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What does it take to pitch professionally at 45 — while serving as an elected official?

In this wide-ranging conversation, J.D. Scholten shares the remarkable story of how he balanced professional baseball and public service at the same time — becoming the only person in history to play pro baseball while holding elected office.

Scholten walks through his journey from Sioux City, Iowa, to pitching around the world, to the Iowa Statehouse. He reflects on the grind of independent baseball, the lessons learned from pitching without velocity, and how the discipline of the game prepared him for life in politics. From European leagues and late-night bus rides to campaigning across 42 counties as the lone Democrat in northwest Iowa, this is a story about persistence, preparation, and showing up — no matter the arena.

Topics include:

• Pitching professionally into his mid-40s
• Playing baseball while serving in elected office
• What baseball teaches you about leadership and failure
• Campaigning in deep-red districts
• Why Sioux City has always been home
• Knowing when it’s finally time to step away

Whether you’re a baseball fan, a politics junkie, or just someone who appreciates an unconventional life path, this conversation offers a rare look at what it means to compete — and serve — at the highest level.

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Former MLB reliever Dominic Leone opens up like never before.

From growing up in Norwich, Connecticut, to going undrafted out of high school, to carving out an 11-year Major League career across 10 organizations—Leone’s story is about obsession, resilience, and identity beyond the uniform.

In this interview, Dominic reflects on:
• Being overlooked because of his size
• The unexpected bullpen move that fast-tracked him to the big leagues
• The mental toll of injuries, trades, and constant uncertainty
• The moment he *knew* his career was over
• Life after baseball, fatherhood, and building a new identity
• Interests outside of the game of baseball
• Why mindset—not raw stuff—was his true edge

Leone also dives into the side of pro athletes fans rarely see: fashion, wine, watches, mental health, and the struggle of letting go of the game that defined you.

This is a raw conversation about what it really takes to survive in professional baseball—and what happens when the uniform finally comes off.

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Baseball development in America has never been more competitive—or more fragmented. Travel organizations promise exposure, private instructors chase quick fixes, and parents spend evenings shuttling kids from lesson to lesson in search of something that actually works. In the middle of that whirlwind, one former big leaguer has carved out a different path. In Palmetto, Florida, Kory DeHaan is quietly building something unusual: a training culture rooted not just in reps and metrics, but in mentorship, family values, and real human development. Through HitLab, PitchLab, and the growing Omnia Sports Academy, DeHaan has created a system that challenges the traditional model of youth baseball while giving families a more intentional way to pursue their child’s athletic goals.

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Former Cleveland Indians pitcher Jason Stanford has worn many hats in his life, but none, he says, have carried quite the same meaning as the one he wears today. A little over a year ago, Stanford established Frontline to Field, a nonprofit dedicated to serving veterans, first responders, their families, and the next generation of youth baseball players.

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Trayvon Robinson admits that as a younger player, there were instances where he might not have conducted himself maturely. Being suddenly brought up to the Major Leagues by the Seattle Mariners and then swiftly relegated to the bench was a challenging experience that required time to overcome. Now, 37 years old and the hitting coach of the Lancaster Stormers, Robinson is only appreciative of the game and everyone that guided him through it.

He was named player/coach for the Lancaster Stormers for the 2024 season. For the 2025 season, the word "player" would be removed from his job title.

"I'm thankful, [very thankful for being able to play 19 years.] Very thankful to people I crossed. Thankful for the people who coached me. Thankful for the people who were my teammates. Very thankful for clubhouse managers, umpires, grounds crew, everybody, man. Everybody who, wherever I shared a office with. You just never know who you'll meet. Never know who we'll reconnect. It's definitely a game I will give my life to. And I thank it. I thank it. I'm thankful for what it has done to me. It made me available, got me out of some shitty situations, gave me peace, gave me some shitty situations [laughs.] Yeah, I can't say I'm thankful enough. I just ask for forgiveness for everybody that took me the wrong way and misunderstood me. It's all love. It's all love."

In addition to his duties as a professional hitting coach, Trayvon is also a part of the S.M.I.L.E. Zone with former MLB pitcher Jay Jackson.

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In this conversation, Trayvon Robinson shares his journey from a challenging upbringing in South Central Los Angeles to his experiences in Major League Baseball. He discusses his debut with the Seattle Mariners, the emotional struggles he faced, and the lessons learned throughout his career. Trayvon reflects on the importance of mentorship, resilience, and the impact of personal challenges on his professional life. Now a hitting coach, he emphasizes the significance of guiding young players and the lasting memories created through the sport.

Trayvon Robinson was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 10th round of the 2005 MLB Draft. He climbed up their prospect ladder for several seasons. By 2011, Robinson seemed poised to leap on to the Dodgers' Major League roster. Instead, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners before making his MLB Debut a week later.

With the Dodgers, he seemed to be THE guy. With the Mariners, he was just another guy.

"Yeah, I couldn't even tell you how much I was just crying on the inside. I was stunned."

After spending parts of seven minor league seasons with the Dodgers, Trayvon Robinson was a very well known commodity with the decision-makers, player development personnel, and the big league staff. However, it became obvious, quickly, to Trayvon that the Mariners just picked him up to have another outfielder on their depth chart.

"I just felt like I was walking on eggshells, man," says Robinson. "I just had this whole feeling to where I just wasn't comfortable, If it would have been different with the Dodgers, you know why? They knew me. They knew exactly who I was. They know where I came from. They know everything."

