Former MLB manager and No. 1 overall pick Phil Nevin sits down to reflect on decades of baseball stories, from being mentored by Tony Gwynn to coaching superstars like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. Nevin shares what it was like being drafted first overall, working with legends, and adapting to the game as it’s changed through analytics, year-round training, and modern player development.
Nevin opens up about his time in the Texas Rangers clubhouse, giving away a full playoff share so a teammate could chase a golf dream, and even paying for a stadium parking attendant’s surgery—highlighting the side of baseball most fans never see. He talks about the humility of working with grounds crews, cracking open the coldest beer in the stadium, and the staged phone call that made him the top pick in 1992.
The conversation dives deep into the wisdom of Tony Gwynn, who could predict at-bats before they happened, and how Nevin carries those lessons into coaching. He shares his view on leadership, raising sons in baseball, and why good managers treat players with respect but not necessarily the same. From his kicking days in college football to his own gout stories, Nevin keeps it real.
You’ll also hear behind-the-scenes stories about his coaching days with the Yankees and Angels, including pulling Shohei aside to talk sleep schedules, coaching Judge during his record-breaking run, and how Ohtani’s mentality separates him from everyone else. He breaks down the challenges of player development today, coaching third base, dealing with umpires like Angel Hernandez, and knowing when to bite your tongue as a manager.
#MLB #Baseball #Padres
CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Phil Nevin joins Diggin’ Deep!
01:40 – How Phil Nevin and Mike First Met
04:20 – Perry Minasian Insights
08:56 – Nev’s College Baseball Career
12:21 – Tony Gwynn’s Legacy
15:17 – Transitioning to Coaching in Baseball
17:49 – The Value of Baseball Cards
22:12 – Winning Baseball Strategies
27:24 – Importance of Playing Multiple Sports
31:30 – Amateur Baseball Challenges
37:10 – Falling in Love with Coaching
40:44 – The Grind of Coaching
41:16 – Dealing with Dysfunction in Coaching
47:04 – Venting Frustrations in Sports
48:54 – How Things Happen for a Reason
49:40 – Coaching Third Base Techniques
55:40 – What Makes Shohei Ohtani Special
59:34 – Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani’s WBC Comeback
1:02:40 – The Trade That Sent Mike Moustakas to the Angels
1:06:24 – Ohtani’s Workload and MVP Season
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