June 26, 2025 • 8 mins
DV chats with the 2025 US Open Champion before the Dodgers face the Rockies.. JJ talks about his love for the Dodgers, shares where he was for Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam, and answers a question from Eric Karros.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And an exclusive interview with David Bassey for Dodger Talk. Well,
we're joined right now by a champion, No, not a
Dodger World champion, but a champion of the US Open,
a proud man from San Demos and everybody was so
happy for him from San Demos and raging waters all
(00:21):
the way to Dodger Stadium in Alvera Street because he
is a huge Dodger fan and he had his Dodgers
scorebook out as he was on his way to winning
the US Open. And that is the one and only
JJ spawn JJ. Thanks a lot for calling in.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Appreciate it, hey, David, Yeah, no problem, Thanks for having
me on last to be on the phone with you.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Hey, it's meant to be the Dodgers winning the World
Series in twenty four and a Dodger fan named JJ
Spahn winning the US Open this year.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
I know, right, Yeah, It's been an incredible year for me.
And you know, to backup World Series win for the
city of La with the twenty twenty five US Open, I'm,
you know, super humbled and proud to be the US
Open and you know, keep that trophy in Southern California. JJ.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
I spotted your score book with the leather Dodger cover
on it, and that kind of tipped us all off
that you're a big Dodger fan. Have you had that
score book a long time or was that special for
the US Open.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
I've actually had it for a really long time. My
father in law does an annual Christmas gift for me
where he gives me a new yardage book cover, so
we carry yardage book covers that has all the course
notes in it, and you know, with community and rain
and stuff, it gets wet, so you usually have a
leather cover and people like to personalize there. So my
(01:46):
father in law has always put a Dodger's theme on it.
I have a World Series one, but the authentic Dodgers
one has been my favorite for the last few years.
So yeah, it's been in my back pocket, you know,
for the last four or five years, and it's definitely
part of, you know, my my lucky routine, my lucky
charm for for me on the course.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
That's really special. And you know, we we saw your
Instagram page where a couple of years ago you actually
showed up at Chase Field to take a photo with
Mookie Bets and Freddie Freeman. Do you have a favorite Dodger.
How long have you been a Dodger fan.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Yeah, I mean I've I've been a Dodger fan since
I can remember, you know, really young. My grandfather used
to hold season tickets and would treat us to games,
you know, weekly or monthly whenever we could get out
of school and stuff during the week. But yeah, I've
always been, you know, a huge Dodger fan. It really
kind of escalated and you know my high school and
(02:46):
college years during the you know, Manny Ramirez Andres You're
Matt Camp, you know, Era and Kersh. So that's kind
of when it really grew into a passion for me.
But yeah, you know, like it's it's such a great
organization and the there's so many great players that come
through it's hard to just pick one. But yeah, it
was fun to see Mooki and Freddie. Actually Mooky was
(03:08):
my pro am partner at the Pebble Beach pro am
three years ago, so that was that was a great
treat to, you know, get to play fifty four holes
with him and get to know him a little bit.
So we've kept in touch a little bit here and
there throughout the years in between, and it's been fun.
So it's nice to have, you know, a connection with
with some players that are on the Dodgers.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Did Mookie Betts send you a text after you won
the US Open?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Yes, he sure did. Yeah, and his his wife texted
my wife and they were super very nice and co
graduating and you know, we we've got some plans up,
you know, up our sleeves in the future to come
out to Dodge Stadium make some things happen. So, uh yeah,
it's a very exciting time to uh, you know, be
a Dodger fan and and also get to share it
with all my friends. That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
JJ Spahn, the US Open champion, and a kid from
San Dimas is joining us just ahead a first pitch
between the Dodgers and Rockies. All right, JJ, So if
I had to tell you you could wear one player's
jersey while playing a championship tournament, would it be Ethier,
would it be Kemp, would it be Mookie Betts? Who
would it be?
Speaker 2 (04:22):
I would have to go with I think I just
have to go with Kersh just because he's like the franchise,
you know, I like, I like to nickname him the franchise.
He's the face you had just been through it all.
He's been a champion, he's you know, been such a
key role player for this team. I'd kind of you know,
I have a soft spot for curse, so i'd be
(04:44):
wearing twenty two.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
So tomorrow he'll take the mound here at Coors Field,
only eight strikeouts away from three thousand. Will you be
able to watch tomorrow start?
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Yes, of course gotta watch that. I gotta you know,
obviously Dad route teens with putting the kids to sleep
and stuff. Well, I guess it's an early game, right midday, so.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Yeah, yeah, one o'clock game tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yeah. I'm resting, relaxing, so you know, I got all
the time to kill after the last two weeks of golf,
and it's kind of nice to veg out on the
couch and watch some baseball. So I'll definitely be watching.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Love it JJ. I got to ask you this, since
you're such a big Dodger fan, where were you when
Freddie Freeman hit his walk off Grand Slam against the
Yankees last year?
