Heading For Home

Imagine driving in the winning run on a walk-off single for your hometown team that you’ve dreamed of playing for since you were a little boy. This dream was a reality for Justin Ruchti. His RBI single in the bottom of the 9th against Texas gave his team the opportunity to play for a National Championship, which they would accomplish a few days later. It was the first in the history of Rice University, a very proud baseball program. In this episode, Keith and Justin discuss that moment, the countless hours spent to get to that point, and the pros and cons of listening to everyone’s opinions when you get to professional baseball. Thanks so much again for listening. We appreciate all the support from all of our Heading for Home family.

Gerard Michaels speaks truthfully and candidly when he discusses the subject of his transition out of baseball. When he says “a part of you dies,” I think most retired ballplayers would agree whether they realize it or not. In this episode, Gerard and Keith speak about what is missed when it’s all said and done, practical and important advice from Gerard’s family, and being someone who is active in seeking help when needed. This is a very poignant episode where the language and subject matter is for adults only, but i think it’s extremely genuine and appropriate to what many go through. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for the continued support. Please rate and subscribe if you’re digging what we are doing. 

Life as a “Grinder” is very much a double edged sword. While your teammates all respect you as a guy that would do anything to help the team win, opportunities are sometimes minimal and rarely are front offices giving a grinder a free pass after a down year. Casey Benjamin is the epitome of the “Grinder.” A beloved teammate, Casey had to battle every step of the way. In this episode Keith and Casey discuss taking advantage of every opportunity, his life on the road, and how he got his first nickname in affiliated ball. Thanks so much for listening.

Nobody said baseball was fair. Like life, this game is a perfect microcosm of the many twists and turns that we experience as human beings. Shea Douglas joins us from Mississippi to discuss this sentiment as well as finding contentment, coaching, and how baseball truly is a game that is passed down from fathers to sons. Thank you for listening.

"Making it" is all relative. Today's guest, Ryan Bicondoa, is the epitome of a kid who lived a dream of playing professionally for his favorite team despite never wearing their big league uniform. In this episode, Keith and Ryan discuss growing up and playing ball in a small town, wearing the pinstripes, and feeling like you "made it" despite never playing in the big leagues. Thanks so much again for listening. We hope you are enjoying the show.

Joe Beimel accomplished what so many of us hope to do the first time we lace up our cleats. He not only made it to the show, but ended up playing 14 years in the Big Leagues. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon on the Esplanade in Redondo Beach, Keith and Joe discuss his wild ride in the show, different training methods, and still throwing 95 at 44 years old. Thanks for listening and hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe and rate the show if you are enjoying it.

When you are with the same group every day things can get a little repetitive. That is the beauty of having teammates like Ben Harrison. From pulling pranks on teammates, to playing piano, to growing up on a sailboat, Ben has always been an interesting guy. In this episode, Keith and Ben discuss the process of dealing with never making the big leagues, winter ball, and finishing in style in Italy. Thanks for checking us out and please like and subscribe if you are digging us.

Christian Lopez has always been a connector. Whether it is teammate-to-teammate, catcher-to-pitcher and now as a positive voice for the next generation with his podcast Behind the Mask-ulinity, Christian is a guy that has done the work and his story is one that resonates. In this episode, Keith and Christian talk about the importance of mentality, processing a career, and continuing to move forward in life. Thank you again for listening and all the continued support. It’s been amazing.

Life in minor league baseball is largely beyond the player’s control. This is definitely true in the case of Ryan Shealy. A prolific power hitter in the Colorado Rockies organization, Ryan hit 180 career home runs in professional baseball but found himself stuck in the minor leagues behind Todd Helton. Without a doubt, Ryan was one of the most feared hitters in the minor leagues throughout the first decade of the 21st century. In this episode Keith and Ryan discuss the alternate universe if he is drafted by another team, how baseball helped him in his current profession, and the versatility of a credit card as a college student. I hope you enjoy this episode. We are so appreciative of the constant feedback and love connecting with our fans. Thanks so much for listening.