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Summary

In this engaging conversation, Jack Greiner and Randy Freking welcome Joe Sunderman and Byron Larkin, two prominent figures in Cincinnati sports history.

Joe and Byron delve into their personal experiences with the Reds and Xavier basketball, discussing the evolution of sports fandom, the impact of youth sports specialization, and the changing landscape of college basketball recruiting.

The discussion also touches on memorable moments in Reds history, the influence of coaching, and the future of college athletics with the introduction of NIL and the transfer portal. Both guests express optimism for the Reds' future and reflect on the importance of handling adversity in sports.

Takeaways:

• Joe Sunderman and Byron Larkin share a deep connection to Cincinnati sports.
• Byron's brother Barry Larkin's legacy with the Reds shaped his fandom.
• Joe recalls nostalgic memories of attending games at Crosley Field.
• Youth sports specialization can lead to burnout and limit skill development.
• The transfer portal has changed the landscape of college basketball recruiting.
• High school coaches used to have more influence on player development.
• The Big Red Machine era remains a cherished memory for Reds fans.
• NIL deals are reshaping college athletics but lack transparency.
• Byron emphasizes the importance of handling adversity in sports.
• Both guests express optimism for the future of the Reds.

Sound Bites

• "The best coach I ever had."
• "I like the idea of the NIL."
• "I love our manager."

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Summary

Comedian Josh Sneed shares his journey from growing up in St. Bernard, Ohio, to becoming a nationally touring comedian and entrepreneur. He discusses his deep-rooted passion for the Cincinnati Reds, humorous anecdotes from his childhood, and the evolution of his brand, Cincy Shirts. Josh also highlights the importance of community engagement through his new venture, The FieldHouse, and his commitment to fostering a positive environment in youth sports. With insights into his comedic influences and experiences, this episode offers a blend of humor, nostalgia, and inspiration.

Takeaways

• Josh Sneed is a nationally touring comedian with a rich background in stand-up.
• He grew up in St. Bernard, Ohio, and attended St. Bernard Elmwood Place High School.
• Josh's early career included working at Procter & Gamble while pursuing comedy.
• He has a deep-rooted passion for the Cincinnati Reds, influenced by his father's fandom.
• Josh shares humorous anecdotes from his childhood and high school experiences.
• He emphasizes the importance of family and community in his life and career.
• Cincy Shirts started as a funny t-shirt company and evolved into a local brand.
• The Field House is a new indoor baseball facility that Josh co-founded.
• Josh's comedy influences include Conan O'Brien, Bill Cosby, and Dave Chappelle.
• He aims to create a positive environment in youth sports through his organization, RedLegs.

Sound Bites

• "I was part of a group of funny guys."
• "I want every single one of these."
• "I wanted to be on Conan O'Brien."

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In this heartfelt episode, Jack and Randy reminisce about their fathers and the profound impact they had on their love for baseball. They share personal stories, from childhood memories of playing baseball to attending Reds games, highlighting the lessons learned and the bonds formed through the sport. The conversation flows through their fathers' influences, memorable moments at All-Star games, and the joys of passing down their passion for baseball to their own children.

takeaways

• Jack's father was a calm and supportive figure in his life.
• Randy's father had a significant influence on his love for baseball.
• Both hosts grew up in large families, which shaped their experiences.
• The importance of family traditions in fostering a love for sports.
• Memories of attending Reds games created lasting bonds.
• The impact of coaching on their development as players.
• Humorous anecdotes about their fathers' involvement in baseball.
• The significance of All-Star games in their childhood memories.
• The role of fathers in shaping their children's interests.
• The joy of sharing baseball experiences with their own children.

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In this episode of 'We Love Our Team', hosts Jack Greiner and Randy Freaking welcome broadcasting legends Eddie Fingers and Rocky Boiman. The conversation explores their backgrounds in radio and sports, their deep-rooted fandom for the Cincinnati Reds, and their experiences as broadcasters. They share memorable moments from Reds history, discuss the evolution of the team, and reflect on the current players making an impact. The episode also touches on coaching influences, the fan experience at games, and aspirations for the Reds' future.

takeaways

• Eddie Fingers grew up in Dayton, Ohio, as a Reds fan.
• Rocky Boiman transitioned from football to broadcasting after his NFL career.
• Both guests have a strong connection to Cincinnati sports culture.
• Eddie recalls his early memories of Reds baseball and Crosley Field.
• Rocky shares his experiences of watching Pete Rose and the Big Red Machine.
• The importance of coaching in shaping athletes' lives is emphasized.
• Current Reds players like Joey Vato and De La Cruz are highlighted.
• The fan experience at baseball games is more casual compared to NFL games.
• Broadcasting styles vary, with Marty and Joe being favorites among fans.
• Both guests express optimism about the Reds' future championship potential.

Sound Bites

• "I always respected that about Joey Vato."
• "I think Larkin is kind of growing into it."
• "I think the intensity is more in a football game."

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In this episode of We Love Our Team, Jack Greiner and Randy Freking welcome artist and baseball historian Gary Cierdkowski. They discuss Gary's journey into baseball design, his creation of the Infinite Baseball Card Set, and his passion for illustrating obscure baseball players. The conversation also delves into the life of Larry McPhail, a pivotal figure in baseball history, and Gary's personal experiences as a Reds fan. Additionally, they explore Gary's favorite baseball movies, highlighting the intersection of art and sports.

takeaways

• Gary Cierdkowski has been an artist since childhood.
• He became an art director at a young age while working on Oriole Park.
• The Infinite Baseball Card Set was inspired by his father and grandfather.
• Gary illustrates obscure baseball players to share their unique stories.
• Dick Sipick was the eighth deaf player in Major League Baseball.
• Ted Kluszewski's wife helped him overcome a batting slump using film.
• Larry McPhail revolutionized baseball marketing and fan engagement.
• Gary's favorite baseball movie is 'The Bad News Bears'.
• He prefers illustrating older players over current stars.
• Gary's latest illustration was of Van Lengo Mungo, a pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Sound Bites

• "I opened my studio a decade ago."
• "He was just a giant guy."
• "I can't believe that."

