#36 - The Youth Baseball Dilemma | The 9-Hole Podcast
Nick Dini (ex-MLB Catcher for the KC Royals) joins me to continue our conversation about the state of youth baseball - and coaches sacrificing players health for some tournament wins.
We talk accountability - how coaches can get the most out of their players with a respectful environment, and some best practices to hold them accountable throughout the season.
#35 - Hungry Dogs Run Faster | The 9-Hole Podcast
Zack Granite (ex-MLB Outfielder with the Minnesota Twins) joins me on the 9-Hole Podcast to talk about:
His Journey
How he used his speed to impact baseball games
How he got scouted & recruited
What the next generation of players & parents NEED to know
How to steal a base
From being a 160 pound outfielder at Seton Hall, all the way to stealing bags and making plays on the biggest stage for the Twins - Zack has incredible insight, tips and lessons that the next generation of baseball players can learn from and relate to.
Those who have done it, helping those who are next.
Thanks for tuning in,
IM
#34 - Playing YOUR Game & the Secret Formula | The 9-Hole Podcast
On today's episode, I talk about the secret to the success that I've been able to have on the field - playing MY game.
I cover 2 specific examples on when playing my game helped me stand out - and what that ultimately did for me.
The episode ends with tips and concepts that helped me play Center Field/Outfield at the highest possible level - and I'm confident they'll help you.
Those who have done it, helping those who are next.
Thanks for tuning in,
IM
#33 - Arm Injuries & Youth Baseball | The 9-Hole Podcast
Nick Dini (ex-MLB Catcher) joins me to talk about the plethora of arm injuries that youth baseball players are experiencing.
Why it's happening
How to combat it
Long term injuries for a travel ball trophy
Those who have done it, helping those who are next.
Thanks for tuning in,
IM
#32 - MLB Dreams & the Latin American Player | The 9-Hole Podcast
Today I'm joined by Joseph Guzman and Adrian Lorenzo. Joseph is an MLB agent at Empowerment Sports Group, and Adrian has had a multitude of experience in baseball operations and international scouting.
Today we're going to hit on their stories, talk about their unique perspectives in the game and hear about what the struggles are being a Latin American player trying to make it to the big leagues.
Those who have done it, helping those who are next. Thanks for tuning in,
IM
#31 - NFL Draft, MLB News & Umps, PCA's 1st of Many | The 9-Hole Podcast
David & Ian recap the sports news of the week:
The 1st round of the NFL Draft
Bellinger's riblets
PCA's homer & pimp-job
What is going on w/MLB umpires?
Thanks for tuning in,
IM
#30 - 5 Mistakes I've Made on my MLB Journey | The 9-Hole Podcast
This week on The 9-Hole Podcast I'm talking about the top 5 mistakes I made on my journey from Little League to the Big Leagues. The episode ends with actionable steps for an athlete to take if they aren't where they want to be in their career.
Above average results require me to take above average action. Be the person, so you can have the results.
Those who have done it, helping those who are next!
Thanks for tuning in,
IM
#29 - From Underdog to Millionaire | The 9-Hole Podcast
Nick Vincent joins The 9-Hole to talk about his journey in the game of baseball. From being an undersized 135 pound High School pitcher throwing in the mid-80's, to being a solidified bullpen piece with parts of 10 MLB seasons on the biggest stage - Nick's story is relatable to anybody going through the baseball grind.
Nick talks about his grind in getting to the big leagues, the separators that gave him longevity once he got there, and the importance of a strong mental game and having a routine.
Started:
135 lbs throwing mid-80's in High School
JUCO for 3 years
18th round draft pick throwing 90 mph
Ended:
3.30 ERA in the MLB
400+ innings pitched with 400+ strikeouts
Parts of 10 seasons with 6 different teams
Those who have done it, helping those who are next.
IM
#28 - Elbow Injuries, Ohtani's Bookie & Soto's Eye | The 9-Hole Podcast
David & Ian talk about the most recent and relevant News, Headlines & Hot Gossip around the League.
A's Going to Sacramento & keeping Esteury Ruiz in AAA
More Elbow Surgeries in 2023 than the entire DECADE of the 90's
Shohei has been vindicated and is starting to heat up
Juan Soto's patience frustrating NY Sports Media?
Why Trevor Bauer is not in an MLB uniform
Zach McKinstry and the terrible, horrible, no good very bad day
MLB Standings - who is hot and who is NOT
#27 - From Senior Sign to MLB Glory | The 9-Hole Podcast
Nick Dini joins The 9-Hole Podcast to talk about his journey in the game of baseball. Drafted in the 14th round for $1,000 after his Senior season at Wagner College - Dini had to silence the questions and limiting beliefs surrounding his skillset and his 5'7 frame armed with his dream and his work ethic.
The rest is history.
His Journey
What He's Learned Along the Way
Actionable Advice to the Next Generation & Their Parents
Those who have done it, helping those who are next.
This is an incredible story about defying the odds, and I appreciate you guys for tuning in.
IM
Check Nick Dini and his Catching Page out on Instagram:
Personal IG: @eywho_dini
Catching IG: @njcatchingguy
#26 - What It Takes From a 2-Time MLB All-Star | The 9-Hole Podcast
Shea Hillenbrand:
2-Time MLB All-Star
Keynote Speaker
Elite Performance Coach
Leader & Inspiration
Shea joins The 9-Hole Podcast to talk about his journey in the game, his thought processes and motivation behind his success on and off the field - and most importantly his own struggles and adversity that he needed to overcome under the bright lights and behind the scenes.