Speaker 2 (05:31):
That's actually a really cool question. I was. I was
in Tokyo, actually Tokyo, Japan, playing the Zozo. Yeah, I
was playing the Zozo Championship over in Marita, Tokyo, and
I'll never forget. I was walking, so it was at
the time, it was probably ten eleven am in Japan time,
(05:52):
so you know, back home in the evening, and I
was in the middle of my round. So I was
pulling out my phone during that game and seeing happened,
and you know, I saw it was bomb of the ninth.
You know, a couple strikeouts are a couple outs and
faces loaded, and so I had to put my phone away.
I went to hit my shot and then pulled the
phone back out like five minutes later on the green
(06:14):
and it's a game over, and you know, to see that,
you know, update on my phone, but not the actual
play was created kind of like freaked out in the
middle of my round. But I was able to see
the highlights afterwards, which was super cool.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Yeah, that's a unique story from a very unique lifestyle.
US Open champion JJ's spawn is our guest. All right,
since you are a big Dodger fan, would you mind
answering a question for the all time LA Dodger home
run leader Eric Carross. Are you good with that?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yeah, of course, not a problem.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
He sent me a text he wants to know what
your go to calm yourself before a huge shot or putt.
Is Is there a song? Is there a verse? Is
there a saying how do you calm yourself down in
that big moment like you did in the US Open?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah? Great question. I think the best thing for me
to for me to you know, approach big pressure shots
or putts, is I like to tell myself that I've
done this a million times, Like whether it's a tea shot,
you know, I've hit a million of these tea shots.
I've hit a million of these three footers. I can't
say I've hit a million sixty four footers and made them,
(07:24):
but but I have, you know, done everything in between.
And I think kind of putting that mindset you know,
before you hit your shot and kind of helps you
get into your routine and kind of, you know, dumbs
down the moment of how how big of a moment
it is, and takes a lot of the pressure off
by just saying You've done this millions of times, because
(07:44):
you know, whether it's practice or other tournaments beforehand, the
best thing to do is just think of it as
as another swing and another shot kind of like you know, Freddy.
You know he had to hit it, he hit that
Grand Slam, But I'm sure he's up there thinking, yeah,
this is a huge moment, but it's just another at bat.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
No doubt. That's how you got to keep yourself in
the moment, be where your feed are, and JJ spawn
certainly did that a couple of weeks ago winning the
US Open. Can't wait to see you at Dodgers Stadium.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
JJ.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
All the best to you between then and now, and
who knows, you may see JJ spawn somewhere in San
Dimas between then as well. Thanks a lot for the time,
JJ appreciate it, of
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Course, David, Yeah, thanks for having me on and go Dodgers.
And an exclusive interview with David Bassey for Dodger Talk. Well,
we're joined right now by a champion, No, not a
Dodger World champion, but a champion of the US Open,
a proud man from San Demos and everybody was so
happy for him from San Demos and raging waters all
(00:21):
the way to Dodger Stadium in Alvera Street because he
is a huge Dodger fan and he had his Dodgers
scorebook out as he was on his way to winning
the US Open. And that is the one and only
JJ spawn JJ. Thanks a lot for calling in.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Appreciate it, hey, David, Yeah, no problem, Thanks for having
me on last to be on the phone with you.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Hey, it's meant to be the Dodgers winning the World
Series in twenty four and a Dodger fan named JJ
Spahn winning the US Open this year.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
I know, right, Yeah, It's been an incredible year for me.
And you know, to backup World Series win for the
city of La with the twenty twenty five US Open, I'm,
you know, super humbled and proud to be the US
Open and you know, keep that trophy in Southern California. JJ.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
I spotted your score book with the leather Dodger cover
on it, and that kind of tipped us all off
that you're a big Dodger fan. Have you had that
score book a long time or was that special for
the US Open.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
I've actually had it for a really long time. My
father in law does an annual Christmas gift for me
where he gives me a new yardage book cover, so
we carry yardage book covers that has all the course
notes in it, and you know, with community and rain
and stuff, it gets wet, so you usually have a
leather cover and people like to personalize there. So my
(01:46):
father in law has always put a Dodger's theme on it.
I have a World Series one, but the authentic Dodgers
one has been my favorite for the last few years.
So yeah, it's been in my back pocket, you know,
for the last four or five years, and it's definitely
part of, you know, my my lucky routine, my lucky
charm for for me on the course.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
That's really special. And you know, we we saw your
Instagram page where a couple of years ago you actually
showed up at Chase Field to take a photo with
Mookie Bets and Freddie Freeman. Do you have a favorite Dodger.
How long have you been a Dodger fan.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Yeah, I mean I've I've been a Dodger fan since
I can remember, you know, really young. My grandfather used
to hold season tickets and would treat us to games,
you know, weekly or monthly whenever we could get out
of school and stuff during the week. But yeah, I've
always been, you know, a huge Dodger fan. It really
kind of escalated and you know my high school and
(02:46):
college years during the you know, Manny Ramirez Andres You're
Matt Camp, you know, Era and Kersh. So that's kind
of when it really grew into a passion for me.
