Hold My Cutter

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Former Big League Catcher, Michael Mckenry & long-time broadcaster, Greg Brown team up for a one-of-a-kind podcast centered around baseball & stogies. Fascinating in-person guests include present & former players, managers, broadcasters, writers & other personalities, from politics to pop culture. Laugh, learn & live a little! with "Hold My Cutter" Reviews '"'Hold My Cutter' is an absolute Smoke Show"…...Sports Podcast News. 'Hold My Cutter' CUTS to the chase & gets listeners engaged RIGHT OFF THE BAT" Podcaster National. "If there is a better Podcast out there, we haven't seen or heard it. Hands down, Brown & Mckenry are blazing new trails for the entire industry. I can't recommend, 'Hold My Cutter' enough!" Podcast Entertainment Weekly Magazine.Email: Holdmycutter@gmail.com

  1. A Homecoming for Cutch

    6 HR AGO

    A Homecoming for Cutch

    Send a text The door opens, a little face lights up, and suddenly the turbulence was worth it. That’s the spirit of this homecoming to Pittsburgh—a night where gratitude, memory, and the roar of a standing crowd all met before the first pitch. We revisit the moments that nearly cracked the helmet armor: spotting Maria in the suite, feeling the ovation swell, and trying to keep an at-bat alive while the heart races faster than a fastball. We get real about the hidden cost of getting traded. Nine seasons with one franchise builds a life—friends, routines, even the color of your training gear—then a single call redraws the map. From packing with a newborn asleep in the next room to relearning spring under a new sky, we share the logistics you never see and the resilience you need to find. Along the way, we offer thanks to the front office and coaches who stepped back to let a city and a player share a rare, human moment. Fatherhood sits at the center of it all. We talk about how a kid’s smile at the door can erase a brutal night at the plate, how priorities shift from performance to presence, and why baseball now serves the life being built at home. There’s humor too—ping pong grudge matches and a dad who’s part prophet, calling black and yellow before the draft board ever did. Most of all, this is a love letter to a fanbase that believed through losing streaks, turned handshakes into hugs, and showed that a ballplayer’s bond with a city can outlast any box score. If this story moved you, hit follow, share it with a friend who loves baseball lore, and leave a quick review so more fans can find the show. What’s the sports moment that still gives you goosebumps? Tell us—we’re listening. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!! www.holdmycutter.com

    22 min
  2. Draft Day Nerves, Steroid Era Realities, And A Yinzer’s Grit

    2 DAYS AGO

    Draft Day Nerves, Steroid Era Realities, And A Yinzer’s Grit

    Send a text A first-round pick, a hometown heart, and a league in flux. We sit down with Kevin Orie to unpack a career shaped by grit, timing, and the unforgiving glare of Wrigley Field. From kicking rocks out of infields in Pittsburgh to a private tryout at Wrigley where he sprinted the bases after BP on instinct, Kevin’s story tracks the highs and hard lessons of a young player dropped into a franchise starving for a solution at third base. The rookie season hit like a wave: an 0–14 start, the pressure to transform into a power bat behind Sammy Sosa, and the quiet squeeze of the steroid era altering not just bodies but recovery and confidence. Kevin doesn’t hedge. He breaks down how mindset, workload, and the drumbeat of expectations can change a player’s identity in weeks. He remembers a shoulder separation that killed a September call-up, a quad tear after a two-mile treadmill test, and a late cut in L.A. when the Beltre controversy closed a door at the buzzer. Through it all, there were anchors: Jim Leyland lighting up the tunnel in St. Louis as the Marlins went back-to-back-to-back-to-back, and Don Baylor’s simple inside-pitch drill that later unlocked a swing he didn’t know he had. We trace the journeyman years—out clauses, selling himself to third base coaches mid-game, cleanup roles on loaded Triple-A rosters that didn’t lead to a phone call—and the eventual return to Chicago on unfinished business. Kevin reveals the difference better development and clearer roles might have made, and how today’s strength and swing tech would have sped up his learning curve. Off the field, he opens up about raising three daughters after losing his wife, pivoting into hotel investments and commercial real estate through a recession, and staying in the game with Pirates pre/post on The Fan to keep those clubhouse threads alive. Come for the dugout stories and stay for the clarity about pressure, identity, and resilience. If you’ve ever wondered how a career can tilt in three weeks—or how a single drill can change a season—this one hits home. Subscribe, share with a baseball fan who loves the human side of the game, and leave a review with the moment that stuck with you most. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!! www.holdmycutter.com

