Talkin' 21 Podcast with Danny Torres Danny Torres

Recorded live at the Paley Center for Media in NYC, Talkin’21 welcomed Paul Kutch Jr. (President of Clemente’s Clubhouse) and 1970 Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher and New York native Fred Cambria. Both shared their earliest recollections on when they first heard about “The Great One” and how this legendary, Puerto Rican ballplayer impacted their lives. They also discussed Clemente’s legacy and how his humanitarian spirit transcended beyond the playing field.

These three words: character, charity and Clemente summarizes the life of this former Major League outfielder. Known as “CJ” to his immediate family and close friends, Curtis Granderson was a three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner who played for seven teams including the N.Y. Yankees and N.Y. Mets. But, for this Chicago native, not only his impact on the field but winning the Roberto Clemente Award in 2016 was one the greatest highlights in his 16 seasons in the big leagues. As the founder of the Grand Kids Foundation and Board Chair of Players Alliance, Curtis’s philanthropic efforts haven’t gone unnoticed and needy children continue to benefit through educational programs, physical fitness and nutritional initiatives.

Talkin’21 welcomes former MLB player and current San Diego Padres analyst/broadcaster Tony Gwynn Jr. Born into baseball royalty, Anthony “Tony” Jr. would eventually decide baseball would be his trajectory and continue in his father’s footsteps. Coincidentally, on July 19, 2006, he would collect his first Major League Baseball hit which fell on the exact date of Tony Gwynn Sr.’s first MLB hit in 1982. And both of those hits were a double to right field. He would play for eight seasons and eventually make the transition to the booth. He’s married and a proud father of four children (including his son Tony Gwynn III). But, the legacy of “Mr. Padre” continues to live on through his namesake - a proud husband/father who remembers the impact of his late dad who not only was a Baseball Hall of Famer but the recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award in 1999.

Talkin’21 podcast welcomes Washington native and hyper-realistic artist Keegan Hall. In this episode, Keegan shared how he survived a near-death experience and during his early years gravitated to drawing on a daily basis. In college, he majored in art but after his graduation worked in sales/marketing for his favorite team - Seattle SuperSonics. After his beloved mother lost her battle to cancer and a note he received in the mail, Keegan’s life would change forever. Once again, he began to draw and today his extraordinary drawings of sports athletes (including Roberto Clemente) has benefited numerous charities. And as Leonardo DaVinci, one of his favorite Renaissance artists, once said, “Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it.”

As a child in Puerto Rico, Edwin Rodríguez would meet Roberto Clemente and that brief interaction and handshake literally changed his life. Although he considered a career in engineering and accounting, it was baseball that impacted his life. Although he would eventually play in the big leagues it was managing that drove him incessantly. In 2010, he would become the first Puerto Rican manager in Major League Baseball history. Plus in 2013 and 2017, he would manage Team Puerto Rico in the WBC. Currently he’s the 2023 manager of the Acereros de Monclova in the Mexican League. In this episode, he shares his memories on his first-ever game with the Yankees, the on-field changes implemented by MLB, Edwin Díaz’s unfortunate injury plus his thoughts on the controversy about what was posted on social media during the 2023 WBC.

Talkin’21 podcast welcomes former seven-time All-Star third baseman, two-time Gold Glove Award winner and Mets legend David Wright. Drafted in 2001 in the First Round by the N.Y. Mets, he made his MLB debut on July 21, 2004. And he was only 21. Although his phenomenal career was cut short due to spinal stenosis, he would play for 14 seasons. In this first episode of Season 3, he discussed his mlb debut, his Spring Training visit to Florida, future Met HOF’ers who impacted his career, the 2023 WBC, his childhood hero and his philanthropy in the spirit of Roberto Clemente.