Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jersey Shore BlueClaws
Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws Podcast, is presented by NJR Home Services. We'll talk everything Jersey Shore BlueClaws (High-A affiliate of the Phillies), Minor League Baseball, and much more. Hook, Line & Splitter is hosted by Greg Giombarrese, Director of Communications and Radio Broadcaster for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.
We're joined by BlueClaws left-hander Sam Aldegheri on the latest Hook Line & Splitter. Aldegheri, from Verona, Italy, talks about his goals, his season, growing up in Italy and playing baseball, and much more.
We're joined by BlueClaws RHP Jack Dallas on our latest Hook Line & Splitter. The right-hander from Lamar University talks about signing with the Phillies (and where he was when he found out they wanted to sign him), his development over the last few years, holes-in-one and golf, and much more!
We're joined b BlueClaws RHP Daniel Harper on our latest episode. The right-handed pitcher from the University of Kentucky has three saves to lead the team. He talks about his baseball journey from the Kansas City suburbs to Kentucky and now to the Phillies. Plus, he tells a great story about that year's draft, when the Phillies took back to back Kansas City-area pitchers including Harper.
We're joined by BlueClaws Development Coach Beth Greenwood on Episode 95 of Hook Line & Splitter. Beth is the first female coach in BlueClaws history and talks about what that means to her. Plus, we talk about her baseball career, from high school through the University of Rochester, her path to the Phillies, playing for Team USA's Women's National Baseball team, and much more!
We're joined by BlueClaws LHP Braeden Fausnaught on our latest Hook Line & Splitter. The southpaw grew up in Danville, Pennsylvania as a huge Phillies fan, and his baseball journey led him into the organization. We talk about his season, his time at West Chester University, playing in the MLB Draft League with the Trenton Thunder (for former BlueClaws manager Jeff Manto), signing with the Phillies, playing this past winter in Adelaide, and much more!
BlueClaws pitcher Charles King got the last five outs for a save in his professional debut Saturday, a debut that has been a long time coming! The right-hander graduated from TCU with a biology degree before working for the Padres for two years as a pitching analyst.
After changing paths, he decided he wanted to pitch again, so he went to Driveline this winter and ended up signing with the Phillies in February. He talks about his story, what he learned from his time as an analyst, his professional debut, and much more!
We're joined by BlueClaws manager Greg Brodzinski on Episode 92 of Hook Line & Splitter. It's Opening Week, so we go through the roster with Bull and help preview the season.
The BlueClaws open the season on Friday with Aberdeen at 6:35 pm. Opening Night at the Jersey Shore includes post-game fireworks and is presented by Jenkinson's Boardwalk.
From Georgia Tech to the Jersey Shore! We're joined by new BlueClaws groundskeeper Steven Guertin on the latest Hook Line & Splitter podcast. Steven, who got to the BlueClaws in March, talks about his time in New England, working for the Red Sox grounds crew, Georgia Tech, come up north, getting the field ready for the season, and we play 20 questions!
Baseball season is here and we go through a Phillies minor league preview with Phillies Assistant GM Preston Mattingly.
We cover many players that could be with the BlueClaws this year, talk about the depth of the system overall, and talk development philosophies in general.
Any Phillies fan will learn a great deal about the organization from listening to Preston and we thank him for a few minutes on the eve of the season!
We're joined by BlueClaws OF Cade Fergus on the latest episode of Hook Line & Splitter. The Florida native talks about his experience this winter in Australia, where he helped the Adelaide Giants in the ABL title and hit a playoff game-winning home run in the process.
He also talks about his baseball journey, his goals for 2024, and much more.
We're joined by 2011 BlueClaws catcher Cameron Rupp on Ep. 88 of Hook Line & Splitter. Rupp played for the BlueClaws 13 years ago and reached the big leagues in 2013. We talk about his baseball career including his time with the BlueClaws. Later, he tells us how he found out he was going to the big leagues and about his first big league home run, which came at Yankee Stadium off CC Sabathia in 2015.
We're joined by BlueClaws manager Greg Brodzinski, who will return as manager of the BlueClaws this year after leading Jersey Shore to a league-best 73-58 record and the SAL Northern Division Second Half Championship in 2023! We talk about his first year in charge, what he learned last year that will make him a better manager this year, what's going on at the Phillies complex in Clearwater, and much more.
Sal Agostinelli, now the Phillies Senior Advisor for International Scouting and their longtime Director of International Scouting, is our guest on the latest Hook Line & Splitter. He talks about how he ended up with the Phillies, becoming a scout, how he became an international scout, the industry in general, and tells some great stories about finding and signing Phillies players including Carlos Ruiz, Ranger Suarez, Seranthony Dominguez, and others.