But yeah, you know, like it's it's such a great
organization and the there's so many great players that come
through it's hard to just pick one. But yeah, it
was fun to see Mooki and Freddie. Actually Mooky was
(03:08):
my pro am partner at the Pebble Beach pro am
three years ago, so that was that was a great
treat to, you know, get to play fifty four holes
with him and get to know him a little bit.
So we've kept in touch a little bit here and
there throughout the years in between, and it's been fun.
So it's nice to have, you know, a connection with
with some players that are on the Dodgers.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Did Mookie Betts send you a text after you won
the US Open?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Yes, he sure did. Yeah, and his his wife texted
my wife and they were super very nice and co
graduating and you know, we we've got some plans up,
you know, up our sleeves in the future to come
out to Dodge Stadium make some things happen. So, uh yeah,
it's a very exciting time to uh, you know, be
a Dodger fan and and also get to share it
with all my friends. That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
JJ Spahn, the US Open champion, and a kid from
San Dimas is joining us just ahead a first pitch
between the Dodgers and Rockies. All right, JJ, So if
I had to tell you you could wear one player's
jersey while playing a championship tournament, would it be Ethier,
would it be Kemp, would it be Mookie Betts? Who
would it be?
Speaker 2 (04:22):
I would have to go with I think I just
have to go with Kersh just because he's like the franchise,
you know, I like, I like to nickname him the franchise.
He's the face you had just been through it all.
He's been a champion, he's you know, been such a
key role player for this team. I'd kind of you know,
I have a soft spot for curse, so i'd be
(04:44):
wearing twenty two.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
So tomorrow he'll take the mound here at Coors Field,
only eight strikeouts away from three thousand. Will you be
able to watch tomorrow start?
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Yes, of course gotta watch that. I gotta you know,
obviously Dad route teens with putting the kids to sleep
and stuff. Well, I guess it's an early game, right midday, so.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Yeah, yeah, one o'clock game tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yeah. I'm resting, relaxing, so you know, I got all
the time to kill after the last two weeks of golf,
and it's kind of nice to veg out on the
couch and watch some baseball. So I'll definitely be watching.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Love it JJ. I got to ask you this, since
you're such a big Dodger fan, where were you when
Freddie Freeman hit his walk off Grand Slam against the
Yankees last year?
Speaker 2 (05:31):
That's actually a really cool question. I was. I was
in Tokyo, actually Tokyo, Japan, playing the Zozo. Yeah, I
was playing the Zozo Championship over in Marita, Tokyo, and
I'll never forget. I was walking, so it was at
the time, it was probably ten eleven am in Japan time,
(05:52):
so you know, back home in the evening, and I
was in the middle of my round. So I was
pulling out my phone during that game and seeing happened,
and you know, I saw it was bomb of the ninth.
You know, a couple strikeouts are a couple outs and
faces loaded, and so I had to put my phone away.
I went to hit my shot and then pulled the
phone back out like five minutes later on the green
(06:14):
and it's a game over, and you know, to see that,
you know, update on my phone, but not the actual
play was created kind of like freaked out in the
middle of my round. But I was able to see
the highlights afterwards, which was super cool.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Yeah, that's a unique story from a very unique lifestyle.
US Open champion JJ's spawn is our guest. All right,
since you are a big Dodger fan, would you mind
answering a question for the all time LA Dodger home
run leader Eric Carross. Are you good with that?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yeah, of course, not a problem.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
He sent me a text he wants to know what
your go to calm yourself before a huge shot or putt.
Is Is there a song? Is there a verse? Is
there a saying how do you calm yourself down in
that big moment like you did in the US Open?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah? Great question. I think the best thing for me
to for me to you know, approach big pressure shots
or putts, is I like to tell myself that I've
done this a million times, Like whether it's a tea shot,
you know, I've hit a million of these tea shots.
I've hit a million of these three footers. I can't
say I've hit a million sixty four footers and made them,
(07:24):
but but I have, you know, done everything in between.
And I think kind of putting that mindset you know,
before you hit your shot and kind of helps you
get into your routine and kind of, you know, dumbs
down the moment of how how big of a moment
it is, and takes a lot of the pressure off
by just saying You've done this millions of times, because
(07:44):
you know, whether it's practice or other tournaments beforehand, the
best thing to do is just think of it as
as another swing and another shot kind of like you know, Freddy.
You know he had to hit it, he hit that
Grand Slam, But I'm sure he's up there thinking, yeah,
this is a huge moment, but it's just another at bat.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
No doubt. That's how you got to keep yourself in
the moment, be where your feed are, and JJ spawn
certainly did that a couple of weeks ago winning the
US Open. Can't wait to see you at Dodgers Stadium.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
JJ.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
All the best to you between then and now, and
who knows, you may see JJ spawn somewhere in San
Dimas between then as well. Thanks a lot for the time,
JJ appreciate it, of
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Course, David, Yeah, thanks for having me on and go Dodgers.
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