PODCAST · sports
Dear Baseball Gods
by Dan Blewett
Dan Blewett shares sound advice for baseball families to help them get the most out of their baseball career. In this baseball podcast, you’ll get short, actionable things you can do to improve and have a more meaningful, fulfilling baseball journey.
Episodes
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EP112 – Coaches – Chapter 27 from Clean Your Cleats
In this episode, you’re getting another a sample chapter of my new book, Clean Your Cleats: Advice on Baseball and Life for Ballplayers. This chapter is about relationships with coaches. It’s now available everywhere you buy books online. Get your copy today.
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EP111 – Baseball is a Trap – Chapter 2 from Clean Your Cleats
In this episode, you’re getting another a sample chapter of my new book, Clean Your Cleats: Advice on Baseball and Life for Ballplayers. This is chapter 2, called Baseball is a Trap.
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EP110 – Slowing the Game Down – Chapter from Clean Your Cleats, My New Book
In this episode, listen to a sample chapter of my new book, Clean Your Cleats: Advice on Baseball and Life for Ballplayers. It’s available everywhere you buy books online. Get your copy today!
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EP109 – Odds of Making it to the Majors; Why the Show is Going on a Break
Dear Baseball Gods will be on pause for a few months – Dan explains why in this episode and what to expect. And, he goes into depth on the odds of making it to the Majors and why it’s not as big a longshot as the statistics indicate. Sign up for Dan’s email list to stay updated on when the show...
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EP108 – Is Throwing a Football Good for Pitchers? Plus Home Gym Tips
In this episode, Dan discusses reasons on whether throwing a football is beneficial for pitchers. Dan also gives helpful suggestions on equipment to use when working out at home. Links: Home workout video mentioned in the episode; Try Early Work Strength Program for free here. To submit a…
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EP107 – BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play) Plus Is Bunting Good or Bad?
In this episode, Dan discusses BABIP (batting average on balls in play) and the importance of understanding what BABIP is especially for pitchers. Dan also talks about bunting and if the run expectancy matrix (discussed in the previous episode) influences whether a coach gives the bunt sign.…
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EP106 – Run Expectancy Plus Nutrition for Middle Schoolers
In this episode, Dan gives a rundown of run expectancy in baseball, along with different scenarios on how run expectancy plays out according to the RE24 matrix. Dan also gives helpful nutrition tips for middle school athletes. Links: Run Expectancy and Bunting article mentioned in the podcast…
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EP105 – Pitching Velocity Ranges and Peaks; Offseason Weekly Throwing; Plus, Knowing Who You Are as a Player
In this episode, Dan discusses pitching velocity ranges and peaks and how they interact with each other. Dan then talks through the general breakdown of offseason weekly throwing for pitching. Lastly, Dan gives advice on knowing and figuring out what kind of player you are. Videos mentioned:...
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EP104 – Is Core Training for Baseball Overrated? Plus, Garbage Time in the Weight Room
Is core training for baseball overrated? Dan discusses what core training does and doesn’t do for an athlete. Also in this episode, Dan talks about what garbage time in the weight room is and if it is useful. Try the Early Work Strength Program for free here. To submit a question for the Q&A...
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EP103 – What to do When You Can’t Locate a Pitch; Plus, What Type of Cleats are Best?
Having trouble locating a pitch? Dan gives helpful tips on how to locate each pitch. Also in this episode, Dan discusses which type of cleats are best and which type of shoes you should wear based on the surface you are playing on. Links: Mound visit video mentioned in the podcast; Try the Early...
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EP102 – What Does Hiding the Ball Mean for Pitchers? And, Is a Knuckle Curve Different?
Is a knuckle-curveball different than a regular curve? And, what does hiding the ball mean for pitchers? Should they try to do it? Should mechanics be taught so that hiding the ball happens? The EARLY Work program is almost ready for launch. Sign up for my email list to be notified! To submit a...
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EP101 – Is Sleep Important For Performance? Plus, Is MLB Baseball Boring Now?
Some coaches claim that sleep is critical to recovery. Sure – this is true, and everyone needs sleep. But is it actually relevant and important to be talking about to younger athletes? Second, Dan discusses the new state of MLB baseball – is it capturing the attention of young players? Is it...
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EP100 – It’s Been One Hundred Episodes – What Have I Learned Since Then?
In this landmark 100th episode, Dan reflects on some of the important things he’s learned in the 3 years that have passed since the Dear Baseball Gods podcast began back in March of 2017. A LOT has happened… To submit a question for the Q&A segment, email a voice recording to Dan at...
