manuela Schar.42:32 - Men’s Push Rim Athlete Daniel Romanchuck.42:32 - Comparing the Boston Marathon to other marathon races.44:41 - What these words or phrases mean to Mary Kate Shea:HopkingtonScream Tunnel at Wellesley CollegeNewton Fire StationHeartbreak Hill46:41 - How she helps the elite runners scout Heartbreak HillTurning onto Boylston Street toward the finish lineCrossing the Finish LineCelebrating after the race48:59 - What Mary Kate would like people to know about the Boston Marathon that they might not otherwise know.

Mary Kate Shea - Sr. Director of Sports Marketing & Sponsorship, John Hancock

2:31 - What Heather does as a Sports Athlete Agent3:29 - When she knew being an agent is what she wanted to do.6:13 - What she liked about work with Gold Medal Management.8:19 - How storytelling is important in representing traditional or Olympic athletes rather than mainstream athletes.9:35 - How Heather builds relationships and trust with athletes.11:21 - Expectations athletes should have when working with an agent.13:37 - How Human Interest Group finds brands that looks at an athlete’s qualities for sponsorship.16:30 - How HIG finds its athletes for representation.20:46 - How Pararlympic athletes are getting better opportunities for sponsorships and branding.23:39 - How Olympic Rule #40 affects athletes when they are participating in the Olympic Games.27:35 - What she learned working for Gold Medal Management, Octagon and IMG to help launch her own company, Kinetic Sports Management and how she arrived at Human Interest Group.31:13 - What success Heather has experienced for her clients. 36:13 - How companies are strategizing to find the right athletes to be brand ambassadors.38:22 - What the future of women is for companies wanting to brand.40:22 - What keeps Heather driven to stay in this industry.42:27 - What the craziest experience Heather has had working in this industry.46:48 - How she has worked with women endurance athletes48:05 - What advice Heather has for someone wanting to work in the sports agent industry.50:59 - What sacrifices Heather has to make as an athlete agent.52:20 - Heather explains why she loves being a sports agent.54:19 - Best advice Heather has been given working in this industry.55:36 - Heather explains if many people are interested in being an agent.59:36 - How she was one of the first two women agents in the Olympic space.1:01:09 - How people can find out more about Human Interest Group

Heather Novickis - Athlete Agent, Olympic, Paralympic & Endurance

3:26 - What Brian does as Manager of Engineers at Game Creek Video.4:20 - What a television truck is made up of.5:33 - How much mobile television trucks cost.6:32 - How trucks are custom built for sports networks.8:08 - How the trucks are planned for which event and how they are integrated. together.10:43 - Planning ESPN’s MegaCast College Football National Championship.12:29 - How much dedication an tv truck engineer puts into a production.13:38 - How working in mobile television is like a brotherhood.14:47 - How much influence with the networks when putting on a major sporting event.16:55 - What a truck engineer’s responsibility entails.18:17 - How they maintain the tv truck when a piece of equipment breaks.19:56 - How he’s able to manage demanding producers and directors.20:38 - How Brian started in the tv business when he was 8 years old.22:15 - How he worked with news networks all over the world as a teenager.23:08 - How Brian started working on major events.24:44 - Brian was hired the same day of an event when another engineer had quit.25:44 - Most challenging event Brian has ever been a part of.29:55 - How engineers can save the show with technical problems.30:32 - How he’s had to literally put out fires on a tv production.32:46 - How Game Creek plans for productions that are not near a big city.34:16 - What events Brian has worked in his career.35:29 - What the differences between sports, political and entertainment events are.36:55 - How many trucks are in Game Creek’s fleet.37:25 - How Game Creek tv trucks are named.38:48 - How each tv truck has a “personality” and how Brian adjusts to it.39:39 - When a “Gremlin” make it difficult to maintain the equipment on a truck.40:20 - What the best thing about what Brian does as a mobile tv truck engineer.41:29 - Best accomplishment of his career.42:06 - What’s it’s like being a truck engineer for anyone who is interested in this industry.44:08 - What qualities an aspiring engineer should have.44:49 - How someone can find out more about Game Creek Video’s apprenticeship program.46:32 - What some of the advantages of being a truck engineer are.47:32 - What the next big event is for Brian and what to keep in mind for that event. (recorded prior to the cancellation of sports because of the COVID-19 pandemic)49:33 - Brian shares a funny story working on auto racing.51:39 - What he would like sports fans to know about the industry he works in.

