Break A Bat! where Baseball Meets Broadway

Tommy John steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 40! John's big-league career spanned 1963-1989, and remains one of the most important figures in baseball history. In 1974, he pioneered ulnar collateral ligamental reconstruction, since nicknamed "Tommy John Surgery," which he underwent after damaging the ligamentin his throwing arm. Despite a poor outlook initially, he returned to being an effective pitcher, as more than half of his career wins came after his surgery. It has since become a common procedure among baseball pitchers. Throughout his 26-year Major League career, he cemented a legacy for both the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers as one of the greatest left-handed pitchers of all-time, as he retired as a 4-time Major League All-Star with prominent rankings in baseball's record books that include 700 Games Started (8th all-time), 4710.3 Innings Pitched (20th), and 288 Wins (26th). This episode not only rehashes some of John's career highlights, but also his candid thoughts on today's game, the grooming of young performers, pitching under the bright lights of Broadway, and his overall love of musical theatre. His son even appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables while John pitched for the Yankees! John has a real affinity for showtunes which is prominently displayed in this very special (and blatantly honest) chat. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shereen Pimentel steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 39 of Break a Bat! At the time Broadway had shut down due to COVID-19, Pimentel had just begun performances in the revival of West Side Story on Broadway in which she stars as Maria. She did all this while simultaneously finishing her senior year at Julliard! Pimentel is certainly no stranger to the stage as she actually made her Broadway debut at the age of 9 when she portrayed Young Nala in The Lion King and discusses how making a mark in her industry at such a young age is not all that different from a young baseball player getting called up to 'The Big Show', and playing the game at a high level. We even played some Baseball meets Broadway crossover trivia in this week's edition of the 7th Inning Stretch! This episode also discusses the important role that a show like the re-imagined West Side Story revival can play in our culture amidst these troubling times. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Shereen Pimentel on Instagram: @shereenpimentel Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carrie St. Louis steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 38! St. Louis made her Broadway debut in 2014 when she starred as Sherrie in Rock of Ages and has since gone onto star as Glinda in Wicked, and Lauren in Kinky Boots. This episode rehashes how St. Louis was able to make such a big impact on three powerhouse shows with three very different fanbases, as well as the process behind getting into some of the beloved characters she's taken on. In addition to this, she's also performed the National Anthem in more than half a dozen Major League ballparks and discusses not only her love of live sports but also the parallels between representing different franchises proudly both on stage and at the stadium. The conversation was not without big laughs, as St. Louis recounts some hilarious behind-the-scenes stories and mishaps from her career. While in Kinky Boots, she even had the opportunity to perform in front of Yankees great, CC Sabathia, and offered her thoughts on which Broadway musical would best suit the Yankees' flame-throwing closer/diva, Aroldis Chapman. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Carrie St. Louis on Instagram: @carriestlouis and Twitter: @carriestlouis Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tanyon Sturtze steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 36 alongside host Al Malafronte and producer Alan Seales. Sturtze pitched for 12 seasons in the Major Leagues, 3 of which came on the stages of Broadway, as a member of the New York Yankees from 2004-2006. Sturtze's career is particularly unique in the sense that he found success in multiple roles to help serve his cast, as both a starting and relief pitcher. While performing primarily as a relief pitcher while dawning the pinstripes, he helped form one of the franchise's most lethal bullpens in team history in 2005 - a formula that came to be known as "TanGorMo" alongside Tom Gordon and Mariano "Mo" Rivera. Many Broadway performers can relate to raising their game on the grandest of stages, and Sturtze was no different, posting a 0.87 Earned Run Average against the Boston Red Sox that season - the team's arch-rival who he ironically grew up rooting for as a kid growing up in Massachusetts. In this episode, he discussed some of the highlights of his time as a Yankee, his thoughts on today's game, as well as a few of his memorable trips to The Great White Way. He even touches on which of his former teammates would make the best Broadway performers! In addition to this, he and his wife Erica have also founded the wonderful '56 Foundation' to help hospitalized children nationwide. You can find more info on the foundation at the56foundation.org Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Photo: Anthony J Causi Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steven Brault is a starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who used his passion for musical theatre to release an entire album of showtunes this offseason titled A Pitch At Broadway. Prior to his time as a Major League Baseball player, Brault was a simultaneous collegiate ballplayer and Vocal Performance major at Regis University, and ever since his call-up to the big leagues in 2016, his love for both mediums has never wavered. The song selection on A Pitch at Broadway covers selections from more than a dozen musicals including Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton, RENT, Waitress, among others, and also features guest performers spanning anyone from Tony-nominee Adam Pascal, and Brault's Pirates teammate Josh Bell. In this episode, Brault even takes us through his decision to cover the iconic 'Defying Gravity' from Wicked, and desire to break the stigma of the song typically not being performed by a male vocalist. We also discuss his thoughts on listening to cast albums prior to seeing a show, rule changes in an upcoming baseball season, and which baseball film would work best as a Broadway musical. Hosted by Al Malafronte Guest co-hosted by Doug Horowitz Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Photo: Justin Berl/Getty Images You can find more information about Steven's album at http://stevenbraultalbum.com/ Connect with Steven Brault on Instagram: @skoobuh and Twitter: @squidbrault Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura Bell Bundy steps into The Batter’s Box for Episode 34! Bundy is as well-rounded of a performer as there is in the game. Throughout her career, she's seen phenomenal success on stage, on-screen, as well as in the recording studio as a singer-songwriter. Her Broadway credits include the Tony-winning Hairspray in which she originated the role of Amber Von Tussle, as well as the musical version of Legally Blonde, in which she originated the role of Elle Woods and earned a Tony nomination of her own for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. On-screen, she