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Today’s guest is former San Francisco Giants pitcher Caleb Baragar, who joins the podcast for the second time—and a lot has happened since his last appearance. Since then, Caleb’s baseball journey has taken him across just about every level and corner of the professional game: independent ball with the Lancaster Stormers, back to affiliated baseball with the Minnesota Twins organization in Triple-A, south to the Mexican League, and then across the Pacific to the Chinese Professional Baseball League with the Rakuten Monkeys in Taiwan. We dive into what it’s really like bouncing between leagues and countries, how different styles of play and levels of offense compare, the adjustment from bullpen work back to starting, culture shock overseas, packed postseason crowds in Taiwan, championship celebrations, and how his pitching arsenal evolved along the way. We also talk about life off the field—living internationally, learning the language, what’s next in his career, what he’s watching right now, and yes… Tony Vitello.This is episode 186. Let’s get started. Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In Episode 185 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former KTVU News anchor Frank Somerville to discuss his journey to sobriety, thoughts on modern news media, delivering news as an anchor, the art of storytelling, Bay Area sports scene, facing reality as an alcoholic, getting clean, what’s next and more! Here's the article I wrote about Frank while a student at SFSU: https://goldengatexpress.org/102754/campus/sf-state-alumni-frank-somerville-vows-to-return-after-struggle-with-alcohol-substance-abuse/ Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 184 of RizzoCast, we are joined by longtime big-league right-hander Dominic Leone, who pitched parts of 11 seasons with nine different MLB teams and played a key role in the San Francisco Giants’ 2021 postseason run! We discuss his early years breaking in with Seattle, bouncing around the league as a high-leverage reliever, navigating the challenges of being a journeyman, and what it was like pitching in San Francisco during that incredible 107-win season. Dominic also reflects on facing the game’s best hitters, the mentality of bullpen life, and the moments that defined his decade-long career. He also talks about growing up a Red Sox fan, his friendships and influences around the league, and the transition into retirement after the 2024 season. Plus, we get into his new chapter as a social media content creator on Instagram, how he approaches storytelling online, and what he hopes to build in this next phase of life. Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 183 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies left-hander Ty Blach!We discuss his time in San Francisco, debuting against his hometown Rockies, outdueling Clayton Kershaw, hitting his first big-league homer, and what it was like pitching for Bruce Bochy and alongside Giants legends like Madison Bumgarner and Buster Posey.Ty also talks about his roots in Colorado, his college days at Creighton, pitching at Coors Field, balancing life as a student-athlete, and his thoughts on the modern game — from analytics to the obsession with velocity. Plus, we chat about fatherhood, his future in baseball, and what life might look like after the game.Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCastFollow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCastFollow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 182 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former MLB right-handed reliever Matt Wisler! We talk about the MLB postseason, new endeavor in the business world, discovering the medical device industry, advising college athletes, assisting former players, the development of his slider and more!Check out Elite Performance Medical: https://teamepm.com/Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCastFollow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCastFollow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

We're BACK! In episode 181 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former left-handed reliever Randy Choate (the episode was previously recorded in January). We discuss his big league career, if there was a LOOGY group chat, what happens in the bullpen, his infamous errant throw in the 2014 playoffs and so much more.Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCastFollow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCastFollow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 180 of RizzoCast, we are joined by Delaware County Community College baseball player Aaron Rouselle. We discuss Aaron's journey as a 40-year-old JUCO product, surviving cancer and two liver translants, what he’s about to embark on, what he’s looking forward to most, being a mentor, silencing the haters, his health journey, beating cancer, finding healing and more! Follow Aaron on X: https://x.com/CoachAaronR Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 179 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former MLB infielder Ryan Theriot to discuss the current MLB scene, Paul Skenes interning for him, winning a title at LSU, playing in the big leagues, getting his uniform dirty, playing for La Russa and Bochy, scoring the winning run in the 2012 World Series, opening up a gym in Baton Rouge and so much more. Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 178 of RizzoCast, we are joined by Sacred Heart Prep head baseball coach Sean McMillan to discuss his career in coaching, getting ready for the upcoming season, mentoring players, running a high school program, trends in baseball strategy, this generation of players and more! Check out All in Baseball: https://www.allinbaseball.org/ Follow Sean on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachmac40/ Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 177 of RizzoCast, we are joined by Caught Looking Podcast host Max Greenfield! We discuss the 2025 Hall of Fame ballot, every candidate in detail from Bobby Abreu to Billy Wagner, arguments surrounding Brian McCann and Russell Martin, CC Sabathia vs Andy Pettitte, Dustin Pedroia’s debut, Manny and A-Rod’s chances and more! Follow Max on X: https://x.com/greenfieldmax18?s=21&t=WlnLpfzmWn0ol34Bn7EELw Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 176 of RizzoCast, we are joined by Bay Area sports writing legend and current Defector staff writer Ray Ratto! We discuss what to expect from Buster Posey as San Francisco Giants' president of baseball operations, the Giants' offseason free agent plans, the golden batter rule, MLB attracting their younger audience, the art of sports column writing, status of opinions and hot take and more! Read Ray on Defector: https://defector.com/author/ray-ratto Follow Ray on Blue Sky: rayratto.bsky.social Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 175 of RizzoCast, we are joined by SFBay founder and San Francisco State journalism chair Jesse Garnier to discuss his career in journalism, news scene in San Francisco, the changing industry, covering 9/11 in New York, origin story of SFBay, covering sports, working with student reporters and more! Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 174 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former Oakland A's athletic trainer Joe Trujillo. We discuss getting introduced to sports medicine, coaching HS baseball, becoming an athletic trainer with the A’s, spending a year in the Dominican Republic, working for a Professional organization, learning spanish, communication with players, playing bad cop, identifying injuries and more! Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 173 of RizzoCast, we are joined by TrevsChirps star and professional heckler Trevor Gilmore! We discuss his Giants fandom, the origins of his brand, getting kicked out of stadiums, hilarious NASCAR experience, developing chirps for players, social media strategy, process of filming and editing, becoming a noticeable figure at ballparks and much more! Follow Trevor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trevschirps/ Catch up with all of Trevor's content and purchase merchandise: https://linktr.ee/trevschirps Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto

In episode 172 of RizzoCast, we are joined by former MLB right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson! We discuss keeping up with baseball today, his favorite teammates, hotel aliases, being born in Jamacia, religon in baseball, playing for Tony Gwynn at SDSU, playing in Cleveland, pitching deep into games and more! Watch and listen to RizzoCast's full episodes: https://linktr.ee/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RizzoCast Follow RizzoCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizzocast/ Follow Steven Rissotto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenRissotto