0:00-9:45: Welcoming local musician Tomo Nakayama to the show! This is a momentous occasion, as pitchers and catchers have finally reported to Spring Training and one of them is Mariner legend Taijuan Walker. While Tomo admittedly took 2019 off from a baseball fan perspective, him and Matthew are both ready to lower their expectations again and immerse themselves in 2020. Then, we talk about Tomo’s upbringing, which started in Japan and came to Bellevue in the late 1980s. The rest, as they say, is history, just like Edgar Martinez’s mustache.
9:50-36:05: Who were Tomo’s guys growing up? What are his memories of the ’95 season? Talking about the familial aspect of former players becoming broadcasters and talking heads. Is it fair to have real animosity for players who chose to leave Seattle? We don’t know, but it is fair for Tomo to share his hilarious story about meeting A-Rod in person. He then talks about watching Ichiro streak across the sky and sharing an elevator with Dave Niehaus.
36:10-45:25: Having sports figures as heroes, and how to explain that to people who have no idea what you’re talking about. What of baseball’s supposed demise? How much credence should we be giving that? For Matthew, an avenue toward greater enjoyment of the game comes from other teams’ broadcast luminaries.
45:30-59:45: Finding parallels between baseball and music, and the way that Tomo consumes them. In his mind, the starting lineup is a lot like a set list. Sadly, the ending veers into Jack Z territory before getting dreamy about finally having “our guys”.
Music: “Get to Know You” by Tomo Nakayama // “No One’s Easy to Love” by Sharon Van Etten
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