Break A Bat! where Baseball Meets Broadway

Kristen Ledlow joins us to celebrate Women's History Month! Best known for her presence in the basketball world as the host of Handles on NBA TV, and her work through her years as a courtside reporter for TNT, Ledlow's role as a woman in the sports world is marked by incredible integrity when it comes to storytelling, knowledge, and a personality that shines through in every broadcast. This week, she joins us to discuss the responsibility that comes with her position in the game, the barriers she's helped break for women in the sports world, and her love of the arts. Whether it's the NBA playoffs, Glee, or Les Mis, our chat truly goes up and down the court in a really special way. Connect with Kristen Ledlow on Instagram: @kristenledlow Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've got our first former Yankee visiting The Batter's Box in 2022, as Nick Green joins us for Episode 122! Currently a TV analyst for Bally Sports South, Green joins us this week to talk baseball, music, pop culture, and his love of The Greatest Showman! He's also got some amazing never-been-told stories and Broadway parallels from his time on the grand stage while performing in the 2006 production of New York Yankees Baseball. Connect with Nick Green on Instagram: @nickgreen20 Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Giroux steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 121! Giroux plays the title role in Big Nate which just premiered on Paramount+. The show, based on the books of the same name, follows 11 year-old Nate Wright, a rebellious sixth-grader with a never-ending need to prove his awesomeness to the world. Whether he's dealing with disasters at home or detention at school, Nate is no stranger to a challenge. Luckily, he's able to express himself through the cartoons he creates. This week he joins us to talk all about his voiceover work in the series, his Arizona sports fandom, and viral TikTok videos! Connect with Ben Giroux on Instagram: @bengiroux Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jerry Blevins is talking baseball and Broadway in The Batter's Box in Episode 120! One of the best lefty relievers of the 2010s, Blevins made his mark on Broadway not only on the pitcher's mound for the New York Mets but as an avid fan of theatre who embraced the performing arts mecca that is New York City. This week he joins host Al Malafronte to talk all about his show-stopping moments on the bump, his current role with SNY, and some of his favorite nights on The Great White Way! He even touches on the theatre community pumping him up before a big game in this chat that can truly be enjoyed by fans of sports and theatre alike. Connect with Jerry Blevins on Instagram: @jblev13 Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Episode Art Photo: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Kennedy steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 119! This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Anaheim Angels' 2002 World Series championship and the team's 2nd baseman joins us for a chat that looks back on that iconic run and so much more! Whether it's the battles on Broadway against the Yankees in the ALDS, his 3-Home Run game in the ALCS, or the electrifying World Series against Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants, the championship squad's team leader in Batting Average has some great recollections of that very special chapter in baseball history. Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Wilson brings his Broadway fandom to The Batter's Box! You read that right! Fully equipped with his binder full of Playbills, the former All-Star shortstop joins host Al Malafronte to talk all about his longtime affinity for theatre in a true Baseball meets Broadway celebration. Ironically, this fandom began during his playing days during road trips to Yankee Stadium in the mid-2000s and has only continued to blossom. Wilson has Broadway dream roles, favorite actors and actresses, and some awesome insight on the recent string of successful film adaptations of musicals. From the stage to the stadium, we truly covered all bases in one of our most on-brand chats to date. Connect with Jack Wilson on Instagram: @jack.wilson_2 Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GG Townson steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 117! Known for her portrayal of iconic hip-hop artist “Salt '' in the hit biopic Salt-N-Pepa, Townson can now be seen in BET+'s Sacrifice, based on the network's original movie of the same name. The story follows a high-powered entertainment attorney, Daniella Hernandez (Paula Patton), as she navigates the complicated lives of her clients, while uncovering the truth behind her family's secretive past and the death of her parents. Townson plays Jameson, a megastar client of the firm. After Daniella hears that Jameson is looking for new representation, she courts her into what looks like a perfect pairing. But there is more than meets the eye with this star, and her secrets intertwine Daniella in a dangerous plot. This week, Townson talks all about her recent work, her ability to bring characters to life, and some chatter about her LA sports fandom! Connect with GG Townson on Instagram: @ggtownson Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first at-bat of the 2022 season, Ginger Zee steps into The Batter's Box! As the Chief Meteorologist for ABC News, Zee has forecasted and reported the nation's weather on Good Morning America and World News Tonight for nearly a decade. In doing so, she has endeared herself to audiences worldwide as a light that goes far beyond what we see on-screen, and one that we need now more than ever - especially when it comes to the subject matters she's tackling in her all-new book A Little Closer to Home: How I Found the Calm After the Storm. The book is published by the fine folks at Disney Books and is now available for purchase here. When she opened her life to readers in her first book Natural Disaster, the response was enormous. She put a very relatable if not surprising face on depression and has helped lessen the stigma surrounding mental health issues. But as Zee says, Natural Disaster was "Ginger Lite" and only scratched the surface. In this moving follow-up, she shares her truest self. She spent most of her life shielding her vulnerabilities from the world all while being a professional people pleaser. Her stormy childhood, her ongoing struggles with crippling depression, her suicide attempts, and many other life experiences will resonate with readers who are likely to see themselves along the way.  This week, she joins host Al Malafronte to talk all about the new book, and some of the experiences that drove her to open up in such a personal way, as she continues to heal from her trauma on a daily basis. This conversation is above and beyond inspiring, and it was so fascinating to hear her speak with such honesty. It was also particularly interesting to hear how her athletic background and mindset play into her triumphs in healing. In addition to the serious subject matters discussed in our chat, it wouldn't be a day in The Batter's Box without a special round of Fastball Derby, where Zee told some phenomenal stories about her baseball and theatre fandom, and even hinted at some eventual Broadway aspirations! Connect with Ginger Zee on Instagram: @ginger_zee Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's our 2021 finale with former MLB All-Star, Scooter Gennett! Join us for an incredibly honest chat that highlights anything from Gennett's love of sports and the arts to his iconic "baseball theatre" moment - when he tied the Major League record for home runs in a single performance (4) in 2017. Gennett also addresses the recent national headlines he made via his choice words about Carlos Correa's free agency and the Houston Astros cheating scandal. Connect with Scooter Gennett on Instagram: @sgennett2 Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's a "Holiday Block Party" on this show without some Muppet mayhem? Joe Hennes is the Co-Owner and Editor-in-Chief of ToughPigs.com, the premier online destination for "Muppet fans who grew up." In many ways, he's the baseball equivalent of Michael Kay - serving as the voice of the fan through his knowledge, passion, comedic wit, and objectivity that comes through in all of his writing. This week, he joins the party with host Al Malafronte to discuss The Muppets' influence on the world of Major League Baseball mascots, some of his accomplishments at the helm of ToughPigs (which just celebrated its 20th anniversary!), and all things Muppet holiday specials! You can connect with ToughPigs on their website and you can support them on their Patreon, as well! Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Batter's Box gets even merrier, as Lisa Durupt joins us for Episode 113! Durupt can be seen as the star of Christmas With a Crown airing Wednesday, December 8th on Lifetime where she plays the role of Cassie, a successful woman who returns to her hometown to revive her family's Christmas festival. She's also one of the film's executive producers. This week she joins host Al Malafronte to chat all about the new film and how her athletic background plays into her "sports-minded" approach to acting. A tremendous hockey player going back to her days growing up in Winnipeg, we also discussed the crossroads she faced in college when choosing between sports and the arts, and our thoughts on the stigmas surrounding mental health maintenance for a performer on-screen as opposed to at the stadium. She still gets her sports-fix as a Beer League Hockey player, and it's safe to say that there were plenty of laughs in our chat, especially during our Fastball Derby where Durupt brought a powerful swing and some epic stories. Connect with Lisa Durupt on Instagram: @thelisadurupt Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exactly 100 episodes since her first at-bat, Ashely Williams is BACK in The Batter's Box! Be it through her work as an actress, director, producer, and of course, the light that she is as a person - Ashley checks all the boxes when it comes to being an All-Star hitter both on and offscreen. She also helped our podcast find its voice during its earliest days two years ago and remains one of our very favorite guests to date for good reason. This holiday season presents a very special occasion for fans of Ashley's, as she's starring in not one but two Hallmark Channel films! In a true family affair, the films feature Ashley appearing alongside her real-life sister (and our fellow friend of the show!), Kimberly Williams-Paisley, as the two fulfill their onscreen dreams of working together on a project that was more than five years in the making. Each leads their own film: Kimberly's is Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday and premieres this Sunday, December 5th at 8:00 p.m. EST, and Ashley's is Sister Swap: Christmas in the City, which premieres on Sunday, December 12th at the same time. From start to finish, this was yet another insanely fun conversation with Ashley on the Baseball meets Broadway front, as we also touched on Yankee Stadium sushi, Dodger Dogs, and even '80's dance parties with a certain three-time Cy Young Award winner! Pull up an ice block, lend an ear, and enjoy this latest installment of the party! Connect with Ashley Williams on Instagram: @ashleywilliamsandcompany Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jen Lilley RETURNS to The Batter's Box in Episode 111! Our very first hitter to get their second at-bat on the show, Lilley is starring in Royally Wrapped for Christmas which premieres this Saturday, November 27th at 8 pm EST on GAC Family. This week she joins host Al Malafronte to talk all about the new film, as well as the continued charitable work she's doing with Christmas Is Not Cancelled which has some really special stuff brewing that not only aligns with Royally Wrapped for Christmas, but also benefits Toys for Tots in the process. Given the special occasion surrounding her second at-bat, this chat also featured a revamped edition of our signature Fastball Derby segment where Lilley "swung at pitches" thrown by our loyal listeners. These pitches encompassed a wide array of topics that spanned anything from depressing baseball walkup songs to Broadway show tunes and ultimately made for a great addition to our Holiday Block Party! Connect with Jen Lilley on Instagram: @jen_lilley Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taylor Cole is making spirits bright in The Batter's Box, as our Holiday Block Party continues! Cole's latest holiday film Making Spirits Bright premieres on Saturday, November 27th at 6 pm ET on our beloved Hallmark Channel. A longtime staple of the network's annual Countdown to Christmas, Cole is also a tremendous athlete and sports fan going back to her days as a kid in Arlington, Texas. Be it through her family's connection to the Texas Rangers or her unconventional entry into show business, Cole's stories and insight brought some awesome life to the party! Connect with Taylor Cole on Instagram: @taylorquinncole Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nikki DeLoach is kicking off the holidays in The Batter's Box! DeLoach's latest film Five More Minutes premieres on November 20th at 10 p.m. ET, as she helps headline Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' annual Miracles of Christmas lineup. In addition to her home runs as a leading lady on-screen, you can also enjoy her work as a writer in Christmas for Keeps, which premieres on Saturday, December 18th as part of the same lineup. DeLoach got her start in show business on The Mickey Mouse Club in 1993 when she was just 14 years old and now has career highlights that span anything from her leading role in MTV's Awkward to serving as a Celebrity Champion and spokesperson for The Alzheimer's Association. This week, she joins host Al Malafronte for some World Series talk, Broadway chatter, and to discuss the incredible backstories behind her two latest projects. One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation came when we touched on her decision to join the Hallmark family, as it was largely rooted in the struggle that many athletes and entertainers face when it comes to not wanting to be treated as a commodity. DeLoach is as real as they come and this chat certainly showcases that. Connect with Nikki DeLoach on Instagram: @nikdeloach Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Robach steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 108! Be it through her work on ABC's Good Morning America, GMA3, or 20/20, you can always count on Robach to bring a smile to your face, tell it like it is, and inspire you on so many levels. She's just authored her very first children's book alongside her husband Andrew Shue titled Better Together, a sweet tale inspired by their own blended family that's all about finding common ground and learning to appreciate each others' differences. This week, she joins host Al Malafronte to discuss some of the wonderful stories and inspiration that helped guide her in writing the book, along with some of the poignant takeaways she hopes to leave with readers of all ages. The book is published by the fine folks at Flamingo Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, and is now available for purchase here or wherever you get your books! As Better Together showcases, one of Robach's greatest attributes is her passion for storytelling. It's no coincidence that this passion is largely rooted in her performing background going back to her high school days as an avid student of theatre. Like many in our audience, her love of Broadway is complemented by a tremendous sports fandom, and this conversation couldn't have come at a better time - as her hometown Atlanta Braves were on the cusp of winning their first World Series title since 1995! A Breast Cancer Survivor, she also touches on some of the powerful ways in which she's used her platform to raise awareness for early detection and to provide support to women facing the same challenges she did. There were so many laughs during this week's edition of Fastball Derby and it's safe to say that more than two years into this podcast, this is one of our favorite conversations. We're beyond thrilled to share it with you! Connect with Amy Robach on Instagram: @ajrobach Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ken Davidoff steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 107! Part of the fabric of New York City's sportswriting scene for nearly three decades, Davidoff's work as a national baseball columnist for the New York Post has been applauded by readers worldwide. In addition to his baseball knowledge, he posesses a phenomenal ability to bring stories to life through blatant honesty, objectivity, and a personal touch that resonates with anyone who loves America's Pastime. As theatre fans, we're in the business of appreciating great storytellers, and Davidoff certainly fits that bill. This week, he joins host Al