We're joined by Luke Murton, the Phillies Director of Hitting, on our latest episode. Murton is in charge of the Phillies minor league hitting development, and also works with the amateur scouting department finding hitters before the draft. We talk about this unique, two-sided role, his background, some players within the organization that you could see with the BlueClaws this year, and much more.
Our annual Best Of episode includes clips from eight of our episodes this year. Hear from Orion Kerkering, Trevor May, Andrew Walling, Nick Ward, Otto Kemp, Christian McGowan, Mitch Neunborn, and Gunner Mayer.
These are just some of our favorite clips, so be sure to head back and listen to all eight of these episodes and others in full.
Thanks for your continued support and have a Happy New Year!
We're pleased to be joined by Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Christian McGowan on our latest episode. He details his rehab from Tommy John Surgery, his 2023 season including time with the BlueClaws, a playoff start, a Triple-A start, and time in the Arizona Fall League. We also touch on his baseball influences, and much more.
We're joined by Preston Mattingly, Phillies AGM of Player Development, on our latest episode. We talk about the 2023 season around the organization, the amazing run of Orion Kerkering up the ladder and all the way to the big leagues, touch on some players that played for the BlueClaws this year, some that will play for the BlueClaws next year, plus general organizational tidbits.
Thanks to Preston for taking part of his day to talk.
Former BlueClaw Trevor May retired after the 2023 season, ending a 16 year professional career which included two seasons and two championships (2009-10) with the BlueClaws.
He joins us on our latest episode where we talk about his career, his time with the BlueClaws, influences on his career, why he decided to retire now, and what's next.
We're joined by broadcasters from all over the system as we wrap up the Phillies minor league season! Thanks to Sam Jellenik from Lehigh Valley, Jake Starr from Reading, and Josh Sperber from Clearwater who sat down for a roundtable discussion about the 2023 Phillies minor league season.
We talk about, of course, Orion Kerkering, who pitched at all four levels. Plus we give our Hitters and Pitchers of the Year at each level, breakout players from 2023, breakout picks for 2024, and shoutout players that had great years. It's a great way to wrap up the Phillies minor league season. Enjoy!
A magical BlueClaws season, one which included a furious finish to the regular season, a ninth-inning comeback in the final game of the regular season just to qualify for the playoffs, and a game-winning go-ahead home run in a playoff win, came to an end in Game 3 of the SAL Northern Division Championship Series at Hudson Valley. Greg Giombarrese and Tony Graham go through and recap the season while looking ahead to 2024!
We're joined by BlueClaws IF Otto Kemp who shares his baseball journey and talks about his time with Clearwater earlier this year, his call-up to the BlueClaws, his baseball journey, and much more.
We're joined by BlueClaws LHP Andrew Walling on our latest episode of Hook Line & Splitter. Walling pitched last summer in the MLB Draft League with Williamsport, making him the latest player to play for Williamsport before the BlueClaws - of course the 'Cutters used to be the Phillies short-season affiliate and sent many players to the BlueClaws over the years.
We also talk about his journey from the Pacific Northwest to Oklahoma to Mississippi and eventually the Phillies.
We're pleased to be joined by BlueClaws Strength & Conditioning Coach Mark Jesse on our latest episode. Mark grew up a Phillies fan and joined the organization last year. He finished last season with the BlueClaws and has been here all of 2023.
We talk about his time in the system, how he and the Phillies build out workout plans and regimens for each individual player, their work in conjunction the the coaching staff in working with players, and much more!
From Canada to the Claws - we're joined by BlueClaws LHP Wesley Moore on our latest Hook Line & Splitter. The left-hander from British Columbia talks about his baseball journey, playing at a Canadian baseball academy while in high school, his collegiate career and the roller coaster that was the end of his time at Kansas State into signing with the Phillies, and much more.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
We're pleased to be joined by BlueClaws Athletic Trainer Meaghan Flaherty on the latest Hook Line & Splitter. She is the first female athletic trainer in BlueClaws history and talks about that, how she got started in the industry, her previous roles, a day in the life of a minor league baseball athletic trainer, and much more!
We're joined by Edwin Soto, Phillies Assistant Director of Player Development, on our latest episode. He joined us during the game on Sunday, July 30th and talked about his role in the organization, the Phillies thriving teams in the Dominican Summer League, some of the younger players to keep an eye on, and much more!
We're joined by BlueClaws RHP Mitch Neunborn on the latest episode of Hook Line & Splitter. We talk about his time with Team Australia in the World Baseball Classic, his time with the Adelaide Giants and winning the ABL title this February, signing with the Phillies, his development as a pitcher, and much more.
