Beyond the Diamond
Beyond the Diamond is a weekly podcast co-hosted by Vin Messana and Lou Bernardi. We dive deep into various topics involving the game of baseball joined by special guests from the college baseball and professional ranks.
Beyond the Diamond
Big League Chew Inventor Rob Nelson
Rob is the ultimate example of The American Dream. The Massapequa native had a brilliant idea to replace chewing tobacco with bubble gum while he was sitting in the bullpen of a minor league game with the Portland Mavericks. His business partner, Jim Bouton, loved the idea and they were able to sell the distribution rights to Wrigley. It's been 40 years, the brand is still selling millions of dollars worth of product per year. It is now manufactured in Akron, NY. Rob is an affable person that enjoys it as much today as he did in 1980. He also tells some great stories about his time pitching Massapequa to the Little League Championship, pitching in the Junior College World Series with Nassau CC in 1969 and being at Cornell at the same time as Christopher Reeves (Superman).