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BringJoy
This podcast is all about bringing joy through storytelling and conversation, with two shows. The Joy of Baseball Show is all about baseball from the sandlots to the big leagues and everything in between, my guest and I will share our joy for the game with you. The Conchs Show is all about celebrating the incredible people of Key West and their stories from every corner of our Conch Community.
So whether you’re a fan of baseball or good storytelling you’ll be entertained and each episode will bring a little joy to your day
BringJoy
Coaching Legacy: Miguel Menendez on Family, Baseball, and Life Lessons
Miguel Menendez, head coach of Tampa Jesuit Tigers baseball, shares his journey from Key West to leading one of Florida's premier high school programs. His deep family roots in baseball and coaching philosophy emphasize character development alongside athletic excellence.
• Comes from a legendary Key West baseball family including grandfather "Papa John" Menendez, "the Dean of Kennedy Drive"
• Won state championship as a player at Key West High in 1995 and national championship at University of Tampa
• Has led Tampa Jesuit to three state championships during his 12-year tenure
• Developed numerous MLB players including first-round draft pick Jamie Arnold
• Maintains strong connections to Key West, hosting annual Dexter Butler fundraiser and youth camp
• Teaches sports in U.S. history at Jesuit, connecting with students beyond the baseball field
• Emphasizes that "how you do anything is how you do everything" in developing young men
• Believes in balancing analytics with the human element and gut instinct in coaching
• Looking forward to 2026 season with what could be his most talented team yet
• Credits hours spent in his grandfather's batting cage behind John's Grocery for his development
Thanks for tuning in to the Joy of Baseball Podcast. It's all about baseball, from the stand lots to the big leagues, and everything in between. I'll share my joy for the game with you. And whether you're a fan of baseball or good storytelling, you'll be entertained. And each episode will bring a little joy to your day. Grab me some peanuts and cracker jacks. Let's talk baseball. How are we doing, baseball fans? We got a good one for you today. We're talking baseball with Miguel Menendez, head coach of the Tampa Jesuit Tigers, one of the premier programs in the nation. And by the way, he's got deep roots in baseball here in Key West. How are you doing, Coach? Welcome to the show.
SPEAKER_02:I'm doing well, Joy, and thank you for having me.
SPEAKER_01:Hey, you notice anything?
SPEAKER_02:I I do. I love I love the hat. Uh my mother-in-law texted me the other day. She's like, please act surprised when Joy uh shows you the hat. I'm like, She already sent me a picture. It's all right, the cat's out of the bag.
SPEAKER_01:I'm terrible with surprise. If I buy you a gift, I want to give it to you today. But uh it's funny, funny key west story. So, you know, I've been wanting to talk to you for a while, and I was trying to wait to get closer to baseball season. I don't have patience. So I I I reached out to you and you said, sure, we could do it in a couple days. So listen to this. I hit Monica Santana, my Kiwis friend that lives in Tampa. I'm like, I gotta give me a hat, send me a link. So she sends me the link, and then she also says, Oh, by the way, John's got a lot of merch right there. So then I hit Miss Caddy up and she's like, I got you covered. And the next day I had the hat.
SPEAKER_02:I know John may have more Jesuit stuff than I have. He may have more Jesuit apparel than I have. Uh it's gonna be close for sure. Um, but no, I'm glad. Yeah, that's awesome. Monica obviously is, you know, I got a chance to coach Robbie here. He graduated last year, and uh, you know, her and Bubba Joe have been big supporters of Miami. Shoot, Bubba Joe used to come watch me play when I was at the University of Tampa, so uh we go way back. So it's it's it's been fun to have kind of a little bit of a key west connection here at Jesuit.
SPEAKER_01:Bubba Joe and Monica and some of my my dearest friends. I worked with uh Joe at the school district with your mama actually for for quite some time. And and I was thinking and preparing for our conversation, how many hours I spent in your mom's office talking about you when you were in college and checking in to see how you were doing and everything. So I've been a fan for a long time, as are so many people here in Key West.
SPEAKER_02:Uh well thank you. I obviously uh you know I feel still strongly to my roots down to Key West. Uh was actually just down there two weeks ago for uh, you know, my Laurie, my wife still works at the bank for First Aid Bank, and uh we were down there for a thing. And so, you know, unfortunately I think a lot of people I I know I gotta go to the cemetery now to visit them, but uh no, we'll still still get over there and uh, you know, see see as many people as I can when I'm down there.
SPEAKER_01:Now I know this community is still still really important to you. And not too long ago, you, your brother Juanito and Joey Gandalf uh hosted a Dexter Butler fundraiser and had a camp for the kids. How'd that go?
SPEAKER_02:It went well. Obviously, Dexter was I I got a chance my first year as an assistant coach at Key West. Dexter was a freshman, so got to coach him for all four years and be involved. And obviously he played for my grandfather he was a bat boy for my grandfather. Devin played with my brother, and and his older brother Devin played for my grandfather. So, you know, I've known the family for a long time. And and Dexter actually, before he moved back to Key West, you know, he coached here at Jesuit with me. He helped out. So um, you know, love him to death, love Miss Anita to death, and then obviously, you know, was a you know, Mr. Bill Butler was my teacher in middle school, and we were colleagues for a little bit at Key West High School. So, you know, it's strange to kind of say that as he's he's always gonna be my teacher, but but yeah, so it's just great. So that camp went well. We're actually planning on doing it again in December. Uh, another one, you know, we're trying to make this an annual event, and uh, you know, so just excited about that. Obviously, sad set of circumstances, but anything we could do to try to keep his name and legacy alive, we want to do.
SPEAKER_01:Uh, talking about the QS connection, and you you mentioned Coach Butler, his daddy. One of the things I was looking at when I was looking at the conk records, and someone may correct me on this, but I believe you and Mr. Butler have this in common that you both have a state championship, coached the state championship, and won a national championship in college. I feel like that's a connection that only you and Bill Butler have, and that that's that's special right there.
SPEAKER_02:It is special. I was fortunate to play on some really good teams, obviously, and in both high school and college, and now fortunate to coach some really talented young men and be here at Jesuit. But I didn't even think about that, Joy. That's uh I you know that is a pretty even more of a uh connection that I feel with the family now, and uh yeah, that is that is that is special.
SPEAKER_01:So Judd Wise has been doing a lot of work over the recent years, along along with some others, trying to get all the records documented and and kept. And um, when he updates them, he'll send me. And so I was looking over in them, and I'm like, that's that's special right there.
