Rosters to Rings Podcast
Welcome to the Rosters to Rings Podcast where General Managers from the MLB, NBA, NFL and more will take you behind the curtain and share their unfiltered experiences and evaluations of past and present events in professional sports. Due to competitive reasons, league rules, ownership directives and extreme discretion, General Managers share approximately 40% of what they know and experience with fans. At the Rosters to Rings Podcast, we are here to share as much of the other 60% as we can. We will dive deep into not only what decisions are made, but how and why they are made, the strategic nature of negotiations, roster construction, the characters that make up the game, and the true depth of relationships between executives, coaches, players, agents, media and fans.
Episodes
A Thanksgiving rewind of our favorite 2025 interviews: Greg Anthony and AJ Hinch on player trades, Torii Hunter and PJ Tucker on their unique paths to the pros, Jeff Berry on negotiating big deals, Rick Hahn and Michael Young on team-first leadership, and Jeff Passan and Jeff “Skin” Wade on how the media shapes front-office decisions.
We hope all of our listeners have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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Thad and Ryan break down the MLB MVP race featuring Ohtani and Judge, then turn their attention to early NBA MVP predictions for the season ahead.
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Thad Levine and Ryan McDonough are joined by Tom Telesco to unpack a wild time in sports — from Nico Harrison’s firing in Dallas to Brian Daboll’s ousting in New York. They debate the risks and rewards of NFL trade deadline deals, break down the MLB gambling scandal shaking the sport, and explain how top Japanese and Korean players make their way to the majors.
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Thad and Ryan react to the instant-classic World Series and why this one will stick with fans for years. They break down Yamamoto’s brilliance, Dave Roberts’ best decisions, and the uphill road for the Blue Jays to get back. Then, the guys turn to the NBA, tackling Ja Morant’s suspension, trade value, and the GM calculus of “talent vs. headache.” Plus, this week’s listener questions!
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Former Phillies GM and current Brewers advisor Matt Klentak joins Thad and Ryan for a wide-ranging conversation about life in baseball’s front offices. From the challenges of leading in Philadelphia’s fiery sports market to the Brewers’ small-market success story, Matt shares insights on leadership, player development, and the realities of being a GM. Plus, the guys dissect a thrilling World Series, Shohei’s...
Thad and Ryan react to the massive NBA gambling scandal that’s shaking the league, discuss how they’d handle it as GMs, and unpack the bigger implications for pro sports. Then, a World Series position-by-position breakdown and full NBA season preview.
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Thad Levine and Ryan McDonough are joined by former NFL GM Tom Telesco to break down the latest wave of coaching firings across sports. From Penn State to the Tennessee Titans, the guys discuss why tenure is shorter than ever, how pressure from ownership shapes decisions, and when patience can actually pay off. Plus, they dive into the GM/coach dynamic, quarterback development timelines, and make their MLB and NBA season prediction...
In this episode, the GMs sit down with one of baseball’s most passionate storytellers FOX and MLB Network’s Jon Paul Morosi. From his childhood love affair with America’s pastime to his rise as one of the sport’s most respected voices, Morosi shares how the game shaped his life and worldview.
He and t...
The GMs welcome Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton to the show. Derek shares his remarkable journey through baseball, from his days as a college catcher and early coaching stints in the minors, to the years he spent grinding as a hitting coach and bench coach across the league. He opens up about the lessons learned along the way, the mentors who shaped his approach, and the challenges of preparing for the opportunity to final...
Jason Garrett joins Rosters to Rings to talk about what makes great leaders and great quarterbacks. From Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin to Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert, Jason shares behind-the-scenes stories and lessons from his years as a player, coach, and broadcaster. Thad, Ryan and Tom also dive into MLB playoff pushes, NFL and NBA roster management, and the always-debated “rest vs rust” dilemma.
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The GM's welcome MLB Hall of Fame Pitcher Greg Maddux to the show. Greg talks about his life on an Army base in Spain where he learned to love sports, the reasons for his tough decision to leave Chicago, and the unwritten rules of hitting and being hit by pitches. Plus, Thad and Ryan break down the latest on Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers, and dive into a candid debate on how far should teams really go to win in pro sports?
Thad and Ryan welcome ESPN’s Bill Barnwell for a deep dive into the evolution of analytics in sports, especially the NFL. Bill explains how advances in technology and access to game footage have transformed the way he blends data with storytelling in his work. Plus, Ryan unpacks the latest drama in Los Angeles, breaking down the explosive Clippers saga involving Kawhi Leonard and owner Steve Ballmer.
The GMs welcome former MLB and Team USA catcher and former Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation. Scott reflects on his unconventional path to the big leagues, breaks down his managerial philosophy across the grind of a full season, discusses his current role with the Padres, and weighs the balance between advanced analytics and gut instinct. Plus, he shares stories from a lifetime of lo...
Tom Telesco joins Thad to highlight a special episode centered around the big NFL news of the Micah Parson's trade from Dallas to Green Bay. The GMs are joined by Dallas radio personality Jeff "Skin" Wade to not only discuss the trade and to also gauge the reaction of the Dallas fan base to the explosive news.
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Former NFL GM Tom Telesco joins Ryan and Thad to break down the 53-man roster cutdown process, the toughest part of releasing players, and the guys swap swap candid stories about what it’s like when the tables turn, getting cut themselves from their GM roles.
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Ryan is back! Thad and Ryan kick things off by breaking down why NBA franchises are valued higher than MLB clubs, from global reach to media rights. Then they welcome Los Angeles Chargers GM Tom Telesco for a wide-ranging roundtable on what it takes to run a front office in three different leagues.
From his Bill Polian mentorship and the Colts–Patriots rivalry to modern ownership dynamics and risk analysis, Tom shares lessons...
Thad and Jon Daniels sit down with ESPN’s premier baseball insider Jeff Passan for an in-depth conversation about his journey from a local reporter in Fresno to one of the most trusted voices in the game. Jeff opens up about his rise through Yahoo Sports, the art and ethics of breaking news, building sources, and the importance of integrity in journalism.
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In this candid conversation, former Chicago White Sox General Manager Rick Hahn joins Rosters to Rings hosts Thad Levine and Jon Daniels to reflect on his eventful tenure on the South Side. From navigating rebuilds and high-stakes trades to managing Jerry Reinsdorf's expectations in one of baseball’s most passionate markets, Hahn shares the inside stories behind the dea...
Thad is joined by former Texas Ranger GM Jon Daniels who is stepping in while Ryan is away. Thad and Jon welcome Texas Ranger legend Michael Young to the show who shares an amazing story of the balance of what a player has to consider for himself vs the needs of his team. Also Jon tells his story of becoming an MLB GM at the age of 28.
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MLB great Torii Hunter joins the show to discuss his story of how he found baseball, was drafted, and then his unique journey from the minor leagues to MLB stardom, using adversity to fuel his dreams. Thad and Ryan also discuss the highlights from the MLB Draft and NBA Summer Camp updates.
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