"I eventually stopped playing up there [the Major League level] at the age of 24, so I wasn't getting everyday at-bats. I just felt like I became another guy very quickly," remember Robinson.

Trayvon began the 2012 season in AAA Tacoma with the Mariners. "I batted .530 with like 30 at bats or 20-something at bats in spring training. The only thing I got was 'You need to go play every day." Really? I'm doing everything and I was in a big trade with you. Like just tell me what I need to work on.'

During that AAA stint, Robinson began to fell his favor with the organization was growing. Despite still not playing everyday. minor tweaks to his swing and approach led to harder contact, a reduced strikeout rate, and an increase in walks.

Even so, Robinson explains, "Bam, I get freaking traded. So they wrote me off at like 24 years old." The Seattle Mariners traded him to the Baltimore Orioles.

Trayvon Robinson spent the 2013-15 seasons between the Orioles, Dodgers, Tigers, and Diamondbacks organizations. In 2016, he landed in the Atlantic League, where he play until the 2019 when he was picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"I ended up flying down there to Bradenton [Pirates' spring training home]. I walked up to [Rick] Eckstein, Pirates' hitting coach at the time, and I was like, 'I want play.' Then he asked, 'Where have you been?'"

Robinson explained that he'd been playing in the Atlantic League. He and Eckstein went over Robinson's stats from the last few seasons. The two would spend sometime in the batting cages together and Robinson would soon be sent an invite to spring training.

"I was expecting to get released. It's a numbers game dude, I just want an opportunity to get spring training," said Robinson. "I just wanted an opportunity."

Trayvon got more than a spring training opportunity, he got sent to AAA Indianapolis. Despite battling through a divorce and losing his house and savings, he was named to the 2019 AAA All-Star Game.

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Growing up in a neighborhood plagued by violence and limited opportunities, Trayvon Robinson knew early on that escaping that environment would take more than just dreaming—it would take relentless effort. Trayvon was never tempted to turn the criminal activity that many of his peers chose. Baseball took him to not-so-distant neighborhoods with luxurious gated communities, well-furnished baseball programs, and rosters full of recruited prospects. He utilized commitment and his baseball talents to build a future where safety, stability, and self-worth were everyday realities.

It was a struggle to be seen and respected by scouts and the baseball brass for Trayvon and other prospects in his area. "It's just that it's the stigma of like, 'Oh, he's not playing against anybody.' Or 'He's not in a good league.' Don't get me wrong. It's probably not a good league. But how would you know if he is a good player or not? And that's what I had to make sure that I was put in those situations of playing against Mark Trumbo, Trevor Plouffe,

Justin Sellers, Danny Espinosa. There's a lot of guys I played against that went to prestigious high schools, but my boy Jermaine Williams, he went to Los Angeles High School. So it was just me and Jermaine that went to play against all these prestigious high schools and all these big prospects."

Trayvon was later drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 10th round of the 2005 MLB Draft out of Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles at the age of 17. "They said top 10 to 15 [rounds of the draft] so for me, I was like, I'm fine with that. I just want to go play baseball. Where I grew up, my house situation wasn't great. I just wanted to go and just see how far I can go because I know on the other side there's something better."

By 2009, Robinson was known sprung up the prospect lists. He earned a spot on the California All-Star Team in 2009, the Southern League All-Star team and in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Game in 2010, and the AAA All-Star Game in 2011. Initially Trayvon was more known for his speed, making it remarkable that he was also included in the Home Run Derby of that AAA All-Star Game.

At the July 31st, 2011 trading deadline, Trayvon Robinson was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Seattle Mariners in the three-team deal that sent Erik Bedard to the Boston Red Sox. The move came as a surprise to Robinson. "I couldn't even tell you how much I was just crying on the inside. I was stunned."

Trayvon Robinson made his MLB debut less than a week later with the Seattle Mariners on August 5, 2011.

In this episode, Trayvon "T-Rob" Robinson shares his journey from growing up in South Central LA to becoming a professional baseball player. He discusses the challenges he faced in his youth, the importance of community and mentorship, his experiences during the draft, and the emotional rollercoaster of transitioning to the big leagues. Robinson's story highlights the impact of personal struggles and the support of mentors in achieving success in sports.

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In this episode, Jeff Perro interviews Jay "Smiley J" Jackson, celebrating his career in baseball and discussing his transition to coaching. Jay reflects on his journey from being drafted by the Cubs to making his major league debut, his experiences playing in Japan, and his new role as a pitching coach. He shares insights on retirement, the importance of mindset, and his initiatives to help young athletes through the S.M.I.L.E Zone. Jay emphasizes the significance of positivity and personal growth, aiming to inspire others through his upcoming memoir and various projects.

Chapters

00:00 Starting a New Chapter: Coaching Journey Begins
02:11 Reflecting on the Draft Experience
05:15 The Call-Up: Making It to the Big Leagues
08:17 The Changing Landscape of Baseball
11:04 Success in Japan: A New Adventure
13:58 Looking Back: Celebrating a Career
19:49 Finding Time to Reflect and Celebrate
20:45 Finding Purpose and Service
21:28 The Smile Zone: A Positive Mindset for All
23:53 Curriculum Development for All Ages
25:18 The Importance of Early Education
26:29 Promoting Mental and Physical Health
28:24 Launching The Smile Zone
30:19 Personalized Coaching and Accountability
32:56 Target Audience and Future Aspirations
33:42 Transitioning from Player to Mentor
34:23 Podcasting and Sharing Knowledge