SPEAKER_02:So yeah, Judd, I'm on that email list too. So Judd always keeps me up to date, so it's awesome, man. By the way, that was a great show with with Judd on when you had him. I I I loved every bit of it, and uh, you know, Judd is awesome, and so it was it was fun to uh watch that episode for sure.
SPEAKER_01:I'm glad you saw it. He's a lot of fun. He's a pro, you know, he's on the radio, so he knows he hits his cues like a champion.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, for sure, he does.
SPEAKER_01:He said that was his first time to do a podcast. I said, Well, I don't think it's gonna be your last. You started something now.
SPEAKER_02:I was gonna say, I was surprised that he figured out what a podcast was, honestly. But uh, but no, he once I knew once he got on, he would be fine. I knew he was gonna be great, and he was an awesome guest as usual. It doesn't that doesn't surprise me for sure. And it's just amazing to me that that the pride he takes in in Key West and Key West Athletics and the history of Key West and trying to keep keep it alive, and you know, you just you don't get a lot of that anymore nowadays, and for him to be willing to take kind of that role on, and and obviously Mr. Archer, you know, did it for so long and now he's kind of taking it over, and um it's been you know it it it's great to see. It's well ne it's w it's needed, and it's you know, and it's it's great to see somebody willing to take the pride in doing it.
SPEAKER_01:No, for sure. And I I'm glad you mentioned m Mr. Archer as well. You know, we we think we're going to remember everything.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:You know, and little by little you start forgetting and the stories fade and people lose the papers, you know, and so it's so important for us to be able to document the history. And it's part of the reason why I'm doing this podcast, and you know, I've been all over the place with different topics, but I'm I'm fine-tuning more into baseball, and the more I talk about baseball, obviously the key west connection is strong right there. And then and then when once I get somebody on, then they're like, oh, we got to tell this story and this story. So this is yet another way to document that that rich history.
SPEAKER_02:And for sure. I mean, I'm so glad you're doing what you're doing too, because uh, and like you said, it's it's funny, right? How those those things intertwine in the stories, and you you have a guest on, and all of a sudden it leads you into another guest, maybe, or into another story that you really want to talk about, and you know, and it helps preserve what we know and what we love about Key West and the history of, especially of baseball in Key West.
SPEAKER_01:No, absolutely. And and your your baseball story is thick. I mean, that's the that's the best word I'll I'll come up with. You know, I can say quality or rich or something, but but it's thick. You know, you grew up here in Key West, born into the Menendez family that has got talk about a history of baseball playing and and coaching specifically, right? Your your brother Juito, loving great coach, your uncle George, your dad, your grandfather. Um, you go on to play your star player, Kennedy Drive, you win a championship, um, Key West High 1995 State Championship. You go back to Tampa for college. I say go back because you actually born in Tampa.
SPEAKER_02:Uh I know. You know, I used to keep that a secret when I was living in Key West, but now it's okay. I can let the cat out of the bag.
SPEAKER_01:You know, I didn't know that until recently. Um, seeing some of your other interviews where you've done and reading the articles, you've had so much success. And you Google, have you ever Googled yourself? There's plenty of stuff written on you.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, my daughter, my daughter usually will Google me and she'll send something and she'll send it to me. And so, yeah, but uh, I mean, I'm not gonna lie, I every once in a while I'll see them like, man, I'm I forget I've done some of these things. Honestly, it's crazy.
SPEAKER_01:Nah, it's really cool. So, Tampa, they can claim the Cuban mix and Miguel Menendez.
SPEAKER_00:Shoot.
SPEAKER_01:But um, so you go to college there in Tampa, your mama's family was from Tampa, so so you're you've got roots there. You go to college, you end up having a very successful career there with the Spartans, University of Tampa, all conference, MVP, you win, like I said, a national title. Was that in your senior year?
SPEAKER_02:My junior year.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, your junior yeah. Um, you finish school, you come back here, you start coaching QS high school conks. Um, you got 120 wins under your belt. The tide turns, you end up back in Tampa coaching a historic program in Tampa Jesuit. That's that's big right there. Tell me about the history of Tampa Jesuit Tigers.
SPEAKER_02:You know, it's crazy, Joy. Like I tell people this all the time when they ask me, you know, I feel like I've coached at two of the most historic programs in the state of Florida, right? Obviously, Key West has got the most state titles, or I think now we're tied with Westminster Christian. But Jesuit is right up there in the history. You go back to Al Lopez, who was a Hall of Fame MLB Hall of Famer, and and great went to J uh Jesuit. It was Sacred Heart College back then, but Jesuit High School, Lou Piniella, Dave Magadan. I mean, there's just a history of guys, and they've won, you know, seven state titles now. Uh, you know, I've been fortunate to be a part of three of them. Uh, but you know, they're they're up there and they're always, you know, I remember when I was growing up, like, you know, we used to follow, you know, we'd follow the when I was at Key West and we'd follow the um USA Today rankings, and it felt like it was us, St. Thomas Aquinas and Jesuit were always ranked highly, and we were like, we wanted to be the obviously the highest ranked team in Florida. And so we would follow those guys. And when I went to the University of Tampa, I actually played with with three or four guys that went to Jesuit that were part of those really good teams there. And um, so you know, it was fun. Like, and I remember, you know, maybe this outcome wasn't fun, but I remember going in 1997 to the regional finals. Key West played and Juanito was a a sophomore on that team. Khalil Green was a senior, and and Devin Butler were seniors, Michael Balbuena was a senior, and they played at Jesuit in the in the regional finals here, and and Jesuit won. But I I just remember spending the week talking so much trash to my teammates. And so we all kind of came, came to Jesuit, went to the game, and and now to see it kind of come full circle and have a chance to coach here is has been special. And it's a great place, it's a great institution. It's a it's an unbelievable school, number one. And then uh, but you know, the facility and everything we have and the players we have, you know, I've just been blessed. And you know, I can say that honestly about my whole baseball career. I think I've just been blessed to be, you know, I feel like God has for whatever reason has given me an opportunity and a platform to be successful. And uh it is, you know, I've from the time I started on Kennedy Drive, I've played on a lot of really good teams. When I got to high school, I played on a lot of really good teams, got to college, played on a lot of really good teams, and been fortunate enough to coach a lot of really good teams. Uh it's been it's been an unbelievable ride. And you know, hopefully I got I don't plan on it in it anytime soon, so hopefully we can keep this thing rolling for a little while longer.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I'm I'm up for it. I'm up for it. I I watched several games last year because Robbie was playing, and uh so that that gave me, you know, another reason to root for you guys. And um, you mentioned St. Thomas, one of the games on your schedule last year, you play against St. Thomas that's coached by another Key West great Joey Wardlow, another state champion. Do you take the time and are you able to appreciate the relevance of that history and what you're part of?
