The Natsgm Show

Last Thursday evening the Washington Nationals invited me (Ryan) and a guest (Producer Josh Owens) to their Nats Clubhouse Social event.  Because the evening was such fun and Josh has never appeared on-air, we thought we would briefly recap the festivities in audio form. A special "Thank You" to Valerie Camillo, Sarah Perucci and the Washington Nationals for including us! 

This week MLB Certified agent Joshua Kusnick calls in to update us on his travels during spring training.  We discuss the contracts of Lance Lynn and Mike Moustakas in the context of this strange offseason, Jeremy Jeffress, autograph hounds at spring training complexes, Takashi Saito and much more. Thanks for downloading - Please follow our show on Twitter @JoshKusnickPod and on Instagram at KusnickPodcast.

THE NatsGM Show #124 is now available and we are proud to welcome back Baseball Prospectus contributor and the author of the upcoming book "The Shift", Russell Carleton!

THE NatsGM Show returns for Episode #123 and we are proud to welcome Host of The Morning Blitz weekdays & Chin Music Saturday mornings on The Team 980, Al Galdi! Our conversation begins with Al describing his 15+ year career working for The Team 980 and some of his most memorable moments.  Next Al gives his take on the Washington Redskins and acquiring Alex Smith, plus his thoughts on the 2018 Washington Nationals.  Finally Al shares his favorite DC sports athlete, most underrated pro wrestler all-time & his favorite sports moment in a game of "Rapid Fire"! Thanks to Al for graciously joining the show, and to you for downloading!

In the 1st of what is expected to be a monthly recurring series, Washington Nationals prospect Gabe Klobosits returns to THE NatsGM Show. Gabe describes his excitement at being ranked the #18 prospect in Washington's system by MLB.com, his drive from Texas to Florida for spring training and the beginning of camp. In addition, Gabe discusses his goals for spring training, explains what he works on when "throwing a bullpen" and speaks proudly of Auburn football's chances in 2018. Thanks to Gabe for joining us and agreeing to an ongoing set of interviews during this upcoming season. Also, thank you for downloading!

On a somber episode of THE Joshua Kusnick Experience, Josh and Ryan briefly discuss the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida.  Josh lives in this community and knows people who work at the school, so he provides a unique perspective to the tragic event.  In addition, we briefly discuss the current "gun issue" in America, the impressive young men and women at Stoneman Douglas HS and commit to help those affected in some fashion. We appreciate you listening and apologize for the lack of baseball talk.

Welcome to the 25th Episode of THE Joshua Kusnick Experience! This week our conversation begins with Josh talking about his contention Seth Lugo would not be the worst outfielder in Mets' big league camp, getting into it with an autograph dealer and his reaction to seeing his name on the front page of the USA Today.  Next Josh describes the bizarre and somewhat surreal experience he had attending the MLBPA Free Agent Camp in Bradenton this week.  Finally we discuss the state of free agency now that Eric Hosmer and J.D. Martinez have signed, the effect the rebuilding teams in Florida have had on the market and the new pace-of-play initiatives. Thanks to Josh as always for his candor and to you for listening - Please follow the show on Twitter @JoshKusnickPod and leave suggestions for show topics in the comment's section below!

THE NatsGM Show #122 proudly welcomes former Baltimore Orioles minor league prospect and current restaurateur, Tyler Townsend. Our interview begins with Tyler describing his high school career in Delaware, choosing Florida International for college and his draft day experience.  Next he reflects on his minor league career, playing in front of his friends and family in nearby Delmarva, plus the injuries that curtailed his career.  Finally Tyler describes his transition from baseball into the business world, how he started working in restaurants and the summer opening of his new venture, The Pines RB. Thank you Tyler for joining the show - We are planning a Part-2 to this interview closer to the restaurant opening.  Please follow us on Twitter @Nats_GM and give us a 5-Star Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts.  Thanks for listening!

THE NatsGM Show has returned for Episode #121 and we are proud to welcome Co-Owner of Evolve and VP of Talent Relations, Creative & Marketing, Gabe Sapolsky! Mere hours before Evolve 100 & 101, Gabe joins the show to discuss the upcoming card Sunday in Joppa, MD, the current state of Evolve and the future of the company.  In addition, he discusses several young emerging talents and the recent development of Club WWN.  Thanks to Gabe for graciously sharing a few moments ahead of a busy week for Evolve Wrestling!

Back for Round 2, THE Joshua Kusnick Experience Episode #24 continues on the theme of Collusion, Labor & The Lack of Free Agent Activity Thanks to Josh for his incredible candor and to you for downloading!  Please follow the show @JoshKusnickPod and on Instagram @KusnickPodcast.

THE NatsGM Show proudly publishes our 120th episode and we are happy to welcome Co-Host of Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard & What Happened When With Tony Schiavone, Conrad Thompson! Our conversation begins with Conrad talking about his personal life, background as a wrestling fan and how he started a Podcast with the Nature Boy Ric Flair.  Then he discusses starting the Podcast with Bruce, the incredible success they have achieved and how this allowed him to start the show with Tony.  Finally Bruce talks about the preparation involved in hosting multi-hour Podcasts, the similarities and differences of each show, and his coolest piece of memorabilia. Thanks to Conrad for joining the show and to you for downloading - Please follow the show @Nats_GM and consider giving us a 5-Star Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts.

THE Joshua Kusnick Experience has published Episode #23 and the entire subject of our show is the current state of Free Agency in Major League Baseball. Josh and I discuss the topic of collusion this winter, the negative consequences of tanking within the game, plus the arguments against teams all evaluating players the same way. Finally we touch on Tony Clark, pace of play, and so much more. Thanks to Josh for his time and candor, and to you for downloading. To contact the show, please use @JoshKusnickPod or NationalsGM@Gmail.com – Thanks for listening!

THE NatsGM Show returns & with help from our friends at Baltimore Championship Wrestling, we welcome Ring of Honor superstar, Shane Taylor! Our conversation starts with Shane discussing his upcoming Body-bag match against Mr. Grim at BCW's event on February 24th.  The grave nature of a body-bag leads into a discussion of Shane's difficult upbringing, his long journey in professional wrestling and the role his daughter has in his life.  Finally Shane talks about his time in Ring of Honor, former tag-team partner Keith Lee and his ideal opponent for Final Battle 2018. Thanks to Shane for joining our show and to Shawn at Baltimore Championship Wrestling for arranging this conversation.  Please consider attending BCW's event on February 24th - For more information, check http://bcwlive.com/

After some technical difficulties, THE NatsGM Show has returned with Episode #119 and we are proud to welcome Special Assignment Scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks & Director Player Personnel for Team Israel, Alex Jacobs! On this episode Alex and I begin by discussing his early career working three separate baseball internships and how he secured a position with the Houston Astros.  Next Alex describes his tenure with the Astros, attending scout school, and his mixed emotions watching Houston win the 2017 World Series.  Then our conversation turns to his work with Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, the process of assembling the team and his emotions watching their underdog victories against South Korea and Chinese Taipei.  Finally Alex talks about his new position with Arizona and his upcoming plans for 2018. Thanks to Alex for graciously joining the show and to you for downloading - Follow the show on Twitter @Nats_GM!

THE Joshua Kusnick Experience #22 continues with our new format and this episode responds directly to a question from the audience - Why do some players go to arbitration and others choose to sign long-term? The conversation begins with Josh briefly explaining the arbitration process, the expense of preparing for the hearing and the cost/benefit analysis of signing a contract verses going to a hearing.  Next Josh specifically discusses his client Jeremy Jeffress, the mechanics behind his contract he signed a few months ago and the thought process behind him signing this deal before reaching arbitration.  This show gives a tremendous insight into the work agents do for their clients. Thanks to Josh for being so candid and to you for downloading - And as a small tribute to a favorite musician of ours, we used the Cranberries "Salvation" as our song on this show... RIP Dolores O'Riordan.

Shifting our format slightly for 2018, this episode of THE Joshua Kusnick Experience has Josh reflecting on how he got fired by major league superstars Kenley Jansen and Lorenzo Cain, plus his first meeting as an agent.  Additionally, Josh talks Christmas dinners with Leslie Nielsen and having Mr. Belding call me from the Winter Meetings. Thanks for downloading – IF there are future topics or general questions you have for Josh, please leave them in the comment’s section below or on Twitter @JoshKusnickPod.

To help combat the cold weather blues, THE NatsGM Show has dropped our 1st episode of 2018 and we are proud to welcome future major league baseball operations intern, Andrea La Pointe! Our interview begins with a quick introduction to Andrea, her impressive background working in politics, and the similarities she sees both in politics and baseball.  Next she describes her passion for developing Latin American prospects and some ideas on improving the success rate of these players reaching the major leagues.  Then our conversation shifts to her experience attending the MLB Winter Meetings both in 2016 and 2017, in particular as a female job seeker.  Finally Andrea shares a bit about her upcoming job in baseball starting this summer and plays a game of "Rapid Fire". Thank you to Andrea for being a tremendous guest and to you for downloading.  And remember, if you give this show a 5-star Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts, we will send you a free shirt!

Ahead of the Christmas holiday, THE NatsGM Show has returned with episode #117 and we are proud to welcome Host of SiriusXM's Busted Open Radio, Dave LaGreca! Our interview begins with Dave sharing some history of Busted Open, the challenges of getting on the air and going five days a week, along with the various co-hosts he has worked with on the show.  Next Dave talks about the transition from working as the analyst to now being the host, how Bully Ray became a fixture as an analyst, and his relationship with Chris Jericho.  Finally, we make a pitch to find a wife for Larry Dallas, Dave shares how he would save Impact Wrestling and the best and worst interviews in Busted Open history. Thanks to Dave for joining us, and thank you for downloading - As mentioned during the show, if you give our Podcast a 5-Star Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts, we will send you a free t-shirt to thank you.

THE NatsGM Show #116 has dropped and we are proud to welcome Washington Nationals prospect Gabe Klobosits! Our conversation begins with Gabe describing his draft day experiences in 2014 and 2017, as well as pitching in college.  Next Gabe talks about the challenges working as a reliever, how he prepares for each game and stays involved during the game, plus how he keeps his mechanics sharp being such a large guy (6-7 270lbs).  Finally, Gabe talks about pitching at Nats Park prior to the NLDS, meeting his agent Joshua Kusnick and plays a game of Rapid Fire! Thanks to Gabe for being a fantastic guest and to his agent Josh for putting us in contact.  Thanks to you for downloading, if you give our show a 5-Star Rating on iTunes, we promise to send you a Podcast shirt.