We're pleased to be joined by Travis Hergert, Phillies Minor League Pitching Coordinator, on our latest episode of Hook Line & Splitter. We talk about his background, coming from the collegiate ranks, and into the Phillies system. Other topics include the integration of the "Art of Pitching" with the "Science of Pitching" and how that works in the Phillies system. We also touch on some former BlueClaws, some current BlueClaws, and some future BlueClaws pitchers, among many other topics.
We're joined by BlueClaws LHP Jordan Fowler on our latest episode of Hook Line & Splitter, presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law! We talk about his season, coming to the Phillies, what he's learned over the last year, his time in Adelaide with the Adelaide Giants, and much more.
We're joined on our latest episode by BlueClaws LHP Matt Osterberg. The left-hander from Coleman, Wisconsin is off to a great start this year and gave up one run in a career-long seven innings last week. He's scheduled to start tonight (June 21st) against Rome. He talks about growing up in Wisconsin playing baseball in a town with a population of just over 800, his collegiate career at St. Cloud State in Minnesota where he studied engineering, and much more.
BlueClaws RHP Matt Russell sits down on our latest episode. The right-hander talks about going to the same college as Ryan Howard (Missouri State), how he found out he was going to sign with the Phillies, pitching eight innings in a game - across two weeks - last year, and much more.
We're joined today by BlueClaws RHP Orion Kerkering. The hard-throwing right-hander from the University of South Florida sits down to talk about his season, his rise in 2023, and much more. Kerkering grew up in Venice, Florida and was a 5th round pick of the Phillies this year. At the time this episode went up, he had 31 strikeouts in 19.2 innings this year between the BlueClaws and Clearwater.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
How many people have played baseball in 10 countries? How many have simultaneously been the team's groundskeeper and relief pitcher? How many still have played for their international team? Mitch Hillert, now the BlueClaws groundskeeper, has done all of that! He's played professionally in Germany, he's played for the Irish National Team, he's played independent baseball in the US and Puerto Rico, and all over the world. Now, he's the BlueClaws head groundskeeper and our next guest on Hook Line & Splitter.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
We're joined by Ryan McGee of ESPN, who wrote the classic book "Welcome to the Circus of Baseball," about the magical summer of 1994 when he interned with the Asheville Tourists. We go through the summer and Ryan tells us some hilarious stories about the many job(s) he held that year, what he learned, and much more. Plus, he introduces us to some amazing characters that help tell the tales of Minor League Baseball almost 30 years ago. It's an episode you do not want to miss!
Order the book on Amazon by clicking here.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
We're joined by BlueClaws RHP Gunner Mayer on today's episode. The right-hander from northern California talks about his baseball journey, how he did not start pitching until his junior year of high school, after which he went to a junior college for one season and then was taken in the 5th round by the Phillies in the 2019 draft. This is his first year with the BlueClaws and he talks about his growth as a pitcher over the last few seasons in the system and his goals for 2023.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
We're joined by BlueClaws RHP Chase Antle on our latest episode. The right-hander from Ohio signed with the Phillies out of Coastal Carolina in 2020 but missed 2021 and 2022 with injuries. He made his pro debut with the BlueClaws on April 8th. We talk about the winding road of his career from Bowling Green to Coastal Carolina to the Covid year, to a pair of missed seasons after surgeries, and now to the mound.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
We're joined by BlueClaws RHP Tommy McCollum on the latest Hook Line & Splitter and talk about his baseball journey, winning a national title in college, the Cape Cod League, signing with the Phillies, meeting Roger Clemens, and much more.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
It's been quite a journey for Kennett Square, PA native Nick Ward. He grew up a big Phillies fan, played in the A's system, then two years in the independent Frontier League, for the Adelaide Giants, Team Great Britain in the WBC, and is now playing in his hometown organization with the BlueClaws. We talk to Nick about his baseball journey on this week's Hook Line & Splitter.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
We're joined on Episode 60 of Hook Line & Splitter by BlueClaws IF Jamari Baylor. Jamari, from Richmond, shares his baseball journey, which began when he learned the game with his grandfather at the age of 10. Baylor was a 3rd round pick in 2019 and after spending last year with Clearwater, joins the BlueClaws for the first time this season.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
Opening Day is right on the doorstep and we're joined by BlueClaws manager Greg Brodzinski who takes us through the Break Camp Roster, spring training, and talks about his excitement for starting his first season as a professional manager.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
We're joined by 2022 BlueClaws C Anthony Quirion, who has had a whirlwind few months - going to Adelaide, where he was a member of the champion Adelaide Giants of the Australian Baseball League, back to Canada for six days, and now to Florida for spring training and the 2023 season. We talk about his time in Australia, how he's grown as a player since last summer, his baseball journey from Canada to Texas and the Phillies, to his growth as a catcher and learning how to call a game and manage a pitching staff. We also talk about catching Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter, which he did much of last year, including a 14 strikeout game with Clearwater in April.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
We're joined by BlueClaws manager Greg Brodzinski for part two of our interview with the 31 year old, just appointed as BlueClaws skipper earlier this month. We talk about his baseball journey, growing up a Phillies fan in New Jersey (he played at Bishop Eustace), his managerial style, and much more.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
We're joined by new BlueClaws manager Greg Brodzinski on episode 56 of Hook Line & Splitter presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law. We talk about his background growing up, his baseball journey, how he plans to approach managing the BlueClaws, his baseball influences, and much more. We're also joined by Judd Shaw, and he tells both his story and that of Sterling, the knight in shining armor!
