Digging Deep

In this episode, Mexico GM and Spanish voice of the Arizona Diamondbacks Rodrigo Lopez digs deep.

Former MLB All-Star Russ Ortiz, veteran baseball columnist Jesus Ortiz, and MLB writer for Our Esquina Manuel Gomez discuss the 2021 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. Who is deserving of baseball's highest honor? On their final try, will Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds finally be voted in? And will Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz make the cut? We discuss this and plenty more!

In this episode, sportswriter Jesus Ortiz speaks with former Olympian and Boxing Champion Raul Marquez and his up-and-coming son Giovanni Marquez.

The Houston Astros are advancing to the American League Championship Series and manager Dusty Baker is one step away from the World Series. Jesus Ortiz and Russ Ortiz dig deep into Baker's previous postseason runs and more!

In this episode, St. Louis Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak discusses his tenure with the team. How he's managed to keep a strong core and continues to field a competitive team.

This year, two Latino photojournalists took home the famed Pulitzer Prize award for their work in photojournalism. Marcio Sanchez became the first Honduran and Julio Cortez the second Mexican ever to win the prize. In this virtual event, Sanchez and Cortez both detail their journey to become world-renown photojournalists. From arriving in America as immigrants to the patience it takes to get the perfect shot, their stories are inspiring.

Former All-Star Roy Oswalt, one of the greatest pitchers in Astros history, discussed his career and his new restaurant ventures in Starkville, Miss. The Houston Astros legend and former two-time 20-game winner also called bull on the all the major league pitchers who claim they need Spider Tack and other foreign substances to compete these days. Oswalt gave his thoughts on Yankees ace Gerrit Cole and the Dodgers' Trevor Bauer.

As a child in Guadalajara, Mexico, Cristo Fernandez dreamed of playing professional soccer. He was on his way until a knee injury ended his career when he played for the University of Guadalajara Tecos' second division team. Fernandez turned his attention toward acting, working several jobs for three years until he could afford to move to London to pursue a master's degree. Now the former professional soccer player has made his name on the screen as soccer player Danny Rojas on the hit series Ted Lasso. Fernandez discussed his journey from Mexico to London and the sacrifices he made along the way before Ted Lasso. He also discussed his many projects as an actor, producer and director.

Acclaimed Astros Spanish language broadcaster Francisco Romero, one of the most versatile Spanish language broadcasters in the United States, shared his triumphant story. Romero arrived in the United States at 12 years old from Mexico. He learned how to speak English by listening to the legendary Vin Scully's Dodger broadcasts. The miner's son has also excelled calling college football and basketball and much more.

Former MLB All-Star Russ Ortiz, who won 113 games in his big league career and 21 in 2003, comes clean on foreign substances. Russ Ortiz and sportswriter Jesus Ortiz addressed the latest revelations regarding the use of foreign substances throughout baseball. They discussed Yankees' ace Gerrit Cole's recent non-confession, confession. They also discussed Dodgers star Trevor Bauer's probable use of the same foreign substances he cried foul about in recent years. Moreover, Ortiz explained how and why he used foreign substances during his career.

Russ and Jesus discuss fan interactions, the Dodgers and their fans visisting the Astros for the 1st time since the controversy and Albert Pujols donning the Dodger Blue.

Russ and Jesus Ortiz break down the key issues that arose this week in Chicago with manager Tony La Russa and rookie Yermin Mercedes

Jesus and Russ speak with Houston Astros beat writer Brian McTaggart about his life and career, including when he covered the Rice Owls' College World Series run and his postion now as the dean of Astros beat writers.

Legendary Major League Soccer coach Dominic Kinnear talked about his career, soccer in the United States, the future of MLS and U.S. Soccer, and his coaching philosophy. The former Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes coach also shared insight into some of the funniest moments in practice, including a wild fight between Eddie Robinson and Ricardo Clark

Former All-Star third baseman Morgan Ensberg, the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays' Class AA Montgomery Biscuits, had a candid discussion on analtycis, baseball, his philosophy on life, one of the most traumatic experiences of his life and more.

Best-selling author Andrew Maraniss visited Digging Deep to discuss his new book "Singled Out" on former major leaguer Glenn Burke. Maraniss discussed his career, his approach to writing and Burke's life and obstacles as a gay athlete.

Brent Strom, one of the best pitching coaches in the majors, visited with Russ Ortiz and Jesus Ortiz to discuss his career, his approach, his love of Mexico, his new status as a Mexican resident, his thoughts on Dusty Baker, and Carlos Correa's leadership traits.

Jesus and Russ discussed what Pedro Gomez meant to them and the baseball and journalism industry. Russ and Jesus also discussed the difficult relationships writers can have with players and how Pedro taught Jesus how to navigate these complex realtionships. The former All-Star and the writer shared the different perspectives both sides bring to interviews.

Former #1 pick, All-Star and Gold Glove winner Adrián González joins the show to discuss his career, boxing with Canelo Álvarez and how important it was for Latino players to be able to put accents on their jereys in order to spell their names correctly.

Russ and Jesus discuss Hall of Famer John Smoltz's career, his thoughts on the current Hall of Fame Ballot and the problem voters face when conisdering who should be elected in.

Russ and Jesus talk with Agent Kelli Masters, about her inspiring journey as she went from world-champion Baton Twirler to a trailblazer in the world of sports as she created her own agency and began representing star athletes in the NFL and MLB.

Miguel Cervantes, who starred as Alexander Hamilton on the hit musical Hamilton, talks about his career, his late daughter’s passing, his perseverance and his entrepreneurial career.

Former Major League All-Star Russ Ortiz and Award-Winning sports writer Jesus Ortiz discuss their California upbringing, Mexican roots, careers and obstacles they’ve overcome.

New York Times reporter James Wagner discusses his career, the obstacles he has faced, and the fascinating story of how Vladamir Guerrero Jr.'s Grandmother makes food for some of baseball's biggest stars.

Houston Astros icon Jeff Bagwell discusses his Hall of Fame career, Carlos Correa’s leadership, his ties to the Mexican community and his family’s support helping him fight alcoholism.

Former All-Star closer Billy Wagner discusses his humble upbringing, his brilliant career, Hall of Fame candidacy and the advice he now gives as a coach.

Trailer for Digging Deep, an Ortiz2 Podcast with former MLB All-Star Russ Ortiz & sportswriter Jesus Ortiz for the Our Esquina Podcast Network.