    1h 18m
  3. Brian O'Neill's Remarkable Life Story

    25/07/2025

    Brian O'Neill's Remarkable Life Story

    Send us a text Brian O'Neill's journey from surviving a near-death experience to becoming one of Pittsburgh's most beloved columnists reads like a chapter from a novel – except every word is true.  At 23, O'Neill was sucked through a storm drain pipe during a flash flood in Danville, Virginia, an experience he recounts with both terror and humor. "I honestly thought God was going to kill me in a sewer in Danville, Virginia," he shares. This brush with death unexpectedly launched his journalism career when his published account caught the attention of editors at larger papers, eventually leading him to the Pittsburgh Press in 1988. For 32 years, O'Neill chronicled Pittsburgh through his distinctive columns, developing a deep appreciation for what he calls "The Paris of Appalachia." His perspective on the city's unique position – straddling the Northeast, Midwest, and South – offers profound insight into Pittsburghers' character: "They have the work ethic of Midwesterners, can get in your face like Northeasterners, but they're also friendly like Southerners." Baseball emerges as O'Neill's lifelong passion throughout the conversation. From witnessing Willie Mays' first home run as a Met to analyzing the Pirates through his "Stats Geek" column, O'Neill represents the quintessential thoughtful fan. His memories of the electric 2013 Wild Card game and appreciation for underrated Pirates like Brian Giles and Jack Wilson speak to someone who understands baseball's soul – its unpredictability and personal stories beneath the statistics. What truly shines through is O'Neill's storytelling gift and authentic love for Pittsburgh. Whether recounting his humorous feud with former County Coroner Cyril Wecht or explaining how he fulfilled his childhood dream of living close enough to walk to baseball games, O'Neill demonstrates why his perspective resonated with readers for over three decades. Join us for this remarkable conversation with a true Pittsburgh treasure. What strange twists of fate have shaped your life? We'd love to hear your story in the comments. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!! www.holdmycutter.com

    1h 7m
  4. Mayo From Minor League to Major Impact

    06/05/2025

    Mayo From Minor League to Major Impact

    Send a text Jonathan Mayo didn't set out to become baseball's prospect guru, but after more than two decades covering future stars before anyone knows their names, he's become the voice baseball fans trust to identify tomorrow's talent. In this revealing conversation, Mayo takes us behind the curtain of baseball talent evaluation, sharing how his journey from newspaper journalism to MLB.com transformed into a specialized career tracking the game's brightest young prospects. From his early days walking past Frank Robinson's office where future Padres GM AJ Preller worked as an assistant, Mayo's career has given him unique access to stars before they were stars. What truly sets Mayo apart is his approach to prospect evaluation—balancing old-school scouting with modern analytics. "I'm a reporter," Mayo explains, describing how he collects insights from scouts and executives rather than relying solely on his own observations. This methodology has allowed him to build relationships with players from high school through the major leagues, with many stars appreciating that he was "the first one who ever wrote about me." The conversation delves into fascinating territory around player development philosophy, highlighting the dangers of organizations leaning too heavily on either analytics or traditional scouting. Mayo advocates for multi-sport athletes and appreciates teams willing to bet on raw athleticism rather than just refined skills. He shares stories of under-the-radar prospects who surprised everyone and the human element that statistics can't capture—how players handle adversity, their feel for the game, and what makes them tick. Whether you're a die-hard baseball fan wanting to understand how future stars are identified or simply curious about the human stories behind prospect evaluation, Mayo's insights reveal why baseball development remains as much art as science—and why that's what makes the game so special. Have you ever wondered how baseball's next superstars are discovered? Listen now to hear from the man who's made a career finding tomorrow's talent before anyone else knows their names. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!! www.holdmycutter.com

