School’s back in session, and so is fall little league baseball. We kick things off by talking about the start of the season — and ask the big question: is there actually betting in little league? In MLB, Shohei Ohtani finds himself walking straight into another scandal. On the NFL side, it’s the Miami Dolphins vs. the national media, and we break down the bias against the team. Plus, Armando shares his frustrating experience trying to preorder the brand-new Topps Boxing trading cards. That and ...
Aug 15, 2025•35 min•Ep. 115
In this episode of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In , with Armando Alvarez and Mike Quintana break down a number of topics in the world of sports. Mike recaps his recent trip to Cooperstown with his 12U team—what the experience meant, how the kids grew as teammates and competitors, and the lessons they’ve already applied since returning. The guys then shift gears from baseball to golf. What’s it like transitioning from the diamond to the fairway? They explore the mental and mechanical adjustment...
Aug 08, 2025•52 min•Ep. 114
Up & In is back with Episode 113. Mike is back from his Cooperstown tournament trip, and tells us a bit about his experience. He will give us the full details on episode 114. On 113 we talk about the upcoming MLB trade deadline. Will the Marlins be sellers, or buyers? Has Sandy Alcantara pitched his last game in Miami? The Yankees have made a couple of trades, and some have indicated they could trade Spencer Jones for a starting pitcher. We tell you what we think of that possibility. Also, w...
Jul 28, 2025•37 min•Ep. 113
Up & In is back with Episode 112. Yankees are struggling, should they finally fire Boone? Anthony Volpe has had a rough time at shortstop. Will the Yankees be in the market to replace him at the trade deadline? We will tell you who makes sense. Paul Skenes is one of the best young arms in MLB today, and may turn out to be a Hall of Fame worthy pitcher. He has one of the lowest ERAs, but his team is offering very little run support. Should he request a trade to a contender? Also, we talk abou...
Jun 26, 2025•40 min•Ep. 112
In Episode 111, we talk MLB—Jasson Dominguez launches a huge home run, Juan Soto continues to struggle, and the Orioles are hitting a rough patch. We break it all down and talk about what’s ahead. Plus, we dive into the surprising release of Pope Leo XIV’s Topps “rookie card” and the fan response to the Pontiff’s cardboard debut. And we wrap up with a conversation on some of the greatest Cuban players to ever play in the big leagues. All that and more on this episode of Up & In ....
May 29, 2025•27 min•Ep. 111
Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson are officially reinstated by MLB. Should this be celebrated or frowned upon—and does this mean Pete finally belongs in the Hall of Fame? We break it down. We also revisit the steroid era, when MLB reaped the benefits while the players who used PEDs may never get into Cooperstown. Fair or foul? Plus: The Godfather and the Pope. What’s next for Pat Riley and the Miami Heat? And our thoughts on Pope Leo XIV. That and more on Up & In , episode 110....
May 19, 2025•27 min•Ep. 110
Armando and Mike talk about Aaron Judge's historic stretch on Episode 109 of Up & In. The Yankees superstar is in the midst of another stellar, MVP type season, and the numbers he's put up the last few years have been mind boggling. Ohtani was back in Miami, and playing as if he were home. If only the Marlins paid their players...Speaking of the Marlins, we talk about Sandy Alcantara's situation what may be up next for him, and if a change in scenery may be just what is needed to get him bac...
May 07, 2025•32 min•Ep. 109
In this episode of Up & In , Mike and Armando talk about something a lot of parents deal with—kids around 8 to 10 years old deciding they’re done with a sport they’ve been playing and want to try something new. We get into what drives those decisions and how you can be supportive without pushing too hard. Then it’s on to baseball: bad umpiring is back, and we’re wondering how some of these obvious home runs are getting called foul—especially when the replay tells a different story. The Yanke...
Apr 22, 2025•45 min•Ep. 108
On Episode 107 of Up & In, Mike and Armando talk about the "controversy" with the torpedo bats. Is it really an issue, or a nothing burger? We also talk about the placebo effect when using new equipment. The Marlins are off to a decent start. Can they show us all something and become buyers instead of sellers this season? The Mike Trout/Mickey Mantle comparison, life talk regarding memories and stress, healthy lifestyle, and much more on Up & In.
Apr 03, 2025•45 min•Ep. 107
In this episode, we break down the Marlins' 2024 bobblehead giveaways and which ones fans are most excited about. Plus, MLB’s latest blunder—the logo on top of logo hats—what went wrong, and why the Texas Rangers' version stole the show. The Yankees take a major hit with Gerrit Cole’s injury—how can they fill the void in their rotation? We also dive into the latest buzz from NFL Free Agency and the wild world of college sports breakups and makeups. All that and much more on Episode 106 of Up &am...
