Armando and Mike are back with Episode 85 of Up & In. We talk about the Panthers' championship, and ask, are the Dolphins next? We disagree of what's ahead for the Dolphins. Which one of us do you agree with? Also, some trades we may see at the MLB Season's halfway point, and some teams that may get dangerous when we get closer to October. Willie Mays' passing reminds us of the importance of preserving baseball's history. We talk about his legacy, and we should all do to never forget what th...
Jun 26, 2024•51 min•Ep. 85
Mike and Armando select their AL and NL All-Star Teams on Episode 84 of Up & In. Some surprises, some tough selections, but we made our choices. Do you agree? Any snubs? We also talk about all the rain in Miami this week, and how it's affected every outdoor baseball practice. Also, Disney trips, the famous Planet of the Apes monkey meme "Oh no! Ohhhh no!", and much more.
Jun 14, 2024•30 min•Ep. 84
Mike and Armando talk Yankees baseball on Episode 83. The Bronx Bombers are playing like the World Series frontrunners right now. Who's to laud for their success? Is it their offense? Their stellar pitching? All of the above? We go through what's going right for them, and some impressive player stats. Also, the Bronx Zoo Documentary exposes a lot of wrong that went on with the 1990 Yankees. Armando discusses his thoughts, and why you should watch. NIL deals have been approved for Florida High Sc...
Jun 06, 2024•46 min•Ep. 83
Up & In is back talking MLB. Why the San Diego Padres acquisition of Luis Arraez is the best of 2024. Aaron Judge is on an absolute tear. Is 99 the favorite for MVP at the moment? His teammate Juan Soto may have something to say about that. We discuss why signing him now is a great move for the Yankees. Ronald Acuña is out for the year. Do the Braves make some moves, or play out the rest of the season with the pieces they got? The Negro League stats are now part of the MLB record books. Ange...
May 29, 2024•43 min•Ep. 82
Up & In welcome MMA fighter, DD dad, and owner of Stunnas Fit, Gabriel "Stunna" Varona. We cover a number of topics including his experience with his son playing Little League, his Mixed Martial Arts career, and about his amazing training facility. He talks about the importance of recovery, the methods he implements to do so, and how big a part someone's mental state factors into achieving their fitness goals, or anything in general. This was a really cool interview. Mike and Armando also go...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 81
Mike and Armando talk about the Luis Arraez trade to the San Diego Padres. The Marlins are at it again, and we are not happy. Who will get traded next? Will they be able to make this work, and put a smile back on the fans' faces? Or will this be another Marlins disaster? We also talk about Ohtani's interpreter pleading guilty, about the now viral home plate collision during the Braddock vs. Columbus playoff baseball game, and Mike talks about Diamond Dreams Academy and the reality of some player...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 80
Jonah Artiles from Art of Hitting joins Mike and Armando for Episode 79. We talk about the controversial topic of hitting instruction. Should kids learn the way we did growing up, or is the "new way" the right way? Listen in to what Jonah has to say. We also go over the transition from coach pitch to kid pitch, and the opportunity it creates for a lot of kids who can throw from the mound. Also, when is baseball swag too much? Mike's opinion on the sliding gloves. Armando comments on the Dolphins...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 79
A lot of variety on Episode 78 of Up & In. The NFL Draft is upon us, and Armando tells us who he likes for the Miami Dolphins to select. Will it be a defensive player, or will Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel opt to add to their explosive offense? We shall see. Could we see something similar to the NFL Draft in MLB? A lot of hitters are above .300, will it hold? Should Jackson Holliday be sent back down to the minors? We also talk about the Panthers' playoff performance so far, and about the Ry...
Apr 25, 2024•43 min•Ep. 78
Mike and Armando talk about the first weeks of the MLB Season. Have the Marlins waved the white flag? Are the Orioles the team to beat? Who are the studs so far? Also, is Scott Boras on the way out? We also go over contracts in baseball, and much more.
Apr 17, 2024•41 min•Ep. 77
We are back with episode 76, and we recap our spring break, including Armando's trip to River Ranch. Mike talks youth baseball, and the end of the season. We go over who's hot and who's not in MLB. Will we see a fire sale with the Marlins soon? Ohtani making the headlines again for all the wrong reasons. Wrestlemania is done, and we talk Cody Rhodes' big win. Armando also lets us know what sport, or sports get the distinction of having the nicest people.
