We sit down with Darin Erstad—2002 World Series champion, two-time MLB All-Star, No. 1 overall pick in the 1995 MLB Draft, and a national-championship punter at Nebraska—for a candid, memory-rich conversation that hits every sweet spot for longtime baseball fans. We revisit the goosebump moment when Kirby Puckett walked into the clubhouse asking, “Where’s Dakota?” and offered a simple, unforgettable “thank you.” We go inside the 2002 Angels: Francisco “K-Rod” Rodríguez’s eye-opening arrival, the Rally Monkey era (with Kobe in the stands), and the mindset that carried a clubhouse to a title. Erstad also shares how mentors shaped his “take care of people” ethos and relives catching the final out of the World Series—two hands, just like dad taught him. If you love baseball history, behind-the-scenes details, and the human side of winning, this one’s for you.
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⏰ Timestamps:
(00:00:01) – Welcome, Erstad’s credentials and two-sport background
(00:06:17) – Favorite Twin: Kirby Puckett & the “Where’s Dakota?” moment
(00:07:55) – Singing the Twins fight song… in an Angels uniform
(00:13:45) – K-Rod call-up: “Who is this guy?” (Tim Salmon story)
(00:16:53) – Rally Monkey season, Kobe in the stands, special year vibes
(00:18:31) – World Series vs. national title: what “winning is hard” means
(00:23:15) – Jeff Kent’s warning & Erstad’s old-school first-base edge
(00:26:19) – LF vs. RF vs. CF: reads, curves, and why Edmonds was different
(00:31:13) – Barry Bonds’ moonshot & Percival’s approach to the challenge
(00:34:03) – Mentors (Hollins, DiSarcina) and a clubhouse culture of care
(00:38:58) – Cape Cod League memories; Helton, Varitek, and Nebraska ties
(00:41:47) – Husker punter days: “Just kick it, we’ll go get it”
(00:43:12) – Cornhuskers over Twins? On fandom and modern roster churn
(00:44:48) – The grind: showing up every day and performing
(00:53:31) – Rapid fire: first MLB AB & “welcome to the big leagues”
(00:54:29) – Toughest pitchers: Pettitte & Moyer; approach at the plate
(00:57:14) – Catching the 2002 final out & where the ball ended up
(01:00:25) – Closing: reunions, perspective, and appreciation
💡 Key Topics:
📌 Kirby Puckett’s locker-room “thank you” and Twins nostalgia
📌 2002 Angels bullpen, K-Rod’s emergence, Rally Monkey culture
📌 Outfield craft: Edmonds’ sign-reading, Vlad’s raw talent, Bonds HR
📌 Mentorship & clubhouse standards: Hollins, DiSarcina, paying it forward
📌 Nebraska football mindset, special teams lessons, and fandom
📌 What “winning is hard” really means across a 162-game grind
⚾ About Darin Erstad:
Darin Erstad is a 2002 World Series champion and two-time MLB All-Star who played 14 seasons, famously catching the final out of the ’02 Fall Classic. A No. 1 overall MLB Draft pick, he also won a national title as a punter at Nebraska and later coached at his alma mater, bringing a two-sport, high-standard mindset to everything he does.
🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:
The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
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