Mar 14, 2025•38 min•Ep. 106
Spring Training is back, and so is Up & In ! In this episode, we break down all the biggest baseball storylines as the season gets underway. Will the Marlins move on from Sandy Alcántara? What should fans expect from Mike Trout this year? And who should take over as the Yankees' full-time shortstop in the near future? We also dive into early World Series contenders. But that’s not all—John Cena’s shocking heel turn has the wrestling world buzzing, and Armando breaks down the art of scoring k...
Mar 07, 2025•49 min•Ep. 105
In this episode of Diamond Dreams Miami: Up & In , we’re joined by special guest FIU Head Baseball Coach Rich Witten as we gear up for the 2025 college baseball season, set to begin Friday, February 14. Coach Witten gives us an inside look at the Panthers’ offseason preparations, the players to watch, and his expectations for the team this year. We also talk about FIU teams of the past, including the squads Mike Quintana played on, and how Coach Witten is bringing former players back to spea...
Feb 12, 2025•49 min•Ep. 104
For Episode 103 we hang out with Jonathan Escarza. We talk about opening day at Diamond Dreams, and bringing the little back to little league. Also, why our kids can't truly enjoy the Marlins. Is this situation worse than 1998 and 2004? The Super Bowl is set. Who is our favorite to win, and how far are the Dolphins from getting themselves to a position to make the big game. We dive into boxing and how the stacked cards are making a comeback. Is Naoya Inoue one of the best fighters of all time? T...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 103
Happy 2025 everyone! We are back with Episode 102. We talk about the Marlins spending $0 in free agency, and what we can expect from the team this season. Also, should the Yankees trade for Luis Arraez? If you've been listening to this podcast, you know the answer to that. In the NFL, will the Chiefs repeat? Will this be the Lions year? We talk NFL Playoffs, and we talk about the Dolphins. What that can do differently to turn around their fortunes, and who Armando wants them to draft to back-up ...
Jan 17, 2025•57 min•Ep. 102
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays from the Up & In family! On Episode 101 Mike and Armando talk about the unexpected death of Rickey Henderson, one of the greatest of all-time, and a favorite of the both of them. Also, what are the Marlins doing? Will the A's do better, and have better attendance than the fish? With each passing day, the non-signing of Juan Soto is looking good on the Yankees. The NBA and their viewership problem. And Why Oleksandr Usyk may be one of the be...
Dec 24, 2024•36 min•Ep. 101
Up & In hits the century mark! 100 , and first off we want to thank the loyal listeners who have supported us from day one. It means so much to us every time some of you reach out to tell us about an episode you just listened to, or with an opinion about a certain topic. Thank you, thank you, thank you! On episode 100, we talk about Juan Soto signing with the Mets over the Yankees. Will this move hurt the Yankees, or will it backfire on the Mets? Was it too much money? The Marlins traded Jak...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 100
Up & In is back with episode 99. We are one shy of the century mark. We talk about Aaron Judge and his second MVP award. Will he mentally recover from his slow postseason, and costly error in the World Series? We also dive into Juan Soto and where he may end up. Will the Yankees pay up? Will be head over to Queens? The Dodgers strike again with a deferred contract. Who else will they sign? Armando says he's done with Mike McDaniel, and throws out some ideas as to what the Dolphins can do for...
Dec 03, 2024•53 min•Ep. 99
It's Election Day in America. We will know who the 47th President of the United States is tonight...maybe. We talk about the election, and what to expect tonight. Also, World Series talk. What went wrong for the Yankees? What changes should they make? Will they keep Juan Soto? Will fans remember Aaron Judge's season as a success, or a failure? The Dodgers are champs. We talk about what they did correctly. The offseason is here. Will the Marlins trade away their best players once again? The Dolph...
Nov 05, 2024•51 min•Ep. 98
Mike and Armando preview the World Series that MLB was dreaming about this entire season, The New York Yankees vs. The Los Angeles Dodgers. The old school rivals are squaring off in the Fall Classic once again, and for the first time since 1981. This World Series features some of the biggest stars in baseball, including the two biggest in Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. This is a battle between two juggernauts of the sport, and the biggest winners will be the fans, and of course MLB, the networks...
Oct 24, 2024•53 min•Ep. 97
Welcome to Episode 96 of Up & In. Mike and Armando talk about both league championship series: Yankees-Guardians and Dodgers-Mets. While it looks like the Yanks and the Dodgers have the upper hand after three games, do the Guardians and Mets have it in them to stage a comeback and make the World Series? We also present six potential future hall of famers. Find out who we think is a shoe-in, and who surprised us with their stats. Also, softball talk, little league, and Savannah Bananas. Disne...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 96
Mike and Armando talk about the Yankees advancing to the ALCS. Stanton got hot, Judge not so much, but what can we expect from the Bronx Bombers in the LCS? Is a World Series in their future? The Mets definitely got hot at the same time, and now await the winner of the Dodgers-Padres series. We go into who came up clutch for the Mets, and what went wrong with the Phillies. Luis Tiant passed away. Armando dives into some pretty good numbers that great Cuban pitchers had in their careers, yet none...
Oct 11, 2024•19 min•Ep. 95
Armando and Mike talk Dolphins and Canes football on Episode 94 of Up & In. The Dolphins went from Super Bowl contender to possibly drafting in the top 10 in 2025. Can Miami salvage their season? Who's to blame for the current mess? Chris Grier? Mike McDaniel? Both? Listen to what we think. Also, the Miami Hurricanes have been looking solid so far. Can they run the table and make the playoffs? Can they compete with the top tier teams? The MLB Playoffs are underway. Armando talks about some o...
Oct 03, 2024•54 min•Ep. 94
We are getting closer and closer to Episode 100! On Episode 93, we talk about cheating in little league, and how to combat that. We also get into the bad Miami weather, and dealing with the schedule changes. The MLB Postseason is getting closer, the Yankees are in, the Marlins are trying to win at least 60-games, and Shohei Ohtani is about to make history. Mike and Armando get into a lively discussion about Tua and his latest concussion. Should the Miami Dolphins QB retire? Also, what's better, ...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 93
We pay tribute to James Earl Jones, the film legend who passed away this week. He starred in a lot of great movies, including two very beloved baseball movies "Field of Dreams" and "The Sandlot". His monologue at the end of "Field of Dreams" as author Terence Mann, is one for the ages. May he Rest in Peace. Little Leaguers can either love baseball, be in between, or not like it much. Mike and Armando talk about keeping them motivated, and how many great players were late bloomers. Also, the tee ...
Sep 12, 2024•47 min•Ep. 92
Mike and Armando are back with Up and In Episode 91. We talk September baseball and how a slump, or hot streak can make or break your entire season. What teams could surprise everyone in this last month? We also dive once again into analytics, and how that old school baseball feel may win you a playoff game, or two, or three. Also, a bit of WNBA, and DD Girl's Softball. That and much more on Episode 91.
Sep 06, 2024•40 min•Ep. 91
Episode 90 of Up & In goes into Aaron Judge's and Shohei Ohtani's historic seasons. We didn't get to witness Babe Ruth, and have read about him and many other legends in the history books. We all have a chance to watch what Judge and Ohtani are doing. Will Judge break his AL home run record? Will Ohtani be the first player to get to 50/50? We also talk Greg Maddux, and what was revealed in his MLB Network documentary. Also, the breakdown of the battle between Maddux and Barry Bonds. The litt...
Aug 29, 2024•48 min•Ep. 90
This is episode 89 of Up & In with Armando Alvarez and Mike Quintana. We talk first week of school. The traffic is back, so are the early mornings, but with that comes routine. Are you happy summer vacation is over? Also, the fall little league season is upon us. Mike also talks about his 12u team and their road to Cooperstown. Jazz Chisholm is hurt. Can the Yankees find a way to keep him out of the IL, and in their lineup? Jake Burger is playing great baseball. Is he the next to go? Will th...
Aug 16, 2024•32 min•Ep. 89
Mike and Armando are back after a much needed vacation. On Episode 88 we talk about where we went with our families, and some very cool experiences. We dive into the Jazz Chisholm trade, and how he's adapted quickly to the Yankees. Also, what's up with Gleyber Torres? The Marlins look very different than they did at the beginning of the season. Will we see them call up some of their top prospects? The Olympics are almost done, and we weigh in on the women's boxing controversy. The new baseball s...
Aug 08, 2024•53 min•Ep. 88
Archbishop Coleman Carroll Head Baseball Coach, Steven Suarez, joins us once again on Up & In. We talk about his team's turnaround this past season, and all the projects he's been working on and completing at the school. We also discuss the differences between baseball when he played it, to now. The baseball All-Star Game just took place, as well as the highly anticipated Home Run Derby. Steven, Mike, and Armando share their thoughts on this year's edition. Did they enjoy it, or was it a big...
Jul 18, 2024•52 min•Ep. 87
Up & In talks about the Yankees struggles, and how they can get back to their winning ways. Will they finally part with Aaron Boone? Mike has a great suggestion for manager. We also talk U.S. Soccer, and why the USMNT dropped the ball when they didn't hire Jesse Marsch. Also, will the Heat make any moves this offseason? And we talk about the Presidential debate, and the fall out from Biden's performance.
Jul 06, 2024•47 min•Ep. 86