SPEAKER_02:I mean, I try to, and especially like in that regard, like um, you know, Joey coached me. He was my teacher in high school. He was an assistant coach here under Ralph when I played here at high school in Key West High School. And and I just I mean, I just remember listening to stories about Joey when I was growing up. So like I always just thought highly of him. I played with his cousin Billy at University of Tampa. So it was just to have the opportunity to coach against him and have him come up here and play us was special for a lot of reasons. And you know, I I don't, you know, I think as I've gotten older, I try to appreciate those moments more because they don't happen all the time. But anytime I can, you know, there's a a special connection with with obviously with us key west people and key west guys, and so to have a chance to play and coach against each other was was a special moment for sure.
SPEAKER_01:I've got a great picture of your dad and his dad in the bleaches. I don't know if you saw it. I think Monica took it. It's really cool. I I did I did another episode back in the spring, and I referenced that game, and and I've got that picture up on my website because I just think it's really cool that two two dads, you know, Mr. Johnny and Mr. Dennis just sitting there with big old grins on their faces. Like it doesn't get any better than this. Oh, exactly. In the meantime, you and Joey are going at it, you know, pitch for pitch.
SPEAKER_02:So it's like it's like you said at that point, it's bigger than baseball, right? Like it's obviously we both want to win, we're competitors, and and and those kind of things. And he got the best of us that day and obviously had a really good team. They won a state championship, but you know, it was bigger than that, it was more than that. And and I think that's the thing that that is great. Like it's not, it's not this like, man, we got to go out and and try to win the game at all costs. It's like we want to win because we you know, we all want to, we, you know, we're competitors, but at the same time, it's we appreciate. I think he appreciated. I think we I know I appreciated it. Just the opportunity to be able to compete against each other was a special moment.
SPEAKER_01:You just said something about it's it's it's bigger than baseball. You know, I I've been wanting to interview you for a while, and but I wanted to wait closer to the season. Well, I'm sitting there scrolling through YouTube and it pops up on my for you page, your the convocation that you delivered to the student body. Talk to me about that because I thought it was a really special speech. And that when I heard it, I'm like, I'm not waiting. I want to talk to him right now. Talk to me about the importance and the connection that you have, not only as a coach, but as a teacher there at that great institution. And what was your message to the students?
SPEAKER_02:You know, the message was, you know, I try to take it's one of our quotes, and and actually my JV coach, who's now unfortunately not my JV coach anymore because he's the dean of discipline here, he kind of used it and he's talked about it a lot, but it's something I really enjoyed is you know, how you do anything is how you do everything. And uh for me it was, you know, when I heard him say that, I knew I wanted to give a convocation. I try to give, you know, one in the one in the fall, one in the spring, you know, if I could find a message that I think hits close to home with me, that I think is important to share with the student body. And that one was just, you know, like how we, you know, just kind of take care of the little things, right? How we do everything in our life, you know, making our bed in the morning, getting up and having a purpose and a plan, you know, cleaning up after ourselves at the lunch table. Like all those little things that sometimes young, young men tend to overlook, especially here because we don't have girls. So like the the need to be we get a little sloppy at times with our manners. Um, but all those things kind of, you know, they they're important and and they carry over. And it's not just about obviously in our in their athletic careers, but just in life in general. And for me, it's you know, if I can, you know, I feel like as a coach, sometimes we have uh a special connection with with the student body, and you know, maybe I don't want to say they listen to us more than listen to others, but maybe they will be more apt to listen to something that we say. And so when I get a chance to speak and it's something that I feel like God's kind of calling me to speak about, and I think it's important to share, I try to do that, and and that was just one of those times. And I appreciate the kind words. It was, you know, I've gotten used to speaking in front of the student body. It's not always easy, but I I know that they're used to it, they see it. We get it something we start our day with every day, and and and obviously we have different, you know, faculty members, teachers, alumni, just people outside come in and speak to the student body, just a quick five, six minute message. And honestly, I I know I get a lot of it out of it anyway, all the time, like just with other people. So I think anytime I can get a chance to share and feel like I have a message that's worthy of sharing, I try to do so.
SPEAKER_01:Well, it it it resonated with me also, and I I wrote down you you challenge the students to do two things, and and I took the challenge. You said take one thing that you can improve on, one small habit that you can improve on. And uh for me, I said I need to move more. And ever since I saw that your speech, I've been moving more, I've been adding steps. You know, I'm not even gonna give me an Apple Watch because I'm blowing the steps up now.
SPEAKER_02:There, there you go. I love it. I love it.
SPEAKER_01:Right, and then the other thing that that really hits with me because I believe in this is that one small act of kindness a day goes a long way, whether it's a smile or a nod, little things that that help people see that you see see them, uh go goes a long way.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, no, those are, you know, I think those are important. I think this the second one, especially, right? Like, especially in today's day and age and mental health and everything else, like, you know, I think sometimes just just, you know, and that was my you know why I challenge the student body, like just notice somebody's there, say hello, say hi, smile, whatever. Just just just small acts of of kindness go a long way. And and I think sometimes they don't realize the impact that they can have just by doing those kind of things. Um, you know, that was my challenge to them. It's something I trying to be better about myself, right? Like just do those things. I think we all get kind of caught in the in the mundane of of what are in our busy lives, but you know, recognizing what's what's out there and and and out there besides ourselves. And I think if we did that as a whole, society as a whole, I think the world would be a much better place. And I think you're doing that with this podcast. I I love it. I love the title. I think it makes me foul every time I think about it.
SPEAKER_01:Good stuff. Well, between me and you we'll make a difference, right? And and all those kids. How many kids go to Jesuit?
SPEAKER_02:We have about uh 775, roughly between 775 and 800 boys, all boys.
SPEAKER_01:And not only do you coach, you you teach also.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, I do teach. I've taught a lot of different things here, mostly in the history department. The last couple years, they they've I've been able to switch. I have a couple weight training classes. Um, but then honestly, the the one I started a new class that that I'm excited about, and everybody that knows me knows I'll be excited about this, but sports in U.S. history, and uh so we get to kind of talk about sports and the in in the history of the sports in the United States and kind of how things happen and shapes. That's been a fun class for me because to me that's not even work. Like that, that's easy. I can talk about that all day. It's something I really enjoy, so and I'm passionate about. So uh it's been fun to to kind of share that. And obviously, in a school with all boys, you know, you get a lot of boys that love sports. So those guys that take my class, they they enjoy it, and it's been fun, a lot of spirited discussions. And, you know, I think I'm you know, they're learning some things that you know, I think sometimes I forget how old I really am, and I assume they know some of these things, and now I'm like, okay, they don't know this, but now I get a chance to kind of talk about it, and I think they see my passion in that as well.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that that's good stuff. And you've had some um going back to coaching, you've had some incredible alumni uh go through your program. You've been there what 11 years, 12 years now?
SPEAKER_02:This is year 12 for me this year.
SPEAKER_01:Okay. And one of uh I got I gotta I gotta go with my my Noel, you know, I'm a Noel fan. Jamie Arnold, I'm not gonna put the hat on, but you know the K-Time, you coach Jamie Arnold, and what one one of many, he he happens to be, you know, one of my guys. So when you're coaching a kid like that, do you see the potential? Do you see him as who he becomes when he's a freshman coming into your program?
SPEAKER_02:I mean, we try to see that right in everybody. I don't know if we would have, you know, as a freshman, I'm not sure that we would have known that it was going to be what it turned into. We knew he was really talented, he was super athletic. I'll be honest with you, he came in as a freshman dealing with a back injury, so he didn't even pitch his freshman year here at Jesuit. He was more of an outfielder, but like we we tried to get him on the mound, and you could kind of see it in that summer, it kind of is when we first kind of saw him. We're like, okay, he's got a chance to be pretty good. But he was like 83, 84, and you're like, you know, like, you know, he's got to get stronger, and obviously the VLO is probably gonna come. Um, I mean, we, you know, by the time his senior year came around, like we knew. We knew he was a special young man. We thought he had a chance to get drafted out of high school. We figured it probably wasn't gonna be for enough money, and he really wanted to go to Florida State, and obviously that was the right decision for him. And um, you know, you know, we were this year. I feel like, you know, everybody makes my thing. My wife made fun of me because she'd be like, What are you doing? Like, you're not watching Miami. Why are you watching Florida State? I'm like, Well, I got five guys the whole weekend rotation as Jesuit guys, and I'm just like, I'm like, I gotta watch my guys and the knowles, and uh, you know, I've obviously uh it's been fun to follow those guys and young men, and we still got a couple, we still got three guys there. We got one committed there to Florida State. So, you know, my wife makes fun, you know, like I said, she she's like, Can you send somebody to Florida every once in a while? I think Monica Santana says the same thing. I'm like, they go where they want to go, but no, it's been fun, and it's been it's it's it's awesome. I mean, I'm so happy for him and obviously to be a first-round pick and and to have the chance to go, you know. I think pitching the big leagues fairly soon here is gonna be special, and and I'm looking forward to it. And you know, I'm in I'm still close with the family. We talk all the time. You know, I was fortunate enough to be invited to his draft party, and which was an awesome event, and to see, you know, all his, you know, not only his Florida State teammates, but his Jesuit teammates there. And that was a fun time. And uh, so you know, and now I'm you know, I'm actually looking forward, you know. I was probably down on the A's being moved to Las Vegas, but now I'm like, man, I I guess I could go, I'm gonna have to switch my arm to go to Vegas to watch Jamie pitch now. So I'm looking forward to that as well.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I was I was thinking the same thing. What a what an interesting time for him to join that program, right? Because they have a rich history, but what's up in the air now, right? Who who are they? They don't, you're not even I don't even know what to call them, right? I even wrote down A's with a question mark, you know. You had some other big names. I think you had three Jesuit alumni drafted, major league draft this year. Pretty special, right?
SPEAKER_02:It was it was fun, and they all were, you know, they all were part of two other three were graduating in 2021, Jamie graduated in 2022, but they were all a part of that 2021 team. And Joey Vellini, who also pitched at Florida State this year, got drafted by the Marlins in the sixth round, and Nick Rodriguez, uh uh second baseman at Missouri State, got drafted in the 10th round. And and so, like, you know, those guys, uh, it's just it's fun to follow them. Like, obviously, I stay in contact with those guys all the time. You know, like that to me is, you know, that's who I am as a coach. Like, as much as I love to win, it's about relationships and building relationships with those guys and the fact that they, you know, they still come back here, they work out when they're in town. Like, I just saw Joey Vellini last week, he was here working out, you know, so they reach out. I I try to stay in contact with them. But it was special to have three young men. I think that's the most we've had in one draft. So, you know, I think we got a chance maybe to break it this year, but it will, it's been it's been fun to kind of to kind of watch and and see. And I'm I'm rooting for for all those guys, obviously, to make it to the big leagues, and and I can't wait to follow their pro careers as they're as they're getting after it.
SPEAKER_01:That's good stuff. Another testament to the program there at at Jesuit and and what you and your coaching staff are are doing to make it happen. What is your do you have do you have a lot of assistants on on your coaching staff?
SPEAKER_02:So I have five varsity assistants that coach with me. Four of the five have been with me the whole time. Three of them actually were here before I even got the job, and we kept them on staff. And the the the fifth one is my new pitcher coach. He started two years ago. This will be his third year, but he's an alum of the school as well. But it's it's uh Tim Knowles, who is part of that 9017 that beat Key West that won the national championship and state championship for Jesuit. He he's here on staff. Uh Mike Swinson, who's been on staff for a long time, Ryan Stanley, Daniel Gibson, who's the pitcher coach, and then Louis Martinez, who uh is probably one of my best friends. We we came in as freshmen in the University of Tampa together and we became really tight. I was in his wedding, he was in my wedding. We stayed friendly throughout the years, and when I got the job, uh that was the first call I made to him to be ready to join the staff. And he's been with me the whole time as well. Uh he came in when I came in. So those guys have been here. I think that's part of what makes this place special is you got, you know, three alums that were part of that that were here, and then you know, you got guys that have been here a long time, at least, you know, other than Daniel Gibson, and he played here. They've they've all been here, you know, probably 15, 20 years or more. So it's nice when you have that kind of continuity and it it definitely helps uh, I think make my job easier.
SPEAKER_01:And uh what's a 2026 season? I know you're practicing already. Any um, you looking good this year?
