In this episode of the Baseball United Podcast, host Liam Skiffington sits down with longtime MLB coach John McLaren. With over five decades of experience in professional baseball, John has coached around the globe and impacted countless players' careers. Currently the manager of the Arabia Wolves, John reflects on what made players like Roger Clemens, Ichiro Suzuki, and Barry Larkin so great, and discusses his experience coaching with Lou Piniella. John also talks about his time coaching in three World Baseball Classics. He shares why he believes the league will thrive, highlights the unique leadership at Baseball United, and expresses his excitement for being a part of this groundbreaking initiative to bring professional baseball to the Middle East and South Asia.

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In this episode of the Baseball United Podcast, host Liam Skiffington welcomes Baseball United Co-Owner Elvis Andrus. With 15 years of MLB experience, Elvis offers a unique perspective on the game and his new role in ownership.

Elvis shares how he was inspired by his older brothers and fellow Venezuelan shortstop Omar Vizquel. He talks about achieving his dream of making it to the majors at just 20 years old and the incredible experience of playing in back-to-back World Series. Elvis provides insights into managing the pressures of a Game 7 at such a young age and reflects on his relationship with longtime teammate and fellow Baseball United Co-Owner, Adrian Beltre.

Elvis delves into his motivations for joining Baseball United and his vision for the league's future. He reflects on last year's All-Star showcase in Dubai and how he left with a newfound appreciation for the behind the scenes work of putting on such a major event.

He passionately discusses the importance of developing native baseball players in the Middle East and South Asia, and why he believes this initiative will help the league thrive.

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In this episode of the Baseball United Podcast, host Liam Skiffington sits down with 15-year MLB veteran and manager of the Mid East Falcons Dennis Cook. Cook opens up about his early passion for baseball and his memorable journey through the big leagues. He shares insights on his versatile roles, transitioning from starting pitcher to a formidable reliever, and his experiences during the intense steroid era.

Dennis also takes us into his coaching career, highlighting his managerial roles for both Sweden and Poland's national team while reflecting on his current role at Baseball United. He expresses his enthusiasm for the future of the organization, emphasizing its values, adaptability, and the visionary leadership that drives its success. Cook praises Baseball United's commitment to innovation and their impact on global baseball growth, discussing the crucial role of international exposure.

Further, Cook delves into the current dynamics of MLB pitching, advocating for a balanced approach that values competitive spirit alongside analytics. Reflecting on his stint with the 1997 World Series-winning Florida Marlins, he credits the team's success to strong camaraderie and leadership. Wrapping up, Dennis shares his aspirations for Baseball United, promising an exciting future and enriched fan experiences that herald a new era in baseball.

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Baseball United proudly welcomes two-time MLB All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner Starling Marte to its esteemed ownership group. Marte, currently the starting right fielder for the New York Mets, brings his impressive career accolades and passion for the game to Baseball United. He joins a growing roster of baseball legends, including Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, and Adrián Beltré, and becomes the fifth active MLB player to invest in the league, joining fellow All-Stars Elvis Andrus, Matt Barnes, Luis Severino, and Ronald Acuña Jr. Hailing from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Marte is eager to help expand baseball's reach in the Middle East, India, and Pakistan, continuing Baseball United’s mission to inspire one billion new fans to fall in love with the game of baseball.

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Baseball United Co-Owner Jair Jurrjens joins the show to discuss his love for the game, his career in MLB, and his international playing experience. He talks about the ups and downs of baseball and the importance of perseverance. Jurrjens shares his journey from growing up in Curacao and being influenced by his family and Andruw Jones to playing in the MLB and representing the Netherlands in international tournaments. He also discusses the growth of baseball globally and the impact of international tournaments like the World Baseball Classic. Jurrjens highlights the unique atmosphere and camaraderie at Baseball United and the importance of putting ego aside for the greater good of the mission. He also dives into the impact of Baseball United, the future of the league, and his motivations for becoming a co-owner of the league. He emphasizes the importance of government partnerships and support in order to grow the league and provide opportunities for young players. Jurrjens also talks about the current state of baseball in Curacao and the challenges faced by young players in balancing school and sports. He shares advice for aspiring baseball players and expresses his gratitude to the fans in the Middle East and South Asia. The final segment features a surprising question that Jurrjens had never encountered before.

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In this episode of the Baseball United podcast, host Liam Skiffington sits down with co-owner of Baseball United, Ryan Howard. They discuss Ryan's extensive MLB career, his involvement with Baseball United, and his children's book series. Ryan shares his enthusiasm for expanding professional baseball to the Middle East and South Asia, emphasizing the sport's potential to unite countries. He also highlights the importance of investing in passionate leaders and the necessity of transparency and hard work in building a successful league. Reflecting on his MLB days, Ryan talks about his rookie year, his MVP season, and insights from interactions with mentors like Charlie Manuel and Jim Thome. He also expresses his love for Philadelphia, the significance of playing his entire career with the Phillies, and his experiences playing in Japan and thoughts on the designated hitter in the National League. He envisions Baseball United becoming one of the premier professional leagues and expresses his excitement for bridging cultural gaps and advancing the game of baseball. The episode wraps up with Ryan urging young athletes to engage with and practice baseball, while also sharing his personal Mount Rushmore of Philadelphia Phillies legends.

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In this episode of the Baseball United podcast, host Liam Skiffington sits down with Eddie Diaz, the Vice President of Baseball Operations at Baseball United. Eddie shares insights from his remarkable 40-year journey in professional baseball, transitioning from player to executive. He reflects on his experiences in the minor leagues, managing teams in Mexico, and his current role focusing on recruiting global talent while promoting inclusivity and diversity within the sport. Highlighting the importance of character in scouting, he also discusses the leadership dynamics within Baseball United and the success of international players in the organization. Further, Eddie delves into his passion for charity, influenced by his mother’s dedication to helping others. He talks about the essential skills for scouting and managing, the achievements in the Mexican league, and his contributions to the careers of notable players like Julio Franco and Jose Ramirez. Finally, he considers the challenges faced by Latin American players and the importance of strong support networks, envisioning a bright future for Baseball United driven by unity and ambition.

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In this episode of the Baseball United podcast, host Liam Skiffington sits down with Co-Founder & EVP of Baseball Operations, John Miedreich. They explore John's journey from being the general manager of a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic to his current role with Baseball United. They delve into the unique challenge of transforming a cricket stadium into a professional baseball field and discuss Kash Shaikh's leadership as CEO and Chairman of Baseball United. John shares insights on Baseball United’s partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the ambitious future of Baseball United, underlining their mission to impact the world by turning the impossible into possible. The conversation also covers the organization's commitment to recruiting high-character professional players to introduce baseball to new markets. With a robust database of potential recruits and ongoing interest from players, John emphasizes the league's focus on diversity and inclusivity. The choice of the Middle East and South Asia as league locations reflects the regions' youthful, diverse, and sports-loving demographics.

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