BringJoy

We're midway through the baseball season with the Yankees sitting between the Blue Jays and Red Sox, and despite some challenges, there are plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about our chances for the remainder of the season.

• Aaron Judge continues to chase history while adding to the Yankees legacy
• Giancarlo Stanton has found his swing again
• Jason Dominguez proving he's the real deal in the leadof...

Jewls and Jade Castillo, sisters and former Lady Conchs softball players, share their journey from players to coaches and their passion for developing the next generation of talent at Key West High School.

• Attending the College World Series in June – a dream trip with record attendance of over 100,000 people
• Professional softball's growing popularity with the AUSL now sponsored by Major League Baseball
• T...

The MLB Draft highlights the dominance of shortstops, with the first 10 picks being pitchers or shortstops and six coming from high school, including two from Corona High School. History was made when 17-year-old Elis Willits became the youngest #1 pick ever, while the Marlins selected Max Williams from FSU, creating mixed emotions for fans with complicated relationships with the franchise.

• Shortstops and pitchers domina...

The Yankees are experiencing a frustrating summer slump with defensive issues and pitching injuries, losing their division lead as Clayton Kershaw makes MLB history by becoming just the 20th pitcher to record 3,000 career strikeouts. Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins are the hot teams heading into the All-Star break, with the former taking the lead in the AL East and the latter climbing out of the division basement.

• Ya...

The LSU Tigers have claimed their eighth national championship by sweeping Coastal Carolina in the College World Series. Controversy emerged when two Coastal Carolina coaches were ejected in the first inning of Game 2 for arguing balls and strikes, highlighting issues with umpire overreach in championship games.

• LSU has now won two championships in three years, cementing their dynasty status
• Coastal Carolina earned...

Coach Joey Gonzalez shares how the Marathon Dolphins baseball program has transformed into one of South Florida's hottest teams, capturing back-to-back conference championships and their first district title in 2025. He reveals the program-building philosophy that combines academics with athletics, explaining how his coaching staff has created a complete development pathway from youth leagues through high school.

• Ma...

Baseball's biggest week has arrived with eight teams battling in Omaha for the College World Series championship. The double elimination tournament kicks off Friday,  June 13th and culminates with a three-game championship series beginning Saturday the 21st.

• Arizona, Coastal Carolina, Louisville, and Oregon on one side of the bracket
• Murray State, UCLA, LSU, and Arkansas on the other side 
• Controversy ov...

College baseball's Super Regionals are officially here with 16 teams battling in best-of-three series to determine which eight will advance to the College World Series in Omaha. The Regional round saw major upsets with top-ranked teams like Vanderbilt, Texas, Georgia, Oregon and Clemson all eliminated early.

• Stetson Hatters players Isaiah Barkett and Lorenzo Meola earned tournament honors despite team elimination

In this special "Hits from the Vault" episode, Joy shares her personal favorite from the Bring Joy archives. Originally released in May 2021, this lyrical love letter to Key West captures the quintessential summertime vibe of the southernmost island. Joy describes the piece as existing "somewhere between a postcard and a poem," which perfectly captures what living in Key West feels like—a blessed reality she nev...

Baseball fandom has its legends, and few are as storied or impactful as Florida State University's "Animals of Section B." Johnny Mac pulls back the curtain on this 47-year tradition that's become the heartbeat of Seminole baseball.

From their strategic K-Time chants that rattle opposing batters to the mysteriously effective fifth-inning rendition of "O Canada" that began during the 1988 Winte...

The 2025 Lady Conchs softball team is making their mark in the playoffs, dominating opponents with powerful hitting and stellar pitching on their quest for a state championship. Their journey features standout performances from sophomore pitcher Brianna Brenner, who tied a school record with 14 strikeouts, and clutch home runs from Shyloh Sanchez and Skye Sterling that energized their passionate home crowd.

• Regular seaso...

This episode captures the electricity of high school playoff season, highlighting our Conchs path through district championships and setting the stage for the upcoming regional matches against the Satellite Beach Scorpions.

• Recap of regular season finale featuring 12 strikeouts and offensive fireworks from Caden Pichardo, Roman Garcia, and Nelly Ong
• Dominant district tournament opener against South Miami Cobras, called by mercy r...

Doug Mientkiewicz shares his extraordinary journey from Olympic gold medalist to World Series champion, revealing what it truly means to develop a championship mindset in baseball and life. His emotional stories about turning career setbacks into defining moments show how champions respond when facing the toughest challenges.

• Being sent down to Triple-A in 2000 despite a strong spring training and having his confidence s...

Baseball binds together generations of players and fans in Key West, where championship legacies and community connections create an unbreakable bond through America's pastime. The recent Championship Weekend honoring the 1955, 1995, and 2005 state championship teams showcased the deep baseball tradition that continues to thrive on the island.

• Felix Ong striking out four batters in his collegiate debut with Florida ...

Baseball season has arrived, and with it comes the stories that connect major league diamonds to high school fields across America. The heartbreak of Yankees fans learning that ace Gerrit Cole requires season-ending Tommy John surgery stands in stark contrast to the jubilation of Key West Conchs High School baseball securing dramatic walk-off victories against powerhouse programs.

The podcast takes you into the stands with...

Nothing captures the essence of baseball fandom quite like Cookie Charres's description of emerging from the dark subway tunnel to see Yankee Stadium gleaming in the sunlight. This episode delves deep into the heart of Yankee fandom through the eyes of a lifelong supporter who witnessed the glory days of Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra firsthand.

Cookie takes us back to his childhood in the Bronx, sharing stories of Sund...

Picture this: A weekend in Key West, where the crack of a bat and the roar of the crowd signal the start of something special. We're thrilled to kick off Season Five of the Bring Joy Podcast by capturing the essence of baseball in all its glory. From unexpected comebacks to the contagious energy of the packed bleachers, we've got stories that bring America's favorite pastime to life. Join us as we recount the unforge...

Step into the past with me and my dear friend Cookie Charres, a Navy veteran and lifelong New York Yankees aficionado, as we journey through iconic baseball memories and personal stories. From growing up in New York City and attending Yankee games with his family to his grandfather's colorful days as a bookie, Cookie's anecdotes capture the essence of a bygone era and the timeless allure of America's favorite pastime...