Bleav in San Diego Baseball

It’s Wild Card week in San Diego, and the Padres and Cubs are adding another chapter to a postseason history that dates back to 1984. Alex Miniak and three-time MLB All-Star Heath Bell revisit the Padres’ first pennant run, the legendary “Cub-Busters,” Steve Garvey's walk-off, Leon Durham's costly error, and what San Diego can learn from the past as playoff baseball returns to Petco Park.

Plus, Cubs outfield...

Twenty years ago this week (9/24/2006), Trevor Hoffman made history at Petco Park with career save No. 479, becoming MLB’s all-time saves leader. On Fan Friday, Alex Miniak and three-time MLB All-Star Heath Bell look back at that moment, Hoffman’s iconic “Hells Bells” entrance, Heath’s memories of carrying him off the field after save No. 500, and San Diego’s special connection with great closers...

With October around the corner, Alex Miniak and three-time MLB All-Star Heath Bell break down the Padres’ potential postseason pitching rotation (that’s a lot of P’s!). Who follows Michael King in a Wild Card series? Where do Nick Pivetta, Walker Buehler, Robbie Ray and Randy Vásquez factor into a potential Division Series? Join the conversation as the Padres make their final push toward the MLB Playoffs.

It’s Fan Friday, and Alex Miniak and three-time MLB All-Star Heath Bell are scouting... lunch! They dig into the history and ingredients of the classic Cuban sandwich, debate the Tampa version, play a round of “Fair or Foul” around variations (Mayo? Ew.), and put a Cubano from Havana Grill (@havanagrill_sandiego) to the ultimate taste test ahead of the Padres’ weekend series against the Marlins.

Chapters:

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The San Diego Padres are heating up at exactly the right time. Alex Miniak and three-time MLB All-Star Heath Bell break down the Padres’ winning streak, the tightening NL Wild Card race, and what it feels like inside a clubhouse when a team catches fire during a playoff push.

Then, is Manny Machado’s new platinum-blonde hairdo powering the streak? Alex and Heath dig into Manny’s new look, revisit some of baseball&...

Alex Miniak and three-time MLB All-Star Heath Bell celebrate National Video Games Day (9/12) by revisiting the baseball video games they grew up with, from Bases Loaded and RBI Baseball to today’s MLB The Show. Plus, Alex shares his experience as the PA announcer in MLB The Show, Heath reveals what happened when he forgot to warm up his virtual self, and the guys check out ribbie.tv for a retro 8-bit take on live baseball.

Ch...

Is Luis Campusano the best catcher in baseball right now? Alex Miniak and three-time MLB All-Star Heath Bell break down the San Diego Padres catcher’s remarkable 2026 resurgence, how he stacks up against some of MLB’s best backstops, and what his emergence could mean for top prospect Ethan Salas and the Padres’ future behind the plate.

Alex Miniak and three-time All-Star Heath Bell break down the San Diego Padres’ frustrating sweep in Tampa Bay, including costly mistakes, bullpen trouble, Luis Rengifo’s season-ending injury, and Samad Taylor’s heartbreaking late-game misplay. Heath shares a former player’s perspective on accountability, bouncing back, and why the Padres can still find their stride heading into the final stretch.

Players' Weekend brought out the personality and creativity of MLB players, and on this Fan Friday, Alex Miniak and three-time All-Star Heath Bell break down the coolest Padres gear, best bats, wildest cleats, pop-culture tributes and most creative Players' Weekend designs. Plus, they imagine what Heath would have worn during his playing days and share their own dream baseball gear.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to Fan Friday
01:01...

Fernando Tatis Jr. has officially gone from power outage to power surge, earning NL Player of the Week honors after a massive stretch at the plate. Alex Miniak and three-time All-Star Heath Bell break down what changed for Tatis, his renewed power, five-tool impact, and what his resurgence could mean for the Padres' postseason hopes.

Then, as new ownership takes the reins, Alex and Heath pay tribute to the Seidler family and their ...

This Fan Friday episode of Bleav in San Diego Baseball is inspired by Erik Mertens, “The Peanut Guy” of the Tri-City Dust Devils, who recently finished his quest to visit all 237 active Minor League ballparks. Alex Miniak and Heath Bell use his incredible baseball journey as a springboard to reminisce about the classic ballpark vendors, voices, characters, and traditions that make baseball games memorable. Churrrrrrrrro...

The Padres may have a decision to make with top prospect Ethan Salas. Alex Miniak and three-time All-Star Heath Bell discuss Salas’ rapid rise to Triple-A El Paso, whether the 20-year-old catcher is ready for the major leagues, and how the Padres could use him in a postseason push.

It's National Sons and Daughters Day and Alex Miniak and 3x MLB All-Star Heath Bell celebrate by looking at some of baseball’s most memorable father-son duos, including Tony Gwynn and Tony Gwynn Jr., the Alomars, Griffeys, Bonds, Boones, Tatises and Guerreros. Heath also shares personal stories about playing softball with his father and coaching his own son, making this a fun, nostalgic look at the family traditions and memor...

Alex Miniak and 3x MLB All-Star Heath Bell hand out Padres superlatives, breaking down Mason Miller's historic pace after earning another NL Reliever of the Month award, Fernando Tatis Jr.'s climb up the franchise home run leaderboard, and why Austin Hays could become an underrated addition to the San Diego Padres' playoff push.

Later, Alex and Heath share one of baseball's most inspiring stories: a retired substitute teacher who p...

On this Fan Friday edition of Bleav in San Diego Baseball, Alex Miniak and three-time MLB All-Star Heath Bell revisit some of the biggest trades in San Diego Padres history, debating which deals changed the franchise forever. From Fernando Tatis Jr. and Juan Soto to Trevor Hoffman, Joe Musgrove, Ken Caminiti, and Steve Finley, they break down the biggest wins, toughest decisions, and lasting impact of each blockbuster while looking...

The San Diego Padres made a splash at the MLB Trade Deadline, and Alex Miniak, Heath Bell, and San Diego Union-Tribune's Annie Heilbrunn (@sharon_annette) break down what Robbie Ray and Casey Mize bring to the rotation, why GM A.J. Preller prioritized pitching, and what the latest updates on Nick Pivetta's rehab could mean for the Padres' postseason hopes.

Plus, Alex takes listeners behind the scenes at Petco Park with a firsthand ...

It's Fan Friday on Bleav in San Diego Baseball! Alex Miniak and three-time MLB All-Star Heath Bell take a trip through Padres history to revisit Nate Colbert's legendary five-home run day, this week in 1972. The guys discuss one of the rarest feats in Major League Baseball history, Colbert's lasting impact on the Padres franchise, and why San Diego's first true superstar deserves to be remembered alongside the club's all-time great...

Today on Bleav in San Diego Baseball, Alex Miniak and three-time MLB All-Star Heath Bell break down the Padres' new "pitching chaos" strategy as the club looks to overcome its starting pitching shortage. The duo discusses whether a swingman-heavy approach can keep San Diego in the playoff race, Heath explains the challenges pitchers face without defined roles, and they debate whether adding offense—not another starter—i...

The Voice of Petco Park Alex Miniak and three-time MLB All-Star Heath Bell celebrate San Diego Comic-Con by assembling the ultimate Padres Avengers team, matching current Padres players to iconic Marvel heroes based on leadership, power, athleticism, toughness, and more. Which Padre is Captain America? Who embodies Iron Man, Thor, Spider-Man, and the Hulk? It's a fun Fan Friday crossover between Padres baseball and Comic-Con that M...