Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In

Diamond Dreams Up & In Episode 123 - Who's Cooperstown bound? Juan Soto dating who? College football playoffs

This week, we go deep into some of the most polarizing conversations in sports—and we’re not holding back. 👇
First up, the Contemporary Baseball Era Player Hall of Fame ballot voting is this weekend, and it’s STACKED with controversy and nostalgia. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are on the ballot—will their peers finally vote them into Cooperstown? Is it time to forgive the Steroid Era and acknowledge that those players shaped baseball history, flaws and all?
But this one hits home for Armando… because two of his childhood heroes, Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy, are ALSO on the ballot. And let’s be real—it’s LONG overdue. These guys were icons, culture movers, and face-of-the-franchise talents. It's time they get their plaques in Cooperstown where they belong. 🏆⚾️
We also break down the sports betting crisis—players getting busted, scandals popping up everywhere, and leagues scrambling for solutions. We offer the fix that could finally end the madness.
PLUS, baseball free agency is heating up:🔥 Devin Williams to the Mets🔥 Who Juan Soto is dating and why the internet is losing its mind🔥 Will the Yankees pull off a blockbuster and land Sandy Alcantara?
And if that’s not enough—we dissect the latest College Football Playoff rankings and explain why the entire system is broken. Expansion? Overhaul? More teams? Yes. Yes. And YES. 🏈
All that, and SO much more, right now on Episode 123 of Up & In.

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In Episode 122 - Sports Culture, MLB Free Agency, Dolphins and Pats

On Episode 122 of Up & In, Armando and Mike are joined by a special guest and close friend — Fabian Camacho, a lifelong Boston sports diehard.
We dive deep into MLB Free Agency, breaking down the latest on the Yankees, Marlins, and Red Sox, and asking the big question: What must New York and Boston do now that Toronto has become a real power inside the AL East? We look at potential landing spots for stars like Pete Alonso and other major free agents and discuss why team culture matters just as much as talent — with icons like Derek Jeter and Shohei Ohtani proving that leadership goes far beyond the stat sheet.
Then we jump to the NFL, discussing what’s next for the Miami Dolphins after the firing of Chris Grier and back-to-back wins, and why the New England Patriots suddenly look revived under Head Coach Mike Vrabel, signaling a true cultural reset in Foxborough.
That and much more on Episode 122 of Up & In. Tune in!

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In – Episode 121 - Dodgers Repeat as Champs! Free Agency begins

In Episode 121, Mike and Armando break down the Dodgers’ World Series victory and what truly separated them: base running and fundamentals. We highlight Andy Pages’ incredible catch, Kiké Hernández’s heads-up play, and Yamamoto’s all-time performance under pressure.
Then we shift into the offseason ahead and talk free agency: which big names could be on the move, who fits where, and how the landscape might shift across the league.
All that and more on this episode of Up & In.

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In Episode 120 - Talking Golf with Robert de Paz aka Coach Robby

In this week’s episode of Up & In, Armando and Mike welcome a special guest — Robert De Paz, founder of De Paz Golf, coach at Golf Academy USA, and coach of the Belen Jesuit Golf Team. A talented golfer himself with aspirations of turning pro, Coach Robby dives into the Golf Academy Program and how it’s helping young players develop through high-level instruction and mentorship.
He also discusses the implementation of Operation 36, a system that teaches kids golf from the green back — meaning they start at shorter yardages from the hole and gradually move farther out as their skills improve, until they’re eventually teeing off from the box.
The conversation explores the differences between teaching kids versus adults, how coaching golf compares to coaching baseball, and Robby’s own journey from player to mentor — including where he envisions his golf career heading next. The guys also discuss the surge in golf’s popularity and why so many kids are choosing the course over the court or field.
Then it’s on to the World Series: can the Blue Jays finish off the Dodgers in Game 6? Is Shohei Ohtani already the GOAT? And finally, will the Miami Dolphins build momentum off their last win, or fall flat against the Ravens?
That and much more on Episode 120 of Up & In – Diamond Dreams Miami.