    50 min
  5. The 84 Days That Changed Everything

    29/04/2025

    The 84 Days That Changed Everything

    Send a text What drives someone to walk away from a stable career to chase their dream? Joanne Harrop did exactly that, leaving behind a decade in office equipment sales to pursue her passion for sports writing. With remarkable determination, she offered to write for free for local publications until finally breaking through as the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's first full-time female sports reporter in 1997. Sitting at Burned by Rocky Patel (which she was the first to feature when it opened), Harrop captivates us with stories from her 28-year journalism career. Instantly recognizable by the stylish hats she wears daily—a tradition started 15 years ago while covering fashion—she's evolved from sports reporting to becoming a celebrated features writer covering everything from food to real estate. Along the way, she's interviewed legends like Michael Jordan and Billie Jean King, while never forgetting Jim Leyland's advice to "act like you've been there before." The conversation takes a profound turn when Harrop shares the experience that led to her book, "A Daughter's Promise." When COVID-19 forced nursing homes to lock down in March 2020, Harrop faced an impossible choice regarding her 93-year-old mother: leave or stay indefinitely. Without hesitation, she moved in, honoring a promise made to her father years earlier. What began as a supposed two-week closure stretched into 84 days, during which her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and eventually passed away. Her journal entries from this period became a National Edward R. Murrow Award-winning article and ultimately her book. Through laughter, tears, and Pittsburgh sports memories, Harrop reminds us of journalism's evolving nature and the profound connection between mother and daughter. Her simple explanation for staying when others couldn't—"She would have done the same for me"—encapsulates a love story that transcends circumstances. Pick up "A Daughter's Promise" to experience the full journey of a woman who found her voice by following her heart. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!! www.holdmycutter.com

    53 min
  6. What Happens When the Mask Comes Off?

    14/04/2025

    What Happens When the Mask Comes Off?

    Send a text Mike "Spanky" LaValliere pulls no punches as he takes us behind home plate for a candid look at baseball through a catcher's eyes. From his days with the Cardinals to becoming a Gold Glove winner and fan favorite with the Pittsburgh Pirates, LaValliere's journey reveals the hidden complexities of one of baseball's most demanding positions. With refreshing honesty, Spanky tackles the evolution of catching techniques, expressing serious concerns about today's one-knee approach: "I don't understand the catching that's going on right now... at the lower levels, if you're on a knee, you're not doing any service." His breakdown of what made him successful defensively offers invaluable insights for players and coaches alike. The conversation turns particularly fascinating when LaValliere pulls back the curtain on catcher-umpire relationships in the pre-analytics era. His stories of umpires expanding the strike zone for mouthy batters and the importance of game management over rigid strike zones highlight just how dramatically baseball has changed. When asked about his relationship with umpires, LaValliere's insider perspective is priceless: "If one of the hitters was a little mouthy, you get a little tap... move a little further outside." Perhaps most compelling are LaValliere's raw, emotional reflections on the Pirates' magical 1990-92 division title runs, culminating in the heartbreaking 1992 NLCS loss featuring Sid Bream's infamous slide. Even decades later, Spanky maintains: "I still believe that I got that back leg before," and reveals he couldn't watch the replay for fifteen years afterward. His stories about teammates like Barry Bonds ("the best player I ever saw, bar none") and Bob Walk offer delightful glimpses into clubhouse dynamics from a golden era of Pirates baseball. Whether you're a catching enthusiast, Pirates fan, or simply love authentic baseball stories from someone who lived them, LaValliere's blend of technical knowledge, humor, and heartfelt reflection makes this episode essential listening. Subscribe now for more conversations with the game's most insightful personalities! THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!! www.holdmycutter.com

