March 26, 2025 • 24 mins
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 Gators
• Major League Baseball season opening in Tokyo with Japanese stars taking center stage
• College baseball rankings in flux as conference play begins with top teams struggling
• Lady Conchs winning behind Brianna Brenner's one-hit shutout
• Championship Weekend bringing together three generations of Conchs state champions
• Interview with Tony "Crush" Acosta from the 1995-96 championship teams
• College commitments for Noah Burnham (Belmont) and Sammy Holland (Tampa)
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Joy (00:03):
Thanks for tuning in to the Bring Joy podcast.
We're in season five and it'sall about baseball, talking big
leagues to the little leagues,yankees to the Conchs and
everything in between.
I'll share my joy for the gamewith you and whether you're a
fan of baseball or goodstorytelling, you'll be
entertained and each episodewill bring a little joy to your
day.
So sit back and relax.
Let's do this thing will bringa little joy to your day.
(00:23):
So sit back and relax.
Let's do this thing.
And how about another this Weekin Baseball bit, looking back
at Mid-March Madness 2025.
And I'm going to go.
Felix Ong and get things startedright out of the gates with a
strikeout.
No, make that four strikeoutsand two plus innings in his
first collegiate appearance withthe Florida Gators.
(00:44):
Think I wasn't happy to catchour Key West boy on the TV?
You better ask my neighbors.
See, this is how it happened.
I can't make this stuff up.
The Conks had just won thefirst game of a doubleheader.
Nelson Ong, felix's littlebrother, made not one but two
great catches in the outfield inthe seventh to secure the win
and send us all home to restbefore the night game.
(01:05):
I look up to congratulatenelly's parents and they say
thank you.
And, by the way, felix ispitching.
We'll say less because I livefour minutes away and got that
espn subscription for momentsjust like this.
Now, I could have sat in the carand watched it on my phone, but
hey, I could get there in threewith one light to beat.
There's something cool aboutseeing people you care about
(01:27):
live out their big moments,makes you feel grateful, proud
and all the feels.
I'm a sap, I know it.
And there's no crying inbaseball.
But Coach Dugan wasn't talkingabout happy tears.
Are you crying?
No, are you crying?
Are you crying?
There's no crying.
There's no crying in baseball.
Why don't you leave her alone,jimmy?
(01:47):
Oh, you zippit Dorris.
And while we're in our feels,who else saw New York Yankees
catcher JC?
Escala, call his mama and tellher he made the opening day
roster.
If that clip didn't move you totears and chills, I don't want
(02:07):
to know.
You Hit pause now and Google JCEscarra gets the call.
Watch that clip.
Go ahead, really, I'll be herewhen you get back.
I just talked to Boom.
Let's go to New.
York, let's go to New York.
It's cool how joy and lovetranslate in any language.
(02:38):
Entienda, alright, let's rubsome dirt on it and get back to
baseball.
The Varsity Conks lost three offive games in the Spring Break
Tournament hosted at the Rex.
I asked historian Judd Wise ifthere is a record kept of the
Spring Break Tournaments because, if memory serves, we lose more
than we win, with schools out.
But we'll learn lessons fromthe losses, tip our cap to the
(03:01):
victors and I know for a factConchs teams don't stay down
long.
We finish strong withback-to-back wins.
Senior Vinnie Moline and JCLompis-Gorman pitch complete
game the first of the season,striking out 15 batters and hear
this only allowed three walks.
That's big time right now.
Other firsts to celebrateSenior Casey Casper had his
(03:25):
first start.
He looked strong on the mound,going five innings with five Ks,
but didn't get the run supportneeded to secure a win.
Stay ready, casey.
And freshman Cade Maltz hit hisfirst career home run.
Darrell Terminio and TyroneCervantes got their first
varsity starts.
Let's go, fellas.
Looking ahead to the final gamesof the regular season, we need
(03:48):
senior Sammy Holland and CadenPichardo to continue leading us
at the plate, with plenty ofhelp from Roman Garcia and Maltz
.
Javi Perez and Jackie Nilesneed to keep those bats hot and
consistency will be key for OngDavila and the D8 spot split
between Jackson Bernhardt andKane Dickerson.
Quality at bat boys Knock theball in play and watch things
(04:09):
happen.
If defense wins championshipstoo soon, nah, it's not.
We all know the goal.
We trying to go after number 12.
So listen, jackie, get him ifhe goes.
Niles looks good on defenseplate gunning down runners in
key moments.
And Augie I'm not going to callhim Jeter yet.
Davila is showing big leaguerange.
(04:30):
Up the middle, pachardo andGarcia are handling the corners
and our outfield has to be thebest in Florida with Holland
Waltz and on covering someground in the outfield.
Our arms just need to trustthat stuff and the defense
behind them.
I'm not dropping names bymistake.
I'm calling you boys out.
You earned that jersey.
(04:51):
Now let's own it.
Let's go.
Listen to me.
Getting all wound up, I betterswitch gears.
In the major leagues, theregular season got underway in
Japan.
The Dodgers and the Cubs playeda two-game set to a full house
of adoring fans for the Tokyoseries.
(05:13):
The two clubs have fiveJapanese-born players on their
roster.
For the first time in majorleague history, two Japanese
pitches started on opening dayYoshinobu Yamato for the Dodgers
and Shotei Managa for the Cubs.
And the highly sought-afterRoke Sasaki pitched Game 2 for
the Dodgers, securing the seriessweep against the Cubs.
(05:34):
Maybe next year, cubby fans.
And Shohei Otani, the MajorLeague's most popular player,
gave the fans what they wantedcrushing his first home run of
the season.
