Unplugged with Brandon Steiner

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Chris Paul, 9x NBA All-Star, An Interview | Unplugged #056 Sep 11, 2017

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9x NBA All-Star Chris Paul, point guard for the Houston Rockets, joins Brandon Steiner for an in-depth Q&A interview about his trade to Houston, the effects of Hurricane Harvey on the community, playing with James Harden and the National Basketball Players' Association (NBPA). CP3 closes with a message to basketball fans.

John Wetteland, 1996 World Series MVP, An Interview | Unplugged #055 Aug 29, 2017

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John Wetteland is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who specialized as a closer. During a 12-year career (from 1989–2000), he pitched for four different teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers. With the Yankees, he won the 1996 World Series over the Atlanta Braves and was named the World Series MVP.

Adam Greenberg, From One At-Bat to His Book "Get Up: The Art of Perseverance" | Unplugged #054 Aug 18, 2017

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On July 9th, 2005, Adam Greenberg stepped into the batter’s box for his first major-league plate appearance with the Chicago Cubs. That moment was the culmination of his life’s work and proudest achievement up to that point. No one suspected the triumph of that moment would be obliterated by a 92 mile-an-hour first-pitch fastball striking Adam just under his helmet on the back of his head. The first pitch of his major-league career threatened not only the future of his ability to play baseball, but life itself. Adam didn’t know it at the time, but that pitch was a gift. What was both the greatest and worst split-second of his life sent him into an odyssey of struggle, pain, and confusion which forged him slowly into the man he is today. What he thought was the destroyer of his dream was actually the birth of a greater one. Get Up | The Art of Perseverance is not simply a baseball story or a story about a baseball player. This book is a beginning. No matter what you’re doing or what you’re facing, Adam offers his story of overcoming adversity and persevering through challenges in hopes of helping you relentlessly pursue your dream for your life. Exclusive Interviews: Matt Lauer - NBC's Today Show Host Peter Gammons - American Sportswriter and Baseball Analyst Dusty Baker - Manager for Washington Nationals David Sampson - President of MLB Miami Marlins Brad Ausmus - Manager for Detroit Tigers David Bell - Bench Coach for St. Louis Cardinals Steven G. Hearn - President and CEO of The Hearn Company Coach Mike Fox - UNC Tarheels Baseball Coach Buy Get Up: The Art of Perseverance on Amazon.

Kevin Millar, World Series Champ & Broadcaster, An Interview | Unplugged #053 Aug 17, 2017

Show notes

Kevin Millar, a 12-year Major League first baseman and outfielder who played from 1998 to 2009, is an MLB Network studio analyst, regularly appearing on Intentional Talk and MLB Tonight. Millar first appeared on MLB Network in October 2009 during its Path to the Pennant postseason coverage. Launched in April 2011, Intentional Talk is an open forum hosted by Rose and Millar, where everyone and everything are the subject of discussion and opinion. Intentional Talk airs weekdays throughout the year at 5 p.m. ET. Millar was with the Blue Jays for the 2009 season after three seasons with the Orioles. Prior to joining the Orioles, Millar spent three seasons with the Red Sox, and in 2004 he helped the club win its first World Championship in 86 years. Millar began his MLKB career with the Marlins in 1998. Known for his outgoing personality, Millar received the Jackie Jensen Award after the 2003 season, presented annually by the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America to the player who best embodies the spirit and desire of the former Red Sox outfielder. Following the 2001 season, Millar was presented with the Charlie Hough Good Guy Award from the Florida chapter of the BBWAA. Millar went undrafted out of college and was signed by Marlins scout Gary Hughes after playing one season in the independent Northern League with the St. Paul Saints. Millar grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from University (Calif.) High School. He then went on to study business at Lamar University in Beaumont, Tex. Millar and his wife, Jeanna, live with their three children in Beaumont.

