Coming to America Baseball

Las Vegas man on the sports scene, Chris Chapman joins the podcast this episode

Women coaching and working in men’s baseball has increased lately. Just this season the San Francisco Giants hired, Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach full-time in Major League Baseball while Dr. Justine Siegal @justinebaseball has contributed to the Oakland A’s in varying on-field roles. In that company, Jessica Neitz, an American holds the distinction in […]

Jeeho Yoo, writer from Yonhap Sports, drops by to discuss the significance of #English for #Baseball and other sports in Korea. Do Korean players teach foreigners Baseball Korean? We discuss the pandemic and its effects on the #KBO. And also the passing of Neil Peart and how Toronto Blue Jays Caleb Joseph paid tribute to […]

On this episode of the ComingToAmericaBaseball.com Podcast we come to you from #Nagoya #Japan as Professor Paul Tanner joins host Philip Riccobono, showing off his prized #baseball card collection- including ones from legends #Ichiro to #Sadaharu #Oh to #Mantle, Paul’s role in cult classic film, Mr. Baseball (1992), discusses some of the more interesting foreign players of past in #NPB and more.  Please subscribe on the YouTube Channel and also check us out on Twitter @ComingToAmerBb Please subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher Radio Music by Joe Ferrante

If you've ever thought of getting into sports then have a listen as Jeeho Yoo @Jeeho_1 of #Yonhap, provides advice to aspiring journalist, #Korea #university  #student Joey Jung @JoeyJung42 on getting into the biz.  Plus a look back at Shane Youman's @sdyouman positive impact on social awareness. #goodguys

Former MLB pitcher, Joe Valentine, dropped by while the podcast took to the cold winter of Long Island.  Joe tells all about his career, growing up in a unique family, facing superstar Albert Pujols, how Big Macs pumped up his fastball and much more. To book lessons with Joe, visit him at LIBeast Facility For best quality watch in 720HD on Youtube Follow us on Twitter: ComingToAmerBb  

@JustinKutcher of @FoxSports stops by to talk Pacific Rim players who've made the jump to #MLB, covering #TheMASTERS Have bat flips gone too far? And find out the toughest name to pronounce on-air. That and more.   For an authentic Mexican food in South Korea, check out #Takorea in Daejeon.  TaKorea, Korea's only Mexican restaurant owned and operated by real #Mexicans.   042) 242-1600 https://www.facebook.com/TakoreaMexicanGrilltakolia

Two recent staples in Korean baseball- Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News and Ted Smith, Honorary #Nexen #Heroes Cheerleader- drop by to discuss the impact of the #Sewol #Ferry tragedy on the #KBO. Please subscribe to us on iTunes: Coming To America Baseball or check our YouTube channel: For odds and ends about baseball around the Pacific Rim, check out www.ComingToAmericaBaseball.com For an authentic Cinco de Mayo celebration, check out #Takorea in Daejeon, May 3-4.  Takora, Korea's only Mexican restaurant owned and operated by real Mexicans.   042) 242-1600 https://www.facebook.com/TakoreaMexicanGrilltakolia

Lotte Giant's pitcher, Shane Youman, opens up about the April 16th Sewol Ferry Tragedy where over 150 died to date and its impact on baseball in Korea. We also learn which Korean foods Shane, a former MLB lefty,  will review this summer in our upcoming Player Restaurant Review.  And for those of you having difficulty pronouncing Korean words,  Shane will help with that too. Please subscribe to us on iTunes: Coming To America Baseball or check our YouTube channel. For odds and ends about baseball around the Pacific Rim, check out www.ComingToAmericaBaseball.com For the best Mexican cuisine in all of Korea, it’s TaKorea of Daejeon https://www.facebook.com/TakoreaMexicanGrilltakolia Mention this podcast and you’ll get 15% off your next meal. For excellent prices on custom made clothing, check out Paul’s Bespoke of Bangkok https://www.facebook.com/paulbespoke Tailor to the stars, Sanny, will make his rounds in USA and Europe soon.