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EP99 – How Important Is Launch Angle? Distance Running & Are Goals Actually Useful?
Are short and longterm goals really that important? Is distance running useful for pitchers? Or is it the devil? And, what should we all know about launch angle and its importance in baseball? To submit a question for the Q&A segment, email a voice recording to Dan at [email protected]. Want…
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EP98 – Year Round Throwing Do’s and Don’ts; Does Hand Size Matter in Throwing a Changeup? Plus: Pick Offs
Should pitchers throw year round in baseball? How should they plan their workload? And, does having small hands prevent a pitcher from learning a changeup? Lastly, coach Dan explains why pick off moves are underrated and under taught, and what pitchers should do about it. To submit a question for...
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EP97 – Velo or Command for Young Players? Journaling & Yoga for Baseball Players
If a young pitcher has command but is way below average on velocity, is that at least a bit of solace? Is journaling a good, reasonable thing to ask a young player to do? And, what about yoga – is it effective for baseball players? To submit a question for the Q&A segment, email a voice recording...
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EP96 – How to Pitch with Runners on 3rd; How to Bounce Back After a Bad Start; Is a Slider Bad for Your Arm?
Learn strategies to pitch with runners on 3rd base – the bases loaded, 2nd & 3rd, and runner on 3rd only. Then, Dan covers how to mentally recover from a bad start. Lastly, does throwing a slider put extra stress on a pitchers’ arm? Is a slider more harmful than a curveball or other pitch types?…
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EP95 – Proper Arm Slot For Pitchers, Yelling Instructions to Players & Can Youth Players Throw a Knuckleball?
What’s the right arm slot for a pitcher, and what should be considered in adjusting arm slot? Plus, is it good to yell instructions? Well, no. It’s not. And, should young pitchers be allowed to throw knuckleballs? To submit a question for the Q&A segment, email a voice recording to Dan at...
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EP94 – Best Pitching Repertoire – Dos and Donts; 80%Rule; Is it Okay to Show Emotion on the Field?
Whats the best pitching repertoire for a high-spin fastball pitcher? Should he add a sinker, slider or curveball? What’s best? Dan also discusses the 80% rule of pitch development, and whether or not it’s okay to show emotion on the baseball field, such as watching or pimping a home run. To…
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EP93 – Developmental Age of Ballplayers; Wearing Your Cap Backwards; Can Baseball Players Be…Fat?
How fast do ballplayers develop? Is baseball skill related more to absolute skill? Or size and strength PLUS a requisite amount of skill? Is it better to be small and have great mechanics, or big with lesser mechanics? Plus, Dan discusses what scouts think about wearing a cap backward and whether...
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EP92 – Does a Pitching Leg Kick Increase Velocity? What to Throw in a 3-2 Count, and How NOT to Pitch Injured
Does a pitching leg kick increase velocity? Do higher leg kicks = faster fastballs or better mechanics? Dan also talks through the idea that what a pitcher throws 2-2, he should also throw on a 3-2 count. Lastly, the question of the week is about pitching through pain, and when it’s time to pull...
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EP91 – Safe Strength Exercises & Optimal Bullpen Length for Pitchers
In episode 91, Dan discusses what parents should look for in a strength coach via the exercises they prescribe in a training program. In the 90-second mindset, he discusses the FIRST thing every player should do this offseason. The question of the week is about bullpen length for youth pitchers –...
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EP90 – Should You Take a Baseball Gap Year? Is Gatorade Bad for You and Should Pitchers Vary Leg Kick Timing?
In this episode Dan discusses whether youth pitchers should vary their leg kick timing to disrupt hitters – is it good or harmful for their development? Should college pitchers take a gap year in 2020? And, are sports drinks a good nutritional choice during a game? To submit a question for the…
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EP89 – Principle of Charity Toward Coaches; Umpires Are Just Bad Hops; Mass = Gas?
The principle of charity is about giving the benefit of the doubt to someone in an argument or claim. In coaching, often we don’t give coaches the benefit of the doubt, even when their decision may be based on information we don’t have access to. Dan also talks about umpires and the best way to...
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EP88 Parents Giving Their Kid a Gatorade in the Dugout? Is It a Big Deal?
In this episode, we discuss the separation between parents and their players in the dugout. Some coaches recently were arguing on twitter about handing off drinks during a game, so Dan weighs in. Also discuss how much extra work to do following a bad outing, and should 11 year olds learn sliders?...