The Japanese fans will haveplenty to cheer for.
Nothing bigger, in my opinion,than in July, when Ichiro Suzuki
will be inducted into the Hallof Fame.
Ichiro is the first Japaneseplayer and Asian born to be
(05:58):
inducted into the Hall of Famein Cooperstown.
In Cooperstown He'll be joinedby my man CC Sabathia of the New
York Yankees and the old schoolOG Dave Parker of the
Pittsburgh Pirates.
I wonder if Key West Cronk 12Uteam will be up there during the
Hall of Fame weekend.
I might have to make that tripbecause those College World
Series ticket prices are throughthe roof.
(06:22):
March Madness isn't reserved forbasketball brackets.
Only College baseball rankingswill be all over the place in
the next several weeks, asconference play is now in
session.
So far, the top 25 teams havenot dominated.
In fact, they only won 59% ofthe games in the first week of
conference play.
There are no undefeated teams.
Tennessee, who have moved aheadof LSU and Arkansas for the top
(06:45):
spot, probably took two lossesto East Tennessee State and
Alabama Roll Tide, oh man.
And Florida State lost theirfirst game of the season to the
mighty Mercer Bears but bouncedback and took the rival series
from Miami, showing their power,hitting six home runs in one
game.
I think they had eight on theseries.
(07:06):
Mad Max Williams is a beast,but how about freshman Miles
Bailey and Hunter Carnes and theFlorida Gators?
Felix, don't listen to this.
They look shaky right now.
They got swept by Tennessee andGeorgia.
You know Kevin O'Sullivan looksmad when he's happy and the
skipper can't be happy with theGators' play last week or
(07:27):
dropping to 20 in the polls.
Ouch, texas is playing goodball and introduced SEC rival
LSU and the world to leftypitcher Dylan Voltanis.
The kid has great stuff out ofthe bullpen.
He's probably going to end up astarter soon.
There's plenty of collegebaseball left through May, so
hang on and tune in becausethese boys play like they love
(07:48):
it and you never know whenyou'll catch the next Paul
Skeens on the bump.
I caught my first game out atthe backyard to see the Lady
Conks play ball.
Breonna Brenner pitched acomplete game shutout, allowing
one hit and striking out eight.
Vera Roger and Alexa Condellaprovided the Lady Conks offense
for a 2-0 win.
I have VIP seating, pulling upnext to coach Tyrone Cervantes.
(08:12):
Coach led the Little LeagueConk teams the back-to-back
state championships, includingthe 2024-14 U-Team that
represented the Southeast at theBabe Ruth Tournament in Texas
last summer.
Coach's daughters play shortball.
Kayla plays shortstop for theLady Conchs and TyMarie is in
her sophomore year with theSharks at Miami Dade College.
(08:32):
She's off to a good start withfour runs scored and 11 RBIs on
the season.
And if you're putting two andtwo together, yep, that's his
boy, tyrone I mentioned earlier.
They tell me his nickname isWalkoff, but you're going to
have to ask his daddy about that.
I'm just letting you know.
Kong's bloodlines run deep onthe island and reveal themselves
(08:53):
to me every week.
The Lake Mary Rams handed theConchs two of the three losses
referenced earlier.
Their center fielder is EthanArtman.
His daddy is Dane Artman, anative son of Key West, a
standout player on the island,and though he left the Keys, he
continued to play ball as anAll-American state champion and
member of the USA national team,dane went on to play
(09:16):
professional baseball with theMilwaukee Brewers.
I hadn't seen Dane in years butrecognized that smile right
away.
Unfortunately I had left myphone and didn't get a picture
or his number, but through thepower of social media I was able
to reach out and congratulatehim on Ethan's talent.
The kid must have wheels onthose cleats he can move and
(09:36):
that arm.
He made a throw from centerfield to home that earned wows
from the Key West crowd.
Dane shared his heartfeltthoughts on returning home with
me.
It was surreal watching my sonplay on the same field as I did
so many emotions and on the samefield as his cousin Sammy
Holland, and against Marcus, myformer teammate's son, augie.
(09:57):
Crazy stuff, he added.
Having played all over thecountry and the world.
There's nothing like Key Westbaseball.
I'm over the moon.
My son saw a little bit of whatKey West baseball is all about.
What do we say?
Conch Pride, don't leave homewithout it.
And if, by chance, you do leavehome, we still rooting for you
(10:19):
and yours believe that march14th and 15th was championship
weekend.
At the wrecks, the 1955, 95 and2005 state championship teams
were honored during a nostalgicceremony hosted by a mccrone
winner, the voice of the Conks,rick Lopez.
Tony (10:38):
Baseball is so great and so important in the history of
B-League.
You're looking at it right nowon these holograms of Rex
Wheatfield, your 1955, 1995, and2005 state champion Conk team.
Joy (10:56):
I was so inspired being surrounded by the champs.
I'll be dedicating an entireepisode to champions, so
subscribe to the podcast so youdon't miss a thing.
I did catch up with Tony Acosta, star player from the 1995 and
1996 state championship teams.
Brush, how are you?
Tony (11:17):
I'm doing well.
How are you doing, Miss Joy?
I'm doing well.
How are you doing, Miss Joy?
Joy (11:20):
I'm doing.
Great Thanks for jumping on thepodcast with me.
Tony (11:24):
Thank you for having me.
I'm honored.
Kind of weird I feel like we'rerepeating each other, but I am
definitely honored to be on.
Thank you for having me.
Joy (11:35):
So I was doing an episode about this week in baseball and
looking back and, of course,championship weekend was such a
big deal out at the Rex and Istarted to tell the story and
then I thought you know what?
I know a guy.
I know a guy who can tell thisstory better than anyone
Two-time state champion, TonyAcosta.
Tony (11:59):
Hey, that's cool to hear.
It was also cool to hear thisweekend.
I mean it never gets old.
I mean in the best way possible, it just never gets old.
Joy (12:08):
I was going to ask you what was it like, as a player, to be
back at the Rex and honored infront of all of your teammates,
teammates from otherchampionship teams and then so
many fans.
What was that like?
Tony (12:24):
It was surreal.
I thought I knew what it felt,like I thought I'd be right at
home, which I was right at home.
But I mean, man, when you seethe turnout that we got, and I
say we, I say us like as like asthe whole program, with, you
know, 55 guys showing up a lotof 2005 and then 95 guys, it was
(12:46):
overwhelming.
I had a lot of plans, me andyou were talking a little bit
before this.
I had a lot of plans to do alot of things with recording for
for the podcast and all thatkind of stuff and and I really
just got caught up in the moment.
It was really, uh, reallyspecial and good to see a lot of
new faces.
I didn't get a chance.
I actually hadn't met the 2005guys until just recently, so it
(13:08):
was very special.
Joy (13:10):
So that was one of the other questions I wanted to ask
you.
I know as a fan, I was lookingaround and I was also
overwhelmed and saw so manyplayers.
I wanted to get my picturetaken and autographs and all
this.
It was like a fan fest like noother.
I wonder you as a player, asyou're looking around on the
field, was there anyone that yousaw that you kind of geeked out
(13:30):
on and were a fan of?
Tony (13:33):
I wish it's a fan of the moment that night.
Like I said, it was veryoverwhelming that night and I
didn't think it would be, but itwas actually very overwhelming,
um, to see all the other guysuh come out from from 95 a lot
of the guys, but I guess seeingthe 2005 guys 55 guys were
unbelievable.
That's just amazing.
They're even out there.
I hope that I'm doing the sameuh at that age.
(13:57):
So it was cool to see the 2005guys and actually meet them, put
some names with the faces, uhthat I've never met before.
So that that was really cool,yeah and so you're.
Joy (14:06):
You're um part of the 95 championship team that was
honored.
So was that 30 years ago that'swhat they tell me.
Tony (14:16):
Uh, I don't, I don't want to buy into that, but yeah,
that's crazy.
Uh, it was 30 years ago.
Joy (14:21):
30 years ago and then you talk about.
You mentioned the 55 team.
That was 70 years ago and thatthat when I saw, uh, sam holland
I've become a big fan of hisrecently and had some great
conversations, obviously throughknowing his grandson, sammy and
then George Myra, of course,the legend and all those guys
(14:43):
seeing them there was wild.
How much effort did it take foryou to come here?
I know you and so many otherplayers don't live in the Keys
anymore.
When you heard about the date,I'm sure they told you.
I hope they told you in advance.
You know, did you circle thecalendar and know for sure
you're coming rain or shine?
Tony (15:02):
It's something.
It's something that you circle,and I'm already circling next
year's, because next year isgoing to be huge for 96.
So yeah, to say the least, Iwasn't missing it for the world.
Joy (15:13):
I just got the chills again .
Why is it important for you andfor all of us to continue to
celebrate that, that richhistory?
Tony (15:24):
first, I, I, I support uh and I will always support you
know 17 and what he does.
The guy was like a father to me.
I, I say it all the time it wasimportant to to show support of
that.
But I mean to see the amount ofpeople that came out from
2005-95, 1955.
It was something that you justcan't quite explain.
(15:46):
You gotta have to feel it.
I would keep coming back.
I mean, you get around theseguys and it brings all the
moments back.
I stand on those lines and andseeing some of those guys, man,
it's unbelievable.
It's been 30 years.
And then getting to catch a uh,a couple of first pitch pitches
from uh, the different teams,wow, that really took me back.
(16:06):
So there's so many things ofwhat made it special thanks for
sharing.
Joy (16:10):
I could feel the emotion, as you sharing this story, and
one of the things that I admireso much is with your podcast,
360 the center.
If people haven't heard it, youneed to get on youtube, find it
, subscribe, follow that wholething.
Going back to what we weresaying, it's so important that
we're recording these storiesfor years to come.
You know, it's one thing totell the story, but to record
(16:33):
them and to share them in a waythat fans will be able to watch
and listen to um for for yearsto come.
I think that's so importantbecause when you look at guys
like Sam Holland and George Myrathat you know are in their 80s,
it humbles you.
Yeah, I think that's soimportant because when you look
at guys like Sam Holland andGeorge Myra that you know are in
their 80s, it humbles you.
Yeah, I think it's so importantthat we continue to tell these
stories and document, you know,the history of Kong baseball.
(16:56):
Give me a little bit for thosepeople who aren't familiar with
your podcast.
Tony (17:00):
Give give me a little rundown on what is 360 to center
and how did it start uh, 360 tocenter is obviously uh, what I
what I say, uh, when, when I getstarted on the podcast, it's
everything conks baseball, um,and and that's what it is, uh,
whether it be current or or past, uh, and, and now it's even
(17:21):
growing into, I mean, heck, Ihope to have, uh, some of those
guys you just mentioned.
It's just everything relievingmemories, uh, talking about
current baseball with, with the2025, seeing how, how recent
players are doing in college.
Uh, it is everything andthere's actually a lot, a lot
more than I even realized when Iplayed the program.