If you follow baseball in Japan,  good chance you've read or listened to @JballAllen Jim Allen or Michael Westbay.  The "Godfathers" of English baseball coverage in Japan will take you through some of their personal experiences over the last 3 decades in Japan.  If you ever wanted a quick history of Japanese baseball over the last quarter-century from an American point of view, listen to this special, extended podcast. For the finest in Mexican cuisine in Korea, it’s Takorea https://www.facebook.com/TakoreaMexicanGrilltakolia Mention you heard about Takorea here and you’ll get 15% off your order. Please follow Takorea, now on Twitter @TaKorea_MG  

Nexen Heroes pitcher, Brandon Knight, stops by to chat about his long, strange season-ending playoff series vs. Doosan Bears.  The former New York Yankees righty takes us through everything from Park Byeong-ho's dramatic 9th inning home run in Game 5 to his thoughts on this year's sloppy play in the KBO.  And Brandon confirms he'll return to Nexen in '14 for his 6th season in Korea baseball. For the finest in Mexican cuisine in Korea, it's Takorea https://www.facebook.com/TakoreaMexicanGrilltakolia Mention you heard about Takorea here and you'll get 15% off your order.

Coming to you in HD, the one and only #Nyjer Morgan and his alter-ego, Tony Plush, join us from #Yokohama.  Hear from his manager, translator, learn his various "T" signs, watch him give a chicken-wings eating tutorial, and find out what he really thinks about playing in #Japan compared to #MLB

John Gibson joined the Podcast outside the Tokyo Dome to spar and discuss this memorable season in Japanese baseball.  Find out which food hits his strike zone, how to push his buttons and much more.  #Tanaka #JapanBaseball #HomerunJapan #Coco #BalentienRecord #RakutenEagles On the next podcast, put your seat-belts on for an exclusive on-field video Podcast with #NyjerMorgan in Yokohama, Japan.  You'll meet his translator, manager and alter ego as well as a chicken wing eating lesson .  Only here! For the finest Mexican food in Korea, check out TaKorea- Real Mexican food Made by Real Mexicans https://www.facebook.com/TakoreaMexicanGrilltakolia Music provided by Buzzard Luck https://www.facebook.com/pages/Buzzard-Luck/130536270291551

The podcast takes a different turn this time- no pitchers, catchers, or sports columnists.  Baseball enthusiast, Comedian Don Barris stops by to talk about his incredible ride in show business, love for the Detroit Tigers, the LA Dodgers and Ryu Hyun-jin, working with Jimmy Kimmel, Andrew Dice Clay.  Don, the creator of Windy City Heat and Philip relive the days of the Ding Dong Show- another one of Don's masterpieces.  And "Mr. Barnis" drops some BIG news.  Even if you don't like baseball, listen to this most entertaining conversation. Check out all of Don's podcasts on http://simplydonthepodcastnetwork.com and iTunes.

Chris Seddon, Charlie Shirek and Radhames Liz stop by to share their thoughts on getting the All Star nod. Please subscribe on iTunes and leave comments: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-to-america-baseball/id584918994?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 For the finest in Mexican food, check out Takorea of Daejeon, South Korea.  This Saturday, July 27 they'll celebrate their 2nd anniversary with Taco Festival.  Facebook: Takorea Mexican Grill 042-242-1600  

The parents of #SKWyverns Chris Seddon at the 2013 KBO ASG.  Originally onboard a UA flight from ‪#SFO-#ICN, the Seddons, taxied right past the wreckage of Asiana flight 214 soon after the crash. Nonetheless, John and Beth Seddon made it to Korea and they'll talk about this and watching Chris from tee-ball to #MLB to pitching a scoreless inning in the 2013 #KBO All Star Game only on the ComingtoAmericaBaseball.com Podcast Please subscribe on iTunes and leave comments: Coming To America Baseball For the finest in Mexican food, check out Takorea of Daejeon, South Korea.  This Saturday, July 27 they'll celebrate their 2nd anniversary with Taco Festival.  Facebook: Takorea Mexican Grill 042-242-1600  

We caught up with pitcher, Chris Seddon, at Munhak Stadium.  What does this former MLB southpaw think of playing in Korea's KBO? For the finest in authentic Mexican food, check out Takorea Mexican Grill in Daejeon, South Korea-  mention you listen to this Podcast and receive a 15% discount on many meals and items.   https://www.facebook.com/TakoreaMexicanGrilltakolia

MyKBO.net founder, Dan Kurtz, drops by to tell us how he set the weboshpere on fire with an amazing ceremonial first pitch video.