    1h 20m
  7. The Medical Side of Major League Baseball: Dr. Pat DeMeo's Journey

    07/04/2025

    The Medical Side of Major League Baseball: Dr. Pat DeMeo's Journey

    Send a text What happens when the players break? Dr. Pat DeMeo takes us into the sacred space of the Pittsburgh Pirates' trainer's room at LECOM Park to reveal the hidden world of Major League Baseball medicine. Growing up as a Yankees fan in 1960s New York, DeMeo never imagined he'd one day become the Pirates' medical director and head of orthopedic surgery at Allegheny Health Network. With remarkable candor, he shares the unexpected path that led him to this rare position – one of only 30 MLB medical directors in the world – and the steep learning curve he faced during his first years with the organization. Behind every pitcher's devastating injury or miraculous comeback lies an intricate dance between medical science and the business of baseball. Dr. DeMeo pulls back the curtain on how these decisions unfold, revealing the seasonal rhythm that dictates his work from spring training physicals to draft preparations and trade deadline medical evaluations. His philosophy remains steadfast through it all: "I don't represent management. I represent the player." The conversation takes a dramatic turn when DeMeo recounts saving a man's life on the field during spring training, performing CPR and using a defibrillator while players watched on bended knee. He describes Jung Ho Kang's catastrophic 2015 knee injury as "the worst baseball injury I've ever seen – worse than anything in football" and details the innovative surgical approach that allowed Kang to return to play when the odds seemed impossible. From AJ Burnett's transformative impact on team chemistry to the emotional challenges of forming bonds with players who might be "here today, gone tomorrow," Dr. DeMeo provides a deeply human perspective on medicine at the highest level of sports. His stories reveal not just the physical demands of baseball, but the mental fortitude required from both players and the medical professionals who care for them. Want more insider baseball stories? Subscribe to Hold My Cutter for conversations with the personalities who make baseball America's most storied game. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!! www.holdmycutter.com

    56 min
  8. The Last Letter That Changed Everything

    31/03/2025

    The Last Letter That Changed Everything

    Send a text Baseball journeys rarely follow a straight path, and Sean Casey's story proves just how winding and meaningful that road can be. The man known as "The Mayor" opens up about the Pittsburgh mentors who shaped his career long before he reached the majors, revealing the profound impact of figures like Joe Ringel and Frank Porco who believed in him when college scouts weren't calling. In this emotionally charged conversation, Casey takes us back to his teenage years when his father delivered the tough message that would change his life: "Nobody's coming for you." That lesson sparked a determination that led him to write 31 college recruitment letters—the final one opening the door that would eventually lead to a stellar MLB career. The podcast captures several tearful moments, including a surprise live call to Joe Ringel, the man who took teenage Casey to Three Rivers Stadium for batting practice sessions that helped him develop into a .296 hitter against lefties. When discussing his trade to his hometown Pirates, Casey's voice breaks as he describes the pride of representing Pittsburgh and seeing his family in the stands. Casey also shares fascinating insights from his recent stint as Yankees hitting coach, discussing the delicate balance between analytics and simplicity in modern baseball. His perspective on transitioning from player to coach to broadcaster offers valuable wisdom about life after playing days end. Whether recounting borrowing Manny Ramirez's bat for his first MLB hit or describing the Pittsburgh dedication to community that shaped his character, Casey's stories illuminate why baseball connections run so deep. For anyone who understands that sports careers are built on the shoulders of unsung heroes, this conversation will remind you why we fall in love with the game in the first place. Check out Hold My Cutter podcast for more conversations with baseball's most insightful personalities. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!! www.holdmycutter.com

    58 min
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About

Former Big League Catcher, Michael Mckenry & long-time broadcaster, Greg Brown team up for a one-of-a-kind podcast centered around baseball & stogies. Fascinating in-person guests include present & former players, managers, broadcasters, writers & other personalities, from politics to pop culture. Laugh, learn & live a little! with "Hold My Cutter" Reviews '"'Hold My Cutter' is an absolute Smoke Show"…...Sports Podcast News. 'Hold My Cutter' CUTS to the chase & gets listeners engaged RIGHT OFF THE BAT" Podcaster National. "If there is a better Podcast out there, we haven't seen or heard it. Hands down, Brown & Mckenry are blazing new trails for the entire industry. I can't recommend, 'Hold My Cutter' enough!" Podcast Entertainment Weekly Magazine.Email: Holdmycutter@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Game Designs
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hold My Cutter
  • Show Website
    Hold My Cutter