Episode 32 - Rod Carew

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by baseball's greatest living hitter, Rod Carew. Rod discusses his life growing up hitting bottle caps with broom sticks, and just how his journey led to an incredible career as one of the world's most beloved baseball players of all time. 15:30 - How Rex found Rod Carew on Twitter and had to ask himself, is one of the greatest hitters of all-time really on here right now? 16:30 - Rod always played sports growing up, but it was his Uncle that told him to forget about soccer after he saw him playing baseball. 19:30 - How the Minnesota Twins found Rod playing semi-pro baseball in New York, and his 9-for-11 performance in a double-header that led him to being signed that day. 22:15 - What about America did Rod dream of growing up in Panama and how different it was when he finally got there at the age of 14. 25:30 - How Rod had the golf game of his life, and nearly passed after suffering a heart attack, ultimately requiring a transplant. 35:30 - How Rod began his professional baseball career with the Twins, being named both an All-Star and Rookie of the Year in his first season. 38:10 - Why Rod was so beloved by baseball fans, and the advice he received from both Harmon Killebrew and Tony Oliva as he became a professional himself. 41:30 - Rod talks about his iconic batting stance, and how the Twins quickly learned not to fix anything that isn't broken. He and Tony Oliva essentially became their own hitting coaches. 43:00 - Rod's best season as a big leaguer, in 1977, when he nearly hit .400 and was honored with the Roberto Clemente Award. There were so many great hitters and to eventually name the batting title after him was a great honor. 47:00 - When talking about music, Josh had to ask about how Rod Carew got into "Sure Shot" by the Beastie Boys. 49:30 - Rod speaks to the Hall of Fame cases for Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens after being left out of the Class of 2022, 10 years of being on the ballot. 55:15 - Rod's favorite player of all-time was and always will be Derek Jeter, because you can always point to him and tell anyone that you play the game of baseball like Jeter did. The Rex Chapman Show is sponsored by TicketSmarter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices