Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In

Spring break is wrapping up as Up & In turns 30!  On episode 30, Armando and Mike talk about their trips with their families this week, academy baseball when kids are on vacation, the massive amounts of rain in Miami, and MLB.  Beer sales were down, so some teams are extending the cut off time.  Is the pitch clock bad for business?  Also, hot bats and hot teams.  The impact of Luis Arraez on the Marlins, and how do the Rays do it?  

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In welcomes Michelle Barney for Episode 29.  Michelle is a Diamond Dreams volunteer head coach, mom to two awesome kids, and one heck of an athlete.  We talk about how she approaches coaching tee ball, her years playing softball, and about the much needed growth for softball in South Florida.  We also touch on some national topics like the Angel Reese / Caitlin Clark controversy, and the pitch clock in MLB.  

MLB Agent Michael Maulini joins us on Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In for Episode 28.  He tells us about falling in love with the game of baseball, when he realized he wanted to be an MLB Agent, how he got his big break, his ideal client, and some cool stories from his years in the business.  We talk new baseball rules and how that's going to impact the game.  Also, the MLB Season is starting, and we go through our predictions for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and World Series champs.  We talk boxing as well with Maulini, who's a big fan of the fight game.  

Mike and Armando recap what was an amazing and memorable World Baseball Classic.  We talk about the Hollywood style ending to the game, and what Shohei Ohtani could command in free agency.  We go over the best and worst from the WBC including what went on during the USA vs. Cuba game, and why we'd like to see a big change for the next Classic.  Everyone got to see baseball without a pitch clock again.  Should MLB keep it, or do away with it?  Check out Episode 27, and send us your comments.

Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In turns 26 and we talk about the best moments of the World Baseball Classic.  From perfect games to electricians striking out one of the best players in the bigs.  We touch on the passion we're seeing from fans, and the players.  Do we like the 10-run mercy rule?  What do we think of the Venezuelan players with their uniform shirts wide open? Check us out to find out.  We also make a plea to the Yankees to let the kids play!  Dolphins Free Agency, boxing talk, and much more.

Carlos and Alex Pascual join Armando and Mike for Episode 25 of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In.  Carlos, helped his dad "Patato" run Academia Carlos Pascual for over 25-years, and talks about his days at the Academy, memorable players, and memorable games.  He also goes into the differences between coaching baseball now versus the past.  Alex stresses the importance of playing academy baseball, and learning the fundamentals that help you excel at the next level.

Episode 24 of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In is here.  Mike and Armando expand on episode 23's discussion on youth baseball and some of the issues that exist.  They also talk team building in little league, uniformity, and the importance of practice.  A discussion on the new MLB rules, including the pitch clock.  Will this actually bring new fans, or just turn off lifelong big league aficionados? 

Alex Delgado, commissioner for MYBA (Miami Youth Baseball Association) joins Mike and Armando for Episode 23 of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In.  We talk with Alex about the Academia Pascual days, and about MYBA and the complexities of running this association that encompasses over 140 teams, over 1500 players, plus umpires, field condition, complaints, all-star games, etc.  He also goes over the scandal that occurred with teams cheating by falsifying birth certificates, and drinking by parents at the park. Fun episode full of knowledge about youth baseball.

Mike Quintana and Armando Alvarez talk about College Baseball Opening Day.  Everything kicks off this Friday with the University of Miami Hurricanes taking on Penn State, and FIU welcoming George Mason.  We go over both teams, and how far they could make it this season.  Mike reminisces about his Opening Days as a player at FIU, and in the minor leagues.  We choose our World Series favorites, address the Ronald Acuña rumors, and talk about the Super Bowl, and Patrick Mahomes' legacy.

We welcome to the show our special guest Jason Auricchio, who’s a Certified financial planner, NFLPA registered player financial advisor, and founder of FAME Financial group, a wealth management firm dedicated to serving professional athletes and entertainers. Jason talks to us about how he prepares young athletes for life as a professional, his advice on how to take care of their money, educating them on bad deals and bad decisions, and making sure they're financially sound in their post professional career.  He also breaks down what happens during Senior Bowl week, and explains college football and NIL.  Good for college football?  Bad for college football?  Jason tells us his thoughts.