SPEAKER_02:Uh we should be really good. Um we're gonna have a chance uh if we, you know, we we probably, you know, we probably I hate to say that we underachieved last year because we made it to the state semifinals, but we probably lost to a team and in and you know, no disrespect to Mulberry, but they beat us that day and they played better than us and and they deserve to win. Um, but we felt like we were the better team, and and we felt like you know, we would have had a good chance to win the state championship against American Heritage, but wasn't meant to be, but we feel like you know, our top four or five arms all come back pitching wise, um, and they're really talented. Um, we got you know six or seven of our position players starters back in from the everyday lineup. We lose some key guys, but we got some young guys ready to go. And so we're excited. We think we have a chance that you know this team, I think, has got a chance to be, you know, maybe the best team we've ever had here at Jesuit since I've been here. Uh the 2020 team was really talented, and COVID unfortunately ended out. I that I always said that was gonna probably be the most talented team I ever coached, but this one is is right up there with that team and has got a chance to be really special.
SPEAKER_01:2020, you you guys were ranked number one in the nation.
SPEAKER_02:We were. We were nine and up. We had won the state championship the year before with a bunch of juniors and sophomores. We had everybody back. I mean, that was that was a special group of young men and uh a special team, and uh I think we had a chance to really run the table that year. Obviously, it's based on anything that happened in one game, but uh, we felt really good about where we were and and and and how we were playing, but things happened for a reason and God had his plan, and it's okay. Not the end of the world, obviously. There was bigger, you know, bigger things were going on around that time, but uh definitely was a disappointment not to be able to finish coaching that group.
SPEAKER_01:So I'll be I'll keep a good eye on what's happening up there uh this year. It sounds like it's gonna be a lot of wins.
SPEAKER_02:I hope. I hope that's the plan anyway.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, let's not talk too much. It's we're superstitious. We don't have to move on. Let's talk about something else. I'll just keep an eye in and ear out for you. Um, do your players know how good of a player you were?
SPEAKER_02:I don't know. I don't I don't say a whole lot, I don't speak about it. I, you know, to me that's that's in the past. Like they don't probably care. I mean, I think they probably figure out that I had to be pretty decent if I'm sitting here coaching and doing those kind of things, but you know, I to me that's not important. Like I, you know, I I cherish my playing career, it was awesome, but uh I don't bore these young men with they don't want to hear about that. They don't want to hear what happened yesterday, much less what happened, you know, 20 years ago, 30 years ago, whatever it is now. So um, but so but who knows? They may, they may, they may not. I I don't say a whole lot. If somebody else wants to tell them stories, that's fine, but I don't say a whole lot about it.
SPEAKER_01:All right. Well, I'll tell I'll I'll tell whoever's out there listening a little bit. I'll I'll get some conversation started. So um starting with um um 1995 state champion, you're the catcher. Tell me, tell me about some of your teammates because we just had the 30th anniversary celebration. Obviously, you couldn't be here for that, right? But talk about some of your teammates.
SPEAKER_02:It was such a it's funny because like 95, like I think if you the guys that were on the team the previous year in '94, I most of us would tell you that we felt like the 94 team was more talented. But the 95 team, I think the loss of 94 in the state championship game probably probably lit a fire in us that that made us the team we were in 95. But we had some, I mean, we had so many really good players. I mean, obviously, like Craig Lares and at first base and Bobby Lowe and Adrian Murkey and Michael Bob Buena was a sophomore, and then Randy Sterling and Paulie Walterson and Dax Rankin on the mound and J.R. Mounts and Ignacio Gonzalez and Steve Lane. I mean, that's the starting lineup. But then you had guys on the bench that were really good players that that that didn't get a chance to play a ton, but the next year 96, Steven Sawyer, Michael Olison, like Khalil Green was a freshman, you know, all those guys got a chance the next year. But it was it was just a special group, and and you know, we we we dealt with some issues early and and guys got in trouble, and we we were like eight and two after 10 games. And I remember the 10th game specifically because we go up to Westminster Christian and we get you know 10 run ruled, I believe. And so we go that made that was our second loss for 8-2, and we were just like this this can't happen again. And you know, we went 27 in a row after that, don't lose again and win the state championship. Uh it was just a special time, you know, and and obviously our coaching staff, yeah, Ralph and Joey Warlow and Randy Sterling and Brooks Carey was around and those guys and Chris Valdez. So it was just like, you know, those kinds of people, like they they just helped us reach our potential and play as hard as we could. And I think it was one of those things where we just refused to lose. Like, you know, we maybe we weren't quite as talented as we were in '94. Obviously, we were still really good. Um, but we graduated some really good players in '94, but we we just, you know, we just kept finding ways to win. And, you know, I think it was one of those things where I think our as a whole, our team hated losing more than we even liked winning. And so it was just like we were gonna just do whatever it took to win a game.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that that kind of feeling right there, because you I'm a Yankee fan, and you know, George Steinbrand, I'll miss him so much. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because he he I think he said that at one point, right? He hates losing more than dying, you know. Yes, yes. It's it's like getting that win, and you need that that eye of the tiger, that that chip on your shoulder kind of thing. I had Tony Acosta on, he was one of my first interviews I did, and he talked about what you're talking about, just that, you know, from the minute you took the field, even taking bat and practice and you know, fielding practice, um, just that that feeling of wanting to win and and believing it, not just wanting to win, believing you were gonna win. And it was your game to win, you know, the other two there to play you.
SPEAKER_02:Exactly. Like we played with a, you know, for a lack of better terms, the swagger, right? That that just like we knew we were good, we knew we were gonna win the game, and we just needed to go out there and play our game. And and I think we had that attitude. And you know how bad things started from you know, little league all the way over. We had some really successful teams, and and uh, you know, in the little league and all-star. And those kind of things at the state tournaments. And then, you know, when we got to the high school, it was the same thing. And we, you know, we were used to success. We expected success. And honestly, our coaches demanded success from us, right? Like, and I think it took all of that kind of coming together and and you know, it was just a special time. Like that, that era of baseball was was, and I'm not, you know, there's obviously been really, really good eras, but from 94 to 98, especially those five years, you know, it was a really talented group of young men, and they achieved a lot, and it was a special era, I think, in Key West High School baseball history for sure.
SPEAKER_01:I would I would agree with that. We're we're lucky that we get to have that kind of debate, right? From the 50s to to now. And, you know, we we definitely hear in Key West where we want that number 12 so bad. In fact, I don't know if you know this, but you know, we're renovating the stadium and um they just tore down the old concession stand, the 11th Time Corn Cafe is is rubbed now. And I think maybe it's a good thing, right? Maybe we needed to go ahead and get rid of the ghost so we can get the next championship. And if I'm not mistaken, last year we were on the same side of the bracket there in the playoffs for a minute that we could end up seeing each other.