Those who have done it, helping those who are next.
Thanks for tuning in,
IM
#25 - The Necessary Framework for Athletes | The 9-Hole Podcast
As athletes, we all deal with the fear of failure. None of us wants to fail. We also deal with pressure and adversity, and are tasked with handling it correctly in order to remain consistent on the field - regardless of the situation.
How are we then able to overcome fear, pressure & adversity - all the while being confident and clear on what we're supposed to do to overcome it all?
There's a framework to it!!! And the framework is NECESSARY.
Let me know what you think, thanks for tuning in.
IM
#24 - If You Don't Progress You'll Be Replaced | The 9-Hole Podcast
Each level you advance in baseball:
the demands are going to be more
the competition is going to be tougher
the requirements are going to be more strenuous
Over almost a decade in professional baseball, here are the 10 things I've learned on my path to NOT being replaced.
PS: the sooner you can learn & implement, the better off you'll be.
#23 - How Parents IMPACT Their Son's Baseball Career | The 9-Hole Podcast
How a Parent Impacts:
Their son's attitude on/off the field
The way their son handles adversity
Their son's opportunities in the game
Volume x Time = Skill
Resiliency, Positivity & Motivation doesn't come from being spoon fed and having it easy.
Thanks for listening,
IM
#22 - A D2 Dynasty & Leader of Men | The 9-Hole x Jon Shehan
Jon Shehan - Millersville Baseball Head Coach
Coach Shehan joins me to talk about his team and their dominant start to the 2024 campaign (21-5), his journey, 16 seasons of success under his belt, and what the next generation and their parents should know about the process in becoming a college athlete.
In 16 seasons:
10 PSAC Eastern Division Championships
3 PSAC Championships
3 NCAA Atlantic Regional Titles
11 NCAA Tournament Appearances
Four-time Atlantic Region Coach of the Year
Six-time PSAC East Coach of the Year
2016 Division 2 Coach of the Year
578-264-1 record
#21 - Overcoming SLUMPS on the Baseball Field | The 9-Hole Podcast
Call it a slump at the plate, or the yips when you throw - the LAST thing you want to do is have it spiral into a hole you can't dig yourself out of before the regular season ends.
Obviously, different things work for different people. Different dudes may get out of slumps differently than others. I once had a teammate in AAA slump so hard he took a shower with his full uniform on - cleats and soap and everything to wash the bad vibes off.
Just because you're slumping, doesn't mean your mechanics are trash. Sometimes the worst thing you can do is do too much.
Are you swinging at good pitches? Are you getting good pitches to hit? Do you have an idea of what a plan is?
THOSE are the things you need to look at to start getting out of a slump, or getting one of those bad boys TAMED.
Slumps can give out multi-year deals, too.
My teammate got out of that slump by the way.
Thanks for tuning in,
IM
#20 - How to Overcome Adversity & Succeed | The 9-Hole Podcast
In order to succeed and accomplish anything in your career, or your life - you need to overcome the adversity that is thrown at you. In this episode of The 9-Hole Podcast, I share how to overcome it and why it's necessary in the pursuit of achieving anything worthwhile, both ON and OFF the field.
What it is, what it can do for you, the alternative to not facing it and the steps to overcoming it.
Thanks for tuning in,
IM
#19 - Cam Maybin's Journey Through 15 MLB Seasons | The 9-Hole Podcast
Cam Maybin - World Series Champ & parts of 15 seasons in the MLB
10th overall pick in 2005
Career: 3824 AB's | 973 hits | 72 HR | 187 SB's | .254 AVG
The definition of elite - be ready to laugh for 60 mins straight, an incredible conversation with one of the most talented athletes that the game of baseball has ever been graced by. Hands down.
His journey
The difference between those that stay, and those that don't
Life
Thanks for tuning in,
IM
#18 - How to Become a Confident Athlete | The 9-Hole Podcast
Confidence can make or break an athlete.
Slumps, rough patches, mental breakdowns and the yips. It'll all happen at some point.
In this episode, I'll show you how as an athlete you can develop it, learn it - or fake it - and why all of these are instrumental to your success on and off the field.
#17 - The 9-Hole x James Jones (MLB Outfielder & Left-Handed Pitcher)
JAMES JONES - MLB Outfielder & LHP
Parts of 2 MLB seasons with the Seattle Mariners
2014: 108 Games | .250 AVG | 27 stolen bases in 28 attempts
Has been with Mariners, Rangers & Dodgers
Transitioned to a pitcher FULL-TIME with Rangers in 2016
Was drafted in the 4th round out of LIU Brooklyn as a CF
JJ has one of the more unique stories in the game of baseball - especially as somebody that has made it to the big leagues. From the #1 draft prospect in the state of New York, to a Major League outfielder with the Mariners - all the way to a pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery and then shutting people down on the mound - it's crazy to think it all started as a 150-pound college freshman just trying to forge his own path in the NORTHEAST.
His journey to the big leagues
His journey in the outfield AND on the mound
His advice to the next generation of baseball players
Those who have done it, helping those who are next...
Thanks for tuning in,
IM