(17:42):
There is a lot more and and I'mhitting on, I guess, special
nerves, I guess I would say, uh,of a lot of people that it
brings back so many memories andyou see it, you really see it
when they talk about it.
It it's, it's something special, um, and it just got started.
I kind of wanted to do a podcastfor the last couple years and
I've been.
You know, I was talking tolittle ralphie and man, he's
(18:04):
like let's do this, let'sabsolutely do this.
I haven't turned back.
Joy (18:08):
I mean, I think we're 30 episodes, 20 something episodes
in well, congratulations on andI enjoy every episode and, like
I said, anybody out therelistening who hasn't caught an
episode yet you need to do it.
It's really good stuff.
You've had everybody from youmentioned already 17, ralphie,
randy, sterling, brooks, careyso when I saw Brooksy at
(18:32):
Championship Weekend, he is theone that every time I see him I
get a little geeked out Becauseyou know, I was in like 11, 12,
13 years old when he was in hisprime, you know.
So he was like that first starthat I knew.
Of course, boog was larger thanlife.
I call him the people's champbecause you know they were going
(18:53):
around he was talking to allthe people, like the mayor, you
know rightyeah, he, um, he even came
saturday night and sat up withthe k crew when we were setting
up and and shot the shit with usand talked to everybody in the
stands and, um, I asked him Isaid how many k's would we have
had to hang for you?
(19:13):
And he said I forget, I don't,I don't keep count of all that,
but I'm gonna go back and andlook, I bet we might have run
out of k's with him yeah, yeah,that's right.
Tony (19:24):
You guys have how many Ks bring?
Joy (19:26):
Yeah, we've got 18.
Tony (19:31):
18,.
Yeah, I think it's somewherealong those lines.
I think, if I remember, lookingback at the record books, he's
been on the show twice.
He's been an inspiration ofmine since I was close with him.
He's actually the guy whostarted on varsity baseball that
I talk about on the show.
Joy (19:46):
but yeah, brooks is a special guy so you're talking
about knowing brooksie and thatand that kind of thing and other
players that influence you.
Obviously, 17 is a big, bigperson in your life.
Um, did you have a chance, whenyou were here, to talk to the
2025 team and, without givingaway any dugout secrets?
Um, was there any wisdom thatyou shared with them that you
(20:07):
could share with me?
Tony (20:10):
So I got kind of close with last year's guys.
I started last year and thisyear's guys I'm even closer,
just because I try to give themas much wisdom or playing
experience or living experiencethat I can give them that I kind
of wish that maybe I had.
I'll tell you what they're aspecial group.
They appreciate it, they'rerespectful, they know the
(20:33):
history, they ask questions,they watch the videos from you,
know things that I post.
They know a lot about it andit's, man, it makes it all worth
it when you do that.
Like I give them lots of advice.
I try to tell them that you knowif they really want to get that
number 12, if they're lookingat that briefcase and it's a
(20:53):
real thing to uh, to puteverything into it and don't
worry about that.
That other stuff that comesalong with high school that you
think is so important, the funstuff and all that that stuff
will always kind of be important, you know.
But the baseball side of it, ifyou, if you treat it as all
business, I promise it will berewarding to you 30 years later.
I mean, I feel just as goodabout that 30 years later as I
(21:15):
did.
I try to give them as manystories or they ask questions.
That's the most amazing thingthey'll come up to me and they
got all throughout the night,different ones in the middle of
the game.
Hey Crush, what do you thinkabout this?
Hey Crush, what do you thinkabout that?
And that's awesome.
Joy (21:30):
They're great baseball players but they're good young
men and that's why it's so easyto root for them and go out
there Saturday afternoon,saturday night, whatever it
takes to go out there and cheerfor them and support them.
And, as a fan, I just want tosay thank you.
Thank you for bringingchampionships to Key West.
We still brag about them today.
(21:51):
You know, we're the proudestfans in America.
I don't know if we're the bestfans in America, if there's a
competition, but we're theproudest.
I guarantee you and you weresuch a part of that history and
I thank you for continuing tostay part of the program and be
there for for these young boys,young men, them and their
families appreciate it.
I do, as a fan, just get themto stand back and watch.
Tony (22:15):
You know, once a champion, always a champion, crush thank
you, thank you so much and I'mgoing to tell you it's
appreciated from at least theplayer side.
It was then.
And I have a whole otherappreciation, especially for
what you do.
You do it every day, multiplesports.
But I know you do it big inbaseball and I thank you for
(22:36):
that and I know the team does aswell.
Joy (22:40):
It's the biggest joy in my life, so you're welcome and you
can count on me and the rest ofthe k crew to always be there
thank you very much and thankyou for having me on.
Tony (22:49):
Uh, it's, it's really special.
Uh, you become a.
You have a special place in myheart.
Uh, you really do in such ashort amount of time.
I have a great appreciation foryou, so thank you the feeling's
mutual.
Joy (23:00):
I'll talk to you soon, thank you.
How cool was that?
Two-time state champion 1995,1996, tony crush acosta.
That's good stuff.
Before I wrap this episode, bigcongratulations to college
commits noah burnham and sammyholland.
Noah's headed to belmontuniversity in tennessee and
(23:23):
sammy will be attending theuniversity of Tampa.
You boys know I'm crazy aboutyou.
Go show them what you got, asMel Allen used to say.
That's all for now.
Folks, see you next week.
For this Week in Baseball, I'mJoy Newlish and I appreciate you
(23:43):
tuning into my podcast.
My purpose is to bring joy intomy life and the lives of others
.