SPEAKER_02:Yep, and it could happen again this year. We're in the same class, so obviously uh that could happen, right? If if we can both get to the final four, there's a chance that that that we could face each other, uh, which would not be ideal for me from that perspective, but uh you know, we'll deal with it, we'll go from there. And but no, yes, we are in the same class right now, so that is. I know, you know, I think I reached out to my brother at one point when when they played American Heritage. I'm like, hey, can you give me the Scouting report? I need some info, you know, because obviously we we thought once Heritage VQ that we would probably see them in the state championship game. Unfortunately, we lost, but uh yeah, so there's a chance obviously that that that we could play each other in in uh in Fort Myers.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, you you said American Heritage and I cringe because that was that was that was rough. That was a tough road trip, and we want to see him again. We want to see him again.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:So you said you mentioned Juanito and um I love him. You know, we got the whole crew, the K crew, we call ourselves that sit there right behind home plate, and when he runs across the field, the coach first base, we holler at him, coach, coach, and he won't look at us. Maybe he's watching this, maybe, maybe he won't. But um, we're like, coach, coach, coach. And every now and then, every now and then he'll throw his thumb up, you know, maybe give us a little peace sign, but but rare, it's rare. But I know he hears us.
SPEAKER_02:He hears you for sure. He's just trying to be, you know, he's trying to, he wants to make it, he don't want to make it look like he see if it was me, I'd be like, yeah, I'd be all in, whatever. He's the opposite. He, you know, he's trying to play it close to the vest. He don't want to give anything away over there and uh make it look like he don't want to acknowledge you all the time. I know that, but I know he hears you for sure.
SPEAKER_01:No, I I love it. You know what? I don't know if we would know what to do if he did. Acknowledge us. We'd be like, what? Talk about superstition. Let's not let's not change anything. But um, but yeah, he he he's something special too. I I I love I love um watching him coach and seeing him play. Of course, he he played, you're a little older than my nephew Clay, but him and Klay played during the same time. So I watched, I watched him play, Juanito play a lot of games.
SPEAKER_02:And I got a chance to coach Clay a little bit in uh Prep League, Prep League and All-Stars uh state tournaments. I would come back in the summers when I was in college and and Juanito was playing, so I would go. I remember going with Clay. I think we went to Iowa. No, it was it, Indiana for a tournament, Woodbat tournament. I'm pretty sure he was on that team too. So I got a chance to coach Clay a little bit occasionally during during those times. That was it was fun times for sure. That's what gave me the coaching bug, coaching those guys.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that's it. Well, let's talk about that because we we started talking about your brother and the coaching bug. Let's let's go ahead and talk about the Menendez legacy, right? Your um, I mentioned your uncle because George was a hell of a coach too. I don't know, is he still coaching?
SPEAKER_02:He's helping, he's doing some stuff around here up here in Tampa. He does some stuff with some travel teams. Um he stays involved with some younger kids. He he likes, you know, he's like my grandfather. He wants to be involved with the younger age groups and trying to teach them the game. So uh he is still coaching a little bit. He was he was stopped for a little bit and now he's back. I actually just started back up about uh two months ago. I got him involved with with a group over here.
SPEAKER_01:Well, good. I I hope he'll watch this and I'll tell him hello. Because in fact, in my opinion, one of Klay's best years was when George was his coach on Coca-Cola and Ponyfield. So but um, but yeah, and you mentioned your grandfather. I was talking to Bubba Joe the other day when he I told him that you know he heard that I was gonna do this interview with him, and he he's got such a big heart for your grandfather, took such good care of him, your dad, your uncle. He told me, he said, Oh yeah, Papa John. He said, the dean of Peter Dotfield. Yeah, that that's that's a legacy. When I think of your grandfather, I can see him sitting on the bucket at the end of the dugout there. Talk to me about the the Menendez coaching family.
SPEAKER_02:You know, it was it it was special. I mean, obviously I got a chance to to play for my grandfather, you know, but more importantly, like we live right next door to my grandparents. And like I tell people this all the time. Like, from the time I was probably, you know, fifth, sixth grade to like maybe ninth, ninth grade, I I probably spend more nights at my grandparents' house than I did my own house. Like I would go, we would come home out of school, shower, do my homework, eat dinner, whatever, and then it would be, you know, getting close to bedtime, and I would just walk, hop the fence right across. I think eventually we put a gate in because I would hop, they got tired of me hopping the fence, but and I would go over there and I would stay and I would go and it would just be you usually me and my grandfather and my grandmother, and and you know, a lot of times just me and my grandfather on the couch watching a baseball game, doing whatever. And uh, you know, I just spent a ton of time with them and you know, it was special. And part of that was I got a chance to see for me, like I think what really impacted me was seeing, you know, Bubba Joe and Tony and Angel Bettoncord and and all these guys, Joey Gandalf and all these guys that would come in from out of town. And Joey obviously lived here, but the guys that played for my grandfather that would come back out of town and come every time they come in, they would come visit him and and just say, you know, talk about, you know, thank him for everything that he did and the impact he had on him. And you know, I mean, those when he coached them, he coached at Peter Doppfield. He was 10, 11, and 12 years old. You you think sometimes like maybe kids don't have an appreciation, maybe, or or understand the impact that they had. And for him, for them to still remember my grandfather and appreciate the impact he had on him, I think really, you know, uh played a role in me wanting to be a coach, you know, and then obviously just the amount of time I spent with him in the store, hitting in the back of the store in the batting cage, and everything that I did, and he was such a big part of my life and influence. And he coached me for so long, and like even when I didn't play for him at John's hands, like we were in the machine, you know, we always would go hit in the cage with him and do things. I mean, uh, it was just a special time, and obviously his legacy goes back and he started coaching, and he coached out there for a long time. You know, he started with I think Corallo and Georgie, but he stayed through and all the way through myself and my brother, and you know, it was over 30 years out there. And I fought so hard to get that batting cage named after him because I felt like that was a fitting tribute for him because you know, we had the batting cage in the store. So it was nice when the the city and and the little league was able, Key West Little Con Baseball was able to do that for us. And you know, I think it's a fitting tribute to him. And um, when I come down to Key West, it's the first stop I make every time is the cemetery, right? To see him and my grandmother and and my uncle Carrado, but to to see them, and it's uh you know, it's special. It's special to me. I mean, it's why I coach, honestly, is why I got into coaching. I always wanted to be, you know, I figured if I wasn't gonna make it to the big leagues as a player, I was gonna find a way to make it maybe there as a coach. And God had other plans for me, and that's okay. But it's to me, I try to try to remember the impact he had on people and their lives, and that's what I try to do as a coach.