Recorded June 22, 2013 at Munhak Stadium, Incheon, South Korea. Calm, cool, collected Jo-Jo Reyes, former MLB lefty starter, now with the SK Wyverns, stops by to talk about playing in Korea and MLB. Also a sneak peak at the upcoming baseball documentary, Fighting: Cheering in Korea. On the next video podcast: Chris Seddon, SK Wyverns 2013 KBO All-Star Select Check out all our podcasts on iTunes: Coming To America Baseball or www.ComingToAmericaBaseball.com Producers: Ken Morrison, Philip Riccobono

Recorded a few days before Manny Ramirez signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, Brandon DuBreuil, founder of the much talked about website www.MannyDoesTaiwan.com, stopped by to talk about, well, Manny being Manny in Taiwan for 3 unforgettable months.

The Japan Times baseball writer, Jason Coskrey calls in.  Topics: LHP Yusei Kikuchi coming into his own, Shohei Otani, Masahiro Tanaka's strong start, Ballgate, NPB's interesting playoff format Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes: Coming To America Baseball Youtube Channel: ComingtoAmericaBaseball.com

Lotte Giants pitcher Chris Oxspring drops by to talk about Kim Tae-kyun's controversial remarks made toward his teammate, Shane Youman;MLB opening it up Down Under in 2014, Lotte fans.  Next Sean Kim, SK Wyverns translator, who also doubles as a contract negotiator with foreign players tells us how SK nearly missed out on Chris Seddon and Jo-Jo Reyes this past off-season; find out if SK will go after Manny Ramirez; expanding the foreign player limit for KBO teams.  All that, and a bag of chips.

Brandon Knight, "The White Knight" in the twi-light of his career, has played in 3 different decades in USA, Japan and Korea.  He met up with Philip Riccobono to talk about what it meant to play for the Yankees, a need for the KBO to expand its emerging foreign fan-base, entertaining listener questions, looking ahead to life after his playing days end, Moneyball, Ryu Hyun-jin, future Korean imports to MLB: Oh Seung-hwan, Kang Jung-ho; interests in history.  In the last segment of the interview Brandon continues with World War II and how crisis brings a nation together. The veteran righty also takes us through a helicopter landing, ponders books to read, JFK conspiracy theories, what he does on Mondays, KBO fan appreciation, feeling home in Korea, and the rise of the KBO.  

Veteran Nexen Heroes Pitcher, Brandon Knight, stops by to talk about his long journey, spanning 3 nations- including playing for the Yankees.  Find out what Knight thinks about baseball customs in Korea and more.

Jeeho Yoo (Yonhap News) and John E. Gibson of The Japan News stop by and talk baseball from both sides of the Sea.  We recorded Jeeho and John prior to the Kim Tae-Kyun controversy, so Philip addresses that first. Topics: Korean imports to NPB over the years- Kim Tae-Kyun, Lee Jon -Beom and others; who MLB has on their radar from NPB and KBO; mid-season championship predictions.  Does Japanese and South Korean culture overwork high school pitchers? All that and more.

One-time MLB left-handed-pitcher, Shane Youman, dropped by.  Find out how he fared against Ken Griffey, Jr., his take on playing in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) for the Lotte Giants the past few seasons, fans, LA Dodgers, Hyun-jin Ryu, some of the interesting customs in the KBO, relief pitchers in Korea, and more.

Lamigo Monkeys "Super-Fan", RJ drops by to talk cheering in Taiwan's CPBL.  RJ and I set out to find Manny Ramirez in the beautiful city of Kaohsiung.  Also do Pac-Rim pitching prospects get overworked and then some?  Find out why some high school hurlers average 130 plus pitches per game.  All that and more.

We join "International Journeyman" Chris Oxspring this week as he touches on everything from winning a Silver at the '04 Olympics, time spent in MLB, Japan and working a job outside of baseball right up to the WBC in March, leading to his KBO comeback.

Coming to you from the Basement Series- NC Dinos vs. Hanwha Eagles on a historic night.  Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News, Hanwha Eagles 0-13 start, Ryu, KBO attendance down dramatically, and more.

Allen Wolf, writer of "Time for KBO to grow up" stops by and Van Walker joins in-studio.  The guys talk about how the Korean Baseball Organization differs from MLB- from free agency to marketing. Who has the best KBO fans?