Apr 11, 2024•48 min•Ep. 76
The MLB season is just getting started, and the talk is all about Shohei Ohtani and gambling. The Japanese phenom dominated the off-season with his record setting contract, and now is all anyone can talk about after his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was accused of stealing from Ohtani, and being involved with an illegal gambling operation where he is said to have lost $4.5 million. Is this on Mizuhara, or was he just the fall guy, and Ohtani was the one caught up in this? Ohtani says it wasn't him....
Mar 27, 2024•45 min•Ep. 75
The MLB Regular Season got underway, albeit very early in the morning. The first pitch happened before any of us had our coffee, and Mike had no clue what was going on. Imagine, it's 6am, you're getting your kids ready for school, and let's face it, you're not expecting live baseball that early, but hey, that's the case in 2024. We go over Ohtani's Dodgers debut in the win over the San Diego Padres. We talk about how to avoid balls going straight through your first base mitt. But the big topic w...
Mar 21, 2024•50 min•Ep. 74
It's time for Up & In again. Mike and Armando talk about the upcoming spring break and what kids can do to stay active during a layoff from games. Also, where to go when the kids are off from school. We talk about MLB signings, and what's going on with Scott Boras' clients. Juan soto continues to be a beast with the Yankees. Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are going to fight. Find out what Armando thinks about this match. Good idea, or bad idea? This and much more on episode 73 of Up & In....
Mar 08, 2024•36 min•Ep. 73
The Victus pencil bat has arrived, and Armando and Mike talk about how freakin' cool it is. We also talk about young players signing at a very early age, and how quickly should they make it to the majors. Is small ball about to make a comeback? Some more sacrifice bunts? Maybe? MLB also wants to get more innings from their starters. More changes could be on the horizon. Some players are still available to help for the upcoming regular season, we mention our favorites. We even get into grade scho...
Mar 03, 2024•45 min•Ep. 72
Spring training is underway, and we couldn't be happier. Armando talks about why he's extremely excited about this year's Yankees team, and why adding Blake Snell could make their rotation one of the best of all-time. Also, the Marlins sign Tim Anderson. Are they done in free agency? Mike dives into Anthony Rendon's comments, and about FIU Baseball. That, and much more.
Feb 23, 2024•48 min•Ep. 71
Up & In brings you Episode 70 from El Carriel Colombian Restaurant in Miami. Mike and Armando talk Super Bowl. Is there a Taylor Swift conspiracy theory? The latest from Diamond Dreams and MYBA, the Trevor Bauer situation - where will he end up? He's saying he would take the league minimum. Will he get signed soon? Spring training is coming up. Mike talks about his experience. That and much more on Episode 70.
Feb 09, 2024•36 min•Ep. 70
Former Tampa Bay Rays player Shawn Riggans joins Mike and Armando for Episode 69 of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In. Shawn talks about his journey to the big leagues, and how he went from not getting a hit in high school, to reaching MLB. He and Mike reminisce about being walk-ons at FIU, and knocking on Coach Danny Price's door for the first time. Shawn also goes into detail about how he feels youth baseball should be approached, and about the mistakes he sees coaches and parents making with t...
Feb 01, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 69
It's that time of year for the MLB Hall of Fame voting, and Armando has a few things to say regarding that. Whatever happened to, "you're either a hall of famer, or you're not?" A lot of gray areas when it comes to who gets in, and Mike thinks changes need to happen. We also talk about meeting celebrities, and about the upcoming MYBA season. Thank you to all who listen to us every single week.
Jan 25, 2024•38 min•Ep. 68
Former Major Leaguer, Miami Hurricane, and current MLB Network Analyst, Yonder Alonso, joins Up & In for episode 67. Yonder talks about his days as a player including great stories about Aroldis Chapman, Tony Gwynn, Dusty Baker, and much more. He goes over the differences in Little League baseball from when he was a kid to how it is today. Yonder also tells us how analytics should contribute in the bigs, Shohei Ohtani's contract, what he thinks has been the steal of free agency, and what to ...
Jan 16, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 67
Mike and Armando talk a lot of football on Episode 66. We share our thoughts on what was the Miami Dolphins' regular season, and we ask, how will they do against the Chiefs this Saturday? A lot of coaching vacancies in the NFL, and a pretty big one in College Football. Where will Bill Belichick coach next year? Will Nick Saban get the itch again? We analyze Jerod Mayo's hire by the Patriots. Also, Marcus Stroman signs with the Yankees. Is that enough for New York to contend for the title? Will t...