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EP87 Finding the Right Pitch Mix; Being a Good Teammate on the Bench; Why Pitching to the Corners is Bad Strategy
To submit a question for the Q&A segment, email a voice recording to Dan at [email protected]. Want to support the show? Buy a copy of Dear Baseball Gods on Kindle or Paperback, or listen on audiobook. Or, pick up Pitching Isn’t Complicated, his advanced-but-understandable pitching manual....
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EP86 Olympic Lifts for Baseball, Swinging at the First Pitch & Lifting After Baseball
Are olympic lifts good for baseball players–are they worth the risks? Should players swing at the first pitch of an at-bat? What does lifting look like after a baseball career comes to an end? These questions and more are answered on Dear Baseball Gods 86. To submit a question for the Q&A…
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EP85 What Is Diamondbabble? First-pitch tactics and Should Pitchers Throw Two Breaking Balls?
Diamondbabble: when baseball coaches describe things in overly complicated ways. Why is the game overflowing with it? In this episode, Dan reads examples of diamondbabble from Twitter and explains the road forward. And, what should a pitcher be thinking on the first pitch of an at-bat? Lastly,...
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EP84 – “Stick to Coaching”
I recently wrote and shared An Open Letter to Young White Athletes. This was what I’d say to a kid about what’s happening in America right now–the protests against racism and police brutality. A lot of people understood, but I also received a lot of criticism, notably a number of calls to “stick…
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EP83 – Why We Actually Miss Baseball and What To Do About It
Baseball season arrived, then quit on us. But, this is a bigger heartbreak and a more confusing time than some parents may realize. Identity as an athlete is tricky, and in today’s episode we dive into why so many ballplayers are struggling, how identity as athletes comes into play, how to…
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EP81 – My Recent Mental Skills Speech
In this talk in a USA Baseball sponsored coaches’ clinic in Illinois, I discussed 10 mental training do’s and don’ts. Mental skills are critical in baseball, though it’s not always clear the best way to build them. Watch the YouTube video version of this post here: https://youtu.be/FdZLQ96hdNg…
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EP80 – WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE.
In this episode, I discuss why I’m selling my academy, moving on, and all the things I THINK I’ll be doing with my life.
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EP79 – Chapter 12 From Dear Baseball Gods: A Memoir
Listen in as Dan Blewett shares chapter twelve from Dear Baseball Gods: A Memoir. This chapter details news he received about his first surgery, his budding meditation practice, and his changes in his demeanor over time. Buy Dear Baseball Gods: 📖 https://amzn.to/2FT8aHf. On Kindle, Paperback and...
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EP78 – Sample Chapter from Dear Baseball Gods the Book
Listen in as Dan Blewett shares chapter one from Dear Baseball Gods: A Memoir, his book on his baseball career, his battle back from injuries, and his search for identity. Sign up for my Email Newsletter: https://danblewett.com//dan-blewett-newsletter/ Subscribe and watch on YouTube:...
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EP77 – Mental Skills for Pitching with Dave Fischer
Dave Fischer, pitching coach and mental skills coach from the University of Rhode Island, joined me on the show to share his journey through pro baseball. We discussed his struggles in pro baseball and how he has turned them into learning opportunities for the pitchers he now coaches. Follow Dave...
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EP76 – Ryan Faer Talks Mental Health & Strength Training in Pro Baseball
Ryan Faer, the Cleveland Indians’ minor league strength coordinator, joined me to talk about how he landed his job as a coach in pro baseball and his day-to-day duties. We also discussed mental health and its ramifications and challenges for athletes. Mental health and the mental stress of pro...
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EP75 – Ty Blankmeyer, Milwaukee Brewers Area Scout
Ty Blankmeyer joined me on the show to talk about his playing career at St. John’s University, his time in the Minor Leagues, and his current job as an area scout for the Milwaukee Brewers. Ty grew up in baseball, as his father has been the St. Johns head coach for 24 seasons, so his story comes...
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EP74 – Cubs’ High-A Manager, Jimmy Gonzalez
Jimmy Gonzalez, Manager of the Chicago Cubs’ High-A team, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, joined me to talk about his 14 years as a pro player, his now six seasons as a coach in the Cubs’ system, and his managing style as a longtime catcher and student of the game. Check out the new podcast artwork…
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EP73 – The Story Behind Dear Baseball Gods the Book
My Book, Dear Baseball Gods, is going to be released on April 15, 2019 and it was two years in the writing, but 22 years in the making. Learn about some of the challenges it posed, how it’s evolved over time, what the book is about and how the format has been shaped by my experiences. Check out…
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EP72 – Steve Marino Refused to Give Up
Steve Marino got told no at dozens of tryouts and pro workouts. But, he kept going until one day…there was a yes. He went on to play five years of pro baseball as a respected third baseman and team captain. Listen in as he tells his story and shares insight into his transition to coaching at the...