Mariano Rivera, MLB All-Time Saves Leader, A Q&A | Unplugged #052 Aug 14, 2017

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Mariano Rivera (born November 29, 1969) is a former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 seasons for the New York Yankees, from 1995 to 2013. Nicknamed "Mo" and "Sandman", Rivera spent most of his career as a relief pitcher and served as the Yankees' closer for 17 seasons. A thirteen-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, he is MLB's career leader in saves (652) and games finished (952). Rivera won five American League (AL) Rolaids Relief Man Awards and three Delivery Man of the Year Awards, and he finished in the top three in voting for the AL Cy Young Award four times. Rivera was signed by the Yankees organization in Panama in 1990, and he debuted in the major leagues in 1995. Initially a starting pitcher, he was converted to a relief pitcher late in his rookie year. After a breakthrough season in 1996 as a setup man, he became the Yankees' closer in 1997. In the following seasons, he established himself as one of baseball's top relievers, leading the major leagues in saves in 1999, 2001, and 2004. Rivera primarily threw a sharp-moving, mid-90s mile-per-hour cut fastball that frequently broke hitters' bats and earned a reputation as one of the league's toughest pitches to hit. With his presence at the end of games, signaled by his foreboding entrance song "Enter Sandman", Rivera was a key contributor to the Yankees' success in the late 1990s and early 2000s. An accomplished postseason performer, he was named the 1999 World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the 2003 AL Championship Series MVP, and he holds several postseason records, including lowest earned run average (ERA) (0.70) and most saves (42). Rivera is regarded within baseball as one of the most dominant relievers in major league history. Pitching with a longevity and consistency uncommon to the closer role, he saved at least 25 games in 15 consecutive seasons and posted an ERA under 2.00 in 11 seasons, both of which are records. His career 2.21 ERA and 1.00 WHIP are the lowest in the live-ball era among qualified pitchers. Fellow players credit him with popularizing the cut fastball across the major leagues. Along with his signature pitch, Rivera was known for his precise control, smooth pitching motion, and for his composure and reserved demeanor on the field. In 2013, the Yankees retired his uniform number 42; he was the last major league player to wear the number full-time, following its league-wide retirement in honor of Jackie Robinson. Rivera has been involved in philanthropic causes and the Christian community through the Mariano Rivera Foundation. He is considered to be a strong candidate for the Baseball Hall of Fame once he is eligible.

Ray Rice, An Interview | Unplugged #051 Aug 10, 2017

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Ray Rice is a former American football running back who played his entire professional career with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Rutgers, and was drafted by the Ravens in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He is ranked as the Ravens' second all-time leading rusher behind Jamal Lewis, and is also second in rushing attempts and touchdowns, and third in combined touchdowns. He won Super Bowl XLVII with the team at the conclusion of the 2012 NFL season. In March 2014, Rice was arrested and subsequently indicted for third-degree aggravated assault relating to an incident in which he assaulted his then-fiancée. The incident became a prominent controversy, which led to an NFL policy change regarding how it handles domestic violence cases. Rice's contract was terminated by the Ravens in September 2014. He was subsequently suspended indefinitely by the league, but was later reinstated after he successfully appealed the decision in federal courts. While Rice has not returned to the field, the New Rochelle, NY native has worked toward redemption by being a better husband to his now-wife Janay and touring the country speaking on the issue of domestic violence, while also contributing to the coaching staff of the New Rochelle High School football team.

Ray Bard, Bestselling Book Publisher, An Interview | Unplugged #050 Aug 08, 2017

Show notes

Ray Bard's publishing experience includes more than 30 years of writing, producing, and publishing books and multimedia material. He has written or co-authored 10 business books published by major houses, such as Doubleday, William Morrow, Jossey-Bass, and Addison-Wesley. In 1972, he founded and directed a small press before selling it to the New York Times. In 1982, he established Bard Productions and produced books for major publishers in New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco.He also helped start-up presses around the country get off the ground until narrowing the company's focus to publishing exceptional books for national retail distribution. Since the founding of the Bard Press imprint in 1996, more than 50 percent of its books have become national bestsellers, with many winning book of the year awards.