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In this episode, Jeff Trenipole, also known as Strawberry Ice, shares his journey from growing up in Cincinnati to becoming a popular sports talk show host. He discusses his love for the Reds, memorable moments from his childhood, and the inspiration behind his YouTube channel. Jeff reflects on his longest show, notable guests, and the growth of his podcast. He also shares his favorite sports memories, musical tastes, and even his favorite ice cream shop, Graeters. The conversation is filled with nostalgia, humor, and insights into the world of sports broadcasting.

Takeaways:

• Jeff Trenipole, known as Strawberry Ice, hosts a sports talk show.
• He grew up in Cincinnati, a huge fan of the Reds and Bengals.
• Memorable moments include meeting Johnny Bench as a child.
• The name 'Strawberry Ice' was given by a radio host during his internship.
• He started his YouTube channel at the encouragement of his son.
• The longest show he hosted was five hours, featuring various guests.
• He has a unique approach to growing his podcast by inviting different guests daily.
• Marty Brennaman is one of his favorite guests, as he was a childhood hero.
• He reminisces about the 1990 Reds team and their championship.
• He enjoys a variety of music, from classic rock to hip hop.

Sound Bites

• "My favorite player was Chris Sabo."
• "Graters is the bomb!"
• "I love Nirvana!"

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In this special episode, we welcome Zak Scarlato, a friend with Williams Syndrome, who shares his passion for baseball, particularly the Cincinnati Reds, and his unique talent for imitating umpires. Zach discusses his musical interests, including karaoke and instruments he plays, as well as his fascination with trains.

Zak also shares insights about his work at the Dunham Recreation Center and his health journey, including surgeries at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. The conversation highlights Zach's vibrant personality and diverse interests, making for an engaging and uplifting episode.

Takeaways

• Zak Scarlato was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome at age two.
• He has a passion for the Cincinnati Reds, especially Joey Votto.
• Zak enjoys imitating umpires and has a talent for it.
• Zak has performed at Champions Grille at its annual Christmas party.
• Zak plays instruments like the keyboard and drums.
• He has a fascination with trains, particularly narrow gauge trains.
• Zak works at Dunham Recreation Center for a couple of hours.
• He underwent heart surgeries at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
• Zak has a fondness for music, including Billy Joel, the Spice Girls, and Taylor Swift
• Zak enjpys pretty women.
• He enjoys spending time with family and friends at local events.

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Will Terwort is this week's winner of the Moerlein Lager House Gift Certificate!

In this episode, Jack Greiner and Randy Freaking welcome Chad Dotson, a prominent writer covering the Cincinnati Reds. Chad shares his unique journey from law to sports writing, his experiences as a lifelong Reds fan, and his insights on the team's ownership and broadcasting. The conversation delves into Chad's early memories of the Reds, his perspective on journalism as a fan, and his thoughts on the Hall of Fame debate surrounding Pete Rose.

Additionally, they discuss the evolution of sports media, including podcasting, and Chad's recent book, 'The Big 50: The Cincinnati Reds.' In this engaging conversation, Jack and Chad delve into the rich history of baseball, focusing on memorable moments, significant players, and the impact of managers. They discuss the importance of Pete Rose's record, the legacy of the 1990 Reds, and the challenges faced by teams throughout history. The conversation also touches on the emotional connections fans have with the game, highlighted by discussions of classic baseball movies and personal anecdotes.

Takeaways:

• Chad Dotson's background includes being a judge and a sports writer.
• He started writing about the Reds as a hobby during law school.
• The evolution of sports media has shifted from blogs to podcasts.
• Chad's first Reds game was a disappointment as he missed seeing Johnny Bench.
• He writes from a fan's perspective, not as a traditional journalist.
• Chad is critical of the Castellini ownership of the Reds.
• He believes Pete Rose deserves to be in the Hall of Fame despite his controversies.
• Marty Brennaman is considered the gold standard among Reds broadcasters.
• Chad acknowledges he was wrong about George Grande's broadcasting skills.
• His book aims to engage both new and hardcore Reds fans with unique insights. The significance of memorable moments in baseball history.
• Pete Rose's return to Cincinnati is a pivotal event.
• The 1990 Reds are often overlooked in discussions of great teams.
• Managers play a crucial role in shaping team dynamics and success.
• Tragedy can impact a team's season and legacy.
• Lou Gehrig's story remains a powerful part of baseball lore.
• Chad's book highlights lesser-known aspects of Reds history.
• Baseball movies evoke strong emotional connections for fans.
• Different eras of baseball have unique challenges and triumphs.
• The passion for baseball unites fans across generations.

Sound Bites

• "We love our team."
• "This is the game."
• "He just got the hit."
• "What a story, what a story."
• "What a fun team."
• "Just an incredible manager."
• "Just a wild story."
• "It's a really fun team."

Sponsored by Moerlein Lager House, host of the March 26, 2025 Opening Day Eve Party benefitting the Reds Community Fund!