July 2, 2025 • 53 mins
What do the locker room and the team room have in common? A lot more than you’d think.
In this episode, SOFcast host Matt Parrish sits down with Xavier Scruggs — former Major League Baseball player, ESPN and MLB Network analyst, and all-around grinder — to unpack the parallels between elite athletics and elite military service.
From the grind of the minor leagues to stepping into a second career in broadcasting, Xavier’s journey is all about resilience, faith, and refusing to quit when the dream feels out of reach. He opens up about the mental battles in a sport where you fail seven out of ten times, how living and playing overseas taught him humility and perspective, and why helping others through struggle is the secret to staying focused on your own goals.
This one’s packed with lessons on leadership, family, and showing up for your team — whether you’re swinging a bat or clearing a house.
🎧 Tune in to hear:
What six years in the minors taught him about mindset
How his faith shaped his career and transitions
Why giving back to others keeps you sharp
And why joy — yes, joy — is a powerful secret weapon
In this episode, SOFcast host Matt Parrish sits down with Xavier Scruggs — former Major League Baseball player, ESPN and MLB Network analyst, and all-around grinder — to unpack the parallels between elite athletics and elite military service.
From the grind of the minor leagues to stepping into a second career in broadcasting, Xavier’s journey is all about resilience, faith, and refusing to quit when the dream feels out of reach. He opens up about the mental battles in a sport where you fail seven out of ten times, how living and playing overseas taught him humility and perspective, and why helping others through struggle is the secret to staying focused on your own goals.
This one’s packed with lessons on leadership, family, and showing up for your team — whether you’re swinging a bat or clearing a house.
🎧 Tune in to hear:
What six years in the minors taught him about mindset
How his faith shaped his career and transitions
Why giving back to others keeps you sharp
And why joy — yes, joy — is a powerful secret weapon
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