Dana Cavalea, Former Yankees Director of Strength & Conditioning, An Interview | Unplugged #049 Aug 01, 2017

Show notes

Dana Cavalea spent 12 years with the New York Yankees Organization, many of those years as the Director of Strength and Conditioning & Performance Enhancement winning a World Series in 2009. In addition, he was the recipient of the 2009 MLB Nolan Ryan Award. This award is given to MLB's top Strength Coach as voted by his peers. During his career, Dana has had the opportunity to train greats such as Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Justin Verlander, and more. "My objectives are to bring the same techniques, culture, attitude, service, first class training and development programs to Entrepreneurs, Executives, Companies, Students, and Pro Athletes.- Coach Dana Cavalea Currently he is a high performance speaker and consultant to Pro Athletes, Entrepreneurs, Business Executives, Workforces and Universities on lifestyle strategies to reduce stress, improve work/life balance, and most importantly improve daily performance/outcomes. All of this is known as Performance Enhancement. Dana has formulated plans and strategies to improve sleep, reduce pain, lower stress, improve body composition, speed-strength-power, as well as mindset training for maximal performance. He is here to help take you and your life PRO. Go to www.danacavalea.com for more information.

Steve Nudelberg, An Interview | Unplugged #048 Jul 28, 2017

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Steve Nudelberg is a serial salesman & entrepreneur. As a product of his entrepreneurial spirit, he developed On the Ball - a company that focuses exclusively on sales & business development. Inspiration for the company name was derived from the feedback Steve received from business associates, claiming that he was always 'on the ball'. The core philosophy is rooted in that what we know and who we know can help your business grow. Starting out in the cellular phone industry in the 1980s provided the foundation for Steve's future entrepreneurial success. After building and leading a winning national sales team for ABC Cellular, Steve found himself at a crossroad. In between jobs, he started receiving requests for him to match companies and personalities to sponsorship opportunities, primarily in the sports arena. This gave birth to the idea of founding his own marketing company that offered arrangemanship, brand identity, sales training as well as other services. Today, the company’s exponential growth can be credited to an expertise in all things sales-related and a strategic commitment to being experts in business development, social selling, social sales training, and speaking engagements.

Hank Aaron, Baseball Legend, An Interview | Unplugged #047 Jul 26, 2017

Show notes

Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron, nicknamed "Hammer", or "Hammerin' Hank", is a retired Major League Baseball (MLB) right fielder who is currently the senior vice president of the Atlanta Braves. He played 21 seasons for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves in the National League (NL) and 2 seasons for the Milwaukee Brewers in the American League (AL), from 1954 through 1976. Aaron held the MLB record for career home runs for 33 years, and he still holds several MLB offensive records. He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973, and is one of only two players to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least fifteen times. In 1999, The Sporting News ranked Aaron fifth on its "100 Greatest Baseball Players" list. Aaron was born and raised in and around Mobile, Alabama. Aaron had seven siblings, including Tommie Aaron, who later played in MLB with him. Aaron appeared briefly in the Negro American League and in minor league baseball before starting his major league career. He played late in Negro league history; by his final MLB season, Aaron was the last Negro league baseball player on a major league roster. Aaron played the vast majority of his MLB games in right field, though he appeared at several other infield and outfield positions. In his last two seasons, he was primarily a designated hitter. Aaron was an NL All-Star for 20 seasons and an AL All-Star for 1 season, from 1955 through 1975. Aaron holds the record for the most seasons as an All-Star, the most All-Star Game selections (25), and is tied with Willie Mays and Stan Musial for the most All-Star Games played (24). He was a Gold Glove winner for three seasons. In 1957, he was the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) when the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series. He won the NL Player of the Month award in May 1958 and June 1967. Aaron holds the MLB records for the most career runs batted in (RBI) (2,297), extra base hits (1,477), and total bases(6,856). Aaron is also in the top five for career hits (3,771) and runs (2,174). He is one of only four players to have at least seventeen seasons with 150 or more hits. Aaron is in second place in home runs (755) and at-bats (12,364), and in third place in games played (3,298). At the time of his retirement, Aaron held most of the game's key career power hitting records. Since his retirement, Aaron has held front office roles with the Atlanta Braves. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. In 1999, MLB introduced the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the top offensive players in each league. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. He was named a 2010 Georgia Trustee by the Georgia Historical Society in recognition of accomplishments that reflect the ideals of Georgia's founders. Aaron resides near Atlanta.

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