With Spring Training on the horizon, we're joined by Matt Gelb, Phillies beat writer for The Athletic. We cover a lot of ground around the organization including:
- Andrew Painter and his chances to make the team out of camp
- Mick Abel, Griff McGarry, Andrew Baker, and some of the other organization young arms
- Former BlueClaws including Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Rhys Hoskins, Connor Brogdon, Seranthony Dominguez, and Ranger Suarez, among others
- Expectations and storylines for the spring
- Rob Thomson's impact last year
- And more!
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by Judd Shaw Injury Law.
We go all the way down to Adelaide, Australia where we welcome in 2022 BlueClaws OF Jared Carr. Carr is spending the winter playing for the Adelaide Giants, who lead their division in the Australian Baseball League with two weeks left in the season. We talk about his time there, how he enjoys Australia, best off-day activities, his 2022 season with the BlueClaws - including two appearances on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Night - the draft process, goals for 2023, and much more.
For our final episode of 2022, we look back at some of our favorite clips from the season. Hear from the following players: Baron Radcliff, Carlos De La Cruz, Andrew Baker, Jason Ruffcorn, Mick Abel, and Andrew Schultz. We thank everyone for listening and supporting the BlueClaws this season. Have a very Happy New Year and we'll see you in 2023!
We're joined by Steve Potter of PhilliesBaseballFan.com. Steve covers the Phillies minor league system and has insight on players throughout the organization. We touch on several players that played for the BlueClaws this year or will in the next season or two, his time down at the complex, the Phillies system at large, and much more.
We're joined by a very special guest, Phillies Farm Director Preston Mattingly as we go over the Phillies system and the 2022 season! We talk about Andrew Painter, Mick Abel, and Griff McGarry among the starting pitching depth at the top of the system, players from the Arizona Fall League, how he integrated himself into the system, learning 200 players and 40+ coaches after joining the Phillies last year, his goals for the system in 2023, and much more.
Thanks for listening, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
The Phillies are going to the World Series! BlueClaws broadcasters Greg Giombarrese and Tony Graham break it all down from a BlueClaws point of view. We go through the players and coaches that spent time at the Shore and talk about their impact on the 2022 Phillies. We also look at Bryce Harper's home run among the biggest hits in Phillies history, and offer our World Series picks. Go Phils!
We're joined by BlueClaws RHP Brett Schulze, live from the Arizona Fall League. He talks about following the Phillies from Arizona with several fellow Phillies prospects, playing on the same team as some Astros farmhands with the World Series about to begin, what he's learned as a pitcher in Arizona and this season, his recovery from Tommy John Surgery, growing up in Minnesota playing baseball, and much more.
We're joined by 2022 BlueClaws OF Marcus Lee Sang on Episode 48. We talk about the Phillie that he connected with as a younger player upon being drafted, his 2022 season, plans and goals for 2023, playing other sports in high school and growing up, hitting two home runs in a game, and much more!
We wrap up the Phillies minor league season with our annual Year in Review episode, joined by broadcasters Emily Messina of the Reading Fightin' Phils and Mike Ventola of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Each of us offers our Hitter and Pitcher of the Year from each level, some under-the-radar players to watch, and much more!
2022 BlueClaws IF Kendall Simmons stops by for Episode 46 of Hook Line & Splitter. Simmons joins us from his home state of Georgia, where we review his season, talk about his plans for the off-season, and tell his baseball story. He talks about the draft, hoping the Phillies took him, Jimmy Rollins, almost going to Georgia Tech, former BlueClaws manager Marty Malloy (Simmons' manager in Clearwater this year) and much more!