Jan 12, 2024•46 min•Ep. 66
Happy New Year to our listeners! We talk about some goals for 2024 including working on health, and how to worry less to ease stress. We recap what we did during the Christmas and New Year's break, how we're getting ready for the spring little league season, and talk about the amount of talent still available in MLB Free Agency. Will Blake Snell sign with the Yankees? Will the Marlins make a big trade for an infielder? We also talk about the Miami Dolphins, and much more.
Jan 05, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 65
Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In wraps up 2023 with a can't miss episode talking about Shohei Ohtani's contract with the Dodgers. The back loaded deal has allowed Los Angeles to sign other high profile free agents, including Yamamoto, and they may not be done. Is this signing going to change baseball forever? Will there be changes the next time they negotiate a CBA? Also, some of the highlights of '23 and what's coming up in '24. We wish you all a Happy New Year!
Dec 27, 2023•46 min•Ep. 64
Episode 63 focuses on the Shohei Ohtani signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, what it means for baseball free agency moving forward, the way teams structure contracts, and could it cause an increase in two-way players. Also, we talk about the way the story broke, and how many got it wrong. What can be done in journalism to avoid that in the future? We also go over the Dolphins loss to the Titans, and much more.
Dec 13, 2023•51 min•Ep. 63
The first huge move of the MLB offseason happened, and it wasn't Shohei Ohtani signing with a new club. Instead it's young superstar Juan Soto heading to the New York Yankees in a blockbuster trade. Armando is ecstatic, and he breaks down the trade with Mike. What does this mean for the lineup in the Bronx, and Giancarlo Stanton's future? Predictions on where Ohtani ends up. Armando tells us about a player he says will be a Miami Marlin, and other possible additions to the Fish roster. We also t...
Dec 07, 2023•37 min•Ep. 62
Thanksgiving week is done, and we go over what we did during the week including eating, trips, eating, baseball practices, eating, Christmas decorating, and did we mention eating? Also, the fall leagues are ending, and the spring leagues are just a few weeks away. Mike talks about the short transition period from one to the other. MLB free agency is under way. Two big free agent pitchers are now signed, find out what we think, and Ohtani, when will he sign?
Nov 27, 2023•35 min•Ep. 61
Up & In reaches 60 episodes, and we talk MLB Free Agency including Brian Cashman's comments on Giancarlo Stanton. Was he right in saying what he said? Will it cost the Yankees a chance at one of the best free agent pitchers? Also, a new suitor for Shohei Ohtani, and the feelings may be mutual. The Marlins have the manager of the year, and hope to continue their winning ways. FIU baseball is gearing up for the season. We reveal someone who may want to coach them in the future. And remember yo...
Nov 15, 2023•47 min•Ep. 60
It's free agency time in Major League Baseball, and Mike and Armando give their opinions on where the top free agents will end up? Find out our thoughts. We also talk a huge managerial change that will affect future hirings. Marlins find their GM, and the Yankees big star has a "suggestion". That and much more on Episode 59.
Nov 09, 2023•54 min•Ep. 59
The Texas Rangers are World Champs. Mike and Armando talk about game 7, and what's next for the Rangers. Kudos to Arizona for getting to the Fall Classic. Bruce Bochy won as a veteran manager with LOTS of experience. Will the "older" managerial candidates get a closer look in this hiring cycle? We also talk about what baseball has done well to win back fans, and how can we get kids more into the game, the same way many of us did growing up. Tune in, and listen. Let us know your thoughts on how w...
Nov 02, 2023•47 min•Ep. 58
The World Series has been amazing through two games. Armando and Mike talk about the back and forth between Texas and Arizona. The Diamondbacks are playing aggressive baseball, stealing bases, and Mike says that's right up Manager Torey Lovullo's wheelhouse. Lovullo was Mike's manager in the minors. We also talk Dolphins football, why matchups matter, and Armando tells a couple of real estate stories.
Oct 30, 2023•37 min•Ep. 57
We are in the middle of the MLB Playoffs, and Episode 56 of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In is here to go over all the happenings, and offer some predictions. Will the Phillies win it all? Will their bats ever go cold? Can Texas eliminate their in-state rivals Houston Astros, and make the World Series? We also talk about the Marlins' break up with GM Kim Ng, and Armando offers up some real estate advice. Plus, DD shout outs as usual. Listen in!
Oct 19, 2023•36 min•Ep. 56
