Podcast

2015 Draft Pick by the Chicago White Sox and current pro player Alex Katz shares from his journey on the field and how this led to co-founding KD Custom Kicks on Episode 21.

Here are the highlights from our conversation…

1. How Alex’s formal education at St. John’s University helped him learn first hand from some of the best in the sports business world

2. What sparked the idea to start KD Custom Kicks with his friend Anthony after playing for Team Israel in the 2017 World Baseball Classic

3. How the business has allowed him to have a better perspective of his on the field goals

4. How KD Custom Kicks was able to help David Wright be sent off in style in the last games of his big league career

Dugout Mugs Founder and Managing Partner Randall Thompson shares his story of going from preferred walk on in college to playing pro ball in the Blue Jays organization and eventually starting the business after playing on Episode 20.

Here are the highlights from our conversation…

1. How the beginnings in pro ball and entrepreneurship often parallel

2. What happened while coaching college ball that planted the seed to what eventually became Dugout Mugs

3. How the growth of the business has fueled being able to license with MLB to be in 25 big league stadiums and also licensing with MiLB

4. Why finding a business partner at the beginning has continually challenged Randall to step outside his comfort

5. What the Dugout Mug effect is

2016 2nd Round Draft Pick and current minor leaguer Logan Ice shares from his journey of playing at Oregon State and pro ball in the Indians organization on Episode 19.

Here are a few of the highlights from our conversation…

1. How Logan went all out to earn a scholarship offer from Oregon State

2. Logan’s experience as a three year starter at national powerhouse Oregon State

3. Logan’s thoughts for current college players with the draft only a few weeks away

4. Why Logan decided to become one of 200+ pro players that has joined a player pool through Pando

Logan’s story gives a fresh perspective of the grind that pro ball is and the hard work its taken to earn this opportunity.

To connect with Logan on LinkedIn, click here. To follow his journey in pro ball, follow him on Instagram and @loganice33 on Twitter.

Tune into Episode 19 by clicking above or by going to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.

North America Brand Manager of Nike Baseball and Softball Ryan Sudenga shares how playing and coaching college baseball built a foundation for success in business on Episode 18.

Here are a few of the highlights from our conversation…

1. What led Ryan to pivot out of coaching college baseball to pursue working in the sporting goods industry

2. How Ryan used the skills he developed coaching baseball players in the retail environment leading storefronts for Nike in several locations across the country

3. The move Ryan made that positioned him to earn an opportunity to work at Nike’s world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon

4. Ryan’s advice for anyone wanting to get into the business world within sports

Ryan’s story will resonate because it gives an inside look at what it takes to move around the bases within a world class organization. Whether you are still playing or on the other side, there are many principles that can be taken away and applied in your life.

To connect with Ryan on LinkedIn, click here.

Tune into Episode 18 by clicking above or by going to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.

Baseballism CEO and Co-Founder Travis Chock shares how playing in college led to building what has become an eight figure business with several of his former teammates on Episode 17.

Here are a few of the many highlights from our conversation…

1. What Baseballism originally was and how it evolved into the apparel company it is today

2. Why Travis’ lack of a business degree as a teacher and coach was not a reason he avoided diving into entrepreneurship

3. How Baseballism has grown from an apparel company started in a garage to doing nearly $15 MM in revenue in 2018 with storefronts across the country

4. Why Travis believes living as if there is something to lose before you have it can be the difference between reaching goals and coming up short in baseball and business

5. A brand new announcement by Travis sharing where their next storefront will be opening later this year

This episode is packed with tips and ideas for anyone seeking ways to fully leverage their experiences on the field.

The Baseballism story is one that affirms baseball can be the foundation on which everything off the field is built upon. Many of us know the Baseballism brand but through this behind the scenes look will be able to better appreciate what is behind the name.

To shop for your own Baseballism apparel, visit their website at baseballism.com.

Tune into Episode 17 by clicking above or by going to iTunes or Google Play.

Former college player Brad Marshall shares from playing two sports in college along with getting his undergrad and graduate degree before taking these experiences into the real world working with athletes in Episode 16

Here are a few of the key points we discussed…

1. How a mentorship in college with a professor helped pave the path to going to grad school for sports psychology

2. Brad’s experiences and process to help athletes and active military maximize their performance

3. Why asking the right questions is the best way to build trust and how he does this working with teams at FOCUS Unlimited

4. How crossfit has not only allowed him to continue to compete but open doors in business

Brad’s experiences as an athlete, student and business professional are all working together in his day to day and is a great example of how to take the investment of what was been done to create wins wherever you’re at today.

To connect with Brad on LinkedIn, click here. To learn more about FOCUS Unlimited, visit their website at focusunltd.com.

Tune into Episode 16 by clicking above or by going to iTunes, Google Play or Spotify.

It’s no secret that winning in baseball requires a team. However it isn’t as obvious in business how to surround yourself with the right people to build a powerful business network.

On Episode 15, I share my best tips on how to focus on this important topic. Here are a few of the key points covered…

1. How to put “currency” in the pockets of those in your existing network and new business professionals you meet

2. Ideas to network by having fun versus it being an awkward and forced encounter with strangers

3. How to leverage the emotional connection with those who went to the same high school or college

4. The three types of people that are essential to having in your network to grow professionally long term

I created Baseball and Business to be a vehicle to help connect people and ideas. I’m glad to empower you with some practical ideas you can carry this out in your day to day.

These ideas will only work as well as they are put into action though. After you listen to this episode, I strongly encourage you to visit our private LinkedIn group and connect with at least one other guy in the network.

Tune into Episode 15 by clicking above or by going to iTunes, Google Play or Spotify.

Former player Patrick Jones shares from his journey playing at Xavier University along with how he’s blended coaching and business together in Episode 14.

Former player Matt Phillips shares from his journey playing at Creighton University and professionally overseas in addition to his experiences in Corporate America and starting his own business in Episode 13.

Matt’s story shows that taking risks are the only way to win in baseball and business.

Here are a few of the topics we touched on during our conversation…

1. How he took an unconventional route to playing D1 baseball

2. Why he rolled the dice to move to Switzerland while working in Corporate America

3. How Matt started his career working for a Big 4 accounting firm and eventually started his own company Pro Athlete Advantage down the road

4. What his training squads are doing to push those in business to new levels through training the mind and body in the context of a team

Matt’s journey demonstrates the power of stepping outside of the comfort zone time and time again. This regular experience in baseball is an advantage we as athletes can carry over into business to gain an edge against those we compete against in business.

Click here to connect with Matt on LinkedIn. To learn more about his business, go to proathleteadvantage.com.

Tune into Episode 13 by clicking above or by going to iTunes, Google Play or Spotify.

Current pro player Matt Sergey shares from his journey heading into a new season along with how he’s made money beyond the field on Episode 12.

Matt originally was drafted of high school by the Brewers in 2007 before going off to play in college. Post college, he has played affiliated minor league ball and indy ball.

Here are a few of the topics we touched on during our conversation…

1. How an arm injury in college completely changed Matt’s perspective on playing

2. Why he created a company, Deviate Existence, while playing

3. How Matt has turned a passion off the field into an income stream to supplement what he makes playing

4. The importance of not going at building a business alone

Matt’s story demonstrates what is possible when you decide to just start. Nothing of significance happens overnight in baseball or business. This reality on the field hardwires us as players to be better equipped to create success in business as a result.

Click here to follow Matt on Instagram.

Tune into Episode 12 on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify or clicking the audio at the top of the page.