co-starred in FX's Anger Management, and as a musician, she earned a CMT Music Awards nomination for 'Breakthrough Video of the Year' for her hit single Giddy On Up. In this episode, the boys dive into Bundy's passion for telling stories with music, moving to the other side of the camera as a creative with some exciting new projects in the works, and how the stage is her comfort zone. A big part of her success is attested to constantly changing as a performer, with full recognition of the ability to make adjustments after "every game you play," - and as discussed, one of the ultimate separators between a good and great baseball player. This conversation was super interesting for the boys, as it really dove into the psyche and processes of an All-Star performer as much as any other episode we've done to date. Hosted by Al Malafronte with appearances by Chris Katzmann (co-creator) and Alan Seales (producer) Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Laura Bell Bundy on Instagram: @laurabellbundy and Twitter: @laurabellbundy Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jackie Burns steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 32 with host Al Malafronte, Chris Katzmann (co-creator), and Alan Seales (producer). Burns' phenomenal career on Broadway now spans more than a decade, with credits including Wicked, Hair, and If/Then, and she's also set to star in a stage adaptation of A Walk on the Moon next season. Burns holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured Elphaba in the storied Wicked franchise, playing the role in two separate stints --- the baseball equivalent of "pulling an Andy Pettitte." It was really interesting to hear her thoughts on a recovery path for Broadway upon its return, as well as what it was like getting to play her dream role of Elphaba for as long as she did - which was not without some hilarious behind the scenes stories, including what's known as the Emerald City's "No-Fly Days." She's also a die-hard sports fan with an athletic background of her own, so we were sure to play some fun Baseball/Broadway crossover games and even chatted about what would make a successful Broadway musical about our fanbase's unofficial mascot Aroldis Chapman, the Yankees' 6-time All-Star and flame-throwing closer. Special thanks to our friend Samara Finkle for helping put this one together. Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Jackie Burns on Instagram: @jackieburnsnyc and Twitter: @jackieburnsnyc Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melinda Harrison steps into the 'remote' Batter's Box with host Al Malafronte and producer Alan Seales for Episode 30! A University of Michigan graduate, Harrison became the first Michigan Wolverines women's varsity swimmer to compete in the Olympics, representing Canada in the 200-meter backstroke in the 1984 Summer Olympics. She was inducted into theUniversity of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 2006; as the first woman swimmer to be inducted. Harrison hasspent the lastseven years studyingthe performance of elite athletes, entrepreneurs, executives, and those who have overcome significant personal challenges. In combination with her business experience, Olympic background, entrepreneurial energy, and community successes, she brings goal-driven commitment and accountability to each of her clients. Her new book Personal Next is due for release on April 21st and describes the arc of transition common to all high performers. These virtues are particularly important during the world health crisis, and in this episode, Harrison discusses what both Broadway performers and star athletic performers such as the Yankees' beloved All-Star closer/Broadway favorite Aroldis Chapman can do to best prepare themselves for what comes next in a very different performing environment upon returning to action. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Melinda Harrison on Instagram: @melindaharrison and online at www.melindaharrison.com Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeanna de Waal steps into the 'remote' Batter's Box with host Al Malafronte and producer Alan Seales for Episode 29! At the time of the Broadway shutdown, de Waal had just begun previews for Diana: A True Musical Story, in which she starred as Princess Diana. de Waal takes the boys through what she's doing to stay on her game during quarantine, and her excitement for Broadway's eventual return. These routines and emotions are not unlike those of a Major League Baseball player awaiting the start of the 2020 season. Her Broadway career spans over a decade, with other credits including American Idiot and Kinky Boots. She is also the co-founder of Broadway Weekends, a theatre camp for adults that is currently conducting online classes and workshops for those who need their performing fix! Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Jeanna de Waal on Instagram: @thebigdewaal and Twitter: @thebigdewaal Connect with Broadway Weekends online at: www.broadwayweekends.com and on Instagram: @broadwayweekends Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bret Boone steps into the 'remote' Batter's Box with host Al Malafronte and guest co-host Doug Horowitz for Episode 28! Boone had a 14-year Major League career (1992-2005) as a member of the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and Minnesota Twins. A 3-time MLB All-Star, 2-time Silver Slugger, and 4-time Gold Glove winner, Bret was one of the best 2ndBaseman of the late 1990s and early 2000’s. As a member of the Mariners in 2001, he enjoyed one of the greatest seasons ever for a 2ndBaseman, posting a .331 Batting Average, 206 Hits, 37 Homeruns, 141 Runs Batted In, 118 Runs Scored, and a .950 OPS. He's also a member of one of baseball’s greatest All-Star family lineages, as his grandfather (Ray), father (Bob), and brother (Aaron) were also All-Stars during their playing days. Boone takes the boys through what he’d be doing to prepare for a baseball season without a known start date due to the effects of the Coronavirus. As we’ve talked in the past about how fans help drive performance for baseball players and Broadway actors, it was really interesting to hear his take on how today’s players may respond to a season that opens to empty stadiums. We also look back on some of his fondest career memories which included some trips to the Big Apple on one of baseball’s biggest stages – the playoffs. Bret was the starting 2ndbaseman on the 1999 Atlanta Braves who famously battled the New York Mets in that year’s National League Championship Series, and discussed the big stage dynamic of such an intense environment - largely heightened by his controversial teammate John Rocker. He also discussed how special it was to play in the old Yankee Stadium with the Braves during the 1999 World Series, and then as a member of the Seattle Mariners in the 2001 American League Championship Series in the immediate aftermath of September 11th. As his brother Aaron is currently the New York Yankees manager, he also touched on what it might be like to manage, and even face Aroldis Chapman, the team’s All-Star closer/Broadway favorite who routinely throws over 100 miles per hour. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Photo: AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy, File Connect with Bret Boone on Instagram: @bretboone29 Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices