Hold My Cutter
Former Big League Catcher, Michael Mckenry & long-time broadcaster, Greg Brown team up for a one-of-a-kind podcast centered around baseball & stogies. Fascinating in-person guests include present & former players, managers, broadcasters, writers & other personalities, from politics to pop culture. Laugh, learn & live a little! with "Hold My Cutter"
Reviews
'"'Hold My Cutter' is an absolute Smoke
Show"…...Sports Podcast News.
'Hold My Cutter' CUTS to the chase & gets listeners engaged RIGHT OFF THE BAT"
Podcaster National.
"If there is a better Podcast out there, we haven't seen or heard it. Hands down, Brown & Mckenry are blazing new trails for the entire industry. I can't recommend, 'Hold My Cutter' enough!" Podcast Entertainment Weekly Magazine.
Email: Holdmycutter@gmail.com
Episodes
70 episodes
When Culture Beats Talent: The Wolf Pack That Ended The Drought
A five-run hole, a swaggering ace on the mound, and a clubhouse tired of almost. We sit down with Michael McHenry to relive April 14, 2013—an afternoon that turned a would-be stumble into a sweep and revealed how the Pirates’ identity had final...
From Thunderbirds To Tigers: A Pirate’s Memories With Steve Blass
Step into a hidden studio in western Pennsylvania and a sunlit shrine in Bradenton as we sit down with Pirates legend Steve Blass for a ride through memory, ritual, and the stories that make baseball feel like home. Steve opens up about retirem...
Culture, Community, And The View That Changes A City
A five-story landmark from 1856 just became Pittsburgh’s most intriguing clubhouse on the river. Its part rooftop restaurant, part private cigar lounge, part music venue, part distillery and much more. We step inside the Drawing Room to trace h...
Balancing Acts: Ken Macha on Sports, Strategy, and Success
Ken Macha, former Pittsburgh Pirates player and seasoned baseball manager, takes us on a riveting journey through his extraordinary career. From his formative days as a bench coach with the Oakland Athletics to taking the helm as their manager,...
What If Talent Isn’t The Edge—Relentless Want Is
What if the trait that decides who wins isn’t talent or likability, but an unshakable need to get better? We dive straight into the fire with Mike Berger—Pittsburgh native, catcher-turned-coach, and longtime executive—to redefine “makeup” as th...
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Building A Winner Through Player Development "A Look Back"
What actually turns a struggling franchise into a contender? We dig into a people-first blueprint for the Pittsburgh Pirates that prioritizes player development, modern pitching, and a culture of humility and feedback over quick fixes. From the...
Beating The Model: Inside A Baseball Lifer’s Playbook
What if the true edge in baseball isn’t in a spreadsheet but in a heartbeat? We sit down with baseball lifer Mike Berger to unpack a scouting philosophy built on live looks, instincts, and the human elements analytics can’t quite capture. From ...
A Homecoming for Cutch
The door opens, a little face lights up, and suddenly the turbulence was worth it. That’s the spirit of this homecoming to Pittsburgh—a night where gratitude, memory, and the roar of a standing crowd all met before the first pitch. We revisit t...
Draft Day Nerves, Steroid Era Realities, And A Yinzer’s Grit
A first-round pick, a hometown heart, and a league in flux. We sit down with Kevin Orie to unpack a career shaped by grit, timing, and the unforgiving glare of Wrigley Field. From kicking rocks out of infields in Pittsburgh to a private tryout ...
Brian O'Neill's Remarkable Life Story
Brian O'Neill's journey from surviving a near-death experience to becoming one of Pittsburgh's most beloved columnists reads like a chapter from a novel – except every word is true. At 23, O'Neill was sucked through a storm drain p...
Mayo From Minor League to Major Impact
Jonathan Mayo didn't set out to become baseball's prospect guru, but after more than two decades covering future stars before anyone knows their names, he's become the voice baseball fans trust to identify tomorrow's talent.In this reve...