We're joined by BlueClaws OF Baron Radcliff, fresh off an August in which he had two multi-home run games and the highest OPS of any player in the South Atlantic League. We talk about his current streak, adjustments he's made over the course of the season, growing up playing multiple sports, what he's learned over the two years since he was drafted, and much more.
Andrew Baker joins us for Episode 44 of Hook Line & Splitter. The hard-throwing right-hander from Alabama was an 11th rd pick last year out of Chiopla Junior College and has struck out 35 hitters over 18 innings since the beginning of July. We talk about his development this season, his time with the BlueClaws, at Chipola JC, and learn which Phillies prospect would make an excellent NFL punter.
We're joined by 6-8 BlueClaws OF Carlos De La Cruz on Episode 43 of Hook, Line & Splitter. De La Cruz homered twice on Saturday against Brooklyn and added home runs in each of the first two games against Wilmington (July 27-28). The right-handed hitting OF talks about his time growing up in New York, playing at George Washington HS, signing with the Phillies, how he's grown as a player over the last few seasons, and more.
We're joined by BlueClaws C Karl Ellison on Ep. 42 of Hook Line & Splitter. Ellison talks about his baseball journey from high school in Ohio to Vanderbilt to Lynn University in Florida to the Lake Erie Crushers to the BlueClaws. He didn't join the Phillies until just a few days before Spring Training. We talk about his role as a mentor for the BlueClaws young arms and he talks about what they all bring to the table.
We're joined by BlueClaws RHP Andrew Schultz on our latest Hook Line & Splitter podcast. The right-hander was a 6th round pick from the University of Tennessee and talks about his recovery from Tommy John Surgery, his 2022 season, what he missed most about not pitching last year, and much more.
We're joined by BlueClaws 1B Rixon Wingrove, a native of Newcastle, Australia. Wingrove joined the BlueClaws on May 24th and hit three home runs in his first series. Today, we talk about growing up as a baseball player in Australia, other sports he played, his time in the Australian Baseball League, coming over to the Phillies, his 2022 season, and much more.
We're joined by Jason Ruffcorn, the Sally League saves leader, on today's episode of Hook Line & Splitter. The right-handed reliever was drafted in last year's 8th round out of the University of Oklahoma. We talk about his baseball journey, including getting drafted by the Phillies, the last team his father, Scott, played for. Additionally, we talk pickleball, pitch clocks, and much more.
We're joined by BlueClaws SS Casey Martin on Hook Line & Splitter this week. Martin was a 3rd round pick in 2020 from the University of Arkansas. We talk about his season so far, the transition to professional baseball, playing for manager Keith Werman, how he's grown as a player and person in the two years since the draft, Dustin Pedroia (his favorite player to watch growing up), playing in the SEC, and much more.
The BlueClaws are back home to play 12 games in 13 days at ShoreTown Ballpark beginning May 24th against Greenville.
We're joined today by Mick Abel, BlueClaws right-hander and Phillies first round pick in the 2020 draft. We talk about the start to his 2022 season, his 2021 season, facing fellow Oregonian Adley Rutschman in Aberdeen last week, the draft process, collecting baseball cards (including what it was like to open his own Mick Abel card) and much more.
We're joined by BlueClaws OF Ethan Wilson on today's Hook Line & Splitter. The outfielder from Andalusia, Alabama was a 2nd round pick of the Phillies last year out of the University of South Alabama. We talk about his first 10.5 months in the system, going through the draft process, his newfound stolen base prowess, and much more.
The BlueClaws are back home on Tuesday to welcome in the Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees).
We're joined by BlueClaws RHP Ben Brown on our latest Hook Line & Splitter. Brown was the BlueClaws Opening Night starter in 2021 and again in 2022. We cover a lot of topics including his health coming back from injury, his spring, his use of analytics, his development as a pitcher, the draft process, the Long Islanders in the Phillies system, and much more. A right-hander from Long Island, Brown was a 33rd round pick of the Phillies in 2017 from East Setauket, New York.
The BlueClaws have a roster and we're joined by BlueClaws manager Keith Werman to preview the season. The BlueClaws roster includes seven of the top 30 prospects in the system per MLB Pipeline and five of the top nine. #2 prospect RHP Mick Abel, Phillies first round pick in 2020, is the 13th former first-round pick to play for the BlueClaws. We go through spring training, the roster, who he's most excited to see, style of play, the new rules changes, and much more.
We're joined by BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti to preview the season from the fan's perspective. We talk about the new Blue Wave Bar, Reel Claw - our new team beer, 8-million fans, bringing the best of the Jersey Shore to the ballpark, Marvel nights with the BlueClaws, and much more. The BlueClaws open the season on Friday night against Aberdeen. Tickets are on sale now at BlueClaws.com.
We're excited to be joined today by Keith Werman, earlier today named the 15th manager in BlueClaws history. Werman spent the last four years as the major league development coordinator with the San Diego Padres and this will be his first year in the Phillies system. We talk about his time with the Padres, his philosophy, his relationship with new Phillies Director of Player Development Preston Mattingly, playing at the University of Virginia, and much more.
Be sure to like, rate, review, and subscribe to Hook Line & Splitter wherever your get your podcasts.
It's part two of our interview with Negro League historian Dr. Larry Hogan. Dr. Hogan was a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame committee to help elect 17 Negro League players and executives to the Hall of Fame in 2005. We talked about that, Buck O'Neil's entry this year, the Newark Eagles, and much more.
Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
We are pleased to be joined today by Dr. Larry Hogan, Negro League baseball historian, to talk about Pop Lloyd and the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants for Black History Month. This is the first of two episodes with Dr. Hogan. Today, we talk about Lloyd and the Bacharach Giants and next time we'll talk about the Newark Eagles and more teams and players around the Negro Leagues.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
We're joined by 2021 BlueClaws pitcher Josh Hendrickson. The left hander from Perth recaps his off-season, talks about his time in Australia and the growth of baseball in that country, what other sports he played growing up, and much more.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
He began the season by hitting the first home run in Jersey Shore BlueClaws history on Opening Night, and ended the year with promotions to AA Reading and later AAA Lehigh Valley before a productive autumn in the Arizona Fall League. Logan O'Hoppe is our guest on episode 28 of Hook Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services.
We talk about his excellent season with the BlueClaws, gaining experience at the higher levels, the Arizona Fall League, his time in Australia prior to the 2020 season, what he learned at the alternate site in the summer of 2020, his relationship with BlueClaws manager Chris Adamson, who also managed O'Hoppe in Australia, and much more.
Be sure to like, rate, review, and subscribe to Hook, Line & Splitter!
Today we say "Goodbye," for now, to longtime BlueClaws Head Groundskeeper Mike Morvay, who is stepping away from his full-time role with the team. We look back on his more than 15 years with the BlueClaws, starting with his time on the grounds crew, to being the assistant groundskeeper, to his role as Head Groundskeeper for the better part of the last decade.
We also talk groundskeeping, the winter weather, and much more.
Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Neil Solondz, the original 'Voice of the BlueClaws,' is our guest on Episode 26 of Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. Solondz worked for the BlueClaws from 2001 to2003 and broadcast players like Carlos Ruiz, Ryan Howard, Gavin Floyd, and Cole Hamels. We also talk about opening the ballpark here in Lakewood, his time with the Rays, and much more.
We're joined in Episode 25 of Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, by 2021 BlueClaws RHP Billy Sullivan. The University of Delaware product opened the season, and his professional career, with the BlueClaws in May before a promotion to Double-A Reading after just five appearances. Sullivan, who went to Delaware, grew up a Phillies fan and talks about that, his Tommy John Surgery in 2019, the Covid shutdown in 2020, signing with the Phillies as a non-drafted free agent, and much more.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
On our latest Hook Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services, we catch up with Mike Adams. The right-hander, from Holy Spirit High School, signed with the Phillies in January and has run Baseball Performance Center in Pleasantville for the last several years. We talk about his time as a baseball trainer, getting a tryout for scouts, signing with his hometown team, pitching at the Jersey Shore, just a few miles from where he grew up, his summer transition to Triple-A, and much more. He also talks about what he learned as a player this year that he will now use this off-season to teach the players at the training center.
Be sure to like, rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, and check out our previous episodes too.
We go through 2021 around the Phillies minor league system today on Hook Line & Splitter. We're joined by Emily Messina from the Reading Fightin' Phils plus Mike Ventola and Pat McCarthy from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. In the episode, we hand out our Player and Pitcher of the Year Awards from each level, breakthrough players from each level, players we're looking forward to seeing more of in 2022, and much more.
We're joined by BlueClaws RHP Griff McGarry, the first (and only) member of the 2021 Phillies draft class to reach the BlueClaws this season. McGarry was a 5th round pick in the 2021 draft out of the University of Virginia, where he threw two near no-hitters in the NCAA Baseball Tournament in his final two collegiate starts. McGarry struck out 21 opposing hitters in his 13.1 Jersey Shore innings. We talk about his time at UVA, his early baseball influences in California, what he's learned this season in the Phillies system, and much more.
Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
We're joined by Luke Williams, current Phillies player and 2017 BlueClaw! It's been a crazy year for Williams, who hit a walk-off home run in his second big league game. He also helped the US qualify for the Olympics, and played earlier this year in Australia where his manager was current BlueClaws manager Chris Adamson. We talk about all of those things, plus how he found out he got called up to the big leagues, his time with the BlueClaws, and much more.
Click here to listen to past episodes.
We're joined by BlueClaws closer Blake Brown on Episode 20 of Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. Brown, signed as a non-drafted free agent after the five-round draft of 2020, is from Dallas, NC and played collegiately at UNC-Asheville. We talk about his season, goals for the future, technology and analytics in baseball and how he uses them to his advantage, what attracted him to the Phillies when choosing a team last year, and much more.
To listen to our previous episodes, click here.
We're joined by BlueClaws pitcher Tyler McKay on Episode 19 of Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. McKay threw six perfect innings in his August 14th start at Hudson Valley and was scheduled to start for the BlueClaws on Friday night at FirstEnergy Park. We talk about the wild game on Saturday - the BlueClaws won 2-0 in 12 innings - plus his season, his background, growing up a Cardinals fan, and much more. A right-hander from Lee's Summit, Missouri, McKay spent 2019 with the BlueClaws in Low-A as well.
Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, is presented by NJR Home Services. Click here to listen to past episodes.
Our guest on episode 18 of Hook Line & Splitter is BlueClaws IF DJ Stewart. The St. Louis native is in the midst of his best professional season, having already hit nine home runs with the BlueClaws after he hit three with Clearwater earlier this year. We talk about his new-found power, growing up in St. Louis, how he very nearly went to Eastern Illinois instead of signing with the Phillies, and much more.
Click here to listen to our previous episodes.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Tony Graham has covered the BlueClaws for the Asbury Park Press or the team's broadcast on and off for the last 20 years and he joins us on Episode 17 of Hook, Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services. We go way back to the beginning but spend a lot of time on the last decade of BlueClaws baseball - from championship teams in 2009 and 2010, to the present day. Hear about Spencer Howard, Anthony Gose, Mark Parent, Dusty Wathan, Greg Legg, Jim Murphy, Darick Hall, the playoff runs in 2016 and 2018, and much more!
It's BruceClaws season. With Springsteen Appreciation Night set for July 31st, we're joined by Tom Cunningham, host of Springsteen on Sunday on 107.1 the Boss. We talk about Springsteen, Asbury Park, the Jersey Shore music scene, his show, which has now eclipsed 900 episodes dating back over the last 18 years, and much more.
For more in BruceClaws Night, click here and to bid on the special BruceClaws jerseys, click here.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
We're joined by BlueClaws RHP Kevin Gowdy on Episode 15 of Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. Gowdy talks about his breakthroughs this season, returning from missing two years with injury in 2019 and then having the 2020 season wiped out by the pandemic, representing Team USA in a world U18 tournament in 2015 and helping them win a gold medal, and much more.
Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Travis "Moose" Mattair, one of the most popular BlueClaws in history, is our guest on this "BlueClaws at 20" episode of Hook, Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services. We cover his time with the BlueClaws, his transition to basketball and then back to baseball, his new career as a high school coach in the Pensacola, Florida area, his BlueClaws Bobblehead, and much more.
Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
July 3, 2016. The BlueClaws trailed Greensboro 4-3 heading to the bottom of the ninth inning. As he crossed onto the infield dirt, darkness struck the ballpark. The lights went out. On this episode of Hook, Line & Splitter, we talk with BlueClaws Director of Events & Operations Kayla Reilly, who had a role in the incident, re-visit that night and the memorable stories that emerged - fans Tweeting from the QuickChek parking lot asking why the fireworks haven't been shot off yet, an autographed light-switch plate, and more.
Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Single-game tickets for all BlueClaws home games are on sale by clicking here.
On Ep. 12 of Hook Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services, we talk with Brett MacMinn and Oscar Alvarado, founders of the Phandemic Krew. You saw them last year outside the gates of Citizens Bank Park when fans were not allowed inside, and now they have built one of the biggest Phillies fan groups around. We talk about the origins, Aaron Boone's complaints, the community support they've received, and their upcoming outing at the BlueClaws game on Friday, July 9th!
You can join their group outing on July 9th by clicking here.
Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Our guest on Episode 11 of Hook, Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services, is BlueClaws RHP Adam Leverett. Through June 23rd, Leverett has allowed just two earned runs in 29.1 innings pitched, with 32 strikeouts. We talk about his impressive change-up, his development in the two years since he was drafted, his time with the BlueClaws, his time at Gordon State, his favorite team growing up, and much more!
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services - your energy savings MVP – so you can spend your money where you really want to - at the ballpark!
It's Pride Month and we have a special episode of Hook, Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services. We're joined by Billy Bean, Vice President and Special Assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred to talk about his life story, Pride in baseball, and how his story can inspire people going through similar situations. Then, we air our round-table discussion with Christian Fuscarino of Garden State Equality and Joe Votruba of NJ 101.5 which was done in conjunction with Pride Night at FirstEnergy Park on June 5th.
Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Longtime Phillies PR maven Larry Shenk is our latest guest on Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. Shenk began his career with the Phillies in 1964 and was there for an incredible amount of Phillies history that we cover in this episode. We talk about the finish to the '64 season, two World Championships, the magical 1993 season, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Harry Kalas and so much more.
Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services, your energy savings MVP – so you can spend your money where you really want to - at the ballpark!
Our guest on Episode 8 is former BlueClaws C Vito Friscia. He was with the BlueClaws when we taped but has since been with both AAA Lehigh Valley and AA Reading. Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, is presented by NJR Home Services. Friscia grew up on Long Island and went to Hofstra and we talk about his two-home run game against Brooklyn on June 1st, his time at Hofstra, the other Long Island players with the BlueClaws, some of the BlueClaws pitchers, the use of analytics in baseball, and much more.
Thanks to our sponsor, NJR Home Services - your energy savings MVP – so you can spend your money where you really want to - at the ballpark!
BlueClaws RHP Noah Skirrow joins us in Episode 7 of Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. Skirrow, from Canada, went to Liberty University and signed with the Phillies last year. He talks about the draft process, going undrafted and all the calls he got the first day teams were allowed to contact undrafted players, how he chose the Phillies among all of his options, getting a call from Joe Girardi, and much more.
Thanks to our sponsor, NJR Home Services - your energy savings MVP – so you can spend your money where you really want to - at the ballpark!
In Episode 6 of Hook, Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services, we welcome in Bill Butler, former BlueClaws groundskeeper, on the 3rd anniversary of him becoming the first groundskeeper ever ejected from a professional baseball game. We also talk about the build-up to the BlueClaws and his time with the team from 2000 - 2003.
Then, we welcome in Keith Raad, the voice of the Brooklyn Cyclones. The Mets affiliate will be at FirstEnergy Park from June 1st - 6th and we talk about the players that fans will see at the Jersey Shore next week.
Thanks to our sponsor, NJR Home Services - Your New Jersey Heating and Cooling Experts Bringing You High Heat and Cool Savings.
In Episode 5 of Hook Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services, we talk with BlueClaws SS Bryson Stott, Phillies first-round pick in the 2019 draft. A Las Vegas native and UNLV product, we check in with Stott about growing up in Las Vegas, the draft process with the Phillies, his start to the season with the BlueClaws, and much more.
Thanks to our sponsor, NJR Home Services - Your New Jersey Heating and Cooling Experts Bringing You High Heat and Cool Savings.
In episode 4 of Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services, we speak with former BlueClaws manager Marty Malloy, who managed at the Shore in 2017 and 18 and is now the Phillies minor league infield coordinator. Malloy led the BlueClaws to the SAL Championship Series in 2018 and talks about his time at the Shore, his current role with the Phillies, hitting a home run in his second big league at bat, and much more.
Thanks to our sponsor, NJR Home Services - Your New Jersey Heating and Cooling Experts Bringing You High Heat and Cool Savings.
In episode 3 of Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services, we speak with BlueClaws catcher Logan O'Hoppe. A Long Island native who played at St. John the Baptist High School in West Islip, he's been with the Phillies since 2018. We talk about the start to his season with the BlueClaws, homering on Opening Night, how close he was to going to East Carolina, playing in Australia one winter, his time in big league camp this spring, and much, much more.
Thanks to our sponsor, NJR Home Services - Your New Jersey Heating and Cooling Experts Bringing You High Heat and Cool Savings.
In episode 2 of Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services, we speak with BlueClaws manager Chris "Tank" Adamson. From Australia, Adamson was set to manage the BlueClaws in 2020 before the season was cancelled, and will manage the BlueClaws in 2021, their first as a High-A affiliate. We talk about his background, his team, and learn a little about Australia too!
Thanks to our sponsor, NJR Home Services - Your New Jersey Heating and Cooling Experts Bringing You High Heat and Cool Savings.
In Episode 1 of Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws Podcast presented by NJR Home Services, we talk with Greg Legg, the first BlueClaws manager. 20 years after he managed the BlueClaws in their first season, we catch up with Legg to talk about the BlueClaws first season in 2001, his time with the Phillies, helping the BlueClaws to a pair of titles in 2009 and 2010, some of the many players he mentored over the years, and much more.
Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.