Malafronte to discuss some of the highlights from his time on the beat, his thoughts on the evolution of the game, and even some of his most poignant nights on Broadway. It's so fitting that one of his favorite on-stage moments is tied to a certain song in Dear Evan Hansen that hits home for many sports and theatre-lovers, just as this conversation will. Connect with Ken Davidoff on Twitter: @KenDavidoff Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Still trying to make sense of what went wrong in Broadway's latest flop? The 2021 production of New York Yankees Baseball certainly goes down as one of the most polarizing and frustrating shows that loyal fans of the team have seen in recent years, going well beyond the one-sided Wild Card Game finale in Boston. Searching for many answers on what lies ahead in what will truly be a fascinating offseason, host Al Malafronte welcomes Neil Keefe to The Batter's Box for Episode 106. Keefe is the founder of the popular New York Yankees blog and podcast, Keefe To The City. Formerly of WFAN, Keefe's insight on the team defines what it means to be fair and objective. Since much of our audience considers themselves to be baseball fans first, rather than just Yankee fans, unbiased opinions on the state of the franchise are essential when evaluating what can right the ship in The Bronx. With a championship drought that now spans a dozen years, Malafronte and Keefe examine anything from potential cast and crew changes to the organization's disconnect with the audience. These are complicated issues, however, our chat does its best to address them and truly epitomizes one very specific essence of the Yankee fan --- passion. Connect with Keefe to the City here and Neil Keefe's Twitter: @NeilKeefe Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gene and Bill Barretta, known to many quite simply as “The Barretta Brothers,” are stepping into The Batter's Box for Episode 105! Two master creatives, Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between The Lions, and The Jim Henson Company. Bill has been a director, writer, producer, and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Together, they've created their own podcast/vodcast series appropriately titled: The Barretta Brothers - a spontaneous fun-filled hour with fascinating guests and great stories from their lives and careers. This week, the two brothers chat with host Al Malafronte about a myriad of topics spanning anything from their shared experiences growing up in Italian households that loved both sports and the arts to Gene competing against LeBron James to memories from the set and stadium. We also discussed the recent release of Muppets Haunted Mansion, a brilliant Halloween special on Disney+ that Bill co-wrote and served as Executive Producer, in addition to performing his signature characters in Pepé the King Prawn, Johnny Fiama, and many others. It was an hour full of big laughs, constant play and gave the boys the opportunity to share some never-been-told stories! Be sure to check out The Barretta Brothers on their website, on YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts! You can also connect with them on Instagram: @thebarrettabrothers and follow Gene's writing and art on his website: www.genebarretta.com. Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dylan Dreyer steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 104! Part of the fabric of our mornings for nearly a decade as a co-host of The Today Show on NBC, Dreyer is about to release her very first children's book, Misty the Cloud: A Very Stormy Day. The first in a series, the book provides Dreyer the opportunity to combine her meteorology background with her experience as a mom in a way that's both accessible and enjoyable for children. Co-written by Alan Katz and illustrated by Rosie Butcher, the story follows a little cloud with big feelings named Misty and helps young readers understand how to deal with good days, bad days, and everything in between. The book is published by the fine folks at Random House Children's Books, and you can preorder it here before its official release on October 12th! Dreyer embodies the perfect hitter for our podcast, as she's an avid fan of both sports and theatre. A New Jersey native, she takes us back to her time on the softball field at Manalapan High School, working for NBC Sports, and some of the brilliant sports crossovers she's gotten to experience as the "ultimate utility player" on The Today Show. She also discusses the roots of her place in "Red Sox Nation," and while she warns host Al Malafronte that she wasn't the best clutch hitter in her ballplaying days, her performance in this week's edition of Fastball Derby was nothing short of All-Star caliber - highlighted by some hilarious and inspiring stories, many of which just so happened to center around her favorite nights on Broadway! This episode was recorded just a couple of weeks prior to the birth of Dreyer's third child, Russell James. Congratulations to her and her family! Connect with Dylan Dreyer on Instagram: @dylandreyernbc Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Crawford steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 103! Crawford is returning to the title role in The Phantom of the Opera this October and joins host Al Malafronte to discuss his excitement to get back on stage, as well as his longtime Arizona Diamondbacks fandom that goes back to the team's inaugural season in 1998. As baseball celebrates the 20th anniversary of the emotional 2001 World Series between the D-Backs and New York Yankees, the guys had a blast revisiting exactly where they were for each of the seven games, and how the series still resonates so strongly for both of them as one of the greatest of all-time. Crawford also discusses his journey to Broadway and the ways in which his love of both sports and performing truly intersected on his road to success. He's also a very talented musician, and recently put out his own album titled Electronic Pandemic which is now available to stream everywhere. He even has his first Christmas album in the works for this holiday season that truly captures the uplifting spirit of his role in Broadway's triumphant return. Connect with Ben Crawford on Instagram: @crawdady21 Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Ben Crawford headshot by Matthew Murphy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LOOKOUT! New York's own Victoria Konefal steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 102! Konefal is best known for bringing Ciara Brady to life in NBC's Days of Our Lives and has enjoyed rousing success ever since the launch of the show's miniseries Beyond Salem which is now available on Peacock. This summer, she earned her first Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series for her work on "DOOL," and has some epic stories to go along with her impressive back of the baseball card. Konefal embodies what it means to be a New Yorker with her undying spirit, realness, and personality that was such a pleasure to have on the show. This week she takes us through her eventful summer and start to the fall, the roots of her passion for both performing and the New York Yankees growing up in Brooklyn, and even her longstanding Friends fandom that would make Dr. Drake Ramoray proud. Fastball Derby was also in full swing, as Konefal brought the perfect blend of laughs and insight to this free-flowing chat that's a true grand slam. Connect with Victoria Konefal on Instagram: @victoriakonefal Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the MLB pennant race in full swing, Ben Grieve steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 101! Grieve's 9-year career in the big leagues spanned 1997-2005 and was highlighted by an All-Star Game selection in 1998, American League Rookie of the Year honors, and a 104 RBI season in 2000. This week he revisits his glory days on the field, with some great stories about coming up through the Oakland A's system as a highly-touted prospect and having an immediate impact on his cast. We also discuss the challenges Grieve faced playing the game clean in "The Steroid Era," the memorable 2000 Division Series that was played under the bright lights of Broadway, and even the musical Grieve would most like to star in! Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One. Hundred. Episodes. This week, the two folks that have experienced every second of this show from the ground up come together to celebrate this milestone in a way that only seems fitting. Join Al Malafronte (Creator/Host) and Matthew Hendershot (Editor/Audio Engineer) as they discuss the show's evolution over the last two years, rehash their favorite moments behind the mic and audio mixer, answer some audience questions, and look forward to what's ahead. Al Mal also reveals a few never-been-told stories from "backstage and inside the clubhouse," and Hendo even "takes a shot" at an epic round of Fastball Derby, which was filled with some awesome stories of his own and plenty of laughing fits. Thanks to each and every one of you in our audience for your love and support as we hit the century mark! The conversations, stories, and laughs we've shared together are a blessing unlike any other. We'd also like to thank some of our friends of the show that have helped shape Break a Bat! You may just hear a few of them in a pretty epic Batter's Box walk-up that kicks off our celebration... Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a Bikini Bottom Day in The Batter's Box, as Ethan Slater joins us for Episode 99! Slater is a Tony-nominee and Drama Desk winner for his performance in the title role of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical. He recently just co-wrote the all-new musical Edge of the World which is now available via Broadway Records and he's also getting ready to go back on stage in Assassins this fall where he'll play the role of Lee Harvey Oswald. This week, Slater joins host Al Malafronte to discuss his phenomenal writing endeavors and the emotional journey that Edge of the World has taken him on since the pandemic hit. He's also a big baseball fan going all the way back to his childhood and took us through how Cal Ripken Jr. has helped inspire him to be an "Iron Man" here on Broadway. This chat is the perfect blend of baseball and Broadway talk, as we also discussed Slater's longtime passion for old baseball card collecting, his highs and lows as a Baltimore Orioles fan, and even the Jay Gibbons link in Wedding Crashers! Connect with Ethan Slater on Instagram: @ethanslater Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another “Muppet Mentor” is stepping into The Batter's Box, as Carmen Osbahr joins us for Episode 98! More than ten years ago, Osbahr helped spur our host Al Malafronte's creativity during his college production internship at Kaufman Astoria Studios through her friendship, positivity, and encouraging disposition that was instrumental in the launch of this podcast and following our dream of merging sports and the arts. As we close in on our 100th episode celebration, we felt now was as good a time as ever to celebrate her work and personality that has inspired so many over the last 35 years as a principal Muppet performer and creative. A key cog in the Jim Henson universe, the social and cultural impact Osbahr has made all across the globe can't be overstated. Personally hired by Henson himself, together they created and developed Rosita, the first-ever bilingual Muppet to regularly appear on Sesame Street. She still performs Rosita to this day, and her ability to continually steer the character's development and evolution with the times is nothing short of brilliant. Whether it be tackling racism in our society or the struggles that military families face, no script is ever too big for Osbahr, as she continues to rise to the occasion in a poignant way that goes far beyond teaching children their letters and numbers. This conversation is unlike most of Osbahr's previous interviews, as it features a strong dose of baseball metaphors to celebrate both her athleticism as a performer and contributions to The Muppets franchise. It comes during a particularly unique chapter of her career, as she is now one of the last performers in the troupe who actually worked alongside Jim Henson. In many ways, she's The Muppets' version of Brett Gardner, and a great veteran leader for the many new players who have come up through the system in recent years. The stories and insight Osbahr provided us are just amazing, touching on anything from performing Rosita alongside the Yankees' Hall of Fame manager, Joe Torre to her own sports background in her hometown of Mexico City. While much has changed as far as the guard of teammates she's played with, the continued prowess she possesses as a big hitter remains as strong as ever, and our conversation can truly be enjoyed by sports, theatre, and Muppet fans alike! Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Photo courtesy of Sesame Workshop Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Pascal steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 97! Pascal is widely considered to be one of the most respected players in the game here on Broadway, having played for multiple championship casts that have helped shape the fabric of theatre over the past two and a half decades. Whether it's the stage or screen adaptation of RENT, the Broadway productions of Aida, Memphis, Something Rotten, Chicago, or Disaster!, the back of Pascal's baseball card is a sight to behold. He's played on multiple Tony Award-winning teams that have taken home the Best Musical trophy and his individual accolades are highlighted by a Tony nomination and Theatre World Award. Pascal is currently in the midst of an exciting career retrospective that's available to stream exclusively on Stellar titled Adam Pascal… So Far. This week he joins host Al Malafronte to not only discuss some of the songs and stories that help shape the retrospective but so much more. Be it giving up his rockstar dreams he had as a kid growing up on Long Island, the best bagels in Huntington, or a "memorable trip" to the old Yankee Stadium, Pascal does not hold back in an incredibly candid (and hilarious) chat. Connect with Adam Pascal on Instagram: @adampascal Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know it's a great day in The Batter's Box when you're talking about The Muppets, the New York Yankees, and Broadway all within the same hour. However, one might venture that's par for the course when the legendary Fran Brill steps up to the plate! Brill's career as an actress on stage and screen spanned more than 40 years. As one of the original Muppet performers, her body of work is marked by a phenomenal ability to create characters, brilliant comedic wit, and ultimately, as a pioneer. She was the very first female performer hired by Jim Henson and she helped pave the way for women puppeteers everywhere. Her many credits with The Muppets include The Muppet Show, The Jim Henson Hour, and of course, Sesame Street, where she brought Prairie Dawn and Zoe to life and into the hearts of children all across the globe. This week, Brill dives deep with host Al Malafronte to look back on the legacy she's authored and how it still remains as prominent as ever. It's with good reason that her work has endured through the years, as the way she brought such a huge part of herself to Prairie Dawn ranks up there with any example of character development in Muppet history. There are also many never-been-told stories in this conversation, spanning anything from her first Muppet project (The Great Santa Claus Switch) to nearly losing Zoe on a train to the pre-game ritual she shared with Steve Whitmire before each Sesame Street shooting day. Brill also candidly discusses her decision to retire in 2014, which parallels Mickey Mantle's choice to step away from baseball amid a changing game and guard of teammates. A big sports fan in her own right, she also offers her takes on Alex Rodriguez's behavior off the field, and discusses some of her favorite moments at the ballpark. Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LOOKOUT! It's one of those special days in The Batter's Box as Sierra Boggess joins us for Episode 95! For nearly a decade and a half, Boggess has cemented a standing as one of the best players in the game here on Broadway through her brilliant ability to bring iconic characters to life on stage, powerful singing voice, and inspiring disposition that embodies the good stuff in show business. Whether it was originating the role of Ariel in the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid, her portrayal of Christine Daaé in both the Broadway and London 25th Anniversary productions of The Phantom Of The Opera, or her other memorable performances in School Of Rock, It Shoulda Been You, Master Class, Lés Miserables, and Love Never Dies, her accomplishments on Broadway and The West End are on par with any hitter who's dominated in both the American and National League. Ironically, some of Boggess' success on stage is rooted in her own athletic background, as she grew up as a competitive figure skater in her native Denver. Despite having to put the skates aside in her early teens, her passion for the sport has never wavered, and the values it taught her have truly helped shape her into the All-Star actress she is today. Over the past year, she's rediscovered those skills on the ice and this week, she takes host Al Malafronte through this incredible chapter of joy and the intense work she's put into it. She also discusses some of her eventual aspirations in the sport, which may just include competing on the professional level! One of the ultimate testaments to a performer either on stage or at the stadium is their mental fortitude, and some of Boggess' stories behind her success on Broadway fully back up that notion in this conversation. Her ability to set herself apart as a star player in order to achieve her dreams is on par with anyone we've ever spoken with. One might even view her as a master "hitter" when it comes to her technique, mindfulness, and ability to evaluate scouting reports before going into an audition room. On the subject of hitters, it's fitting that Boggess views herself as a “DH” if she were to take on a position in baseball, and also has some great memories of her hometown Colorado Rockies! If you're in New York, be sure to catch Sierra Boggess in her upcoming concert series at 54 Below from September 8-11, as she helps ring in Broadway's triumphant return this fall! Tickets are available here. Connect with Sierra Boggess on her website, as well as Instagram: @officialsierraboggess Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Battles with Roger Clemens paralleled to Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr dueling in Weehawken? That's what happens when Danny Tartabull steps into The Batter's Box! While “The Bull” has largely been out of the public eye since retiring from baseball in 1997, his legacy as one of the best right-handed hitters of the early '90s remains as vital as ever. Over the course of 14 big league seasons, he was selected to an All-Star Game, won a Slugging Percentage title, and knocked in 100+ runs five times. He also had a very memorable tenure as a member of the New York Yankees from 1992-1995. This week, he joins host Al Malafronte for an impartial conversation to set the record straight on his time here and revisit the highs and lows that came with playing on baseball's biggest stage. Tartabull's accomplishments as a Yankee were as strong as anyone's on a rebuilding team, having posted the squad's first .400 On-Base Percentage of the decade when the organization began to shift focus under legendary General Manager, Gene Michael. In 1993 he took his performance to the next level, posting the first 30 Homerun/100 RBI season by a Yankee in five years, leading the team in both said categories, as well as Runs Scored and Total Bases. However, his big contract was often a point of contention for owner George Steinbrenner, and the two clashed quite a bit as Tartabull explains. Whether it was landing on the field in a helicopter, threatening to move the team to New Jersey, or ripping Tartabull through the media, The Boss' theatrics were certainly well-publicized and created quite the backstage dynamic. Tartabull tells it all and then some, as it was fascinating to get such an in-depth look at a truly pivotal chapter in Yankee history from a star player's perspective. This is Tartabull's ultimate tell-all interview, and our chat will certainly satisfy not only the most passionate members of Yankees Universe, but all of the theatre fans in our audience as well. Tartabull loved his nights on Broadway and caught nearly every show that ran in the early and mid '90s. Whether it be Rent or Les Misérables, Tartabull had a front-row seat to the Broadway revolution and has some awesome stories to go along with it. He's also a bit of an actor in his own right, having guest-starred on Seinfeld twice at the request of the show's creator and lifelong Yankee fan, Larry David! His behind-the-scenes memories of working alongside David, Jerry Seinfeld, and Jason Alexander were great to listen to and provided some big laughs!  Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In one of our most fun chats to date, Stephanie Styles brings good vibes and big laughs to The Batter's Box! While Styles is known to many for her starring role in the Broadway touring production of Newsies, the Broadway revival of Kiss Me, Kate, and her recurring role on NBC's Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, she also has a large number of varied interests that are on full display in this episode. They truly make her personality shine in a free-flowing conversation that's a real grand slam of a listen. While Styles refers to herself as "sports adjacent" these days, she grew up as a tremendous Astros fan in her hometown of Houston. She took annual trips to Spring Training, attended World Series games, and even toured the country with Hall of Famer Craig Biggio as he chased his historic 3,000th hit. We talked plenty of baseball and its parallels to Broadway, but this conversation also featured a fun third element of our hour together, and that's Styles' well-known love of Disney. She and host Al Malafronte spoke at length about some of their most poignant memories as now-adult Disney fans, and in Styles' case, how it helped launch her career when she got to live out her dream of performing for Disney on Broadway. We also managed to sneak some Baseball meets Broadway (meets Disney meets Muppets?) trivia into this week's 7th Inning Stretch, and Styles certainly brought her big power bat to Fastball Derby! Connect with Stephanie Styles on Instagram: @bystyles Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're trading in our bat for a hoop this week, as Cricket Wampler joins us for Episode 92! Wampler is one of the breakout stars of Disney Plus' new sports dramedy Big Shot, and her portrayal of Samantha "Giggles" Finkman has earned her All-Star acclaim among audiences everywhere. In her very first podcast appearance, Wampler takes us through some of the success she's enjoyed as a leading player for the show and how Giggles came to be in very unconventional production circumstances. The way she developed her character spans anything from honing her skills as a point guard to developing an entire back story for Giggles while on retreat in San Diego. Wampler's sense of humor is on full display in this conversation, and her stories are nothing short of awesome. She even discusses her recent performance alongside John Stamos and The Beach Boys at Petco Park! Connect with Cricket Wampler on Instagram: @cricketwampler Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every great sports dramedy should have a resident theatre kid, right? Darcy Rose Byrnes answers that call in Big Shot on Disney+, and steps into The Batter's Box to talk all about it. Byrnes plays the role of the ever-ambitious and drama-loving Harper Schapira in the new series and has also lent her songwriting talents to the show's score, having written five original songs that can be heard throughout the first season. No stranger to the screen, she broke into the business as a child star on The Young and the Restless when she was all of five years old. Her other prominent credits are highlighted by The Bold and the Beautiful, How I Met Your Mother, Desperate Housewives, The Young and the Restless, and Sofia the First. One of the great story arcs in Big Shot is Westbrook High's school musical, Beth Macbeth, in which Byrnes' character plays the lead. This week, she talks all about the creative input she offered when bringing the musical to life, and how her own background in the Scottish Play proved to be a grand slam in the process. She also discusses working with John Stamos, and how the show came to be despite some of the many obstacles that the pandemic created during production. We also played a fun round of Fastball Derby, as Byrnes offers some little-known facts about her life off-screen which span anything from her Irish heritage to delaying her road test to her family's Boston sports fandom. Connect with Darcy Rose Byrnes on Instagram: @darcyrosebyrnes Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have the honor of welcoming our very first Tony Award-winner to The Batter's Box, as the great Norbert Leo Butz joins us for Episode 90! Butz's many Broadway accolades are highlighted by four Tony Award nominations, winning twice for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical thanks to his performances as Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in 2005, and again in 2011 when he portrayed Agent Carl Hanratty in Catch Me If You Can. He's also starred in Rent, The Last Five Years, Wicked, Big Fish, My Fair Lady, among other prominent credits. In addition to all of his accomplishments on stage and screen, Butz is just as passionate about baseball as he is for theatre. Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, he spent much of his childhood at Busch Stadium during the heart of the Cardinals' great run in the 1980's with Whitey Herzog at the helm. To this day, he still gets major adrenaline rushes on stage when his performances coincide with Cardinals' World Series games, and has some very memorable stories about those occasions. In an extremely candid conversation, he discusses growing up in what he describes as a very Catholic household with 10 other siblings, and how sports and performing were always at the forefront of his passions. He also takes us through some of the major personal triumphs he's experienced within the Broadway community, having found the ultimate teammates that bring out the best in him to help propel some of his greatest grand slams even in trying times. Anyone from Joe Torre to Keith Hernandez to Bruce Springsteen has come to see Butz perform on stage, and even with all of his success as an actor, he's as humble as anyone we've gotten to speak with. That humbleness, as well as his gratitude and brilliant comedic wit are on full display in this conversation that can be enjoyed by baseball and Broadway fans alike! Connect with Norbert Leo Butz on Instagram: @norbert_leo_butz Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sweeny Murti is taking us backstage and into the clubhouse! For 21 seasons and counting, Murti has played the role of the New York Yankees beat reporter on the team's flagship radio station, WFAN, and also serves as a contributor to both MLB Network and SNY. This week, he takes host Al Malafronte through some of the fascinating aspects of his job, the challenges that come with covering the team over a 162-game season both at home and on the road, as well as some of the unique experiences he's had with the Bronx Bombers and their diverse personalities. Murti entered Yankees Universe during a particularly interesting chapter in the team's history. They were in the heart of their most recent dynasty when he came on board in 2001, and soon watched a major change in the guard unfold almost instantly after it ended on a November night in Arizona. His perspective on the franchise, as well as all of the players and events that followed the glory years are truly incredible, and not without some brilliant insight. Some of the other subject matters we touched on spanned anything from earning player's trust, Jeter & A-Rod, the best team he covered that didn't win it all, and developing his own unique style that we believe represents the "good stuff" in baseball coverage. Murti even tells us which Broadway musical he'd most like to star in! Connect with Sweeny Murti on Twitter: @YankeesWFAN and Instagram: @sweeny_murti Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You didn't think we'd let Friends Fever not make its way onto the podcast, did you? Fresh off one of the best television reunions in recent history, Jane Sibbett steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 88! Sibbett played the role of Carol Willick on Friends over the course of 7 seasons and joins host Al Malafronte to discuss her whirlwind of emotions as the legendary sitcom takes on a second life.  While Sibbett may be best known for her time on Friends, her other on-screen credits are highlighted by lead roles in Santa Barbara, Herman's Head and It Takes Two. She's also a tremendous theatre fan and has done quite a bit of stage directing in recent years. In addition to her accomplishments on stage and screen, she's also a spiritual healer, and discusses some of the more profound moments she's experienced in her work all across the globe with her 'dancing hands.' This chat also featured its fair share of laughs, as just talking about life, in general, was an absolute blast. You'll find her personality to be a far cry from some of the characters she's portrayed over the years, and a real light to be enjoyed by all. Connect with Jane Sibbett on Instagram: @janesibbett Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LOOKOUT! A much-anticipated day has finally arrived, as Patti Murin joins us for Episode 87! Murin made her Broadway debut in one of our favorite shows of all time in Xanadu, and then went on to star in Lysistrata Jones, as well as the touring production of Wicked. She's also done a great deal of work on-screen including a recurring role on Chicago Med, and had starring roles in the Hallmark classics Holiday for Heroes and Love on Iceland. Of course, she's best known to the Broadway world for her most recent performance in Frozen when she starred as Anna, earning both Drama League and Outer Critic Circle Award nominations in the process. A proud New Yorker, Murin steps into The Batter's Box to discuss her long-time love of the New York Yankees. Whether it was their triumphs in the 2000 World Series against the Mets or the heartbreak endured during the 2004 ALCS against the Red Sox, Murin's relationship with the Pinstripes is marked by tremendous passion and spans all the peaks and valleys. She even has a specific code of ethics when it comes to following the team, and reveals some little-known facts about her sports fandom in general. In a conversation that truly covered all bases, we also discussed her biggest grand slams here on Broadway, the John Stamos-Beach Boys connection, and even played a fun round of Baseball meets Broadway trivia in this week's edition of The 7th Inning Stretch! Connect with Patti Murin on Instagram: @pattimurin Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off the announcement of Broadway's triumphant return this fall, Bob Lenzi joins us for Episode 86! Much like a great utility player, Lenzi plays a myriad of roles in the Tony-nominated Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and is also a tremendous student of baseball. Having grown up just outside of Philadelphia, he's a lifelong Phillies fan with as big of a passion for the game as anyone on Broadway. His career on Broadway now spans more than a decade with other credits that include South Pacific and Tuck Everlasting. Lenzi joins host Al Malafronte this week to chat about anything from his ballpark bucket list, big contracts, and postseason memories. He was actually in the midst of his Broadway debut when the Phillies won their last championship in 2008 and even orchestrated a Broadway Fantasy Baseball league with his fellow castmates. On a personal note, he also discusses being the athlete who switched to performing on stage and how his love of both mediums go hand in hand with one another as it does for many in our audience. Connect with Bob Lenzi on Instagram: @bob.lenzi Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Undersell and overdeliver." Virginia Williams steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 85! Williams is co-starring in the second season of Why Women Kill which premieres on Paramount+ on June 3, and brings insight, stories, and laughs from her 26 years in show business. She got her professional start in the soap world on One Life to Live when she was all of 17 years old and has since gone onto author credits such as As the World Turns, How I Met Your Mother, Fairly Legal, Fuller House, Teenage Bounty Hunters, and Charmed. While Williams is best known for her work on-screen, she remains a tremendous fan and student of theatre, with a Theatre Performance degree from Fordham University and a background in Shakespeare. In a conversation chock full of baseball parallels, she and host Al Malafronte had an absolute blast chatting about anything from Hamilton to The Sound of Music to the "wife or daughter" game. Williams also discusses how she shook off the rust when returning to set for Why Women Kill, and even takes a stance in the Jeter vs. A-Rod debate! Connect with Virginia Williams on Instagram: @virginiawms Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why yes, this is HOME plate! In a very fun conversation, Tony nominee Susan Egan joins us in The Batter's Box for Episode 84! Egan has authored a phenomenal legacy in both the Broadway and Disney universe having originated the role of Belle in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast, and then