R2C2 with CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Latest Episodes:

Allen Lazard & The New Look New York Jets Have Arrived Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

One of the newest additions to the New York Jets and former Green Bay Packer, wide receiver Allen Lazard joins the show fresh off Aaron Rodgers making his arrival to the team official. Allen details the excitement around the squad, his free agency process, a special connection with Rodgers, the role of Nathaniel Hackett, and what the future holds for this new talented core. He also breaks down his story of overcoming adversity: from being undrafted, cut multiple times, and ultimately breaking through in primetime and making his name in the league. Welcome one of the newest faces to New York in the latest R2C2!

Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi

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Austin Riley Was Always Destined for Success Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

Atlanta Braves Third Baseman, World Series Champion, All-Star, All-MLB First Team, and Silver Slugger winner Austin Riley joins the pod and details his baseball journey from early childhood to incredible success in the big leagues at such a young age. He shares with CC and Ryan what it was like growing up in Mississippi, starring as a high school quarterback and punter, turning pro and forgoing college, playing positions all across the field, impressing Hank Aaron from day one, and what makes the Atlanta Braves culture and player development so impressive. Austin also details his combined passion for golf, honoring veterans, and giving back to the Atlanta community to host his first charity golf event at TPC Sugarloaf this summer. Get to know one of the faces of the Braves' outstanding young core and genuinely great people off the field in Austin Riley on the latest R2C2.

Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi

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Calvin ‘Megatron’ Johnson is a Modern Renaissance Man Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

One of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history and most accomplished businessman today is our latest guest on R2C2, the one and only Calvin Johnson. Megatron details his many pursuits on this episode: including being an exceptional snowboarder, golfer, starring as a baseball player in high school, participating in the NBA Celebrity All-Star game, finishing third on Dancing with the Stars, and so much more. Calvin's latest venture Primitiv is a CBD-based company focused on wellness that is revolutionizing the industry and helping athletes recover like never before. He also shares an honest reflection of the responsibility that comes with being a face of the Detroit Lions, retiring in his prime, and why he's at peace playing his entire career with one team. A really introspective look into one of the NFL's greats on the latest episode of R2C2.

Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi

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How Yency Almonte Reinvented Himself with the Dodgers Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

This week, CC and Ryan are joined by one of the most prolific young relievers in baseball and a breakout star last year for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Yency Almonte. Yency breaks down how he reinvented his pitching arsenal after transitioning from the Rockies to LA, overcoming the lowest points in his early career, stepping into championship expectations, and why he believes the Dodgers' winning culture will propel the team this season despite losing core players. He also details his 305 roots and how competing alongside guys like Manny Machado and Nestor Cortés have helped shape who he is. The crew closes out by covering the impact of the MLB's new rules from a pitching perspective, Yency's father's baseball academy, and goals for the 2023 season. Get to know a fresh face in Los Angeles and soon-to-be household name in Yency Almonte on the latest R2C2.

Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi

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Dansby Swanson Is Ready To Lead The Chicago Cubs Back To Glory Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

Baseball is back! To set the stage for the beginning of the season, CC and Ryan are rejoined by the latest star to join the Chicago Cubs, World Series Champion Dansby Swanson. Dansby details the week of a lifetime this past offseason, having married his wife Mallory, signing a lucrative free agent deal, and moving from his hometown Atlanta to Chicago. He also breaks down his thought process behind choosing the Cubs, respect for the front office, incredible admiration for all of the fans, and restoring the club back to its winning ways. We close out the episode with an insightful player-driven POV on the MLB's new rule changes and what we can expect moving forward. A brand new episode to get you ready for Opening Day and beyond!

Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi

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The Newest NY Giant Darren Waller and His Incredible Story of Perseverance Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Just days after being traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Giants, CC and Ryan are joined by NFL Tight End Darren Waller. In a span of one week, Darren married WNBA star Kelsey Plum and found out that he'll be moving across the country to start a new football chapter with a team on the rise. The episode details his early impressions of Big Blue, expectations for the upcoming season, behind-the-scenes of the trade, navigating trade rumors and adversity in his career, and how all his personal & professional experiences have shaped who he is today. From his Darren Waller Foundation, Comeback Stories Podcast, youth scholarships, to numerous acts of service - Darren is devoted to using his own early struggles to help others overcome their issues with addiction. The episode closes out with a very poignant reflection of how Darren and Kelsey support each other as married professional athletes and how a practice squad warm up changed the trajectory of his career.

Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi

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Reggie Miller is All In on March Madness Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

On the heels of NCAA March Madness, CC and Ryan are joined by five-time NBA All-Star, NBA & College Basketball analyst, Hall of Famer and member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Reggie Miller. Now entering his fourth straight year partnering with Wendy's as the official hamburger and breakfast of the tournament, Reggie weighs in on all aspects of the field. From his biggest surprises, UCLA's potential, Duke's path to a deep run, Brandon Miller's star watch, to overall predictions. You don't want to miss Reggie's personal story around adopting the three-point line his senior year with the Bruins and providing an honest reflection of Klay Thompson sharing his belief of resembling Reggie in terms of their mutual competitive fire. An all-new episode to get you ready for the NCAA tournament.

Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi

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Baseball’s New Era, NFL Free Agency, and the NBA’s Playoff Push Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

CC is rejoined by Ryan following his first foray into broadcasting Spring Training this season and CC's recent Yankees trip to Tampa, with baseball's new rules in full effect. While everyone from media, coaches, players, and all personnel adjust, the consensus amongst the guys is that everyone will ultimately benefit and get some of their time back along the way. The episode continues with early NFL free agency reactions, including Derek Carr's shocking new deal with the New Orleans Saints and Geno Smith's incredible comeback story leading to the Seattle Seahawks resigning him to a well deserved payday. We close out with giving the New York Knicks the recognition they deserve for defying early season expectations, led by the stellar play of Jalen Brunson, and reflect on the latest with Ja Morant from a very poignant point of view based on CC's life experiences as a young athlete that rose to fame.

Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi

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The MLB’s New Rules Are Here To Stay Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

In the latest episode, CC is joined by guest co-host Jayson Stark, sportswriter for The Athletic and host of the Starkville podcast. With Spring Training underway, the guys dig into baseball’s new rules on full display and some of the early moments reflecting how teams, players, and umpires are adjusting. They also cover topics ranging from banning the shift, what players will benefit with putting more balls in play, pitching deliveries, pace of play, and the overall impact on the sport as an entertainment product and vehicle to foster more participation on a youth level. As the start of the season nears, CC and Jayson set the scene for a whole new brand of the sport come Opening Day.

Hosts: CC Sabathia and Jayson Stark

Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, Paige Keffer, and Ata Movassaghi

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The Future of Baseball and Athlete-Driven Storytelling is Bright Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

MLB Spring Training is fully underway as CC and Ryan prepare to dig into a new baseball season full of changes to increase the entertainment value of the game. Does CC miss playing? Why has Ryan taken a Twitter hiatus? Is Full Swing on Netflix legit? The crew dives into these questions and more in the latest episode. They also walk us through the mentality of the modern athlete and why they're more empowered than ever to personify themselves within the sport and have audiences share in their mentality through the ups and downs. There's plenty of excitement around witnessing the implementation of baseball's new rules and what the guys believe will only improve the sport for years to come.

Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Producers: Jackson Safon, Sadye Zillo, and Ata Movassaghi

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