If you enjoyed this episode,drop a review, share and
subscribe, because there's a lotof good stuff on tap.
You can also follow Bring Joyon YouTube and Instagram or
check my website atjoynewlistcom.
Now go bring joy to the peoplein your world.
Until next time, much love.
Thanks for tuning in to the Bring Joy podcast.
We're in season five and it'sall about baseball, talking big
leagues to the little leagues,yankees to the Conchs and
everything in between.
I'll share my joy for the gamewith you and whether you're a
fan of baseball or goodstorytelling, you'll be
entertained and each episodewill bring a little joy to your
day.
So sit back and relax.
Let's do this thing will bringa little joy to your day.
(00:23):
So sit back and relax.
Let's do this thing.
And how about another this Weekin Baseball bit, looking back
at Mid-March Madness 2025.
And I'm going to go.
Felix Ong and get things startedright out of the gates with a
strikeout.
No, make that four strikeoutsand two plus innings in his
first collegiate appearance withthe Florida Gators.
(00:44):
Think I wasn't happy to catchour Key West boy on the TV?
You better ask my neighbors.
See, this is how it happened.
I can't make this stuff up.
The Conks had just won thefirst game of a doubleheader.
Nelson Ong, felix's littlebrother, made not one but two
great catches in the outfield inthe seventh to secure the win
and send us all home to restbefore the night game.
(01:05):
I look up to congratulatenelly's parents and they say
thank you.
And, by the way, felix ispitching.
We'll say less because I livefour minutes away and got that
espn subscription for momentsjust like this.
Now, I could have sat in the carand watched it on my phone, but
hey, I could get there in threewith one light to beat.
There's something cool aboutseeing people you care about
(01:27):
live out their big moments,makes you feel grateful, proud
and all the feels.
I'm a sap, I know it.
And there's no crying inbaseball.
But Coach Dugan wasn't talkingabout happy tears.
Are you crying?
No, are you crying?
Are you crying?
There's no crying.
There's no crying in baseball.
Why don't you leave her alone,jimmy?
(01:47):
Oh, you zippit Dorris.
And while we're in our feels,who else saw New York Yankees
catcher JC?
Escala, call his mama and tellher he made the opening day
roster.
If that clip didn't move you totears and chills, I don't want
(02:07):
to know.
You Hit pause now and Google JCEscarra gets the call.
Watch that clip.
Go ahead, really, I'll be herewhen you get back.
I just talked to Boom.
Let's go to New.
York, let's go to New York.
It's cool how joy and lovetranslate in any language.
(02:38):
Entienda, alright, let's rubsome dirt on it and get back to
baseball.
The Varsity Conks lost three offive games in the Spring Break
Tournament hosted at the Rex.
I asked historian Judd Wise ifthere is a record kept of the
Spring Break Tournaments because, if memory serves, we lose more
than we win, with schools out.
But we'll learn lessons fromthe losses, tip our cap to the
(03:01):
victors and I know for a factConchs teams don't stay down
long.
We finish strong withback-to-back wins.
Senior Vinnie Moline and JCLompis-Gorman pitch complete
game the first of the season,striking out 15 batters and hear
this only allowed three walks.
That's big time right now.
Other firsts to celebrateSenior Casey Casper had his
(03:25):
first start.
He looked strong on the mound,going five innings with five Ks,
but didn't get the run supportneeded to secure a win.
Stay ready, casey.
And freshman Cade Maltz hit hisfirst career home run.
Darrell Terminio and TyroneCervantes got their first
varsity starts.
Let's go, fellas.
Looking ahead to the final gamesof the regular season, we need
(03:48):
senior Sammy Holland and CadenPichardo to continue leading us
at the plate, with plenty ofhelp from Roman Garcia and Maltz
.
Javi Perez and Jackie Nilesneed to keep those bats hot and
consistency will be key for OngDavila and the D8 spot split
between Jackson Bernhardt andKane Dickerson.
Quality at bat boys Knock theball in play and watch things
(04:09):
happen.
If defense wins championshipstoo soon, nah, it's not.
We all know the goal.
We trying to go after number 12.
So listen, jackie, get him ifhe goes.
Niles looks good on defenseplate gunning down runners in
key moments.
And Augie I'm not going to callhim Jeter yet.
Davila is showing big leaguerange.
(04:30):
Up the middle, pachardo andGarcia are handling the corners
and our outfield has to be thebest in Florida with Holland
Waltz and on covering someground in the outfield.
Our arms just need to trustthat stuff and the defense
behind them.
I'm not dropping names bymistake.
I'm calling you boys out.
You earned that jersey.
(04:51):
Now let's own it.
Let's go.
Listen to me.
Getting all wound up, I betterswitch gears.
In the major leagues, theregular season got underway in
Japan.
The Dodgers and the Cubs playeda two-game set to a full house
of adoring fans for the Tokyoseries.
(05:13):
The two clubs have fiveJapanese-born players on their
roster.
For the first time in majorleague history, two Japanese
pitches started on opening dayYoshinobu Yamato for the Dodgers
and Shotei Managa for the Cubs.
And the highly sought-afterRoke Sasaki pitched Game 2 for
the Dodgers, securing the seriessweep against the Cubs.
(05:34):
Maybe next year, cubby fans.
And Shohei Otani, the MajorLeague's most popular player,
gave the fans what they wantedcrushing his first home run of
the season.
The Japanese fans will haveplenty to cheer for.
Nothing bigger, in my opinion,than in July, when Ichiro Suzuki
will be inducted into the Hallof Fame.