Brian Nupnau - Engineering Manager, Game Creek Video

PART 2:2:09 - How he helped the Pittsburgh Steelers build their baseball PNC park.5:29 - How he was able to get a new arena built for the Penn State hockey program.10:12 - How Ben helped billionaire Terry Pegula buy the NHL Buffalo Sabres team.13:52 - How the media tries to know what goes on in sports franchise deals.15:55 - How negotiations happen between all parties to buy a sports franchise.17:17 - Ben’s involvement in the group that wanted to purchase the Arizona Coyotes.23:53 - When the deal for the Coyotes fell through, how Ben and his group had a good chance to land an NHL team in the Seattle market.27:54 - His advice to anyone that wants to buy a sports franchise.29:33 - How the sports franchise fees have escalated.31:00 - Why buying a sports franchise are a difficult financial decision based on valuations for anyone who wants to purchase one.33:33 - What his thought are for franchise opportunities for the XFL and if the NFL should invest in the league.38:30 - How Ben is able to make connections and build relationships with influential people in sports and how former Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Jim Leyland helped him relate to people.43:41 - Ben served on the board of directors of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) and how he views the progress of that league is.48:46 - How the NHL lockout affected their rights deal with ESPN and how NBC partnered with them.51:00 - Where Ben sees women in sports today and his working relationship with Andrea Kremer and Hannah Storm on Amazon’s Thursday Night Football.54:25 - How the days of listening to broadcasting legends are nearly over and how there are more opportunities for women to make an impact in broadcasting.57:29 - Advice Ben has been given in his career.58:55 - What tool Ben uses to help him identify how to succeed.

Part 2: Ben Bouma - Sports TV Producer & Sports Management Consultant

4:21 - What Ben Bouma’s title is and how he can’t fit into a title.6:10 - How Ben got into sports television and how he connected with broadcaster Kenny Albert.11:40 - How he started producing NHL games for Fox Sports and then later with ESPN on Sunday Night Baseball.14:03 - What his responsibilities were as a sidelines producer, who he started working with and how he prepared for his responsibilities as a sidelines producer.16:15 - How it’s nearly impossible to have a perfect show.17:11 - How Ben builds relationships with his announcers and how important trust is with the announcer.19:21 - What some of the qualities the best announcers in the business have and how they prepare for events.21:18 - How the announce team handles blunders.24:26 - A listing of Ben’s credentials and all of the major events he’s been a part of and which event(s) he has an emotional connection with. (2004 World Series & 2010 Olympic Gold Medal Hockey Final)29:28 - How as a field producer he handles the “scrum” at the end of the game when reporters are rushing the field to get interviews.32:21 - How adjusting to a game tying home run or other significant sports moment can be a rewarding broadcasting experience.34:03 - How his friends see him on television occasionally and why he didn’t want to be an announcer.35:21 - What a typical travel/sports year looks like for him and what his schedule is like in covering sporting events.38:00 - What the craziest travel stories are for him.40:09 - How his commute to stadiums and cities is no different than a typical commute.41:22 - What Ben does apart from his work in sports television, and how he works at the highest level in trying to purchase sports franchises.

Part 1: Ben Bouma - Sports TV Producer & Sports Management Consultant

2:34 - What August 7, 2004 mean to Jimmy.3:07 - How much effort he put into getting to the Major Leagues and how rewarding it was getting the call to go.3:58 - How many times he felt like giving up on his dream of reaching MLB4:41 - Growing up in Grand Junction, CO5:20 - How Jimmy and I know each other.5:51 - How he ended up in Arizona to play baseball.7:07 - Jimmy didn’t have any offers to play college baseball.7:46 - He didn’t play the position he played in high school and how he got selected to play for Mesa Community College, a junior college elite program.9:04 - When he thought he might be able to play baseball professional & how he got into professional baseball.11:24 - What was the call like when he was drafted.12:31 - Where his first professional assignment was and that experience16:09 - How realistic it is for AAA to play in the Major Leagues.17:28 - How he feels about MLB’s proposal to eliminate 42 minor league teams in 2020.19:10 - How Jimmy feels most players feel about the journey to get to the Major Leagues in regards to pay.20:41 - How he felt as a minor league player that it’s understood that he would have to sacrifice.21:54 - What the difference in pay is between levels and do different clubs pay differently.23:05 - How player representation with agents happens.24:12 - Do players have a voice in the business aspect of baseball?25:02 - What kind of instruction the players get at each level of baseball26:30 - What it was like being at AAA, then getting demoted and then promoted to MLB.29:38 - What the situation was like when he got the call up to MLB and the process on getting there.31:42 - What happened when he got to Kansas City for his debut.33:09 - What his mentality was when he made his MLB debut as a pitcher.35:23 - He pitched 10 games in MLB - which game is most memorable.37:55 - What the best part of being in the Major Leagues.39:09 - How difficult it is to stay in MLB.39:41 - How his MLB career ended and what happens to a player after that.41:11 - How playing foreign baseball is different from the U.S.41:48 - What was most surprising about the different cultures around the world.42:46 - What players have to do to guard their signs during the game.43:30 - What “tipping pitches” is.44:48 - What is acceptable sign stealing in baseball and how technology has affected the game.46:03 - How does a pitcher recognize that sign stealing is happening.48:03 - How he feels the environment is for sign stealing in MLB49:02 - How will MLB know that sign stealing is going to happen.49:51 - How he feels technology can benefit baseball in the future.50:42 - What he’s been doing since he left baseball.51:27 - What some of the most valuable lessons he’s learned in his career.

Jimmy Serrano - Former MLB Pitcher, Kansas City Royals

Sports In The Making is a podcast hosted by tv sports veteran Don Cardona that explores the behind-the-scenes of sports, whether on the field, in the tv truck or anywhere sports happens. Don has conversations with the people working in sports, including sports broadcasting professionals, executives, front office staff, athletes, agents, etc. and gives sports fans a different look at sports and how it all comes together.

hubhopper

Sports In The Making

hubhopper