brought the beloved Megara to life in the hit animated classic Hercules. This fall, she's rejoining her Disney family with an all-new concert series titled Disney Princess: The Concert as part of the franchise's "Ultimate Princess Celebration," that's currently running through 2022. This week, Egan joins host Al Malafronte to tell some of the amazing stories surrounding her biggest homeruns as a performer. Whether it be proving tough critics wrong during the initial run of Beauty and the Beast, bringing Megara to life, or how she was able to merge her own creative vision with Disney's for the upcoming concert series, her insight and storytelling ability made for a riveting conversation filled with great energy and good vibes. A Southern California native, she's also a tremendous Angels fan who really brought a big power bat to this week's edition of Fastball Derby! Connect with Susan Egan on Instagram: @iamsusanegan Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good Morning Baltimore! There's no showtune more appropriate to get into the spirit for this week's episode, as Mike Bordick joins us in The Batter's Box! A Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer and proud member of the New York Mets' 2000 National League Championship team, Bordick's big-league career spanned 14 seasons from 1990-2003. His notable accomplishments include an All-Star Game selection in 2000, two World Series appearances, and 1,500 career hits to his name. In recent years, he's lent his knowledge and expertise to the broadcasting booth, as one of the TV voices of the Orioles through the 2020 season. This week, he joins host Al Malafronte to revisit his time on Broadway and to discuss the many parallels of his own playing career to that of a Broadway performer. That was particularly evident when he took on his most signature role as the Orioles shortstop, as he replaced the legendary Cal Ripken Jr. and then established his own unique mark on the position in doing so. He also discusses the era in which he played in, avoiding the temptation to use steroids in order to gain an edge and even his love of The Phantom of the Opera! Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the theatre industry begins its comeback trail, veteran of stage and screen, Linda Purl steps into The Batter’s Box for Episode 82! Purl is getting set to star in a production of Twelve Angry Men in England and joins us to speak about how excited she is to return to doing what she loves most. Her performing career now spans more than five decades, with Broadway credits that include Getting and Spending and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, as well as television credits such as Happy Days, Matlock, and The Office.  Purl also discusses her vantage points on theatre as the ultimate team sport, and even tells the story surrounding her family’s link to Babe Ruth’s famous “Called Shot” at Wrigley Field during the 1932 World Series. Given our show’s love of all things Dunder Mifflin, it was also fun to revisit the famous “birthday lunch” scene in The Office, as Purl gave us some all-new behind-the-scenes stories from her 9-episode arc as Helene Beesly in Seasons 6 and 7! Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Dempster steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 81 to help wrap the first month of the baseball season! Dempster was a 2-time All-Star during his pitching days, and currently serves as one of the TV voices for the Chicago Cubs on the Marquee Sports Network. Across 16 big league seasons, Dempster tallied 132 wins, seven seasons in which he threw 200+ innings, and retired as a World Series Champion for the 2013 Boston Red Sox. This week, he joins host Al Malafronte for a raw, candid, and hilarious chat in which they touch on everything from his highs on the mound, his fond memories performing here in New York, and even the mark he made on the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry by drilling A-Rod when everyone else in the baseball world wanted to. Since moving to the broadcast booth, Dempster has earned a reputation as one of the game's most charismatic on-air personalities. His Harry Caray impersonation has earned critical and popular acclaim among baseball fans and represents the ultimate tribute to a true legend of broadcasting. Fortunately for us, he broke it out during our conversation and provided some insight as to what Mr. Caray may sound like if he were talking about Broadway and its many All-Star performers. Connect with Ryan Dempster on Instagram: @dempster4646 Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Fetch" is happening in The Batter's Box, as Krystina Alabado joins us for Episode 80! Alabado starred as Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls on Broadway from March 2019 until the show's final performance in March 2020, and has authored a phenomenal stage career that now spans more than a decade. Her other credits include the touring production of Spring Awakening, American Idiot and American Psycho on Broadway, and Lazarus at the New York Theatre Workshop. In addition to everything Alabado has accomplished on stage, she's also a tremendous Arizona Diamondbacks fan! This week she joins host Al Malafronte to revisit some of her fondest memories growing up in Phoenix during the glory years of one of baseball's most successful expansion teams. She's currently living out every diehard fan's bucket list with a mission to visit every Major League stadium (and even keeps score when she goes!) Her stories from the stage and stadium are nothing short of awesome, as we talk about anything from the Diamondbacks' 2001 World Series run to her experiences working with both Tina Fey and David Bowie. In the spirit of our theme, we also brought back 7th Inning Stretch trivia, as Alabado tested her baseball and Broadway knowledge in an attempt to join our prestigious 'Winner's Circle.' We even had a guest appearance from her husband/diehard baseball fan/fellow Broadway veteran, Robert Lenzi (South Pacific, Tuck Everlasting, Tina) who served as her lifeline during the game. This conversation was a blast and epitomizes a true celebration of our two greatest passions. Connect with Krystina Alabado on Instagram: @krystinaalabado Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We finally found a shortstop to take the stage, as Royce Clayton joins us for Episode 79! Across 17 big league seasons from 1991-2007, Clayton performed in 2,108 games and amassed 1,904 hits in the process. He was also selected to an All-Star Game in 1997 and retired as a World Series Champion for the 2007 Boston Red Sox. This week, Clayton joins host Al Malafronte to rehash some of his fond memories from his career in which he garnered a reputation as as a great teammate and one of the most reliable defensive shortstops of his generation. We discuss anything from playing under the bright lights of the postseason, his experiences with Barry Bonds as a teammate in San Francisco, and even the adversity he overcame when facing much hate in replacing baseball legend Ozzie Smith as the Cardinals' shortstop in 1996. Clayton's love of performing hasn't stop in retirement from the game, as he's even dipped his toe into the acting waters. He just so happened to make his big screen debut in the Academy Award-nominated Moneyball alongside Brad Pitt, and has some epic stories from his time on set! Connect with Royce Clayton on Instagram: @royceclay10 Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Baseball is in a weird place right now." Doug Mientkiewicz steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 78 in a conversation filled with epic baseball chatter, brutal honesty, and fantastic wisdom. Mientkiewicz's 12-year playing career spanned 1998-2009 for seven different teams and was highlighted by an Olympic Gold Medal for Team USA, a Gold Glove Award, a .360 lifetime On-Base Percentage, and a World Series Championship. While playing he also garnered a reputation as one of the best defensive 1st basemen of his era and a no-nonsense player who would do anything it took to win. This week, he joins host Al Malafronte to revisit his memorable time on Broadway as a member of the New York Yankees in 2007, as well as plenty of other moments that surrounded his eventful career. He also addresses the 2004 World Series final out ball controversy when he battled the Red Sox front office in order to stay true to his own morality. It wasn't pretty, but Mientkiewicz tells all and then some. The ultimate way to define Mientkiewicz is a "winner," and he's a