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The 84 Days That Changed Everything
What drives someone to walk away from a stable career to chase their dream? Joanne Harrop did exactly that, leaving behind a decade in office equipment sales to pursue her passion for sports writing. With remarkable determination, she offered t...
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What Happens When the Mask Comes Off?
Mike "Spanky" LaValliere pulls no punches as he takes us behind home plate for a candid look at baseball through a catcher's eyes. From his days with the Cardinals to becoming a Gold Glove winner and fan favorite with the Pittsburgh Pirates, La...
The Medical Side of Major League Baseball: Dr. Pat DeMeo's Journey
What happens when the players break? Dr. Pat DeMeo takes us into the sacred space of the Pittsburgh Pirates' trainer's room at LECOM Park to reveal the hidden world of Major League Baseball medicine.Growing up as a Yankees fan in 1960s ...
The Last Letter That Changed Everything
Baseball journeys rarely follow a straight path, and Sean Casey's story proves just how winding and meaningful that road can be. The man known as "The Mayor" opens up about the Pittsburgh mentors who shaped his career long before he reached the...
The Mayor Speaks: Sean Casey on Baseball, Life, and Finding Joy in the Game
"Is there any chance you might have polio?" That unforgettable question from Terry Francona to Sean Casey after getting thrown out twice in two days perfectly captures the essence of baseball culture—where humor transforms frustration and build...
Unearthed: Forgotten Baseball Heroes and Their Unmarked Graves
Unearthed: Forgotten Baseball Heroes and Their Unmarked GravesWhen Brendan Schuster discovered that Honus Wagner was buried just 15 minutes from his home, he never imagined this curiosity would evolve into a profound mission to honor for...
Tracing Threads Through Time: From China to Pittsburgh
When Ted Anthony put pen to paper as a 10-year-old defending Pirates broadcaster Milo Hamilton in the Post-Gazette, little did he know it would launch a lifetime journey through words, baseball, and the stories that connect us all.
Josh Wilson is Back for some Stogies, Coffee, & Ball Talk!
Join us as we delve into more of the vibrant and thrilling career of Josh Wilson, a former major-league baseball player who has incredible stories to share. This episode shines a light on not just the glories of entering the big leagues, but th...
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From High School Star to Major League Dreams: Josh Wilson's Story
Dive into the engaging world of baseball with former MLB player Josh Wilson as he shares his fascinating career journey, from high school star to the professional leagues. We start at Burned by Rocky Patel, where the rich flavors of the Fat Bot...
From Catcher to Coach: Don Kelly's Unique Path
What’s it like to be the Swiss Army knife of Major League Baseball? Don Kelly, the ever-adaptable bench coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, shares his incredible journey from the field to the dugout, with stories that range from playing every pos...
Don Kelly's Remarkable Path in Baseball
Discover the magic of Pittsburgh baseball and the vibrant Yinzer culture in our latest episode of Hold my Cutter, where Greg Brown and Michael McKenry are joined by a special guest. We kick off our discussion at Burned by Rocky Patel, diving in...
Heartfelt Comebacks, Career Reflections, and picking up the Mic with Kent Tekulve
What truly shapes a sports career? Unravel the unexpected journey of former National League pitcher Kent Tekulve, who ventured from the mound to the broadcast booth after hanging up his cleats at 42. Without ever aspiring to be a broadcaster, K...
Kent Tekulve on Iconic Pitching, Reliever Evolution, and Pirates' Historic Moments
Step into the world of baseball lore with our special guest, the legendary Kent Tekulve, renowned for his iconic sidearm pitching and unmatched durability on the mound. Discover the untold stories of his career as he led the National League in ...
David Alan's Fashion Journey and the Resilience Behind It
Ever wondered what it takes to tailor-make success from scratch? This episode unveils the incredible journey of David Alan, the mastermind behind David Alan Clothing, as he shares how a simple idea turned into a thriving fashion empire. Raised ...