Ichiro is the first Japaneseplayer and Asian born to be
(05:58):
inducted into the Hall of Famein Cooperstown.
In Cooperstown He'll be joinedby my man CC Sabathia of the New
York Yankees and the old schoolOG Dave Parker of the
Pittsburgh Pirates.
I wonder if Key West Cronk 12Uteam will be up there during the
Hall of Fame weekend.
I might have to make that tripbecause those College World
Series ticket prices are throughthe roof.
(06:22):
March Madness isn't reserved forbasketball brackets.
Only College baseball rankingswill be all over the place in
the next several weeks, asconference play is now in
session.
So far, the top 25 teams havenot dominated.
In fact, they only won 59% ofthe games in the first week of
conference play.
There are no undefeated teams.
Tennessee, who have moved aheadof LSU and Arkansas for the top
(06:45):
spot, probably took two lossesto East Tennessee State and
Alabama Roll Tide, oh man.
And Florida State lost theirfirst game of the season to the
mighty Mercer Bears but bouncedback and took the rival series
from Miami, showing their power,hitting six home runs in one
game.
I think they had eight on theseries.
(07:06):
Mad Max Williams is a beast,but how about freshman Miles
Bailey and Hunter Carnes and theFlorida Gators?
Felix, don't listen to this.
They look shaky right now.
They got swept by Tennessee andGeorgia.
You know Kevin O'Sullivan looksmad when he's happy and the
skipper can't be happy with theGators' play last week or
(07:27):
dropping to 20 in the polls.
Ouch, texas is playing goodball and introduced SEC rival
LSU and the world to leftypitcher Dylan Voltanis.
The kid has great stuff out ofthe bullpen.
He's probably going to end up astarter soon.
There's plenty of collegebaseball left through May, so
hang on and tune in becausethese boys play like they love
(07:48):
it and you never know whenyou'll catch the next Paul
Skeens on the bump.
I caught my first game out atthe backyard to see the Lady
Conks play ball.
Breonna Brenner pitched acomplete game shutout, allowing
one hit and striking out eight.
Vera Roger and Alexa Condellaprovided the Lady Conks offense
for a 2-0 win.
I have VIP seating, pulling upnext to coach Tyrone Cervantes.
(08:12):
Coach led the Little LeagueConk teams the back-to-back
state championships, includingthe 2024-14 U-Team that
represented the Southeast at theBabe Ruth Tournament in Texas
last summer.
Coach's daughters play shortball.
Kayla plays shortstop for theLady Conchs and TyMarie is in
her sophomore year with theSharks at Miami Dade College.
(08:32):
She's off to a good start withfour runs scored and 11 RBIs on
the season.
And if you're putting two andtwo together, yep, that's his
boy, tyrone I mentioned earlier.
They tell me his nickname isWalkoff, but you're going to
have to ask his daddy about that.
I'm just letting you know.
Kong's bloodlines run deep onthe island and reveal themselves
(08:53):
to me every week.
The Lake Mary Rams handed theConchs two of the three losses
referenced earlier.
Their center fielder is EthanArtman.
His daddy is Dane Artman, anative son of Key West, a
standout player on the island,and though he left the Keys, he
continued to play ball as anAll-American state champion and
member of the USA national team,dane went on to play
(09:16):
professional baseball with theMilwaukee Brewers.
I hadn't seen Dane in years butrecognized that smile right
away.
Unfortunately I had left myphone and didn't get a picture
or his number, but through thepower of social media I was able
to reach out and congratulatehim on Ethan's talent.
The kid must have wheels onthose cleats he can move and
(09:36):
that arm.
He made a throw from centerfield to home that earned wows
from the Key West crowd.
Dane shared his heartfeltthoughts on returning home with
me.
It was surreal watching my sonplay on the same field as I did
so many emotions and on the samefield as his cousin Sammy
Holland, and against Marcus, myformer teammate's son, augie.
(09:57):
Crazy stuff, he added.
Having played all over thecountry and the world.
There's nothing like Key Westbaseball.
I'm over the moon.
My son saw a little bit of whatKey West baseball is all about.
What do we say?
Conch Pride, don't leave homewithout it.
And if, by chance, you do leavehome, we still rooting for you
(10:19):
and yours believe that march14th and 15th was championship
weekend.
At the wrecks, the 1955, 95 and2005 state championship teams
were honored during a nostalgicceremony hosted by a mccrone
winner, the voice of the Conks,rick Lopez.
Tony (10:38):
Baseball is so great and so important in the history of
B-League.
You're looking at it right nowon these holograms of Rex
Wheatfield, your 1955, 1995, and2005 state champion Conk team.
Joy (10:56):
I was so inspired being surrounded by the champs.
I'll be dedicating an entireepisode to champions, so
subscribe to the podcast so youdon't miss a thing.
I did catch up with Tony Acosta, star player from the 1995 and
1996 state championship teams.
Brush, how are you?
Tony (11:17):
I'm doing well.
How are you doing, Miss Joy?
I'm doing well.
How are you doing, Miss Joy?
Joy (11:20):
I'm doing.
Great Thanks for jumping on thepodcast with me.
Tony (11:24):
Thank you for having me.
I'm honored.
Kind of weird I feel like we'rerepeating each other, but I am
definitely honored to be on.
Thank you for having me.
Joy (11:35):
So I was doing an episode about this week in baseball and
looking back and, of course,championship weekend was such a
big deal out at the Rex and Istarted to tell the story and
then I thought you know what?
I know a guy.
I know a guy who can tell thisstory better than anyone
Two-time state champion, TonyAcosta.