Re-united after 12 years- Justin Kutcher, FOX Sports MLB Play by Play man joins us.  Philip and Justin trade stories about working with FOX Sports' Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.  Find out just how Justin rose through the ranks from making only $500 a month when starting out in AAA Portland to calling nationally televised games.  Philip, Justin and Nino chat about the wave of Pacific-Rim prospects to MLB and just how they've affected the landscape of North American baseball.  Find out which pitching staff this year resembles the '98 Yankees.  And is Ryu the next El Duque?  All that and more.

The podcast starts out right before the first game of the WBC in Japan with Buck Martinez to AT&T Park in San Francisco where we get the latest on Team Japan from Jason Coskrey of The Japan Times.

    First off,  we apologize for the poor audio on portions of this podcast.  Please prepare to raise your volume all the way up during some parts.  We have since rectified this technical issue and look forward to crisper shows with LIVE uStream down the road. On this episode of ComingToAmericaBaseball.com Podcast Jason Coskrey (The Japan Times) and Jeeho Yoo (Yonhap News) came on to talk about what some consider arguably the biggest rivalry in baseball: Korea vs. Japan.  The guys got into an in-depth analysis of each team's WBC rosters and their chances in the tournament.  Look for Jason and Jeeho to cover the WBC for their respective papers in the weeks to come.  Nino sat out this week, feeling under the weather.  We wish him and his daughter, Bella, well. To reach our guests on Twitter: Jason, @JCoskrey and Jeeho: @Jeeho_1

 On this episode of Coming To America Baseball, Minnesota Twins Pacific Rim Scout, David Kim, on assignment, calls in from Jeju Island, Korea. Find out what cuisine made Nino show up late (as usual). Philip and Nino talk about what obscure KBO record David set.  The guys also discuss high school baseball in Korea and Japan, MLB allowing interpreters on the mound during games, "The Korean (baseball) Wave" ;why perhaps Korea has an edge over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, and the petition to bring Nino to The Peninsula. Later Clint Hulsey talks about Yoon Suk-min, KBO RHP, who will showcase his talents in the WBC for a shot at an MLB spot next year. Please sign the petition to bring Nino to Korea as a goodwill baseball ambassador: https://www.change.org/petitions/mike-nino-ninivaggi-come-to-the-pacific-rim-as-a-goodwill-baseball-ambassador

In this installment of ComingToAmericaBaseball.com Podcast, John E. Gibson, baseball writer for Daily Yomiuri and host of Japan Baseball Weekly Podcast, join Nino and Philip to talk Hideki Matsui's retirement, Ichiro's new deal with the Yankees, fans on both sides of the Pacific; John defends Dodger fans.

  Probably the only podcast devoted to Hyun-jin Ryu's historic deal.  In Podcast 1.3, Jeeho Yoo, of Yonhap News, stops by to talk about the historic signing of Ryu with LA.  Later, Arirang Radio's Edwin Ro and Mike "Nino" Ninivaggi join the panel to give their thoughts on the negotiations, Scott Boras and Ryu's chances in MLB.  Plus listen to Edwin's account of the mysterious ear-bud incident.  All that and more.

From a snowy South Korea, Jason Corskey, baseball writer for Japan Times.  Jason brings us up to speed on 18-year old phenom Shohei Otani's decsion on coming to MLB.  Free agent chat- Cubs sign Fujikawa;  Nino and Jason discuss how a new posting system may change the landscape of bids; WBC roster; Duds and Studs who went to Japan. Plus the clock ticks on Ryu Hyun-jin and the LA Dodgers to reach a deal or it's back to Korea for Ryu.

ComingToAmerica.com Podcast: Hyun-jin Ryu, Dan Kurtz, Mike "Nino" Ninivaggi With Hyun-jin Ryu on the verge of signing with the LA Dodgers, what better time to release our first podcast.   ComingToAmericaBaseball.com kicks off its inaugural podcast discussing KBO pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu's contract negotations with the LA Dodgers.  Joined by Dan Kurtz of mykbo.net and colorful contributor, Mike "Nino".  The gang also touched on Chan Ho Park's retirement, differences between KBO and MLB, Korean baseball's lack of youth leagues, and the absence of foreign position players in the KBO.  Dan points out what North American fans miss out on in Korean ballparks- the subject of an upcoming documentary: "Fighting": Cheering in Korea.