SPEAKER_01:Well, you're you're absolutely doing it. I I get I get emotional hearing you talk about him with such love and similar conversation when I was talking to Jose the other day on the phone, you know, he just couldn't say enough. And you talked about that batting cage and like the first pitching machine. I think maybe even in South Florida, I don't know where he came up with it, but to go back there behind John's grocery and to be in that battle cage. Because when I was a little kid, we there was a girls' baseball league and I played, and we got to go back there one day. And I hadn't thought about that until recently. That was like better than going to Disney World.
SPEAKER_02:Uh I'm with you. Uh it was awesome. I mean, it was it was funny, and I would tell people this all day because I'd be like, you know, he would invite anybody. You didn't even have to play for him, and you could go use the batting cage. Like, he just loves sharing what he had, and I know it was the first battle pitcher machine in Key West, uh, for sure. And um, I mean, I tell people because people ask me, man, how you never get rattled by like people yelling. I'm like, no, because the you know, I would be hidden in the back in a pitching machine at three, four years old, and all the people back there having their adult beverages after they got off work would be heckling us. So I'm like, I was used to it. It was nothing new, right? Like it didn't bother us. Um, it was just, you know, that was just part of it. It was fun. But um, no, it was great. I mean, I remember, you know, I would be working, and you know, inevitably my grandfather would come in with my grandmother and be like, all right, Rose, you gotta go, you gotta go get to watch the front register and Mel and I are gonna hit. Like, and I would be like, ah, this is awesome. I don't even have to work anymore. But no, it was it was great. It was fun. I mean, I listen, I spent, you know, I spent I I couldn't even tell you the number of hours I spent in that batting cage and in the back of the store just in general, but in the batting cage for sure, and with him especially, and uh, you know, I just you know, I I like to think that's probably why I became the player I became, or at least the hitter I became, because I mean that's all I ever did, I think. And that's all I ever really wanted to do, honestly. Like, people ask me all the time, you know. I'm sure you you understand this. Like, people ask me all the time up here, oh man, you must have fished a lot. You must I'm like, no, I did baseball. Like I didn't fish, I didn't do anything, you know. I mean, as I got older, maybe I did some or more of those things, but we were at the field or we were in the batting cage. That's what we did. I I don't know what to tell you. Like, our vacations were around baseball, all stars, like it's just what we did.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that yeah, that's exactly right. It's kind of like being a dog person or a cat person. You were a boat person or you're a ball player, you know.
SPEAKER_02:Exactly.
SPEAKER_01:And it's not no one, it's not better than the other, but you're either one or the other.
SPEAKER_00:So uh that's good stuff.
SPEAKER_01:And you know, I know that you give him credit a lot of the credit for you being so successful, as do so many great players that have gone through um the the circuit here in Key West and um bringing up Bubba Joe again. He reminded me of how many catchers played for John's ham that end up playing uh catcher at at the high school level and some even further. He started mentioning like Benny Alemon, who was the catcher at QSI when I was a kid. Like you you might not have been born yet, like 78 seven, 78, around that time.
SPEAKER_02:I was just born in 77. But I mean, I know the I know the lineage just because we all take such great pride in it. And obviously, I take crap pride in it because I help continue the streak, right? So, like yeah, so can we name some of those players? Some of those catchers, I believe if I got it right, it's Benny Alemon, Georgie, Bubba Joe, Jimmy Haskins is in there. Then it gets a little trickier for Jason Yarbrough was there. I know I was there, my brother was there. I'm sure I'm missing Alec Collins. I miss Alec Collins.
SPEAKER_01:Louis Blanco?
SPEAKER_02:Louis Blanco, I miss Golly, how can I miss Louis Blanco? Yeah, we better not miss Louie. Now I'm not gonna get it. I'm I'm never gonna hear the end of it. I forgot Louie. But Louie, Alec Collins, Jimmy Haskins, it's it's you know, myself, my brother. I don't know if I is that everybody if I missed something like that.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think, yeah, I I heard I heard uh John Sellers, I think um Bubba mentioned him and and Louis Gonzalez also. Yeah, so but yeah, whether we got them all or not, that that's a long list of successful catches that were players under your grandfather and went on to do big things. Speaking of catching, you think coach uh catches make the best coaches?
SPEAKER_02:I do, I'm biased, obviously, but I I do think they made the best coaches. I think as a catcher, you know, you have to know everything. You have to know everybody's responsibility. Like I, you know, it's what I tell our guys you're an extension of the coaching staff, right? Every you're the one player that everybody can see on the field. The eight other guys all see the catcher, right? The out the infielders can't see the outfielders, the pitcher can't see the infielders, and outfielders behind them. So catcher is the one spot that you can see everything, and you gotta understand everybody's responsibility, what they need to do on the field. We run everything through our catchers as and you know, as far as like our bunt defenses, our first and third, anything like that. So to me, I think it just makes sense that those guys would, and they and they deal with have to deal with pitchers and they see it from a mechanical standpoint. So I think they can help pitchers even to to a degree. So I think catchers make the best coaches because of that.
SPEAKER_01:And speaking of catchers, how about the season that Cal Raleigh's having? There's three, four games left in the major league season. I think he hit number sixty last night.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, 59 and 60 last night. I mean, it's uh it's unbelievable to have the offensive season he's having while having to handle the pitching staff. They just clinch the division. I mean, it's I I will say this as a huge King Griffey Jr. fan. That was my guy. I I'm a little sad that he broke his uh uh team record for most home runs in the season, but if anybody was gonna break it, I'm glad it was a catcher. And uh he's been unbelievable. I mean, I'm uh you know, I'm gonna say this. I'm not gonna offend you because I know you're a Yankee fan. I still think Aaron Judge is the MVP, but uh I I'm sure Cal Raleigh's gonna get it.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think people uh I saw this the other day. People are having judge fatigue, you know. We we love the winners until we don't, you know.
SPEAKER_00:Yes.
SPEAKER_01:And I think that the the story starting with the all-star game, yeah, is like Cal's gonna get it. I I love the knowledge, so I I'd be okay. If anybody beats Judge Al for it, I'm okay with Kyle. There's some arguments for it for sure.