Tony (11:59):
Hey, that's cool to hear.
It was also cool to hear thisweekend.
I mean it never gets old.
I mean in the best way possible, it just never gets old.
Joy (12:08):
I was going to ask you what was it like, as a player, to be
back at the Rex and honored infront of all of your teammates,
teammates from otherchampionship teams and then so
many fans.
What was that like?
Tony (12:24):
It was surreal.
I thought I knew what it felt,like I thought I'd be right at
home, which I was right at home.
But I mean, man, when you seethe turnout that we got, and I
say we, I say us like as like asthe whole program, with, you
know, 55 guys showing up a lotof 2005 and then 95 guys, it was
(12:46):
overwhelming.
I had a lot of plans, me andyou were talking a little bit
before this.
I had a lot of plans to do alot of things with recording for
for the podcast and all thatkind of stuff and and I really
just got caught up in the moment.
It was really, uh, reallyspecial and good to see a lot of
new faces.
I didn't get a chance.
I actually hadn't met the 2005guys until just recently, so it
(13:08):
was very special.
Joy (13:10):
So that was one of the other questions I wanted to ask
you.
I know as a fan, I was lookingaround and I was also
overwhelmed and saw so manyplayers.
I wanted to get my picturetaken and autographs and all
this.
It was like a fan fest like noother.
I wonder you as a player, asyou're looking around on the
field, was there anyone that yousaw that you kind of geeked out
(13:30):
on and were a fan of?
Tony (13:33):
I wish it's a fan of the moment that night.
Like I said, it was veryoverwhelming that night and I
didn't think it would be, but itwas actually very overwhelming,
um, to see all the other guysuh come out from from 95 a lot
of the guys, but I guess seeingthe 2005 guys 55 guys were
unbelievable.
That's just amazing.
They're even out there.
I hope that I'm doing the sameuh at that age.
(13:57):
So it was cool to see the 2005guys and actually meet them, put
some names with the faces, uhthat I've never met before.
So that that was really cool,yeah and so you're.
Joy (14:06):
You're um part of the 95 championship team that was
honored.
So was that 30 years ago that'swhat they tell me.
Tony (14:16):
Uh, I don't, I don't want to buy into that, but yeah,
that's crazy.
Uh, it was 30 years ago.
Joy (14:21):
30 years ago and then you talk about.
You mentioned the 55 team.
That was 70 years ago and thatthat when I saw, uh, sam holland
I've become a big fan of hisrecently and had some great
conversations, obviously throughknowing his grandson, sammy and
then George Myra, of course,the legend and all those guys
(14:43):
seeing them there was wild.
How much effort did it take foryou to come here?
I know you and so many otherplayers don't live in the Keys
anymore.
When you heard about the date,I'm sure they told you.
I hope they told you in advance.
You know, did you circle thecalendar and know for sure
you're coming rain or shine?
Tony (15:02):
It's something.
It's something that you circle,and I'm already circling next
year's, because next year isgoing to be huge for 96.
So yeah, to say the least, Iwasn't missing it for the world.
Joy (15:13):
I just got the chills again .
Why is it important for you andfor all of us to continue to
celebrate that, that richhistory?
Tony (15:24):
first, I, I, I support uh and I will always support you
know 17 and what he does.
The guy was like a father to me.
I, I say it all the time it wasimportant to to show support of
that.
But I mean to see the amount ofpeople that came out from
2005-95, 1955.
It was something that you justcan't quite explain.
(15:46):
You gotta have to feel it.
I would keep coming back.
I mean, you get around theseguys and it brings all the
moments back.
I stand on those lines and andseeing some of those guys, man,
it's unbelievable.
It's been 30 years.
And then getting to catch a uh,a couple of first pitch pitches
from uh, the different teams,wow, that really took me back.
(16:06):
So there's so many things ofwhat made it special thanks for
sharing.
Joy (16:10):
I could feel the emotion, as you sharing this story, and
one of the things that I admireso much is with your podcast,
360 the center.
If people haven't heard it, youneed to get on youtube, find it
, subscribe, follow that wholething.
Going back to what we weresaying, it's so important that
we're recording these storiesfor years to come.
You know, it's one thing totell the story, but to record
(16:33):
them and to share them in a waythat fans will be able to watch
and listen to um for for yearsto come.
I think that's so importantbecause when you look at guys
like Sam Holland and George Myrathat you know are in their 80s,
it humbles you.
Yeah, I think that's soimportant because when you look
at guys like Sam Holland andGeorge Myra that you know are in
their 80s, it humbles you.
Yeah, I think it's so importantthat we continue to tell these
stories and document, you know,the history of Kong baseball.
(16:56):
Give me a little bit for thosepeople who aren't familiar with
your podcast.
Tony (17:00):
Give give me a little rundown on what is 360 to center
and how did it start uh, 360 tocenter is obviously uh, what I
what I say, uh, when, when I getstarted on the podcast, it's
everything conks baseball, um,and and that's what it is, uh,
whether it be current or or past, uh, and, and now it's even
(17:21):
growing into, I mean, heck, Ihope to have, uh, some of those
guys you just mentioned.
It's just everything relievingmemories, uh, talking about
current baseball with, with the2025, seeing how, how recent
players are doing in college.
Uh, it is everything andthere's actually a lot, a lot
more than I even realized when Iplayed the program.
(17:42):
There is a lot more and and I'mhitting on, I guess, special
nerves, I guess I would say, uh,of a lot of people that it
brings back so many memories andyou see it, you really see it
when they talk about it.
It it's, it's something special, um, and it just got started.
I kind of wanted to do a podcastfor the last couple years and
I've been.
You know, I was talking tolittle ralphie and man, he's
(18:04):
like let's do this, let'sabsolutely do this.
I haven't turned back.
Joy (18:08):
I mean, I think we're 30 episodes, 20 something episodes
in well, congratulations on andI enjoy every episode and, like
I said, anybody out therelistening who hasn't caught an
episode yet you need to do it.
It's really good stuff.
You've had everybody from youmentioned already 17, ralphie,
randy, sterling, brooks, careyso when I saw Brooksy at
(18:32):
Championship Weekend, he is theone that every time I see him I
get a little geeked out Becauseyou know, I was in like 11, 12,
13 years old when he was in hisprime, you know.
So he was like that first starthat I knew.
Of course, boog was larger thanlife.
I call him the people's champbecause you know they were going
(18:53):
around he was talking to allthe people, like the mayor, you
know rightyeah, he, um, he even came
saturday night and sat up withthe k crew when we were setting
up and and shot the shit with usand talked to everybody in the
stands and, um, I asked him Isaid how many k's would we have
had to hang for you?
(19:13):
And he said I forget, I don't,I don't keep count of all that,
but I'm gonna go back and andlook, I bet we might have run
out of k's with him yeah, yeah,that's right.
Tony (19:24):
You guys have how many Ks bring?
Joy (19:26):
Yeah, we've got 18.
Tony (19:31):
18,.
Yeah, I think it's somewherealong those lines.
I think, if I remember, lookingback at the record books, he's
been on the show twice.
He's been an inspiration ofmine since I was close with him.
He's actually the guy whostarted on varsity baseball that
I talk about on the show.
Joy (19:46):
but yeah, brooks is a special guy so you're talking
about knowing brooksie and thatand that kind of thing and other
players that influence you.
Obviously, 17 is a big, bigperson in your life.
Um, did you have a chance, whenyou were here, to talk to the
2025 team and, without givingaway any dugout secrets?
Um, was there any wisdom thatyou shared with them that you
(20:07):
could share with me?
Tony (20:10):
So I got kind of close with last year's guys.
I started last year and thisyear's guys I'm even closer,
just because I try to give themas much wisdom or playing
experience or living experiencethat I can give them that I kind
of wish that maybe I had.
I'll tell you what they're aspecial group.
They appreciate it, they'rerespectful, they know the
(20:33):
history, they ask questions,they watch the videos from you,
know things that I post.
They know a lot about it andit's, man, it makes it all worth
it when you do that.
Like I give them lots of advice.
I try to tell them that you knowif they really want to get that
number 12, if they're lookingat that briefcase and it's a
(20:53):
real thing to uh, to puteverything into it and don't
worry about that.
That other stuff that comesalong with high school that you
think is so important, the funstuff and all that that stuff
will always kind of be important, you know.
But the baseball side of it, ifyou, if you treat it as all
business, I promise it will berewarding to you 30 years later.
I mean, I feel just as goodabout that 30 years later as I
(21:15):
did.
I try to give them as manystories or they ask questions.
That's the most amazing thingthey'll come up to me and they
got all throughout the night,different ones in the middle of
the game.
Hey Crush, what do you thinkabout this?
Hey Crush, what do you thinkabout that?
And that's awesome.
Joy (21:30):
They're great baseball players but they're good young
men and that's why it's so easyto root for them and go out
there Saturday afternoon,saturday night, whatever it
takes to go out there and cheerfor them and support them.
And, as a fan, I just want tosay thank you.
Thank you for bringingchampionships to Key West.
We still brag about them today.
(21:51):
You know, we're the proudestfans in America.
I don't know if we're the bestfans in America, if there's a
competition, but we're theproudest.
I guarantee you and you weresuch a part of that history and
I thank you for continuing tostay part of the program and be
there for for these young boys,young men, them and their
families appreciate it.
I do, as a fan, just get themto stand back and watch.
Tony (22:15):
You know, once a champion, always a champion, crush thank
you, thank you so much and I'mgoing to tell you it's
appreciated from at least theplayer side.
It was then.
And I have a whole otherappreciation, especially for
what you do.
You do it every day, multiplesports.
But I know you do it big inbaseball and I thank you for
(22:36):
that and I know the team does aswell.
Joy (22:40):
It's the biggest joy in my life, so you're welcome and you
can count on me and the rest ofthe k crew to always be there
thank you very much and thankyou for having me on.
Tony (22:49):
Uh, it's, it's really special.
Uh, you become a.
You have a special place in myheart.
Uh, you really do in such ashort amount of time.
I have a great appreciation foryou, so thank you the feeling's
mutual.
Joy (23:00):
I'll talk to you soon, thank you.
How cool was that?
Two-time state champion 1995,1996, tony crush acosta.
That's good stuff.
Before I wrap this episode, bigcongratulations to college
commits noah burnham and sammyholland.
Noah's headed to belmontuniversity in tennessee and
(23:23):
sammy will be attending theuniversity of Tampa.
You boys know I'm crazy aboutyou.
Go show them what you got, asMel Allen used to say.
That's all for now.
Folks, see you next week.
For this Week in Baseball, I'mJoy Newlish and I appreciate you
(23:43):
tuning into my podcast.
My purpose is to bring joy intomy life and the lives of others
.
If you enjoyed this episode,drop a review, share and
subscribe, because there's a lotof good stuff on tap.
You can also follow Bring Joyon YouTube and Instagram or
check my website atjoynewlistcom.
Now go bring joy to the peoplein your world.
Until next time, much love.
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