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In Episode 119 - McDaniel and the Dolphins...Is Ohtani the GOAT?

In this week’s episode of Diamond Dreams Miami: Up & In, Mike and Armando dive into the Dolphins’ latest debacle — breaking down Miami’s collapse, the fallout, and why ownership has still decided not to move on from Mike McDaniel or Chris Grier... at least not yet.
Then, the guys turn their attention to Shohei Ohtani’s historic performance and explain why he’s proving to be worth every single penny of that record-breaking contract.
From there, it’s a trip up to the Bronx — what can the Yankees do in free agency to finally get back on track? Mike and Armando weigh the realistic (and dream) moves that could shift the balance of power.
Finally, the show wraps up with a deep dive into the world of card collecting — when timing is everything. The guys talk market trends, player value spikes, and how to spot the perfect moment to buy or sell.
All that and much more on Episode 119 of Up & In.

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In Episode 118 - Yankees Eliminated, Dolphins Disaster

The Yankees were eliminated from the postseason, and Mike and Armando sound off on the Bronx Bombers.  Will Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman finally be replaced, or will it be more of the same in New York?
What big free agent can make a huge difference for the Yanks? Tune in and find out our thoughts.
Also, the Dolphins continue their free fall. It's time for changes. Armando talks about who he likes at head coach, and what other changes must occur.
That and much more on episode 118 or Up & In.

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In Episode 117 - Solving the Dolphins' issues, Canes, MLB Playoffs

Up & In is back for Episode 117, where Armando shares what he would do if he were in Stephen Ross' shoes.  Would he fired Grier and McDaniel? Would he replace Tua? If so, who are the candidates to lead the Dolphins next season?
Also, Mario Cristobal has the Canes in the best shape they've been in years. What's working for the Canes, and which of their players should be a top 5 pick in the NFL Draft.
The MLB Playoffs are right around the corner, and we share what teams are in, who's on the brink of clinching, and who has been a disappointment.
All that and much more on Episode 117 of Up & In!

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In Episode 116 - Little League, Dolphins and Canes, Belichick and Jordan Hudson

This week on Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In we cover it all:
Little League talk + the latest controversies on the diamond with Framber Valdez & Rafael Devers.
Can the Marlins make a run next season? We break down exactly what needs to happen.
Are the Miami Dolphins really a playoff team? Armando gives his take.
The Miami Hurricanes looked great vs. Notre Dame to kick off the season—we’ve got the breakdown.
Bill Belichick & Jordan Hudson… older men with younger women. Is it a big deal?
Plus, Real Housewives of Miami talk and much more!

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In Episode 115 - Little League Season, Dolphins, and Topps Boxing Snafu

School’s back in session, and so is fall little league baseball. We kick things off by talking about the start of the season — and ask the big question: is there actually betting in little league? In MLB, Shohei Ohtani finds himself walking straight into another scandal. On the NFL side, it’s the Miami Dolphins vs. the national media, and we break down the bias against the team. Plus, Armando shares his frustrating experience trying to preorder the brand-new Topps Boxing trading cards. That and much more on this week’s episode of Up & In.

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In – Episode 114 - Cooperstown, Golf, Yankees/Marlins, and Cardboard Comebacks

In this episode of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In, with Armando Alvarez and Mike Quintana break down a number of topics in the world of sports.
Mike recaps his recent trip to Cooperstown with his 12U team—what the experience meant, how the kids grew as teammates and competitors, and the lessons they’ve already applied since returning.
The guys then shift gears from baseball to golf. What’s it like transitioning from the diamond to the fairway? They explore the mental and mechanical adjustments needed, and how the two swing in the two sports differ.
In MLB talk, the Yankees’ free fall continues. Will Aaron Boone survive the season? Is anyone in the front office feeling the heat? Meanwhile, the Marlins are heating up—Armando and Mike break down what’s clicking, and which recent move signals the team is eyeing the postseason.
Also, Topps is releasing its first boxing trading card set since 1951. How many boxes will Armando be ordering? He also pulls back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes in the fight game.
That and more, right here on Up & In.