SPEAKER_02:But um arguments for it for sure. And obviously they won division, so I think that helps too. But uh, and I think you can make the argument either way, but I'm with you. I but I do think a majority of it is judge fatigue more than anything. You know, I think he's you know he hit what 50 and 51 last night or 51 last night, I think, too.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, 50 and 51, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:That's how much times uh if they actually pitched to him, I mean it'd be amazing how many home runs I think he would hit.
SPEAKER_01:And that's a good point, right? Yeah I I don't we that's a whole other episode we can do, you know?
SPEAKER_02:We can do a whole podcast just on that.
SPEAKER_01:So that's a whole other good. Um so I like to wrap the episode up with a segment that I call for the cycle. Okay, and I ask you four questions. And just like hitting for the cycle in baseball, it gets harder as you go to complete it, all right? All right, you up for it? I'm up for it. All right, let me see. I gotta find my questions here. All right, here we go. This the first one's easy. Now it's like it's more of a softball. If you were a player today, what would your walk-up song be?
SPEAKER_02:I thought about this the other day. I was thinking about this the other day. I probably would go with I've gotten into I'm getting older and I've gotten in the country. Yacht rock and country. It's hard to go with yacht rock. If I was gonna go with a yacht rock song, I'd go baby come back by player.
SPEAKER_00:Okay.
SPEAKER_02:But if I'm gonna go country, I I probably would go something by Eric Church. I don't even know what, but uh something by Eric Church. If I really want to get crazy, I'd probably go some 80s freestyle in there, throw some 80s freestyle in there as well.
SPEAKER_01:I was thinking you might say DJ Khaled. All I do is win, win, win.
SPEAKER_02:That'd be a good one too. That'd be a good one too. To me, that's a post-game show, a post-game song, right? Like that's the one I like to play post-game. So I don't want to use it for my Walgo song, but uh that would be a good one too.
SPEAKER_01:All right, next question. Should Barry Bonds be in the Hall of Fame?
SPEAKER_02:Yes, 100%.
SPEAKER_01:I agree. I agree. All right, next up. Baseball's a game of numbers. It always has been. There's nothing like getting that paper and seeing the box scores, right? Well, now with analytics, there's numbers and statistics for everything. Is there too much?
SPEAKER_02:That's a good question. I think there's, I think you gotta blend the two, right? Like I'm a guy that I'm still old school. I think you gotta go by your gut, and there's things that that that work, and and especially at our level, right? It's different. And in the big leagues, I think sometimes like they take away these managers' feel for the game sometimes because everything is just strictly run by the numbers. And I think you gotta, you know, you can use the numbers. I think they're important. I think they obviously help you make better decisions. I mean, I believe in some of the, I don't want to say new age stuff, but some of these analytical decisions, like I understand and I think they make sense to me. But I do think you gotta have there, there's a place for both and there's a balance. But I do think we've probably gotten a little bit too, you know, I don't think you could just plug this thing in the computer and have it spit out a formula and think that's gonna be the most successful way to run things. I think you gotta have feel for people, you gotta have feel for the situation in the moment. And I know that you know, all the the analysts will uh argue adamantly that there's no such thing as a clutch player, but I think there is a clutch gene in there that that you can't account for.
SPEAKER_01:Man, I wish you would call Aaron Boone for me. Tell him everything you just said, because sometimes I think he goes more by the numbers in his gut.
SPEAKER_02:But I think some of that is, I think that's a problem. Like I listen, I obviously the Yankees are here, and we got a good relationship with the Yankees uh because they're right down the street from us, the minor league stuff. Uh but the Rays have been here playing in the in the in the stadium, and and Kevin Cash is similar, but I think a lot of that is I don't think it's them necessarily. I I think that's coming from above, and they get told what they need to do and what they can't do. And I think they're hamstrung a little bit sometimes because of that. But I'm with you. I I again I think he, you know, we we we fall in love with. I think sometimes it's easier to defend when you just go by, oh, I'm gonna use well this guy has this look at the numbers, it says this is the right place, and we're gonna do it, and it makes it easier to defend. But uh, you know, you gotta be, you can't be, you know, you you want to win, you gotta be bold sometimes, right? You gotta you can't be scared of of what the the blowback's gonna be if it doesn't work.
SPEAKER_01:I love that. All right, last last question. What's one life lesson that baseball has taught you that you hope your players see in you?
SPEAKER_02:That I hope that they understand and realize that that everything that we are doing on the field and everything that we are working for, and as much as it's about trying to make them the best versions of themselves they can be as a player, that ultimately it's really about them being the best people they can be, the best father, the best husband, the best citizen. Like that's what we want. Obviously, we want to win and and you know, I'm as competitive as they come, but at the end of the day, like it's about them being successful, and then that, you know, we're trying to use the game of baseball to teach them life lessons and you know what they do on the field and how they handle themselves, how they act, like all those things are preparing them for life after baseball. Hopefully they understand that this game is way more about it, it's it's much more about relationships than what what is actually going on on the field and the things they're gonna remember a lot of times don't have anything to do with wins and losses, right? It's the bus rides, it's this the moments in the locker room, it's uh you know, when coaches uh jerk and he's making us run and do things like how we respond to those kind of moments, right? And those are the things that they're really gonna remember and cherish, and and I think it it's gonna help them be the best version of themselves they can be.
SPEAKER_01:Very good, coach. Nicely done. Coach, I've been a big fan, like I said earlier. I've been a big fan since you were a little kid. You're a grown man now. I'm still a big fan. I'm gonna stay in the fan club.
SPEAKER_02:Well, I I appreciate it, Joy. That means a lot to me, more than I could ever express to you, that's for sure.
SPEAKER_01:Please tell Lori that I said hello, your mama and daddy. And who knows, maybe this year I might take a little road trip now that I got the hat and everything.
SPEAKER_02:You gotta get up here. We'll we can we'll we'll carve out a little special section. You could you could start a K-Time place up here. We'll we'll get you hooked up with some gear and everything.
SPEAKER_01:All right, all right. Remember you said that. Coach, I really appreciate you being with me. I hope you have a great day. Thank you so much. Go, Tigers.
SPEAKER_02:Go, Tigers. Thank you, Joy.
SPEAKER_01:I'm Joy Newlish, and I appreciate you tuning into my podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, drop a review, share, and subscribe because there's a lot of good stuff on tap. You can find more joyful content on YouTube, the socials, or check my website at joynoolish.com. Now go surround yourself with the things that bring joy to your world. Until next time, much love.
