Sayonara Baseball

In continuing Sayonara Baseball's series of speaking with those pursuing the highest levels of athleticism, Dr. Yvette Henry, joins the show to discuss competing in the World Indoor and Outdoor Masters track and field competitions.  In over 120 competitions across more than 15 years from youth to Masters levels, Dr. Henry recently won a gold medal in the 60m event at the 2023 World Indoor Masters.  Also, Dr. Henry shares about her own educational and professional pursuits in scientific and clinical research -- even how they have both provided a unique perspective into her athletics career.

Where to find Dr. Yvette Henry's Work

Todd Radom returns to the show for the third time to share some stories of his adventures in baseball over the past year.  From Seattle to Philadelphia to Incheon, South Korea, Todd has traveled around the world thanks to baseball.

Where to find Todd's Work

Kazuki and Brandon are back for the final postseason analysis episodes.  For this episode, we review the World Series that saw the Texas Rangers win their first World Series in team history versus the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kazuki and Brandon are back for the postseason analysis episodes.  For this episode, we recorded the episode only a few hours before the World Series was to begin.  Therefore, if you are reading this note, we may be a few games in (or even complete) with the World Series.

To the baseball!  On this episode, the hosts review two LCS series that went to Game 7s.  In particular, the analysis looks at the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks and how both made the World Series.  Lastly, time to preview a rather unlikely World Series.

Kazuki and Brandon are back for the postseason analysis episodes.  For this episode, we had to use some different audio equipment – as such, we apologize for a suboptimal audio experience.

To the baseball!  On this episode, the hosts review a Divisional Round that saw the top teams bow out in both leagues.  In particular, the analysis looks at the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks and how both made the Championship Series.  Lastly, time to preview the League Championship round for the ALCS and NLCS.

Kazuki and Brandon are back for the postseason analysis episodes. On today’s episodes, our hosts start with the four sweeps in the Wild Card Round. In particular, lots of discussion about the Blue Jays-Twins series with what happened in Game 2. After the break, Kazuki and Brandon preview all four Division Round series. Kazuki breaks down the unique financial story for the Atlanta Braves that offered them two MVP-level candidates in 2023!

Kazuki and Brandon are back with their popular series of round-by-round previews and (later) reviews of the MLB postseason.

Enjoy Kazuki's analysis of what makes each series interesting to watch. Then, make sure to embrace Brandon's simmering hot opinions on what he finds interesting, too.

Broadcasted live on LinkedIn, Kazuki and Brandon speak with Casey Bryant, the voice of the Everett Silvertips (Western Hockey League).  We talk with Casey about his career from Marist College where he broadcasted hockey games live on Facebook to becoming a recognized voice in North America's top-tier major junior hockey league.  We discussed his cameo on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver while working in Danbury, CT -- for a water treatment facility.  Casey shared what the Seattle sports scene looks like since he made the move in 2021. After the break, Kazuki spoke with Casey about his lifelong fandom for the New York Mets.  We had to discuss the disappearance of Yoenis Cespedes and seeing the Mets compete for a World Series.  Of course, we had to discuss the current state of the New York Mets under new ownership.  Although, we had no clue that right after we finished that Max Scherzer would be traded!

Where to find Casey's Work

Brandon and Kazuki welcome back their first-ever guest and friend of the show, Todd Radom.  Since 2013, when Brandon attended University of Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School of Business, he has wondered why a plaque dedicated to the Pirates' first World Series victory stood at the building's front door.  Therefore, our hosts welcome back Todd Radom, our baseball historian, to chronicle the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Homestead Grays.  Todd and Brandon discuss how the city shaped one of the most recognizable teams in baseball for over a century.  They discuss players, the ballparks, and, of course, bridges.

By the way, Todd kept his future (at the time) work with Shop 412 a secret from all of us until the collection was released a few weeks after we recorded the episode.  We love a good coincidental incident of synergy.

Where to find Todd's Work

Kazuki and Brandon close out the 2022 season with their World Series review with game-by-game summaries.  To truly finish the season, Kazuki and Brandon revisit the great moments of the 2022 season.

Kazuki and Brandon review the Championship Series that brought Philadelphia and Houston to where they stand now as World Series contenders.  Full of details and game recaps, Kazuki and Brandon share what factors worked (or did not work) for these teams and their opponents.  Finally, the time has come to preview the World Series.

Kazuki and Brandon are back after the delayed finish to the ALDS.  Kazuki has made the bold decision to let Brandon go solo on this one; because, he was a far better researcher on the series to review.  Also, with the Championship Series starting right in the middle of recording, Brandon provides some notes ahead of those games going forward for a best-of-seven series.

We start back where it all began two years ago -- the Wild Card Series!  Kazuki and Brandon recap the Wild Card Series games right up until 7 PM Eastern on Sunday, October 9.  Also, the hosts look ahead to what could be an exciting Divisional Series.

(Disclaimer:  Kazuki and Brandon literally recorded this episode in the hour before the Padres v. Mets Game 3.  Therefore, you will clearly hear this several times when they time code the episode)

Brandon and Kazuki provide an update on what they have been doing these past few months. However, they have some exciting updates and hope the audience of podcast can join them for their live shows starting soon on Twitter!!

Brandon and Kazuki speak with entertainer and host Ryan Budds about how he went from being in the first Sharknado to hosting thousands of game nights across the country.  Ryan shares how he developed his trivia hosting business, Trivia with Budds, and found a way to grow his entertainment business throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  Ryan also offers some tips and advice to make baseball a bit more entertaining (yes, we talk about the pace of play).  Finally, Kazuki and Brandon compete in a couple of rounds of trivia -- featuring questions from Ryan's "Trivia with Budds" podcast!

For more of Ryan's work, please see below:

The gentlemen are back for Season 4 of Sayonara Baseball!  Brandon and Kazuki welcome their friends and former colleagues, Brett Knight and Chris Smith, for a bit of fun and then some professional discourse.  First, the quartet brings back a years-old discussion about minor league baseball to have a minor league baseball team nickname fantasy draft.  Later, Brandon and Kazuki get some thoughts from their guests on what to look forward to in the 2022 MLB Season.

For more of Brett's and Chris' work, please see below:

Kazuki and Brandon close out the 2021 season with a review of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves.  Thank you for listening during the 2021 season.

Postseason baseball continues! Kazuki and Brandon get right into the American and National League action to discuss the Championship Series rounds. To close out this episode, Kazuki and Brandon preview the World Series.

Postseason baseball is back! Kazuki and Brandon get right into the National League action to discuss the Wild Card and Division Series rounds. To close out this episode, Kazuki and Brandon preview the Championship Series.

Postseason baseball is back! Kazuki and Brandon get right into the American League action to discuss the Wild Card and Division Series rounds. To close out this episode, Kazuki and Brandon preview the Championship Series.

It's the Regular Season Finale for Sayonara Baseball!  Kazuki and Brandon go through the contenders for the AL and NL Wild Card spots to see who has the best chance to clinch a postseason berth.  Brandon revisits the segment from the most recent episode to see which non-contender caused the most havoc for those contending for the postseason.  Our hosts analyze what has made the San Francisco Giants the best team in all of baseball this year.  Then, it's time for predictions!  To close the show, Brandon shares a tribute to one of the greatest citizens in baseball history:  Roberto Clemente.

Kazuki and Brandon deliver a lot of news to start off the show.  Then, we get to the good stuff.  In this episode, time to discuss why the Reds have been doing well and why the Padres have not been doing so well.  Our hosts discuss which team at the bottom of the standings could diminish the hopes of those at the top of the standings.

To close out the episode, Kazuki and Brandon share the greatest walk-up song of all time and remember how baseball came back to life following the events of September 11, 2001.  Fair warning, you might want to keep the tissues handy -- our hosts sure needed a few. 

Song Links:

Kazuki and Brandon deliver a lengthy news update before getting into several stories around the world of baseball.  To start, the hosts discuss how the Field of Dreams Game could create a future of special event site baseball games.  Also, when speaking of Iowa, Brandon shares how Iowa has become the center of the local blackouts discussion across all the professional sports and how that relates to how sports fans watch (or listen) to their favorite teams.  Later on, Kazuki details the AL East and why Milwaukee is far greater than a great pitching staff.  To close, our walk-up song of the show celebrates a great tradition from the University of Wisconsin.

Check out all the resources and episodes notes here:

Kazuki and Brandon are back with a brand new episode to discuss all that has happened in the past several weeks.  At the top of the show, Brandon shares a moment of tribute for Astros legend J.R. Richards who passed away recently.  Next, our hosts review the trade deadline that saw every single team make a move.  Brandon updates us on the news in Oakland after the City Council vote and the new nickname in Cleveland.  Later, Kazuki puts the amazing past weeks for Joey Votto into perspective.  Brandon has a duo of walkup songs inspired by Anna Kendrick.  Finally, Kazuki shares his review of a game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL.

Check out all the resources and episodes notes here:

After watching the Olympics, in particular Women's Gymnastics, Kazuki and Brandon decided to rebroadcast our conversation with Skylar Brandt, a Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre.  During the Olympics, Simone Biles, arguably one (if not THE) of the greatest athletes to ever compete for the United States, withdrew from competitors to focus on her mental health and well-being.  In doing so, she made a statement about how an athlete has to work tirelessly to balance their physical and mental strength.  As she cheered on her teammates, one of them won a gold medal in Women's Artistic Gymnastics All-Around - Suni Lee.  If that story sounds a little familiar, our friend Skylar Brandt had to step up for her company under some unfortunate circumstances, too -- and she delivered.

With the MLB Draft, Home Run Derby, and All-Star Game all complete, Kazuki and Brandon are here to share their analysis of each of these signature events.  Afterwards, our hosts spend some time to preview what might occur for this month's trade deadline.  Kazuki provides a long list of sellers, buyers, and players that could be moved in late July.  Of those possible sellers, Brandon and Kazuki spend some time talking about the Twins and Cubs -- both of whom came into the All-Star Break on poor performance streaks.  Brandon puts together a mixtape of songs to express the feelings around the trade deadline -- basically, a version of a breakup mixtape.  The episode concludes with some early predictions for the remainder of the season.

Check out all the resources and episodes notes here:

July 2021 will have three major events in MLB in the first half of the month; and, Brandon and Kazuki preview all of them for you in this episode.  Of course, Brandon starts with some news.  Our hosts provide a quick update on the foreign substances guidelines.  Then, Brandon and Kazuki preview each of the Home Run Derby, All-and All-Star Game -- as of what is known on July 2, 2021.  After the previews, Kazuki shares why Shohei Ohtani has earned all the praise.  Brandon chooses three potential walk-up songs from Canada to honor our hockey comrades in Montreal who made it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Our hosts conclude with a preview of the draft and Futures Game in our Extra Innings segment.

Check out all the resources and episodes notes here:

Kazuki and Brandon are back with a look at the past two weeks in Major League Baseball.  After discussing the news, Kazuki shares another round of prospect watch with us.  Brandon leads us in a discussion about the new guidelines about foreign substances that went into effect on June 21.  "The Cycle" concludes with a look at the trade deadline approaching and a review of the Los Angeles Angels.  Later on, Kazuki shares with us the greatness of Cedric Mullins in Baltimore.  Brandon discusses Cole Tucker's walk-up song and its origins at a defunct garden store.  Finally, the hosts conclude with a discussion about afternoon baseball games.

Check out all the resources and episodes notes here:

Kazuki and Brandon are back with an episode full of news, topics, music, and more.  Our hosts start off with several news stories from the past several days in MLB.  Kazuki begins the stories in 'The Cycle' and helps us learn more about Toronto Blue Jays' rookie Alex Manoah.  Brandon and Kazuki discuss the bamboozling play in the Cubs-Pirates game.  Brandon provides an update on what is happening in Oakland with their potential relocation.  Kazuki closes 'The Cycle' with some thoughts on the Diamondbacks' losing.  Our hosts then 'tip their caps' and "give 'em the hook" to some players from around MLB.  Walk-up songs this week are selections from The Notorious B.I.G. and Boney M.  The episode concludes with a discussion on Lou Gehrig Day in 'Extra Innings'.



Check out all the resources and episodes notes here:

Kazuki and Brandon are back to discuss yet another no-hitter in Seattle.  However, the episode starts off with some optimism in Seattle (welcome Logan and Jarred!).  Later on, Brandon provides some news about the situation between the Athletics and the City of Oakland.  Kazuki helps provide some high hopes for the Toronto Blue Jays.  Kazuki also gives us an update on the solid performances from Texas Rangers' Kyle Gibson.  Brandon shares a not-so-great update on Matt Harvey in Baltimore.  The "Walk-Up Song of the Show" comes from The Outfield (literally).  Brandon finishes the show with the story of how the Houston Astros helped with a project during his freshman year at Cornell University.


Check out all the resources and episodes notes here:

In today's episode, Kazuki and Brandon discuss what's going on with the Royals, Giants, Dodgers, and the teams of the AL East.  Brandon looks back at the month of April in the MLB to learn more about the "Three True Outcomes" discussion.  Kazuki 'tips his cap' to a special group of relievers in Pittsburgh.  The hosts try to figure out the mystery of Donnie Stevenson; and, whether or not he will save the Mets.  Lastly, Kazuki shares how his Asian American heritage brought him closer to baseball.

In this episode, Kazuki and Brandon discuss the past two weeks in Major League baseball.  They take a closer look at the Chicago White Sox after Rodon's no-hitter and the Brewers after Corbin Burnes' performance versus San Diego.  Also, which of several winning (or losing) streaks means the most right now?  The hosts travel to Southern California for a review of Padres versus Dodgers.

Later on, Brandon recognizes Danny Duffy.  Kazuki tells us all why we should believe in Ty France.  That leads us to our next question -- has Kazuki become a Mariners fan, finally?  The episode concludes with a discussion of Will Smith's walk-up song and a conversation about Jackie Robinson Day.




Check out this article about Perfect Games being broken up in the 9th inning or later:

Kazuki and Brandon recap Opening Week of the 2021 MLB Season in a new format with some news and even some music.  We discuss the hot starts for Akil Baddoo, Shohei Ohtani, and the Cincinnati Reds.  Brandon outlines the series of events regarding the 2021 All-Star Game and Amateur Draft.  Kazuki helps us learn what happened to Jed Lowrie.  Brandon and Kazuki also select their 'would-be' walk-up songs in a new segment.  Lastly, we have minor league baseball news!


Check out all the sources about the changes to the MLB All-Star Game here:

The 2020 COVID Pandemic put a major halt to the minor league. With no season to play, the collective bargaining agreement between the minors and the MLB office ceased, thus causing a massive change to the entire league. Todd Radom, a veteran graphic designer who's known for much of the branding across professional sports franchises and events as well as being a frequent guest on Buster Olney's Baseball Tonight podcast, stops by to discuss the rich and fun history and the designs and names of these Minor League teams with Kazuki and Brandon as well as changes that these teams are undergoing today and how these changes could affect the future of baseball.

After 32 years, Dodgers have finally won the World Series!! Brandon Bycer, Business Intelligence Professional, Forbes Advisor Contributor, and "The Airline Guy" Blogger, stops by and breaks down the series with Kazuki and discusses on the art of "analytics" and how teams especially the Tampa Bays Rays are utilizing them today and how that can affect baseball in the future. 

After a long, strange 2020 season, World Series is here!  With the east to west matchup of Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers at Texas Ranger's Globe Life Field in Arlington. Will Dodgers finally end their long championship drought? Or will Tampa Bay finally win their first championship? Brandon Bycer, Business Intelligence Professional, Forbes Advisor Contributor, and "The Airline Guy" Blogger, stops by to discuss with Kazuki on this amazing World Series matchup. We also provide our thoughts to the late Hall of Famer and Broadcaster, Joe Morgan.

League Championship Series is back!!. Now, four teams are playing in the usual format but in a "bubble"...Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros at San Diego's Petco Park and Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves at Texas Ranger's Globe Life Field in Arlington. How will the bubble affect the teams in the playoffs? Will playoff experience persevere over hot streaks? Brandon Bycer, Business Intelligence Professional, Forbes Advisor Contributor, and "The Airline Guy" Blogger, stops by to discuss with Kazuki this recent change to the MLB Playoffs and its impact on the league. We also provide our thoughts to the late legendary Bob Gibson and Whitey Ford.

With the conclusion of the first ever Wild Card Series, the Division Series begins. Eight teams are back to playing in the usual format with a bit of a twist...at different league's ballpark...Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees at San Diego's Petco Park, Oakland A's and Houston Astros at Dodgers Stadium, Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins at Houston's Minute Maid Park, and Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres at Texas Ranger's Globe Life Field in Arlington. How will the change of scenery affect the teams in the playoffs? Brandon Bycer, Business Intelligence Professional, Forbes Advisor Contributor, and "The Airline Guy" Blogger, stops by to discuss with Kazuki this recent change to the MLB Playoffs and its impact on the league.

2020 has been a strange, pandemic-filled year around the world. Now with a shortened season, MLB has changed the format of this year's playoffs. This episode highlights the 16 teams in this postseason. Noah, Kazuki's long-time friend, stops by to provide his bold predictions.

The MLB All-Star Game has been a huge event in mid-July for baseball fans around the world. This episode recaps and highlights the events of the MLB 2019 All-Star Game that took place in Cleveland this past week. Kazuki and Taro talk about the history of the MLB All-Star Game and how it has adapted to baseball's evolution into a cultural phenomenon.

Small market teams like Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland A's have been innovative in their approach to baseball games that usually shakes up the entire league. And how do they do it? By bringing in new, bold strategies that allow them to win games with their small payroll. We call this new movement, the Versatility Movement. Where did this movement come from and how did it start? Kazuki and Taro talk about the history of versatility movement and how that's affecting the free agency or the "gig economy" today.