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EP71 – College Recruiting with Morgan Depew
Morgan Depew, assistant with the University of Jacksonville in Florida, joined me to talk about his journey from former Warbird trainee, to JUCO baseball player then to Division-2 baseball, then into the coaching ranks. Morgan has been quietly and steadily moving up in the coaching world, now…
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EP70 – College Baseball Recruiting with Ethan Guevin, Recruiting Expert
Ethan Guevin of http://www.KeepPlayingBaseball.org joined me to talk about baseball recruiting, and give some practicing recruiting tips and advice to players and parents. Ethan is a former D-1 assistant coach and Rawlings Gold Glove winner as a player. Today he runs his non-profit recruiting...
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EP69 – Ryan Copeland on D2 Baseball, Pitching & 47-Win Seasons
Ryan Copeland–associate head coach at the University of Illinois Springfield–came on the show to talk about how he uses technology to build better pitchers, how his squad went 47-9 in 2018, and how he built an incredible pitching development system at UIS to create better pitchers who win games....
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EP68 – Pete Maki, Twins Pitching Coordinator
Pete Maki, current Minnesota Twins minor league pitching coordinator and former D-1 pitching coach from Duke and Columbia University, joined me on Dear Baseball Gods to talk about his rise from D-3 pitcher, to D-I coach to professional pitching coordinator. Pete is a rising pitching mind and has…
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EP67 – Dave Swanson from ESPN Sunday Night Baseball
Dave Swanson, the K-Zone producer for ESPN Sunday Night Baseball, joined me to talk about his role in ESPN TV production and his long career as both a professional pitcher and coach. In this episode of Dear Baseball Gods, Dave shared stories of players and coaches from his minor league days, his...
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EP66 – Josh MacDonald of UConn Baseball
Pitching Coach Josh MacDonald joins me on the show to talk about pitching, recruiting, and his unique role as a lifelong UConn Husky pitcher and now coach. Coach MacDonald is known for his candor and skill in recruiting and shared some great insight into the complex and confusing world of…
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EP65 – Why Warmups Are Getting Out of Control
How can we create the perfect warmups for baseball? Should a 10U softball team take 90 minutes before a game to warm up? Is warming up for throwing really a 30-minute endeavor? I talk all about warm up theory and why warming up with all these crazy exercises is probably not all it’s cracked up to...
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EP64 – Jeff Bajenaru: Stories From a Triple-A Pitching Coach and MLB Pitcher
Jeff Bajenaru–the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A pitching coach–joined me to talk about his pretty amazing journey in baseball. From being told he’s never pitch again at age 15, to pitching and hitting 21 home runs at the University of Oklahoma, to pitching in the Major Leagues and winning a…
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EP63 – Kevin Vance: What Life as a D1 Baseball Player is Like
What is it like to be a D1 baseball player? Coach Kevin Vance, pitching coach at the University of Rhode Island, joins the show to talk about daily life as a D1 freshman, recruiting tips, pitching philosophy, mental training and mindset, and much more. Watch this episode on YouTube here:...
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EP62 – Shaun Cole, 2012 National Pitching Coach of the Year
Shaun Cole, former pitching coach of the year in 2012 and current pitching coach for Eastern Kentucky University, joined me to talk about his extensive experience coaching in pro baseball and collegiate baseball. Coach Cole was also pitching coach for USA Baseball, winning two gold medals. Listen...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Dan Blewett shares sound advice for baseball families to help them get the most out of their baseball career. In this baseball podcast, you’ll get short, actionable things you can do to improve and have a more meaningful, fulfilling baseball journey.
HOSTED BY
Dan Blewett
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Dear Baseball Gods have?
Dear Baseball Gods currently has 112 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Dear Baseball Gods about?
Dan Blewett shares sound advice for baseball families to help them get the most out of their baseball career. In this baseball podcast, you’ll get short, actionable things you can do to improve and have a more meaningful, fulfilling baseball journey.
How often does Dear Baseball Gods release new episodes?
Dear Baseball Gods publishes regularly with 112 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Dear Baseball Gods?
You can listen to Dear Baseball Gods on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Dear Baseball Gods?
Dear Baseball Gods is created and hosted by Dan Blewett.
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