firm believer in differentiating yourself from other performers in a competitive playing field - a principle that can serve hopefuls in both sports and theatre. He's also a master storyteller, and his Yankee tenure was filled with so many wonderful talking points. These include A-Rod and the Toronto stripper incident, special relationships with Joe Torre and Don Mattingly, and a strong affinity for Roger Clemens as a teammate. He certainly wasn't afraid to address some of the more uncomfortable moments he witnessed between A-Rod and Derek Jeter, and his thoughts on the changing nature of today's game...This week's Fastball Derby was also especially fun as Mientkiewicz discusses his love of the musical, Oklahoma, and even which of his former teammates would make the best Broadway leads! Connect with Doug Mientkiewicz on Instagram: @olympicgoldfishing Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Show me that smile again...As we wrap Women's History Month, it's our pleasure to welcome the great Joanna Kerns to The Batter's Box for Episode 77! Kerns' career in show business now spans 45 years both as an actress and director. She got her first big break when she starred as Maggie Seaver in the hit sitcom Growing Pains, and has since gone onto serve as a pioneer for female directors with nearly 70 television directing credits to her name and counting. In 2020, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her work on Hulu’s Light As A Feather and was part of the team of directors nominated for a GLAAD Award on Dinsey's High School Musical: The Series. Kerns also currently sits on the Board of the Directors Guild of America and serves on its Ethics Committee.  Kerns has kept quite busy in 2021, having recently lent her directing talents to High School Musical: The Series. This week, she joins host Al Malafronte to discuss her recent work on the show, as well as her role in the progress that female directors have enjoyed in the entertainment industry. We also had quite a bit of fun strolling down memory lane, as Kerns happily shares some amazing behind-the-scenes stories from her time on Growing Pains, her thoughts on why the show still stands strong today and even touches on her work in the baseball community when she directed Pitch on FOX. As someone who actually launched their performing career via the stage, Kerns remains a tremendous theatre fan, and talks about some of her favorite nights on Broadway which include three trips to Hamilton! As an advocate for empowering and uplifting the next generation of artists, Kerns is honored to have been recently invited to be an Advisory Board member for Notes for Notes, Inc., a national nonprofit providing youth free access to pro recording studio settings, producers, and creative outlets through the creation of recorded music. There's a reason why Kerns' work has endured for so many years, and that very much shines through in this wonderful conversation! Connect with Joanna Kerns on Instagram: @the.real.joannakerns Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LOOKOUT! Christy Altomare steps into The Batter’s Box for Episode 76! One of Broadway's most beloved players, Altomare’s talent as a leading lady is up there with anyone's in the game. She got her start in show business when she starred as Wendla in the first national tour of Spring Awakening in 2008, before taking on the role of Sue Snell in the off-Broadway revival of Carrie in 2012. Later that year, she’d go on to make her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia! when she starred as Sophie Sheridan, and most recently, she originated the role of Anya in Anastasia. In doing so, she not only earned a Drama Desk Nomination and Theatre World Award, but she also won the very prestigious Broadway.com Star of the Year title in 2017. We often parallel that honor to being MLB's top Vote-Getter at the All-Star Game… In a conversation that covers all bases, Altomare speaks with host Al Malafronte about anything from her latest songwriting endeavors to her biggest grand slams on Broadway. She also discusses achieving great heights as a performer, and in her case, overcoming a tough period of darkness in order to do so. Altomare explains what inspired her to make changes in her life off-stage in order to propel success on it, which is a story that can motivate anyone who’s looking to excel either on stage or at the stadium. This chat also features big laughs during this week’s 7th Inning Stretch trivia, along with some epic banter about Billy Joel vs. Bruce Springsteen concerts, Italian name translations, and even New York Yankees references in Friends. Tune in for a special one. Connect with Christy Altomare on Instagram: @christyaltomare Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's one of those special days in The Batter's Box, as Jodi Benson joins us for Episode 75! Inducted as a Disney Legend after serving The Walt Disney Company for the past 33 amazing years, Benson has received worldwide recognition and critical acclaim for her tremendous talent and iconic performances. She's best known as the beloved singing and speaking voice of Ariel in the Academy Award-winning Walt Disney animated feature film, The Little Mermaid. To this day, she remains the only actress to voice Ariel in all of the subsequent Disney projects that have followed the film's initial release. With a resume that spans dozens of prominent voiceover credits, she also performed the bubbly voice of Tour Guide Barbie in Disney Pixar's Toy Story 2, winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture, and then reprised the role in the Academy Award-winning Toy Story 3. In addition to everything Benson has accomplished on-screen, it was right here on Broadway where she began her phenomenal career in show business. Her four Broadway credits are highlighted by a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Crazy For You, which went onto win the Tony Award for Best Musical. This week she joined host Al Malafronte to discuss anything from her love of sports and theatre, the legacy of her characters, and some of the incredible behind-the-scenes stories that have helped shape her as a true Disney Legend in every way. This conversation also featured a guest appearance from our show's original co-host Scotty Katzmann, who was eager to share his latest song parody that pays homage to both The Little Mermaid and The National Pastime. Ms. Benson is truly the good stuff in show business and this conversation ranks high among our podcast's essential episodes - filled with plenty of insight, laughter, and of course, music! Connect with Jodi Benson on Instagram: @jodi.benson Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Let’s drink champagne!” Teal Wicks steps into The Batter’s Box for Episode 74! Wicks’ career on Broadway now spans more than a decade and has starred as Elphaba in Wicked, Emma Carew in Jekyll & Hyde, Mary Barrie in Finding Neverland, and Lady in The Cher Show.  Wicks joined host Al Malafronte on a cold winter’s night for a fun chat that was chock-full of stories and baseball anecdotes. The two discussed anything from favorite showtunes to working with Cher to her time spent with legendary Los Angeles Dodgers announcer, Vin Scully. They also played some Baseball meets Broadway trivia in an all-new (and challenging) edition of The 7th Inning Stretch! Connect with Teal Wicks on Instagram: @tealwicks Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike "The Hit Man" Easler steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 73! Across 14 big league seasons that included memorable stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees, Easler authored a .293 lifetime Batting Average and .804 OPS in 1,151 games played. His many accomplishments include a World Championship in 1979, an All-Star Game selection in 1981, and four seasons in which he hit above .300. Easler is the perfect hitter for this podcast, as his love of music often carried him to great heights throughout his playing career. This week, he joins Al Malafronte for a chat that truly covers all bases. Whether it's the Broadway connections surrounding the iconic 1979 Pirates, his love of Elvis Presley, or Bright Star the Musical, this chat truly highlights Easler's incredible insight on the game and its parallels to the arts. His singing voice is still very much intact as well, and is on full display in this episode! Connect with Mike Easler on Instagram: @methehitman Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network  Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices